How to Prepare for Your First WoW Classic Raid

World of Warcraft Classic has taken players back to the roots of the beloved MMO-RPG they fell in love with over a decade ago. After grinding through the early and mid-stages of the game, players have finally reached the level 60 cap. Now the real fun begins: raids. These missions introduce a new level of difficulty that you haven’t experienced in WoW Classic. To find success in these heavily guarded raid dungeons, you’ll need a skilled team, a coordinated strategy, and the right gear.

Gear for Success

While you may have already found decent pre-raid gear and explored some of the best add-ons World of Warcraft has to offer, the best gear is hidden deep within the raid dungeons themselves. In this article, we’ll guide you through the gear you’ll need for success in WoW Classic raids.

Warrior Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Unlike in retail WoW, Warriors in WoW Classic have multiple ways to tank. You can opt for the traditional sword and shield method or dual-wield for increased rage generation. Arms, Fury, and Protection all work differently, so gearing up can be a mixed bag.

Protection Warrior Tank Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Lionheart Helm (crafted) / Golem Skull Helm (Blackrock Depths)
• Neck: Verek’s Collar (Blackrock Depths)
• Shoulders: Spaulders of Valor (Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Back: Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Ornate Adamantium Breastplate (Quest – W. Plaguelands)
• Wrists: Braces of Valor (Blackrock Spire – Any)
• Hands: Voone’s Vice Grips (Quest – L. Blackrock Spire)
• Waist: Stonewall Girdle (Blackrock Depths)
• Legs: Legplates of the Eternal Guardian (Blackrock Depths)
• Feet: Ribsteel Footguards (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Ring: Magni’s Will (Blackrock Depths) / Naglering (Blackrock Depths)
• Trinkets: Force of Will (Blackrock Depths) / Hand of Justice (Blackrock Depths)
• Main Hand: Ironfoe (Blackrock Depths) / Dal’Rend’s Sacred Charge (Human – Upper Blackrock Spire) / Axe of the Deep Woods (Orc – World Drop)
• Shield: Draconian Deflector (U. Blackrock Spire) / Husk of Nerub’enkan (Stratholme – Undead)
• Ranged: Gorewood Bow (Quest – E. Plaguelands)

Arms/Fury Warrior DPS Gear

• Head: Lionheart Helm (crafted) / Eye of Rend (Blackrock Spire) / Mask of the Unforgiven (Stratholme – Live)
• Neck: Mark of Fording (Quest – W. Plaguelands)
• Shoulders: Spaulders of Valor / Truestrike Shoulders (hit) (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Back: Cape of the Black Baron (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Savage Gladiator Chain (Blackrock Depths) / Cadaverous Armor (Scholomance if unlucky)
• Wrists: Battleborn Armbraces (Upper Blackrock Spire) / Blackmist Armguards (Upper Blackrock Spire) / Vambraces of the Sadist
• Hands: Devilsaur Gauntlets (crafted) / Gargoyle Slashers (Scholomance)
• Waist: Brigam Girdle (Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Bloodmail Boots (Scholomance)
• Rings: Blackstone Ring (Maraudon) / Tarnished Elven Ring (Dire Maul)
• Trinkets: Hand of Justice (Blackrock Depths) / Blackhand’s Breadth (Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Main Hand: Ironfoe (Blackrock Depths) / Dal’Rend’s Sacred Charge (Human – Upper Blackrock Spire) / Axe of the Deep Woods (Orc – World Drop)
• Off Hand: Mirah’s Song (Quest – Scholomance)
• Two-Hand: Dreadforge Retaliator (Blackrock Depths)
• Ranged: Blackcrow (Lower Blackrock Spire)

Hunter Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Hunters are simple when it comes to gearing. As fantastic damage dealers, they focus on offensive stats. One important stat to stack is increased Hit, so prioritize that in your gear choices.

