Heirloom

Heirloom is an item type that was introduced with Wrath of the Lich King. The items have a golden hue in their text color, and their attributes scale with the character's level. Nearly all heirloom items are named after popular items from the early days of Classic WoW, and share the look of these items.

Once purchased, heirlooms bind to the account, as opposed to an individual character. This means they can be mailed to any character that shares the same account and server, including those of opposing faction (patch 3.3). Heirloom items can be returned for a refund within the normal two-hour grace period, but only if the item was not mailed to a different character yet.

Heirloom items do not have a durability stat, and do not need to be repaired. This saves money when leveling your character.

For classes that can wear mail and plate items, while the character is under level 40, heirlooms will appear as leather or mail armor types until that character is able to wear the mail or plate armor type. For instance, when purchasing an heirloom for a level 12 shaman, you want to buy a mail heirloom item, which will scale down to leather when equipped on the shaman until the shaman reaches level 40, when it will become mail again.

Heirloom shoulders, chestpieces, cloaks, helms and the ring allow greater experience gains while wearing them. The experience bonuses stack with each other and with the rested bonus, and affect experience gains from quests, but do not stack with [Essence of Wintergrasp]. The maximum possible experience bonus from heirlooms alone is 40%.

Heirloom item restrictions are skill based and not class based. For instance, any class could wear the cloth shoulders and chest for the 20% experience boost, but classes such as warriors and rogues would not benefit from the item's casting stats.

Stat values

An heirloom's stats correspond to the item level of a blue quality item requiring its wearer's level, except that for cloak and helm heirlooms, the stats stop increasing at level 80. However, heirlooms give bonuses to four different stats from a far lower level than blue items start doing so. At level 80, heirlooms are approximately equivalent to an item level 187 rare item, and will ultimately be replaced by questing, instancing, and PvP at the maximum level.

On reaching levels 58 and 68, players will notice unusually large stat increases to heirlooms, because these are the lowest required levels for blues introduced in, respectively, Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King. The same is true at level 81 for Cataclysm heirloom cloaks. However, while blue items introduced in Cataclysm all require at least level 81, uncommon items of level 272 only require level 77.

For almost any given justice-point heirloom weapon or armor item, as well as for each of the heirloom cloaks at level 80, there exist four uncommon replacements that:

• Occur as world drops.
• Bind when equipped.
• Have the same stats as the heirloom with higher values.
• Have required levels of 77, 78, 79 and 80.
• Have item levels of 272, 278, 283 and 289.
• Have four consecutive item IDs (see ItemString).
• Have the item suffix "of the Earthfall" (for Strength items), "of the Windflurry" (for Agility items), or "of the Fireflash" (for Intellect items).

Tips for Early Purchasing

If you're thrifty and plan to level several alts, aim for gear many different classes can use even if the gear might be not be optimal for all of them. This is especially important since enchants for such gear tend to go for high prices on auction houses. For example, spell shoulders and spell staffs are popular heirlooms since nearly all classes that use mana can find some use for them compared to stuff like paladin-specific spellplate. Similarly, shoulders of any kind should take preference over weapons, the former for their experience boost (even if it creates suboptimal stats) while the latter are mostly a convenience to the player with the exception of gear-dependent tanks.

Shoulders

The heirloom shoulders were originally sold only in Wintergrasp or Dalaran. In Patch 3.2.0, the shoulders sold in Dalaran are also purchasable from Dame Evniki Kapsalis at the Argent Tournament Grounds in Icecrown for Champion's Seals once the title <Crusader> has been earned..

Shoulder enchants, available at exalted with the Sons of Hodir, are also heirloom-quality items, but are only usable by level 80 characters. This is to allow for the use of these powerful enchants without having to grind through the reputations (particularly Sons of Hodir) with another character. If your character has the ability to craft or purchase shoulder enchants of their own, they can be applied to the heirloom shoulders.

Note that these Heirloom items are only the highest level version of the item the faction vendor carries. For example, [Lesser Inscription of the Axe] is not an Heirloom and the name will not appear in a brown color in the vendor's trade window.

