Wednesday, January 6, 2010

ICC Moonkin Raiding Gear


PLEASE NOTE: The list DOES NOT currently include Heroic gear or Arthas gear from ICC. It will be added at a later time. However, I think it is safe to assume that if the Normal item is BiS or near BiS on this list then the Heroic item will be as well.

Update 2: I've corrected the errors you guys spotted. Thanks for the help. I've also updated my valuation of the Nibelung. I know think it is BiS.
Update: I've corrected the issue with how gems were valued, and I've also changed the way the list is sorted. It is now sorted by the value that excludes hit.

ICC is here and as usual everyone wants an updated gear list. I am happy to provide it, but please read over the sections below before looking at the lists. The comments I make here should answer a lot of the questions you may have.

Special Thanks:
Once again Cowtarus on Stormscale-US helped me out in producing this list. He did all of the data entry for the new instances saving me a lot of time and sanity. So if you appreciate the existence of this list please send him thanks as well. I know I appreciate it.

Format Changes:
Once again, I’ve had to make some changes in how I build the list.

  1. Names: The list will only include the Alliance names for the ToC gear. I apologize if anyone has a huge problem with that, but you’re going to have to deal with it. I will not be producing a separate Horde list. At this point in time you should already know what gear you want out of ToC and ToGC. If you don’t, the old lists should be ok for helping you find the available gear.


  2. 2. Purges: I’ve dropped a lot of old items from the list, but I tried to do it in a systematic way, with a few exceptions. My basic goal was to drop all entry level gear, and I used a few basic rules to identify them. All entry level crafted gear was dropped. All 5man gear was dropped except for the items from the new ICC 5mans. All gear from Naxx, Sarth, and Malygos was dropped. In fact, I am concidering dropping the Ulduar gear when I update this list with the heroic items. If you have a strong opinion on this please leave it in the comments.

    As I said above there were a couple of exceptions that I still included despite falling into one of that categories above. I think all of the exceptions were trinkets. That said, I did drop some nice items from the list that are better then what you find in the higher level instances. If this is really a big deal for you I suggest looking at some of the old lists to find what is available.


A few comments:
  1. This list is a tool, not a blue print for how to gear. I’ve never intended these lists to be the definitive guide on how to gear a raiding moonkin. I don’t want to see any comments anywhere that say “item X is the best because it’s ranked number one on Graylo’s list.”


  2. The use of this list requires some thought. It is a general ranking intended to give you an idea on how items relate to each other.

    Please realize that these values are estimates based upon my gear level. Two items with a similar value, can be assumed to be relatively equal. Also, realize that if you are at a different gear level then me, you may value the stats differently. I highly suggest you look at this post to determine how you value stats and weigh your options accordingly.


  3. It is up to you to manage your Hit, Haste, and Crit caps. Do not take every number one item on the list.


  4. These rankings are purely based upon DPS. Yes, Stam and Mp5 have value, but there is no way to directly translate them into DPS. By the same token Intelligence and Spirit have both mana and DPS benefits, but only the DPS is considered.


  5. Procs are particularly hard to quantify. Trinkets and other items that have procs or on use abilities are estimated in the list. However, it is likely that some of them are wrong given that we know very little about some of the procs. I will update them if I can, but I make no guarentees.


Assumptions:
  1. To rank these items I used the following weights Hit Rating - 1.9785, Spell Power - 1, Haste Rating - 0.5317, Crit Rating - 0.7571. These weights assume a high level of ToC Gear. It also assumes your are at or above the Haste Cap. If you're below the haste cap, haste will be more valueable to you. If you're above the Crit Cap then Crit and Haste will be relatively equal.


  2. I assume that all socket bonus will be met using Eqic quality gems. This is how I socket each gem: Meta = [Chaotic Skyflare Diamond], Red = [Runed Cardinal Ruby], Yellow = [Potent Ametrine], Blue = [Purified Dreadstone]. Yes, ignoring socket bonus will improve some of the items. However, the shifts would be small and it's easier manage this way.

Ranking Legend:
Black - DPS stat ranking
Red - DPS stat ranking minus Hit rating

Legs:





































Leggings of Woven Death Crafting399.2399.2
Legwraps of Unleashed Nature Crafting381.5381.5
Legwraps of the Awakening Anubarak 25 - H379.5379.5
Lightweave Leggings Crafting378.1378.1
Kilt of Untreated Wounds Festergut - 10363.1363.1
Leggings of the Refracted Mind Valithria - 10356356
Sanctified Lasherweave Trousers 95 EoF + Conq Mark 533.7351.6
Leather of Stitched Scourge Parts Festergut - 25339.6339.6
Leggings of the Soothing Touch Jaraxxus 25 - H337.5337.5
Legwraps of the Awakening Anubarak 25330.5330.5
Leggings of the Deepening Void Anubarak 25 - H515.5329.5
Plaguebringer's Stained Pants Festergut - 25513.8319.9
Lasherweave Trousers 95 EoF473.2314.9
Leggings of Unrelenting Blood Saurfang - 10314.8314.8
Leggings of the Demonic Messenger Jaraxxus 10 - H313.9313.9
Leggings of the Deepening Void Anubarak 25451288.7
Leggings of the Soothing Touch Jaraxxus 25288.6288.6
Leggings of the Enslaved Idol Freya25 H425286.5
Leggings of Profound Darkness Vezax10 H282282
Malfurion's Trousers of Triumph - H 1 RotGV482.6280.7
Wildstrider Legguards Emblem of Conquest265265
Leggings of the Demonic Messenger Jaraxxus 10263.2263.2
Legwraps of the Master Conjurer Emblem of Conquest263263
Zodiac Leggings Algalon10260.4260.4
Malfurion's Trousers of Triumph 75 EoT + 1 ToC429.6251.5
Rimewoven Silks Tyrannus 5man250.2250.2
Conqueror's Nightsong Trousers Freya25365.7248.9
Leggings of the Lifetender Freya25244.7244.7
Valorous Nightsong Trousers Hodir10340233.1
Leggings of the Unstable Discharge Thorim10227.3227.3
Malfurion's Trousers of Conquest 50 EoT384225.7
Leggings of Atrophy Anub'Rekhan25305.7206.8
Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster Malygos25366.2204
Overload Legwraps Iron Council25 H361.8201.6

I am sure that the Tier gear will rule the day, and probably in all of the 5 tier spots. Our tier gear is so well itemized that it is unlikely we will want to replace any of it unless Arthas has some truly awesome gear.

