- Weapon - Either save 150 badges for the Staff of the Forest Lord or run Battle Grounds for the Gladiator's Maul or Merciless Gladiator's Maul... if you get lucky maybe the Terestian's Stranglestaff falls in Kara and you can save the time or badges. Fleshling Simulation Staff or Wildcaller are both quest rewards and an option until you get any of the above. As was pointed out by another reader in comments, Earthwarden is also a wonderful alternative until an Arena weapon, Badge weapon, or the Kara staff falls. You will need Cenarion Expedition rep to the tune of exalted and some gold but EW is the tanking weapon of choice until the SSC drop and on par with many others for Kitty DPS. Staff of Natural Fury from the AH is another option but EW is most likely going to be less gold and will offer more mitigation when soloing.
- Chest - Get a Shadowprowler's Chestguard crafted, that is the fastest and easiest upgrade. Chestguard of the Conniver also works, another Kara drop. I am currently running around in Vengeful Gladiator's Dragonhide Tunic so if you want to dump some time in arena this is another option.
- Pants - Hope that Netherspite drops Skulker's Greaves, from quest either Shattrath Leggings or Clefthoof Hide Leggings, Trousers of the Scryers' Retainer if you have the badges, Arena for Vengeful Gladiator's Dragonhide Legguards is an option as is BG's for Merciless Gladiator's Dragonhide Legguards.
- Head - Helm of the Claw is a quest reward, try for that until you get your Stag-Helm of Malorne off prince or do some arena for the Vengeful Gladiator's Dragonhide Helm. You really want your T4 helm however, make this a priority if you are raiding Kara.
- Neck - Get Exalted with SSO and pick up the Shattered Sun Pendant of Might. It was pointed out to me which I had kinda forgot being Aldor and all that the Scryer's version is not so hot for kitty DPS. Not sure how true this is with Emmeralds list having it higher than the Aldor version. However, if Emmerald is wrong (which can happen) get a Necklace of the Deep crafted or Necklace of Trophies from AH. Mithril Chain of Heroism or Worgen Claw Necklace are the Kara possible upgrades.
- Shoulders - Expedition Scout's Epaulets another quest reward, or Shoulderpads of the Silvermoon Retainer a Heroic MrT drop. Blackened Leather Spaulders are a vendor item and acceptable also though you will need Revered with the Kurenai. I would think running Heroic MrT for the shoulders and a shot at Shard of Contempt would be worth the time. Bladed Shoulderpads of the Merciless are the Kara drop upgrade.
- Back - Get a Vengeance Wrap crafted, fast and easy. Drape of the Dark Reavers another drop from Kara or Badge reward Dory's Embrace is another option.
- Wrist - Run Battle Grounds for Vindicator's Dragonhide Bracers, it's worth it. Bracers of Maliciousness is the Kara drop option.
- Hands - Windslayer Wraps another crafted, fast and easy until you get Gauntlets of Malorne off of Curator. Getting T4 gloves is also very important. Gloves of Dexterous Manipulation from Kara or badge reward Handwraps of the Aggressor work too.
- Waist - More PvP and BG's for Vindicator's Dragonhide Belt, Waistguard of the Great Beast is a nice dual purpose item and is worth the badges if you can spare them. Girdle of Treachery is another Kara drop that works too.
- Feet - Hope that Edgewalker Longboots falls from Moroes, Fel Leather Boots crafted would be a fast and easy way to go until they do. If you have more badges than you can spend get Nyn'jah's Tabi Boots. Sunrage Treads falls off Kael in Heroic MrT and are another option.
- Rings - Overseer's Signet, Kaylaan's Signet, Slayer's Mark of the Redemption are all quest reward rings. If you have the badges buy Angelista's Revenge. A'dal's Command and Shapeshifter's Signet are also good if you have the rep and can buy them. Garona's Signet Ring and Ring of a Thousand Marks are the Kara upgrades.
- Trinkets - Crystalforged Trinket from revered Ogri'la rep I am still using while I continue to wait for something better. Darkmoon Card: Crusade from combining Blessings cards from AH is damn good (This is my current trinket setup and I am raiding in Hyjal, both easy to get). Shard of Contempt as I mentioned above is currently #1 for Kitty DPS, see one of my previous posts about doing Magisters' Terrace if you find you are having problems with a successful run.
- Idols - Everbloom Idol or even Idol of Terror would be ok if you already have it for tanking and can't spare the badges.
Final Tips
- Fill all your sockets with Delicate Living Ruby, Glinting Noble Topaz, and Shifting Nightseye. Only use the Shifting Nightseye and Glinting Noble Topaz to meet the gem requirement for Relentless Earthstorm Diamond in your helm.
- Get everything you can enchanted for DPS. Shoot for agility enchants on gloves, cloak, weapon, and boots. Get rep helm and shoulder enchants. If you can't get agility get strength, ap, or stats... in that order.
- Get some Grilled Mudfish or Warp Burger
- Get some Elixir of Major Agility
- Get some Adamantite Weightstone
- Spend time trying to get your T4 helm and gloves, the 2 piece bonus is awesome and feral kitties wear these 2 items until Sunwell gear.
Heroic: Twilight Duo
250 Emblems of Valor
Heroic: Less Is More
Heroic: Make Quick Werk Of Him
Northrend Vanguard
