The following are ratings of gear for the head, leg and shoulder slots. Values are calculated using the weights listed in Healing Gear: General and the methods described in Comparing Healing Gear.
Source Key
BT = Black Temple
MH = Mount Hyjal
SSC = Serpentshrine Cavern
TK = Tempest Keep: Eye
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Healing Gear: Head, Legs, Shoulder
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Healing Gear: Chest, Feet, Hands
The following are ratings of gear for the chest, foot and hand slots. Values are calculated using the weights listed in Healing Gear: General and the methods described in Comparing Healing Gear.
Rank HEP Item Source
1. 333.3 [Skyshatter Chestguard] BT: Illidan
2. 305.7 [Cataclysm Chestguard] TK: Kael'thas
3. 300.2 [Golden Links of Restoration] MH: Anetheron
4. 297.7 [Garments of Temperance] BT: Gurtogg
5. 277.8 [Venegeful Gladiator's Ringmail Armor] 1,875 6. 273.5 [Hauberk of the Empire's Champion] ZA: Zul'jin
7. 254.3 [Primal Mooncloth Robe] Crafted (BoP)
8. 251.9 [Cyclone Hauberk] Magtheridon
9. 251.6 [Merciless Gladiator's Ringmail Armor] 1,630 10. 244.9 [Shimmer-pelt Vest] ZA: Halazzi
11. 232.8 [Earthblood Chestguard] Kara: Netherspite
12. 232.3 [Fire Crest Breastplate] TK: Al'ar
13. 230.3 [Gladiator's Ringmail Armor] 14,500 
14. 225.5 [Robes of Heavenly Purpose] ZA: Nalorakk
15. 205.6 [Stonebough Jerkin] Kara: Nightbane
16. 201.7 [Don Rodrigo's Poncho] MH: Azgalor
17. 193.7 [Gnarled Chestpiece of the Ancients] SSC: Morogrim
18. 185.3 [Harness of the Deep Currents] Shadow Lab: Murmur
19. 180.4 [Void Slayer's Tunic] Quest
20. 178.2 [Earthpeace Breastplate] Crafted (BoE)
in favor of three [Royal Nightseye].
Rank HEP Item Source
1. 221.4 [Two-toed Sandals] ZA: Zul'jin
2. 217.8 [Treads of the Life Path] 60 
3. 215.7 [Stillwater Boots] MH: Winterchill
4. 190.6 [Tempest-Strider Boots] SSC: Lurker
5. 190.3 [Orca-Hide Boots] SSC: Leotheras
6. 188.3 [Boots of the Divine Light] BT trash
7. 187.7 [Naturewarden's Treads] BT: Essence of Anger
8. 175.7 [Gold-Leaf Wildboots] Kazzak
9. 174.2 [Veteran's Kodohide Boots] (No longer available)
10. 165.6 [Soul-Strider Boots] SSC: Karathress
11. 161.3 [Forestlord Striders] Kara: Chess
12. 159.9 [Vindicator's Ringmail Sabatons] 17,850 
13. 157.6 [Enchanted Leather Sandals] MH: Anetheron
14. 156.5 [Archbishop's Slippers] MH: Anetheron
15. 154.2 [Boots of the Incorrupt] Kara: Aran
16. 147.1 [Wavefury Boots] Heroic Slave Pens: Rokmar
17. 146.3 [Auchenai Boots] Quest
18. 144.0 [Veteran's Ringmail Sabatons] (No longer available)
19. 137.1 [Jeweled Boots of Sanctification] Shattered Halls: O'mrogg
20. 131.9 [Light-Woven Slippers] Sethekk Halls: Syth
21. 122.1 [Boots of the Pious] Heroic Mechanar: Pathaleon
Rank HEP Item Source
1. 241.0 [Gloves of Unfailing Faith] BT: Essence of Anger
2. 235.9 [Skyshatter Gloves] MH: Azgalor
3. 217.1 [Worldstorm Gauntlets] TK: Solarian
4. 209.6 [Botanist's Gloves of Growth] BT: Gorefiend
5. 194.7 [Polished Waterscale Gloves] 60 6. 194.0 [Cataclysm Gloves] SSC: Leotheras
7. 183.1 [Gloves of Centering] Kara: Maiden
8. 180.9 [Cyclone Gloves] Kara: Curator
9. 167.0 [Spiritwalker Gauntlets] BT: Shade of Akama
10. 156.6 [Vengeful Gladiator's Ringmail Gauntlets] 1,125 11. 145.2 [Fathomheart Gauntlets] Steamvault: Kalithresh
12. 145.1 [Gloves of Saintly Blessings] Kara: Attumen
13. 144.2 [Prismatic Mittens of Mending] Botanica: Sarannis
14. 140.7 [Merciless Gladiator's Ringmail Gauntlets] 978 15. 122.6 [Gladiator's Ringmail Gauntlets] 10,500 
16. 120.8 [Gloves of the Living Touch] Crafted (BoE)
17. 111.8 [Natural Mender's Wraps] Heroic Crypts: Avatar
Source Key
BT = Black Temple
MH = Mount Hyjal
SSC = Serpentshrine Cavern
TK = Tempest Keep: Eye
Healing Gear: General
The next few posts will list calculated ratings of important healing gear for shaman. The basis for these calculations can be found in my Comparing Healing Gear posts. All ratings are listed in terms of "Healing Equivalent Points" (HEP), which represents the relative improvement in total healing output that's obtained by increasing your Healing rating by one.
