Now that Phase 5 is slated to release on July 28th, is there any value in going to Blackwing Lair? Absolutely! Some of the gear will remain Best in Slot for many classes through the rest of Classic (or at least until Naxxramas releases).

Blackwing Lair was a huge step up in terms of gear itemization from Molten Core and Onyxia, and it warrants some attention. If players are curious about which items to keep an eye out for in Blackwing Lair, here is a list of 10 of the most amazing items everyone will want to have from this raid.

10 Crul’shorukh, Edge of Chaos

After that dreadful dragon Nefarian takes his final breath and fury warriors see this shiny purple ax in his loot table - be prepared for excitement and possibly drama. Crul’shorukh is a best in slot ax, with only 9% chance of dropping from the beast.

It’s highly sought after for the +36 attack power and the epic looks. Orc warriors will be the ones drooling over this most, due to their +5 to axes racial. It’s a great main hand weapon for those orcs who didn’t want to do the rank 14 PvP grind.

9 Chromatically Tempered Sword

This sword is the real big-ticket item in Blackwing Lair for Fury Warriors and sword Rogues. It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it’s the best main-hand weapon until AQ. With a roughly 10% drop chance and the current melee DPS meta, players might be waiting a long time to get their hands on this bad boy.

It’s definitely worth the time investment though. For anyone who is playing as a warrior or a rogue, they’ll likely be waiting a long time for the next upgrade anyways.

8 Ashjre’thul, Crossbow of Smiting

They say that everything is a hunter weapon. In the case of Ashjre’thul, Crossbow of Smiting, that is definitely the case. It’s made for hunters, with +36 to ranged attack power.

The weapon is so good that hunters won’t see a replacement till Kel’Thuzad drops the Nerubian Slavemaker in Phase 6. If players don’t want to wait until literally the end of Classic, every hunter should keep this in their sights.

7 Drake Fang Talisman

This is a trinket with the power to break guilds apart. With +56 Attack Power, +2% Hit, and +1% Dodge, it’s no wonder that every melee in the raid will be at each other’s throat to get their hands on it. It’s considered best in slot for Warriors (both tank and DPS), Rogues, Hunters, and Feral Druids.

As is the case with the three big trinkets from Blackwing Lair, Drake Fang Talisman is best in slot until The Burning Crusade. It’s best utilized on classes with a higher hit cap (especially dual wielders), but don’t be surprised when everyone regardless of class as an excuse for why they deserve it most of all.

6 Rejuvenating Gem

Rejuvenating Gem is the healer’s answer to Drake Fang Talisman, with a whopping +66 Healing Power and 9 mana per 5 seconds. It’s incredible, and every healer wants it. Unlike the other items on this list, this trinket has the potential to drop from 3 different bosses (Firemaw, Ebonroc, and Flamegor).

3 can drop in a single raid. The only pure healing power upgrade players will see is Eye of the Dead from Sapphiron in Naxxramas. However, even that is only a slight upgrade, with +70 Healing Power and an on-use effect. Every healer in the raid will want Rejuvenating Gem equipped.

5 Neltharion’s Tear

There’s a trend with Blackwing Lair loot - the trinkets are insane. Theoretically, this best in slot caster trinket has an 18% drop chance, although most Warlocks and Mages would argue otherwise. They’re all vying for that +44 Spell Power and +2% Hit. Warlocks especially dream of a high hit rating.

However, if players happen to have a Boomkin, Shadow Priest, or Elemental Shaman, they’ll want it too. The consensus, however, is that this item should 100% go to Warlocks and Mages first.

4 Pure Elementium Band

The Pure Elementium Band drops from Nefarian at a roughly 18% likelihood. It’s a ring that most healers will be unable to replace till Phase 6 (with the Band of Unanswered Prayers). However, in comparing the two, they are almost identical.

The Naxxramas ring has only 2 more Spirit, 2 more Stamina, and 1 more Intellect compared to the Pure Elementium Band (and 2 LESS Healing Power). So realistically, healers won’t be replacing the Pure Elementium Band unless they’re full BiS everywhere else. If players are rocking this band with the Ring of Faith in Phase 6, nobody will bat an eye. It’s just that good.

3 Mish’undare, Circlet of the Mind Flayer

This helmet is Best in Slot for a lot of different classes - including healers (if a guild isn’t killing world bosses). There’s definite drama to be had when a Holy Paladin wins it over Mages and Warlocks, though.

Paladins will replace this easily in AQ, while mages won’t see an upgrade until they get Tier 3. Even Warlocks have a good alternative in Doomcaller’s Circlet. However, it is an amazing item, so be prepared for raiders fighting over it.

2 Chromatic Boots

Also known as the pink boots, Chromatic Boots are BiS for Warriors and Retribution Paladins offering +20 Strength, +20 Agility, and +1% Hit in addition to some Stamina.

They may not look as good as other items on the list, but their less-than-stellar appearance won’t prevent any Fury from dropping a lot of DKP on them. Like many other awesome Blackwing Lair loot, these drop from Chrommagus roughly 20% of the time.

1 Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood

Ashkandi is a gorgeous red blade that drops from Nefarian roughly 9% of the time. While Paladins, Warriors, and Hunters are all classes that can use it (and many of them argued they should use it back in original Vanilla), this weapon should 100% go to a Hunter above the other two classes.

Why? If players are gearing for PvE, Warrior DPS should always be dual-wielding, and Retribution Paladins can use either Hand of Ragnaros or Nightfall. Hunters don’t take the DPS hit from using a 2-Handed Sword, the stats are incredible for them, plus it is incredible for melee weaving. Yes, this is ACTUALLY a Hunter weapon.

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