I love raiding. It’s the main reason I play the game. I love running heroics (most of them) and gearing up and experiencing all the content. The guild I’m in doesn’t start raiding until January so for me, there’s plenty of time to work through heroics and gear myself up so that I’m in the best possible shape come the time that we begin. If you’ve already started raiding Naxxramas, you may still find this guide useful, as Naxx 10 pieces are only a little better than those found in heroics. In terms of item level (ilevel), 5 man heroic epics are ilvl 200, blues are ilvl 200 (in heroics) and 187 on heroic sub bosses and Naxx 10 pieces are ilvl 200 & 213. So there’s not that much in it. And it’s common knowledge that Wrath content is easy. But if you’re like me, you’ve got time to collect stuff before you get stuck in. And I’m an absolute nut when it comes to hit rating. In my opinion, hit rating is the most important stat for any caster. Spell power, critical strike rating, haste rating are all at the mercy of whether your spells actually hit the target or not.

Open it up and lets get stuck in.

If you’ve read my previous post about hit rating and the hit rating cap, you will know that for all casters, the percentage we need to reach is 17%. If you have chosen your talent to increase your hit chance by 3% then the magic number to achieve is 368. If you haven’t chosen this talent then you’ll be needing 446. If you’re lucky enough to be running with a Shadow Priest, their ‘Misery‘ spell will also increase your chance to hit with spells by 3%. If you’re running with a druid specced into ‘Improved Faerie Fire‘ you’ll also get an increase of 3% chance to hit. If you’re the luckiest person on the planet, then you’ll always be raiding with both of these and your required hit rating will be something you can calculate yourself. But to be on the safe side, aim for 446. To perform at your best in heroic 5 mans, you’ll need 6% increased hit chance which equates to 158 hit rating. That’s pretty easily obtained. When I first looked at gear from Naxx and heroics, I noticed there was so much without any hit rating on it. I wondered, “how on earth will it be possible to be hit capped with this stuff?” Well, it is in fact possible.

Here is a list of stuff to put on your shopping list in preparation for raiding. Not every piece listed has hit rating on it, because you won’t need to fill every slot with items that have the stat to reach the cap. Use this list on a character planner such as www.chardev.org to see how you can improve on what you already have to reach the hit cap and to get an idea of what kinda stats you’ll be looking at when you’re ready. The items aren’t listede in any particular order but I have put what I consider the best item at the top of each section (in most cases). This is what you should aim for. I’ve listed a fair few items from various sources. I won’t include any normal instance drops unless they warrant particular mention. Most heroic drops are mentioned.

Some drops that could be useful to a warlock aren’t mentioned because there may be plenty of other options which may be prefered. For example there are items with stats such as haste and no spirit which are in my opinion more orientated towards a mage because as far as I know, all of their damage dealing is done via spells with a cast time unlike instant cast dots that warlocks have. Also, spirit is now very useful to a warlock because of Fel Armor. However, I wouldn’t go out of your way to obtain it. It’s just in some cases I will prefer it over items with haste and no spirit.

Head

Crown of Unbridled Magic – Cache of Eregos by defeating Ley Guardian Eregos in Oculus heroic. In my opinion this is the best one to get because it has a meta gem slot, a yellow slot (for a +hit rating gem) and also Spirit which is nice for Warlocks.

Cowl of the Dire Troll – Trollgore in Drak’tharon Keep heroic.

Elder Headpiece – Elder Nadox in Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom heroic.

Forgotten Shadow Hood – Salramm the Fleshcrafter in The Culling of Stratholme heroic. Similar to the Crown of Unbridled Magic but only second best.

Hat of Wintry Doom – Tailoring, taught at level 425. The hit is nice so if you think you will need it then craft it. Beware it looks pretty darn stupid though.

The Argent Skullcap – A quest reward from ‘The Crusaders’ Pinnacle‘ in Icecrown. May be worth holding on to if you’re in need of the +hit.

Neck

Encircling Burnished Gold Chains – Bought with 25 Emblem of Heroism. By far the best neck piece outside of raid loot. Make it one of your first purchases.

Amulet of the Spell Flinger – Amanitar in Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom heroic.

Dragon Prow Amulet – BoE, trash drop in Utgarde Keep heroic.

Necklace of Taldaram – Prince Taldaram in Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom heroic.

Necromancer’s Amulet – Salramm the Fleshcrafter in The Culling of Stratholme heroic.

Zuramat’s Necklace – Zuramat the Obliterator in Violet Hold heroic. Not the easiest of bosses. I would know. ><

Emeline’s Locket – Quest reward from ‘The Admiral Revealed’ in Icecrown. This is particularly nice because of the +hit rating, the yellow gem slot and the bonus.

Shoulders

Runecaster’s Mantle – Trash drop in Utgarde Keep heroic. Particularly desirable due to the gem slot.

Dark Runic Mantle – Trash drop in Halls of Stone heroic.