In this particular case the tier legs are a sure bet to be in almost everyone’s BiS lists. Alliance moonkin only need 3 items to reach the hit cap with Heroic gear, and can get close enough with 3 pieces and 2 Veiled gems using 25man gear. Since the legs are one of the items with hit on them it is likely to be an automatic choice. That said, a couple of people have made some good arguements why you might go a different way in the comments.

Head:































Sanctified Lasherweave Cover 95 EoF + Conq Mark 517.6517.6
Helm of the Elder Moon Rotface - 25492.8492.8
Lasherweave Cover 95 EoF474.6474.6
Stormrage Crown Onyxia25463.8463.8
Cowl of Malefic Repose Queen Lanathel - 10463.3463.3
Corp'rethar Ceremonial Crown Gunship - 25462.6462.6
Sister Svalna's Spangenhelm Valithria - 10455.5455.5
Malfurion's Cover of Triumph - H 1 RotGV626.9440.9
Stormrage Cover Onyxia25435435
Thaumaturge's Crackling Cowl Saurfang - 10434.6434.6
Helm of the Snowy Grotto Twin Valkyrs 10 - H430.8430.8
Helm of Clouded Sight 75 EoT430.8430.8
Stormrage Antlers Onyxia10427.9427.9
Helm of Abundant Growth 75 EoT417.5417.5
Crown of Luminescence Mimiron25 H416.4416.4
Malfurion's Cover of Triumph 75 EoT + 1 ToC568.8406.6
Stormrage Hood Onyxia10401.9401.9
Fallen Sentry's Hood Falric 5man398.4398.4
Helm of the Snowy Grotto Twin Valkyrs 10397.9397.9
Hood of Fiery Aftermath 75 EoT536.4390
Malfurion's Cover of Conquest 50 EoT519.1376.6
Sightless Crown of Ulmaas Marwyn - H 5man490.9368.3
Cover of the Keepers Auriaya10363.8363.8
Tattered Glacial-Woven Hood Halls Chest 5man363.6363.6
Collar of the Wyrmhunter Razorscale25460359.1
Lifespark Visage Flame Leviathan10350.6350.6
Conqueror's Nightsong Cover Thorim25463.9345.2
Valorous Nightsong Cover Mimiron10440.4331.5
Cowl of Icy Breaths Hodir10464.6330.1

The tier helms are a clear choice again. Even at the lower ilevels the Tier helms are better itemized then the other options at the same ilevel. Most of the other helms have spirit, and the ones that don’t have more haste or worse gems.

Shoulders:


































Sanctified Lasherweave Mantle 60 EoF + Conq Mark 295.7295.7
Stiffened Corpse Shoulderpads Trash - 25280.3280.3
Lasherweave Mantle 60 EoF263.7263.7
Malfurion's Mantle of Triumph - H 1 RotGV260.1260.1
Shoulders of Frost-Tipped Thorns Blood Princess - 25258.6258.6
Shoulderpads of the Glacial Wilds Northrend Beasts 10 - H248.9248.9
Bloodstained Surgeon's Shoulderguards Festergut - 10241.9241.9
Shoulderpads of the Searing Kiss Queen Lanathel - 10233.3233.3
Shoulders of Mercy Killing Deathwhisper - 25374.2231.8
Shoulders of the Fateful Accord 45 EoT231.6231.6
Malfurion's Mantle of Triumph 45 EoT + 1 ToC231.6231.6
Shoulderpads of Dormant Energies Flame Leviathan25 H226.5226.5
Shoulders of Ruinous Senility Putricide - 10331.2222.4
Shoulderpads of the Glacial Wilds Northrend Beasts 10220220
Pauldrons of Revered Mortality 45 EoT214.1214.1
Amice of Inconceivable Horror Yogg-Saron10 H209.3209.3
Mantle of Catastrophic Emanation 45 EoT341.7209.1
Malfurion's Mantle of Conquest 30 EoT207.4207.4
Conqueror's Nightsong Mantle Yogg-Saron25194.9194.9
Mantle of the Unknowing Vezax25185.5185.5
Malleable Steelweave Mantle Mimiron25184.7184.7
Valorous Nightsong Mantle Thorim10181.9181.9
Frayed Abomination Stitching Shoulders Marwyn 5man181.1181.1
Underworld Mantle Vezax10173.7173.7
Mantle of Tattered Feathers Trash 5man173.6173.6
Mantle of the Preserver Auriaya10172.1172.1
Iceshear Mantle Ulduar10170.9170.9
Grim Lasher Shoulderguards Halls Chest 5man167.2167.2
Very Fashionable Shoulders Bronjahm - H 5man284.2161.5
Shoulderguards of Assimilation Mimiron10158158
Soot-Covered Mantle Ignis25255.8152.9

Pretty much the same thing I said for the head slot. The tier items are an easy choice because they are better itemized then the other options at all ilevels.

