Buttercups and Blathering

First off, a couple more kits that don’t quite fit into any of my big Projects:

Buttercup

Mantle of Autumn, Sentinel Breastplate & Girdle, Earthsoul Britches, Ranger Gloves + Vendetta Bindings, Bonechewer Shredboots, Heavenly Breeze, Quicksilver Blade, Razorcrystal Blade
When this sword fell out of a Salvage Yard box, I almost immediately wanted to pair it with this lovely Cataclysm-era cloak. I’d been wanting to use this cloak in a kit for some time, but there didn’t seem much to pair it with beyond the obvious similarly-colored Replica Vestments of the Virtuous or Lawbringer Armor. The Razorcrystal Blade is an agility sword, so I decided that my Rogue should get it because it would actually be useful to her. She also happened to have this nicely matching dagger, and these coordinating bracers. The shoulders from the BC recolor of Druid T1 were a pretty natural choice. What surprised me, though, was that I also wanted the pants from that set to bring in more of the light green from the cloak.

Misty Morning

Heroes’ Crown of Faith, Rebirth Spaulders, Fireflash Robes, Repurposed Twilight Girdle, Exiled Dabbler’s Gloves, Splintering Greatstaff
I discovered the core concept of this kit, the shoulders + robe combination, when I was designing an outfit to go with the Warlords-crafted mace & off-hand book as part of the original Savage Blood Fashion Parade. When I got around to actually making the kit though, I decided to use this staff instead of the Warlords-crafted weapons.

~*~*~

BTH and I went to see the Warcraft movie about a week ago. The only screen in our area that it was playing on was the drive-in at a town about 15 miles away. It’s a great flick for that format. It was marvelous to see Azeroth expanded from abbreviated-for-gameplay set pieces into a lush, full-scale world. I was surprised by how much I liked young, awkward, not-completely-self-confident Khadgar in the movie. I haven’t liked Khadgar in Warlords; he comes off as over-confident and arrogant to me. Like Matthew Rossi and Navimie, I rather liked the changes to the story and even prefer the movie continuity version of the story to the original game version. I did wonder, though, if someone watching the movie without having played the game would have been able to make sense of everything that was going on.

After watching Gul’dan in the movie, I don’t think I want green fire for my Warlock anymore. Maybe I’ll still do the quest chain, though, because I know there’s an option at the end to not embrace the fel power and keep using regular old orange fire. I would then continue to play my Warlock as, well, pretty much just an alternate variety of Fire Mage (with a demon to tank for her).

With the arrival of Legion now only two months away, I upgraded my account yesterday. I haven’t used the Boost yet; I’m not sure when I will. I’m starting to feel like I’m in a holding pattern of sorts with my various alts and their Garrisons, just waiting for the pre-patch when everything will change…

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fel camouflage

If we look like we’re one of them, they’ll let us get closer before they start trying to attack us, right?

To give credit where it’s due, Umlaut Paradots of Mog’s Addiction originally gave me the idea to make a collection of Burning Legion-themed kits, and a few of these kits are iterations of my first take on the concept.

Evil Sorceress

Mag’hari Ritualist’s Horns, Green Silken Shoulders, Beastwalker Robe, Ruthless Gladiator’s Cord of Accuracy, Black Mageweave Gloves, Boots of the Divine Light, Shard of Azzinoth, Book of Origination
My collection of Burning Legion-inspired outfits would not have been complete without a kit using this robe, with its black and green color scheme. Any boots that are an appropriate shade of black will do; these are just the ones that I happened to have on hand. Kaelinda has collected all the colors of this robe… I should start working on making kits to go with each of them.

Shadowfury

Shadowmoon Cowl, Hatefury Mantle, Frostweave Robe, Voodoo-Woven Belt, Wooly Goat Punchers, Boots of Duress, Shroud of the Highborne, Terokk’s Shadowstaff, Green Trophy Tabard of the Illidari
This outfit is adapted from ideas that I originally developed nearly four years ago for my “The Very Model of a Warlock, Dark and Terrible” post. I’ve got to keep playing my Warlock just so I can get around to actually creating in-game my favorite outfits from that collection.
The Shadowmoon Cowl is my favorite hood in the game. I’d love to see that model in brown and black for leather-wearers.

