So You Want To Be a Furbolg
Every once in a while you see someone cast a spell, and transform himself into a Furbolg. How do they do it? Well, the answer is this…the power to become a Furbolg is accomplished by obtaining Dartol’s Rod of Transformation. This is a quest item that can be obtained through a short series of quests.
The quest line begins in the inn at Astranaar (Ashenvale)…the quest giver is Raene Wolfrunner, who is easily spotted, as she is a night elf accompanied by her pets, Dagri (a wolf) and Korra (a striped cat).
Raene’s Cleansing (1)
Speaking with Raene allows you to pick up the quest Raene’s Cleansing. She wants you to locate her friend, a night elf named Teronis. He is located on a small island in the center of Lake Falathim (Lake Falathim can be reached by traveling southwest from Maestra’s Post). Unfortunately for everyone involved, he is dead…presumably slain by the Saltspittle murlocs in the immediate vicinity.
Raene’s Cleansing (2)
Examination of Teronis’s body completes the quest and permits the next step. You need to recover the Glowing Gem (the object Teronis was seeking), which is now in the possession of the murlocs. You’ll have to kill the murlocs nearby until the gem drops. I’ve been fortunate, as the gem usually drops for me within the first few kills. This object is then retuned to Raene Wolfrunner at the Astranaar inn.
Raene’s Cleansing (3)
Raene is dismayed to learn of her friend’s death. She now asks you to complete Teronis’s task…by reading his journal and listening to Raene, we learn that Teronis was trying to recover an object to help deter the furbolg attacks on the elves. Raene now sends you to find a dryad named Shael’dryn.
Raene’s Cleansing (4)
Shael’dryn immediately tasks with you with recovering a piece of the rod, the Iron Shaft. This fragment is locked in a chest hidden in a small glade. This chest is unlocked with the Wooden Key, which can be obtained by slaying treants (Withered Ancients and Crazed Ancients) found along the border between Ashenvale and Felwood. I had to kill at least a dozen of these treants before the key would drop. The Iron Shaft is then returned to Shael’dryn.
Raene’s Cleansing (5)
Shael’dryn wants you to recover the final piece of the rod. This is the Iron Pommel…she doesn’t really know where it is, but you’re sent to find it anyway. We learn that this fragment was given to a group of druids for safekeeping, but these druids have been slain and their encampment has been run over with slimes. You follow the roads toward the Barrens, but before entering the Barrens, you leave the road to the east…the area is brimming with slimes. Kill them all, and eventually one of them will drop a chest (a strange sort of surprise). The chest contains the Iron Pommel.
Raene’s Cleansing (6)
Shael’dryn wants to help you reconstruct the rod. She assembles the fragments into a rod, and you are tasked with getting it re-enchanted. In order to do this, you must bring the rod to a small shrine nearby. It’s sort of hidden…you’ll travel south and east away from the dryad, and then follow a winding path up the nearby mountain. At the top (and now given away by the golden question mark on your minimap) is the shrine. Use the rod at this shrine, and you will receive Dartol’s Rod of Transformation. This is what you want!
The rod itself is used further into the quest line, but most people would rather keep the rod and enjoy being able to transform into a furbolg. This transformation effect lasts for three minutes. As usual, you cannot ride your mount or ride a gryphon taxi while you are shapeshifted like this.
How many times can Dartol’s Rod of Transformation be used?
This item has an infinite number of uses. As usual, each use is subject to a one-minute cooldown.
How long does the shapeshift effect last?
You remain in furbolg form for three minutes (at which point the buff expires), until you manually cancel the buff, or until you take combat damage of any sort.
Can a furbolg dance?
Unfortunately, this is no dance animation for toons shapeshifted into furbolg form.
Frost Resistance Tanking Gear Checklist
As it happens, the pieces of equipment used to build out a frost resistance tanking set could be used by either protection Paladins or protection Warriors. As a guild approaches tackling 25-man content, having tanks decked out in resistance gear is a necessity. As you would expect, building out a full set is going to take quite a bit of time (if you’re doing it all yourself) or quite a bit of money (if you’re going to pay crafters to help you out).
In order to prepare a full set for a magic resistance fight, the tank should aim for the 365 (buffed) resistance cap versus level 73 mobs. With 365 frost resistance, the average damage reduction should be about 75%. Hydross the Unstable hits for about 8000 damage; with a full frost resistance set, he should hit for about 2000 damage on average.
Head
- Iceguard Helm is a crafted item. The plans can be learned by a Blacksmith who has reached honored reputation level with The Violet Eye. The helm should be adorned with a Glyph of Frost Warding, which can be purchased for 100g from the Keepers of Time quartermaster when the tank has reached honored reputation level with the Keepers of Time. Between the helm and and the helm enchant, this item accounts for 70 frost resistance.
Neck
- Pendant of Thawing is a crafted item. The design can be learned by a Jewelcrafter who has reached revered reputation level with the Lower City. This item accounts for 30 frost resistance.