Chest:









































Sanctified Lasherweave Vestment 95 EoF + Conq Mark 400.5400.5
Meteor Chaser's Raiment 95 EoF399.2399.2
Ermine Coronation Robes 95 EoF388.2388.2
Deathwhisper Chestpiece Deathwhisper - 25371.6371.6
Malfurion's Vestments of Triumph - H 1 RotGV371.2371.2
Vestments of Spruce and Fir 95 EoF363.9363.9
Robe of the Waking Nightmare Valithria - 25526.2360
Robes of Azure Downfall Sindragosa - 10354.1354.1
Sanguine Silk Robes Blood Princes - 25350.9350.9
Chestguard of the Failed Experiment Rotface - 10347.5347.5
Flowing Vestments of Ascent Northrend Beasts 25 - H341.7341.7
Vestments of the Shattered Fellowship Faction Champs 25 - H340.2340.2
Merlin's Robe Pattern from 25man337337
Lasherweave Vestment 95 EoF337337
Malfurion's Vestments of Triumph 75 EoT + 1 ToC330.5330.5
Bloodsoul Raiment Blood Princes - 10323.3323.3
Lunar Eclipse Chestguard Pattern from 25man322.8322.8
Royal Moonshroud Robe Pattern from 25man319.4319.4
Skyweaver Robes Twin Valkyrs 25 - H484.6314.4
Flowing Vestments of Ascent Northrend Beasts 25300.4300.4
Vestments of the Shattered Fellowship Faction Champs 25296.2296.2
Malfurion's Vestments of Conquest 50 EoT295.2295.2
Vestments of the Blind Denizen Vezax25 H288.7288.7
Vestments of the Sleepless Anubarak 10 - H467.1277.2
Skyweaver Robes Twin Valkyrs 25429266.8
Robes of the Umbral Brute Kologarn25265.3265.3
Mord'rethar Robes Devourer - H259.8259.8
Phaelia's Vestments of the Sprouting Seed Iron Council25259.7259.7
Conqueror's Nightsong Vestments Hodir25255.3255.3
Vest of the Glowing Crecent XT-002 Deconstructor10253.6253.6
Palebone Robes Tyrannus247.2247.2
Raiments of the Iron Council Iron Council25245.4245.4
Valorous Nightsong Vestments Yogg-Saron10238.1238.1
Vestments of the Sleepless Anubarak 10407236.8
Chestguard of Broken Branches Halls Chest - H234.2234.2
Vesments of the Piercing Light Vezax10228.9228.9
Ancient Polar Bear Hide Ick - H347.5226.8
Robes of the Cheating Heart Bronjahm216216
Raiments of the Corrupted Auriaya10361.7203.4

The tier set’s itemization wins again.

Hands:





































Gloves of False Gestures 60 EoF299.6299.6
Gloves of the Great Horned Owl 60 EoF288.1288.1
Gloves of Ambivalence 60 EoF280.3280.3
Gloves of the Lifeless Touch Anubarak 25 - H279.7279.7
San'layn Ritualist Gloves Blood Princes - 25260.2260.2
Handguards of Winter's Respite Marrowgar - 25258.6258.6
Sanctified Lasherweave Gloves 60 EoF + Conq Mark 399.9257.4
Pharos Gloves Algalon25250.6250.6
Malfurion's Gloves of Triumph - H 1 RotGV249.7249.7
Handwraps of the Vigilent Vezax25 H244.5244.5
Gloves of the Lifeless Touch Anubarak 25240.5240.5
Icicle Shapers Sindragosa - 10233.5233.5
Gloves of Broken Fingers Rotface - 10232.7232.7
Gunship Captain's Mittens Gunship - 25374.2231.8
Lasherweave Gloves 60 EoF354.9230.2
Malfurion's Gloves of Triumph 45 EoT + 1 ToC223.3223.3
Gloves of the Frozen Glade Hodir25 H222222
Gloves of Looming Shadow Twin Valkyrs 10 - H318.9218
Sister's Handshrouds Deathwhisper - 10354.3213.8
Handguards of Potent Cures Flame Leviathan10 H201.1201.1
Malfurion's Gloves of Conquest 30 EoT200.6200.6
Gloves of Looming Shadow Twin Valkyrs 10284.8197.7
Suspiciously Soft Gloves Marwyn - H 5man197.6197.6
Pulsar Gloves Algalon10300.1189.3
Constructor's Handwraps Flame Leviathan25185.6185.6
Marwyn's Macabre Fingertips Falric 5man181.9181.9
Essence of Desire Devourer - H 5man181.5181.5
Grips of the Secret Grove Emblem of Conquest181.3181.3
Handwraps of Resonance Thorim10180.2180.2
Handwraps of Plentiful Recovery Kologarn25172.4172.4
Touch of the Occult Emblem of Conquest170.3170.3
Cold Sweat Grips Bronjahm 5man250.2157.2
Conqueror's Nightsong Gloves Mimiron25264.9152.1
Valorous Nightsong Gloves Freya10244.6141.7
Static Sharge Handwraps Mimiron10246.3127.5

The tier gloves will be one of my first purchases because they are cheap and have Hit. They are a clear BiS choice for me, but Horde Moonkin may go for Gunship Captain's Mittens or Gloves of the Great Horned Owl if it helps them manage the Hit cap better.

