With every expansion it all gets reset, so we can have new goals to work against. And with every raid patch our gear "resets" in the same way. The next "reset" will be 5.2, which I assume will be here in 2 to 4 months. Until then I want to make sure my monk gets as strong as she can. Cause that is what I do. What are my limitations? I can do Raid Finder and Sha of Anger. I need to be lucky to get to do Galleon. I'm Revered with everyone (not Operation: Shieldwall yet of course, but that's only a matter of time), so I will have access to all gear purchasable with Valor Points. And I don't mind spending a bit of gold (30k-ish on a piece max).
I have observed that the gear now isn't very good itemized. There's a lot of weird sockets, socket bonuses, set bonuses and stats. This is something that usually happens in the start of the expansion; the first tier has bad itemization, and it improves with each tier. It is this way to make sure that the next tier of gear will always be an upgrade, not only cause of item level but also cause of itemization. For example now it seems like most of the Valor Point- and tier-gear has hit on it. Luckily we can reforge 40 % of it to other stats, but I can easily see myself getting stuck with more hit than I want. Hit and expertise are completely useless after they are capped. Stat priorities are given below, but these also change as your gear changes. To help with reforging you can use ingame addons like Reforgenator or ReforgeLite, or you can use websites like AskMrRobot or WoW Reforge.
Stat priority: Agi > Hit (cap at 7,5 %) > Exp (cap at 7,5 %) > Haste (until ~6700) > Crit > Mastery
Two months into the expansion, what is the best way to spend Charms, Valor Points and/or gold?
What you need to decide
Do you want to go for dualweilding or a twohander?
Dualweilding supposedly gives 2-3 % higher DPS than using a twohander, assuming you have the same item level weapons. This is a small enough difference that if you prefer to use a twohander, of course you can! Your ultimate goal will be to get the Sha-Touched weapons in either category.
Do you want to go for tier 14 4set bonus?
Energizing Brew regenerates 60 Energy over 6 sec. The bonus changes this to regenerate 110 Energy over 11 sec. When I get Energy-starved, it's usually more than sufficient to me to use Energizing Brew, and thus I don't see the benefit of this. But as I only quest and do heroics/scenarios/raid finder, I don't really know if it gets more useful in PVP or higher raiding.
Do you want to go for tier 14 2set bonus?
There is some talk in the forums that the tier bonuses aren't really good. People are struggling with Fists of Fury; not being able to use it on cooldown as it is, because of it's lower priority in our rotation. And as soon as the boss moves, you actually stand there shadowboxing. Which looks cool of course, but it's not very useful in killing the boss. Make the decision based on how your rotation usually turns out, and what other gear comes your way.
The best way to spend Charms
Eventually it might be a good way to have one Charm saved up in case Galleon should spawn. But for starters when you need ALL the gear, decide which pieces you want from Raid Finder or Sha of Anger based on what is "Best in Slot", but also which pieces will be the biggest upgrade. If you have 450 PVP-legs, try to use your charms to get legs. Weapons contribute a lot to our DPS, so try getting them as soon as possible. Late in the patch, when there's only one thing you need, you can do the same boss several times per week and use one Charm each time. This is only possible in Raid Finder, not for world bosses.
The decision to use the Charm has a short timer! So don't get caught by surprise. :) Decide on what you want in advance, or keep a short overview (like this one) open while you're in Raid Finder.
- Sha of Anger: Boots of Raging Haze, Red Crane Grips*, Red Crane Leggings*
- Galleon: Hellrider's Choker, Flameshot Wrap, Flamefoot Tabi, Facemask of Unrepentant Banditry, Cannoneer's Gunpowder Carrier, Hereditary Saurok Loop
Raid Finder 1: Mogu'shan Vaults - Guardians of Mogu'shan
- The Stone Guard: Stoneflesh Leggings
- Feng the Accursed: Arrow Breaking Windcloak, Tomb Raider's Girdle, Feng's Seal of Binding
- Gara'jal the Spiritbinder: Gara'kal, Fist of the Spiritbinder, Netherrealm Shoulderpads
Raid Finder 2: Mogu'shan Vaults - The Vault of Mysteries
- The Spirit Kings: Amulet of the Hidden Kings, Arrow Breaking Windcloak, Bracers of Violent Meditation, Screaming Tiger, Qiang's Unbreakable Polearm
- Elegon: Chestguard of Total Annihilation, Bottle of Infinite Stars*
- Will of the Emperor: Crown of Opportunistic Strikes
Raid Finder 3: Heart of Fear - The Dread Approach
- Imperial Vizier Zor'lok: Pheromone-Coated Choker, Boots of the Still Breath
- Blade Lord Ta'yak: Choker of the Unleashed Storm, Bracers of Unseen Strikes
- Garalon: Legbreaker Greatcloak, Bonebreaker Gauntlets
Raid Finder 4: Heart of Fear - Nightmare of Shek'zeer
- Wind Lord Mel'jarak: Red Crane Grips*, Painful Thorned Ring
- Amber-Shaper Un'sok: Red Crane Leggings*, Treads of Deadly Secretions
- Grand Empress Shek'zeer: Claws of Shek'zeer*, Red Crane Tunic*, Shadow Heart Spaulders
Raid Finder 5: Terrace of Endless Spring
- Protectors of the Endless: Regail's Band of the Endless
- Tsulong: Gauntlets of the Shadow's Caress, Stalker's Cord of Eternal Autumn, Gao-Rei, Staff of the Legendary Protector
- Lei Shi: Red Crane Spaulders*, Stalker's Cord of Eternal Autumn, Terror in the Mists
- Sha of Fear: Red Crane Headpiece*, Wrap of Instant Petrification
The best way to spend Valor Points
The best way to spend gold on gear
Keep an eye on Black Market Auction House. If you're lucky you might be able to get a heroic gear piece from there! Decide on your max price before you start bidding though, it's easy to get carried away...
Both Chestguard of Nemeses and Murderer's Gloves are good! But if you have decided to try to get tier 14 4set bonus, you can't get them both. I want the gloves myself, cause I'm stuck with the Justice Points ones. But I'm kind of holding off on it, cause I'm worried I will get the tier gloves from Sha of Anger IMMEDIATELY upon having them crafted. ;-)
The best available gear
Head
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Facemask of Unrepentant Banditry | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Galleon
|
| Red Smoke Bandana | 489 / 493 / 497 |
2250 Valor Points
Shado-Pan Revered |
| Red Crane Headpiece | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Sha of Fear |
| Crown of Opportunistic Strikes | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Will of the Emperor |
Neck
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Hellrider's Choker | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Galleon
|
| Choker of the Klaxxi'va | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1250 Valor Points
The Klaxxi Honored |
| Delicate Necklace of the Golden Lotus | 489 / 493 / 497 |
Quest Reward: The Final Power
Quest available Golden Lotus Exalted |
| Pheromone-Coated Choker | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Imperial Vizier Zor'lok |
| Choker of the Unleashed Storm | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Blade Lord Ta'yak |
| Amulet of the Hidden Kings | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: The Spirit Kings |
| Don Guerrero's Glorious Choker | 476 / 480 / 484 |
World Drop
Bind on Equip |
Shoulder
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Imperion Spaulders | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1750 Valor Points
Golden Lotus Revered |
| Shadow Heart Spaulders | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Grand Empress Shek'zeer |
| Red Crane Spaulders | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Lei Shi |
| Netherrealm Shoulderpads | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Gara'jal the Spiritbinder |
Back
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Blackguard Cape | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1250 Valor Points
Shado-Pan Honored |
| Legbreaker Greatcloak | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Garalon |
| Arrow Breaking Windcloak | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Bosses: Feng the Accursed and The Spirit Kings |
| Dory's Pageantry | 476 / 480 / 484 |
World Drop
Bind on Equip |
Chest
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Flameshot Wrap | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Galleon
|
| Chestguard of Nemeses | 496 / 500 / 504 |
Leatherworking Crafted
Bind on Equip |
| Softfoot Silentwrap | 489 / 493 / 497 |
2250 Valor Points
Golden Lotus Revered |
| Wrap of Instant Petrification | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Sha of Fear |
| Chestguard of Total Annihilation | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Elegon |
| Red Crane Tunic | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Grand Empress Shek'zeer |
| Greyshadow Chestguard | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Leatherworking Crafted
Bind on Equip |
| Vulajin's Vicious Breastplate | 476 / 480 / 484 |
World Drop
Bind on Equip |
Wrist
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Smooth Beetle Wristbands | 496 / 500 / 504 |
Zone Drop Heart of Fear normal
Bind on Equip |
| Quillpaw Family Bracers | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1250 Valor Points
August Celestials Honored |
| Bracers of Unseen Strikes | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Blade Lord Ta'yak |
| Bracers of Violent Meditation | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: The Spirit Kings |
Hands
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Murderer's Gloves | 496 / 500 / 504 |
Leatherworking Crafted
Bind on Equip |
| Red Crane Grips | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Sha of Fear
|
| Gauntlets of the Shadow's Caress | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Tsulong |
| Bonebreaker Gauntlets | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Garalon |
| Fingers of the Loneliest Monk | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1750 Valor Points
The August Celestials Revered |
| Red Crane Grips | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Wind Lord Mel'jarak |
| Greyshadow Gloves | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Leatherworking Crafted
Bind on Equip |
Waist
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Cannoneer's Gunpowder Carrier | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Galleon
|
| Prevenge's Swashbuckling Cinch (alliance)/ Prevenge's Dagger-Carrier (horde) | 496 / 500 / 504 |
1750 Valor Points
Operation: Shieldwall Revered (alliance)/ Dominance Offensive Revered (horde) |
| Klaxxi Lash of the Borrower | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1750 Valor Points
The Klaxxi Revered |
| Tomb Raider's Girdle | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Feng the Accursed |
| Stalker's Cord of Eternal Autumn | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Lei Shi and Tsulong |
Legs
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Red Crane Leggings | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Sha of Anger
|
| Dreadsworn Slayer Legs | 489 / 493 / 497 |
2250 Valor Points
The Klaxxi Revered |
| Legguards of Failing Purification | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of the Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Protectors of the Endless |
| Red Crane Leggings | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Amber-Shaper Un'sok |
| Stoneflesh Leggings | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: The Stone Guard |
Feet
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Flamefoot Tabi | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Galleon
|
| Crab-Leather Tabi (alliance)/ Troll-Toe Tabi (horde) | 496 / 500 / 504 |
1750 Valor Points
Operation: Shieldwall Revered (alliance)/ Dominance Offensive Revered (horde) |
| Boots of the Still Breath | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Imperial Vizier Zor'lok |
| Tukka-Tuk's Hairy Boots | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1750 Valor Points
The August Celestials Revered |
| Treads of Deadly Secretions | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Amber-Shaper Un'sok |
| Boots of Raging Haze | 476 / 480 / 484 |
World Boss: Sha of Anger
First time you do Sha of Anger you get a quest item which will give you these boots |
Finger
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Hereditary Saurok Loop | 496 / 500 / 504 |
World Boss: Galleon
|
| Signet of the Shieldwall (alliance)/ Dominator's Signet (horde) | 496 / 500 / 504 |
1250 Valor Points
Operation: Shieldwall Honored (alliance)/ Dominance Offensive Honored (horde) |
| Anji's Keepsake | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1250 Valor Points
Golden Lotus Honored |
| Seal of the Windreaver | 489 / 493 / 497 |
Quest Reward: Shadow of the Empire
Available at Klaxxi Exalted |
| Regail's Band of the Endless | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Protectors of the Endless |
| Painful Thorned Ring | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Wind Lord Mel'jarak |
| Perculia's Peculiar Signet | 476 / 480 / 484 |
World Drop
Bind on Equip |
| Feng's Seal of Binding | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Feng the Accursed |
| Seal of Ghoulish Glee | 470 / 474 / 478 |
Headless Horseman
|
Trinket
It's really difficult to value trinkets. And it comes up to personal preference in the end. Make sure to use "on use"-trinkets together with Tigereye Brew, Xuen, Virmen's Bite, Synapse Springs etc. Or if you have a "proc"-trinket, use your other cooldowns when it procs. These trinkets are not listed in the order from best to worst, but after item level. Just cause I really can't tell which is best and worst.
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Arrowflight Medallion (alliance)/ Woundripper Medallion (horde) | 496 / 500 / 504 |
1750 Valor Points
Operation: Shieldwall Revered (alliance)/ Dominance Offensive Revered (horde) |
| Hawkmaster's Talon | 489 / 493 / 497 |
1750 Valor Points
Shado-Pan Revered |
| Terror in the Mists | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Lei Shi |
| Relic of Xuen | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Quest Reward: Darkmoon Tiger Deck
|
| Bottle of Infinite Stars | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Elegon |
| Coren's Cold Chromium Coaster | 470 / 474 / 478 |
Coren Direbrew
|
One-hand
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Claws of Shek'zeer | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Heart of Fear Raid Finder
Boss: Grand Empress Shek'zeer Sha-Touched! |
| Krol Scimitar | 476 / 480 / 484 |
World Drop (from rogue-only lockboxes)
Bind on Equip |
| Gara'kal, Fist of the Spiritbinder | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Gara'jal the Spiritbinder |
| Ka'eng, Breath of the Shadow | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Shado-Pan Monastery heroic dungeon
Boss: Taran Zhu |
| The Horseman's Sinister Slicer | 470 / 474 / 478 |
Headless Horseman
|
Two-hand
| Name | Item level | Source |
| Gao-Rei, Staff of the Legendary Protector | 483 / 487 / 491 |
Terrace of Endless Spring Raid Finder
Boss: Tsulong Sha-Touched! |
| Inscribed Tiger Staff | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Inscription Crafted
Binds to Account |
| Screaming Tiger, Qiang's Unbreakable Polearm | 476 / 480 / 484 |
Mogu'shan Vaults Raid Finder
Boss: Gara'jal the Spiritbinder |
I'll have a couple of posts up the next days with some sweeeeeet transmogs!
/bow
Thank you so much for assembling this list. I thrive on things like this, and seldom do well making them myself. :)
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