Idiots guide to gearing your BfA locked 50

Updated 1/7/20

This is just a guide for people that decided NOT to purchase shadowlands mostly for beginners or people that have twinked in other brackets and want to give the 50 bracket a go. I'll try to cover the basics for gearing for random battlegrounds/arenas which DO pop every 5 min. at most.

Things you'll need:

1.) A level 50 with active subscription (no shadowland expansion)

Scour the auction house constantly there are strange anomaly's from crafted armor/weapons credits to @zazzyfraz for the find. https://xpoff.com/threads/3-abnormally-strong-lvl-50-crafted-weapons.95350/

2.) Buy shadowland ilvl 93-100 greens off the auction house (or purps or blues, if gold is not an issue whichever has the highest ilvl keep in mind you will be replacing some of these) (look for socketed/speed/leech) Leech is severely nerfed in battlegrounds, opt for movement speed if possible.

3.) Enchant them with these :

Cloak: https://www.wowhead.com/item=172410/enchant-cloak-fortified-speed (eventually you will replace any purchased bind on equip. cloak this with https://www.wowhead.com/item=169223/ashjrakamas-shroud-of-resolve)

Chest: https://www.wowhead.com/item=177659/enchant-chest-eternal-skirmish (thanks! @Havagudwun) Int users also have some other interesting enchants to explore like https://www.wowhead.com/item=183738/enchant-chest-eternal-insight

Rings: https://www.wowhead.com/item=168448/enchant-ring-accord-of-mastery (or any "Accord of..." whichever stat you plan on stacking. The shadowlands enchants for rings give reduced effect)

Bracers: (for int. users) https://www.wowhead.com/item=172414/enchant-bracers-illuminated-soul

Gloves: (for str. users) https://www.wowhead.com/item=172407/enchant-gloves-strength-of-soul

Boots: (for agi. users) https://www.wowhead.com/item=172413/enchant-boots-agile-soulwalker

Belt: (engineering only) https://www.wowhead.com/item=159829/belt-enchant-miniaturized-plasma-shield is a nice choice or https://www.wowhead.com/spell=55016/nitro-boosts if you prefer mobility.

Weapons: Not sure which is really "best" still but I've been using the https://www.wowhead.com/item=172366/enchant-weapon-celestial-guidance. here's a short list of SL weapon enchants to consider:
https://www.wowhead.com/item=172368/enchant-weapon-sinful-revelation, https://www.wowhead.com/item=172370/enchant-weapon-lightless-force, https://www.wowhead.com/item=172367/enchant-weapon-eternal-grace, https://www.wowhead.com/item=172365/enchant-weapon-ascended-vigor

-There are also https://www.wowhead.com/spell=307717/porous-sharpening-stone for each weapon type, to add a little bite.

-There are some other enchants for quality of life like https://www.wowhead.com/item=177661/enchant-boots-speed-of-soul for boots and https://www.wowhead.com/item=172416/enchant-bracers-shaded-hearthing for bracers.

5.) GEMS: (not the SL ones) If you can afford it, get a +7 and a +6 main stat gem and any other stat you want to stack with a gem from BfA, they're pretty cheap right now, on my realm at least.

- https://www.wowhead.com/item=30546/sovereign-tanzanite drops in heroic shattered halls its a +5 str +6 stamina and does indeed fit any socket. this will probably get nerfed eventually, but it might be nice for a tank build! enjoy it while you can!

6.) TRINKET: https://www.wowhead.com/npc=175051/alice-fischer in stormwind or https://www.wowhead.com/npc=175050/aneka-melae in orgrimmar sells https://www.wowhead.com/item=184058/corrupted-aspirants-medallion?bonus=4802 and other CC reduction trinkets, these are very useful in BGs! And can be socketed with https://www.wowhead.com/item=174876/gouged-eye-of-nzoth

-Check out Mythic Warlords of Draenor raids, there are some trinkets that drop that are comparable to mythic 15 dungeons from BfA. This is a good place to get a trinket for fresh 50's or if you are trying to stack a secondary stat for a glass cannon spec. These trinkets can also proc a socket. Ill link wow heads list, but be aware some of the numbers aren't accurate, check your in game guide book for a more accurate depiction of the trinkets effects.
https://www.wowhead.com/items/group-by:slot?filter=220;7307;0#trinket
https://www.wowhead.com/items/group-by:slot?filter=212;6996;0#trinket

EXTRA: https://www.wowhead.com/item=174906/lightning-forged-augment-rune costs 50k and requires exalted with Ranjani, it is re-useable +6 main stat and stacks with flask/food/blood orange.

-If you are queuing battlegrounds back-to-back (I know right, who does that?) There is a food buff in Tanaan Jungle called https://www.wowhead.com/object=241642/tanaan-blood-orange that will give you a 5% increase on all stats and will remain active in instanced BGs for 10 min or until your hps reaches zero.



This alone will put you in a good spot for gearing and battlegrounds, but its important to at least get your HoA and BfA cloak, as the rewards for wins will count towards better gear down the road..



7.) Get your glorious https://www.wowhead.com/item=158075/heart-of-azeroth?bonus=4932:4933:4935 its a lot of RP so... buckle up. here's wow head's guide: https://www.wowhead.com/guides/heart-of-azeroth-overview

Although the guide says that there is no cap, I think there actually is, @zazzyfraz had mentioned something about it being capped but I cant remember what level. I'm at ilvl 149 and still going for perspective. This will continue to grow in ilvl as you gear/bg/raid in bfa areas however the effects will not work in battlegrounds this goes for any azerite gear you acquire as well. ):


-Emissary quests in BfA will reward you with an easy 99 ilvl piece if they are up. Warfronts reward ilvl 60 and Heroic Warfronts will reward a 115 ilvl piece all of which can proc a socket. (thanks @Shalom!)