Wrists:































Death Surgeon's Sleeves Rotface - 25204.5204.5
Bracers of Eternal Dreaming Valithria - 25204.5204.5
The Lady's Brittle Bracers Deathwhisper - 25307.3202.4
Bindings of Dark Essence Twin Valkyrs 25 - H269.9184.8
Bracers of the Autumn Willow Jaraxxus 25 - H184.2184.2
Armbands of the Ashen Saint Anubarak 25 - H182.6182.6
Bejeweled Wizard's Bracers Pattern from 25man182182
Bracers of Dark Blessings Deathwhisper - 10178.9178.9
Moonshadow Armguards Pattern from 25man176.4176.4
Wrists of Septic Shock Festergut - 10174.4174.4
Royal Moonshroud Bracers Pattern from 25man172.2172.2
Grasps of Reason Flame Leviathan25 H157157
Bindings of Dark Essence Twin Valkyrs 25231.3156.2
Bracers of the Autumn Willow Jaraxxus 25155.6155.6
Armbands of the Ashen Saint Anubarak 25155.6155.6
Felspark Bindings Jaraxxus 10 - H220.9155.6
Ether-Soaked Bracers Rotface - 10230150.9
Ghostly Wristwraps Trash - H 5man148.2148.2
Shackles of the Odalisque Razorscale25139.1139.1
Bindings of the Depths Vezax10133.5133.5
Bracer of Worn Molars Falric - H 5man217.6132.5
Runetouch Handwraps Iron Council10130.4130.4
Bracers of the Broodmother Razorscale25127127
Felspark Bindings Jaraxxus 10196.3125
Wristguards of Subterranean Moss Ick 5man121.1121.1
Bracers of Unleashed Magic Kologarn25186114.8
Bindings of the Expansive Mind Razuvious25168.2112.8
Grips of Chaos Ulduar25180.3109.1
Combustion Bracers Flame Leviathan10164.5101.2

Ok, here is where the fun starts. We will probably have to pick up some spirit in this slot, but that is ok. Bracers of Eternal Dreaming are probably your best bet for several reasons. First, they are Leather. Second they have tons of Crit and no haste. These two facts make them unattractive to Clothies and Resto Druids. The fact that they have spirit makes them unattractive to Shaman and Paladins, so you should have relatively little competition picking these up. The Death Surgeon's Sleeves have the exact same stats, but I would pass them to a cloth. Both bosses should be fairly accessable.

Belt:








































Belt of Petrified Ivy 60 EoF303303
Crushing Coldwraith Belt Marrowgar - 25295.2295.2
Lingering Illness Festergut - 25283.8283.8
Cauterized Cord Putricide - 10270270
Circle of Ossus 60 EoF268.3268.3
Professor's Bloodied Smock Putricide - 25265.5265.5
Belt of Omission 60 EoF391.4264.8
Cord of Pale Thorns Twin Valkyrs 25 - H255.5255.5
Cord of the Tenebrous Mist Northrend Beasts 25 - H251.3251.3
Cord of Biting Cold Faction Champs 25 - H363.8249.1
Cord of Dark Suffering Gunship - 10245.9245.9
Cord of the Patronizing Practitioner Marrowgar - 10234.7234.7
Belt of the Winter Solstice Jaraxxus 10 - H230.4230.4
Cinch of the Undying Anubarak 10 - H228.2228.2
Starwatcher's Binding Algalon25222.9222.9
Cord of Biting Cold Faction Champs 25323.2222.3
Cord of Pale Thorns Twin Valkyrs 25218.3218.3
Cord of the Tenebrous Mist Northrend Beasts 25214.1214.1
Star-beaded Clutch Algalon25212.6212.6
Cord of the White Dawn Crafted H207.9207.9
Icehowl Cinch Northrend Beasts 10 - H327.9207.2
Strip of Remorse Halls Chest - H 5man206.9206.9
Belt of the Winter Solstice Jaraxxus 10204.1204.1
Cinch of the Undying Anubarak 10203.6203.6
Belt of Arctic Life Crafted H193193
Flamewrought Cinch Ignis25184.3184.3
Braid of Salt and Fire Ick - H 5man182.7182.7
Sash of Ancient Power Crafted H263.1178.1
Belt of the Crystal Tree Iron Council10 H176.9176.9
Icehowl Cinch Northrend Beasts 10287.6174.8
Belt of the Living Thicket Emblem of Conquest172.6172.6
Belt of the Dragon Matriarck Razorscale10172.1172.1
Embrace of the Leviathan Flame Leviathan25171.9171.9
Belt of the Sleeper Ulduar25171.3171.3
Conductive Cord XT-002 Deconstructor10165.8165.8
Belt of the Darkspeaker Vezax25262.9152.1
Essence of Anger Devourer 5man230.1141

The Belt of Petrified Ivy is awesome for a couple of reasons. It is very well itemized and is purchasable with Frost Emblems. The down side is that it does not have a heroic version. If your guild is able to take down the heroic fights then you will probably replace it at a later date.

Boots:



































Plague Scientist's Boots Festergut - 25295.2295.2
Boots of Unnatural Growth Gunship - 25291.2291.2
Sandals of Consecration Crafting280.3280.3
Boots of the Unrelenting Storm Northrend Beasts 25 - H272.3272.3
Blessed Cenarion Boots Crafting267.5267.5
Boots of the Mourning Widow Faction Champs 25 - H265.5265.5
Deathfrost Boots Crafting391.4264.8
Boots of the Frozen Seed Deathwhisper - 10259.1259.1
Pale Corpse Boots Blood Princes - 10245.6245.6
Icecrown Spire Sandals Saurfang - 10328.9237.9
Boots of the Unrelenting Storm Northrend Beasts 25235235
Footpads of the Icy Floe Anubarak 25 - H352.9234.2
Sandals of the Silver Magus Faction Champs 10 - H326.7233.7
Boots of the Grieving Soul Twin Valkyrs 10 - H232.7232.7
Treads of the False Oracle Yogg-Saron25 H229.2229.2
Boots of Fiery Resolution Flame Leviathan25 H227.4227.4
Starlight Treads Algalon10215.3215.3
Boots of the Mourning Widow Faction Champs 25214.1214.1
Boots of Wintery Endurance Crafted H204.8204.8
Savior's Slippers Crafted H199.8199.8
Sandals of the Silver Magus Faction Champs 10277.8198.7
Boots of the Grieving Soul Twin Valkyrs 10198.2198.2
Footpads of the Icy Floe Anubarak 25312.6195.8
Spellslinger's Slippers Crafted H195.6195.6
Boots of Hasty Revival XT-002 Deconstructor25186.4186.4
Prelate's Snowshoes Tyrannus - H 5man183.1183.1
Sandals of the Ancient Keeper Auriaya25182.6182.6
Boots of the Servant Freya25181.9181.9
Treads of the Dragon Council Yogg-Saron10174.6174.6
Sandals of Rash Temperament XT-002 Deconstructor25278.2165.4
Barkhide Treads Eadric's Cache - H231.4164.1
Ice-Steeped Sandals Garfrost 5man161.1161.1

