Listen to the Joystiq Podcast (because your ears can't read)
Posts with tag redemption

Season 4 Brutal Gladiator gear guide


Now that Season 4 has finally arrived, it would probably be good to take a look at the Arena gear you'll be purchasing with all those stored Arena points. Even though most people have concurred that the new Brutal Gladiator gear is appropriately brutally ugly, a lot of the pieces are excellent and many players will need to purchase them in order to stay competitive in the latest, harshest Arena season.

Most of the Brutal Gladiator armor sets and equipment require personal ratings in order for players to be able to purchase them, so the new Season 4 gear will not flood the community the same way past seasons did. Even Honor-bought items such as bracers, boots, and rings will require participation in the Arenas in order for players to qualify for purchasing them.

We've put together a review of all the Brutal Gladiator armor sets for you to review, with a brief analysis of each piece and an assessment of whether it's worth the Arena points and the bother to grind for the personal ratings. We've also compared Season 4 gear with their equivalent Vengeful Gladiator pieces so you can tell at a glance how much of an improvement each piece is from its predecessor. Take a look after the jump at our extensive gear guide.

Gallery: Season 4 Arms & Equipment

DruidHunter (Alliance)Hunter (Horde)Mage (Alliance)Mage (Horde)

Continue reading Season 4 Brutal Gladiator gear guide

Brutal Gladiator's Redemption


The Brutal Gladiator's Redemption is the armor set for Holy, or healing Paladins. It is an ornamented, or plate armor usable only by Paladins and is usually matched with Guardian's Ornamented armor pieces. The armor set can be purchased from Big Zokk Torquewrench in Netherstorm and Ontokk Shatterhorn in Shattrath City. The matching Guardian items may be purchased from Doris Volanthius in the Hall of Legends and Lieutenant Tristia in the Champion's Hall.

Brutal Gladiator's Ornamented Gloves
The Brutal Gladiator armor piece for the hands are the cheapest and easiest Season 4 Arena gear to obtain. With no personal rating requirements, most players will be able to purchase this piece and is the Arena gear likely to be most widespread as soon as the season begins. Arena gloves are also the only item with the exception of relics to have spec-specific bonuses, and a +2% crit bonus to Flash of Light is a good one. The gloves have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1239 Armor (+98)
+60 Stamina (+16)
+33 Intellect (+4)
+33 Spell Critical (+5)
+18 Resilience (+0)
+79 Healing / +27 Spell Damage (+9 / +3)
Increases critical effect chance of Flash of Light by 2%
Classes: Paladin
WoW Insider says: The gloves are cheap, have no personal rating requirements, and a whopping +16 Stamina upgrade to the previous season's gear. These gloves are the best purchase for starting Arena players, as well, due to the low barrier of entry.


Brutal Gladiator's Ornamented Legplates
The leg armor possesses a personal rating requirement of 1550, which isn't too difficult to obtain. For many players on median-ratings teams, it might take a few weeks to purchase at a cost of 1875 Arena points. While not as accessible as the gloves, the leg armor is highly visible on a character and is also likely to be a popular purchase. The legplates have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1735 Armor (+138)
+69 Stamina (+7)
+45 Intellect (+6)
+46 Spell Critical (+6)
+35 Resilience (+0)
+103 Healing / +35 Spell Damage (+13 / +5)
Classes: Paladin
WoW Insider says: The legplates have a good +13 healing improvement, but the lack of sockets mean that the only customization that can be done will be through Tailoring or Leatherworking enchants. Although the arena point requirement is relatively low, the chest armor is probably a better purchase if you can attain the required personal rating.


