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13 August 2024 | World of Warcraft: Retail

Best ways to gear up fast in The War Within Expansion

Hi players! The War Within expansion for World of Warcraft is almost here, bringing new adventures, challenges, and rewards. With The War Within Season 1 coming soon, it's a great time to get your alts or new characters ready. This guide shows you the best ways to quickly gear up your character in the The War Within, including item level details for each event.

Table of content

Easy PvE Gear from Weekly and Daily activities

In The War Within, all gear from various sources has additional item ranks and can be upgraded using a combination of Valorstones currency introduced in patch 11.0.0, along with New Crests, which are earned by completing nearly all types of end-game content.

And the easiest gear source for any player in the The War Within expansion, most of which can be obtained even solo, is a PvE gear rewarded for different new activities in Isle of Dorn zone, as well as in Hallowfall and The Ringing Deeps.

Outdoor sources of gear you can get without breaking a sweat

In The War Within, you'll find four new Outdoor World Events, including the Theater Troupe on the Isle of Dawn, Spreading the Light in Hallowfall, Awakening the Machine, and Worldsoul Memory. These events are not only fun but also offer great rewards:

  • Theater Troupe Event (Isle of Dawn): This event happens every hour. Rewards include a weekly quest that gives you Veteran gear (item level 574), 1,000 reputation with the Council of Dornogal, and delve keys.
  • Worldsoul Memory Event (Various Zones): This event moves to a new location every 8 hours. It has three difficulty levels, with tougher levels offering better rewards. Rewards include Valor stones and coffer key shards, with extra goodies for higher difficulties.
  • Spreading the Light Event (Hallowfall): Rewards are not yet specified in the alpha version but will likely include typical event rewards when released.
  • Awakening the Machine Event (Ringing Deeps): Rewards haven't been specified yet, but achievements are tied to reaching certain wave levels.

Note: This information is based on early alpha testing, so details might change as development and beta testing continue.

Weekly Cache Rewards

In Dragonflight, the Weekly Cache was a popular way to earn loot by completing city quests and activities. Blizzard has made the Weekly Cache even better in The War Within.

The first two caches you get each week will reward you with Adventurer gear. Once Season 1 start in September, these will upgrade to Veteran gear.

How to Earn Caches:

  • Awakening the Machine: Activate ancient machines around Azeroth.
  • Spreading the Light: Complete tasks to spread Light in dark places.
  • Earthen Theater: Join exciting events and challenges.
  • Azj-Kahet Pacts: Team up with factions in Azj-Kahet for special goals.
  • Major Weekly Quests in Dornogal: Big quests that give great rewards and progress toward your caches.

Bonus: The first four caches you earn each week give you 100 Coffer Key Shards. Combine these to make a Restored Coffer Key, which is crucial for accessing Bountiful Delves, adding extra excitement to the weekly rewards.

Reputation Gear in The War Within

In The War Within, reputation is also a way to gear up your character. There are four main factions in this expansion: Council of Dornogal, Assembly of the Deeps, Arathi of the Hallowfall, and Severed Threads. As you earn reputation with them by completing various open world content, you unlock some of the gear early in the expansion.

Council of Dornogal Assembly of the Deeps Arathi of the Hallowfall Severed Threads
Cloak (Item Level 467) - Level 2 Necklace (Item Level 509) - Level 2 Gloves (Item Level 528) - Level 2 Ring (Item Level 541) - Level 2
Shoulders (Item Level 584) - Level 7 Helm (Item Level 584) - Level 8 Chest (Item Level 584) - Level 7 Gem (Item Level 571) - Level 6
Boots (Item Level 597) - Level 16 Belt (Item Level 597) - Level 19 Bracers (Item Level 597) - Level 18 Gem (Item Level 584 / 597) - Level 11 / 19

Each faction gives gear for different slots, so focusing on the right one can help you gear up fast.

The War Within Season 1 Dungeon Tuning and Gear Rewards

Starting with Season 1 of The War Within, Heroic and Mythic+ difficulty will feature the seasonal dungeon roster. With eight dungeons in total, four are set in brand-new locations featuring new dungeons, while the remaining four bring back beloved dungeons from previous expansions like Shadowlands, Cataclysm, and Battle for Azeroth.

