Pre-Karazhan Protection Warrior Gear Checklist
Rockstar is in the process of preparing for Karazhan…possession of the Master’s Key does not imply readiness for the perils of Karazhan. I’ve been looking through some gear checklists in order to gain understanding of which pieces I need to go after. Here’s what we’re looking at.
Head
- Felsteel Helm (115) is crafted, and is part of the three-piece Faith in Felsteel set.
- Myrmidon’s Headdress (115) is a Alliance-only quest reward for The Warlord’s Hideout.
- Warhelm of the Bold (115) drops from Warp Splinter in the Botanica.
- Greathelm of the Unbreakable (112) drops from Grand Warlock Nethekurse in Shattered Halls.
- Helm of the Stalwart Defender (105) is crafted.
I bought the Felsteel Helm for Rockstar right before he hit level 70, in anticipation of becoming a protection Warrior. This is the helm I am currently using, although the Myrmidon’s Headdress is in my possession as well.
Neck
- Strength of the Untamed (115) is a reputation reward for reaching revered status with Cenarion Expedition.
- Mark of the Ravenguard (115) is a quest reward for Brother Against Brother.
- Thalodien’s Charm (109) is a Scryer quest reward for Shutting Down Manaforge Ara.
- Medallion of the Valiant Guardian (109) is a Alliance-only quest reward for Turning the Tide.
- Maimfist’s Choker (109) is a Horde-only quest reward for The Will of the Warchief.
Rockstar already has the Strength of the Untamed and he is on the verge of receiving Thalodien’s Charm.
Shoulders
- Shoulderguards of the Bold (115) drops from Murmur in Shadow Labyrinth.
- Fanblade Pauldrons (115) drops from Shirrak the Dead Watcher in heroic Auchenai Crypts.
- Spaulders of the Righteous (115) drops from Laj in the Botanica.
- Warchief’s Mantle (103) is a quest reward for Return to Andormu.
- Pauldrons of Brute Force (94) drops from the Black Stalker in Underbog.
Rockstar has the Warchief’s Mantle, which isn’t the best choice. As far as choosing a target piece here, I’m leaning towards Shoulderguards of the Bold over the Fanblade Pauldrons, only because I can see myself running Shadow Labyrinth many more times than heroic Auchenai Crypts.
Back
- Devilshark Cape (115) drops from Warlord Kalithresh in the Steam Vault.
- Burnoose of Shifting Ages (112) drops from Chrono Lord Deja in Black Morass.
- Cloak of Eternity (112) is crafted.
- Bogstrok Scale Cloak (91) drops from Rokmar the Crackler in Slave Pens.
My goal as far as cloaks are concerned is the Devilshark Cape. At the moment Rockstar is using Cloak of the Valiant Defender (108), which is actually a few notches above the Bogstrok Scale Cloak.
Chest
- Jade-Skull Breastplate (115) drops from Nethermancer Sepethrea in the Mechanar.
- Breastplate of the Bold (115) drops from Harbinger Skyriss in Arcatraz.
- Vindicator’s Hauberk (115) is a reputation reward for reaching revered status with the Aldor.
- Breastplate of the Warbringer (103) is a quest reward from Forge Camp: Annihilated.
Rockstar is currently using Adamantite Breastplate (106), which is certainly far from the best. I think it’s a toss-up between Breastplate of the Bold and Jade-Skull Breastplate, but groups run Mechanar so many times, I think Jade-Skull Breastplate will be the easiest to get.
Wrist
- Amber Bands of the Aggressor (110) drops from Warlord Kalithresh in heroic Steam Vault.
- Sha’tari Wrought Armguards (115) is a quest reward for The Soul Devices.
- Vambraces of Daring (115) is a chest drop from Vazruden in heroic Hellfire Ramparts.
Rockstar is currently wearing the Sha’tari Wrought Armguards. That piece is excellent, but the Amber Bands of the Aggressor is nicer. Pursuing Amber Bands of the Aggressor will be interesting, but it will be a lower priority than improving some of my other pieces.
Hands
- Gauntlets of Dissension (110) is a drop from Warp Splinter in heroic Botanica.
- Felsteel Gloves (114) is crafted.
- Gauntlets of the Bold (115) is a drop from Warlord Kalithresh in the Steam Vault.
- Thatia’s Self-Correcting Gauntlets (115) is a drop from Dalliah the Doomsayer in the Arcatraz.
Currently Rockstar is wearing the Felsteel Gloves, courtesy of the auction house. The Gauntlets of the Bold (thought without gems at the moment) are in his bank. This is another gear slot that he can hold steady on, but I definitely want to make the Gauntlets of Dissension at least a low-priority goal.
Waist
- Girdle of the Immovable (115) drops from Quagmirran in heroic Slave Pens.
- Sha’tari Vindicator’s Waistguard (115) is a quest reward for How To Break Into the Arcatraz.
- Fearless Girdle (99) is a quest reward for the Alliance-only quest The Terror of Marshlight Lake and the Horde-only quest Pursuing Terrorclaw.
Currently I am using Talonguard Girdle of the Bear, which isn’t all that great. Rockstar is questing towards the Sha’tari Vindicator’s Waistguard (this should be a priority), which is a very good piece of equipment. The Girdle of the Immovable is the ultimate goal however, and is the best pre-Karazhan belt for protection Warriors.