Brutal Gladiator's Ornamented Chestguard

With three sockets, the chestpiece is the most customizable Arena armor piece, and is the next best purchase after the gloves. Although the personal rating requirement of 1600 may be prohibitive to some players, it costs the same as the leg armor and should be sought after. In PvE, the chest armor is traditionally a drop from the final boss in a series (Magtheridon drops Tier 4 chest token, Kael'thas drops Tier 5 chest token, Illidan drops Tier 6 chest token, etc.). Arenas are different in this regard, but the item level of the chest is identical to PvE chest pieces. Sunwell Plateau breaks from tradition in that the final boss, Kil'jaeden, does not drop chest tokens or armor. However, the Brutal Gladiator chest armor is equivalent to the drops from Entropius and is the best combination of cost and restriction among all the armor pieces. The chestguard has the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1983 Armor (+158)
+67 Stamina (+9)
+42 Intellect (+5)
+42 Spell Critical (+8)
+28 Resilience (+0)
+68 Healing / +23 Spell Damage (+13 / +4)

Socket Bonus: +4 Spell Critical
Classes: Paladin
WoW Insider says: A team and personal rating of 1600 is a very realistic goal for Holy Paladins, particularly in 5v5 set-ups. The chest piece is the best armor piece you can get for its cost and low barrier of entry. Because of its PvE equivalent, obtaining the Brutal Gladiator chest armor is almost like killing Entropius in Sunwell Plateau. Well, ok not really, but if you don't raid, that's about as close to a raid drop as you're going to get.


Brutal Gladiator's Ornamented Headcover
The helm is very likely the last Brutal Gladiator armor piece that many players will obtain, although Holy Paladins will have a better shot than either a Shockadin or Retadin at completing 5/5 of Season 4 items. At 1700 personal rating, some players will have a more difficult time obtaining this piece, which costs the same as the chest and leg armor pieces. With a personal rating attached to it, the Brutal Gladiator helm might be one helm graphic that players would like to leave on. It is also identical in model to the pieces that drop off Kil'jaeden in Sunwell Plateau. The headcover has the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1611 Armor (+128)
+71 Stamina (+7)
+40 Intellect (+6)
+32 Spell Critical (+6)
+32 Resilience (+0)
+88 Healing / +30 Spell Damage (+13 / +5)

Socket Bonus: +4 Resilience Rating
Classes: Paladin
WoW Insider says: 1700 should be a fairly easy target for a Holy Paladin in a 5v5 team. The +13 Healing upgrade, as well as the good improvements to +Intellect and +Spell Crit make the helm a good purchase. The Red Socket can add to +Healing, as well.


Brutal Gladiator's Ornamented Spaulders

The 2200 personal ratings requirement for the shoulders are almost Gladiator-level for most Battlegroups, and although rare, it's likely that more than a few Holy Paladins will be sporting them deep into the season. Although it is the cheapest item after the gloves, it is also the most difficult to get. Blizzard's reasoning for this is that the shoulders are the most "visually impacting" armor piece, confirming Blizzard's opinion that PvP achievements should be on display. The spaulders have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1487 Armor (+118)
+46 Stamina (+6)
+32 Intellect (+5)
+32 Spell Critical (+4)
+23 Resilience (+0)
+59 Healing / +20 Spell Damage (+8 / +3)

Socket Bonus: +3 Resilience Rating
Classes: Paladin
WoW Insider says: Brutal Gladiator shoulders are purely for show. The ornamented spaulders also have the lowest improvement from Season 3 compared to other Paladin shoulders. The Brutal Gladiator Spaulders are not worth the grind to 2200, but only something that players pick up for bragging rights.

Guardian's Ornamented Belt
Because it is a visual match for the Brutal Gladiator's Redemption, and because it comes with no personal ratings requirement, the belt is most likely to be the most widely distributed Season 4 gear. It is purchasable with Honor points, so even players who do not participate in Arena PvP can obtain it. The belt has the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1115 Armor (+88)
+49 Stamina (+6)
+35 Intellect (+5)
+34 Spell Critical (+4)
+26 Resilience (+0)
+75 Healing / +25 Spell Damage (+5)
Classes: Warrior, Paladin
WoW Insider says: Unless you don't PvP at all, there's very little reason not to get the Guardian's belt. The improvements are a modest upgrade from Vindicator's Ornamented Belt, but the accessibility of this Level 146 item makes it a good and easy purchase. It is also identical in every way to Guardian's Lamellar Belt with the exception of +Healing.