Generic DPS Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Mask of the Unforgiven (Stratholme) / Crown of Tyranny (Stratholme)
• Neck: Mark of Fordring (Quest – W. Plaguelands)
• Shoulders: Truestrike Shoulders (U. Blackrock Spire) / Black Dragonscale Shoulders (crafted)
• Back: Cape of the Black Baron (Stratholme)
• Chest: Beaststalker’s Tunic (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Wrists: Beaststalker’s Bindings (Stratholme)
• Hands: Devilsaur Gauntlets (crafted)
• Waist: Beaststalker’s Belt (Blackrock Spire – any)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Beaststalker’s Boots (Stratholme – Undead)
• Rings: Blackstone Ring (Maraudon) / Painweaver Band (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Trinkets: Blackhand’s Breadth (Quest – U. Blackrock Spire) / Hand of Justice (alliance – Blackrock Depths) / Rune of the Guard Captain (horde – Quest – Hinterlands)
• Main Hand: Peacemaker (Stratholme)
• Ranged: Carapace Spine Crossbow (Stratholme)
• Quiver: Ribbly’s Quiver (Blackrock Depths)

Druid Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Druids are the most versatile and fluid class in WoW Classic. They can imitate the playstyles of other classes at will, making them great choices for players looking to get content done without too much waiting around.

Restoration Druid Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Tribal War Feathers (Blackrock Spire)
• Neck: Animated Chain Necklace (Stratholme – Undead)
• Shoulders: Living Shoulders (crafted)
• Back: Archivist Cape of Healing (Stratholme – Live)
• Chest: Robes of the Exalted (Stratholme – Undead)
• Wrists: Bleak Howler Armguards (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Hands: Hands of the Exalted Herald (Blackrock Depths)
• Waist: Sash of Mercy (bought)
• Legs: Senior Designer’s Pantaloons (Blackrock Depths)
• Boots: Boots of the Full Moon (Dire Maul) / Verdant Footpads (Stratholme – Undead)
• Rings: Rosewine Circlet (L. Blackrock Spire) / Mark of the Dragon Lord (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Trinkets: Royal Seal of Eldre’Thalas (Dire Maul) / Second Wind (Blackrock Depths)
• Main Hand: The Hammer of Grace (Blackrock Depths)
• Off Hand: Thaurissan’s Royal Scepter

Feral Druid Tank Gear

• Head: Mask of the Unforgiven (Stratholme – Live)
• Neck: Talisman of Evasion (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Shoulders: Atal’ai Spaulders of the Monkey (Temple of Atal’Hakkar)
• Back: Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Warbear Harness (crafted)
• Wrists: Wrists (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Hands: Devilsaur Gauntlets (crafted)
• Waist: Cloudrunner Girdle (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Ash Covered Boots (Stratholme – Live)
• Rings: Ring of Protection (Quest – E. Plaguelands) / Thrall’s Resolve (Quest – Blackrock Depths)
• Trinkets: Smoking Heart of the Mountain (Blackrock Depths) / Mark of Tyranny (Quest – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Main Hand: Hurley’s Tankard (Blackrock Depths)
• Off Hand: Tome of Knowledge (Stratholme – Live)

Feral Druid DPS Gear

• Head: Wolfshead Helm (crafted)
• Neck: Mark of Fordring (Quest – W. Plaguelands)
• Shoulders: Dark Warder’s Pauldrons (Blackrock Depths)
• Back: Cape of the Black Baron (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Mixologist’s Tunic (Blackrock Depths)
• Wrists: Wristguards of Renown (Blackrock Depths)
• Hands: Devilsaur Gauntlets (crafted)
• Waist: Cloudrunner Girdle (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Swiftwalker Boots (Blackrock Depths)
• Rings: Tarnished Elven Ring (Dire Maul) / Magni’s Will / Magma Forged Band (Blackrock Depths)
• Trinkets: Hand of Justice (Blackrock Depths) / Rune of the Guard Captain (Quest – Hinterlands)
• Main Hand: Bonescraper (Stratholme – Undead)
• Off Hand: Tome of Knowledge (Stratholme – Live)

Balance Druid Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Green Lens of Arcane Wrath (crafted)
• Neck: Star of Mystaria (Stratholme – Live)
• Shoulders: Burial Shawl (Scholomance)
• Back: Archivist Cape of Arcane Wrath (Stratholme – Live)
• Chest: Robes of the Royal Crown (Blackrock Depths)
• Wrists: Flameweave Cuffs (Blackrock Depths)
• Hands: Hands of Power (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Waist: Ban’thok Sash (Blackrock Depths)
• Legs: Skyshroud Leggings (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Feet: Omnicast Boots (Blackrock Depths)
• Rings: Songstone of Ironforge (Alliance) (Quest – Blackrock Depths) / Maiden’s Circle (bought / world drop)
• Trinkets: Briarwood Reed (U. Blackrock Spire) / Eye of the Beast (Quests – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Two-Hand: Rod of the Ogre Magi (Dire Maul)