Black Arrow

Fel-Proof Goggles, Wayfaring Shoulderguards (1-640), Ebonhold Armor Gauntlets & Boots, Lifecycle Waistguard (N), Bloodmail Legguards*, Green Martial Shirt, Shroud of the Final Stand, Black Bow of the Betrayer
Although I’ve seen kits with these shoulders that went all-out green, I wanted to reflect the Burning Legion aesthetic of fel green as an accent color against black.
If you don’t have the Bloodmail Legguards, then you’ll probably want the Ebonhold pants, too.
Savage Blood required: 0

Fel Desecration

Pauldrons of Violent Eruption (LFR), Warrior’s Embrace, Refreshing Abalone Girdle (LFR), Direwing Legguards, Gauntlets of Steadfast Determination, Emerald Sabatons, Night Prowler’s Cloak, Lava Spine (N), Netherwing Protector’s Shield
Although this outfit uses most of the same peripheral pieces as my previous “Radiation Therapy” kit, changing the core of chestpiece & leggings and the weapons makes a big difference in the overall look!
This kit surprised me a bit by wanting the Xena Warrior Princess top — I’ve used the blue version of this chestpiece, but I didn’t think I would ever make a kit for which I would want the black version.
Any iteration of the Horseman’s Helm would be a fantastic finishing touch — but it’s my DK who has that, not my Paladin, and the account-wide Wardrobe isn’t quite here yet sigh…

Sha Stalker

Cursed Vision of Sargeras, Supple Shoulderguards (1-640), Raiment of Silent Stars, Cord of Sha Savagery, Blazewing’s Furious Kilt, Gloves of the Blind Stalker, Fist of the Deity
The outward resemblance to a Demon Hunter may be a product of convergent evolution.

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musings on Mages in Legion

Blizzard showed the Fire and Frost Mage Artifact weapons in the Legion announcement presentation, but not the Arcane one. I wonder if the Arcane one has something to do with Jaina leaving Dalaran in a huff? If the Arcane one does end up being associated with Jaina, then my Human Mage will definitely have to be main-spec Arcane for Legion. My Blood Elf Mage will be main-spec Fire in Legion for the Sunstrider dynasty sword, Felo’melorn, of course. Either or both of them could pick up the Frost staff with their off-spec.

Where will the Mage Class Hall be? Dalaran seems like an obvious location… perhaps up in the Purple Parlor? Or maybe in a refurbished/newly constructed tower at the edge of Dalaran Crater? What other locations might be reasonable possibilties for the Mage Class Hall?

Regarding the rivalry between Mages and Warlocks, I come down pretty firmly on the side of Mages. The fantasy of the Mage appeals to me; the fantasy of the Warlock is repulsive to me. The tease that the Warlock Class Hall will be on some cinder of a Legion-conquered world has me contemplating retiring my Warlock completely. The only Warlock spec I can bring myself to play is Destruction, and that by thinking of it as a Corrupt Fire Mage. Admittedly, being burned to death is horrible whether it’s a Fire Mage or a Destro Lock doing it, but at least when it’s a Fire Mage, the magic is not itself being fueled by the utter extinguishing of a soul. Still, when I’m playing my Fire Mages, there are two Destro Lock spells that I often find myself wishing that they had — Rain of Fire instead of Flamestrike, and the flinging a sheet of fire effect of Incinerate as the spell effect for Inferno Blast.

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a different sort of wings

Of the three Warlock specializations, Affliction has never really appealed to me because it seems the most wholeheartedly, unabashedly evil of the three. For a time, my Warlock was Demonology; I imagined her as a wildlife biologist who was interested in studying the biology of demons and got even more thoroughly swallowed up in her chosen field than most academics do. Then the Metamorphosis mechanic was introduced, and although the Demonology-only wild imp swarm that was introduced at the same time did appeal to me a great deal, my Warlock didn’t want to transform into a demon herself, just study and control them. I changed my Warlock’s spec to Destruction and re-imagined her as a Fire Mage corrupted by her lust for power. Datamining from the Warlords alpha client has revealed a new glyph that changes the Metamorphosis effect to cause the Warlock’s normal form to sprout demon wings instead of undergoing the full transformation — suddenly, Demonology is much more attractive to my Warlock again! She promptly ran out to her trainer to pick up Demonology as her second spec, though she won’t be using it until after Warlords actually launches. As for her backstory — Sin’dorei live long enough that she could have been both a crazy fire mage and a crazy wildlife biologist at different times in her past.

(Another glyph that I am excited about is “Play Dead”, which causes a Hunter’s pet to feign death when the Hunter does — something I’ve wished my Hunter pets could do for a long time!)

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Things My Characters are Wearing with their Shado-Pan Helmets

Leather

Shado-Pan Ninja (Monk)



Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Puncture-Binding Spaulder, Pozzik’s Vest, Red Belt of Gentle Persuasion, Nice Shorts, Bard’s gloves & boots, Stylish Black Shirt, Monk’s Staff
This outfit is adapted from Draynee’s Black Ninja Monk kit.

