Arcane Brilliance: Mage gear-up ultraguide, raiding edition

Every week, WoW Insider brings you Arcane Brilliance for arcane, fire and frost mages. This week, we continue our epic journey through a giant list of equipment, interspersed with brief blocks of text. It'll be quite the trip, so don your robes and take up your staff, and join me in search of slightly better robes and staves.

Part one of this mage gear uber-compendium can be found at this location. It contains everything your mage should be looking for prior to raiding levels, or everything from item level 435 to 463. This week we hit the raid finder and then continue fearlessly forward, all the way to Heart of Fear and the current best-in-slot items for the class.

As with the last installment, the purpose of this list is to provide you with an easy reference guide when you're in the market for an upgrade. Just scroll down to the slot in question and identify the upgrade you want and the source for that upgrade. It's fun and educational!

Head

Of course, as we get into the various tiers of raiding, we start seeing multiple versions of the same items with increasingly more sexy stats as we go from the raid finder to the normal and heroic levels of a raid. And as in previous expansions with the head slot, it pays to be an engineer. In fact, I've taken to calling my contact lenses Retinal Armor. "I'm putting in my Retinal Armor, hon," I say, and my wife says, "That's nice," and contemplates if it is too late to annul this thing.

476 Hood of Focused Energy - Qin-xi and Jan-xi in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
476 Lightweight Retinal Armor - crafted (requires Engineering 600)
483 Hood of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (raid finder)
483 Xaril's Hood of Intoxicating Vapors - Garalon in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
489 Firecracker Corona - 2250 Valor Points from Rushi the Fox in Townlong Steppes (requires Revered with Shado-Pan)
489 Hood of Focused Energy - Qin-xi and Jan-xi in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Hood of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (normal)
496 Sky-Sear Cowl - Galleon in Valley of the Four Winds (world boss)
496 Xaril's Hood of Intoxicating Vapors- Garalon in Heart of Fear (normal)
502 Hood of Focused Energy - Qin-xi and Jan-xi in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
509 Hood of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (heroic)
509 Xaril's Hood of Intoxicating Vapors - Garalon in Heart of Fear (heroic)

Neck

For those with money, there's a very nice auction house epic to watch for here. Otherwise it's rep grinding or raid drops ahoy.

476 Amulet of Seven Curses - Feng the Accursed in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
476 Dorian's Necklace of Burgeoning Dreams - BOE world drop
476 Worldwaker Cachabon - Qin-xi and Jan-xi in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
489 Amulet of Seven Curses - Feng the Accursed in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
489 Burning Necklace of the Golden Lotus - The Final Power (Vale of Eternal Blossoms)
489 Wire of the Wakener - 1250 Valor Points from Ambersmith Zikk in Dread Wastes (requires honored with The Klaxxi)
489 Worldwaker Cachabon - Qin-xi and Jan-xi in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Necklace of Imbued Fury - Galleon in Valley of the Four Winds (world boss)
502 Amulet of Seven Curses - Feng the Accursed in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
502 Worldwaker Cachabon - Qin-xi and Jan-xi in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)

Shoulders

476 Shadowsummoner Spaulders - Gara'jal the Spiritbinder in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
483 Mantle of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (raid finder)
489 Mantle of the Golden Sun - 1750 Valor Points from Jaluu the Generous in Vale of Eternal Blossoms (requires Revered with Golden Lotus)
489 Shadowsummoner Spaulders - Gara'jal the Spiritbinder in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Mantle of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (normal)
502 Shadowsummoner Spaulders - Gara'jal the Spiritbinder in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
509 Mantle of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (heroic)

Back

476 Mindshard Drape - The Spirit Kings encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
483 Cloak of Overwhelming Corruption - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
483 Stormwake Mistcloak - Garalon in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
489 Cloak of Snow Blossoms - 1250 Valor Points from Rushi the Fox in Townlong Steppes (requires Honored with Shado-Pan)
489 Mindshard Drape - The Spirit Kings encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Cloak of Overwhelming Corruption - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
496 Stormwake Mistcloak - Garalon in Heart of Fear (normal)
502 Mindshard Drape - The Spirit Kings encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
503 Cloak of Overwhelming Corruption - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (elite)
509 Cloak of Overwhelming Corruption - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)
509 Stormwake Mistcloak - Garalon in Heart of Fear (heroic)
516 Cloak of Overwhelming Corruption - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic elite)

Chest

The first tailored chest, along with the gloves further down this list, is relatively cheap for tailors to make and can be found regularly on the auction house for reasonable prices. If you have the funds, or access to a generous tailor, these two slots are a great place to start your raiding gear-up. Reason #7385 you should always be nice to the guy with the sewing machine.