The calculated values are based upon an X/X/40+ Restoration shaman (with Tidal Mastery, Mana Tide and Nature's Blessing) in a full set of Karazhan gear. Using different levels of gear will change the raw HEP values, but rarely results in a change in ranking (in which case, the items are generally closely matched to begin with). All ratings assume a 10 minute fight.
[Royal Nightseye] are used for all red and blue sockets, [Dazzling Talasite] for yellow sockets, and [Insightful Earthstorm Diamond] for meta sockets. Socket bonuses were maintained unless otherwise noted. "On-use" items were averaged over their cooldown period for ease of modelling. Set bonuses were not taken into consideration for individual item stats.
The following assumptions were made:
The following HEP weights were used in this analysis:
HEP
Healing 1.00
Intellect 1.73
Spell Crit 0.66
Mana/5 5.07
Spirit 0.25
Spell Haste 0.50
Stamina 0.34
Resilience 0.10
Armor 0.01
These weights assume a 1:1 ratio for all stats affecting healing output, a 1:4 ratio for spell haste (i.e. a 4% increase in casting speed is equal to a 1% increase in healing output), and a 1:10 ratio for survivability stats (Stamina, Armor, Resilience). Armor was furthermore reduced by ½ due to its effect only on physical damage.
Source Key
BT = Black Temple
BWL = Blackwing Lair
MH = Mount Hyjal
SSC = Serpentshrine Cavern
TK = Tempest Keep: Eye
Monday, November 5, 2007
Comparing Healing Gear (revisited)
In order to answer these questions for myself, I set out to create a spreadsheet that would compare various pieces of equipment and provide a rating for each one. To get a feel for the true worth of each item, I decided to compare three different gear levels (pre-Kara gear, pre-SSC/TK gear, and pre-MH/BT gear) and three different lengths of fights (I chose 5, 10 and 20 minutes as representative values).
Surprisingly, I found only minor differences between the three gear levels and a smaller-than-expected difference between the lengths of fights as well. Some items gained or lost more than others, but the overall rankings remained relatively constant (those that swapped places tended to have fairly similar values to begin with). After these unexpected discoveries, I decided to postpone listing my calculated ratings and delve a little further to see what did — and what didn't — affect the relative values.
Note: The formulas I used for the spreadsheet are based upon my earlier postings on Comparing Healing Gear. I decided to display the value of each item in terms of "Healing Equivalent Points," or HEP, which represents the relative improvement in total healing output that's obtained by increasing your Healing rating by one. I chose to use HEP because I felt it was more intuitive than raw percentages and because it allows for easy comparisons between each stat. The assumptions used in this analysis and the derived HEP values can be found below.
I'll be posting my gear rankings throughout the week, so stay tuned!
Assumptions
HEP Values
5 minutes 10 minutes 20 minutes
Healing 1.00 1.00 1.00
Intellect 2.31 1.72 1.37
Spell Crit 0.60 0.60 0.60
Mana/5 4.36 5.02 5.53
Mana 0.11 0.07 0.05
Spirit 0.22 0.25 0.28
Spell Haste 0.90 0.90 0.90
Stamina 0.36 0.36 0.36
Resilience 0.09 0.09 0.09
Armor 0.01 0.01 0.01
5 minutes 10 minutes 20 minutes
Healing 1.00 1.00 1.00
Intellect 2.33 1.76 1.41
Spell Crit 0.66 0.66 0.66
Mana/5 4.35 5.07 5.63
Mana 0.11 0.07 0.05
Spirit 0.22 0.25 0.28
Spell Haste 0.99 0.99 0.99
Stamina 0.34 0.34 0.34
Resilience 0.10 0.10 0.10
Armor 0.01 0.01 0.01
5 minutes 10 minutes 20 minutes
Healing 1.00 1.00 1.00
Intellect 2.33 1.76 1.41
Spell Crit 0.71 0.71 0.71
Mana/5 4.30 4.99 5.51
Mana 0.11 0.07 0.05
Spirit 0.21 0.25 0.28
Spell Haste 1.09 1.09 1.09
Stamina 0.38 0.38 0.38
Resilience 0.11 0.11 0.11
Armor 0.01 0.01 0.01
Thursday, November 1, 2007
New healing gear in 2.3
I gave a general overview of the new gear for shaman in my last post, but I wanted to delve a little further into what's available for restoration shaman in particular. The new items are roughly equivalent to Tier 5, so high-end raiders won't be particularly interested in the new loot. For characters just starting 10- and 25-man content, however, there're many solid upgrades coming up.
