Questions regarding itemization in 1.13

[Backeron-anvilmar]

@Kaivax

Along the way, we’ve taken a close look at items that provide the biggest power gains, many of which were introduced in 1.10 as part of a sweeping dungeon itemization pass. That patch was when Tier 0.5 gear was introduced, and Relics were added to the drop tables of many bosses. It also adjusted drop rates and drop locations of a lot of gear (to make room for the Relics). We’ve gone back and reconstructed many of the most heavily affected drop tables as they existed prior to the 1.10 patch, and we’re planning to update the drop tables alongside the Ahn’Qiraj War Effort. Prior to the Ahn’Qiraj unlock, most of the drop rates and locations will look as they did in the patches prior to 1.10, with exceptions—there are lots of little changes made in earlier patches that don’t have a big effect on player power, and in those cases, we’re planning to use the 1.12 drop rates and locations.

Months ago this was posted and only recently have me and friends started to give it serious thought in regards to setting up BiS Lists and the like for Classic. Members of the Theorycrafting community have made assumptions in regards to these itemization choices, such as Choker of the Fire Lord and Ring of Spell Power not being available (or existing in their pre-buff states) in Phase 1, while still assuming items like Ban’Thok Sash and Savage Gladiator Chain will exist in their buffed state. A Blue Post about what items will exist in their buffed states, when they will be added, and what exactly is meant by the last several sentences of the original post, would be greatly appreciated and make things like constructing BiS Lists much more concrete and less speculative.

A post about this would help clarify what items need to be prioritized and help people tailor their expectations in regards to drops.