476 Imperial Ghostbinder's Robes - Feng the Accursed in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
476 Natli's Fireheart Robe - BOE world drop
476 Spelltwister's Grand Robe - crafted BOE (Tailoring 600)
483 Robes of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (raid finder)
483 Robes of the Unknown Fear - Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (rais finder)
489 Imperial Ghostbinder's Robes - Feng the Accursed in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
489 Vestments of Thundering Skies - 2250 Valor Points from Jaluu the Generous in Vale of Eternal Blossoms (requires Revered with Golden Lotus)
496 Robe of Eternal Rule - crafted BOE (Tailoring 600)
496 Robes of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (normal)
496 Robes of the Lightning Rider - Galleon in Valley of the Four Winds (world boss)
496 Robes of the Unknown Fear - Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
502 Imperial Ghostbinder's Robes - Feng the Accursed in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
509 Robes of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (heroic)
509 Robes of the Unknown Fear - Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)

Wrists

Apparently, if you want bracers, Heart of Fear is the place to be. If you're anything like me, this will be the slot you have the hardest time upgrading, drop-wise. I couldn't get anything to drop until long after I'd finally ground out the August Celestials rep piece.

483 Attenuating Bracers - Imperial Vizier Zor'lok in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
483 Twisting Wind Bracers - Blade Lord Ta'yak in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
489 Minh's Beaten Bracers - 1250 Valor Points from Sage Whiteheart (requires Honored with The August Celestials)
496 Attenuating Bracers - Imperial Vizier Zor'lok in Heart of Fear (normal)
496 Twisting Wind Bracers - Blade Lord Ta'yak in Heart of Fear (normal)
509 Attenuating Bracers - Imperial Vizier Zor'lok in Heart of Fear (heroic)
509 Twisting Wind Bracers - Blade Lord Ta'yak in Heart of Fear (heroic)

Hands

Lots of options here, though. You've got the tailoring gloves, world drops for those of you who really have too much money (or ridiculous amounts of luck), and of course the requisite rep gear and raid drops.

476 Claws of Amethyst - The Stone Guard encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
476 Rittsyn's Ruinblasters - BOE world drop
476 Spelltwister's Gloves - crafted BOE (Tailoring 600)
476 Undying Shadow Grips - The Spirit Kings encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
483 Gloves of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (raid finder)
489 Claws of Amethyst - The Stone Guard encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
489 Sunspeaker's Flared Gloves - 1750 Valor Points from Sage Whiteheart (requires Revered with The August Celestials)
489 Undying Shadow Grips - The Spirit Kings encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Gloves of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (normal)
496 Imperial Silk Gloves - crafted BOE (Tailoring 600)
502 Claws of Amethyst - The Stone Guard encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
502 Undying Shadow Grips - The Spirit Kings encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
509 Gloves of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (heroic)

Waist

476 Orbital Belt - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
476 Ruby-Linked Girdle - The Stone Guard encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
483 Belt of Malleable Amber - Amber-Shaper Un'sok in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
483 Invoker's Belt of Final Winter - Tsulong and Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
483 Sorcerer's Belt of Final Winter - Tsulong and Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
489 Klaxxi Lash of the Orator - 1750 Valor Points from Ambersmith Zikk in Dread Wastes (requires Revered with The Klaxxi)
489 Orbital Belt - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
489 Ruby-Linked Girdle - The Stone Guard encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Belt of Detonation - Galleon in Valley of the Four Winds (world boss)
496 Belt of Malleable Amber - Amber-Shaper Un'sok in Heart of Fear (normal)
496 Invoker's Belt of Final Winter - Tsulong and Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
496 Sorcerer's Belt of Final Winter - Tsulong and Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
502 Orbital Belt - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
502 Ruby-Linked Girdle - The Stone Guard encounter in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
509 Belt of Malleable Amber - Amber-Shaper Un'sok in Heart of Fear (heroic)
509 Invoker's Belt of Final Winter - Tsulong and Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)
509 Sorcerer's Belt of Final Winter - Tsulong and Lei Shi in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)

Legs

Not sure I want to wear anything called "Leggings of Failure," but there you have it.

483 Dreadwoven Leggings of Failure - Sha of Fear in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
483 Leggings of Shadow Infestation - Grand Empress Shek'zeer in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
483 Leggings of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (raid finder)
489 Leggings of the Poisoned Soul - 2250 Valor Points from Ambersmith Zikk in Dread Wastes (requires Revered with The Klaxxi)
496 Dreadwoven Leggings of Failure - Sha of Fear in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
496 Leggings of Shadow Infestation - Grand Empress Shek'zeer in Heart of Fear (normal)
496 Leggings of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (normal)
509 Dreadwoven Leggings of Failue - Sha of Fear in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)
509 Leggings of Shadow Infestation - Grand Empress Shek'zeer in Heart of Fear (heroic)
509 Leggings of the Burning Scroll - purchased from Commander Oxheart (heroic)

Feet

476 Sandals of the Shadow - Remnants of Anger (Townlong Steppes)
483 Sandals of the Blackest Night - Tsulong in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
483 Sandals of the Unbidden - Garalon in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
489 Void Flame Slippers - 1750 Valor Points from Sage Whiteheart (requires Revered with The August Celestials)
496 Sandals of the Blackest Night - Tsulong in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
496 Sandals of the Unbidden - Garalon in Heart of Fear (normal)
509 Sandals of the Blackest Night - Tsulong in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)
509 Sandals of the Unbidden - Garalon in Heart of Fear (heroic)

Ring

Many of you might already be in possession of a perfectly fine starting-raid-quality ring from the Headless Horseman's loot table. If you're late to that particular party, though, there are plenty of other options and upgrades, including a drop from a heroic 5-man and a BOE world drop you might be able to track down in the auction house. One of the first rings to look for is probably the Simple Harmonious Ring, which only requires Honored with Golden Lotus.