Mage Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Mages are fantastic damage dealers, but they face some limitations in WoW Classic. They’re forced to swap from Fire to Ice specs to deal actual damage because of element-immune content. Arcane isn’t competitive enough. Despite these limitations, Mages are relatively easy to gear for.

Frost Mage Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Crimson Felt Hat (Stratholme – Undead)
• Neck: Star of Mystaria (Stratholme – Live)
• Shoulders: Boreal Mantle (Blackrock Depths)
• Back: Archivist Cape of Frozen Wrath (Stratholme – Live)
• Chest: Robe of the Archmage (crafted)
• Wrists: Flameweave Cuffs of Frozen Wrath (Blackrock Depths)
• Hands: Frostweave Gloves (crafted)
• Waist: Thuzadin Sash (Stratholme – Undead)
• Legs: Skyshroud Leggings (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Feet: Omnicast Boots (Blackrock Depths)
• Rings: Freezing Band (bought / world drop) / Maiden’s Circle (bought / world drop)
• Trinkets: Briarwood Reed (U. Blackrock Spire) / Eye of the Beast (Quests – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Two-Hand: Rod of the Ogre Magi (Dire Maul)

Priest Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Priests are versatile, utilizing Shadow and Destruction magicks for damage and Holy incantations for healing. They’re typically used as primary healers but can also deal significant damage.

Shadow/Destruction Priest Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Green Lens of Shadow Wrath (crafted)
• Neck: Dark Advisor’s Pendant (Scholomance)
• Shoulders: Felcloth Shoulders (crafted)
• Back: Archivist Cape of Shadow Wrath (Stratholme – Live)
• Chest: Robe of Winter Night (crafted)
• Wrists: Tearfall Braces of Shadow Wrath (Stratholme – Live)
• Hands: Hands of Power (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Waist: Ban’thok Sash (Blackrock Depths)
• Legs: Skyshroud Leggings (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Feet: Maleki’s Footwraps (Stratholme – Undead)
• Rings: Songstone of Ironforge (Alliance) (Quest – Blackrock Depths) / Emerald Flame Ring (Dire Maul)
• Trinkets: Mindtap Talisman (Dire Maul) / Burst of Knowledge (Blackrock Depths)
• Main Hand: Scepter of the Unholy (Stratholme – Undead)
• Off Hand: Drakestone of Shadow Wrath (The Temple of Atal’Hakkar)
• Ranged: Skul’s Ghastly Touch (Stratholme – Live)

Holy Priest Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Green Lens of Healing
• Neck: Animated Chain Necklace (Stratholme – Undead)
• Shoulders: Burial Shawl (Scholomance)
• Back: Cloak of the Cosmos (Dire Maul)
• Chest: Truefaith Vestments (Stratholme)
• Wrists: Sublime Wristguards (Dire Maul)
• Hands: Hands of the Exalted Herald (Blackrock Depths)
• Waist: Thuzadin Sash (Stratholme – Undead)
• Legs: Padre’s Trousers (Dire Maul)
• Feet: Boots of the Full Moon (Dire Maul)
• Rings: Fordring’s Seal (Quest – W. Plaguelands) / Emerald Flame Ring (Dire Maul)
• Trinkets: Second Wind (Blackrock Depths) / Royal Seal of Eldre’Thalas (Dire Maul)
• Main Hand: The Hammer of Grace (Blackrock Depths)
• Off Hand: Thaurissan’s Royal Scepter (Blackrock Depths)

Warlock Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Warlocks rely on spells and demonic monsters to deal damage. Regardless of which demon they bring to the fight, Warlock gear focuses on extra shadow damage from spells.

