find-an-upgrade
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Updated Armory app features Find an Upgrade, saved talent builds
A few readers (thanks!) sent us notes pointing out that Blizzard has updated the Mobile Armory app for the iPhone. The new version, 1.1.0, features a streamlined character selection screen, the ability to save and load custom talent builds (though unfortunately it doesn't look like there's any way to bring these into the game automatically -- you just have to choose points the same way), in-game reputations on character profiles, and a number of other bugfixes and user interface improvements. The one big feature is that "Find an Upgrade" now works on the mobile app -- you can search directly in the app for a gear upgrade for any equipment slot on your character. That's a nice bonus; it means that while you're sitting on the bus with your iPhone, you can look through your gear, and figure out what you're going to be upgrading to in that waist slot the next time your guild heads up into Icecrown. I'd still like to see a little more integration with the game itself (a few MMO companies have hinted that they're pushing for more integrated iPhone tie-ins), but since the app is called Mobile Armory, and yes, is still free, I can't complain too much.
5 loot ranking sites to check out
I am often flummoxed when trying to decide which piece of loot to take from a quest or to purchase for an upgrade. I end up doing math on index cards or, if I'm really desperate, cranking out Excel and going for full-on geekery. Sometimes, though, this seems like way too much trouble and I will probably end up dumping the thing soon anyway. Although the Armory offers a "find an upgrade" tool, it's simply a list of items with stats. I still end up doing the math. So I went searching for some easier ways to figure out my next best loot options and here I share them with you. Kaliban's Class Loot Lists - Probably considered the gold standard of loot resource sites. Choose your class and then slice and dice until you find your perfect match. I found loot for level 68+. Loot Rank - Lets you enter complex stat requirements and weight the stats you like best. It seems targeted to endgame players for the most part. Lootzor - Lets you choose any level gear and even normal instance gear. Weighted stats. ShadowPanther - Rogues R us. Breaks down recommendations by every category imaginable. Druid Wiki - Recommendations for druids of all specs, including a section called "Must have quest rewards."
The Armory changeth
Recently some new features were added to the Armory section of the World of Warcraft website. These changes were put up yesterday, and there is enough here that it's worth taking a second look at. There are lots of nifty new features that make this site a whole lot more useful to players. I can't say whether or not it is yet a contender to the database sites, but we're definitely getting there. The first thing to notice is that the arena team standards can now be visible when you search for teams via the armory. Not only can you see who you came up against, but you can also see their fearsome (and sometimes comical) emblems. It's also nice to see that rating has been replaced by a relevance column. It seems to make more sense that way, and doesn't leave you wondering what you could possibly do to improve your rating.
