Maybe it is because tier 11 was the fastest pace of progress I’ve experienced or perhaps it is the outstanding look of tier 12 Paladin gear, but I took the time to make my own gear list for 4.2. I made this for myself and, thus, it prioritizes certain pieces so I’m not spending DKP unecessarily on minor upgrades.
Stat priorities
- Spirit / Haste
- Spirit / Crit
- Spirit / Mastery
- Haste / Crit
- Haste / Mastery
- Crit / Mastery
Tier 12
Completing a four piece tier set is a priority due to the excellent bonus. Happily, all 5 pieces of the Regalia of Immolation are decently itemized (no Mastery) but the chest looks like the best slot for off-set gear. UPDATE: Kurn does a great breakdown on the various four piece options here. She delves into the stat details and has some slightly different preferences for these and other pieces.
Who wouldn't want to look like this?
To start, I did a lot of gear searches by doing some creative filtering of the PTR database at Wowhead. I also spent some time browsing some 4.2 and Firelands guides. A relatively concise one is at Icy Veins. Wowhead also has a great one.
Next, I made a list of gear available outside of raiding. Items from the Avengers of Hyjal, crafters, vendors opened with Marks of the World Tree, and Valor Point vendors. None of these pieces are poor and some are excellent if you have no expectations of heroic (ilvl 392) gear.
Avengers of Hyjal
- Flowing Flamewrath Cape
- Belt of the Seven Seals
- Fiery Quintessence
- Quicksilver Signet of the Avengers
Mark of the World Tree vendors (ilvl 365 items)
Valor Points
Crafted
Finally, I looked at my character and determined which pieces would be the highest priority for upgrades. For example, my weapon is the ilvl 353 Amani Scepter of Rites and my helm, shield, bracers, belt, boots, and jewelry are ilvl 359. The following list prioritizes my gear choices by desirability as well as equipment slot.
Helm
- Immolation Headguard – priority
- Casque of Flame – decent second option, especially if the tier helm and heroic upgrade are difficult to come by
Weapon
- Ko’gun, Hammer of the Firelord – priority
- Eye of Purification – a decent second option
- Lightforged Elementium Hammer – if my luck is terrible and Maldo’s isn’t cheaper
Shield
- Ward of the Red Widow – well itemized, which is good for the only option available
Neck
- Flowform Choker – priority for a tasty red gem slot
- Heartstone of Rhyolith – second option to avoid competition with caster dps
- Firemind Pendant – an option after all other VP purchases
Bracers
- Bracers of Imperious Truths – priority, first VP purchase
- Bracers of the Dread Hunter – second option, but worth picking up early to prioritize other VP purchases
Belt
- Belt of the Seven Seals – priority, the only real option, and purchasable from the Avengers
- Belt of Living Obsidium - an early ilvl 365 option if earning Avengers reputation takes much longer than expected
Boots
- Emberforged Elementium Boots – priority, craftable, one of two excellent 378 crafted pieces, but no available 392 upgrade
- Treads of the Penitent Man – roughly equal priority, need for the 392 upgrade
Ring
- Quicksilver Signet of the Avengers – priority, get Exalted
- Soothing Brimstone Circle – the only second ring option
- Crystal Prison Band – poor option and better for caster dps first
Trinket
- Jaws of Defeat – priority
- Eye of Blazing Power – second priority
- Fiery Quintessence / Rune of Zeth – passable options for regen with macros to Divine Plea and Arcane Torrent
Relic
- Signed Plume of Aviana – priority, second VP purchase
- Soulflame Vial – a way to play with stats later in the tier
- Relic of Elune’s Light - an early ilvl 365 upgrade if, for some reason, I don’t want so spend VP on the Plume
Shoulders
- Immolation Mantle – priority
- Spaulders of Manifold Eyes – second option if tier shoulders are difficult to come by
Cloak
- Flowing Flamewrath Cape - priority, early pickup from Avengers
- Wings of Flame - poor, Spirit-less option, liable to see dps competition
Chest
- Clutch of the Firemother - priority and well itemized, but lower priority than other slots
- Immolation Breastplate - later VP purchase as I want a 4-piece set but this is the least preferred of the 5
Gloves
- Immolation Gloves – priority, VP purchase or Baradin Hold loot
- Holy Flame Gauntlets - crafting option is price is right but no 392 upgrade
- Grips of the Raging Giant – second off-set option
- Gauntlets of Living Obsidium - an early ilvl 365 option if I did not already have 372 gloves
Legs
- Immolation Greaves - priority, VP purchase or Baradin Hold loot with outstanding stats
- Legplates of Absolute Control - off-set option
