WowUtils

End of Tier Preparation: What Actually Matters

Getting your alts ready for splits matters more than minor main character upgrades that get replaced in week 1 of the new tier.

7/7/2025
5 min read
Penkek

Start thinking about tier transitions early, not just in the final weeks. The biggest impact you can have is getting your alts and potential rerolls ready for the new tier.

Priority 1: Alt and Reroll Preparation

This is the most influential thing for your team. A well-geared alt for splits beats minor upgrades on your main that get replaced week 1.

Alt Requirements for Splits
  • 4-piece tier set (mandatory)
  • Weapons within reasonable range of your main
  • Two functional trinkets
  • All slots at acceptable ilvl
Reroll Considerations

Starting a new tier with a poorly geared character makes early M+ farming miserable and can be demotivating. If you're considering a reroll, gear it properly before the transition.

What Actually Survives Transitions

Most gear gets replaced immediately, but a few categories are worth targeting:

Overbudget Trinkets

Trinkets with unique effects that scale with your overall power rather than trinket ilvl.

Example: Ky'veza's Transmitter

Unique Weapons

Weapons with unique effects, though it's been a while since we've seen one worth going out of your way for. Generally, ilvl is king.

Perfect Ring Stats

Rings with perfect stat combinations. The second ring you replace in a new tier can sometimes be harder to find.

Strategy

When you start thinking about the transition:

  1. Evaluate gear that might survive the patch - Is there an obvious overbudget trinket or unique weapon worth chasing?
  2. Assess alt readiness - Can your alts contribute meaningfully to early splits?
  3. Consider reroll needs - Does a potential reroll have a good starting point if the reroll is needed?
  4. Stop minor upgrades - Don't waste resources on incremental main character improvements, focus on bigger upgrades, mains can get loot from M+.
The Trade-off

A 6 ilvl upgrade on bracers that gets replaced in week 1 versus completing an alt's tier set that enables effective split farming - the choice is clear.

Timeline Approach

Early tier: Standard priorities - main gets upgrades, alts get leftovers

Mid-tier: Start evaluating what might survive and alt readiness

Late tier: Shift resources heavily toward alt preparation unless chasing confirmed survivors

The exact timing depends on your guild's split needs and your own goals, but thinking early prevents scrambling at the end.

TL;DR
  • Biggest impact: Alt and reroll preparation for splits and early M+ farming
  • Worth chasing: Overbudget trinkets (like Transmitter), unique weapons, perfect ring stats
  • Gets replaced: Tier pieces, most trinkets, majority of armor slots
  • Strategy: Think early, shift resources from minor main upgrades to alt functionality