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Set bonuses
I think gear might get really boring if you didn't have set bonuses (and perhaps trinkets) to look forward to.
Somewhat boring gear is okay... to a point... in PvP, where you need to strike a balance between skill and gear. Players want to enter PvP thinking they have a relatively level playing field, but we still use the gear reward as an incentive to participate.
PvE gear is already relatively inflexible on primary stats. If anything I wish there was more variability from tier to tier. Players have become pretty intolerant though of gear that doesn't feel like an unambiguous upgrade. That's not intended as an insult to anyone. It's just the state of a five year old game. :)
The Sacred and Corrupt (Shadowmourn Quest)
The quest requires friendly Ashen Verdict rep to begin. It may also only be acquired by Warriors, Paladins and Death Knights.
Zarhym on Blizzard, please stop making gear worthless
There is still a lot of gear from Trial of the Crusade that cannot be obtained with Emblems of Triumph alone. Heroic gear and set pieces purchased with Trophies of the Crusade will still separate players conquering the biggest challenges Trial of the Crusade has to offer from those who will be farming emblems after patch 3.3. In addition, there will be scores of new items available in the Icecrown Citadel raid. The average raider will need to gear up a good deal while progressing through this raid dungeon if they wish to eventually defeat the Lich King.
Wrath of the Lich King really advances one of the most popular story lines in the Warcraft universe like never before. Players have been watching the saga unfold since Warcraft III and are not far off from finally attempting to end the Lich King's reign. We want as many players taking part in this adventure as possible, and 3.3 will provide smaller or less-experienced guilds the opportunity to gear up and advance through Icecrown Citadel. We've been putting a ton of work into this final dungeon and want players enthused about taking their shot at killing one of the most infamous characters in Warcraft history. Make no mistake though, this raid will be very hard. If you think that, by allowing players to farm Emblems of Triumph, we're completely nullifying any gear gap and giving the average player an easy stab at clearing Icecrown Citadel and besting the Lich King, you misunderstand the evolution of this game and make too many assumptions about how the 3.3 changes will affect it.
Clout, if you're going to be one of the first players at the Frozen Throne ready to tank the Lich King when the opportunity comes, I trust he'll show you how he feels about you saying this game is being 'dumbed down.' So sure, everyone go farm for ilevel 245, non-set gear after the 3.3 content update. Go prepare yourselves as best as possible to enter Icecrown Citadel. Just know that it's not a park, and you ain't just walkin' through it. ;)