Shado-Pan Domain Keeper (Monk/Druid)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Shizzle’s Muzzle Cover, Leather Tunic of Eminent Domain, Red Belt of Gentle Persuasion, Honorary Combat Engineer’s Leather Trousers, Loramus’ Gloves, Prospector’s Boots, Spear of Xuen
The brick red and black colors of these Rogue T9-lookalike items awarded early in the Jade Forest questline just begged to be part of a Shado-Pan set. Due to the factional dimorphism of the T9 sets, this outfit is Horde-only. The Prospector’s chestpiece and leggings or the chestpiece and leggings from the same set as the shoulders & gloves could be used for a similar look.
Other leather-wearers might want to use the Burning Blade Devotee’s Cinch.

Shado-Pan Brewmaster (Monk)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Dark Warder’s Pauldrons, Vest of Welcome, Red Belt of Gentle Persuasion, Sunroc Pants, Swashbuckler’s Gloves & Boots, Tremendous Tankard O’ Terror, Ced’s Crusher
Most of my characters are tee-totalers because, well, I am. Way back when acheivements were the new hotness, Kamalia picked up several of the Brewfest acheivements, but she hadn’t bothered to get Brew of the Month — and thus the “Brewmaster” title — because she knew she wouldn’t actually be interested tasting the brews of the month themselves.
That was before I had a Brewmaster Monk, however. This year, Koralyra wanted the “Brewmaster” title, and so it fell to Kamalia, who was only one achievement short, to get the meta for the whole family.
The keg-shaped maces are probably my favorite Mists 1H-Mace design.

Shado-Pan Smoke Knight (Monk)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Righteous shoulders pants & gloves, Scouting tunic & boots, Red Belt of Gentle Persuasion, Aspirant’s Staff of Harmony
I originally designed this kit to go with the Ironpaw cooking accessories. Serendipitously, it also looks great with the Shado-Pan helmet!

Shado-Pan Assassin (Rogue)

Replica Shado-Pan Helment, Shoulderpads of the Silvermoon Retainer, Scouting Tunic, Ruffian Belt*, Nightslayer Pants, Bandit Gloves, Defiler’s Lizardhide Boots, Black Swashbuckler’s Shirt, Amber Slicer of Klaxxi’ves, Wind Reaver’s Dagger of Quick Strikes
The shirt is an essential component of this outfit because it fills in a gap between the sleeves and the gloves.
The Bandit Belt would be a suitable replacement for the Ruffian Belt.
Why, yes, I did do Klaxxi rep with my Rogue just so that I could have both styles of Mantid trophy dagger to use in this kit.

Shado-Pan Wildshaper (Druid)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Thunderheart Shoulder Pads, Robes of Summer Flame, Vicious Leather Belt, Gilt-Edged Leather Gauntlets, Tian Monastic Staff
I decided pretty much immediately that I wanted to use this robe for my Druid’s Shado-Pan kit. Figuring out all the rest of the pieces, though, took quite a bit of iteration.
I don’t remember if I was offered the +Agi staff as a reward option from that Tian Monastery quest or if I had to switch my loot spec to see it. Whatever happened, I thought that the +Agi staff would have better Transmogrification potential with the rest of my Druid’s wardrobe than any of the +Int options — and I’d surely get a better weapon from some other quest later. So I took it, and now I am quite glad that I did.

Shado-Pan Blade-Dancer (Demon Hunter)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Mantle of Darkness, Primalstorm Breastplate, Blackwhelp Belt, Tough Mushanhide Leggings, T’wansi’s Handwraps, Prospector’s Boots, Cloak of the Untamed Predator, Shado-Pan Tabard, Misery’s End
Making a Shado-Pan kit that included both the hat and the tabard has been problematic for me because I couldn’t quite figure out how to manage the hue gradient between the bright, orangey, scarlet reds of the tabard and the deep maroon of the helmet scarf. The key to this kit, for me, was the pants; they brought in enough of the brighter red-orange hue to balance out the maroons from the other pieces I wanted to use.
I chose the chestpiece primarily to leave the arms bare with the tabard on and secondarily to look good with the tabard off.
For this outfit, I also used the Barbershop to change her blindfold to the simpler of the two red & gold Sin’dorei styles and to change the color of her tattoos from their usual dark green to black.

Mail

Shado-Pan Spiritwalker (Shaman)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Pauldrons of Wild Magic, Salvager’s Hauberk, Bloodspattered Sash, Heroes’ Earthshatter Kilt (T7-10s), Seer’s Linked Gauntlets, Suen-Wo, Spire of the Falling Sun
Umlaut Paradots‘ mail contribution to These Boots Were Made For Mogging reminded me of the Salvager’s Hauberk. As I thought about what kind of set I might like to make using this chestpiece, it occurred to me that the stripe detail, especially in the back, is somewhat similar to the stripe detail on the Shado-Pan NPC uniforms. Kamalia already had plenty of dark blue in her wardrobe, but she did not have much red in her wardrobe before I created this outfit for her!

