Introduction
With the release of The War Within, Blizzard has introduced a revamped gear upgrade system, streamlining item enhancement changes while keeping upgrade mechanics accessible for PvE, PvP, and open-world players. This new gear upgrading system introduces Valorstones and Crests, both of which play a crucial role in TWW equipment progression.
This guide will cover:
- How the new gear upgrade system works.
- Key upgrade features like Valorstones and Crests.
- The most efficient ways to upgrade your gear.
- Comparison of the new system vs. Dragonflight’s upgrades.
By the end of this WoW The War Within Gear Upgrade System Guide, you’ll understand how to progress through equipment upgrade paths effectively and maximize item level growth in TWW.
1. Understanding the Gear Upgrade System in The War Within
A. What Is the New Gear Upgrade System in WoW The War Within?
Blizzard has replaced Flightstones (from Dragonflight) with a more structured and balanced gear upgrade system in The War Within.
Key components of the new gear system:
- Valorstones – The primary currency for upgrading equipment.
- Crests – Required for upgrading higher-tier gear pieces.
- Expanded Upgrade Tracks – A refined system that keeps PvE and PvP gear progression balanced.
💡 Key Takeaway:
The new system aims to simplify upgrades, ensure non-raiders and casual players can still progress, and offer clear paths for gear improvements.
2. Valorstones and Crests: The Core of The War Within’s Upgrade System
A. What Are Valorstones?
Valorstones are the main upgrade currency in TWW, replacing Flightstones from Dragonflight. They allow players to enhance their gear levels across multiple tracks.
How to Obtain Valorstones:
| Activity | Valorstones Earned |
|---|---|
| Dungeons (Normal to Mythic+) | 10-50 per boss |
| Raids (LFR to Mythic) | 20-50 per boss |
| PvP Matches (Rated & Solo Shuffle) | 10-40 per win |
| World Quests & Events | 8-20 per completion |
💡 Pro Tip: Mythic+ and Raids provide the most efficient Valorstones farming method.
B. How Crests Work in The War Within
Crests remain an essential part of the new gear upgrading mechanics, functioning as tier-based upgrade tokens that limit how high an item can be upgraded.
Types of Crests & Their Uses:
| Crest Type | Item Level Bracket | Where to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Whelpling’s Crest | Low-level upgrades | World Quests, Normal Dungeons |
| Drake’s Crest | Mid-tier upgrades | Heroic Dungeons, Mythic 0 |
| Wyrm’s Crest | High-end upgrades | Mythic+ 5-10, Normal Raids |
| Aspect’s Crest | Best-in-Slot gear | Mythic+ 11+, Heroic/Mythic Raids |
💡 Key Tip:
- Use Wyrm & Aspect Crests on weapons, trinkets, and tier pieces first for maximum power gains.
3. Comparing The War Within’s Upgrade System vs. Dragonflight’s System
Blizzard refined the upgrade system in The War Within to improve accessibility while maintaining a structured path.
| Feature | Dragonflight System | The War Within System |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade Currency | Flightstones | Valorstones |
| Upgrade Limits | Capped per season | More flexible limits |
| PvP Gear Scaling | Separate system | Integrated with PvE upgrades |
| Ease of Farming | Moderate grind | More streamlined sources |
💡 The War Within’s upgrade system simplifies farming while retaining meaningful progression, making gear enhancement easier for all playstyles.
4. The New Gear Tracks: How to Progress Through Upgrades Efficiently
A. The Different Upgrade Paths in TWW Gearing
Gear progression in The War Within follows structured upgrade tracks, ensuring smooth equipment enhancement.
| Gear Track | Item Level Range | Upgrade Method |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer Gear | Entry-level gear | World Content, Quests |
| Adventurer Gear | Pre-Raid/Mythic 0 | Heroic Dungeons |
| Veteran Gear | Mythic 0 & PvP | Raid Finder, Mythic+ |
| Champion Gear | Normal Raid/Mythic 5-9 | Mythic+ & Raids |
| Hero Gear | High-End Raiding/PvP | Heroic/Mythic Raids |
| Myth Gear | Best-in-Slot Gear | Mythic Raiding & M+ 16+ |
💡 Best Strategy: Focus on Mythic+ and Raids for rapid item level growth.
5. Optimizing Gear Upgrades: Best Practices
A. Upgrade Priority Guide
Not all gear upgrades provide the same statistical value. Follow this priority order:
- Weapons & Trinkets – Biggest DPS/healing/tank power increases.
- Tier Set Pieces – Set bonuses significantly boost performance.
- Rings & Necklaces – Strong stat gains without set bonus interference.
- Secondary Armor Pieces – Fill in gaps after major slots are upgraded.
💡 Tip: Don’t waste Crests on non-essential upgrades like bracers and cloaks.
6. Best Ways to Farm Valorstones & Crests for Upgrades
A. Top Valorstones Farming Methods
- Mythic+ dungeons (Best source, repeatable rewards).
- Weekly Raid Bosses (Consistent, guaranteed drops).
- PvP Matches (Alternative method for non-PvE players).
- World Events & Rare Elites (Good for casual players).
B. Best Crests Farming Methods
- Dungeon Key Progression (Earn higher Crests as key levels increase).
- Raid Boss Kills (Weekly cap applies, so plan kills wisely).
- PvP Ranking Progression (Earn better Crests as you reach higher PvP ratings).
💡 Tip: Focus on at least 3 Mythic+ dungeons and 3 raid bosses per week to ensure steady upgrade progression.
