Dinged 80 yesterday, accounts closed today

[heffner]

I ran dailies for a bit to get the cash to buy a bunch of BOE epic stuff. The amount of BOE stuff you can get is insane. Run a complete set of dailies (~300g X 5 = 1500g+) and you should be able to buy 1 - 3 epics a day.

I focused gearing my tank first to def cap, but at least got the titansteel weapons for each toon. However, with the tournament weapons you could do those dailies and just get those as they are as good or better than the crafted ones. Definitely get the one for your tank if you don't have the red sword of courage.

Of course, if you want to "earn your gear" you may have to start with specific bosses and work your way up to a complete instance. For example, the first few in Gun'drak (1 in one entrance, 2 at the other entrance) or Culling of Strat.

Get all the enchants/gems you can afford too, even if they are the cheaper versions they are still a big boost.

I have a mixed group and run a dedicated healer though.

Also, keep in mind people say a lot of things that are likely to be exaggerated and/or specific to their set up.

[Jubber]

It's not all about gear. It is a lot about practicing.
Some encounters seem trivial to me now, when they seemed just impossible on first tries.

My Paladin has 525 defense, 23.5k health. Nothing spectacular. I am not a good player, hyper casual, basically no experience of high level.
I nevertheless cleaned several heroics (Utgarde Keep, Culling of Stratholm, 3/5 Gundrak, 3/5 Drak'tharon). I just bought a shield formy Shamans for 35 Emblems of Heroism. Great feeling.

Trust me, practice the encounters. You will get some stupid repair bills for a while, but eventually, you will get better. It is you getting better that is going to make a difference quicker than your improving gear, actually.

And yes, a dedicated healer makes a huge difference. While you tank gets healed, 3 characters still DPS ...

Did you misstype the defense amount cuz you'd be eating crits left and right at that amount. I am assuming you meant at least 535 here. Also 540 is where you definately want to be.

[Maxion]

Isn't it 535 DEF for heroics though?

[David]

Did you misstype the defense amount cuz you'd be eating crits left and right at that amount.

The standaard 400defence that your character gets for free gives you ~5% chance to be critted. 1/20 is a crit, that shouldn`t mather to much I think.

[Jubber]

sorry if that came off a bit harsh.. 535 is where you need to be for heroics and 540 for raiding.

Edit: these numbers are a basis to help you thru the heroics and raiding with the least amount of chances for a wipe thru gear. 1/20 is more than enough to justify reaching those numbers. Remeber every bit counts.

[Raskaz]

I would also recommend what Fur said - respec one shaman to Resto. They're awesome healers (Earth Shield rules my world ) and you can still dps on trash with them.

And regarding the def cap - 535 is enough for heroics since none of the bosses is lvl83.

[EaTCarbS]

Isn't it 535 DEF for heroics though?

Yes, but 540 is for raid bosses, and is the ideal amount.

@ OP

Definately spec a shaman resto, it will help you a ton. Also, Id do some research as to what reg lvl 80 instances drop, and get those items. The quest in Halls of Stone gives some good pre heroic legs or boots (don't remember, but it is a tanking item). Once you get the gear/technique down, you can do it in your sleep :P

Good luck man :thumbsup:

[TheBigBB]

Did you misstype the defense amount cuz you'd be eating crits left and right at that amount.

The standaard 400defence that your character gets for free gives you ~5% chance to be critted. 1/20 is a crit, that shouldn`t mather to much I think.

You should not be getting crits against your tank, ever, if you want to guarantee success.

[Fef]

My Paladin has 525 defense, 23.5k health.

Did you misstype the defense amount cuz you'd be eating crits left and right at that amount. I am assuming you meant at least 535 here. Also 540 is where you definately want to be.

Nope, I did not mistype. My protection Paladin has 525 defense for now. 17.19% dodge, 15.65% parry, 10.00% block, 22426 armor, 23594 health.

I do get "critiqued", that's for sure. I can still wipe on regular packs out of bad luck (even though it is usually because I get too optimistic and think that my healer still has time for that extra lava burst ). But ok, that does not bother me that much. I am already too happy that I can see heroics now that I multi-box. It also feels good to know that there is still a lot of room for improvement in my gear.

[edit] Link to my Paladin : http://eu.wowarmory.com/character-sh...mbres&n=Enelle [/edit]

[aboron]

I'm not usually on all the time, but after I hit 80 in May, I was probably online a few hours almost every night for a month running dailies and getting crafted gear and such to prep for heroics. It took me exactly a month to my first full heroic clear (UK). Now I'm working on getting all my professions leveled and all my 300 riding skill money to delay a little until 3.2 when we start getting Conquest emblems for the same effort.