New The War Within M+ Previous Expansion M+
Ara-Kara, City of Echoes Mists of Tirna Scithe (Shadowlands)
City of Threads The Necrotic Wake (Shadowlands)
The Stonevault Siege of Boralus (Battle for Azeroth)
The Dawnbreaker in Hallowfall Grim Batol (Cataclysm)

The War Within carries forward the tried-and-true affix system from Dragonflight but with some notable tweaks:

  • Streamlined Key Levels: The number of key levels has been reduced from 20 to 10, making progression more straightforward and accessible.
  • Strategic Affix Introduction: New affixes are introduced at key levels 2, 4, 7, and 10, adding layers of strategic depth to each dungeon run.
  • Fixed Difficulty Beyond Level 10: Once you reach the tenth level, the difficulty remains constant, allowing players to master their runs without the added stress of increasing challenges.

By getting to know the new systems and getting ready, you can gear up quickly and enjoy all the exciting rewards the expansion has to offer.

Dungeon Difficulty and Rewards in The War Within

Normal dungeons are a good starting point. They’re easy to complete and become available at level 70. Bosses drop Explorer Gear with 554 item level. It’s not the top gear, but it helps you get ready for Heroic dungeons.

Heroic dungeons are more challenging and offer better rewards. You can start these at level 80. Bosses drop Adventurer Gear with 567 item level. You can get this gear once a day for each dungeon. Heroic dungeons become available with the expansion launch on August 26. It’s a great time to get a Heroic Dungeons Bundle with help from pro players.

Mythic dungeons are the toughest and offer the best upgrades. They have harder abilities and require good tactics. From Mythic 0 dungeons, you’ll earn Veteran Gear with 593 item level. Mythic 0 dungeons become available on September 17th.

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Earn Mythic Plus Gear in The War Within Season 1

Traditionally mythic plus dungeons remain one of the best sources to get high item level gear in World of Warcraft Dragonflight. The higher level of the mythic+ keystone you've got, the higher item level of the gear piece you will get in the end of the mythic plus dungeon run, plus the Great Vault drops items with even higher ilvl.

So, In The War Within, the Mythic+ difficulty has been updated. With +10 Keystones, you can earn top rewards and affect your Great Vault rewards. Check out the table below for details on all Dungeon Rewards in The War Within:

Keystone Level Season 1 Great Vault
+2 Champion 1 (597 ilvl) Champion 4 (606 ilvl)
+3 Champion 1 (597 ilvl) Hero 1 (610 ilvl)
+4 Champion 2 (600 ilvl) Hero 1 (610 ilvl)
+5 Champion 3 (603 ilvl) Hero 2 (613 ilvl)
+6 Champion 4 (606 ilvl) Hero 2 (613 ilvl)
+7 Hero 1 (610 ilvl) Hero 3 (616 ilvl)
+8 Hero 1 (610 ilvl) Hero 4 (619 ilvl)
+9 Hero 2 (613 ilvl) Hero 4 (619 ilvl)
+10 Hero 2 (613 ilvl) Myth 1 (623 ilvl)

After level 10, the difficulty of the Mythic+ dungeons doesn’t get harder. Here’s a list of the affixes you’ll encounter:

  • +2: Xal’atath’s Bargain: Ascendant, Xal'atath's Bargain: Voidbound, Xal'atath's Bargain: Oblivion
  • +4: Fortified, Tyrannical
  • +7: Challenger’s Peril + Passive affixes
  • +10: Tyrannical and Fortified active
  • +12: Xal’atath’s Guile
  • Some tips and tricks for optimal gearing in Mythic+

    There will be few dos and don'ts here. Do not waste your Valorstones and Harbinger Crests on the items from low keys. If possible, try to reach out the best in slot gear pieces and collect new currency and crests as much as you can. They will be in your favor this season if you have plenty of them.

    It’s important to know that Blizzard adds new Crests and updates the Flightstone system to make gear upgrades more easier. These new features make it simpler to boost your gear and tackle tougher challenges.