Guardian's Ornamented Bracers
The only other Guardian piece with a socket is the amulet, which doesn't have a personal rating requirement. Bracers are also visually insignificant, being hidden under gloves or robes, so there is no urgency to obtain them for vanity's sake. They also have a modest 1575 personal rating requirement, necessitating moderately successful Arena participation. The bracers have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
841 (+69)
+33 Stamina (+4)
+20 Intellect (+3)
+23 Spell Critical (+3)
+15 Resilience (+0)
+57 Healing / +19 Spell Damage (+6 / +2)

Socket Bonus: +2 Resilience Rating
Classes: Warrior, Paladin
WoW Insider says: Because the improvements of the bracers are so minimal over its Season 3 counterpart, it's not such a compelling purchase. The personal rating requirement of 1575 is also higher than what's required for the leg armor, which is more visual. Players looking to purchase new items can hold off on the bracers unless they have nothing else to buy. On the other hand, Guardian bracers are also the cheapest Honor item available for Season 4 and Shockadins may want to explore purchasing this instead of the Lamellar counterpart.


Guardian's Ornamented Greaves
The most visually important match of all Guardian items, the boots are a big jump from a 1575 personal ratings requirement and is as demanding to get as the head piece at 1700 personal ratings. It is also as expensive to purchase as the belt, which has no ratings requirement. The greaves have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1363 Armor (+108)
+49 Stamina (+6)
+35 Intellect (+5)
+34 Spell Critical (+4)
+26 Resilience (+0)
+75 Healing / +25 Spell Damage (+9 / +3)
Classes: Warrior, Paladin
WoW Insider says: The greaves are the best Season 4 Honor-bought pieces that players can buy. Although players should probably purchase the belt first, achieving a 1700 rating is worth the grind for an armor piece that is a decent upgrade from its predecessor and a visual match for the rest of Brutal Gladiator gear.


Gallery: Season 4 Arms & Equipment

DruidHunter (Alliance)Hunter (Horde)Mage (Alliance)Mage (Horde)

Looking for more Season 4 info? We've rounded up everything you need to know about the Brutal Gladiator season right here.

Best RP quest chains pre-Outlands

So you leveled your main into the late 50s and are ready to jump into the time-sucking goodness that is the Outlands. But before you head in, you want to experience any good pre-BC quest chains you may have missed. One player on the official forums is in this exact situation and wants to know: what quest chain should she do that has good XP and an interesting storyline before heading into the Burning Crusade content?

Many players have chimed in so far with their fondly remembered misadventures. Tirion Fordring's Redemption chain out of the Eastern Plaguelands gets many recommendations. As does the Marauders of Darrowshire chain in which you have to find a little girl ghost's missing dolly and along the way relive a critical moment in the history of the lands.

You can also summon a helicopter out of Azshara, get killed on purpose out of Un'goro and learn the history of the Moonkin which takes you to the same area where you can quest for a mechanical yeti. But there is one quest that is getting the most enthusiastic recommendations.