Name	Type	Bought In	Cost	Namesake	Recommended Classes
[Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle]	Cloth - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Sunderseer Mantle]	Mage, Warlock, Priest
[Tattered Dreadmist Mantle]	Cloth - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Dreadmist Mantle]	Mage, Warlock, Priest
[Lasting Feralheart Spaulders]	Spell Leather - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Feralheart Spaulders]	Druid
[Preened Ironfeather Shoulders]	Spell Leather - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Ironfeather Shoulders]	Druid
[Exceptional Stormshroud Shoulders]	Leather - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Stormshroud Shoulders]	Rogue, Druid, (Hunter)
[Stained Shadowcraft Spaulders]	Leather - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Shadowcraft Spaulders]	Rogue, Druid, (Hunter)
[Aged Pauldrons of The Five Thunders]	Spell Mail - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Pauldrons of The Five Thunders]	Shaman
[Mystical Pauldrons of Elements]	Spell Mail - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Pauldrons of Elements]	Shaman
[Prized Beastmaster's Mantle]	Mail - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Beastmaster's Mantle]	Shaman, Hunter
[Champion Herod's Shoulder]	Mail - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Herod's Shoulder]	Shaman, Hunter
[Pristine Lightforge Spaulders]	Spell Plate - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Lightforge Spaulders]	Paladin
[Strengthened Stockade Pauldrons]	Plate - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Stockade Pauldrons]	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight
[Polished Spaulders of Valor]	Plate - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Spaulders of Valor]	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight

Name	Slot	Faction	Reputation	Cost
[Greater Inscription of the Axe]	Shoulder	Sons of Hodir	Exalted	100
[Greater Inscription of the Crag]	Shoulder	Sons of Hodir	Exalted	100
[Greater Inscription of the Pinnacle]	Shoulder	Sons of Hodir	Exalted	100
[Greater Inscription of the Storm]	Shoulder	Sons of Hodir	Exalted	100

Chestpieces

Heirloom chestpieces have a 10% experience boost from quests and kills, and this boost stacks with the 10% from the shoulders (thus making leveling for the lower-levels much easier).

These can be purchased from Dame Evniki Kapsalis once the title <Crusader> has been earned, at the Argent Tournament Grounds in Icecrown costing 60 [Champion's Seal], or from Enchanter Erodin (Horde) / Enchanter Isian (Alliance) in Dalaran costing 2175 .

Below, classes in square brackets are not in the proper armor class, but will still get the full benefit from the listed heirloom. Classes in brackets will find the heirloom significantly weaker than another one, but will still benefit. Keep this in mind if buying an heirloom for several alts to use.

Name	Type	Bought In	Cost	Namesake	Recommended Classes
[Tattered Dreadmist Robe]	Cloth - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Dreadmist Robe]	Mage, Warlock, Priest, (Druid)
[Preened Ironfeather Breastplate]	Spell Leather - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Ironfeather Breastplate]	Druid
[Stained Shadowcraft Tunic]	Leather - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Shadowcraft Tunic]	Druid, Rogue, (Shaman), (Hunter), [Paladin], [Warrior]
[Mystical Vest of Elements]	Spell Mail - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Vest of Elements]	Shaman, (Paladin)
[Champion's Deathdealer Breastplate]	Mail - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Deathdealer Breastplate]	Shaman, Hunter
[Polished Breastplate of Valor]	Plate - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Breastplate of Valor]	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight

Enchant	Effect
[Enchant Chest - Greater Stats]	+4 All stats
[Enchant Chest - Major Mana]	+100 Mana
[Enchant Chest - Major Health]	+100 Health

Weapons, accessories, misc.

Like the shoulders, many of these weapons and other heirlooms were originally sold either in Dalaran or in Wintergrasp. Some were added as available only at the Argent Tournament, but currently both the Dalaran and Argent Tournament vendors offer the same selection of items. A quest reward ring grants players an additional 5% XP bonus.