Legs
- Timewarden’s Leggings (115) is a reputation reward for reaching revered status with the Keepers of Time.
- Felsteel Leggings (114) is crafted.
- Greaves of the Shatterer (115) drops from Warchief Kargath in the Shattered Halls.
- Legguards of the Resolute Defender (106) is a quest reward from Destroy Naberius!
Rockstar is wearing the Felsteel Leggings, yet another gift from the auction house. They are pretty nice pants, but the Timewarden’s Leggings is the ultimate in tank wear. I’d like start running more and more Durnholde and Black Morass instances…I realized Black Morass is easiest for the tank, as he typically gets to ignore adds and run from portal to portal to quickly engage the mob. All the pressure is on healers and DPS to keep him alive.
Feet
- Eaglecrest Warboots (110) drops from Keli’dan the Breaker in heroic Blood Furnace.
- Boots of the Colossus (115) drops from Pandemonius in heroic Mana Tombs.
- Bloodguard’s Greaves (108) is a Scryers-only quest reward for Information Gathering.
Rockstar is wearing the Sha’tari Wrought Greaves (115) at the moment. They are decent boots, but don’t have defense and have minimal avoidance through the agility stat. Both Eaglecrest Warboots and Boots of the Colossus should be pretty easy to obtain, I’m going to target the Eaglecrest Warboots as a priority.
Ring
- Elementium Band of the Sentry (115) drops from Harbinger Skyriss in Arcatraz.
- Ring of Unyielding Force (110) is a Badges of Justice reward.
- Iron Band of the Unbreakable (103) drops from Lieutenant Drake in Old Hillsbrad Foothills.
- Wind Trader’s Band (114) is a quest reward.
Rockstar has completed the quest for the Wind Trader’s Band, and is currently wearing that. He also has the Ring of the Silver Hand (a paladin ring), which should be replaced as soon as possible. As I’m grinding for Keepers of Time reputation, it would be nice to pick up 2 Iron Band of the Unbreakable. That piece is a nice combination of armor, stamina, and defense. The nicest combination from this list would be the Elementium Band of the Sentry and the Ring of Unyielding Force.
Trinket
- Adamantine Figurine (112) is a drop from Blackheart the Inciter in Shadow Labyrinth.
- Dabiri’s Enigma (109) is a quest reward from Dimensius the All-Devouring.
- Figurine of the Colossus (115) is a drop from Warchief Kargath Bladefist in the Shattered Halls.
Right now, Rockstar has no trinkets of consequence. He is using Stormpike Insignia Rank 4 and Charm of Alacrity. I wouldn’t mind having all of these trinkets to be able to mix and match per the scenario at hand. If I have to choose to target two of them first, I’ll go after Adamantine Figurine and Dabiri’s Enigma.
Weapon
- The Sun Eater (105) is a drop from Pathaleon the Calculator in heroic Mechanar.
- Warp-Storm Warblade (115) is a drop from Nexus-Prince Shaffar in heroic Mana Tombs.
- Crystalline Kopesh (100) is a quest reward for Wanted: Durn the Hungerer.
- Honor’s Call (100) is a reputation reward from gaining exalted status with Honor Hold (Alliance only).
- Warbringer (100) is a reputation reward from gaining exalted status with Thrallmar (Horde only).
- Grom’tor’s Charge (109) is a quest reward.
I think the fast track for this equipment slot is getting the Crystalline Kopesh in Nagrand (my current weapon goal), and then working towards the Sun Eater from heroic Mechanar. Having the Sun Eater heading into Karazhan would be very good. Rockstar currently has the Crystalline Kopesh for tanking, and uses the Gift of the Ethereal in his DPS set.
Shield
- Crest of the Sha’tar (95) is a reputation reward from reaching exalted status with The Sha’tar.
- Aegis of the Sunbird (115) is a drop from High Botanist Freywinn in the Botanica.
- Platinum Shield of the Valorous (112) is a drop from Ambassador Hellmaw in the Shadow Labyrinth.
- Netherwing Protector’s Shield (109) is a quest reward.
- Shield of the Wayward Footman (100) is a BOE drop, and can be found in the auction house.
Rockstar has the Platinum Shield of the Valorous currently, and that’s a pretty good acquisition. Certainly there’s room to improve in the shield department, but gaining exalted status with Sha’tar is going to be a while. He also has the Shield of the Wayward Footman in the bank.
Ranged
- Nethershrike (115) is a drop from Nethermancer Sepethrea in Mechanar.
- Consortium Blaster (115) is a reputation reward for reaching revered status with the Consortium.
- Crystalline Crossbow (100) is a reputation reward for reaching exalted status with Ogri’la.
- Gyro-Balanced Khorium Destroyer (105) is crafted.
This is another area Rockstar can improve on, currently he has Zerid’s Vintage Musket. I think I’d be happy with the Consortium Blaster, but it seems like the Gyro-Balanced Khorium Destroyer is the way to go for tanks…I see a lot of Warriors running around with it. The Crystalline Crossbow is a nice weapon, but exalted with Ogri’la is just too much work I think.
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