There are some conflicting reports on how the Plague Scientist's Boots are itemized. That said the choice is like to come down to these boots or Boots of Unnatural Growth. My valuation has the Plague Scientist’s Boots being slightly better, but that may change the stats are different then what I used to calculate the value. You may also want to consider going with the Boots of Unnatural Growth because they are leather and it’s likely that no one else will want them. Even if they are a slight down grade in value, they are definitely a bargain.

Back:


























Jaina's Radiance Tribute Chest 25 - H242.2242.2
Frostbinder's Shredded Cape Valithria - 25222.3222.3
Bolvar's Devotion Tribute Chest 25 - H214.8214.8
Drape of Bitter Incantation Tribute Chest 10 - H214.3214.3
Volde's Cloak of the Night Sky 50 EoF208.8208.8
Shawl of Fervent Crusader Tribute Chest 10 - H190.3190.3
Shawl of the Refreshing Winds Northrend Beasts 25 - H186.8186.8
Greatcloak of the Turned Champion Saurfang - 25185.7185.7
Cloak of Displacement Faction Champs 25 - H268.9171.9
Flowing Sapphiron Drape Onyxia25167.1167.1
Lich Wrappings Valithria - 10239.9158.8
Shawl of the Refreshing Winds Northrend Beasts 25155.6155.6
Drape of Mortal Downfall Iron Council25 H233.7152.6
Pennant Cloak Sartharion25 H150.9150.9
Drape of the Messenger Algalon10211.4150.1
Sunglimmer Cloak Algalon25 H146.5146.5
Fluttering Sapphiron Drape Onyxia10146.5146.5
Asimov's Drape Mimiron25142142
Cape of the Unworthy Wizard Kel'Thuzad25139.1139.1
Cloak of Displacement Faction Champs 25237.8138.8
Shawl of Haunted Memories Yogg-Saron25136.2136.2
Sunglimmer Drape Algalon25 H128.4128.4
Drape of the Spellweaver Ulduar10128.3128.3
Cloak of the Dormant Blaze Ulduar10103103

As usual there are very few options at the back option. The ToGC tribute cloaks are still very nice if you have one, or if your guild is able to get the Tribute to Insanity achievement. Frostbinder's Shredded Cape is also very nice, but my guess is that we will see a lot of people wearing Volde's Cloak of the Night Sky since it is purchasable with emblems.

Neck:




















Blood Queen's Crimson Choker Queen Lanathel - 25220.6220.6
Wail of the Val'kyr Twin Valkyrs 25 - H207.6207.6
Soulcleave Pendant Saurfang - 10198.5198.5
Bone Sentinel's Amulet Marrowgar - 25192.8192.8
Amulet of the Silent Eulogy Gunship - 25284181.1
Wail of the Val'kyr Twin Valkyrs 25176.4176.4
Pendant of Split Veins Putricide - 10253.6164.5
Pendant of the Shallow Grave Thorim10 H161.4161.4
Darkbane Pendant Twin Valkyrs 10 - H242.7159.6
Arcane Loops of Anger Devourer - H 5man155.2155.2
Sapphire Amulet of Renewal Steelbreaker25 H153153
Watchful Eye Steelbreaker10 H144.7144.7
Unblinking Eye Iron Council25 142.1142.1
Pendant of Fiery Havoc Flame Leviathan25 H232.8141.8
Darkbane Pendant Twin Valkyrs 10212.5141.2
Coil of Missing Gems Devourer 5man193.1117.9
Pendant of Focused Energies Ulduar Zone Drop25 193.9102.9
Pendant of the Piercing Glare Kologarn10 193.5102.5

Blood Queen's Crimson Choker is clearly the best option currently available, but expect a fight to pick it up. It is attractive to a lot of specs and classes. If you’re running the 10mans, the Soulcleave Pendant is very nice, or you may want to consider picking up one of the multiple spirit necks if you can do so cheaply.

Trinket:






























Reign of the Unliving Anubarak 25 - H331331
Reign of the Unliving Anubarak 25295295
Muradin's Spyglass Gunship - 10279.2279.2
Dislodged Foreign Object Rotface - 25275.4275.4
Phylactery of the Nameless Lich Sindragosa - 25268.1268.1
Flare of the Heavens General Vezax25 H232.5232.5
Illustration of the Dragon Soul Sartharion25 200200
Eye of the Broodmother Razorscale10 190.9190.9
Pandora's Plea Mimiron25 177.3177.3
Sundial of the Exiled 40 EoH 171171
Solace of the Defeated Jaraxxus 25 - H168168
Scales of Fates Thorim25 163.3163.3
Nevermelting Ice Crystal Tyrannus - H 5man156.4156.4
Talisman of Resurgence 50 EoT151.3151.3
Shiny Shard of the Flame # Onyxia25150150
Shiny Shard of the Scale # Onyxia25150150
Solace of the Defeated Jaraxxus 25150150
Abyssal Rune Eadric's Cache144.7144.7
Purified Shard of the Flame # Onyxia10134134
Purified Shard of the Scale # Onyxia10134134
Talisman of Volatile Power Faction Champs 10 - H128.9128.9
Maghia's Misguided Quill 60 EoF420.7120
Talisman of Volatile Power Faction Champs 10114.5114.5
Sif's Rememberance Thorim10 H110110
Vanquished Clutches of Yogg Saron Yogg10 H103103
Elemental Focus Stone Auriaya10 300.787
Living Flame Razorscale25 295.784
Shard of the Crystal Heart 50 EoT297.444.1