Note: If I don't mention a piece of Arena or PvP gear for a particular slot, it is a poor upgrade for PvE use.
BackThere are two new cloaks of note:
- [Kharmaa's Shroud of Hope] (114 Armor, 34 Stamina, 15 Intellect, 51 Healing, 6 mana/5, 23 Resilience), which is available for 60 Badges, and
- [Cloak of Ancient Rituals] (108 Armor, 22 Stamina, 20 Intellect, 25 Spell Haste, 51 Healing), which drops from Hex Lord Malacrass.
ChestThere are two good options for chest pieces in 2.3:
- [Hauberk of the Empire's Champion] (934 Armor, 30 Stamina, 40 Intellect, 40 Spell Haste, 106 Healing, 12 mana/5), dropped by Zul'Jin, and
- [Vengeful Gladiator's Ringmail Armor] (1022 Armor, 54 Stamina, 30 Intellect, 3 Sockets [1 Red, 2 Yellow, +4 Spell Crit socket bonus], 30 Spell Crit, 26 Resilience, 79 Healing, 8 mana/5), available for 1,875 arena points.
FeetBoots are not a well-itemized slot for us (the best two prior to Mount Hyjal are [Wavefury Boots] from Rokmar in heroic Slave Pens and then a long gap until [Tempest-Strider Boots] drop from Lurker Below in Serpentshrine Cavern). Fortunately, there are two solid upgrades coming soon:
- [Treads of the Life Path] (619 Armor, 21 Stamina, 33 Intellect, 2 Sockets [1 Blue, 1 Yellow, +7 Healing socket bonus], 75 Healing, 6 mana/5) for 60 Badges, and
- [Vindicator's Kodohide Boots] (357 Armor, 43 Stamina, 30 Intellect, 26 Resilience, 75 Healing, 9 mana/5) for 17,850 honor and 40 Eye of the Storm badges.
FingerThere's only one new ring drop in 2.3, but since it's almost as good as the rings that drop in Black Temple, it's a no-brainer. The new PvP ring is equivalent to the [Band of Halos] Badge reward, so also makes a nice upgrade for early-Karazhan raiders.
- [Signet of the Quiet Forest] (17 Intellect, 30 Spell Haste, 62 Healing, 8 mana/5), which you can get from the timed loot reward in Zul'Aman.
- [Vindicator's Band of Salvation] (34 Stamina, 20 Intellect, 22 Resilience, 51 Healing, 6 mana/5) for 15,300 honor and 10 Alterac Valley badges.
HandsThere are two new pair of gloves, both of which are small upgrades from [Gloves of Centering] (which are themselves better than the Tier 4 [Cyclone Gloves]). I'd suggest they be one of the last Badge of Justice/Arena purchases you make as the Maiden of Virtue is one of the easiest bosses in Karazhan and the upgrades are so minor.
- [Polished Waterscale Gloves] (562 Armor, 33 Stamina, 22 Intellect, 75 Healing, 13 mana/5), which costs 60 Badges, and
- [Vengeful Gladiator's Ringmail Gauntlets] (639 Armor, 47 Stamina, 23 Intellect, 25 Spell Crit, 22 Resilience, +5 yard range on Shocks, 77 Healing), which will cost 1,125 arena points.
HeadThe new helm available in 2.3 is of questionable improvement, largely because it lacks a meta socket. It's better than BoE crafted items such as [Living Dragonscale Helm], but you're probably better off with the [Cyclone Headdress] from Prince Malchezaar or the BoP engineering helm, [Living Replicator Specs].
- [Mojo-mender's Mask] (731 Armor, 34 Stamina, 38 Intellect, 3 Sockets [1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue, +2 mana/5 socket bonus], 99 Healing, 9 mana/5), which is dropped by Akil'zon.
