With the expansion approaching rapidly, i've been thinking about how we'll be basically "starting over" in the raiding game. Basically we are being returned to just after release gear-wise, relatively speaking. Or are we? I was curious. Were we really seeing a huge power increase as some were speculating? Or are people getting excited over the relative equivalent of scholo/strat/DM/UBRS lvl gear? And if that's true, how powerful will gear be 1 year from now?

Well here's what I came up with to answer part of that question. This question also relates to what sets in TBC are equivalent to what sets in preXPAC. Is tier 1 equivalent relatively to tier 4? I haven't collected all that data yet, but will later (if no one beats me to it :P).

This is all tank gear by the way. As a warrior I am most familiar with this gear, and distinctly remember having a good deal of the blue gear listed back around feb-april '05, which was plenty good enough to tackle MC at the time. Also, the stats listed are base stats for a night elf in live at 60 and xpac at 70. I used NE because I only have access to my friend's beta account for info and don't have one of my own. All the gear listed at 60 and 70 is all attained before hitting raid instances as well, to give a somewhat accurate representation of the power level you can be at when starting out your raiding career at 60 and 70 (i'm not sure if a couple of the blues in beta listed are from heroic mode instances or not, thottbot is pretty unclear on some things).

So, here's what I came up with:
(no talents are shown, IE: toughness, shield spec, etc )

lvl 60 NE Warrior stats:

Strength: 224
Agility: 126
Stamina: 315
Intellect: 30
Spirit: 50
Armor: 6795 (55.3% reduction)
Health: 4959

Equip: Increased Defense +72.
Equip: 1 Dodge
Equip: Increases your chance to dodge an attack by 2%.
Equip: Increases your chance to parry an attack by 1%.
Equip: +22 Attack Power.
Total Shield block value: 53

ITEMS

Back
Cloak of Warding
Binds when equipped
Back Cloth
214 Armor
Enchant: Dodge +1%
Requires Level 57
Equip: Increased Defense +5.

Chest
Enchanted Thorium Breastplate
Binds when equipped
Chest Plate
657 Armor
+26 Stamina
+12 Strength
Enchant: Health +100
Requires Level 58
Equip: Increased Defense +9.

Feet
Ribsteel Footguards
Binds when picked up
Feet Plate
438 Armor
+10 Strength
+17 Stamina
+10 Agility
Enchant: minor speed
Requires Level 56

Left Finger
Band of Flesh
Binds when picked up
Unique
Finger
+16 Stamina
+6 Strength
+3 Agility
Requires Level 55

Right Finger
Naglering
Binds when picked up
Unique
Finger
50 Armor
+10 Stamina
Requires Level 54
Equip: When struck in combat inflicts 3 Arcane damage to the attacker.
Equip: Increased Defense +5.

Hands
Force Imbued Gauntlets
Binds when picked up
Hands Plate
538 Armor
+14 Stamina
Enchant: Agility +15
Requires Level 56
Equip: Increased Defense +7.

Head
Enchanted Thorium Helm
Binds when equipped
Head Plate
526 Armor
+25 Stamina
+12 Strength
Enchant: Health +100
Requires Level 57
Equip: Increased Defense +9.

Legs
Enchanted Thorium Leggings
Binds when equipped
Legs Plate
575 Armor
+21 Stamina
+20 Strength
Health +100
Requires Level 58
Equip: Increased Defense +8.

Neck
Medallion of Grand Marshal Morris
Binds when equipped
Neck
+7 Stamina
Requires Level 52
Equip: Increased Defense +10.

Shoulder
Bulky Iron Spaulders
Binds when picked up
Shoulder Plate
470 Armor
+15 Strength
+12 Stamina
+5 Spirit
Requires Level 55
Equip: Increased Defense +6.

Left Trinket
Vigilance Charm
Binds when picked up
Trinket
Requires Level 57
Equip: Increases your chance to dodge an attack by 2%.

Right Trinket
Counterattack Lodestone
Binds when picked up
Trinket
Requires Level 58
Equip: Increases your chance to parry an attack by 1%.
Equip: +22 Attack Power.

Waist
Handcrafted Mastersmith Girdle
Binds when picked up
Waist Plate
519 Armor
+11 Strength
+10 Stamina
+10 Agility
Requires Level 58

Wrist
Fel Hardened Bracers
Binds when picked up
Wrist Plate
283 Armor
+12 Strength
+12 Stamina
Enchant: Stamina +9
Requires Level 57
Equip: Increased Defense +3.

