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4.3 Rogue Gear and Consolation Prizes

Blizzard just posted an official 4.3 Patch Preview which summarizes the upcoming changes, and with the patch just around the corner, I thought I would compile a list of the new rogue gear made available. This information is all from the PTR so is subject to change, however with Blizzard pushing part of the patch download already, I don't expect many changes, if any at all. But this list is just that, a list, a compilation and not a detailed analysis for Best in Slot gear. I have my "napkin math" idea of what will be the best pre-heroic gear based on current stat weights, but those too may change somewhat.

Blizzard's official preview doesn't go into stat specifics, but is more of an overview. It includes a (very) brief preview of the Fangs of the Father quest-line, and an update on how Valor points will be doled out. Now, I'm not opposed to changing how Valor is issued, but one statement Bashiok made stood out: "Our goal with these changes is to move Valor back to the original intent of currency rewards as a consolation prize..."

Now, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to that statement if, however, it was accurate. But by my napkin math, there are four pre-heroic BiS items that will need to be purchased with Valor Points, two of which have NO ALTERNATIVE. That means, at best, I will still need to buy at minimum two items just to fill empty spots. I'm not certain about other classes, I haven't analyzed the gear of any other class, but any class with Agility as its primary stat is going to need these two items as well. (Again, my data comes from the PTR, so Blizzard may slip a drop or two in before the actual release, but it's unlikely.) So the way it comes across to me has Bashiok saying: "Rogues need a consolation prize." (I see my next headline now...)

Once 4.3 actually hits and we have final numbers we'll be able to fine tune everything and have a more accurate BiS list. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and won't NEED to buy the Valor items to fill empty spots. In the mean time, peruse this and make your own assessments.

For those not currently clearing Heroic Firelands (or had horrible luck with drops), the new 5-man Heroic Dungeons in the "Hour of Twilight" patch will add a full set of gear with higher stats than the Regular Firelands boss loot. The encounters weren't too difficult when I last went into them, but they may have been tuned a bit. Those who need to should be able to farm the pieces to fill slots within a few days of release, if they put the effort into it.

As far as raid drops, I'm leaving out the Heroic and LFR loot. The Heroic item levels are 410 off all the bosses except Deathwing, and 416 for loot off of him. The LFR item levels are 384/390. All of the tier armor pieces come from tokens dropped by the bosses listed, except for the pants which are also dropped by the new Baradin Hold boss, Alizabel.