Where Do I Upgrade Shadowlands Gear? A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re diving back into the Shadowlands or maybe just dusting off an old alt and are wondering: Where the heck do I upgrade my gear? The answer, thankfully, isn’t as obtuse as some of the systems Blizzard has implemented over the years.
The primary location for upgrading your Shadowlands gear depends on the type of gear you’re trying to upgrade. Here’s a breakdown:
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Covenant Gear: This gear, obtained through your chosen Covenant’s campaign and activities, is upgraded through dedicated vendors located at your Covenant Sanctum. These vendors will offer upgrades in exchange for Anima and a specific type of Covenant-related currency. For example, the Kyrian use Stygia, which is a currency acquired by completing Daily and Weekly Quests in the Maw and Korthia. You’ll find your specific Covenant vendor near the Sanctum amenities, such as the Transport Network, Adventure Table, or Soulbind Forge.
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Mythic+ Gear: Gear obtained from completing Mythic+ dungeons is upgraded using Valor Points, which you earn by completing Mythic+ dungeons and Covenant Callings. The Valor Quartermaster is located in Oribos, the main city of the Shadowlands. They will have an upgrade path for gear earned from Mythic+ dungeons
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PvP Gear: PvP gear from the Shadowlands is upgraded with Honor Points and Conquest Points. The PvP vendors are located in Oribos as well, in the Enclave.
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Crafter’s Mark Gear: This gear is tied to Professions. This includes Armor Kits, Weapons, and Accessories. This gear cannot be upgraded. Players instead craft new pieces using higher ranks of Crafter’s Marks to achieve higher item levels.
In short, locate the appropriate vendor based on how you obtained the gear. For Covenant gear, head to your Sanctum. For Mythic+ and PvP gear, visit the vendors in Oribos.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Upgrading Shadowlands Gear
Here are some common questions and answers to further clarify the Shadowlands gear upgrade system:
What are Anima and how do I get it?
Anima is a Covenant-specific resource used for various activities, including upgrading Covenant gear. You can obtain it by completing World Quests, Covenant Callings, defeating rare Elites, and from other activities scattered throughout the Shadowlands zones.
What are Valor Points and how do I get them?
Valor Points are a currency used to upgrade gear obtained from Mythic+ dungeons. You can acquire them by completing Mythic+ dungeons and certain Covenant Callings.
What are Honor and Conquest Points and how do I get them?
Honor Points are awarded for participating in any form of PvP, including battlegrounds, arenas, and skirmishes. Conquest Points are earned primarily from Rated PvP, such as rated arenas and rated battlegrounds. Both are used to upgrade PvP gear.
Can I upgrade any piece of Shadowlands gear?
No. Only specific types of gear can be upgraded. This includes Covenant gear, Mythic+ gear, and PvP gear. Gear obtained from Raids is not upgradeable; instead, you aim for higher difficulty versions of the same item (e.g., Normal, Heroic, Mythic raid drops). Also, Crafter’s Mark gear cannot be upgraded.
Is there a cap on Valor Points?
Yes. There’s a weekly cap on Valor Points you can earn. The cap can increase as the season progresses. You can view your current cap and how much you’ve earned for the week in the Currency tab of your character panel.
Is there a cap on Honor and Conquest Points?
There is no cap on Honor Points; however, Conquest Points have a weekly cap. This cap increases over time as the season progresses, allowing players to catch up.
Do I need a certain item level to upgrade gear?
For both Mythic+ gear and Covenant gear, there are item level requirements associated with the upgrade ranks. You’ll need to upgrade your gear incrementally, one rank at a time. The maximum item level upgrade will depend on the item you are trying to upgrade and where you are in your covenant progression.
What happens if I replace a piece of gear I’ve already upgraded?
Upgrading a piece of gear is generally a safe investment. Replacing an upgraded piece with a higher item level piece means you lose the benefits of that specific item. Therefore, it’s generally advised to upgrade pieces you plan to use for a considerable amount of time.
Can I downgrade gear after I’ve upgraded it?
No. Once you upgrade a piece of gear, the upgrade is permanent. You cannot downgrade it to recoup the currency spent.
Where exactly are the PvP vendors located in Oribos?
The PvP vendors are located in the Enclave in Oribos. The Enclave is accessed from the main ring of Oribos, and the vendors are clearly marked.
Does upgrading gear change its appearance?
Generally no, upgrading gear does not change its appearance. Gear appearance is tied to the base item model and not the item level. You can still Transmogrify the item to change its appearance separately.
How does upgrading gear affect my character’s overall item level?
Upgrading gear directly increases the item level of that specific piece of gear. This increased item level contributes to your character’s overall average item level, making you more powerful and allowing you to tackle higher-level content.
Are there any achievements related to upgrading gear?
Yes, there are achievements related to upgrading gear, particularly in the context of Mythic+ dungeons. These achievements often reward you for reaching certain Valor Point milestones or upgrading a certain number of items to a specific item level.
Does the level of Mythic+ keystone affect the upgrade level of the gear?
The level of the Mythic+ keystone you complete affects the item level of the gear that drops at the end of the dungeon. Higher keystone levels award higher item level gear, which can then be upgraded further using Valor Points.
Why can’t I upgrade my Covenant gear past a certain point?
There are several reasons why you might be unable to upgrade your Covenant gear beyond a certain point. First, you might have hit the current maximum upgrade rank for that particular piece of gear, based on your Covenant progression. Second, you may not have the required amount of currency for the next upgrade. Third, you might need to complete certain Covenant campaign chapters or renown levels to unlock further upgrade potential. Make sure you’ve completed all available campaign quests and are up-to-date on your Renown level with your chosen Covenant. The Games Learning Society helps people to understand the intersection between games and learning! Check us out at GamesLearningSociety.org!