◊ Ghli

The Elemental 3.1 PTR thread has become an overwhelming thread to sort through, due to the many changes that the 3.1 PTR brought, the bugs 3.1 presented, and it was meant as a discussion for the PTR and the Changes that ensued. This thread is created to be specific for 3.1 Optimal Gear selection and discussion.

This is not intended to be a replacement for Bink's Spreadsheet, Lrdx's Spreadsheet or Rawr:Elemental that will determine personal BiS items, but rather a guideline of what items are available.

Gems, Enchants, Food Buffs, Elixers and Glyphs will not be covered here, as they are already covered in Binkstein's TTT Shaman: Elemental and Bink's Glyph & Totem Blog Entry.

Many people have problems with BiS lists, as some people are unable to do hard modes, or only run 10 mans, or haven't even stepped foot into Ulduar yet. Some people raid with certain comps and get specific buffs, while others don't. BiS is looked as the end-all be-all of items, and people generally can get upset when their raid cannot meet certain requirements and are unable to obtain the items. Yet, more often than not, people trying to obtain BiS items are min/max'ing, which usually people not in higher end raiding guilds do not try and do.

I am going to leave [Val'anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings] off of the BiS list, because very few elemental shamans will get their hands on one, as it will be going to healers. If you are a resto shaman and are going to be the one getting the mace, then it would be considered BiS for the weapon slot.

Non-Algalon BiS

Helm: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Headpiece]

Neck: [Pendant of Fiery Havoc]

Shoulder: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Shoulderpads]

Cloak: [Pennant Cloak]

Chest: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Hauberk]

Wrist: [Bindings of Winter Gale]

Gloves: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Gloves]

Belt: [Sash of Ancient Power]

Legs: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Kilt]

Boots: [Treads of the False Oracle]

Rings: [Pyrelight Circle] [Signet of Manifested Pain]

Trinkets: [Illustration of the Dragon Soul] [Flare of the Heavens]

Weapon: [Constellus]

Shield: [Wisdom's Hold]

Relic: [Totem of Hex]

Helm: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Helm]

Neck: [Pendant of Fiery Havoc]

Shoulder: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Shoulderpads]

Cloak: [Pennant Cloak]

Chest: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Hauberk]

Wrist: [Bindings of Winter Gale]

Gloves: [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Gloves]

Belt: [Belt of the Fallen Wyrm]

Legs: [Leggings of the Enslaved Idol]

Boots: [Treads of the False Oracle]

Rings: [Nebula Band] [Signet of Manifested Pain]

Trinkets: [Illustration of the Dragon Soul] [Flare of the Heavens]

Weapon: [Starshard Edge]

Shield: [Wisdom's Hold]

Relic: [Totem of Hex]

Note: These lists are subject to change, due to many items still being undiscovered. I will update this as soon as we find more information.


*****
"Compendium of Raiding Gear" has moved!

In an effort to make editting easier, and to keep this thread less bulky with all of these links, I have moved the "Compendium of Raiding Gear" to a blog entry.
*****




Click HERE are the set bonuses for Tier 8 and Tier 7. Bink has worked them up to figure the DPS for each set bonus.

Tier 8.5 Elemental Shaman Set (Heroic)

[Conqueror's Worldbreaker Helm] Drops from: Thorim Purchased with: 58x [Emblem of Conquest] [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Shoulderpads] Drops from: Yogg-Saron [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Hauberk] Drops from: Hodir Purchased with: 58x [Emblem of Conquest] [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Gloves] Drops from: Mimirion [Conqueror's Worldbreaker Kilt] Drops from: Freya

Tier 8 Elemental Shaman Set (Normal)

[Valorous Worldbreaker Helm] Drops from: Mimirion [Valorous Worldbreaker Shoulderpads] Drops from: Thorim [Valorous Worldbreaker Hauberk] Drops from: Yogg-Saron [Valorous Worldbreaker Gloves] Drops from: Freya [Valorous Worldbreaker Kilt] Drops from: Hodir

Tier 7.5 Elemental Shaman Set (Heroic)

[Valorous Earthshatter Helm] Drops from: Kel'Thuzad [Valorous Earthshatter Shoulderpads] Drops from: Loatheb & Gluth Purchased with: 60x [Emblem of Valor] [Valorous Earthshatter Hauberk] Drops from: Gluth [Valorous Earthshatter Gloves] Drops from: Sartharion [Valorous Earthshatter Kilt] Drops from: Thaddius & Gluth Purchased with: 75x [Emblem of Valor]