Shado-Pan Beastmaster (Hunter)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Ravager’s Mantle, Warmonger’s Chestpiece, Bloodspattered Sash, Bloodmail* Legguards gloves & boots, Cloak of Beasts, Master Builder’s Shirt, Bronze Blaster
This is something of an “if you’ve got it, flaunt it” kit. Although I only really wanted the Bloodmail Legguards, I’d collected all the rest of the set by the time the pants finally dropped. I decided to keep the whole set, “just in case”, and dumped it into Void Storage. Now I’m glad that I did!
I borrowed the combination of the Shado-Pan Helmet with the Warmonger’s chestpiece from WoW Roleplay Gear.

Shado-Pan Serpent Rider (Shaman/Hunter)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Ordon Legend-Keeper Spaulders & Greaves, Tunic of Masked Suffering, Ebonhold Girdle, Bloodmail Legguards*, Grotesque Handgrips, Big Black Mace, Bloodforged Guard, Sawbones Shirt*
Mini-Kam has been working (when I feel like it) on collecting Skyshards, but she still has a few yet to find before she can tame Milau’s momma.
The shirt just fills in the midriff and elbows; the red in the shoulders and underarms is in fact part of the chestpiece.
Suitable weapons for Hunters to use with this kit might be the Wolfslayer Sniper Rifle or Heartstriker.

Plate

Shado-Pan Runeblade (Death Knight)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Blood-Soaked Saronite Plated Spaulders, Warlord’s/Warmaul chestpiece belt gloves & boots, Legguards of the Shattered Hand, Acherus Knight’s Shroud, Runed Soulblade
I didn’t want to just plop the Shado-Pan Helmet atop one of the black-and-red outfits I’d already made for Kregga — though it would certainly work well with either of them. The red-plum-blue tones of the Warlord’s/Warmaul set evoke the palette of the navy-and-brick-red version of the Shado-Pan NPC uniforms, and I’d been wanting to use those items in a DK set for some time. The DK shoulders added just the right amount of menace to the overall appearance.

Shado-Pan Dark Disciple (Death Knight/Paladin/Warrior)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Runic Plate Shoulders, Slavebreaker Chestguard, Thorium Belt, Hollowheart Legguards, Zaxxis Gloves, Bloodforged Sabatons, Cloak of the Dark Disciple, Rustic Workman’s Shirt, Rage Reaver
I could have just plopped the Shado-Pan Helmet atop the black-and-red “Blood Runes” outfit I’d previously made for the Underpowered Death Knight. It would have looked great, but I wanted to make a new outfit. As I looked through her available gear, I discovered that I really liked the way the browns of the quest reward items from the first part of the Tanaan Invasion questline looked with the dark brown wooden brim of the hat.

Shado-Pan Lightbearer (Paladin)


Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Runic Plate Shoulders, Alabaster Breastplate, Thorium Belt, Greaves of the Martyr, Bloodforged Gauntlets, Lavawalker Greaves, Redpine Cloak, Firestorm Hackblade, Bloodforged Guard, Stylish Black Shirt
This outfit is adapted from a striking black, white, and red ensemble originally designed by Honeypants of Mogoholic.

Shado-Pan Bulwark (Paladin/Warrior)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Shoulderguards of Empty Memory, Glory of the Defender, Ogre Beater’s Belt, Legguards of the Fallen Crusader, Grips of Arcane Imprisonment, Deathseed Crushers, Rescuer’s Cloak, Stylish Black Shirt, Firestorm Hackblade, Shield of the Void
As long as Mists remains the current expansion, items containing both red and black will always immediately suggest that they be used in a Shado-Pan Helmet kit. Mists was already well enough along when I leveled my Paladin that I saved these Cataclysm quest reward items for future use in a Shado-Pan kit. Although her first Shado-Pan kit didn’t need them, they came in handy to coordinate with this chestpiece, which dropped while I was farming the Hyjal raid for something else.

Shado-Pan Blademaster (Warrior)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Expedition Mantle, The Exarch’s Protector, Darkcrest Belt, Legguards of the Shattered Hand, Inferno Tempered gloves & boots, Gilded Thorium Cloak, Red Martial Shirt, Sturdy Yaungol Spear
Keija tried really hard to talk me into letting her use Hellreaver for her Shado-Pan set, even though I think it’s just about as overused a weapon as Judgement is a gear set (especially since Demonology Warlocks got that glyph that lets their Felguards dual-wield the things). Then, as soon as she’d actually tested how it would look, she capitulated and agreed to use the spear that matches the NPC weapon. I’ll just have to come up with some other set for her to use Hellreaver with.