Weapons

Name	Type	Bought In	Cost	Namesake	Recommended Classes
[Grand Staff of Jordan]	Staff - PvP	Stormwind, Orgrimmar	2175	[Staff of Jordan]	Mage, Priest, Warlock, Druid
[Dignified Headmaster's Charge]	Staff - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	3500 / 95	[Headmaster's Charge]	Mage, Priest, Warlock, Druid, Hunter (twink up to level 19)
[The Blessed Hammer of Grace]	1H Mace - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2725	[The Hammer of Grace]	Shaman, Paladin, Priest, Druid
[Devout Aurastone Hammer]	1H Mace - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2725 / 75	[Aurastone Hammer]	Shaman, Paladin, Priest, Druid
[Venerable Mass of McGowan]	1H Mace - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 75	[Mass of McGowan]	Rogue, Shaman, Death Knight, Warrior (levels 20-59)
[Sharpened Scarlet Kris]	Dagger - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Scarlet Kris]	Rogue, Hunter
[Balanced Heartseeker]	Dagger - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Heartseeker]	Rogue, Hunter
[Battleworn Thrash Blade]	1H Sword - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2175	[Thrash Blade]	Rogue, Death Knight, Warrior (level 20-59)
[Venerable Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge]	1H Sword -PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2175 / 60	[Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge]	Rogue, Death Knight, Warrior (level 20-59), Hunter (20+)
[Reforged Truesilver Champion]	2H Sword -PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	3500	[Truesilver Champion]	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight
[Bloodied Arcanite Reaper]	2H Axe - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	3500 / 95	[Arcanite Reaper]	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight, Shaman (levels 1-40)
[Repurposed Lava Dredger]	2H Mace - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	3500 / 95	[Finkle's Lava Dredger]	Druid, Shaman (levels 1-40)
[Charmed Ancient Bone Bow]	Bow - PvE	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	3500 / 95	[Ancient Bone Bow]	Hunter, Warrior, Rogue
[Upgraded Dwarven Hand Cannon]	Gun - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	3500	[Dwarven Hand Cannon]	Hunter, Warrior, Rogue

Weapon Enchant	Slot
[Enchant Weapon - Crusader]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Lifestealing]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Fiery Weapon]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Icy Chill]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Agility]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Strength]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Superior Striking]	Melee Weapon
[Enchant 2H Weapon - Agility]	2H Weapon
[Iron Counterweight]	2H Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Spellpower]	Caster Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Healing Power]	Caster Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Mighty Intellect]	Caster Weapon
[Enchant Weapon - Mighty Spirit]	Caster Weapon

Ranged Enchant	Level Req.
[Crude Scope]	5
[Standard Scope]	10
[Biznicks 247x128 Accurascope]	50
[Heartseeker Scope]	70

Accessories, Misc

Name	Type	Bought In	Cost	Namesake	Recommended Classes
[Inherited Insignia of the Alliance]	Trinket - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2725	[Insignia of the Alliance]	All
[Inherited Insignia of the Horde]	Trinket - PvP	Wintergrasp, Orgrimmar / Stormwind	2725	[Insignia of the Horde]	All
[Discerning Eye of the Beast]	Trinket	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2725 / 75	[Eye of the Beast]	All caster
[Swift Hand of Justice]	Trinket	Dalaran, Orgrimmar / Stormwind, Icecrown	2725 / 75	[Hand of Justice]	All
[Dread Pirate Ring]	Ring	Northrend	Quest Reward - Kalu'ak Fishing Derby		All

Cloaks

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Heirloom Cloaks have a 5% experience boost from quests and kills and stack with all other Heirloom items.

These items are sold by Guild vendors for 1200 after completing the achievement  Guild Level 10. You will also need Honored Guild Reputation to purchase these items.

Classes in brackets will find the heirloom significantly weaker than another one, but will still benefit. Keep this in mind if buying an heirloom for several alts to use. Since all the cloaks have Stamina, Crit and Haste along with the experience bonus, they can benefit any class despite not being ideal.

Name	Type	Cost	Recommended Classes
[Inherited Cape of the Black Baron]	Agility Cloak	1200	Shaman, Hunter, Rogue, Druid, (Paladin), (Warrior), (Death Knight)
[Ancient Bloodmoon Cloak]	Spell Cloak	1200	Mage, Warlock, Priest, Druid, Shaman, Paladin
[Worn Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape]	Strength Cloak	1200	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight, (Druid), (Shaman), (Hunter), (Rogue)

Back Enchant
[Enchant Cloak - Stealth]
[Enchant Cloak - Subtlety]
[Enchant Cloak - Superior Defense]
[Enchant Cloak - Greater Resistance]

Head

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Heirloom heads have a 10% experience boost from quests and kills and stack with all other Heirloom items.