Disclaimer: I urge you to view the trinkets with some level of skepticism. A lot of the trinkets have proc with unknown rates and cooldowns. Additionally, the trinkets that proc mobs to fight for you are hard to evaluate. Even the relatively simple trinkets probably won’t be used in the optimal situation. I accept that these valuations are some what mushy and you should consider that when making your choices.

Trinkets have become a real trouble spot for our itemization. They are a lot of fun generally but since they tend to focus on one stat and one proc they only make our Cap issues worse. If you keep that in mind you will understand why the ICC trinkets are less attractive then you think they should be.

Unless something great drops from Arthas, the two Reign Trinkets from TOC25 are likely to remain our BiS options. This is because they are awesome trinkets and have nothing to do with Crit, Haste, or Hit. Its possible that the heroic version of Muradin's Spyglass will over take the normal Reign trinket, but I doubt it will be true after we are past the crit cap. In short, run ToC25 and ToGC 25 as much as possible.

# The value of the Onyxia trinkets is the value of the set divided by 2. If you do not have the set, these trinkets are virtually worthless in terms of DPS. On top of that I don't have any hard numbers on the damage proc. I assumed the DoT has a 25% uptime.

Rings:






























Ashen Band of Endless Destruction Ashen Verdict Exalted319.8218.9
Ring of Rapid Ascent Gunship - 25218.1218.1
Ring of Maddening Whispers Deathwhisper - 25199.2199.2
Band of Deplorable Violence Anubarak 25 - H198.5198.5
Memory of Malygos Sindragosa - 25197197
Cerise Coiled Ring Blood Princes - 10196.1196.1
Ashen Band of Unmatched Destruction Ashen Verdict Revered294.3195.4
Loop of the Endless Labyrinth Marrowgar - 25283.3194.2
Runed Signet of the Kirin Tor 10,750 Gold184.5184.5
Valanar's Other Signet Ring Blood princes - 25261.4170.3
Band of Deplorable Violence Anubarak 25167.9167.9
Nebula Band Algalon10165165
Polished Dragonslayer's Signet Onyxia Head163.7163.7
Ashen Band of Greater Destruction Ashen Verdict Honored259.3160.4
Firestorm Ring Jaraxxus 10 - H267.4156.6
Band of the Invoker 35 EoT155.6155.6
Conductive Seal Mimiron25 H151.9151.9
Ashen Band of Destruction Ashen Verdict Friendly241.7148.8
Pyrelight Circle Ignis25 144.8144.8
Signet of Soft Lament Yogg10 H144.1144.1
Glowing Ring of Reclamation Flame Leviathan25 137.9137.9
Shimmering Seal Flame Leviathan10 209.3126.2
Firestorm Ring Jaraxxus 10225126.1
Lady Maye's Sapphire Ring Iron Council10 120120
Frozen Loop Hodir25 202.6111.6
Ring of the Vacant Eye General Vezax25 189.6106.5
Emerald Signet Ring Kologarn10 171103.7
Signet of the Malevolent Gothik10 174.177.2

I feel like half of this choice was made for us with the introduction of the Rep rings. It sucks to some extent because I hate having to pick up Hit or Mp5, but it is also clear that these rings are pretty awesome. They have a gem socket, an awesome proc, and they are relatively easy to get.

For the second ring it’s pretty clear that the Ring of Rapid Ascent is the best choice. It’s the only ring without Spirit or Hit rating on it.

Off Hand:




















Shadow Silk Spindle Blood Princes - 25211211
Chalice of Searing Light Twin Valkyrs 25 - H188.4188.4
Sundial of Eternal Dusk Sindragosa - 25185.7185.7
Symbol of Transgression Jaraxxus 25 - H282169.2
Chalice of Searing Light Twin Valkyrs 25166.9166.9
Shriveled Heart Halls Chest - H 5man156.8156.8
Scourgelord's Baton Deathwhisper - 10266.8154
Chalice of Benedictus Twin Valkyrs 10 - H238.8153.7
Symbol of Transgression Jaraxxus 25249150.1
Cosmos Algalon25238137.1
Chalice of Benedictus Twin Valkyrs 10209.9136.7
Igniter Rod Ignis10 129.7129.7
Ironmender Kologarn25 127.1127.1
Antediluvian Cornerstone Grimoire Onyxia25116.9116.9
Leviathan Fueling Manual Flame Leviathan25 188.7107.5
Antique Cornerstone Grimoire Onyxia10100.3100.3
Ward of the Violet Citadel 25 EoH 166.791.6
Watchful Eye Steelbreaker10 H141.786.3

I am offically sold on the Nibelung staff, but who knows what will drop off of Arthas. However, if you are sticking with a MH/OH combo, the Shadow Silk Spindle is clearly the best option since it is the only off hand that follows the Crit, Haste, Spell Power design.