Cloth

Shado-Pan Mystic (Priest)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Consortium Mantle, Amaranthine Robe, Silver-Thread Sash, Black Mageweave Gloves, Arakkoa Divining Rod, Inscribed Fan, Stylish Black Shirt
This outfit is largely inspired by the Shado-Pan Helmet set designed by WoW Roleplay Gear.

Shado-Pan Arcanist (Mage)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Nether Guards, Sparklight Robes, Girdle of Glowing Light, Black Mageweave Gloves, Unassuming Slippers, Rod of the Blazing Light
When I was originally designing this outfit in MogIt, I was struck by how well the T15-Normal Priest-lookalike Quet’zal’s Crackling Cord matched this robe. That item was well out of my solo-player reach, however, so I chose something else. Later, the rep requirements for many Shado-Pan Assault items were lowered, allowing me to gain the required reputation (Friendly) to buy the Valor Points version of the belt from a single clear of the first wing of Throne of Thunder LFR. Huzzah!

Shado-Pan Archmage (Mage/Warlock/Priest)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Mantle of the Elven Kings, Red Mageweave Vest, Sash of the Burning Heart, Legs of Ringing Echoes, Gloves of Tirisfal, Saltarello Shoes, Cloak of Passion, Dark Silk Shirt, Archmage’s Staff*
This kit resulted from the notion of using these specific pants in a Shado-Pan helmet outfit. I chose this tunic because it makes the red band at the top of the pants looks like an extension of the tunic rather than part of the pants themselves.
This staff came from the limited-time pre-Mists-launch version of the Theramore’s Fall scenario. There are several other staves that would look good with this kit, though.

Shado-Pan Summoner (Warlock)

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Mantle of the Corruptor, Simple Blouse, Fire-Cord of the Magus, Coven Britches, Black Mageweave Gloves + Wraps of the San’layn, Oilfoot Slippers, Shadow Prowler’s Cloak, Matsuba’s Breadmaker
More decadent Warlocks may prefer to use the Cournith Waterstrider’s Silken Finery.

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the wistful warlock

Laeleiweyn of World of Lae has kicked off a series of Alt Appreciation weeks to “celebrate all the classes!”

This week, it’s the Warlocks‘ turn in the spotlight.

Over the nearly two years since the Darkmoon Faire was revamped (my, how time flies!), my Warlock has been creeping through the thirties and forties by doing five Darkmoon Faire profession quests each month. After the Faire this month, she was perched on the cusp of 50. Yesterday, a few Hallow’s End quests were all it took to tip her over, allowing her to do some things she’s been anticipating for a very, very long time: visiting Shadowfang Keep to collect the materials for her scythe (she was already in her late twenties/early thirties when Cataclysm arrived, too high to queue for SFK but too low to solo it) and going to Blackrock Depths to get her horns.

Adjudicator of the Left-Hand Path


Horns of the Left-Hand Path, Geomancer’s Spaulders, High Robe of the Adjudicator*, Apothecary’s Waistband, Heavy Linen Gloves, Walking Boots, Staff of the Left-Hand Path
Besides being the dress of the Stormpike Emissaries and the Bloodmages, this robe is also a classic vanilla Warlock look. At level 30, Warlocks went to Ratchet to learn how to summon their Felpuppies. There, they also met Menara Voidrender, who started them on a Warlock-only quest chain that ultimately awarded the short-sleeved Enchanted Gold Bloodrobe. Across the sea in Silverpine Forest, there was a non-class-specific (Horde) quest chain that awarded a nearly identical robe, the long-sleeved High Robe of the Adjudicator. The Silverpine chain was easily soloable by the mid-twenties, making the High Robe of the Adjudicator available to my wee Warlock earlier and easier than the Enchanted Gold Bloodrobe. So I made sure to get the High Robe of the Adjudicator for her, just in case. And indeed, she never quite got around to starting the class-specific quest chain before Cataclysm came along and wiped away both quest chains. Then I was really glad that I’d done the general one in Silverpine!

Kalaneia’s spec has bounced around from Destruction to Affliction to Demonology and back again. I thought for a while that she might be a Demonologist, a wildlife biologist who became keenly interested in the biology of the wildlife of the Twisting Nether… but then the Metamorphosis mechanic was introduced, and I didn’t really fancy the idea of turning into a demon myself. Thus, she ultimately settled on Destro because that spec has the flavor I’m most comfortable with.

