Changes upcoming in 8.1.5

[Lightfall]

I don't see any chatter on this subforum yet but it seems like it will be one of the most effected by the ilvl scaling changes in 8.1.5.

Short synopsis (you can see other more detailed threads in low bracket forums) is that quest/dungeon/heirlooms are getting scaled up, and they are adding back stratification in ilvl between uncommon/rare/epic items.

85+ toons will now be able to get a full set of 121 ilvl gear from cata heroics. 89s can get 128ilvl epic weapons from MOP dungeons (granted these seem like a hellish grind). Heirlooms are 119 ilvl at 89 so levelers will be boosted up in power as well.

I am not knowledgeable on this bracket so love to get other people's thoughts on the changes.

 

[Warglave]

121 ilvl gear from cata heroics

Most are only 119, and ZG/ZA epics are only 120. Not nitpicking, just FYI. Only the 3 end time heroics give 121.

89 gets better gear from the normal versions than the heroics, it's all 121. And so far, the pandaria world rare epics are 128 for 89 as well which is waaaaay nicer than those silly dungeon ones (if they even drop). That seems unique to 80-89.

The "chatter" should be that it's almost negligible. The gear is almost the same, a few points here and there. Good change for 85, but not exceptional. I think for most slots that dragon soul raid gear will still be viable or even BiS. The 128 epics for 89 are lacking gem slots and therefore situational at best, I think. Not too knowledgeable myself either, sadly.

That said, I really don't know the specifics between item enhancement tiers... if there's some items that will be grandfathered or need other means after the ilevel change (like belt buckles?) it'd be great to hear about them.
(Brackets like 99 and 109 will have items that can no longer be enchanted next patch, but that's up at 136 not this ilvl)

edit- also, those MoP world rare epics should be like 124 for 85? Maybe? If that scaling is right? So good for them too. The named mobs in jade forest and krasarang, I mean. Some of them are BoE too, like the crossbow and the krasarang pants.

Aside from the crossbow, BoP socket stuff is still gonna be better, I think... there's just no "oomph" to ilvl in this bracket. (glitching incendiary on the 128 xbow would be pretty OP tho, i'd think. Still hits like a truck on the PTR....)

 

[Lightfall]

So with the new info today about quest rewards/rare drops being able to increase in quality (and can be assumed, ilvl), 89 is far more able to get 128 ilvl weapons. Could also be some trinket possibilities. Most everything else probably won't impact much given the lack of sockets on quest rewards.