    The new Crest system offers a fresh take on the familiar upgrade mechanics. These crests are integral for boosting your gear's item level, each with its unique name and usage. Here's a breakdown of the new crests:

    Also replacing the traditional Flightstone system, Valorstones are the new currency for upgrading your gear. Earn it by completing quests, raids, dungeons, battlegrounds, arena matches, and other activities at max level. Use it to upgrade max-level gear, keeping your equipment competitive as you progress.

    In order to get a great mythic plus team for any key level, just press here and hire our players to do the required amount of Mythic Plus Dungeon Boost Runs for you. As usual, you can still select most convenient time of your run, add loot traders and select specific dungeons on a product page.

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    And as the icing on the cake, we offer a special Mythic+ Dungeons Combo Pack for those of you who want to gear up fast in mythic+ gear. This pack includes four or eight Mythic plus 2-10 runs with or without time and with or without loot traders of the same armor type for discounted and more pleasant price, making gearing in WoW dungeons more affordable than ever.

    The Best Raiding Gear from Nerub'ar Palace Raid

    With the launch of The War Within, the Nerub'ar Palace Raid is now the go-to place for getting top-tier raiding gear. This new raid brings tough battles and sweet rewards, giving you the powerful gear you need to progress in the expansion.

    Each boss requires a specific strategy, so make sure you're well-prepared. As for The Great Vault, defeating bosses in Nerub'ar Palace at any difficulty level helps you complete your weekly objectives. The more you complete, the better your chances of getting good item level loot gear from Nerub'ar Palace when you choose your weekly bonus in the Great Vault.

    Here’s a quick look at the item levels you can obtain from the different difficulty levels in the Nerub'ar Palace Raid:

    Raid Difficulty Type Bosses: Ulgrax, The Bloodbound Horror Bosses: Sikran, Rasha'nan Bosses: Broodtwister Ovi'nax, Nexus-Princess Ky'veza Bosses: The Silken Court, Queen Ansurek
    Raid Finder Difficulty (LFR) Regular 584 587 590 593
    Very Rare drops 600 600 600
    Normal Regular 597 600 603 606
    Very Rare drops 613 613 613
    Heroic Regular 610 613 616 619
    Very Rare drops 626 626 626
    Mythic Regular 623 626 629 632
    Very Rare drops 639 639 639

    In The War Within Season 1, you can upgrade your raiding gear from Nerub'ar Palace using items like Valorstones and Crests, which drop from bosses in the raid. This keeps your gear strong as you progress through the expansion.

    The War Within uses a Group Loot system, meaning loot is shared among the raid based on the number of players. Everyone gets a fair shot at the gear, so teamwork and cooperation are key for a good raiding experience. You can find more details in the Nerub'ar Palace Raid guide.

    Raid BoEs: A Smart Gear Choice

    Raid Bind-on-Equip (BoE) gear is a great way to get high-level items. These rare drops can be bought from the Auction House and give you a quick gear upgrade if you have enough gold.

    • Item Levels: BoE gear ranges from item level 480 to 522.
    • Cost: Prices are around 100K gold per piece on the Auction House. It's pricey but works well for fast gearing.

    New Delves Gear in The War Within

    In The War Within Season 1, if you want to gear up fast, check out the new endgame content - Delves. The introduction of Delves has redefined how players engage with PvE content, providing both a challenge and a reliable source for high-quality gear. Each season brings new rewards and challenges. Initially, you'll have access to three tiers, but as you progress, tougher levels unlock, ramping up the excitement.

    You begin your Delve adventure at Tier 1, easing you into its mechanics without too much complexity. To unlock more advanced tiers (up to Tier 11), level up to 80, finish the campaign, and gear up with at least 548 item level in all slots to achieve the "War Within Delves: Endgame". If you're in a group, everyone can only play up to the lowest tier any member has unlocked.

    • Tier 1: You'll need gear at item level 561.
    • Tier 2-3: For those getting the hang of things, item levels between 564 and 571 are needed.
    • Tier 4-7: Aimed at the experienced, you'll need item levels from 577 to 597.
    • Tier 8-11: For the top players, gear up with 603+ item level. Rewards don’t improve after Tier 8, but these levels are all about mastering the toughest challenges and scoring the best achievements.