Tier 7 Elemental Shaman Set (Normal)

[Heroes' Earthshatter Helm] Drops from: Kel'Thuzad [Heroes' Earthshatter Shoulderpads] Drops from: Loatheb & Gluth [Heroes' Earthshatter Hauberk] Drops from: Gluth Purchased with: 80x [Emblem of Heroism] [Heroes' Earthshatter Gloves] Drops from: Sartharion Purchased with: 60x [Emblem of Heroism] [Heroes' Earthshatter Kilt] Drops from: Thaddius & Gluth

 

Souai

I'm running these spreadsheet dps calculations as an Orc shaman without considering Bloodfury. The following stats with trinkets averaged using spellpower*uptime and assuming the player uses healing stream totem to maintain IDS during periods of transition in fight that contains 7 minutes of dps time. Everything else is default on Blink's sheet, so there is no demo lock with >2800 spellpower, or other non-default raid buffs. I used a [Rigid Stormjewel] to get to the hit cap, added [Runed Dragon's Eye] to the three most optimal sockets and assumed that the Treads had a socket bonus equal to or weaker than 5 spellpower. I assumed professions were JC and some source of 38 spellpower.

Stamina: 1122
Intellect: 1130
Spellpower: 2626
Haste: 634
Crit: 744
Hit: 289

This estimated the DPS of that gearset to 6615 dps without partial resists.

I used the same raid configuration and gem manipulation for best possible stats with a different set of gear:
[Conqueror's Worldbreaker Helm] with [Chaotic Skyflare Diamond], [Reckless Monarch Topaz] and [Arcanum of Burning Mysteries]
[Pendant of Fiery Havoc] with [Reckless Monarch Topaz]
[Conqueror's Worldbreaker Shoulderpads] with [Runed Scarlet Ruby] and [Greater Inscription of the Storm ]
[Drape of Mortal Downfall] with [Reckless Monarch Topaz] and Enchant Cloak - Greater Speed
[Conqueror's Worldbreaker Hauberk] with [Reckless Monarch Topaz], [Runed Dragon's Eye] and Enchant Chest - Powerful Stats
[Bindings of Winter Gale] with [Runed Dragon's Eye] and Enchant Bracers - Superior Spellpower
[Conqueror's Worldbreaker Gloves] with [Runed Scarlet Ruby] and Enchant Gloves - Exceptional Spellpower
[Belt of the Fallen Wyrm] with [Eternal Belt Buckle] and [Runed Scarlet Ruby]
[Leggings of the Enslaved Idol] with [Runed Stormjewel], [Reckless Monarch Topaz], [Runed Dragon's Eye] and [Sapphire Spellthread]
Treads of the False Oracle with [Runed Scarlet Ruby], [Runed Scarlet Ruby], and Enchant Boots - Icewalker
[Signet of Manifested Pain]
[Pyrelight Circle]
[Illustration of the Dragon Soul]
[Flare of the Heavens]
[Soulscribe] with Enchant Weapon - Mighty Spellpower
Wisdom's Hold with [Runed Scarlet Ruby] and Enchant Shield - Greater Intellect
[Totem of Hex]

Stamina: 1147 (+25)
Intellect: 1139 (+9)
Spellpower:2652 (+26)
Haste: 599 (-35)
Crit: 791 (+49)
Hit: 293 (+4, meaningless except that it makes it easier to compensate if you drop Icewalker for Tuskarr's Vitality)

And came up with 6649 dps without partial resists. I don't know what type of BiS list you're shooting for, but I think the highest dps one will include the items above minus the legendary for a mainhand. You added the Treads to the first list, so I assume you're not making a mail-only list or something to spread out loot competition evenly.

The changes from your first BiS list are Resto Conq Helm -> Ele Conq Helm, Ele Conq Legs -> Leggings of the Enslaved Idol, and Frozen Loop -> Pyrelight Circle.

I think Crit may be overvalued slightly at the moment if Blink hasn't updated his spreadsheet to reflect that Electrified can be partially resisted and doesn't proc/contribute damage on LO crits. That might change what's BiS slightly.