Warlock DPS Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Crimson Felt Hat (Stratholme – Undead)
• Neck: Star of Mystaria (Stratholme – Undead)
• Shoulders: Shroud of the Nathrezim (Stratholme – Undead)
• Back: Archivist Cape of Shadow Wrath (Stratholme – Live)
• Chest: Robe of Winter Night (crafted)
• Wrists: Sublime Wristguards (Dire Maul)
• Gloves: Hands of Power (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Waist: Ban’thok Sash (Blackrock Depths)
• Legs: Skyshroud Leggings (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Feet: Maleki’s Footwraps (Stratholme – Undead)
• Rings: Songstone of Ironforge / Eye of Orgimmar (Quest – Blackrock Depths) / Maiden’s Circle (bought / world drop)
• Trinkets: Eye of the Beast (U. Blackrock Spire) / Briarwood Reed (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Two-Hand: Rod of the Ogre Magi (Dire Maul)

Paladin Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Paladins are versatile, capable of healing, tanking, and dealing damage depending on their spec. While they’re not the best in any one role, they can adapt to fill any slot that needs to be filled.

Protection Paladin Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Golem Skull Helm (Blackrock Depths)
• Neck: Medallion of Grand Marshal Morris (bought / world drop)
• Shoulders: Stockade Pauldrons (bought / world drop)
• Back: Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Deathbone Chestplate (Scholomance)
• Wrists: Runed Golem Shackles (bought / world drop)
• Gloves: Boneclenched Gauntlets (Scholomance)
• Waist: Deathbone Girdle (Scholomance)
• Legs: Deathbone Legguards (Scholomance)
• Feet: Deathbone Sabatons (Scholomance)
• Rings: Naglering (Blackrock Depths) / Magni’s Will (Blackrock Depths)
• Trinkets: Mark of the Chosen (Quest – Maraudon) / Force of Will (Blackrock Depths)
• Main Hand: Mirah’s Song
• Off Hand: Husk of Nerub’enkan (Stratholme – Undead)

Retribution DPS Paladin Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Lionheart Helm (crafted) / Mask of the Unforgiven (Stratholme – Live)
• Neck: Mark of Fordring (Quest – W. Plaguelands)
• Shoulders: Wyrmhide Spaulders (Quest – Blackrock Depths)
• Back: Cape of the Black Baron (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Savage Gladiator Chain (Blackrock Depths)
• Wrists: Vambraces of the Sadist (Stratholme – Live)
• Hands: Devilsaur Gauntlets (crafted)
• Waist: Omokk’s Girth Restainer (Quest – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Bloodmail Boots (Scholomance)
• Rings: Magni’s Will (Blackrock Depths) / Naglering (Blackrock Depths)
• Trinkets: Hand of Justice (Blackrock Depths) / Blackhand’s Breadth (Quest – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Main Hand: Dreadforge Retaliator (Blackrock Depths)

Restoration Paladin Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Insightful Hood (Dire Maul)
• Neck: Animated Chain Necklace (Stratholme – Undead)
• Shoulders: Dawnbringer Shoulders (crafted)
• Back: Archivist Cape (Stratholme – Live)
• Chest: Robes of the Exalted (Stratholme – Undead)
• Wrists: Loomguard Armbraces (Scholomance)
• Hands: Harmonious Gauntlets (Dire Maul)
• Waist: Sash of Mercy (bought / world drop)
• Feet: Verdant Footpads (Stratholme – Undead)
• Legs: Padre’s Trousers (Dire Maul)
• Rings: Fordring’s Seal (Quest – W. Plaguelands) / Rosewine Circle (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Trinkets: Second Wind (Blackrock Depths) / Burst of Knowledge (Blackrock Depths)
• Main Hand: The Hammer of Grace (Blackrock Depths)
• Off Hand: Thaurissan’s Royal Scepter

Rogue Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Rogues excel at swift and stealthy kills in PvP, but they can’t rely on quick shanking to defeat raid bosses. Agility plays a major role in Rogue DPS, so prioritize gear that increases your attack speed and energy generation.