Once upon a time, Kalaneia was a Magister’s apprentice like her cousin, Kaelinda. Whereas Kaelinda and her master spent time studying all three of the major branches of mage-lore, Kalaneia’s master was primarily interested in Fire magic, and together he and his apprentices dug deeper and deeper, seeking greater power from increasingly darker sources. Kalaneia’s eyes had had a greenish hue from her birth, so no-one — including herself — quite realized how far into fel magic she’d gotten until the Sunwell was destroyed and she was barely fazed while the rest of her surviving family were prostrated for weeks. She reveled in her strength compared to her wilting relatives. Though she had not previously studied shadow magic, after the fall of the Sunwell, she gladly embraced the additional power it offered. She has since learned to summon several types of demons, but she generally only bothers with Pagnar the Imp, who gives her the enhanced Fire power she craves.

I have considered buying Kalaneia a Sealed Tome of the Lost Legion as a half-promise that, Real Life permitting, she will reach the level cap someday and be able to pursue green fire!. The price for those things on the AH, however, is almost all the money currently I have on her server, and, realistically speaking, she probably won’t reach level cap until said cap is 95 or 100. At which point, all things considered, it would be easy enough for her to just go to the Isle of Thunder herself and hang out with Cat’s best buddy until he coughs one up.

Though The Devil Wears Transmog rightly comments that the T16 Warlock set in its entirety is horrible, I think that the robe in isolation is rather nice. I like the nifty waterfall effect of the shading on the middle panels. It reminds me of the Farstrider Defender’s and Night’s End cloaks. So I set out to design a Transmogrification kit that would complement the robe and maybe even be a halfway decent Warlock outfit, too. I used the Flex/Normal version of the robe partly because I think it has the nicest color scheme and partly because if Kalaneia ever manages to acquire anything from Siege of Orgrimmar, it will most likely be in the next expansion via a Laid Back Raids/Old Ladies Raiding Guild-type arrangement that would be doing Flex/Normal modes.

A Real Horned Nightmare, Not A Fashion Disaster

Horns of the Betrayer/Horns of the Left-Hand Path/Hood of Disgrace, Illidari Shoulderpads, Robes of the Horned Nightmare (F/N), Sash of Mortal Desire, Helix Breaker Gloves (N), Falling Blossom Sandals

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Things my Warlock Wears

A collection of Transmogrification Kits actually worn in-game by my Blood Elf Warlock. Outfits are listed from most recent to least recent. Items that are no longer obtainable are marked with an asterisk (*).

20) Commander of Demons

Horns of the Left Hand Path, Vir’naal Spaulders, Robes of Insight, Zykes’ Belt, Bramble-Proof Leggings, Auchenai Keeper Gloves, Kurkenstoks, Demon Commander’s Drape, Drakebinder Greatstaff (LFR), Trapper’s Shirt*
As summoning demons and binding them to her will is part of a Warlock’s schtick, Kalaneia decided that she needed to buy the Demon Commander’s Drape from the Legion pre-launch events. Then, of course, she needed a new kit to go with it, and this was the robe that she wanted to wear. I did try making the outfit without shoulders, or a shirt, and with skimpy trousers in the Dressing Room… and I knew that I just wouldn’t feel comfortable running around like that. So I found some shoulders I liked and cued the colors for the shirt and pants off of the shoulders. As always with one of my kits using this style of robe, feel free to consider the shirt optional and use skimpier trousers if you wish.

19) Witch Queen of Angmar or Warlock-Wannabe

Vilebreath Mask, Illidari Shoulderpads, Robes of the Umbral Brute, Hexweave Belt (1-640), Amaranthine Handwraps, Shattrath Jumpers, Malroc’s Staff of Command
For some reason, the coloration combined with the design of this robe always reminds me of the scene in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are on the concealed mountain stairway overlooking the gates of Angmar when the Witch King goes out to hunt.
The shoulders are a recolor of Warlock T5, and the robe is a recolor of Warlock T8, and the hat, though actually a Warlords Priest tier-lookalike item, recalls the Warlock T4 helm — thus, this is a kit for all those Mages and Shadow Priests who just wish they were as awesome as Warlocks.

18) Scion of Slytherin

Hexweave Mantle (3-670), Beastwalker Robe, Ivycloth Sash, Exiled Dabbler’s Gloves, Blood-Bind Sandals, Legacy of Arlokk
My Hunter had been farming Zul’Gurub for the music roll. After seeing this staff drop a few times, I decided that my Warlock really ought to have it. This was the most properly Slytherin-coloured robe to go with it.
Savage Blood required: 30

17) Rain of Fire

Circle of Flame, Hexweave Mantle & Belt (3-670), Black Velvet Robes, Diamond Clutching Gloves, Blood-Bind Sandals, Warmaster’s Firestick (3-660), Goblet of Anger
Silverblade contributed a simply magnificent cloth kit using level 3 Hexweave items and the sleeveless version of this robe to the original Savage Blood Fashion Parade. I also made a kit using level 3 Hexweave items for that event, though mine was not nearly as good. This kit combines my favorite ideas from both of those earlier concepts.
Savage Blood required: 90