 

◊ Ghli

That is part of the reason a BiS list is not the greatest thing to have posted. I was able to skip the [Rigid Stormjewel] due to being alliance picking up more SP and haste in its place.

I do agree with your list (even though getting BiS for most of us, especially with the semi lowered DPS from this "bug" we have going around, is going to be a straight pain in the rear). It seems I didn't really take into account a few things, and as stated in the OP, the list will continually change! I also made the major mistake of not doing my calculations with any of the epic gems from the patch, and only using blue quality gems, so our numbers are way off. Once I get home, I will throw those into my spreadsheets and update the list!

Just to double check, you are using Bink's 3.1.0.12 sheet, correct? I just want to make sure I'm on the same page as you!


Edit:
My gear selection is coming out a bit closer then what you had come up with, due to the difference in gems. But, after plugging in all the numbers, it still looks like that set of gear is better then what I have listed. Updated the list. Thanks!

 

Zomglazerpew

What about putting in the new dagger found off Algalon : http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/...rshardedge.jpg . And replacing [Drape of Mortal Downfall] with [Pennant Cloak]?

 

◊ Ghli

I find it kind of sad in the WoW world, when a spirit based item can even be considered as a BiS for Elemental. I did see that, but have not looked at the numbers. It does seem like an interesting possibility. I really wonder what the socket bonus is for it. I would venture to say it would be Spell Power, as that is what most blue sockets come out to, probably in the range of 7-9, which could really end up nice if you used a [Runed Dragon's Eye] to socket it (as the 3rd gem will only gain you 5SP in any of the above gear).

Have you run the numbers on it and came up with anything?

 

Nariivla

Well, last tier we had an mp5 weapon being our top. I'm still not surprised.

And from doing a simple EP comparison between the Drape + Soulscribe to the Pennant + Starshard, the latter seems to barely win out (this was assuming no worthwhile socket bonus, treating it as simply another 19 sp from a Runed Scarlet Ruby, with a Reckless in the Drape and a Runed in the Pennant).

IMO it would be a case of whichever you can get your hands on because they are quite close.

 

Zomglazerpew

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...i2b39z8QLXeE-A

There's a high probability that I'm wrong, but I did everything by hand between 3-5 this morning so who knows. I have it set so [Illustration of the Dragon Soul] is pre-loaded to 200 SP, and [Flare of the Heavens] is just base off the crit rating and not the proc. Other then that, seems like a downgrade from the other compositions of gear we came up with.

 

Souai

The weapon order is something like: [Val'anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings] > [Furious Gladiator's Mageblade] > Starshard Edge > [Soulscribe].

To use the Starshard Edge you have to sub out [Pendant of Fiery Havoc] for [Pendant of the Shallow Grave] or [Drape of Mortal Downfall] for [Pennant Cloak]. Each exchange is so close that its essentially the same dps.

If you want a true BiS list for Elemental you'd have to add the legendary. If you're good at PvP you can get that weapon for 2nd BiS. If you're awesome at PvE and your guild isn't retarded enough to give a dps caster a Val'anyr over all their healers then Algalon's spirit/hit weapon is BiS for now.

The difference between the Starshard Edge and [Soulscribe] is only 17 dps though, and will undoubtedly be the least upgrade of all dps casters.

 

◊ Ghli

Ezareth, Running the math on my spreadsheets, using the following setups:

Scenario 1

[Leggings of the Enslaved Idol] 3x [Runed Scarlet Ruby]

vs.

Scenario 2

[Leggings of the Enslaved Idol] [Runed Scarlet Ruby] [Reckless Monarch Topaz] [Runed Dragon's Eye]

I came up with these figures: Scenario 2 doing approx. 20-30 more DPS than Scenario 1 (using a straight comparison, legs to legs).

The actual DPS gain/loss would be slightly different, raid buffed, and after you account for the 3rd [Runed Dragon's Eye] out of another item making you lose the 5 Spell Power bonus to replace it with a [Runed Scarlet Ruby], but still. You would gain 4 Spell Power from the higher socket bonus, swap [Runed Scarlet Ruby] for [Reckless Monarch Topaz] (swapping gems, I'm showing a 1-2 DPS loss), and it would give you slightly more DPS (in the range of 1-5) then any other possibility. If you are going for min/max, this seems to be the way to gem.