Mainhand
Timeworn Mace
Binds when picked up
One Hand Mace
120 Armor
62 - 117 Damage Speed 2.20
(40.7 damage per second)
+7 Strength
+11 Stamina
Requires Level 57

Offhand
Draconian Deflector
Binds when picked up
Off Hand Shield
2153 Armor
40 Block
+7 Stamina
+10 Fire Resistance
Requires Level 58
Equip: Increased Defense +10.

Ranged
Gorewood Bow
Binds when picked up
Ranged Bow
55 - 104 Damage Speed 2.50
(31.8 damage per second)
+9 Stamina
+3 Agility
+2 Strength

*************************************************
BLUE lvl 70 NE Warrior stats:

total strength: 297 (+155 from gear, 142 base)
total agility: 201 (+100 from gear, 101 base)
total stamina: 636 (+504 from gear, 132 base)

Total HP: 12094hp (5584 base hp) (+150hp enchant)

total armor: 11027 (10625 from gear, +402 from agi)
(51.0% mitigation) ***Mitigation %= armor/(armor+85*(level + 4.5*(level-59))+400)*** (formula from this thread http://forums.elitistjerks.com/viewtopic.php?id=9387 )

total defense rating: 346 (+144 defense)
total dodge rating: 44 (2.3% dodge)
total parry rating: 35 (1.11% parry)
total block rating: 47 (5.94% block)
total critical strike rating: 34 (1.54% crit)
total hit rating: 14
total block value: 209 (111 value from gear +shield value 83 +15 from strength)


ITEMS

Shoulderguards of the Bold
Binds when picked up
Shoulder Plate
873 Armor
+25 Strength
+25 Stamina
Yellow Socket +3def +6sta
Blue Socket +3def +6sta
Socket Bonus: +3 Dodge Rating
Enchant: +15 dodge +10 defense rating
Durability 80 / 80
Requires Level 70
Equip: Increases defense rating by +17
Sells for 4 Gold 41 Silver 26 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Caverns of Time Dark Portal Lvl 70 Aeonus Loot 2 Warrior Set Chest
Binds when picked up
Chest Plate
1164 Armor
+23 Strength
+21 Agility
+33 Stamina
Red Socket +8 parry
Red Socket +8 parry
Blue Socket +3def +6sta
Socket Bonus: +4 Defense Rating
Durability 135 / 135
Enchant: +150 hp
Requires Level 70
Equip: Increases defense rating by +19
Sells for 5 Gold 87 Silver 38 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Tempest Keep Atrium Lvl 70 Warp Splinter Loot 2 Warrior Set Helm
Binds when picked up
Head Plate
946 Armor
+24 Strength
+22 Agility
+23 Stamina
Blue Socket +3def +6sta
Meta Socket +12 def rating / restores hp on hit
Socket Bonus: +4 Strength
Durability 80 / 80
Enchant: +10 stamina / +11 defense rating / 15 block value
Requires Level 70
Equip: Increases defense rating by +20
Sells for 4 Gold 44 Silver 72 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Legguards of the Resolute Defender
Binds when picked up
Legs Plate
942 Armor
+23 Agility
+69 Stamina
Durability 100 / 100
Enchant: +10 stamina / +11 defense rating / 15 block value
Equip: Increases defense rating by +35
Equip: Increases your parry rating by 20.
Sells for 5 Gold 75 Silver 52 Copper to vendors
Item Level 106