Main Hand:





















Frozen Bonespike Marrowgar -25832.3832.3
Misery's End Anubarak 25 - H795.9795.9
Blade of Terasque Northrend Beasts 25 - H869.6768.7
Hammer of Purified Flame 5man Quests752.9752.9
Heartcrusher Tribute Chest 10 - H728.2728.2
Blade of the Silver Disciple Faction Champs 10 - H725.5725.5
Bleak Coldarra Carver Sindragosa - 10837.7717
Val'anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings Quest - Ulduar25 707.8707.8
Misery's End Anubarak 25704.6704.6
Blade of Terasque Northrend Beasts 25764.1675.1
Blade of the Silver Disciple Faction Champs 10645.1645.1
Starshard Edge Algalon or Mimiron H25 716638.9
Aesuga, Hand of the Ardent Champion General Vezax10 635.8635.8
Soulscribe Yogg25 616.4616.4
Chilled Heart of the Glacier Halls Chest 5man608.5553.1
Plasma Foil XT-002 Deconstructor10 547547
Stormtip Iron Council10 540.6540.6
The Soulblade Kel'Thuzad10 552.1492.7
Dagger of Lunar purity 25 Champion's Seals 451.9451.9

The Frozen Bonespike is currently the only option for a Main Hand out of ICC, but weapons tend to drop off the last boss in an instance. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arthas dropped a good one.

Two Handed Weapon:























Nibelung Deathwhisper - 251094.21094.2
Dying Light Queen Lanathel - 25969.5969.5
Clemency Tribute Chest 25 - H951.3951.3
Cold Convergence Anubarak 10 - H874.2874.2
Enlightenment Twin Valkyrs 10 - H839.1839.1
Mag'hari Chieftain's Staff Saurfang - 10833.5833.5
Staff of Endless Winter Hodir25 H803803
Sister Svalna's Aether Staff Valithria - 101071.8802.8
Abracadaver Festergut - 101001.6801.8
Enlightenment Twin Valkyrs 10786786
Cold Convergence Anubarak 10763.8763.8
Icecore Staff Hodir10 H735.9735.9
Rapture Iron Council25 717.7717.7
The Lifebinder Freya25 707.2707.2
Unspeakable Secret Garfrost 5man673.2673.2
Engraved Gargoyle Femur Tyrannus - H 5man885.8662.2
Intensity Ignis25 882.8645.4
Blood Boil Lancet Devourer 5man644.8644.8
Devotion Yogg10 619.3619.3
Pillar of Fortitude Ulduar Zone Drop10 614.8614.8
Unraveling Reach Freya10 792.3566.7

After seeing some testing done by Hamlet and Qaerughfo on the EJ forums, and seeing the buffs Blizzard has implemented, I am offically sold on the Nibelung. The proc actually seems to be quite good for moonkin. It does have a 1% proc rate but the testing done on the EJ forums shows that some spells have multiple chance to proc the Val'kyr due to the Glyph of Starfire and Earth and Moon.

Relic/Idol:
At this point you should only be thinking about two idols. The [Idol of Lunar Eclipse] is the best and it is purchasable with Emblems of Frost. However, you may be saving your Emblems for your Tier Set or another item. In such a case you should at least have the [Idol of Lunar Fury]. It is purchase able with Emblems of Triumph. Since it is incredibly easy to farm EoTs at the moment, using anything less then the Idol of Lunar Fury is pretty stupid.

Notes:
Once again, as you can see there are a lot of links and values in this post. It is quite possible that some of them are incorrect. If you find an incorrect link or a valuation just doesn't look right, please let me know so that I can correct it.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Chill of the Throne for DPS

A week or two ago I was reading a typical Moonkin related thread on the damage dealer forums and I was struck by this quote from Murmurs:
As excited as I was when I saw ICC gear with all of it's lovely Crit/Haste pieces and no Spirit, I'm now very, very disturbed. Come the end of ICC, and especially for any Balance Druid that is in a guild able to do Heroic content, we'll be running with over 1,000 Critical Strike Rating and over 1,000 Haste Rating. Using Wrath is already annoying for me right now when I have barely over 400 Haste, I simply cannot fathom using the spell when I literally end up with double my current Haste value. 0.5 second Wraths during Heroism is pointless, it's worthless, and it's hurting.

While I am not as pessimistic Murmurs sounds, I do agree with the sentiment 100%. We will soon be juggling 3 different caps while most Caster DPS classes only have to deal with the traditional Hit Cap.

How we got to this point is well documented. The Haste cap is the result of an overpowered Nature's Grace talent. This is one of the few times where players and Blizzard agree that a talent needs to be nerfed. The Lunar Crit cap is a result of an Eclipse talent gone wild. Blizzard hasn't said so out right, but many players think that this talent will also be nerfed in Cataclysm.

The third cause of this situation is also well documented, but not from a Moonkin or even a DPS perspective. When Blizzard first planned WotLK out they didn't plan on gear getting to the 277 iLevel, but the implementation of hard modes made it necessary to some extent. This caused there to be significant stat inflation, and was particularly evident in the rating stats like Crit and dodge. One of the Key reasons we are approaching the the Lunar Crit cap is because of the shear quantity of Crit rating and Intelligence that can be found on gear. One of the main reasons we struggle with the Hit cap is because you can get single items with close to 100 Hit rating on them.

This issue was so significant in tanking stats that Blizzard implemented a temporary solution called Chill of the Throne. It is a raid wide debuff that reduces the players dodge chance by 20%. When I read Murmur's quote above I was struck with an idea. Why couldn't/shouldn't Chill of the Throne have an impact on DPS stats as well?

I'm NOT Suggesting a Nerf

Before I get flamed, I want to point out that I am not suggesting a nerf. Blizzard implemented Chill of the Throne to smooth out the damage tanks take, not increase it. So, while they are technically nerfing the tanks avoidance in ICC they can also lower the damage dealt by the bosses. Theoretically the two nerfs should net to zero change but make for a more manageable raid.

