Beginner's raiding guide for 3.2.x

**nocturnus** · 2009-09-16, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by zuxia

You refered to outdated posts, the post date is 09/11/09, 3:44 AM ..concerning T9, not 9.25, or 9.5 4pc versus 2pc T9 with 2pc T8.5.

Sorry Gherkin...I don't have much time to do theorycraft sims.

http://elitistjerks.com/f80/t48311-s.../p86/.....read starting post 2137.

Well guys, I never said the T9 (ilvl 232) was any good. Like I said, a few times already now, T9 ilvl 245 (You refer to them as T9.25) and above are an upgrade over T8.5.

I mentioned out-dated posts in reference to the Fire Stone vs. Spell Stone discussion. If the readers had actually read my OP correctly, they would've noticed I didn't even consider the ilvl 232 as an option.

and again, no, the non-set ilvl 245 emblem rewards do not make up for the loss of the 4 set T9.x bonus. So like I said in the OP, the 4x T9.x bonus is to be saught after.

**gherkin** · 2009-09-16, 09:16 PM

This whole multiple iLVL bullshit is annoying. Thanks Blizzard!

T9 232 does not exist IMO. We're not talking about this.

T9 258 is best in slot. I agree that the 4pc bonus is worth having with this gear set because there is no better alternative.

T9 245 is where the debate lies. To summarize:

Which is better:

4PC T9 245 + Merlin's Robe

OR

2PC T9 245 (Gloves, Legs) + Merlin's Robe + Mantle of Revered Mortality + Helm of Clouded Sight
(Or whatever 245 emblem gear is better than these)

**nocturnus** · 2009-09-16, 09:23 PM

My Toon with 4x T9 ilvl 248 generates the following theoretical DPS: 7947

My toon with 2x T9 ilvl 248 + Mantle of Revered Mortality & Helm of Clouded Sight generates the following theoretical DPS: 7878

The spreadsheet on this website might help you decide when choices seem less obvious:
http://dmz-gaming.com/site/wiki/inde...PS_Spreadsheet

It's less accurate than let's say 50k iterations, but it's accurate nevertheless.

**gherkin** · 2009-09-16, 09:43 PM

I was wondering where the spreadsheet went, though I didn't actively look either.

Seems I was wrong about 245. Sorry for the 2 pages of confusion.

**Jobusan** · 2009-09-16, 11:37 PM

K....so after reading this whole damn thing and laughing incurably at work...here is a the most recent link I found on EJ in regards to optimal gear to shoot for in 3.2 and it provides pretty good reasoning on the second dude's theorycraft for gear and how 2 piece T9 is more beneficial. God I hope this can sort out the bullshit.
http://elitistjerks.com/f80/t74095-w...endium_v3_2_a/

I did see where you posted the link to start with, but perhaps you would like to read the whole forum and not just the first part that was posted. The 2nd gentleman show the proof of gear on his theorycraft for 2 piece T9. At least that's what I read, there very well could be something new someone else provided or proved, but I haven't read it recently since that link was just saved in my favorites.

Oh, and if it keeps me from being in a majorly stupid arguement because I agree....i'm with Gherkin on this, what he is saying makes complete sense.

**Screwtape** · 2009-09-17, 08:42 AM

Hmm, for a 'Beginner's Guide' this thread sure does have a lot of fancy language. Maybe it should be renamed "Experts Debate About What Should Go Into a Beginner's Guide". ;D

One thing I will kinda disagree with, although it's more wording than anything, is the importance of hit cap. It's the most important stat for a new raider (or a previously unconsidered stat suddenly needing a lot of work) and they certainly should take measures to up it quickly. Two good items are the Argent Skullcap from a quest in Icecrown and the Mark of the War Prisoner in H- Violet Hold. Likewise, if they are not at 14% from gear, talent points should be used.

That said, I would not tell a warlock not to raid because they aren't at 14% hit. Will they miss a few times? Yes. Will they still contribute though? Of course.

Deleted · 2009-09-17, 09:32 AM

Totally agree with this. You have to get your hit up first as a new raider using talents and the items mentioned above . The rest comes hopefully with gear and time.

