So you just hit max level and everyone's throwing acronyms at you like "BiS" this and "ilvl" that, but nobody explains WHERE THE HECK all this gear actually goes? I got you fam. When I started playing, I literally wore a cloth belt as a warrior for 20 levels because nobody told me otherwise. Let's not let that happen to you.
The Complete Gear Slot Breakdown
Head Slot (Helm/Hat/Crown)
What goes here: Anything that protects your noggin
Why it matters: Usually has the most stats after chest/legs
Noob mistake: Hiding your helm when it has good stats (unless it's ugly AF, then I understand)
Neck Slot (Necklace/Amulet)
What goes here: Jewelry for your neck
Why it matters: Pure stats, no armor value
Pro tip: These can be expensive on AH but worth it
Shoulder Slot (Shoulders/Pauldrons/Spaulders)
What goes here: The things that make you look 3x wider
Why it matters: Major stat piece + half your transmog look
Fun fact: Orc shoulders are 200% bigger than other races (not really but it feels like it)
Back Slot (Cloak/Cape)
What goes here: Your superhero cape
Why it matters: Good stats + can hide ugly armor
Common mistake: Forgetting to upgrade because you can't see it from the front
🎮 Real Talk
I played for 6 months before realizing cloaks could have stats other than armor. I thought they were just for looking cool. They are for looking cool, but also stats!
Chest Slot (Chest/Robe/Tunic/Breastplate)
What goes here: Your main body armor
Why it matters: Usually highest stat budget item
Types by armor class:
- Plate: Breastplates, Chestguards
- Mail: Hauberks, Chestguards
- Leather: Tunics, Vests
- Cloth: Robes, Vestments
Wrist Slot (Bracers/Wristguards)
What goes here: Tiny armor for your wrists
Why it matters: Low stats but easy to upgrade
Nobody tells you: These are usually cheap upgrades on AH
Hand Slot (Gloves/Gauntlets/Handguards)
What goes here: Hand protection
Why it matters: Decent stats + some have on-use effects
Engineering note: Engineers can add tinkers here!
Waist Slot (Belt/Girdle/Cord)
What goes here: Keeps your pants up (and gives stats)
Why it matters: Good stat stick, often overlooked
PSA: Belts can have sockets for extra stats!
Legs Slot (Legs/Pants/Leggings/Greaves)
What goes here: Lower body armor
Why it matters: Second highest stat budget usually
Fashion tip: Robes hide ugly leg pieces (cloth wearers rejoice)
Feet Slot (Boots/Shoes/Sabatons)
What goes here: Footwear that somehow gives intellect
Why it matters: Movement speed enchants!
Did you know: Some boots have unique models based on race
The Slightly Confusing Slots
Ring Slots (Two of Them!)
What goes here: Two rings (not wedding rings, unless...?)
Why it matters: Pure stats, no armor
Important: You can wear two DIFFERENT rings or two of the same (if they're unique-equipped)
Trinket Slots (Also Two!)
What goes here: Special items with procs/on-use effects
Why it matters: Can completely change your gameplay
New player trap: Using PvP trinkets in PvE (sometimes okay but usually not optimal)
💡 Trinket Wisdom
Trinkets are like Pokemon - you gotta catch 'em all because different fights need different trinkets. That "useless" stamina trinket? Amazing for that one boss that one-shots you.
Weapon Slots (This Gets Complicated)
Main Hand: Your primary weapon
Off-Hand: Shield, off-hand item, or second weapon
Class Specifics:
- Warriors/Paladins/DKs: Can use 2-handed OR 1-hand + shield/off-hand
- Rogues/DH: Dual wield only (no 2-handers)
- Hunters: Everything is a hunter weapon (old meme but true)
- Casters: Usually main-hand + off-hand or staff
Ranged Slot (RIP)
Historical note: This used to exist for wands/thrown/bows/John Wick Pistol
Now: Integrated into main weapon slots
Old timers remember: Stat sticks for everyone!