    Here are the locations where you can find Delves:

    Zone Delve Locations
    Isle of Dorn Earthcrawl Mines, Kriegval’s Rest, Fungal Folly, Mycomancer Cavern
    Hallowfall Skittering Breach, Nightfall Sanctum, The Sinkhole
    The Ringing Deeps The Waterworks, The Dread Pit, Underkeep
    Azj-Kahet The Spiral Weave, Rak-Rethan Abyss, Mystery 13th Delve

    How to get Delves Rewards

    In The War Within, engaging in Delves offers a viable path to quickly gear up through progressively challenging tiers, with the highest quality rewards capped at Tier 8. Players can earn unique items like the customizable Delver's Dirigible mount and the Ivory Goliathus from meta-achievements. Each Delve concludes with a Treasure Room, offering class-specific gear, Undercoins, Resonant Crystals, companion upgrades, and more, with the quality scaling up to the equivalent of Heroic Raid or Mythic +5 keys.

    Additionally, completing Delves contributes to unlocking World Slots in the Great Vault, replacing the PvP row. This ensures that participants can receive gear that scales with the highest challenges they've tackled, up to the level of Heroic raid gear or Mythic 15+ dungeon gear, based on the number of Delves or World Activities completed each week. A weekly Delves Bonus Event further enhances the rewards, making each venture more rewarding. You can find the complete guide to Delves here.

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    Crafted Gear - Craft and Upgrade your Gear in The War Within Season 1

    Crafting is great because you can usually find a lot of crafted items in the auction house super cheap right when you hit max level.

    However, in WoW: The War Within by using the Crafting Order system or doing it yourself you can get very cool crafted gear from 584 item level to up to 629 item level by adding special crafting reagents: Spark and new Gilded Harbinger Crest, which replaced Enchanted Awakened Crests from Dragonflight Season 4. Here is a table of Crafted Gear Item Levels that will be useful:

    Crafted Gear Item Level Item Level (Max)
    Spark 584 597
    Harbinger 606 619
    Gilded 616 629

    Item level of a final crafted item is determined not only by additional optional reagent, but also by the quality of crafted item itself. There are a total of 5 quality ranks right now, with each rank increasing the item level of crafted item by 3-4 ilvl per each item upgrade level. Additionally to Crests and/or Spark, you can add Embelishments to your crafted items - special effects which enhance your performance.

    In The War Within, there are several new Embellishments and Enhancements for crafted gear. Let's take a look at them. Remember, you can equip only two embellished items at a time, as they provide significant power boosts to your character. However, you can use any number of non-embellished crafted items alongside them.

    Engineering Inscription Jewelcrafting Leatherworking Tailoring
    Concealed Chaos Module Darkmoon Deck: Vivacity Captured Starlight Blessed Weapon Grip Dawnthread Lining
    Energy Redistribution Beacon Darkmoon Deck: Radiance Elemental Focusing Lens Writhing Armor Banding Duskthread Lining
    Pouch of Pocket Grenades Darkmoon Deck: Symbiosis Prismatic Null Stone
    Darkmoon Deck: Ascension

    How to upgrade your crafted gear item levels with Сrests

    The crest system in The War Within has been updated, requiring higher-level keystones for the highest tier crests. This change makes obtaining the best crests more challenging and rewarding.

    Crest Changes:

    Previously, you could farm Gilded Crests by doing +6 keystones. In The War Within, getting Gilded (Aspect) Harbinger Crests now requires +9 keystones or . This change makes them harder to get but more rewarding.

    In order to create these enchanted crests, you will need either to have Enchanting profession and obtain respective recipes which drop as a reward from Valdrakken weekly quest chest, or either to place enchanting Work Order via Work Orders system providing your own Crests to craft them.

    And there are 4 different levels of Crests: Weathered (Whelpling) Harbinger Crest, Carved (Drake) Harbinger Crest, Runed (Wyrm) Harbinger Crest and Gilded (Aspect) Harbinger Crest. All these enchanted crests along with Spark of Omens are soulbound, so you can't trade, sell or send them to your alts. And that also means that during the crafting process or recrafting an item with another crest applied, you will have to provide your own sparks of dreams and enchanted crests if you want to increase an item level of the crafted piece of gear you want to order, even when using Personal Crafting Orders.

