Raiding: Confused re: where to spend badges

zn · June 15, 2008, 10:10 PM

Character Name: Zn
Armory Link: http://armory.worldofwarcraft.com/ch...=Turalyon&n=Zn
Talent Build: 31/9/21 (SM/Ruin)

Quick Info
Health: 9740
Mana: 9806
+Damage: 796 (979 shadow)
+Hit: 139
+Crit: 16.65%
Have you read the gearing guide? Yes

Items/Slots in need of immediate upgrade:

Weapon, bracers

Upgrades you are currently working on:

Weapon: Was farming badges for the 150 badge dagger (until I read the thread on badge priorities).

Bracer: Considering spending badges on new bracers.

All about you:
Here's my issue: I LOVE the SM/Ruin spec as I've tried everything else (including raiding Felguard as soon as I got 2 pc t5), and always come back to SM/Ruin.

To me it's clear that my weakest pieces are my PVP dagger and bracers, so those are the ones I'd like to upgrade first. However, after reading the post about Badge of Justice priorities, I'm torn as to whether I should spend 150 badges on that dagger or use them for something else (have over 100 saved but still a little ways to go).

That thread was of course written from the 0/21/40 destro spec perspective, and while I admit the spec is usually the top damage spec for t5 level raiding, I don't like it for several reasons. Anyway, given that I'm not full Destro (and not full Affliction either), which gear upgrades do you think I should focus on so as to not waste badges, time, etc.?

Theleb · June 16, 2008, 07:05 AM

As far as the weapon goes I'd bite the bullet and grind the honour for the S2 Spellblade - you won't get much better than that outside of T6 content and I'd definately look at doing the same for the S3 Bracers (no personal rating) or the S4 bracers (1575 personal rating).

That way you can save your badges for other upgrades and while you already clearly have PvP'd for your current Weapon/Bracers the S2 spellblade in particular is well worth the effort as it comes loaded with a nice chunk of +hit and damage. Afterthat, the BoJ Gloves are excellent, as is the Infused Nethergon Band - take your time and see which represents the biggest DPS Increase for you (at moments like this I always reach for the spreadsheet to see what gives me most "Bang per Buck").

Rubella · June 16, 2008, 08:02 AM

@zn

Overall, my experience with CanadianPimp's gear guide was that it applied fairly well to your spec. The gearing requirements of sm(dark pact)/ruin do not differ quite so much from 21/40. +crit is still lovely on gear.

Also, +haste may actually be put to better use since you have more instant DoTs to play with, with the idea that you will be working to lower your gcd as much as possible to that one second mark. And since you have dark pact, you will be able to better handle the increased mana demands without constant healer attention or being in the shadowpriest group.

As for where to spend badges I'm with Theleb, that ring is tasty

zn · June 16, 2008, 10:33 PM

Theleb and Rubella,

Thanks a lot for your input. Yeah I know the S2 dagger is quite a bit better than the S1 I have, but I really dislike PVP (both battlegrounds and arena), and not looking forward to having to spend more time upgrading the 2 items I already spent a lot of time farming honor for.

I'm gonna have to go to that spreadsheet and figure out what's the best bang for the buck, but I'll still have the poor weapon issue unless hell freezes over and ZA decides to drop me a better weapon.

Thanks again for your input, and I'll look into that ring.

Firepit · June 17, 2008, 10:40 AM

Why wouldn't you get the gladiators war staff. It has +hit + crit and +damage, and get soulfrost enchant? Yea, the other has more +damage but if you r like me and do mainly instances general farming...etc. pve, +hit/+crit are just as important. Is +damage better than + hit or + crit?

Theleb · June 17, 2008, 11:02 AM

+damage is better than crit, worse than +hit (assuming you're not hit capped).

Both will cost the same so its down to the individual as to which gives him more mileage (and how many BG's he can put up with :p ).

Hakasa · June 17, 2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firepit

Why wouldn't you get the gladiators war staff. It has +hit + crit and +damage, and get soulfrost enchant? Yea, the other has more +damage but if you r like me and do mainly instances general farming...etc. pve, +hit/+crit are just as important. Is +damage better than + hit or + crit?

MH + OH usually equals much better stats in the long run although a stave will usually give you much more +stam/int from them.

June 15, 2008, 10:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
zn Lurker Character Info Zn 70 Gnome Warlock Turalyon US PvE Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 34/6/21	Confused re: where to spend badges *Character Name:* Zn *Armory Link:* http://armory.worldofwarcraft.com/ch...=Turalyon&n=Zn *Talent Build:* 31/9/21 (SM/Ruin) Quick Info Health: 9740 Mana: 9806 +Damage: 796 (979 shadow) +Hit: 139 +Crit: 16.65% Have you read the gearing guide? Yes Items/Slots in need of immediate upgrade: Weapon, bracers Upgrades you are currently working on: Weapon: Was farming badges for the 150 badge dagger (until I read the thread on badge priorities). Bracer: Considering spending badges on new bracers. All about you: Here's my issue: I LOVE the SM/Ruin spec as I've tried everything else (including raiding Felguard as soon as I got 2 pc t5), and always come back to SM/Ruin. To me it's clear that my weakest pieces are my PVP dagger and bracers, so those are the ones I'd like to upgrade first. However, after reading the post about Badge of Justice priorities, I'm torn as to whether I should spend 150 badges on that dagger or use them for something else (have over 100 saved but still a little ways to go). That thread was of course written from the 0/21/40 destro spec perspective, and while I admit the spec is usually the top damage spec for t5 level raiding, I don't like it for several reasons. Anyway, given that I'm not full Destro (and not full Affliction either), which gear upgrades do you think I should focus on so as to not waste badges, time, etc.?

June 16, 2008, 07:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Theleb Moderator Character Info Theleb 70 Human Warlock Shadowsong Euro PvE Guild: Original Talent Spec: 0/46/15	Re: Confused re: where to spend badges As far as the weapon goes I'd bite the bullet and grind the honour for the S2 Spellblade - you won't get much better than that outside of T6 content and I'd definately look at doing the same for the S3 Bracers (no personal rating) or the S4 bracers (1575 personal rating). That way you can save your badges for other upgrades and while you already clearly have PvP'd for your current Weapon/Bracers the S2 spellblade in particular is well worth the effort as it comes loaded with a nice chunk of +hit and damage. Afterthat, the BoJ Gloves are excellent, as is the Infused Nethergon Band - take your time and see which represents the biggest DPS Increase for you (at moments like this I always reach for the spreadsheet to see what gives me most "Bang per Buck").

June 16, 2008, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rubella Member Character Info Rubella 70 Undead Warlock Chromaggus US PvP Guild: Grand Theft Kodo Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/21/40	Re: Confused re: where to spend badges @zn Overall, my experience with CanadianPimp's gear guide was that it applied fairly well to your spec. The gearing requirements of sm(dark pact)/ruin do not differ quite so much from 21/40. +crit is still lovely on gear. Also, +haste may actually be put to better use since you have more instant DoTs to play with, with the idea that you will be working to lower your gcd as much as possible to that one second mark. And since you have dark pact, you will be able to better handle the increased mana demands without constant healer attention or being in the shadowpriest group. As for where to spend badges I'm with Theleb, that ring is tasty

June 16, 2008, 10:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
zn Lurker Character Info Zn 70 Gnome Warlock Turalyon US PvE Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 34/6/21	Re: Confused re: where to spend badges Theleb and Rubella, Thanks a lot for your input. Yeah I know the S2 dagger is quite a bit better than the S1 I have, but I really dislike PVP (both battlegrounds and arena), and not looking forward to having to spend more time upgrading the 2 items I already spent a lot of time farming honor for. I'm gonna have to go to that spreadsheet and figure out what's the best bang for the buck, but I'll still have the poor weapon issue unless hell freezes over and ZA decides to drop me a better weapon. Thanks again for your input, and I'll look into that ring.

June 17, 2008, 10:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Firepit Member Character Info Firepit 70 Blood Elf Warlock Echo Isles US RP Guild: Server Police Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/21/40	Re: Confused re: where to spend badges Why wouldn't you get the gladiators war staff. It has +hit + crit and +damage, and get soulfrost enchant? Yea, the other has more +damage but if you r like me and do mainly instances general farming...etc. pve, +hit/+crit are just as important. Is +damage better than + hit or + crit?

June 17, 2008, 11:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Theleb Moderator Character Info Theleb 70 Human Warlock Shadowsong Euro PvE Guild: Original Talent Spec: 0/46/15	Re: Confused re: where to spend badges +damage is better than crit, worse than +hit (assuming you're not hit capped). Both will cost the same so its down to the individual as to which gives him more mileage (and how many BG's he can put up with :p ).