On the eighteenth episode of the Molsan Method podcast, I continue to talk about the upcoming changes to the game in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. I discuss Mastery, itemization, and character customization. (4:58)

Special thanks to Alachia from World of Warcast and MetaTalks for the awesome intro!

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 Molsan Method Podcast - Episode 18 [4:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (39)

On the seventeenth episode of the Molsan Method podcast, I meander through thoughts, ideas, and opinions about itemization in the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm. (8:20)

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 Molsan Method Podcast - Episode 17 [8:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (38)

I’ve recently decided to level up my Shaman, changing his main spec from Enhancement to Restoration. Thanks to World of Warcraft patch 3.3, I can queue for random dungeons as a healer while I’m out questing. I put together a quick guide for itemizing a Resto Shammy using nothing but crafted items or bind-on-equip gear. The only exceptions are trinkets and the Shaman relic. Upgrades for these slots can be found by running the Venture Company dailies in Venture Bay.

Before reading this guide, please be aware of some assumptions:

• This guide is intended for players leveling up in Northrend, in preparation to run heroic dungeons
• Yes, I realize that there is better gear from quests and dungeons
• You are going to use only the best available gems and enchants
• The prefix/suffix random BoEs might be better in some cases, but ignored because of their uncertain availability

Here is the breakdown by slot. There are some cases where crafted items from Burning Crusade recipes are viable for leveling, especially Leatherworking’s Netherfury set. C = crafted, WD = world drop, DQ = daily quest. Now, on with it!

Head

Helm of the Lightning Halls (WD, 80)
Stormhide Crown (C, 78)
Duskweave Cowl (C, 75)
Nerubian Helm (C, 74)

Neck

Blood Sun Necklace (C, 75)
Crystal Citrine Necklace (C, 70)

Shoulder

Epaulets of Market Row (WD, 78)
Duskweave Shoulders (C, 77)
Nerubian Shoulders (C, 73)

Back

Wispcloak (C, 80)
Cloak of the Moon (C, 74)
White Remedy Cape (C, 69)

Chest

Revenant’s Breastplate (C, 80)
Stormhide Hauberk (C, 78)
Dark Nerubian Chestpiece (C, 76)

Wrist

Stormhide Wristguards (C, 78)
Bracers of Sizzling Heat (WD, 75)
Bracers of Havok (C, 69)

Hands

Stormhide Grips (C, 78)
Duskweave Gloves (C, 76)

Waist

Sash of Jordan (WD, 80)
Stormhide Belt (C, 78)
Netherfury Belt (C, 67)

Legs

Stormhide Legguards (C, 78)
Netherfury Leggings (C, 67)

Feet

Scaled Icewalkers (C, 77)
Netherfury Boots (C, 69)

Finger

Titanium Spellshock Ring (C, 80)
Runed Mana Band (C, 80)
Ring of Northern Tears (C, 78)
Shadowmight Ring (C, 77)
Sun Rock Ring (C, 70)

Trinket

Arcane Revitalizer (DQ, 74)
Goblin Repetition Reducer (DQ, 74)

Two-Handed Weapon

Zabra’s Misplaced Staff (WD, 77)
Lola’s Lifegiving Branch (WD, 71)

Main Hand Weapon

Titansteel Guardian (C, 80)
Cudgel of Saronite Justice (C, 77)
Melia’s Magnificent Scepter (WD, 75)
The Essence Focuser (WD, 70)

Off-Hand

Zom’s Crackling Bulwark (WD, 80)
Faces of Doom (C, 77)
Saronite Protector (C, 73)
Crystal Pulse Shield (WD, 69)

Totem

Totem of the Bay (DQ, 74)

During my character itemization research, I discovered the Battlemaster’s trinkets. If you are itemizing gear around item level 200 and 213, these trinkets can be a significant upgrade for you before you start running Naxxramas and Ulduar.

There are five trinkets available, each boosting an offensive attribute and an “on use” bonus of increasing your health by 3,385 for 15 seconds. Each trinket costs 49,600 honor, and is available from your faction’s Apprentice Armor Quartermaster (in Orgrimmar for Horde and Stormwind for Alliance).

• Battlemaster’s Accuracy: +95 hit rating
• Battlemaster’s Avidity: +95 haste rating
• Battlemaster’s Bravery: +111 spell power
• Battlemaster’s Conviction: +190 attack power
• Battlemaster’s Hostility: +95 critical strike rating

The other great benefit to having this trinket is… having another one. These are not unique! You can equip two of the same trinket, or balance out your build with a different Battlemaster’s trinket.