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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsAsk WoW Insider: When to gem and enchant?
by Mark Crump 
Jun 23rd 2008 at 9:00AM
Hi! After nearly two years of fiddling around with far too many alts, I finally got a rogue to 70. I'm working on gearing to be able to do heroics and maybe some of Kara with friends before Wrath comes out. My question is this: at what point is it worth it to drop money on nice gems and enchants? I'm mostly still in quest rewards and I'm still saving for my epic flyer, so I'm somewhat loath to drop the gold just yet. At the same time, I want to be a solid addition to my group and I know that maximizing gear is part of that. Any advice on when this is a practical expense?
Thanks,
Greta
Deciding when to gem and enchant items is a tough call. For you, if the item you would enchant/gem is going to be upgraded in Karazhan, I'd pass on upgrading it -- the extra little bit the gem/enchant would infer frankly isn't worth the cost. If the item you have won't be upgraded until after Karazhan, then feel free to gem/enchant it.
Now, since not only do I not play a rogue -- or even play one on TV -- I'll let the more knowledgeable Rogue players chime in.
Got questions? Don't wait! Send them to us at ask AT wowinsider DOT com and your query could be up in lights here next week.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Raiding, Ask WoW Insider
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Cat Jun 23rd 2008 6:49PM
That's generally good advice, but I'd caution against stacking +hit without examining the hit/crit/AP/agi balance.
One thing I recommend is getting a stat/damage counter addon like Recount, and testing the benefit of AP vs Hit with buff food. So go grind 50 mobs (boss encounters are better, but harder to grind) using Ravager Dog, and grind another 50 the same way using Spicy Hot Talbuk (extend further with agi and crit food if you like). Compare which buff food gives you the better result in DPS terms, then slot gems to suit. Max DPS can be a tricky thing to achieve as it's all about the balance in your stats, not maximising one particular stat.
For example my current gear gives me 260 hit and about 1750 AP unbuffed. When raid buffed, both Ravager Dog and Spicy Hot Talbuk result in roughly the same DPS, so I think I've got the gem balance about right.
john thorpe Jun 23rd 2008 1:15PM
Assuming you have a gathering profession that benefits from it (mining, herbing, or engineer/mote farming), get your epic flier first.
Then watch the profits roll in...and pretty soon, you'll have enough gold for all the enchants you could ever want, as well as some nice gems.
Cat Jun 23rd 2008 6:18PM
Buy Shadowpanther's guide to gearing up for Kara. Follow it. It's a no-brainer.
If you're in a guild that will carry you through, great. If you're not and you need to pull your own weight, either in a guild or in pugs, you will need to gem and enchant your gear. Buy whatever you can afford. Try to afford better. Get SOMETHING into each gem slot, and get everything that can be, enchanted with SOMETHING relevant. Then, if you haven't found better gear yet, put something better in it/on it. Repeat.
Yes it's your $15/month or whatever, but other people pay the same and it is THEIR right not to have their time wasted by someone who's undergeared and underprepared. QQ all you like, but the simple fact is that people will inspect you before a pug heroic, and you will get dropped if you're not geared enough so as to not waste everyone's time. DPS are the easiest roles to fill in a pug - you are not unique and special. You need to build a reputation for getting the job done, and gear, gems and enchants are a big part of that.
Don't feel like putting in that sort of effort? Cool, it's your money, play whatever way you like. Just don't expect other people to carry you when your effort level doesn't match the content you want to attempt.
Konchu Jun 23rd 2008 7:10PM
Yeah I am with the camp that believes if its likely to replaced soon don't spend too much on it. But if you have a blue with 3 empty slots stick something in it even a green gem.
I also believe one should do whatever they can to get as best geared they can to help the most and depending on the level of your friends good upgrades could help make a difference of you helping get that last 2% of boss damage. But at the same time don't waste money cause you are going to need that money to upgrade that Kara equipment. But really don't worry with upgrades too much its not too hard to make money. You can spend one day for me 40 ish minutes on the Isle of Qual Dana's and have enough money for several decent enchants gems etc.