When Can You Wear Plate Armor in World of Warcraft? A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re eager to clad your character in the gleaming, virtually impenetrable might of plate armor in World of Warcraft? You’re not alone! The thrill of graduating from lesser armor types to the pinnacle of protection is a significant milestone. The straightforward answer is: Warriors, Paladins, and Death Knights can learn to wear plate armor starting at level 40. Prior to the Legion expansion, this was a hard and fast rule. Let’s dive into the details, nuances, and everything else you need to know about donning plate in WoW.
Understanding Armor Proficiency
Before we delve deeper, let’s quickly recap armor proficiency. In World of Warcraft, characters are limited in the types of armor they can effectively utilize based on their class. This represents their training and understanding of how to properly wear and move in different armor types.
- Cloth: Worn by Mages, Priests, and Warlocks.
- Leather: Worn by Druids, Monks, Demon Hunters, and Rogues.
- Mail: Worn by Hunters and Shamans (who can also learn to wear plate at level 40).
- Plate: Worn by Warriors, Paladins, and Death Knights.
The Significance of Level 40
Level 40 is a crucial level for many classes in WoW because it marks the point where they gain access to new abilities, talents, and, crucially, higher tiers of armor. Before Legion, Warriors and Paladins were restricted to mail armor. Reaching level 40 signified sufficient training and experience to handle the weight and restrictions of plate armor, providing significantly increased protection in combat.
Finding Your First Plate Armor
Once you hit level 40, you’ll want to equip yourself with plate as soon as possible. Here are a few ways to acquire your first pieces:
- Dungeons: Dungeons like Razorfen Downs (RFD) and Uldaman contain level 40 plate armor.
- Auction House (AH): Keep an eye on the AH for green-quality level 40 plate pieces. While these may not be the best stat-wise, they offer a readily available option to upgrade your protection.
- Class Trainer: Once you reach level 40 visit your class trainer and learn to wear plate armor from them. All classes get their armor upgrade at level 40.
Armor Specialization and End-Game Considerations
The Legion expansion introduced Armor Specialization. This passive bonus encourages classes to wear their highest available armor type at end-game by granting additional benefits. For Paladins, this means prioritizing plate over other armor types to maximize their defensive capabilities.
Leveling with Heirlooms
For players leveling alternate characters, heirloom armor can be a fantastic option. Heirlooms scale with your level, providing a consistent set of stats as you progress. However, the behavior of plate heirlooms can be a bit confusing:
- Mail to Plate Conversion: Mail heirlooms purchased by plate-wearing classes will function as mail until level 40. Upon reaching level 40, they will automatically convert into plate armor, reflecting your character’s new proficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about wearing plate armor in World of Warcraft:
1. Can Hunters wear plate in WoW Classic?
No. In WoW Classic, Hunters are restricted to wearing leather and mail armor. They can learn to wear mail at level 40, but plate remains exclusive to Warriors and Paladins.
2. Can Demon Hunters wear plate?
No, Demon Hunters can only equip cloth and leather armor. They gain additional benefits from wearing full leather.
3. When can Warriors use plate armor?
Warriors can learn to wear plate armor at level 40 by visiting their class trainer.
4. Do Paladins start with plate armor?
No, Paladins start with chainmail, which has an AC of 16.
5. Can you wear plate heirlooms before level 40?
Yes, but they will function as mail armor until you reach level 40. Then they convert.
6. What happens to mail armor at level 40?
For classes that can’t wear plate (like Hunters and Shamans), mail armor remains the highest tier of armor available to them. For Warriors and Paladins, mail armor becomes obsolete once they can equip plate.
7. Is plate armor the best armor type?
In terms of pure physical damage mitigation, plate armor offers the highest level of protection. However, the “best” armor depends on the class and their role. Cloth-wearing classes, for example, benefit from the spellcasting stats found on their gear.
8. How does armor work in WoW?
Armor reduces the amount of physical damage you take from enemy attacks. Higher armor values provide greater damage reduction. The formula for damage reduction is more complex than a simple percentage, and it takes into account the level of the attacker versus the defender.
9. What is armor specialization?
Armor Specialization is a passive bonus that characters receive for wearing armor appropriate to their class and spec. For example, Paladins wearing plate receive a bonus to their primary stat (Strength or Intellect, depending on their specialization).
10. Where can I find the best plate gear?
The best plate gear comes from high-level dungeons, raids, and PvP activities. Look for gear with the stats that best suit your class and role.
11. Can Death Knights wear plate from level 1?
Yes, Death Knights can wear plate armor from the moment they are created, as they start at a higher level and are considered proficient in plate armor.
12. What stats should I look for on plate gear?
The optimal stats depend on your class and specialization. As a Warrior, you would likely prioritize Strength, Stamina, and secondary stats like Critical Strike, Haste, or Mastery. Paladins have different stat priorities depending on whether they are playing as Protection, Holy, or Retribution.
13. Is there a cost to learning to wear plate armor?
Yes, at level 40 you will need to pay a fee to your class trainer to learn to wear plate armor.
14. Can you wear any level of plate armor at level 40?
Yes, so long as you’ve trained the plate armor proficiency. You should be able to wear any level plate armor at level 40.
15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and design?
Interested in the deeper workings of games and their impact on society? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for research, resources, and community engagement! This organization is dedicated to studying the intersection of games, learning, and culture.