LegsThere are three new pairs of pants to choose from, two Badge rewards (both cost 75) and a Season Three item (costing 1,875 arena points):
- [Natural Life Leggings] (787 Armor, 45 Stamina, 38 Intellect, 3 Sockets [1 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Blue, +2 mana/5 socket bonus], 17 Spell Crit, 88 Healing, 7 mana/5)
- [Pants of Splendid Recovery] (Leather, 353 Armor, 30 Stamina, 40 Intellect, 31 Spirit, 3 Sockets [1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue, +2 mana/5 socket bonus], 86 Healing,
12 mana/5) - [Vengeful Gladiator's Ringmail Leggings] (894 Armor, 64 Stamina, 33 Intellect, 33 Resilience, 29 Spell Crit, 99 Healing, 9 mana/5)
NeckThe necklace upgrades are pretty significant:
- [Brooch of Nature's Mercy] (24 Intellect, 19 Spirit, 33 Spell Haste, 75 Healing) is dropped by Akil'zon, and
- [Vindicator's Pendant of Salvation] (34 Stamina, 16 Intellect, 18 Resilience, 1 Socket [Yellow, +3 Stamina socket bonus], 51 Healing, 6 mana/5) for 15,300 honor and 10 Eye of the Storm badges.
ShieldOnly one shield is a worthwhile upgrade, but it's a very solid improvement over the Chess event [Triptych Shield of the Ancients] or Magtheridon's [Aegis of the Vindicator].
- [Enamelled Disc of Mojo] (5400 Armor, 24 Stamina, 17 Intellect, 1 Socket [Yellow, +1 mana/5 socket bonus], 55 Healing, 7 mana/5), which is dropped by Jan'ali.
ShoulderThere are three new sets of shoulders that represent varying upgrades:
- [Hex Lord's Voodoo Pauldrons] (700 Armor, 17 Stamina, 30 Intellect, 30 Spell Haste, 66 Healing, 9 mana/5), which is dropped by Hex Lord Malacras,
- [Gnarled Ironwood Pauldrons] (Leather, 303 Armor, 21 Stamina, 23 Intellect, 26 Spirit 2 Sockets [1 Red, 1 Yellow, +7 Healing socket bonus], 73 Healing,
10 mana/5), which costs 60 Badges, and - [Vengeful Gladiator's Ringmail Spaulders] (766 Armor, 43 Stamina, 23 Intellect, 2 Sockets [1 Red, 1 Yellow, +3 Resilience socket bonus], 55 Healing, 7 mana/5), which will cost 1,500 arena points.
TotemPatch 2.3 has only one new totem. It's worth picking up if you don't have the Maiden of Virtue's [Totem of Healing Rains] (which is superior):
- [Totem of Living Water] (Reduces mana cost of Chain Heal by 20), for 20 Badges.
TrinketThere is one relevant healing trinket:
- [Tome of Diabolic Remedy] (18 mana/5, Use: 396 Healing for 20 seconds [2 minute cooldown]), from Hex Lord Malacras.
WaistTwo excellent belts will be available for 60 Badges:
- [Life-step Belt] (Leather, 227 Armor, 20 Stamina, 23 Intellect, 22 Spirit, 2 Sockets [1 Red, 1 Blue, +7 Healing socket bonus], 75 Healing, 6 mana/5) and
- [Man'kin'do's Belt] (506 Armor, 21 Stamina, 26 Intellect, 30 Spell Haste, 64 Healing, 8 mana/5).
WristThere are two Badge rewards available for your wrist slot, which will cost 35 Badges:
- [Gargon's Bracers Peaceful Slumber] (Leather, 177 Armor, 12 Stamina, 25 Intellect, 17 Spirit, 1 Socket [Yellow, +4 Healing socket bonus], 55 Healing,
7 mana/5) and - [Gleaming Earthen Bracers] (394 Armor, 18 Stamina, 20 Intellect, 55 Healing, 10 mana/5).
WeaponBoth of the new weapons are significant upgrades over the two Karazhan weapons ([Shard of the Virtuous] from Maiden of Virtue and [Light's Justice] from Prince Malchezaar) or the current arena weapon ([Merciless Gladiator's Salvation]):
- [Dark Blessing] (19 Intellect, 30 Spell Haste, 431 Healing), which Zul'jin drops, and
- [Vengeful Gladiator's Salvation] (35 Stamina, 23 Intellect, 464 Healing, 21 Resilience), which will cost 3,150 arena points and require a personal arena rating of 1850 to purchase.
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