Cataclysm Loot Pt. 1: Blackrock Caverns

Things are early in Cataclysm, yet, but as with BC, dungeon loot lists are filling out. I've mentioned multiple times the itemization curve in Cataclysm, but today I'll give you a direct taste of that curve.

Blackrock Caverns is one of the first dungeons you'll hit in Cataclysm. It's loot requires level 78 and the zone is aimed towards level 80-81 players. And it's loot is on par with normal Icecrown Citadel.

Itemlevel for BRC is 279. In Cataclysm, both blues and epics have 4 stats, and the retooled Wrath epics will have 4 stats (with spellpower and attack power being rolled into core stats, defense going away, and plate DPS already only having four stats). Epics have more itemization points, so  higher stats, but if you're not a high end ICC raider, expect to start replacing your gear in this dungeon.


Corla's Baton (wand)
418.1 dps
51 Int
77 Stam
36 Mastery
30 Crit

Compare to the heroic Corpse-Impaling Spike, the closest existing match, in it's post-Cataclysm form:
460.4 dps
49 Int
83 Stam
38 Crit
30 haste

Not a clear upgrade - you lose 2 spellpower and some ratings. It has mastery, which makes it interesting if only because mastery is still the great unknown.

Beauty's Silken Ribbon
(waist)
120 int
181 stam
80 haste
80 crit

Compare to Heroic Crushing Coldwraith Belt:
120 int
193 stam
Red/Blue sockets, +7 spellpower bonus
74 crit
90 haste

Note, thanks to the sockets, even the normal Coldwraith belt would hold it's own against Beauty's Ribbon, but this is one of the first blues you'll see in Cataclysm, and only ICC loot compares.

There's also a set of robes, the Inquisition Robes:
162 Int
243 Stam
108 Hit
108 Mastery

Compared to the Heroic Sanctified Dark Coven Robe:
167 int
261 stam
R/Y, +7 spellpower
122 Crit
106 Haste

Again, sockets prop up the old robe, the stats alone barely keep up.

Next item is an offhand. Without gems to save the old epics, how will simple accessories stack up?
Beauty's Favorite Bone
90 int
136 Stam
53 Crit
65 Hit

Compared to the Shadow Silk Spindle:
102 Int
146 stam
68 crit
68 haste

Again, stats are tight. There aren't any caster weapons in BRC, unfortunately. Weapons really take the hit from itemlevels. DPS for melee and spellpower for casters shoot up fast with weapon level. ICC armor will survive the first couple Cataclysm dungeons, but not weapons. There's a pair of daggers in BRC with 226.9 dps, almost identical to normal ICC epics.