8.) Get your glorious https://www.wowhead.com/item=169223/ashjrakamas-shroud-of-resolve?bonus=6272, its more RP so I hope you made brownies. here's wow heads guide: https://www.wowhead.com/guides/obtain-legendary-cloak-overview-upgrading-stats-procs. It has a nice proc. at max level for +180 main stat for 15 sec.

While it is a pain is the ass its important to get to this step a.s.a.p. As you will need it to start on your BfA professions. Id use https://www.wow-professions.com/profession-leveling-guides for the cheapest way to level up. You will need to farm void focus shards here's another guide: https://www.wow-professions.com/guides/void-focus-how-to-unlock



BfA Profession Gear:


If you need Expulsom, as of now, you can buy trinkets from the BfA PvP vendor in SW for 700 honor, (personally I didn't realize I was capped at 15,000 and probably lost out on a bunch.) Scrap these trinkets back in boralus for guaranteed Expulsom.

Blacksmithing: Socketed 125 ilvl Legs and belt (https://www.wowhead.com/item=170391/eldritch-osmenite-girdle?bonus=5804:6883, https://www.wowhead.com/item=170388/eldritch-osmenite-legguards?bonus=5804:6883)

Leatherworking: Socketed ( leather or mail ) 125 ilvl Boots and legs (https://www.wowhead.com/item=170434/eldritch-dredged-leather-boots?bonus=6883, https://ptr.wowhead.com/item=170437/eldritch-dredged-leather-leggings?bonus=6883)

Tailoring: Socketed 125 ilvl hands and legs (https://www.wowhead.com/item=170458/eldritch-seaweave-gloves?bonus=6883, https://ptr.wowhead.com/item=170461/eldritch-seaweave-breeches?bonus=6883)

Engineering: ilvl 135 Azerite head (https://www.wowhead.com/spell=305943/paramount-synthetic-specs)

Alchemy: Socketed 125 ilvl Trinket (this one: https://ptr.wowhead.com/spell=305992/peerless-alchemist-stone)

Jewel crafting: Socketed 125 ilvl Ring (https://ptr.wowhead.com/item=171075/peerless-leviathans-eye-loop?bonus=6883)



Beyond that there are daily/weekly things you can do now to maximize your item level/grind azerite here's a list:


BGs/Arenas:
Rewards https://www.wowhead.com/currency=1803/echoes-of-nyalotha which can be used to buy https://www.wowhead.com/item=173363/vessel-of-horrific-visions. As well as a small amount of azerite power for your necklace. Also if you're on your profession grind this can be a good source for https://www.wowhead.com/item=171176/shred-of-insanity.

Lesser visions of N'Zoth:
You'll want to start with these if your BfA cape still needs work or if you just don't have a lot of the BfA currency. Check your map for a spooky eyeball, they happen every day on reset and reward corrupted mementos which you will need to upgrade your titanic research archive (basically makes doing the later visions easier)

Horrific visions of N'Zoth:
Here's a useful guide: https://www.wowhead.com/guides/horrific-visions-strategy-faceless-mask-consumables-tips. Every week you will have a chance to get a piece of 125 ilvl gear as a reward chest, at the end of the vision, for every 5 mask run. (Rewards seem to proc Bracer, Legs, Belt, Hands, no weapon/offhand, for me at least azerite pieces do drop but seem to be more rare) If you do another 5 mask vision the same week the ilvl will deteriorate (ilvl125->ilvl 120->ilvl 80).

Along with the gear reward you will get a nice handful of corrupted mementos that you can use to buy https://www.wowhead.com/item=174876/gouged-eye-of-nzoth for putting sockets in your gear. I've found the most efficient way for me to farm mementos is 4 masks that will get you about 5000 per run every 20-25 min. Also, if you're thinking end game, you may want to stockpile these for M Ny'alota raid gear. Hot Take: the horrific visions will be headed the same direction as the mage tower from legion, might be in your best interest to take advantage while there's time.

Mythic/Herioc Ny'alotha Raid:
Moslty all the gear dropped here will be BiS. Once people start doing mog runs, for now, all I can do is look at it in the guide book and wish I had it. Certain bosses reward corrupted mementos as well I believe.

Mythic EP Raid:
Again, may have to wait till people start doing mog runs but you'll have a chance every week at getting this nifty trinket https://www.wowhead.com/item=169311/ashvanes-razor-coral?bonus=4798:1478 off the 4th boss in.

That's all I can think of right now, and I will add/edit as time goes on, who knows, this could be outdated tomorrow.

USEFUL ADDONS:
https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/battlegroundenemies/files/3141194
https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/h-h-t-d
https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/weakauras-2
https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/recount

Ill link a pvp community for 50s: (or search for "50 pvp" with pvp checked, its auto invite) https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/invite/eXBPpXGfOqv?region=US&faction=Alliance (updatded 12/16/20)

If you need any help with stuff or have any questions my btag is fungus#1796

Be sure to check out @zazzyfraz 's guide too, he is a treasure trove of 50's knowledge! https://xpoff.com/threads/short-guide-to-a-day-1-first-time-50.95106/

*As of now it is possible to transfer your level 50 from a Shadowlands account to a sub only account and retain covenant ability's/professions. Assuming you have the time and resources this is the way to go if you're looking to min/max.

 

I don't know much about DH tanks, sorry.

 

Yep sorry about that will change

 

Thanks, fixed.

 

Yeah sorry man the links expire pretty quick, you can search for the community "50 PVP" its auto accept on US alliance.