7. Mastering The War Within’s Gear Upgrade System
The new gear upgrading mechanics in The War Within ensure a balanced, streamlined progression system that benefits all players, from casual questers to hardcore raiders. By understanding the Valorstones and Crests system, players can efficiently upgrade their equipment, ensuring they remain competitive in all aspects of gameplay.
Summary:
✅ Farm Valorstones efficiently from dungeons, raids, and PvP.
✅ Use Crests wisely to maximize high-priority gear upgrades.
✅ Follow structured gear tracks to progress smoothly.
✅ Focus on Mythic+ and Raid Bosses for best upgrade returns.
8. Advanced Strategies for Efficient Gear Upgrading in The War Within
To maximize TWW equipment progression, players need to optimize their upgrade routes, farm Valorstones efficiently, and avoid common mistakes.
A. Best Strategy for Rapid Gear Upgrades
Follow this optimized weekly plan to progress efficiently:
1. Prioritize Mythic+ Keys for Maximum Upgrades
- Run multiple Mythic+ dungeons at key levels 5-10+ to earn Valorstones & Wyrm Crests.
- Complete at least 3 keys weekly to unlock the Great Vault rewards.
2. Optimize Raid Lockouts for Crests & High-End Gear
- Focus on Normal & Heroic Raid progression to farm Champion & Hero gear.
- Defeat at least 3 bosses per week for weekly Crest and Valorstones rewards.
3. Use PvP as an Alternative Gearing Path
- Arena & Rated Battleground wins grant PvP Valorstones for non-dungeon players.
- Conquest gear is often competitive with Raid & Mythic+ loot.
💡 Pro Tip: If you only have limited time, prioritize Mythic+ over Raid Finder for better Valorstones per hour.
B. Common Mistakes to Avoid in the New Upgrade System
Many players waste Valorstones & Crests due to poor upgrade planning. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Upgrading Low-Priority Gear Slots Too Early
- Avoid spending Crests on bracers, belts, and cloaks before upgrading weapons, trinkets, and tier sets.
- Use upgrade materials on high-impact items first!
2. Holding Onto Valorstones & Hitting the Cap
- Valorstones cap at 2,000, so always spend them weekly to prevent wasted gains.
- Regularly upgrade key items to stay ahead in PvE & PvP.
3. Not Running Enough Mythic+ Dungeons
- Mythic+ provides the most efficient upgrade materials, so avoid skipping weekly key runs.
- Even low keys like +2 to +5 can yield significant upgrade resources.
💡 Pro Tip: Never hoard Valorstones—use them consistently for steady power growth.
9. Gearing Roadmap: The Best Path for Upgrade Progression
Players should follow a structured roadmap to progress through TWW’s upgrade system efficiently.
Phase 1: Early Gearing
- Farm World Quests & Normal Dungeons to collect Explorer/Adventurer gear.
- Use Valorstones sparingly at this stage—focus on farming rather than upgrading.
Goal: Prepare for Heroic Dungeons & Mythic 0.
Phase 2: Pre-Raid & Mythic+ Entry
- Run Heroic Dungeons & Mythic 0 to obtain Veteran-tier gear.
- Start collecting Drake Crests & Valorstones for early upgrades.
- Complete weekly Raid Finder bosses for guaranteed Valorstones.
Goal: Get Raid & Mythic 5+ ready.
Phase 3: Mid-Tier Raiding & Mythic+ Progression
- Prioritize upgrading weapons, trinkets, and tier set bonuses.
- Farm Wyrm Crests & higher Mythic+ keys (5-10) for stronger upgrades.
- Start Heroic Raids for higher Champion & Hero gear.
Goal: Reach Hero gear levels & push Mythic+ 10+ content.
Phase 4: Endgame Gearing
- Upgrade Mythic Raid & Mythic+ 15+ gear using Aspect Crests.
- Focus on best-in-slot items for optimal performance.
- Prepare for next season’s gear transitions with saved upgrade materials.
Goal: Achieve best-in-slot gear for all endgame content.
💡 Pro Tip: Skipping lower Mythic+ keys and jumping straight into high Mythic content slows progression—gradual improvement is key.
10. Future Changes & Blizzard’s Plans for Gear Upgrades
Blizzard has hinted that future patches may tweak the upgrade system based on player feedback.
Possible future adjustments include:
| Potential Change | Impact on Players |
|---|---|
| Seasonal Reset for Valorstones & Crests | Encourages fresh gearing for each season. |
| More Upgrade Tiers for Mythic+ | Could provide higher-end item scaling. |
| PvP & PvE Upgrade Balance Tweaks | Ensures neither side has an unfair gearing advantage. |
💡 Stay updated on Blizzard’s patch notes to adjust your gearing strategies accordingly.
11. Final Thoughts: Mastering The War Within’s Gear Upgrade System
The gear upgrading mechanics in The War Within are designed to be accessible, ensuring players can progress at their own pace while keeping upgrade paths engaging and rewarding.
Key Takeaways for TWW Equipment Progression:
✅ Farm Valorstones from dungeons, raids, and PvP weekly.
✅ Use Crests wisely—focus on weapons, trinkets, and tier bonuses first.
✅ Follow structured gear tracks for optimal progression.
✅ Avoid common mistakes like wasting upgrades on low-priority gear.
✅ Balance Mythic+ and Raid lockouts for the best rewards.
By following these strategies, players will stay ahead of the gearing curve, ensuring top performance in dungeons, raids, and PvP content in The War Within! 🚀
