How to Get Heirloom Gear in WoW: A Comprehensive Guide
World of Warcraft (WoW) has always been a game that rewards preparation and foresight. One of the best ways to ensure your characters are well-equipped, especially during the leveling process, is by using Heirloom Gear. These items are unique because they can be scaled to match your character’s level, providing consistent stats and bonuses throughout their journey. However, obtaining Heirloom Gear can be a bit confusing for new players. In this guide, we’ll break down how to get Heirloom Gear in WoW, its benefits, and some tips for making the most of it.
What is Heirloom Gear?
Before diving into how to get Heirloom Gear, it’s important to understand what it is. Heirloom Gear is a special type of equipment that can be used by multiple characters on the same account. These items automatically adjust their stats based on the character’s level, making them extremely useful for leveling. Additionally, many Heirloom items provide bonus experience when equipped, which can significantly speed up the leveling process.
How to Get Heirloom Gear in WoW
Acquiring Heirloom Gear is straightforward once you know where to look. Here are the primary methods to obtain Heirloom items:
1. Purchase from Vendors
Location: Heirloom Gear can be purchased from specific vendors in major cities. The most well-known vendors are:
Guild Vendor: If your guild has a guild hall (as of the Shadowlands expansion), you can purchase Heirloom Gear using guild gold.
Legacy Vendor: Some legacy vendors in cities like Stormwind and Orgrimmar sell Heirloom items.
Cost: These items are typically purchased with gold or other in-game currencies like Timewarped Badges. Prices vary depending on the item and its quality.
2. Crafting Heirloom Gear
Certain professions, such as Blacksmithing, Leatherworking, and Tailoring, can craft Heirloom items. These recipes are often unlocked at higher skill levels or through specific expansions.
For example, the Trilby (a cloth hat) can be crafted by Tailors and is a popular Heirloom item for casters.
3. Rewards from Quests and Events
Some Heirloom items are rewards from quests, dungeons, or seasonal events. For instance, during the Hallow’s End event, you can earn items like the Sinister Squashling.
Keep an eye on event rewards, as they often include Heirloom Gear that can’t be obtained through other means.
4. Drops from Dungeons and Raids
Historically, some Heirloom items drop from dungeons and raids. While this is less common in recent expansions, older content may still yield these items.
For example, the Tattered Cloth set was once a popular Heirloom gear set that dropped from low-level dungeons.
5. Auction House
If you’re short on time, you can purchase Heirloom Gear from the Auction House. Be prepared to spend more gold, as these items are in high demand.
How to Upgrade Heirloom Gear
One of the best features of Heirloom Gear is the ability to upgrade it. This allows you to continue using the same item on higher-level characters without losing its effectiveness. Here’s how you can upgrade your Heirloom items:
Upgrade Levels: Most Heirloom Gear can be upgraded using Upgrade Tokens, which can be purchased with gold or earned through various activities like dungeons and raids.
Cost: Each upgrade increases the item’s level cap, ensuring it remains relevant as your character progresses.
Tips for Making the Most of Heirloom Gear
Focus on High-Impact Items: Prioritize items like cloaks, rings, and trinkets, as these often provide the most significant stat boosts and experience bonuses.
Use on Alts: Heirloom Gear is perfect for alt characters (alternative characters), as it allows them to level faster and stay competitive.
Combine with Experience Boosts: Pairing Heirloom Gear with experience-boosting consumables or Recruit-a-Friend bonuses can make leveling even faster.
Case Study: Speed Leveling with Heirloom Gear
Imagine a new player creating a fresh character. Without Heirloom Gear, leveling from 1 to 60 can take dozens of hours. By equipping a full set of Heirloom Gear, the same player could cut their leveling time