Mushan at Mushan, Etc.: From the latest bit of datamining on wowdb.com, we get to see some of the Jewelcrafting gems that are likely to be in the game when Mists of Pandaria launches. I was very interested to see the proportionality between primary and secondary stats on these new gems.
In their current incarnations, with the exception of Stamina, primary and secondary stats are proportional on gems of equal rarity. For instance, using the Cataclysm blue-quality gems, a Delicate Inferno Ruby has +40 Agility, and a Smooth Amberjewel has +40 Critical Strike Rating. For DPS specs, this makes gems with secondary stats – in whole or in part – inferior to red gems, since reds give us the greatest benefit by far. There are exceptions, of course, particularly when there is a favorable socket bonus (+30 Agility, for instance) rewarding us for choosing, say, an orange gem such as a Deadly Ember Topaz (+20 Agility, +20 Crit Rating).
Looking to the near future, the amount of secondary stats could possibly be increasing by 50% on gems in MoP – which puts secondary stats in line with Stamina in that regard.
IF this proportionality comes to pass for gems, it could serve to alter the way we think about both gemming and stat priorities in MoP.
Currently, for hunters, Agility is king on non-ranged-weapon gear. From personal experience, I know that this is the same for cat druids, while Strength is king for plate DPS, as is Intellect for Balance druids and other casters. This situation has had an affect on multiple areas of the game, from gemming, enchanting and gear choices to the Auction House, where red gems have routinely sold for much more gold than other colors throughout the expansion.
What if Blizzard is changing that? . . . Read full article