These items are sold by Guild vendors for after completing the achievement  Guild Level 20. You will also need Honored Guild Reputation to purchase these items.

Below, classes in square brackets are not in the proper armor class, but will still get the stat benefit from the listed heirloom. Classes in brackets will find the heirloom significantly weaker than another one, but will still benefit. Keep this in mind if buying an heirloom for several alts to use.

The head enchants available at revered with certain factions are also heirloom-quality items, but are only useable by level 80 characters. This is to allow for the use of these powerful enchants without having to grind through the reputations with another character.

Name	Type	Cost	Recommended Classes
[Tattered Dreadmist Mask]	Cloth	1500	Mage, Warlock, Priest, [Druid], [Shaman], [Paladin]
[Preened Tribal War Feathers]	Spell Leather	1500	Druid, [Shaman], [Paladin]
[Stained Shadowcraft Cap]	Leather	1500	Druid, Rogue, [Shaman], [Hunter], ([Paladin]), ([Warrior]), ([Death Knight])
[Mystical Coif of Elements]	Spell Mail	1500	Shaman, [Paladin]
[Tarnished Raging Berserker's Helm]	Mail	1500	Shaman, Hunter, ([Paladin]), ([Warrior]), ([Death Knight])
[Polished Helm of Valor]	Plate	1500	Paladin, Warrior, Death Knight

Name	Slot	Faction	Reputation	Cost
[Arcanum of Hyjal]	Head	Guardians of Hyjal	Revered	150
[Arcanum of the Dragonmaw]	Head	Dragonmaw Clan	Revered	150
[Arcanum of the Earthen Ring]	Head	The Earthen Ring	Revered	150
[Arcanum of the Ramkahen]	Head	Ramkahen	Revered	150
[Arcanum of the Wildhammer]	Head	Wildhammer Clan	Revered	150
[Arcanum of Blissful Mending]	Head	Wyrmrest Accord	Revered	150
[Arcanum of Burning Mysteries]	Head	Kirin Tor	Revered	150
[Arcanum of Torment]	Head	Knights of the Ebon Blade	Revered	150
[Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector]	Head	Argent Crusade	Revered	150

Enchanting your Heirlooms

Heirlooms can be enchanted only with enhancements that will not bind the item to the character. The items are treated as item level 1, and as such can not use most Burning Crusade or higher enhancements; however, Death Knight runes are allowed on heirloom weapons as of Patch 4.0.1. Also worth considering is the fact that some of the enhancements that can be used will not actually take effect unless the character using them is of the appropriate level (primarily shoulder enchants).

The shoulder enchants from the Inscription profession will work on Heirlooms shoulders at any level, however you will require Inscription for the enchant to take effect. This means minimum level required is 65 (to have 400 skill). The pvp shoulder enchant will only work when your character reaches level 70.

For the sake of space, only the most useful enchantments are included. (Note: You are able to place Zandalar Signets on Heirloom Items if you have the rep though they require level 55 to become active; note also that these enchants are no longer available as of Patch 4.0.3a.)

Patch Changes

• Patch 4.0.6 (2011-02-08): Heirloom vendors for both Justice Points and Honor Points added in Stormwind and Orgrimmar.
  
• Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Guild reward heirloom cloaks and heads added. Level 85 helm faction-related enchants available.
  
• Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12):
  •  [Wintergrasp Commendation] removed. All PvP zone marks were eliminated with the Honor Point conversion.
  •  [Tome of Cold Weather Flight] removed. Cold Weather Flying is now available at level 68 from your normal flying trainers for 500.
    
• Patch 3.3.5 (2010-06-22): Heirlooms were given a durability stat, but this was quickly hotfixed.
  
• Patch 3.3.0 (2009-12-08): Heirloom ring  [Dread Pirate Ring] added. Level 80 helm and shoulder faction-related enchants are now available as Bind-to-Account.
  
• Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04): Heirloom chestpieces and  [Tome of Cold Weather Flight] added. Heirlooms may now be purchased with Champion's Seals once the title <Crusader> has been earned.
  
• Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Heirloom shoulders, weapons and trinkets added.
  

External links

• Armory Light: Heirloom Scaling Calculator
• Heirloom Items Scale Calculator
• RRVS: Beta Bind to account items
• MMOC: Some BtA items
• WoW Insider on Heirlooms
• MMOC: Chests