476 Ring of the Shipwrecked Prince - BOE world drop
476 Vithrak, Gaze of the Deadman - Flameweaver Koegler in Scarlet Halls
483 Fragment of Fear Made Flesh - Imperial Vizier Zor'lok in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
489 Seal of the Lucid - Shadow of the Empire (Dread Wastes)
489 Simple Harmonius Ring - 1250 Valor Points from Jaluu the Generous in Vale of Eternal Blossoms (requires Revered with Golden Lotus)
496 Fragment of Fear Made Flesh - Imperial Vizier Zor'lok in Heart of Fear (normal)
496 Ring of Wretched Flames - Galleon in Valley of the Four Winds (world boss)
509 Fragment of Fear Made Flesh - Imperial Vizier Zor'lok in Heart of Fear (heroic)

Trinket

You're not going to believe this, but filling your two trinket slots with quality items is a challenge in Mists of Pandaria. Aside from investing ridiculous amounts of time and/or money into picking up the Darkmoon Faire trinket, your options are limited to raid drops and picking up the Shado-Pan rep trinket.

476 Light of the Cosmos - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
476 Relic of Yu'lon - Darkmoon Serpent Deck (Darkmoon Faire)
483 Essence of Terror - Sha of Fear in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
489 Blossom of Pure Snow - 1750 Valor Points from Rushi the Fox in Townlong Steppes (requires Revered with Shado-Pan)
489 Jade Magistrate Figurine - zone drop in Heart of Fear
489 Light of the Cosmos - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Essence of Terror - Sha of Fear in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
502 Light of the Cosmos - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
509 Essence of Terror - Sha of Fear in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)

Main-hand weapon

This list might look longish, but there are really only three one-hand raid drops available in various difficulty versions. Your only choice if you want a quality main-hand weapon is to raid, and then raid, and then raid some more.

476 Torch of the Celestial Spark - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (raid finder)
483 Loshan, Terror Incarnate - Tsulong in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
483 Regail's Crackling Dagger - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (raid finder)
489 Torch of the Celestial Spark - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (normal)
496 Loshan, Terror Incarnate - Tsulong in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
496 Regail's Crackling Dagger - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (normal)
502 Torch of the Celestial Spark - Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults (heroic)
503 Regail's Crackling Dagger - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (elite)
509 Loshan, Terror Incarnate - Tsulong in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)
509 Regail's Crackling Dagger - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic)
516 Regail's Crackling Dagger - Protectors of the Endless encounter in Terrace of Endless Spring (heroic elite)

Off-hand frill

And if you want something to pair one of those three main-handers with, you start with befirending a scribe and then move on to the the Heart of Fear. The possibilities are endless!

476 Inscribed Jade Fan - crafted BOE (Inscription 560)
483 Tornado-Summoning Censer - Blade Lord Ta'yak in Heart of Fear (raid finder)
496 Tornado-Summoning Censer - Blade Lord Ta'yak in Heart of Fear (normal)
509 Tornado-Summoning Censer - Blade Lord Ta'yak in Heart of Fear (heroic)

Staff

Two things to note in reference to this slot. First, I'm so incredibly happy to see the Headmaster's Will model return to relevance. Reminds me of the days when I used to run around grinding Timbermaw pretending I was Skeletor. And second, if you happen to have a high level scribe that can make that Bind-on-Account staff and send it to your mage, for the love of all that is holy, read the quest text that comes with the quest the staff triggers. I know that's a crazy notion -- reading the quest text, but trust me. You don't want to turn in the quest until you're ready to lose the staff. It's a good staff. And you will be sad if you lose it simply because you habit-clicked on the quest turn-in.

476 Headmaster's Will - Darkmaster Gandling in Scholomance
476 Inscribed Serpent Staff - crafted BOA (Inscription 560)
483 Jin'ya, Orb of the Waterspeaker - Lei Shi (raid finder)
496 Jin'ya, Orb of the Waterspeaker - Lei Shi (normal)
509 Jin'ya, Orb of the Waterspeaker - Lei Shi (heroic)

As content gets added to the game and this list becomes outdated, I will endeavor to update it. And please let me know if I've missed an upgrade or two. I will do my best to add items to both lists as needed. Next week, I promise a slightly better text-to-list ratio. And possibly a few jokes at the expense of warlocks.

Every week, Arcane Brilliance teleports you inside the wonderful world of mages and then hurls a Fireball in your face. We have you covered for Mists of Pandaria info, including our recent mage talent spec guide, and our guide to glyphs. And be sure to check out our list of reasons to still love our mages after all these years.