 

Tilion

Assuming you are taking the Dragon's Eye out of your bracer and replacing it with +19 spellpower it ends up being 6 SP vs 8 haste. The 8 haste should be a bit better with BiS gear but it's very close to not mattering

 

◊ Ghli

How are you coming up with 6 SP vs 8 Haste? Socket bonus to Socket bonus, its a 4 SP difference. Then, you would lose 9 SP to regem, but gain 8 haste. So wouldnt the difference be -5 SP and 8 Haste?

[Runed Scarlet Ruby] vs [Reckless Monarch Topaz] = 2 more DPS in favor of the Ruby

Comparing the two socket bonuses, you would need a socket bonus gain of 2 DPS or more to make it worth it to re-gem. While it being a minimal gain, I'm showing a 4ish DPS gain from the socket bonus difference, so an overall gain of 2ish DPS. While yes, it is a minimal gain, we are still talking a gain. As far as BiS list, its best because its higher. If you are obtaining the pieces and have yet to gem any of them, that would be the preferred way, just trying to get maximum DPS gains from every possibility. 2 DPS is 2 DPS.


Edit: If you were to swap a Runed Scarlet Ruby for a Reckless Monarch Topaz, you would need the following Socket Bonus from a yellow gem to make it equal or better:

Socket Bonus:
2 Crit Rating
2 Haste
2 Spell Power
6 Intellect

 

Nariivla

Just to toss this out there, we have another weapon candidate.

Constellus
54 Stamina
55 Intellect
1 blue socket (with 5 sp socket bonus)
587 spell power
29 critical rating
19 mp5
http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/...constellus.jpg

An Algalon weapon that has been assigned to the Hodir Hard mode it appears. Due to equivalent crit and significantly higher spell power, I'd assume this would pull ahead of the Soulscribe, despite the latter's haste. The real question comes down to the Constellus vs Starshard Edge, depending on where else your hit is coming from. I do like that this is only a tiny bit behind the Furious weapon and is much more accessible to me since I don't PvP.

But once again, the top PvE, non legendary elemental weapons come down to spirit or mp5.

 

Tilion

Going from 19spellpower to 9 means you loose 10 spellpower

 

Tehshammy2k9

I was kind of curious about this: Furious Gladiator's Totem of Survival - Item - World of Warcraft the raw spell power buff seems like it might be less than the totem of hex, but with the elemental oath talent do the numbers come out superior as it is raw spell power to all spells?

 

Mmootimus

No, its actually fairly awful.

Even allowing for the bug to Totem of Hex, which knocks around 10% off its value (this may have been fixed in 3.1 but with the LvB rubbish going on I haven't had time to check) the spell forms such a large part of our rotation that the relic is worth in excess of 100 raw spellpower. Not sure what your point is about elemental oath, as the EO/clearcasting buff adds to all our damage, not any one type more than another.

Also, once you allow for the fact the gladiator's totem will have barely more than 50% uptime, its actually pretty dire.

 

Powhatan

It's not listed on wowhead yet but you'll want to add Conductive Seal to your ring list.

Conductive Seal
Binds when picked up
Unique-Equipped
Finger
+52 Stamina
+48 Intellect
+39 Spirit
Blue Socket
Requires Level 80
Equip: Improves haste rating by 55
Equip: Increases spell power by 75


Seen here The World of Warcraft Armory

 

Ezareth

Aesuga, Hand of the Ardent Champion
Binds when picked upMain Hand Mace
85 - 271 Damage Speed 1.80
(98.9 damage per second)
+23 Stamina
+48 Intellect
Yellow Socket
Socket Bonus: +4 Critical Strike Rating
Durability 105 / 105
Requires Level 80
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 39 (0.85% @ L80).
Equip: Improves haste rating by 16 (0.49% @ L80).
Equip: Increases spell power by 520.


This item is getting buffed to 232 from 226 which will make it better than Soulscribe, and probably everything but Valynar making it the "True, BIS" which sadly will drop from hard mode General in 10 man making 10 mans a must for Elemental Shaman.

 

Fokui

Why would it be better than Soulscribe just because its ilevel is being changed from 226 to 232? You do realize Soulscribe is also ilevel 232. Even if it is "slightly" itemized better I doubt it will out do the 2350 rating weapon or this hard mode mace.