Of course it is situational and more important in PUG raids, if your guild is happy to gear you up then they can't complain about your stats knowing that you are new as long as you at least have made an effort to approach an acceptable level of hit.

There is no excuse for not running heroics to pick up what you can before you start raiding. Whatever is missing after this should be acceptable to your guild provided you have at least made some degree of effort to help yourself in the first place.

Deleted · 2009-09-17, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Screwtape

Hmm, for a 'Beginner's Guide' this thread sure does have a lot of fancy language. Maybe it should be renamed "Experts Debate About What Should Go Into a Beginner's Guide". ;D

Lol's because it's so true.

OP still gets a print out and take home for later though.

**nocturnus** · 2009-09-17, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Jobusan

K....so after reading this whole damn thing and laughing incurably at work...here is a the most recent link I found on EJ in regards to optimal gear to shoot for in 3.2 and it provides pretty good reasoning on the second dude's theorycraft for gear and how 2 piece T9 is more beneficial. God I hope this can sort out the bullshit.
http://elitistjerks.com/f80/t74095-w...endium_v3_2_a/

I did see where you posted the link to start with, but perhaps you would like to read the whole forum and not just the first part that was posted. The 2nd gentleman show the proof of gear on his theorycraft for 2 piece T9. At least that's what I read, there very well could be something new someone else provided or proved, but I haven't read it recently since that link was just saved in my favorites.

Oh, and if it keeps me from being in a majorly stupid arguement because I agree....i'm with Gherkin on this, what he is saying makes complete sense.

I think you misread the thread. I'm not going to explain any further as I think I was clear enough to begin with. Just linking a thread and claiming it supports your statement won't do anyone any good. You do realize I took that thread into consideration when making this thread don't you?

Seeing how many posts it took me to clarify some aspects I would say this very much is a beginners guide

If I were you I'd make use of the spreadsheet. It's fully up to date and pretty damn accurate.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Screwtape

One thing I will kinda disagree with, although it's more wording than anything, is the importance of hit cap. It's the most important stat for a new raider

Actually this is exactly what I said in the OP. How is it that you disagree, yet agree :/

Reaching the hit-cap is indeed your primary goal. Itemizing towards 11% is ideal as long as you have a class providing you with the hit-debuff. Ideally you always have either a Moonkin or a Shadow Priest in a 25 man raid.

If you check the latest DPS rankings you'll notice the Suppression build with 11% hit on top. What I can advice is to keep a hit trinket in your bag, just in case the Moonkin/Spriest doesn't show up.

**Litemode** · 2009-09-17, 12:24 PM

I am not a beginner, however I still have a few problems in regards to deciding my gear. First of all here's a link to my armory
Now it is very important that you realize that the only gear available to me is from Ulduar10 Hardmodes + Totc10+ Hardmodes. I am a 10 man raider and wish to maximize the performance of my character in any way that allows me.

http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sh...rub&n=Litemode

Now to the questions.

1. I am the proud owner of a couple of nifty trinkets. Illustration of the Dragon Soul, Scales of Fate, Elemental Focus Stone and Talisman of Volatiler Power. I figured that if I have a SPriest/Boomkin in the group, Scales + IotDS is the optimal setup - Is this correct?

2. Ever since totc hardmodes hit the live servers, I've been torn between wanting to upgrade my gear to 4pieces of t9ilvl245 or splitting it up and getting 2T8, 2T9 for the set bonus, as 4T9 at the moment is "bugged" and does not grant you the increased damage for conflagrate. Also, Im having a hard time finding a proper upgrade to my shoulders, as they are still the only ones with 2 sockets in them.

2.1 My current plan is getting T9 Gloves + Leggings, staying with T8.5 Chest + Head. Is that the general way to go due to the poor itemization of chest+head?

3. The fact that we're a 10 man guild and only have 1 Shadow Priest and 0 Boomkins in the guild means that every now and then I'm raiding without the +3% hit. Would it be more beneficial for me to go 3/13/55 to ensure that I never had to worry about regearing?

4. Im using Conflag, Immo and Life Tap Glyphs. I see the OP wanting to switch out Immolate with Incinerate. Is it definitive that your choice of glyphs is better than mine?

Many thanks in advance.

**nocturnus** · 2009-09-17, 12:52 PM