Gauntlets of the Bold
Binds when picked up
Hands Plate
728 Armor
+17 Strength
+16 Agility
+31 Stamina
Red Socket +8 parry
Yellow Socket +3def +6sta
Socket Bonus: +3 Parry Rating
Durability 45 / 45
Enchant: +15 agility
Requires Level 70
Equip: Increases defense rating by +14
Sells for 3 Gold 17 Silver 13 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Doomplate Girdle
Binds when picked up
Waist Plate
655 Armor
+22 Strength
+25 Stamina
Red Socket +8 parry
Blue Socket +3def +6sta
Socket Bonus: +3 Agility
Durability 45 / 45
Requires Level 70
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 20.
Sells for 3 Gold 22 Silver 96 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Vambraces of Aggression
Binds when picked up
Wrist Plate
451 Armor
+18 Strength
+26 Stamina
Durability 45 / 45
Enchant: +12 stamina
Requires Level 68
Equip: Increases defense rating by +10
Equip: Increases the block value of your shield by 23.
Sells for 3 Gold 14 Silver 12 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Boots of the Colossus
Binds when picked up
Feet Plate
709 Armor
+22 Strength
+27 Stamina
Yellow Socket +3def +6sta
Blue Socket +3def +6sta
Socket Bonus: +3 Defense Rating
Durability 65 / 65
Enchant: minor speed / +9 stamina
Requires Level 68
Equip: Increases defense rating by +18
Sells for 4 Gold 59 Silver 29 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Caverns of Time Dark Portal Lvl 70 Chrono Lord Deja Tank Cloak
Binds when picked up
Unique
Back
216 Armor
+15 Stamina
Requires Level 68
Enchant: 120 armor
Equip: Increases defense rating by +26
Equip: Increases the block value of your shield by 29.
Sells for 2 Gold 45 Silver 76 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Mark of the Ravenguard
Binds when picked up
Neck
+40 Stamina
Equip: Increases defense rating by +17
Sells for 4 Gold 19 Silver 53 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Andormu's Tear
Binds when picked up
Finger
Equip: Increases defense rating by +10
Equip: Increases your dodge rating by 26.
Equip: Increases your shield block rating by 15.
Sells for 71 Silver 2 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Caverns of Time Old Hillsbrad Lvl 70 Lieutenant Drake Tank Ring
Binds when picked up
Unique
Finger
110 Armor
+30 Stamina
Requires Level 68
Equip: Increases defense rating by +20
Sells for 5 Gold 50 Silver 35 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Figurine of the Colossus
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
Requires Level 70
Equip: Increases your shield block rating by 32.
Use: Each successful block heals you for 120. Effect lasts 20 sec.
Cooldown: 2 min
Sells for 6 Gold 62 Silver 90 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Adamantine Figurine
Binds when picked up
Unique
Trinket
Requires Level 68
Equip: Increases defense rating by +32
Use: Increases armor by 1280 for 20 sec.
Cooldown: 2 min
Sells for 6 Gold 62 Silver 90 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Aegis of the Sunbird
Binds when picked up
Off Hand Shield
3711 Armor
83 Block
+27 Stamina
Durability 100 / 100
Requires Level 68
Enchant +18 stamina
Equip: Increases defense rating by +18
Equip: Increases the block value of your shield by 29.
Sells for 5 Gold 42 Silver 55 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Starbolt Longbow
Binds when picked up
Ranged Bow
126 - 235 Damage Speed 2.80
(64.5 damage per second)
+19 Stamina
Durability 75 / 75
Requires Level 68
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 14.
Sells for 6 Gold 66 Silver 85 Copper to vendors
Item Level 112

Truncheon of Five Hells
Binds when picked up
One-Hand Mace
90 - 168 Damage Speed 1.80
(71.7 damage per second)
+19 Stamina
Durability 90 / 90
Enchant: mongoose
Requires Level 70
Equip: Increases defense rating by +15
Equip: Improves hit rating by 14.
Sells for 9 Gold 4 Silver 21 Copper to vendors
Item Level 115

Well there it is :) The ones that jump out at me are the mitigation numbers, 55% at 60 vs 51% at 70, the stamina, which is fairly similar if you compare base hp to stamina obtained from gear and take into account the lesser cost of stamina in the item budget. I'm curious what the tier 4 stuff will turn out to be, but we haven't seen all of the ancillary tier 4 level gear to go with it to make a very good comparison, like rings and such.

If other people want to gather stats like this to compare their class at or near release in blues at 60 and at 70, i'd be interested to see it. I'm betting casters will see the biggest difference, since most of the stats they go after now were not widely available for some time after release, stats like +dmg, +hit with spells, and +heal.

Its a bit unfair to compare to Dire Maul loot since that was not available pre-MC. Id say over half the loot you are comparing to was not available when MC was new.

Yes, that's true, DM didn't come out until what, march? April? I forget exactly. We ran DM along with MC at the time for select pieces of gear and for quel'serrar books. However, DM gear was mostly equivalent ilvl as strat/scholo/ubrs stuff, just better itemized. The difference if I took out DM gear and replaced it with only strat/scholo/ubrs stuff would still be pretty minor.

what you really should do is three comparisons, from which you can linearly extrapolate teir 8, maybe. Take the best combination of Strath/Scholo/BRS/BRD blues/purps for each class. Then find the best teir 3/naxx combos in 2.0. Finally compare this to teir 4/level 70 dungeon drops for each class. These three stat points, you're looking at attack power(hunters, rogues, fuwars, Enhamans, Rallys), spell damage(mages/locks/spriests), healing(priests/pallys/druids/shaman), and Def/Stam(wars/Bruids/pallys) to see the relative increase from the first level 60 dungeons to teir 3. Then the increase from teir 3 to level 70. From that you may be able to track the relative increase from level 70 to the final teir of level 70 content, but that may just be a pipe dream. I think this is a better clue as to what you're after though.

There what is? What conclusions exactly did you reach? Sorry if I'm missing something but your whole post was a cut/paste off Thottbot Beta... all you did was show data with no conclusions, no analysis, I'm at a loss as to what you were trying to show from this.

So gear has improved over these past two years and will continue to do so. Fascinating.