By the same token, if Blizzard reduced our rating stats with a debuff similar to Chill of the Throne, I would expect a similar nerf to the bosses health. For example, if the net impact of the debuff was to reduce our DPS by 15%, I would expect a 15% nerf to the bosses Health as well. The two changes should net to zero so that the overall fight remains the same.

How it Would Help

Here is what I'm suggesting. What if Chill of the Throne also reduced your chance to Hit, chance to crit, and your haste by 5%?

Let me use an example. As an Alliance Moonkin I need just 237 Hit rating to be over the hit cap. If I have access to the heroic gear from ICC I can reach the Hit cap with just 3 items. With the Tier Legs and gloves at the 277 iLevel, and the exalted Rep ring I would have a total of 239 Hit rating. To make matters worse, this is really the only way to be close to the hit cap without gems or enchants. Most other gear configurations would put you significantly over or under the cap. If Chill of the Throne impacted your chance to hit you would need another 131 Hit rating to be capped. This would make it possible for you to utilized more of the gear available from ICC, because as it stands now, I ignore pretty much everything with Hit on it.

A side benefit to needing more Hit Rating is that it will indirectly reduce the amount of Haste rating, Crit rating, and Spirit you pick up. The additional itemization will have to come at the expense of one of the other stats.

If you look at it from the point of view of Haste or Crit the results are similar. I am already over the haste cap with very little gear from ICC. I would love for 164 more points of my haste to have a full impact rather than just the first 400. If I needed another 230 Crit rating to get to the Crit cap that would probably put it out of reach in all but the most extreme situations.

I know that a lot of you will disagree with me, but I'm starting to think that Chill of the Throne didn't go far enough.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

How to Find Moonkin Stat Valuations

Update: This post is out dated but the instructions at the bottom telling how to find your own stat valuations are still mostly correct. If you got here due to a link on my gear guide that is the section you want. If you got here by another method I suggest you look at my raiding guide for more accurate information.



The first draft of my ICC gear list is almost ready.With it will come the usual questions. How much do you value haste? How did you calculate the valuations? Why are your valuations different now then they were on your last list?

While some of the answers can get complicated, but most of the confusion regarding my changing valuations can be explained with two simple answers. 1. I make mistakes. 2. Things change.

In the past, when I estimated my stats for my simulator I did a real rough estimation. I wouldn't say the stats I used were wrong, but they were probably squewed in a way that changed the results some. This caused me to favor some stats a little more then I should have.

Though my mistakes do have an impact, the changing nature of WoW has a much bigger impact. At the very least stats change. As we gear up we get more Spell Power, Haste, and Crit. Each of these stats depend on the others and changing one will change the marginal value of the others. While all of the rating stats will genererally increase in Marginal Value as you gear up, they will not increase in value at the same rate. So, how we valued a stat during T7 content is very different then how we value the same stat in T10 content.

Over the last six months, we have had several things change. For obvious reasons this will change the way our stats interact. Therefore, I feel the need to restate the stat equation. I've looked at this using several tools, and for the most part they all agree.

Below Haste Soft Cap (400 haste rating):

Hit Rating > Spell Power > Haste Rating > Crit Rating
In unusual situations Haste may be greater then Spell Power, but that is probably due to irregular gearing choices.

Over Haste Soft Cap, but below Lunar Crit Cap:
Hit Rating > Spell Power > Crit Rating > Haste Rating
This is a change from what I've said before, but there is enough space between Crit and Haste that I'm confident Crit is better point for point.

Over Lunar Crit Cap:
Hit Rating > Spell Power > Crit Rating = Haste Rating
According to the simulators and spreadsheets Crit is still slightly better, but they are two close to really matter.


These general rules don't mean that Haste is worthless after the soft cap, or that Crit is worthless after the Lunar Crit cap. They are still very good stats, and better then both Int and Spirit. This is really a guide as to how you should gem and enchant your gear. It may also help when choosing between two very similar items.

Finding Stat values using WrathCalcs.

Some of you may be thinking why should I believe you now. Every time you say something you end up changing it a couple of months later.

To be completely honest I agree, but for slightly different reasons. Stat valuations are highly variable based upon the assumptions used to create them. I can't possible make the valuations for everyone so I use myself as an example. Luckily it is fairly easy for all of us to find out our own valuations.

The first place you can find it is using WrathCalcs. You can find the spread sheet here at the bottom of the Moonkin Think tank thread.

It is very easy to use. After you down load the spreadsheet, look up your toon on the armory. Then plug your armory stats into Column C of the spread sheet. After that make sure you have all of the appropriate talents, buffs, and debuffs selected in columns C, G, and K.

After the sheet is fully filled out the marginal values of your stats will be available in DPS for in column D. To convert them to my format you just have to divide each of the values by the Spell Power valuation.

Finding Stat values using SimulationCraft.

You can download SimulationCraft from here.

Click the Options tab at the top, and then click the Scaling tab below that. Then select the stats you would like SimulationCraft to evaluate. Just select the standard DPS stats with the addition of Int and Spirit. Selecting the other stats will just make the analysis take longer. You may also want to make sure all of the buffs and debuffs are selected in there respective tabs but they should already be selected by default.

To import your toon click the import tab. You can import from several websites but I suggest using the armory. The import tab works just like a Web Browser. Find your toon and then hit the import button in the bottom right hand corner.

Clicking the import button should automatically move you to the Simulate Tab. At this point just hit the Simulate button in the bottom right hand corner unless you want to make some changes to the toon you imported. The results of your analysis should pop out in about a minute and will be available about halfway down the page.