Shoulder
- The shoulder should be adorned with the Inscription of Endurance, which can be purchased for 30g from The Violet Eye quartermaster when the tank has reached honored reputation level with The Violet Eye. This item accounts for 7 frost resistance.
Chest
- Iceguard Breastplate is a crafted item. The plans can be learned by a Blacksmith who has reached honored reputation level with The Violet Eye. This item accounts for 60 frost resistance.
Legs
- Iceguard Leggings is a crafted item. The plans can be learned by a Blacksmith who has reached revered reputation level with The Violet Eye. This item accounts for 60 frost resistance.
Finger
- The Frozen Eye is a crafted item. The plans can be learned by a Jewelcrafter who has reached honored reputation level with The Violet Eye. This item accounts for 35 frost resistance.
Other
- A Frost Armor Kit should be applied to the equipment in the chest, legs, hands, and feet slots. If all four pieces are augmented this way, this can account for 32 frost resistance.
- Frost Resistance Aura from Paladins can account for 70 frost resistance.
- Frost Resistance Totem from Shamans can account for 60 frost resistance.
- Gift of the Wild can account for 25 frost resistance.
- Flask of Chromatic Wonder can account for 35 frost resistance.
- Flask of Chromatic Resistance can account for 25 frost resistance.
Karazhan-Clearing Protection Warrior Gear Checklist
So, you gathered all of your tanking gear before entering Karazhan…and you’ve gotten some (or a lot) of experience tanking through the halls of Karazhan, perhaps all the way to Prince Malchezaar himself. The question is, have you gotten your tanking drops from Karazhan? Are you ready to move beyond?
Let’s review which Karazhan drops are good pieces for protection Warriors.
Attumen the Huntsman & Midnight
- Vambraces of Courage armor is an excellent upgrade for most of the pieces you might be wearing in the wrist slot. In Rockstar’s case, these have more armor, stamina, and defense than the Sha’tari Wrought Armguards. In addition, this item offers block value.
Moroes
- Crimson Girdle of the Indomitable is an excellent upgrade at the waist slot.
- Moroes’ Lucky Pocket Watch is probably one of the most (if not the most) coveted trinkets in Karazhan. It has an incredible amount of dodge value and should be one of the more reliable “panic trinkets” you could have for quite some time.
Maiden of Virtue
- Barbed Choker of Discipline is a terrific piece for the neck, and is loaded with stamina, defense, and dodge rating.
- Iron Gauntlets of the Maiden has opportunity for loads of stamina, defense, and a lot of block.
Opera Event
- Eternium Greathelm is a drop shared by all Opera events, so most tanks will be able to get this helm fairly quickly. This is a good placeholder until you can get your hands on your T4 helm from Prince Malchezaar.
Curator
- Warbringer Handguards (from Gloves of the Fallen Defender) offer more defense and probably much higher parry rating than whatever you’ve currently got. Make sure you get the right ones from your set vendor.
- Wrynn Dynasty Greaves is a nice upgrade to the Timewarden’s Leggings. Both pieces have three gem slots, but most Warriors will be stacking three heavy stamina gems. These greaves have nice increases in armor, defense, and dodge.
Terestian Illhoof
- Gilded Thorium Cloak is big in armor, stamina, and defense. Prior to Karazhan there are many different tanking cloaks, specializing in armor or defense or block rating. This cloak has an excellent mix of attributes.
Shade of Aran
- Shermanar Great-Ring is pure stamina, armor, and dodge rating. This is a ring that all manner of tanks will likely be seeking.
Chess Event
- Battlescar Boots is another big upgrade…more armor, some parry rating, and socket potential.
- King’s Defender is the sword that replaces The Sun Eater or the Crystalline Kopesh. The weapon has armor on it, and the dodge rating is replaced with hit rating.
Netherspite
- Mantle of Abrahmis is a solid upgrade at the shoulder position. It’s got a bit more stamina and defense over the Shoulderguards of the Bold, which I think is the leading contender of pre-Karazhan shoulder pieces.
Prince Malchezaar
- Warbringer Greathelm (from Helm of the Fallen Defender) is not only really cool-looking, it’s a huge helmet stats-wise. Helm of the Stalwart Defender has more armor and resilience, but this T4 helm for tanks has agility, a lot of block stats, and the opportunity to socket a meta-gem…and plus the upshot of set bonuses down the road. I think hands-down this is a better helm than anything pre-Karazhan. I also think it’s better than the Eternium Greathelm from the Opera event. Make sure you get the right one from your set vendor.
Nightbane
- Panzar’Thar Breastplate seems to have it all. More armor, more stamina, more defense, more shield block rating and shield block value, and three gem slots to boot. I’m not sure how this compares to items that might be crafted (assuming you’re an armorsmith), but this chest piece seems to be much better than any of the pre-Karazhan pieces I’ve listed before.
- Shield of Impenetrable Darkness has upgrades across all categories over Crest of the Sha’tar. The downside is no gem slots, so no customization. In all likelihood this means a bit less stamina, but still a great shield nonetheless.
