How to Increase iLevel for Heroic Dungeons in WoW: The War Within

After hitting level 80 on a character you want to make PvE progress with, the next step is to get them into Heroic dungeons so you can start earning better gear. But to do that you’ll need to reach the required item level (or ilevel), so here’s how to improve your gear for Heroic Dungeons in World of Warcraft: The War Within.

What is the Item Level Requirement for Heroic Dungeons in WoW: The War Within?

Currently, Heroic Dungeons in WoW: The War Within require an item level of around 567 to queue for, while the bosses inside will drop ilevel 580 gear. You can bypass this entry requirement if you have a group willing to take you through it, but unless you have an already geared group of friends you’ll need to meet this ilevel.

You can check your overall ilevel by simply opening your character tab, where you can see it on the right. The ilevel of an individual gear piece is usually listed right at the top of its tooltip, along with its upgrade level if applicable. Note that we currently don’t recommend crafting gear at this item level, as they are a big investment of gold, resources, and possibly time if you’re crafting it yourself. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to get higher ilevel gear before Heroic Dungeons in WoW: The War Within.

How to Improve your Item Level for Heroic Dungeons in WoW: The War Within

There are several main ways to improve your item level at this stage. Your first stop is to check your reputation with each of the factions, because at level 7 or 8 you will be able to purchase item level 584 gear from several factions. These pieces cost around 2600 Resonance Crystals, which can be acquired in many ways such as through Weekly activities like Awakening the Machine, slaying Rare monsters, or Skyriding Races. At later renown levels, you can also get items of item level 597.

Of particular note is the Nerubian Pheromone Secreter trinket available from the Severed Threads faction. This item level 571 trinket is available at level 7 renown, with an ilevel 584 version available at level 11 renown. Both versions are upgradable, sold for the area currency Kej, and most interestingly can have fragrances socketed into them that increase your secondary stats. Make sure to check around the various vendors in the City of Threads area to find the one with the stat you’re looking for!

Every week there are a selection of quests that reward weekly caches, the first two of which you open each week will contain high level, upgradeable gear. There are a few you can pick up just outside the Dornogal inn, one in Azj-Kahet as part of the pact system, as well as some in Gundargaz. Some activities like Awakening the Machine and Spreading the Light in the Ringing Deeps and Hallowfall respectively also offer caches with their related activities also granting a chance at a mount!

Normal dungeons can have some upgrades if you’re still wearing levelling greens, but you’re more likely to get better upgrades from World Quests and Delves. Every time you log in, give the map of Khaz Algar a scan to see what rewards are available, and especially if there is a World Boss. World Quest rewards appear to scale up to around ilevel 567 with World Bosses giving you a chance at 603 gear.

While you’re scanning for World Quests, keep an eye on which Delves are marked as Bountiful. Bountiful Delves grant extra awards as long as you have a Restored Coffer Key for them, which you can get from weekly caches, World Quests again, or from using the Radiant Echoes you get from the Delves themselves. While some players attempt to min-max the system by immediately going for Tier 8 Delves for the highest possible rewards, even a Tier 3 Bountiful Delve can reward item level 571 gear while being intended for completion at only ilevel 545.

Finally, check which of your gear is marked with an upgrade level, as even some gear that is below the requirement may be upgraded for Valor Stones and Harbinger Crests, both available from World Quests among other ways. The vendor for this is in the building just north of the Dornogal bank, and it could be the thing to put you over the requirement.

If you enjoyed this guide or found it useful, feel free to check out some of Siliconera’s other guides on How to Use the Catalyst to upgrade armor to tier sets, or How to get Rewards from the Great Vault.

World of Warcraft and The War Within expansion are immediately available on PC and Mac.