Totem Talk: Restoration and Ruby Sanctum drops
Want to be a sultan of swing healing? A champion of Chain Heal? Totem Talk: Restoration will show you how, brought to you by Joe Perez, otherwise known as Lodur from World of Matticus and the For The Lore podcast.
Last week we talked a bit about some addons that you may have found useful as a restoration shaman. Sadly though, shortly after that post, news broke that AVR/AVRE would be going away in patch 3.3.5. The addon did some things that Blizzard was just not too happy about. The week was not filled with all bad news, though. We have had some amazing Cataclysm screenshots every day, Rich Maloy had an awesome post on enhancement weapons and the loot tables for Ruby Sanctum 25-man and 10-man have been slightly updated.
There are still no heroic mode items yet, but there seems to be a fair amount of loot shaping up for restoration shaman in the normal mode alone. Keep in mind that this is still on the PTR and subject to change, but let us take a peek at what sort of itemization we can look forward to in the next content patch.
So far it is shaping up to be gear here for shaman of all shapes and sizes. From the hardcore raider to the casual player, there are some desirable drops here.
From 25-man:
Split Shape Belt
Mail - Waist
851 armor
+98 stamina
+98 intellect
1x yellow socket
1x red socket
Socket bonus: +7 spellpower
Durability 50 / 50
Requires level 80
Item level 271
Equip: Increases spellpower by 131
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 70
Equip: Improves haste rating by 86
Pretty solid piece; it hits most of the desired stats. Compare this to Belt of the Blood Nova and you can see the value of this piece.
Glowing Twilight Scale
Trinket
Equip: Increases spellpower by 190.
Use: For the next 15 sec, each time your direct healing spells heal a target you cause the target of your heal to heal themselves and friends within 10 yards for 356 each second for 6 seconds. (2-minute cooldown)
Not a bad trinket; goes hand in hand with a lot of our other toys such as the tier 10 four-piece set bonus, Trauma and Althor's Abacus.
Cloak of Burning Dusk
Back
181 armor
+73 stamina
+73 intellect
1x red socket
Socket bonus: +5 spellpower
Requires level 80
Item level 271
Equip: Increases spellpower by 104
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 56
Equip: Improves haste rating by 64
Pretty solid cloak; compares nicely to Frostbinder's Shredded Cape.
Phaseshifter's Bracers
Leather - Wrist
298 armor
+73 stamina
+73 intellect
1x yellow socket
Socket bonus: +5 spellpower
Durability 40 / 40
Requires level 80
Item level 271
Equip: Increases spellpower by 104
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 64
Equip: Improves haste rating by 56
Bracers of Fiery Night
Cloth - Wrist
158 armor
+73 stamina
+73 intellect
1x red socket
Socket bonus: +5 spellpower
Durability 35 / 35
Requires level 80
Item level 271
Equip: Increases spellpower by 10
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 56
Equip: Improves haste rating by 64
Both bracers are pretty solid, the leather giving a little more crit while the cloth gives a little more haste. Both compare pretty nicely to Bloodsunder's Bracers.
Ring of Phased Regeneration
Ring
+73 stamina
+73 intellect
1x red socket
Socket bonus: +5 spellpower
Requires level 80
Item level 271
Equip: Increases spellpower by 104
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 56.
Equip: Restores 32 mana per 5 seconds
This is a pretty solid ring; while some may not need the MP5, it offers solid stats and a socket and holds up pretty well even when compared to rings like Marrowgar's Frigid Eye and even the Ashen Band of Endless Wisdom. The only thing it is missing is haste, but you can always toss a gem in there for that if you need it.
From 10-man:
Abduction's Cover
Back
173 armor
+65 stamina
+65 intellect
1x red socket
Socket bonus: +5 spellpower
Requires level 80
Item level 258
Equip: Increases spell power by 91
Equip: Improves haste rating by 57
Equip: Restores 24 mana per 5 seconds
Another solid cloak with some decent stats; not a bad pickup if it drops and can be a good upgrade to Heartsick Mender's Cape.
Changeling Gloves
Leather - Hands
407 armor
+86 stamina
+86 intellect
1x yellow socket
1x red socket
Socket bonus: +7 spellpower
Durability 40 / 40
Requires level 80
Item level 258
Equip: Increases spellpower by 114
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 68
Equip: Improves haste rating by 68
Some solid stats even for a set of leather gloves; it hits the many of the key stats you would look for as a restoration shaman. The fact that it has two sockets is just icing on the cake.
Needless to say, there looks to be some good swag to be had. That is not to say that you will not have to work for it. The Ruby Sanctum Halion fight seems pretty fun and hectic with a lot going on. If you haven't seen it already and are a bit curious, Vodka (US Alterac Mountain) posted a video of the encounter on YouTube. If you check it out, keep in mind that this is still on the PTR and is subject to change as it is balanced before launch; the video may contain some language not suitable for younger folks in the first few moments. If you want to find out more about the assault on the Ruby Sanctum and do not mind spoilers, be sure to check out our post on the transcripts from the encounter.
I for one am looking forward to this fight. The idea of facing a full-grown Twilight Dragon is cool and the fact that this is part of the Cataclysm build-up makes it that much sweeter. The fight seems to have massive amounts of AoE damage, which lends itself very well to liberal use of Riptide and Chain Heal as well as our good friends Tidal Force and Nature's Swiftness. Honestly, it just seems like a fight that any restoration shaman should have a good time healing.
So how about you? Looking forward to the encounter? Have you had a chance to try it? What do you think of some of the loot items so far?
Show your totemic mastery by reading Totem Talk. Whether it's Mike Sacco's elemental edition, Joe Perez's coverage of restoration or Rich Maloy's enhancement edition, we have you covered.
