Hunter gear for the level 80 beginning raider
Have you just reached level 80?
Hoping to see endgame before Patch 3.2?
Are you wanting to raid, but not sure what gear to get?
Well then, this guide is for you!
It might be true that you can go straight from questing and leveling straight into raiding Naxxramas. Maybe even get carried on a few 10man Ulduar Normal mode runs (if this happens I'm sure you will probably be a part of the next Guildwatch post.)
When you make the transition into endgame you really can't expect to crush the damage meters. Don't feel all insulted and indignant, it really isn't your fault. When your questing and leveling you don't really focus on gear much. Not to mention making sure you have the correct pet or spec to achieve the numbers published on Elitist Jerks or some of those other Hunter sites.
Another drawback of making the mad dash to end game could meant that you might have passed up on some great items to get your endgame raiding started on the right foot. Worse yet, you might have vendored or disenchanted some of those quest and reputation rewards for easy gold. Nothing can make you feel lower than a Gnome Warlock than showing up in quest greens and blues, doing less dps than the Tank all because you didn't think ahead and get a good starting raid set.
Of course your favorite Hunter columnist would never think of leaving you out in the cold that way. So I decided to put together a quick gearing guide that will help you achieve solid dps when you start raiding endgame content.
Head
Headguard of Westrift from Cache of Eregos in The Oculus or
Truesight Ice Blinders if an Engineer
Neck
Necklace of the Chrono-Lord from Chrono-Lord Epoch in Stratholme Past or
Titanium Impact Choker from Jewelcrafting
Back:
Ice Striker's Cloak from Leatherworking
Shoulders:
Spaulders of Skillful Maneuvers from Mage-Lord Urom in Normal mode The Oculus
Chest:
Lightningbringer's Hauberk from the Whatever it Takes! Quest in Halls of Lightning or
Polished Regimental Hauberk when Exalted with Argent Crusade
Waist:
Waistband of the Thuzadin from Salramm the Fleshcrafter in The Culling of Stratholme
Hands:
Tear-Linked Gauntlets from Svala Sorrowgrave in Utgarde Pinnacle
Wrists:
Tornado Cuffs from Ionar in Halls of Lightening or
Dragonfriend Bracers when Exalted with Wyrmrest Accord
Legs:
Leather-Braced Chain Leggings from Loken in Halls of Lightning or
Giantmaim Legguards from Leatherworking
Feet:
Boots of the Terrestrial Guardian from Halls of Lightning or
Dragonstompers from Leatherworking
Rings:
Bjarngrim Family Signet from General Bjarngrim in Halls of Lightning or
Band of the Kirin Tor from the Jewelry Vendor in Dalaran and
Titanium Impact Band from Jewelcrafting
Trinkets:
Fezzik's Pocketwatch from the The Last Line of Defense quest in Icecrown and
Vestige of Haldor from King Ymiron in Utgarde Pinnacle
Gun:
Zombie Sweeper Shotgun when Revered with Argent Crusade or
Nesingwary 4000 from Engineering
Melee:
Runeblade of Demonstrable Power when Revered with Ebon Blade or
Whale-Stick Harpoon when Revered with Kalu'ak