    Get your Spark of Omens on a regular basis

    In Dragonflight, professions got a big upgrade. Instead of crafting an item just once, you can now keep improving it by crafting and recrafting. This means you can make your weapons, armor, trinkets, and gear much stronger over time. Sparks were a key part of this, they let you set the minimum item level for your gear.

    In The War Within, the system continues with new reagents: Fractured Spark of Omens and Spark of Omens. These will replace the old Sparks and help you boost your crafted gear to even higher item levels.

    Professions haven’t changed much from Dragonflight to The War Within, but using the new Sparks will make it easier to plan and upgrade your gear.

    Crafted Epic Gear is great for anyone who is trying to craft the best gear possible that's why we think it is absolutely mandatory to have. And if you have troubles in getting required amount of Spark of Omens to craft the most powerful crafted gear, simply use our Awakened Crest Farm Boost service and our pro players will handle all the routine.

    Farm Season 1 PvP Gear for Conquest and Honor

    Blizzard is making big changes to PvP in The War Within to make gearing up easier and more flexible. You can now trade Honor points between characters in your Warband. This means you can earn Honor on your main character and use it to gear up your alts. It makes it simpler to get all your characters ready for battle.

    Here's the latest info on item levels for PvP gear:

    Gear Type PvP Item Level PvE Item Level
    Crafted Gear 606 545
    Honor Gear 619 558
    War Mode Gear (Bloody Token) 629 593
    Conquest Gear 632 619

    The crafted PvP gear system is being updated. Here’s what’s new:

    • Honor and Conquest Reagents: You’ll now use reagents bought with Honor and Conquest points to craft PvP gear. This makes it easier to get high-level gear if you have the right currency.
    • Auction House Trading: Recipes for crafted PvP gear can be bought for Honor and sold on the Auction House. They are not Bind on Pickup (BoP), so you can trade them or sell them to other players.
    • One-Time Recipe Purchases: Once you buy a recipe, you don’t need to buy it again each season. But you will need to recraft the gear to keep its item level high.
    • You can now add sockets to your PvP gear using items like the Vicious Jeweler's Setting and Vicious Bloodstone. These can be bought for Honor or earned through PvP matches and War Mode activities. This lets you enhance your PvP gear without needing to do PvE content, so you can focus on PvP progression.

    In Dornogal, you’ll find the main PvP vendors:

    You can get Honor Gear by spending Honor points from PvP activities. The item level for Honor Gear is 619 for PvP and 558 for PvE, making it a good choice for both PvP and PvE content.

    The PvP gearing system has changed. The Great Vault no longer gives weekly PvP rewards. Instead, you can get new PvP recipes from Hotharn to upgrade your gear. Here’s what you can buy from Velerd, the Honor vendor:

    Item Type Honor Cost
    Glorious Contender’s Strongbox Contains profession reagents, recipe scrolls, PvP consumables, and more! 5000
    Algari Distinguishment Contains 5 Marks of Honor 2000

    Get the best Elite PvP Gear by earning 2400+ rating

    The Elite PvP gear set in The War Within is all about making a statement, not just boosting your stats. Each piece features cool lightning and flame effects, so you’ll look awesome in battle. Here’s how to unlock each part of the Elite set based on your rating:

    To unlock the Elite: The War Within Season 1 Transmog set or other sets, you'll need to achieve the required rating for each character you want to unlock it on, as PvP rating is tied to each individual character. But fear not, with our Elite PvP Gear Boost service you will get the best gladiator gear and prepare your character for any PvP endgame activities.

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    Congratulations! You've finished our ultimate wow gearing guide and now you know all 7 best ways how to gear up your WoW character fast in The War Within Season 1. If you still have questions or look for advice on which method is best for your character, please don't hesitate to join our Discord channel or contact us directly by pressing the chat button in the lower right corner and our managers will gladly help you. MmonsteR Team wishes you all the best luck to get your BiS items, take care!

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