Understanding Gear Restrictions
Armor Types (From Squishiest to Tankiest)
- Cloth: Mage, Priest, Warlock
- Leather: Rogue, Druid, Monk, Demon Hunter
- Mail: Hunter, Shaman (+ Warrior/Paladin until level 40)
- Plate: Warrior, Paladin, Death Knight (after level 40)
THE GOLDEN RULE: You CAN wear lower armor types but you lose 5% stats. Don't be that warrior in cloth!
Unique-Equipped Items
"Unique-Equipped" = You can only wear one
"Unique-Equipped: Ring (2)" = You can wear two different unique rings
"Unique" = Can only have one in your entire inventory
Stat Priority by Slot
Primary Stat Pieces
Always have main stat:
- Head, Shoulders, Chest, Hands, Legs, Feet
- Weapons (except some old ones)
Secondary Stat Only
Never have main stat:
- Neck, Back, Wrist, Waist, Rings
- Some trinkets
🎯 Quick Tip
When gearing up, replace your lowest item level pieces first UNLESS it breaks a tier set bonus. A 30 ilvl upgrade that breaks your 4-set is usually not worth it!
Common Gear Mistakes to Avoid
1. The Classic Wrong Armor Type
Wearing cloth as a paladin because "it has more intellect" - You lose 5% primary stats!
2. Empty Slots
Check EVERYTHING. I've seen max level players with empty trinket slots.
3. Forgetting Enchants/Gems
Empty sockets = throwing away free stats
4. PvP Gear in PvE
Versatility is (usually) trash for PvE. Stop it.
5. Old Legendaries
That Legion legendary is NOT better than current gear. Let it go.
Gear Acquisition Priority
Fresh Max Level? Here's Your Path:
- Quest Rewards - Free gear while leveling
- Dungeons - Spam normals then heroics
- World Quests - Easy upgrades
- Crafted Gear - Some crafted items are BiS
- Raids - LFR → Normal → Heroic → Mythic
Don't Forget:
- Weekly Vault - Free high ilvl gear
- PvP - Honor gear is decent for PvE
- World Bosses - Once per week chance
Special Slot Considerations
Engineering Items
- Head: Engineering goggles (usually BiS early)
- Belt: Nitro boosts
- Hands: Various tinkers
- Cloak: Parachute/glider
Profession Bonuses
- Blacksmithing: Extra sockets
- Enchanting: Ring enchants
- Inscription: Shoulder enchants
- Leatherworking: Leg enchants
Advanced Slot Optimization
Set Bonuses
Some gear comes in sets with bonuses at 2/4 pieces:
- Always check if breaking set is worth it
- Tier sets usually > random gear
- Transmog sets don't give bonuses (sadly)
Simming Your Gear
When in doubt, sim it out:
- Raidbots.com is your friend
- Sometimes lower ilvl with better stats wins
- Sim different slot combinations
⚠️ Warning
That 1000 ilvl weapon from the Trading Post? It's for transmog only. Don't be that guy in LFR with a grey weapon equipped!
Quick Reference Chart
| Slot | Has Armor | Has Primary Stats | Can Have Sockets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Neck | No | No | Sometimes |
| Shoulders | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Back | Yes | No | Rarely |
| Chest | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Wrist | Yes | No | Sometimes |
| Hands | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Waist | Yes | No | Often |
| Legs | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Feet | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
| Rings | No | No | Sometimes |
| Trinkets | No | Varies | Rarely |
| Weapons | No | Yes | Sometimes |
FAQ From Fellow Noobs
Q: Can I wear two of the same ring?
A: Only if they're not unique-equipped!
Q: Why can't I equip this item?
A: Check level requirement, class restriction, and unique-equipped status
Q: What's more important, item level or stats?
A: Generally ilvl, but sim it to be sure
Q: Do I need different gear for PvP?
A: Yes! PvP gear has versatility and PvP-specific bonuses
The TL;DR
- Wear the right armor type for your class
- Higher item level is usually better
- Don't leave slots empty
- Enchant/gem your gear
- When in doubt, sim it out
- Get a good mouse to quickly swap gear
Remember, we all started somewhere. I once vendored a BiS trinket because I thought "on equip" effects were passive and didn't notice. You'll make mistakes, but at least now you know where everything goes!
Now get out there and stop wearing cloth on your warrior. Please. It hurts to watch.