Continue reading Best RP quest chains pre-Outlands


RESOURCES

Blizzard Events
BlizzCon (245)
Worldwide Invitational (118)
Class Columns
(Death Knight) Lichborne (9)
(Druid) Shifting Perspectives (55)
(Hunter) Big Red Kitty (57)
(Hunter) Scattered Shots (32)
(Mage) Arcane Brilliance (56)
(Paladin) The Light and How to Swing It (60)
(Priest) Spiritual Guidance (38)
(Rogue) Encrypted Text (40)
(Shaman) Totem Talk (64)
(Warlock) Blood Pact (37)
(Warrior) The Care and Feeding of Warriors (68)
Gameplay
(Arena PvP) Blood Sport (33)
(BG PvP) The Art of War(craft) (33)
(Casual) WoW, Casually (24)
(Guild Leadership) Officers' Quarters (75)
(Professions) Insider Trader (75)
(Raiding) Ready Check (34)
(Roleplaying) All the World's a Stage (56)
AddOns and UI
AddOn Spotlight (98)
Reader UI of the Week (29)
The Creamy GUI Center (20)
Lore and Stories
Around Azeroth (615)
Ask A Lore Nerd (21)
Barrens Chat (22)
Know your Lore (67)
WoW Moviewatch (604)
Features
15 Minutes of Fame (37)
Ask WoW Insider (70)
Breakfast topics (812)
Forum Post of the Day (60)
Guildwatch (93)
It came from the Blog (29)
Phat Loot Phriday (104)
The Colosseum (8)
World of WarCrafts (37)
WoW Crossword (9)
WoW Insider Show (94)
WoW Rookie (42)
[1.Local] (21)
Classes
Death Knight (209)
Druid (390)
Hunter (387)
Mage (229)
Paladin (383)
Priest (313)
Rogue (213)
Shaman (340)
Warlock (242)
Warrior (286)
News
Account Security (36)
AddOns (286)
Analysis / Opinion (3977)
Blizzard (1931)
Bugs (233)
Burning Crusade (408)
Contests (286)
Economy (209)
Events (534)
Expansions (965)
Fan stuff (1081)
Features (747)
Forums (358)
Guilds (543)
Hardware (66)
Humor (947)
Interviews (199)
Lore (395)
Mounts (180)
News items (1861)
NPCs (258)
Odds and ends (1889)
Patches (1267)
Podcasting (92)
Ranking (57)
Realm News (323)
Realm Status (270)
RP (198)
Rumors (79)
Virtual selves (778)
WoW Insider Business (348)
WoW Social Conventions (181)
WoW TCG (66)
Wrath of the Lich King (1165)
Strategy
Achievements (46)
Alts (142)
Arena (322)
Battlegrounds (197)
Bosses (415)
Buffs (168)
Cheats (83)
Classes (412)
Enchants (43)
Factions (193)
Guides (466)
How-tos (458)
Instances (769)
Items (1005)
Leveling (379)
Making money (234)
PvP (891)
Quests (418)
Raiding (888)
Talents (246)
Tips (648)
Tricks (244)
Walkthroughs (97)
Media
Comics (113)
Fan art (69)
Galleries (306)
Machinima (693)
Podcasts (56)
Polls (79)
Screenshots (780)
Races
Alliance (143)
Draenei (76)
Dwarves (29)
Gnomes (63)
Human (31)
Night Elves (64)
Horde (147)
Blood Elves (77)
Orcs (39)
Tauren (66)
Trolls (33)
Undead (36)
Professions
Alchemy (95)
Blacksmithing (81)
Cooking (88)
Enchanting (92)
Engineering (130)
First Aid (20)
Fishing (70)
Herbalism (60)
Inscription (46)
Jewelcrafting (103)
Leatherworking (77)
Mining (55)
Skinning (35)
Tailoring (87)
Retired
Pimp My Profile (1)
(Engineering) Hoof and Horn Research and Development (17)
(Raid Healing) Raid Rx (20)
(Raiding) Raiding 101 (2)
About the Bloggers (29)
Azeroth Interrupted (24)
Azeroth Security Advisor (4)
Back In The Day (3)
Build Shop (37)
Gamers on the Street (25)
He Said She Said (5)
Hybrid Theory (25)
Illusionary Tactics (3)
Macro Anatomy (15)
New Players' Guide (4)
Reader WoWspace of the week (32)
Tales from the Lion's Pride Inn (14)
Tank Talk (10)
Two Bosses Enter (61)
Well Fed Buff (31)
World Wide WoW (8)
/silly (14)

RSS NEWSFEEDS

Powered by Blogsmith

Featured Galleries

Phat Loot Phriday
WoW Minis
GotGame beta in World of Warcraft
World of WarCrafts: Alliance Tissue Box
Popcap Games' Bejeweled Addon Preview
Pirate's Day
Halloween Costumes
Wrath of the Lich King: Motorbikes
World of WarCrafts: Horde earrings

 

Most Commented On (30 days)

Recent Comments

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: