Volume III

I really hope I don’t do too many of these.  Time consuming, but at least I’m getting my ideas down so I can reuse them again in 49 levels (w00.  21 last night, and that’s without even starting Darkshore/Redridge.)

 

As I said in Volume II, I would like to compare the viability of going ‘Scryer’ or going ‘Aldor’.

 

I want everyone to know that I went Scryer on Thunderlord.  This was my first toon past 60 due to being awol from w0w for so long.  I just picked on, but I found that it really complimented me on how I saw Narcomon gearing up.   If you have tricks/ideas on quickly grinding Aldor rep please let me know.

 

Lets first take a glance at the Aldor rep reward that would concern a Tankadin:

 

[Vindicator's Hauberk] Arguably one of the nicest and cheapest pieces of armor to get a running head-start on that 102.4%.  Dodge rating of 19 (or 1.00%) and def rating by 46 (or +19.6 Def). Very nice to have for an early Paladin.

 

[Inscription of Warding] at Honored and [Greater Inscription of Warding] at Exalted.  The Honored reward from the Scryer’s is +13 Def instead of Dodge.  This is arguable because the +13 Def makes it easier to achieve 490 Def, which is all you really need for Heroics.  Uncrushable isn’t a question.  However, when it comes down to raiding, the Greater Inscription of Warding sports +15 Dodge Rating instead of the Scryer’s +10 Dodge Rating.  So farther along in Raiding (SSC, Hyjal, Etc), The [Greater Inscription of Warding] is going to be more viable than the [Greater Inscription of the Knight]

 

[Lightwarden's Band] The Agility from this tosses an extra 0.72% Dodge at your 102.4%.  Not to be baulked at when having crummy drops from your regular 5mans.  Remember, your other ring comes from a quest-chain out of Black Morass, so not a problem.  This has very little long-term (or even short term) use, but might be a quick grab for a raid/heroic or two.

 

Now, let us take a gander at what the Scryer’s have to provide:

 

[Gauntlets of the Chosen] +35 Def, and an additional 0.60% Dodge tossed at your 102.4%.  Not bad, but whereas you can purchase them early, they’ll be replaced quickly with Felsteel Gloves, or the Righteous.

 

[Scryer's Bloodgem] 150 Spell Damage isn’t much to be baulked at, and this can be useful in a pinch with your healing gear on random instances like Kael’Thas, etc.  Also, this is a VERY useful item when grinding cash/Scryer Rep.

 

[Inscription of the Knight] and [Greater Inscription of the Knight] at Revered.  As I’ve said previously, early 70s, the +Def is great because it helps get your 490 for Heroics, but in the long run, the Warding wins. 

 Also, for your enchanter’s out there, you can step up from 0-375 without ‘seeking out’ a different trainer.  Just start in your major cities on Azeroth and as soon as you are ready, start talking to your Scryer trainers.  No more Uldaman.  

 

Here’s some ideas from where I got all those %’s by the way:  (Quoted from Maintankadin Forums, and verified by MANY Tankadins)

 

2.4 Defense Rating = 1 Defense = .04 Miss/Doge/Parry/Block

18.9 Dodge Rating = 1% Dodge

31.5 Parry Rating = 1% Parry

7.9 Block Rating = 1% Block

25 Agility = 1% Dodge

Assuming 1 Rating = 1 Item Point...

Until you reach 102.4%, Block Rating is the cheapest avoidance stat, followed by Defense, Dodge and Parry in that order.

Once you hit 102.4%, 1 Defense Rating gives you 0.05 pure avoidance, whereas 1 Dodge will give you 0.53. Parry is even worse, yielding 0.031 pure avoidance. For comparison 1 Agi = 0.04 avoidance.

 

So let’s do a quick comparison starting with Aldor:

 

[Vindicator's Hauberk]

  Def Rating        = 46 = + 19.6 Def

  Dodge Rating   = 19 = +  1.00%

 

[Felsteel Gloves]

  Def Rating       = 25 = + 10.57 Def

 

[Greater Inscription of Warding]

  Def Rating       = 10 = +  4.17 Def

  Dodge Rating  = 15 = +  0.79%

 

[Lightwarden's Band]

  Agility              = 18 = +  0.72%

 

Total Def Rating Bonus = 34.34 Def     Not to shabby when aiming at that 490. 

Total towards 102.4%   = 3.88%           Did you expect more?  The avoidance is great from the Vindicator’s Hauberk, but the actual contribution to the 102.4% is low.

  

Now, on to the Scryers:

 

[Jade-Skull Breastplate]

  Def Rating      = 25 = + 10.57 Def

  Block Rating   = 23 = +  2.92%

 

[Gauntlets of the Chosen]    Um… yeah, replaced.

  Def Rating        = 35 = + 14.80 Def

  Agility               = 15 = +  0.60%

 

[Greater Inscription of the Knight]

  Def Rating        = 15 = +  6.25 Def

  Dodge Rating   = 10 = +  0.53%

 

Total Def Rating Bonus = 31.62 Def   Those Gloves really do stink.

Total towards 102.4%   =   5.32%   This is why I disagree on why the Vindicator’s Hauberk is so beautiful.

 

Thing is on the Hauberk, yeah, it’s great.  I agree.  So is the [Chestplate of Stoicism] which if anyone is in their right mind, they will purchase within their first 200 Badges of Justice.  The trick is getting IN to the Heroics/Instances and I feel that the Scryer’s do it faster because once your honored it pops you +13 free Def Rating.

 

In the end, the only difference between the Scryer’s and the Aldor’s comes down to the actual Inscriptions and getting them.  Yes, I said and getting them.  From questing alone you will have Honored.  Free Inscription.  How are you going to move to Exalted?

   

Now we talk about some CASH!  Oh, and the Scryer Rep…….

 

See, as a Scryer I found this trick (which Carno can bear witness to) where I can slaughter 30-40 Blood Elves in about four minutes, mount up, slaughter another dozen Blood Elves, mount up, and slaughter six more Blood Elves.  All within a ten minute period.  My average hourly intake from this was about 10-40g, 3-12 greens, 0-3 blues, 60-190 Netherweave, 3-4 lvl 55 Health/Man Potions, 0-6 Arcane Tomes, and 30-65 Sunfury Signets.

 

Those are some pretty odd numbers, but valid nonetheless.  I was able to grind out about 400g, all the way through into Revered with Scryers, and nearly completed my Furies Deck after 7th or 8th run.(go figure, just wished each time I hadn’t just sold the previous one on the AH to pay for my gems).

  

This will involve a map, and maybe a couple screen shots I know, but what can I say I’m at work.  It also only works for a Tankadin that I know of.  I’ve seen hunter’s and mages come through, but they get afraid after 10 or 20.

 

Here is what you need:

 

450+ Defense

10,000+ Armor

8,000+ Stamina

Min 200+ Additional Spellpower

1 Trinket with “Use: +XXX Spellpower”

[Figurine of the Colossus]

Here are some suggestions on the Spell Damage Trinket rated from best to useable:

[Eye of Magtheridon]

[item]Icon of the Silver Crescent[/item]

[Scryer's Bloodgem] - See, told you it would come in handy, a Scryer reward helps Scyers.  Amazing.   :D

[Figure - Crimson Serpent] - People have actually made these?  Seriously?

[Glowing Crystal Insignia] - You should probably hold onto this when you get it.  You know.  Just in case.     

With these, you should be able to pop 300+ Spelldamage on fight #1 (Trinket), and 300+Spelldamage on fight #2 (the wings!).

  

This grind should take you to Exalted with the Scryer’s on tokens alone through eight hours of gameplay.  Save 24 of the Arcane Tomes for your Shoulder Enchants, and I would recommend putting the rest on the auction house.  On my old server they went for 20-50g a piece.  Not to shabby.   I have removed this grind explaination at the behest of a friend so it isn't widely exploited to badly on Gorgg.   However, if you want the details of where and how, just pst me in-game if I'm online (Pedran/Pedrin/Aubrey/Fjork) or look me up in the guild IRC (Fjork).  Carno can also explain the idea as he played witness to my grind-fest one evening.

   

The Shattered Sun Offensive has MANY items you should get before worrying about whether your Aldor/Scryer reputation is Exalted. Also, whether you choose Aldor or Scryer you will be getting many Sunfury Signets and a few Arcane Tombs while doing your dailies each day.   Focus more on the dailies and using the AH to get rep than trying to grind for it until you have Exalted with the Shattered Sun Offensive.  The shields they provide will be used well into t4 (from what I have seen......), and the Sunward Crest is excellent when solo'ing.

 

Here’s a small excerpt:

 

[Seeker's Gavel] – Again on the Gavel.  It’s a good weapon to switch to when using your Continuum Blade, especially with the 9 extra spell damage, but mainly you’ll be using the Continuum Blade.

 

[Sunward Crest] – Sexy much?  For 5mans/Heroics?  I agree.

[Dawnforged Defender] – Sexy much?  For raids?  I agree.

   

I think Volume IV will be what items I would like to purchase, in which order, for my Badges of Justice.  The libram first obviously, then my cloak……..