Mantle of Deceit – Dark Runed Chest by defeating Mal’ganis in The Culling of Stratholme heroic.

Mantle of the Tribunal – Tribunal Chest by completing the ‘Tribunal of Ages(?)’ event in Halls of Stone heroic.

Cloak

Deathchill Cloak – Tailoring. The pattern is learnt by completing the Loremaster of Northrend achievement. Not the easiest thing to obtain, but it’s certainly a very nice toy.

Reanimator’s Cloak – Trash in Drak’Tharon Keep heroic. The gem slot is nice and don’t concern yourself with the socket bonus, intellect is one of the lowest priorities for a warlock.

Shroud of Moorabi – Moorabi in Gundrak heroic. This might be the extra boss you get in heroic, I forget.

Subterranean Waterfall Shroud – Jedoga Shadowseeker in Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom heroic.

Dark Soldier Cape – Honored with Knights of The Ebon Blade. This is easily done by quests alone so it’s worth picking up when you can.

Chest

Ebonweave Robe – Tailoring 440. It looks great and has great stats on it. If you’re a tailor, get it. If you’re not, then it’s up to you whether you’re gonna fork out a fortune on it on the AH.

Drakewing Raiments – Drakos the Interrogator in Oculus heroic. I thought it worth a mention because of the gem slots.

Egg Sac Robes – Hadronox in Azjol-Nerub heroic. Same reasoning as above.

Robes of Lightning – Quest reward from ‘Whatever it Takes’, part of the questline that takes you through Halls of Lightning normal.

Turtle-Minders Robe – Honored with The Kalu’ak.

Bracers

Azure Cloth Bindings – Cyanigosa in Violet Hold heroic. A very nice item from an instance I somewhat despise.

Cuffs of Winged Levitation – Cache of Eregos by defeating Ley Guardian Eregos in Oculus heroic.

Ancestral Sinew Wristguards – Honored with Wyrmrest Accord. Mentioned because of the gem slot.

Verdisa’s Cuffs of Dreaming – Drakkos the Interrogator in Oculus normal. Mentioned for the same reason above.

Cuffs of the Trussed Hall – Svala Sorrowgrave in Utgarde Pinnacle heroic.

Gloves

Ebonweave Gloves – Tailoring 435. *druel*

Gloves of Glistening Runes – Keristraza in The Nexus heroic. Very nice because of the gem slot and spirit.

Overlook Handguards – The Prophet Tharon’jar in Drak’Tharon Keep heroic.

Giant-Hair Woven Gloves – Volkhan in Halls of Lightening heroic. Not that great, too magey for my liking. But if they’re an upgrade, go for it.

Gloves of Distorted Time – Chrono-Lord Epoch in The Culling of Stratholme heroic. Has Spirit and a nice gem slot.

Gloves of the Crystal Gardener – Omorok the Tree-Shaper in The Nexus heroic.

There are a fair few more glove options so if you’re really interested you can see this list on Wowhead.

Waist

Girdle of Bane – King Ymiron in Utgarde Pinnacle heroic. Sublime. Get this.

Plush Sash of Guzbah – Bought with 40 Emblem of Heroism. It’s pretty nice but at that price it’s quite as good as the above. Certainly due to the effort required to obtain it also. Worth a mention if you’re not having much luck in UP. But in my opinion your emblems are best spent elsewhere.

Sash of the Servant – Anub’arak in Azjol-Nerub heroic. More of a mage item but worth a mention.

Belt of Unified Souls – Meathook in The Culling of Stratholme heroic. Great for the +hit rating until you get the Girdle of Bane.

Flowing Sash of Order – Loken in Halls of Lightning heroic. Another great option, plus it comes with a gem slot.

Sash of the Wizened Wyrm – Honored with The Wyrmrest Accord. Also very nice, just a shame it has no spirit.

Legs

Woven Bracae Leggings – Loken in Halls of Lightning heroic. More of a mage item in my opinion but I think it’s the best option for warlocks outside of raids. Plus the high spell power is very nice.

Breeches of the Caller – Ingvar the Plunderer in Utgarde Keep heroic. 2 nice gem slots.

Cyanigosa’s Leggings – Cyanigose in Violet Hold heroic.

Opposed Stasis Leggings – Trash drop in The Nexus heroic. Compare it to the ones above.

Sorrowgrave’s Breeches – Svala Sorrowgrave in Utgarde Pinnacle heroic.

Feet

Sandals of Crimson Fury – Exalted with The Wyrmrest Accord. There’s not that many great options for warlocks when it comes to shoes. I think these are probably the best you’ll get though outside of raids.

Cleric’s Linen Shoes – Trash in The Nexus heroic.

Footwraps of Teleportation – Xevozz in Violet Hold heroic. These are nice for the gem slot but they’re a right pain to obtain. You need to be fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate) enough to get this boss in the first place and then he’s probably the hardest boss there is in that place.