16) Shadowfury

Shadowmoon Cowl, Hatefury Mantle, Frostweave Robe, Voodoo-Woven Belt, Wooly Goat Punchers, Boots of Duress, Shroud of the Highborne, Terokk’s Shadowstaff, Green Trophy Tabard of the Illidari
This outfit is adapted from ideas that I originally developed nearly four years ago for my “The Very Model of a Warlock, Dark and Terrible” post. I’ve got to keep playing my Warlock just so I can get around to actually creating in-game my favorite outfits from that collection.
The Shadowmoon Cowl is my favorite hood in the game. I’d love to see that model in brown and black for leather-wearers.
(Oh my… looking at the commentary on the previous kit, it seems that Kalaneia was wearing it for the better part of a year… a few months ago, though, I switched everything in the outfit except the shoulders to this kit to wear while I was farming Hyjal for these shoulders)

15) Fel-Flavored Mana


Horns of the Left Hand Path, Slavehandler Amice, Andorhal Tunic, Ivycloth Sash, Darkweave Breeches, Cloudscorcher Handwraps, Boots of Duress, Cloak of Concentrated Hatred, Staff of Beasts
I first imagined the basic idea of this kit about three years ago, while I was developing ideas for a Transmogrification contest. Shortly thereafter, I refined it when I made my “very model of a Warlock, dark and terrible” post. This kit is somewhat simpler than any of those outfits, however, because the shoulders are an ordinary green-quality drop rather than any of the raid drop shoulders I originally suggested. One of these days, perhaps I’ll get around to farming up those raid drop shoulders and update this kit accordingly…

14) Frostfire Wind Sculptor

Frostwolf Wind-Talker set with Dark Phantom Cape, Frostwolf Augury Staff and Black Swashbuckler’s Shirt
A “recipe set” obtained from early questing in Draenor, dressed up a bit with a shirt and this very nicely matching low-level cloak. I’d forgotten just how much of a cleavage shirt this particular style is, but it does mitigate at least some of the side/underboob exposure from the robe.

13) Blacklight Battleguard


Katoom’s Mask, Resplendent Epaulets, Vestments of the Shifting Sands, Black Belt of Knowledge, Coven Britches, Exiled Dabbler’s Gloves, Junglestrider Sandals, Stylish Black Shirt, Staff of the Qiraji Prophets/Swarming Sting-Staff
If I had been sensible, I would have farmed for the staff at the same time as I was farming for the robe. But I was not, and didn’t begin farming for the staff until after I obtained the robe. The Swarming-Sting Staff was a good stand-in until I finally obtained the Qiraji staff, though.

12) Shado-Pan Summoner

Replica Shado-Pan Helmet, Mantle of the Corruptor, Simple Blouse, Fire-Cord of the Magus, Coven Britches, Black Mageweave Gloves + Wraps of the San’layn, Oilfoot Slippers, Shadow Prowler’s Cloak, Matsuba’s Breadmaker
More decadent Warlocks may prefer to use the Cournith Waterstrider’s Silken Finery.

11) Bloodmyst

Resplendent Epaulets, Death-Speaker’s Tunic, Cloudscorcher belt & gloves, Darkweave Breeches, Hu’rala’s Slippers, Ermine Ruff Cloak, Swarming Sting-Staff
This chestpiece is the only Transmogrification-friendly item in the same style as the vests worn by level 1 Draenei hunters, warriors, and paladins.

10) Dreadmist Regalia



Tattered/Bloodstained & Replica Dreadmist set
Most of my cloth-wearing characters Transmogrify over the heirloom chest and shoulders (and hide the hat) just as quick as they can because they don’t want to look like a Warlock. Kalaneia said, “I am a Warlock! Why shouldn’t I want to look like one?” and went to the Darkmoon Faire the next time it came to town to buy the gloves, belt, and boots to fill out the set.

9) Mistress of Flame and Shadow

Jewel of the Firelord, Silver-Thread shoulders gloves & boots, Chan’s Imperial Robes, Durable Belt, Staff of the Left-Hand Path, Stylish Black Shirt
When I saw this robe on the AH for a real steal of a price, I snapped it up and stashed it away for when my Warlock would be able to wear it.
A Mantle of Closed Doors would be the perfect finishing touch for this outfit at higher levels.

