Is Pre-Raid Equipment Essential for Phase 3 Season of Discovery?

Season of Discovery is here, and many players are wondering if they need to gear up with Best-in-Slot items before tackling the new raids. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the gear requirements for Phase 3 raiding and offer some helpful tips for maximizing your effectiveness in the new content. So, is Gnomeregan gear good enough? Let's find out!

Is Gnomeregan Gear Good Enough for Phase 3 Raiding?

If the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is any indication, having a full set of Phase 2 Best-in-Slot gear may not be necessary for early Phase 3 raiding. While the new items certainly offer upgrades, the power level when fully geared may not be as significant as the difference between a Molten Core raider and an Ahn'Qiraj raider.

For example, a Mage upgrading their Electromagnetic Hyperflux Reactivator into Visage of the Exiled will gain 5 Intellect, 3 Spirit, 5 Spell Power, and 1% Hit. While this is a noticeable difference, it may not make or break your raiding experience. Additionally, the newly itemized Dungeon items are mostly on par with Gnomeregan gear for most slots. When supplemented with quest items obtained while leveling or dungeon items for those who prefer that route, you're unlikely to need grind any additional gear before jumping into Phase 3 raiding.

Should I Focus on PvP Gear Before Level 50?

While it's tempting to prioritize upgrading your PvP gear with the new Blood Moon pieces before delving into the revamped Sunken Temple, it's important to consider if it's truly necessary. Examining the datamined items reveals that many of them offer only marginal upgrades over their Phase 2 counterparts.

For example, the difference between the Band of Boiling Blood from Phase 3 and the Emberblood Seal from Phase 2 is just 1 Fire Spell Damage at the cost of 2 Intellect. On the other hand, the disparity between weapons can be more significant. Upgrading from Sanguine Crusher to Parasomnia results in a DPS gain of over 10. Even when compared to Thermaplugg's Rocket Cleaver, the DPS increase is not insignificant.

It's worth noting that there are new PvP sets available, but as promised, these are primarily itemized for PvP rather than PvE. Swapping your Electromantic Chainshirt for Stone Guard's Pulsing Breastplate trades 4 Spell Power and 1 Intellect for 1% Spell Crit. While this may be a slight improvement, it's important to consider if it's worth sacrificing your set bonuses. Additionally, ranking up may be required to obtain these PvP sets, which can be a daunting task for some players.

Quest Rewards To Look Out for on the Way to 50

As you progress towards level 50, there are numerous strong quest rewards available that can help boost your power before entering your first raid. While some items like Thrash Blade may require running a level 50 dungeon, there are still plenty of options outside of dungeons.

For example, the Vest of the Den Watcher is a great choice for characters looking to fill a slot and can be easily obtained through open-world questing. Additionally, items like Rune of the Guard Captain were considered some of the best options even at level 60 and will likely be powerhouses for fresh level 50s. Finally, don't overlook niche trinkets like Luffa and Linken's Boomerang, which may find new life in Phase 3 raids.

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