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March 31, 2008, 07:59 AM
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#1 (permalink) |
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Help please - Meta gem order of preference
So I've never gotten a Meta gem, so have minimal knowledge about them. Of course, that's really handy when trying to put together the "which meta gem should I get" part of the guide.  Below are the ones that I see Warlocks getting. Thanks to doogless' post, I removed the Mystical Skyfire Diamond from the list. Please let me know if any others should be removed. And, could everyone put the below list into what order, top to bottom, helps Warlocks the most. Please also feel free to add comments on if it's more suited to the PvP Warlock, raiding Warlock etc. Any other comments also welcome as this thread will be linked to from the guide. Meta gems that will be listed:
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March 31, 2008, 09:07 AM
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#2 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Pyrea 80 Blood Elf Paladin Blackhand Euro PvE Guild: seppuku Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/53/18 |
Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
As I focus mainly on PvE with my warlock, I'll logically pay more attention to the PvE uses of meta gems. 1 (shared with ESD) Chaotic Skyfire Diamond This is THE meta gem for a destruction warlock in PvE. spell crit rating+crit damage, what more do you want? If you are specced into destruction, and want to raid, take this meta gem. 1 (shared with CSD) For an affliction warlock the Ember Skyfire Diamond is, in my eyes, equal to the chaotic skyfire. 2 Insightful Earthstorm Diamond Mana regg is nice, although it has an internal cooldown 3 Destructive Skyfire Diamond Reliant on a procc chance, it's use in PvE is therefore restricted. As a spell targeting you will either not have any effect on the caster (ever disorientated a boss? ), or in the 99/100 cases when it doesn't procc, will either kill you right out, in which case you might as well have another gem anyway, or will deal so little damage it can be easily healed. 4 Swift Skyfire Diamond good for D3 head/T4, but higher items deserve better. cheapest meta, buyable for spirit shards in terokkar. 5 Bracing Earthstorm Diamond 9 spell damage is less than others, none of our spells scale with +heal. -threat is negligible, if you are having aggro problems, this gem will not save your life (or your face). 6/7 The Imbued Unstable Diamond is not only hard to get, it requires a 25+ man raid to complete the bashir's landing event in blade's edge, but has few uses in PvE. There are other, easier to get, and better suited meta gems available. The Powerful Earthstorm Diamond has no real PvE use whatsoever, and i would only use it in a PvP item. If, on the other hand, you are a tank (i.e. warrior, paladin or druid) it is brilliant for your tanking gear. Last edited by Derzerfetzer; March 31, 2008 at 09:11 AM.. Reason: edit: added colours for better reading ease |
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March 31, 2008, 03:43 PM
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#3 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Eluminite 80 Human Warlock Kalecgos US PvP Guild: Kali Compton Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 53/0/18 |
Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
Honestly, the Mystical Skyfire Diamond is not that bad as long as you actually put haste to use (i.e. spam everything as fast as the game allows you). For me personally, a single point of haste gives roughly the same DPS boost as 9/10 of a point of pure damage. The believed proc rate is 15%, which at an average of 2s casts would mean you should be guaranteed a proc in 14 seconds of casting, then added to the 45s silent cooldown would mean it'll proc roughly once every minute (worst case scenario). The haste buff's duration from the MSD is under some speculation, so consider three different situations: Have the buff for the full advertised 6 seconds: (6*(320*0.9))/60 = 28.8 Average equivalent damage Have the buff for experienced 4 seconds: (4*(320*0.9))/60 = 19.2 Average equivalent damage Have the buff for 4 seconds minus a GCD: (2.5*(320*0.9))/60 = 12 Average equivalent damage So, even through rounding numbers in ways that don't favor the gem and supposing it's worst possible uptime, it still falls in line with the other options. Personally, I'm going to believe that the buff is intended to last 6 seconds, but only actually activates after the GCD of the cast that procced it, meaning that the buff really lasts 4.5 seconds... but that's only because it makes me happy to think such things =). So, that in mind my ranking (for affliction) would look something like: 1. Ember Skyfire Diamond- Has the highest sustained, true damage value. Has gem requirements that are logical to meet (and which myself and all locks that are hit capped already do meet). And I hate thinking about int as something that increases DPS, but the fact of the matter is that it does, if only ever so slightly, both through crit and less downtime tapping. 2. Mystical Skyfire Diamond - Highest theoretical dps increase. Mostly only ranked 2nd because of illogical gem requirements. Who uses blue gems in PvE  2.5Imbued Unstable Diamond- I gave it a fake rating because it's almost impractical to consider it an option. It has a nice damage component, and 5% stun resist isn't... completely... nothing. Plus it's good and cheap. But it really does take a full, organized raid to get to. My guild has only tried to do the event once, and that was many months ago when we still cared about Gruul's lair and the free flasks for it. Odds are that you're not going to find the people to make it happen. Plus the gem requirement is just... weird. Exactly 3 yellows? What if you want more? With easy T6 gems on the horizon, odds are you're going to want less. The gem is just all-around impractical. 