8) Adjudicator of the Left-Hand Path


Horns of the Left-Hand Path, Geomancer’s Spaulders, High Robe of the Adjudicator*, Apothecary’s Waistband, Heavy Linen Gloves, Walking Boots, Staff of the Left-Hand Path
Besides being the dress of the Stormpike Emissaries and the Bloodmages, this robe is also a classic vanilla Warlock look. At level 30, Warlocks went to Ratchet to learn how to summon their Felpuppies. There, they also met Menara Voidrender, who started them on a Warlock-only quest chain that ultimately awarded the short-sleeved Enchanted Gold Bloodrobe. Across the sea in Silverpine Forest, there was a non-class-specific (Horde) quest chain that awarded a nearly identical robe, the long-sleeved High Robe of the Adjudicator. The Silverpine chain was easily soloable by the mid-twenties, making the High Robe of the Adjudicator available to my wee Warlock earlier and easier than the Enchanted Gold Bloodrobe. So I made sure to get the High Robe of the Adjudicator for her, just in case. And indeed, she never quite got around to starting the class-specific quest chain before Cataclysm came along and wiped away both quest chains. Then I was really glad that I’d done the general one in Silverpine!

7) Poor Little ‘Lock

Mantle of the Panther, Thistlefur Robe, Grassland Sash*, Shivery Handwraps*, Walking Boots, Darkwood Staff, Neophyte’s Shirt
Just when Kalaneia was beginning to get excessively bored of being a walking advertisement for the Darkmoon Faire, Batinna’s Dress Up challenge began. Kalaneia’s Thistlefur Robe was a nice fit for the first theme, “poor”. The other items in this outfit were in her inventory already, except for the shirt, which was in my guild bank, and the staff, which required completing two quick and easy quests in Tirisfal Glades. Then Kaelinda had to send her a bit of gold for the Transmogrification and Barbershop fees, as Kalaneia was too poor to afford them by herself.

6) Darkmoon Faire Mystic Mage

Watcher’s Cap & shoulders, Disciple’s robe, Shimmering Sash, Greenweave Gloves, Hu’rala’s Slippers, Cloak of the Darkmoon Faire, Lavender Mageweave Shirt
I like the green gloves and purple boots, but if you want to look more like the NPC, use brown boots and look for the hands-less Soulcloth or Exiled Dabbler’s gloves. The NPC’s belt is not available to players.
Despite the much-vaunted rivalry between Mages and Warlocks, Kalaneia does not take (much) offense at the “Mage” name of this outfit. She’s confirmedly Destruction and can barely be bothered with demons, except as a gateway to greater fire-slinging power.

5) Classic Embersilk

Embersilk set with Corpulent Shoulderpads and Dark Silk Shirt
This style of cloth armor comes in several color schemes, and I like them all.
Until the Geomancer’s Spaulders show up on my AH, these shoulders are the best readily available option.

4) Bouganvilla

Talbar Mantle*/Watcher’s Mantle, Embersilk Robe, Ivycloth Sash, Greenweave pants & gloves, Walking Boots, Green Linen Shirt
During October 2012, JD Kenada invited us to join him in observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month by putting together our best pink Transmogrification Template Kits.
I’d like to use the Vengeance Staff with this outfit, but it is very hard to find.
High-level characters can make a more spectacular version of this outfit with the Vestments of the Shifting Sands and Ruthless Gladiator’s Cord.

3) Paranoia

Katoom’s Mask, Ghostly Mantle*, Necropile Robe*, Clutch of Andros*, Silver-Thread gloves & boots, Staff of Metanoia*, Undercity Doublet
This is a much more Warlocky outfit than the previous one, but it’s not quite perfect. The greenish flame at the top of the staff is deliciously fel, but I was rather dismayed when I looked at the staff up close and saw that it was all Priesty-colored with whites and golds and blues. The Soulkeeper, Staff of Hale Magefire, and Elemental Mage Staff all share the same model but with darker, more sinister colors; I should start watching the AH for one of them to pop up at a price I can afford.
The sleeved version of this robe, the Robes of Arugal, are still available from the level 20 version of Shadowfang Keep. The Shadow Council Mantle matches these robes quite nicely.

2) Phoenix Rising

Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle, Red Mageweave Vest, Durable Belt, Phoenix Pants, Phoenix Gloves, Junglestrider Sandals, Golden Filigreed Doublet, Staff of the Sun
This outfit was built around the tailored Phoenix Pants and Gloves. The shoulders aren’t ideal, but they were the best that were readily obtainable for her level. The Consortium Mantle and the Mantle of the Elven Kings from Tempest Keep are my prime choices for shoulders to complement the rest of the ensemble.

1) Felsoul Regalia
[image to be added later]
The Felsoul set is the gear that a Warlock is shown wearing on the new character selection screen. It is obtained in-game from the Warlords Garrison Salvage Yard.

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