Constellus
Binds when picked up
Main Hand Mace
93 - 298 Damage Speed 1.80
(108.8 damage per second)
+54 Stamina
+55 Intellect
Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +5 Spell Power
Durability 105 / 105
Requires Level 80
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 29 (0.63% @ L80).
Equip: Restores 19 mana per 5 sec.
Equip: Increases spell power by 587.

 

Ezareth

They both will be 550 Spellpower and a 9 SP 8 haste gem will put it at 43 Crit, 24 Haste, 559 SP which is 9 More SP, 15 More crit and 24 less Haste not counting whatever extra haste and crit the upgrade will give it.

The weapon you linked above is still slightly above what I figure Aesuga will come in at but only slightly itself.

Aesuga is still looking to be better than Soulscribe, and 10 man loot to boot. It is kind of retarded our BIS still seems to be a PVP weapon. Here is to hoping for a hard mode Elemental 239 Weapon.

 

Dribble

With the appearance of [Wraith Strike] in T7, I'm extremely hopeful that Blizzard will continue to put out caster fists for Elemental Shamans and Balance Druids. Although it wasn't BiS in T7 content, I think that the continuation of posts like these will open Blizzard's eyes to perfectly itemized Shaman loot (or lack thereof). Hopefully by the the time Aesuga and Constellus are released Blizzard will add a 239 caster fist, mace, or dagger that doesn't use points on spirit or Mp5.

 

Ashegorath

Pulsing Spellshield has a stat buff on the 3.1.2 PTR.



[Voice of Reason]
[Pulsing Spellshield] Currently

I have had one since Day 1 Ulduar 10 and it comes in handy during AoE intensive fights, this stat buff makes me happy in the pants.

If the PTR stats remain as such, it would be a candidate for Pre-Hardmode BiS.

Just by looking at [Voice of Reason] vs Pulsing Spellshield 3.1.2, there is a practically no gap (Pulsing even comes ahead +5 haste vs - 1 SP) between the shields even though the latter is ilvl 219.

http://wow.tachyonsix.com.nyud.net:8...30365VUlAT.png

 

Drx

that buff is amazing, and it also means i don't have to try and pug naxx25 anymore for Voice of reason

 

nephalae

Has anyone used Rawr much to gauge their gear set-up and to find BiS? I just downloaded it the other day and have been pretty impressed with it's layout, but was unsure if it had any issues anyone knew about.

I also have a question about BiS when it comes to item level. Just because it has a higher item level, it doesn't mean that it is the optimal piece for your spec/set-up, correct?

I ask this because I got the RESTO chest piece from Maly 25 ([Tunic of the Artifact Guardian]), and our soon to be shaman class leader was telling me it was BiS for BOTH specs, even though I have full T7.5 ele. It really isn't bad for ele, but I lose haste from the switch. This is also coming someone that has only played Resto and knows nothing about ele stats and builds, as much as she thinks she does.

 

Ezareth

It looks like Aesuga wasn't buffed as much as I was hoping, they put a bunch of points into bumping up the stamina.

New Stats:


Aesuga, Hand of the Ardent Champion
Binds when picked up
Unique Main Hand Mace
94 - 289 Damage Speed 1.80
(106.4 damage per second)
+52 Stamina
+51 Intellect
Yellow Socket
Socket Bonus: +4 Critical Strike Rating
Durability 75 / 75
Requires Level 80
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 41.
Equip: Improves haste rating by 22.
Equip: Increases spell power by 550.

Compare to Soulscribe:
Soulscribe
Binds when picked up
UniqueMain Hand Dagger
88 - 283 Damage Speed 1.80
(103.3 damage per second)
+54 Stamina
+49 Intellect
Durability 75 / 75
Requires Level 80
Equip: Improves critical strike rating by 28.
Equip: Improves haste rating by 48.
Equip: Increases spell power by 550.

So Aesuga would be +2 Int, +19 Spellpower, +13 Crit, -26 Haste. Would seem pretty much a wash to me maybe slightly better.

 

Ferala

I see a theoretic max of 6.6k sustained elem dps. How high is this compared to other classes (assuming they also have their dream gear)? I notice mages have insane burst dps but they are always oom in seconds and begging for mana tides. So i think elems win a lot by having so much sustained mana. Anyone know how we compare to other classes?