3. Swift Starfire Diamond- Has actually been my meta of choice thus far. In stark contrast to #2.5 up there, this is pretty much the most practical meta gem available. It's cheap (somewhat free). Always available for purchase. Has gem requirements that you'll probably meet naturally, up until everything is runed spinels. And of course, it has stats that are pretty decent. 12 damage is not 14, but I honestly consider run speed of real value, especially when kiting (the striders in Vashj come to mind). 4. Bracing Earthstorm Diamond - Threat reduction does have significant value, especially on fights like VR or Bloodboil... or when you try to run a heroic with a pugged tank. However, I wouldn't put it above more damage. The times when that 2% might make a difference can't compare to all the times 3 more damage would be benefiting you. 5. Chaotic Skyfire Diamond- Affliction might not be big on crits, but they're still there and integral to good DPS. The numbers I've seen have this ranked at around the equivalent of 8 pure damage. So if you're short on cash and someone is giving these away, it's not a terrible option. Of course, if you are 0/21/40... or some weird critaliscious offspec...this gem would be your number 1. It's just tragic that this gem has the worst requirements ever (2+ blues). 6/7/8. DSD / IED / PED -I'd gag if I saw these in any PvE gear. DSD isn't quite as terrible for destro-locks, but the MSD, CSD, and even ESB are still better for them. The PED does have a good home in a PvP helm, but the trend of PvP is moving towards decent damage output, not just stacking stam, so I'd consider the SSD or ESD viable PvP options as well.
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I'm only infallible when it comes to knowing why I'm not infallible Last edited by Eluminite; March 31, 2008 at 03:46 PM.. |
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March 31, 2008, 03:55 PM
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#4 (permalink) |
Character Info
Lavath 80 Blood Elf Warlock Shadow Council US RP Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 3/13/55 |
Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
Being destro, I'd say chaotic all the way. MaxDPS.com also suggests that you will get the highest dps from this gem. The next in line would likely be the insightful or swift. I suppose if you are having mana issues (which deep destro might have) then insightful is the way to go. Having said that, swift looks like a good arena/pvp gem. Just my thoughts. |
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March 31, 2008, 04:09 PM
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#5 (permalink) |
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Character Info
Devetaki 80 Undead Warlock Proudmoore US PvE Guild: Taint Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 53/0/18 |
Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
I think it would depend on which spec. For Destro/Demo- (going for the most +crit) 1. Chaotic Skyfire Diamond 2. Destructive Skyfire Diamond 3. Ember Skyfire Diamond 4. Imbued Unstable Diamond 5. Swift Starfire Diamond 6. Powerful Earthstorm Diamond 7. Bracing Earthstorm Diamond 8. Insightful Earthstorm Diamond Affliction (going with the most +spell damage) 1. Ember Skyfire Diamond 2. Imbued Unstable Diamond 3. Swift Starfire Diamond 4. Bracing Earthstorm Diamond 5. Chaotic Skyfire Diamond 6. Destruction Skyfire Diamond 7. Powerful Earthstorm Diamond 8. Insightful Earthstorm Diamond For PVP I'd say 1. Powerful Earthstorm Diamond and then going for the most +spell damage. Last edited by Devetaki; March 31, 2008 at 04:12 PM.. |
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April 01, 2008, 09:00 AM
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#6 (permalink) |
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Character Info
SavageBT 80 Undead Warlock Khaz'Goroth Oceania PvE Guild: Khazuals Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 53/0/18 |
Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
Interesting thing I read about the CSD (needs source) is that due to the maths behind crit and lock talents a warlock with Ruin and this meta receives 209% damage on a critical, instead of 200% with a different meta. Yes blue gems are nasty but a few pieces of T6 have the +5 spell damage socket bonus. Compared to filling all with +12s yes the damage is notably less but if you need to gem for hit (unlikely) or use the new damage/haste orange gems in 2.4 it will be a very minimal dps loss - take the Robe of the Malefic, using 3x Runed Crimson Spinel gems you get +36dmg, using 2x Reckless Pyrestone and 1x Glowing Shadowsong Amethyst you end up with +23dmg, +10haste and +7stam - very comparable. You could even go with the Forceful Seaspray Emerald. Apologies if this should be under the other gem guide section. |
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April 01, 2008, 09:05 AM
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#7 (permalink) |
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Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
Those maths are confirmed on the EJ forums if I recall correctly - works with Mage/Elemental Shaman talents also.
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Lefric - 80 Rogue Theleb - 70 Warlock Celegorm - 70 Hunter Kahlye - 70 Shaman - Gaerun 62 Paladin - Weldrake 80 Death Knight |
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April 01, 2008, 09:26 AM
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#8 (permalink) |
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Character Info
SavageBT 80 Undead Warlock Khaz'Goroth Oceania PvE Guild: Khazuals Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 53/0/18 |
Re: Help please - Meta gem order of preference
Cheers 
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