Rogue Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Mask of the Unforgiven (Stratholme – Live)
• Neck: Mark of Fordring (Quest – E. Plaguelands)
• Shoulders: Wyrmhide Spaulders (Quest – Blackrock Depths)
• Back: Cape of the Black Baron (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Mixologist’s Tunic (Blackrock Depths)
• Wrists: Bracers of the Eclipse (Dire Maul)
• Hands: Devilsaur Gauntlets (crafted)
• Waist: Cloudrunner Girdle (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Swiftwalker Boots (Blackrock Depths)
• Rings: Tarnished Elven Ring (Dire Maul) / Blackstone Ring (Maraudon)
• Trinkets: Hand of Justice (Blackrock Depths) / Blackhand’s Breadth (Quest – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Main Hand: Dal’Rend’s Sacred Charge (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Off Hand: Dal’Rend’s Tribal Guardian (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Ranged: Satyr’s Bow (Dire Maul)

Shaman Pre-Raid Gear Guide

Shamans are exclusive to the Horde and fill a similar role to Paladins. They make decent off-healers in raids and dungeons and can also deal significant damage thanks to unique weapon enhancements.

Restoration Shaman Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Insightful Hood (Dire Maul)
• Neck: Animated Chain Necklace (Stratholme – Undead)
• Shoulders: Royal Cap Spaulders (Scholomance)
• Back:
• Chest: Hide of the Wild (Dire Maul)
• Wrists: Sublime Wristguards (Dire Maul)
• Hands: Harmonious Gauntlets (Dire Maul)
• Waist: Whipvine Cord (Dire Maul)
• Legs: Padre’s Trousers (Dire Maul)
• Feet: Omnicast Boots (Blackrock Depths)
• Rings: Fordring’s Seal (Quest – W. Plaguelands) / Rosewine Circle (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Trinkets: Second Wind (Blackrock Depths) / Burst of Knowledge (Blackrock Depths)
• Two-Hand: Rod of the Ogre Magi

Enhancement Shaman Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Eye of Rend (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Neck: Mark of Fordring (Quest – W. Plaguelands)
• Shoulders: Truestrike Gauntlets (U. Blackrock Spire)
• Back: Cape of the Black Baron (Stratholme – Undead)
• Chest: Savage Gladiator’s Chain (Blackrock Depths)
• Wrists: Lordly Armguards (bought / world drop)
• Hands: Hands of Power (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Waist: Bloodmail Belt (Scholomance)
• Legs: Devilsaur Leggings (crafted)
• Feet: Bloodmail Boots (Scholomance)
• Rings: Mark of the Dragon Lord (L. Blackrock Spire) / Blackstone Ring (Maraudon)
• Trinkets: Hand of Justice (Blackrock Depths) / Blackhand’s Breadth (Quest – U. Blackrock Spire)
• Main Hand: Ironfoe (Blackrock Depths)
• Off Hand: Gizlock’s Hypertech Buckler (Maraudon)

Elemental Shaman Pre-Raid Gear

• Head: Crimson Felt Hat (Stratholme – Undead)
• Neck: Star of Mysteria (Stratholme – Live)
• Shoulders: Elder Wizard’s Mantle (bought / world drop)
• Chest: Alanna’s Embrace (Scholomance)
• Wrists: Pyremail Wristguards (Blackrock Depths)
• Hands: Hands of Power (L. Blackrock Spire)
• Waist: Ban’thok Sash (Blackrock Depths)
• Legs: Luminary Kilt (Blackrock Depths)
• Feet: Omnicast Boots (Blackrock Depths)
• Rings: Murmuring Ring (Dire Maul) / Maiden’s Circle (bought / world drop)
• Trinkets: Briarwood Reed (U. Blackrock Spire) / Ramstein’s Lightning Bolts (Stratholme – Undead)
• Main Hand: Witchblade (Scholomance)
• Off Hand: Spirit of Aquementas (Quest – Un’Goro Crater)

Closing Thoughts

Please note that this guide may change as World of Warcraft Classic goes through different content release phases. The release of Dire Maul has already shaken up the optimal and easily obtainable pre-raid gear options.

Remember, this is not an exhaustive list of the best pre-raid gear for each class. It represents a streamlined path that minimizes grinding while still providing suitable gear. Enchant your chosen gear with enhancements appropriate for your class and you’ll be ready to tackle entry-level raids for even better gear.

OnSpec Electronic, Inc

This article was created in collaboration with OnSpec Electronic, Inc.