Fingers

Annhylde’s Ring – Ingvar the Plunderer in Utgarde Keep heroic. Another magey item but one of the better options for warlocks.

Band of Guile – Dark Runed Chest by defeating Mal’ganis in The Culling of Stratholme heroic. As above.

Signet of the Kirin Tor – Bought from a vendor in Dalaran. What is it with the Kirin Tor and their hideously expensive items? I’ve listed it here to acknowledge its existense but I don’t think anyone with less than maybe 50k gold would fork out the cash for this.

Voodoo Signet – Quest reward from ‘For Prosperity’ which involves you running Gundrak normal. Quite nice for the hit rating.

It’s pretty much all stamina, intellect, haste/crit and spell power as far as rings go so here’s the list on Wowhead.

Trinkets – there are a lot of these, so I’ll mention the ones that stand out. However I think the only 2 you should get outside of raids are the first 2 I’ve listed.

Sundial of the Exiled – Bought with 40 Emblem of Heroism.

Mark of the War Prisoner – Cyanigosa in Violet Hold heroic.

Others worth particular mention:

Rune of Infinite Power – Quest reward from ‘Mystery of the Infinite, Redux‘

Forge Ember – Sjonnir the Ironshaper in Halls of Stone heroic.

Figurine – Twilight Serpent – Requires Jewelcrafting 400.

And many others found here.

Wands

Rod of the Fallen Monarch – Anub’arak in Azjol-Nerub heroic.

Wand of Ahnkahet – Herald Volazj in Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom heroic. Now there’s not much between this and the one above. So I think you can settle on whichever one you come across first.

Wand of Sseratus – Slad’ran in Gundrak heroic.

Ancient Measuring Rod – Loken in Halls of Lightning normal.

Wand of the San’layn – Prince Keleseth in Utgarde Keep heroic.

Off Hand

Ward of the Violet Citadel – Bought for 25 Emblem of Heroism. Make this one of your 3 purchases with these emblems. The other 2 are the neck and trinket. This is certainly the best available outside of Naxx.

Telestra’s Journal – Grand Magus Telestra in The Nexus heroic.

Main Hand (Daggers & Swords)

Flameheart Spell Scalpel – Revered with The Kirin Tor. This is very easily obtained. You can gain reputation via ‘championing’. That means, buy the Kirin Tor tabard at Friendly and wear it through heroics to gain lots of nice rep.

Cursed Lich Blade – Novos the Summoner in Drak’tharon Keep heroic. This is almost identical to the one above. You’ll notice the only differences are the critical strike rating and spirit stats interchanged. I forgot this existed before I searched it out. So I would say settle on whatever you get first but many would prefer the first one due to it being easily obtained.

Staves – The vast majority of the time, a main hand and off hand combo will be the best choice for warlocks. There may be the rare case where something will come along that is in fact more benefitial, such as the Zhardoom staff that Illidan (who? ) drops. But largely, it’ll be the combo you’ll want. Saying that, here’s a few of the choices that stand out.

Staff of Draconic Combat – Cache of Eregos by defeating Ley Guardian Eregos in Oculus heroic.

Staff of Sinister Claws – Herald Volazj in Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom heroic.

Staff of Wayward Principles – Skadi the Ruthless in Utgarde Pinnacle heroic.

Chilly Slobberknocker – Quest reward from ‘The Champion of Anguish‘. My bet is that everyone reading this has this already.

Enchants

Enchant Boots – Icewalker

Enchant Gloves – Precision

Gems

Rigid Autumn’s Glow

Vivid Forest Emerald

Perfect Rigid Sun Crystal (if you’re fortunate)

Rigid Sun Crystal

That’s it as far as gear and their enhancements go. However, if you’re still lacking in hit rating, there is Elixir of Accuracy and also Recipe: Snapper Extreme. The latter is probably more easily obtainable if you are patient enough to fish. I’m a herbalist and tailor and have a high enough fishing skill for either. I go for the food as it’s much more easy to grind and besides, you’ll be wanting to use Flask of the Frost Wyrm when you raid.

So now you have this giant list at your disposal. Like I said at the start, you can use a site such as www.chardev.org to plan something for yourself. Either you can start from scratch or build upon what you already have. For example, I’m aiming for this. And I’ll use the Snapper Extreme food to push me past the cap. I don’t think it’s worth getting the very best enchants on this stuff yet. Get the less expensive ones for now. Just make sure you get the 2 enchants I’ve listed above. The reason I’ve used those 2 green gems is to count towards the 2 blue gem requirement to activate the meta gem. This is the best meta gem for warlocks.

I hope you find this useful in whatever way. In the coming days and weeks I’ll be writing at least 2 more articles. The next will be about talents specs to use in heroics and raiding. And the one after that will be a shopping list of stuff inside Naxxramas itself. So stuff to look forward to. Good luck!