These items pretty much comprise all of the plate-based Warrior gear with any combination of high armor, defense, or stamina attributes. There are many other pieces designed for protection Paladins or DPS-type Warriors that are not included in this list.
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.
Librams Available To Paladins
The Paladin is one of those classes without an equipment slot dedicated to a true ranged weapon. Rather, Paladins have the mysterious Relic equipment slot. Leveling a Paladin can occur for quite a long time before the Relic equipment slot finally gets filled.
What do Relics do for Paladins?
Different classes with a Relic equipment slot are able to equip different objects to the slot. Each Relic-bearing class gets a specific Relic type. In the case of Paladins, the Relic slot is outfitted with Librams. Generally speaking, a Libram enhances one or more of a Paladin’s spells. Because of this, Paladins possessing specific builds will find specific Librams more useful than others.
When can a Paladin expect to fill the Relic slot?
Of the known Librams listed below, the Libram with the lowest minimum required level is the Libram of Truth, which requires the Paladin be at least level 52.
Can a Paladin find a Libram in the auction house?
Out of the 21 Librams listed below, only the Libram of Fervor is a bind-on-equip item. The remaining Librams are all bind-on-pickup. So there is a possibility of finding 1 type of Libram in the auction house.
Which Librams are useful, regardless of the Paladin’s talent specialization?
- Libram of Hope lowers the mana cost of the Paladin’s Seal spells, which is very nice. This Libram is quite rare these days, as it drops from Isalien, a boss in Dire Maul that must be summoned as part of the Dungeon Set 2 quest line.
- Libram of Saints Departed heals the Paladin upon casting a Judgement spell. This Libram is dropped by The Maker in the Blood Furnace wing (normal mode) of Hellfire Citadel.
- Libram of Avengement increases the critical strike rating upon casting a Judgement spell. This Libram is dropped by The Maker in the Blood Furance wing (heroic mode) of Hellfire Citadel.
Which Librams are especially useful for Holy Paladins?
- Libram of Souls Redeemed increases the healing effect of Blessing of Light. This Libram is dropped by any of the bosses involved in the Opera Event of Karazhan.
- Libram of Grace reduces the mana cost of the Cleanse spell. This Libram is more rare these days, as it drops from Fankriss the Unyielding in the Temple of Ahn’Qiraj.
- Libram of the Eternal Rest increases the damage done by Consecration. This Libram drops from Darkweaver Syth in the Sethekk Halls wing (both normal and heroic modes) of Auchindoun.
- Libram of Wracking reduces the mana cost of the Exorcism and Holy Wrath spells. This Libram is a quest reward for “Colossal Menance” quest obtained at the Cenarion Post in Hellfire Peninsula.
- Gladiator’s Libram of Justice increases a target’s resilience after receiving a Flash of Light. This Libram is a PvP reward item, and is obtained through a PvP vendor.
- Libram of Light increases the effect of Flash of Light. This Libram is dropped by Noth the Plaguebringer in Naxxramas.
- Blessed Book of Nagrand increases the effect of Flash of Light. This Libram is a reward for completing the “The Ultimate Bloodsport” quest obtained at the Nesingwary Safari in Nagrand.
- Libram of Divinity increases the effect of Flash of Light. This Libram drops from several bosses in Scholomance.
- Libram of Absolute Truth reduces the mana cost of Holy Light. This Libram drops from the Lurker Below in Serpentshrine Cavern.
- Libram of the Lightbringer increases the effect of Holy Light. This Libram drops from Commander Sarannis in the Botanica wing (both normal and heroic modes) of Tempest Keep.
- Libram of Mending improves mana regeneration when Holy Light is used. This Libram is available in exchange for Badges of Justice in Shattrath City.
- Libram of Divine Purpose increases the effects of Righteousness. This Libram is available in exchange for Badges of Justice in Shattrath City.
Which Librams are especially useful for Protection Paladins?
- Libram of Truth increases the effect of Devotion Aura. This Libram drops from Magnus in Blackrock Depths.
- Libram of Repentance increases block rating while Holy Shield is active. This Libram is available in exchange for Badges of Justice in Shattrath City.
Which Librams are especially useful for Retribution Paladins?
- Libram of Righteous Power increases the effect of Crusader Strike. This Libram is a reward for completing the “News of Victory” quest obtained at Invasion Point: Cataclysm in Shadowmoon Valley.
- Libram of Divine Judgement increases attack power when Judgement of Command is used. This Libram is available in exchange for Badges of Justice in Shattrath City.
- Libram of Zeal increases attack power and holy damage. This Libram is available as a PvP reward from the appropriate faction Field Scout in Zangarmarsh.
- Libram of Fervor increases attack power and holy damage. This Libram is available from many of the pre-BC instances (Blackrock Spire, Dire Maul, Scholomance, Stratholme, and Zul’Gurub) and several of the pre-BC zones (Plaguelands and Silithus). Interestingly enough, the Libram of Fervor is the only bind-on-equip (BOE) Libram in the game. Be sure to check the auction house for this one.