Patch 3.1 introduces new Kirin Tor rings
by Alex Ziebart 
Feb 24th 2009 at 6:30PM
Wrath of the Lich King introduced a set of epic rings you could purchase in Dalaran for gold. While they were an obvious gold sink, they were legitimately useful, too. A gold sink done right, in my opinion. Rather than forcing us to pay to get our riding skill back or something like that, it was an optional (but very tempting) epic that you could drop the gold on if you want.Patch 3.1 is actually making this investment even sweeter. For another 1000g (at Exalted) you can upgrade your current ring (if you purchased one) for an improved version, keeping it current and relevant. You need to trade in the old one along with the gold when you pick up the new one, so you can't wear them both at the same time unless you re-purchase the first afterwards. Not a smart thing to do, in my opinion.
If you want to see the stats on the new set of rings, just check out our little gallery below.
Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kakistocracy Feb 24th 2009 6:35PM
Yay, because I thought I'd run out of things to buy :D
Blake Feb 24th 2009 6:39PM
For 1,000g, it's a no-brainer. Especially for those of us that have the first one. A great idea on Blizz's part.
Euripides Feb 25th 2009 9:49AM
This is AWESOME! I was really worried that I'd end up replacing my ring and essentially paying out the ear for a second hearth stone.
peagle Feb 24th 2009 6:39PM
Makes me feel marginally better about the one I bought, and immediately replaced in Naxx.
sephirah Feb 24th 2009 8:50PM
Yeah, spend 1000g more and get it immediately replaced in Ulduar!
Akussa Feb 24th 2009 6:40PM
Yay, another gold sink!
I actually like the creative gold sinks of Wrath. It keeps inflation down a lot.
ClayMask Feb 24th 2009 6:40PM
This is a great option to have, but still it is only a slight upgrade over my worse ring. I am going to have to think about it carefully.
Hendrata Feb 24th 2009 6:41PM
1k to upgrade the ring
1k to buy dual specs
20k to buy mammoth
hmm what else?
oh yeah, ghetto hearth no longer working
epic Feb 24th 2009 7:27PM
this^^^^
xenothaulus Feb 24th 2009 7:32PM
Don't forget the whining from people who don't know how to make gold.
darthginger Feb 24th 2009 8:07PM
or the smugness from the people who clearly havent stepped away from there pc for weeks. yeah we can all make gold. doesnt really mean its fun grinding boring dailys or herbs, ore w/e just to make more. less money/time sinks more content.
this is just "new blizzard" all over. why have an awesome quest for flying when we can make them do the same 4 dailys and pay for it!
why earn the ring through a quest/raid/pvp anything "fun" when you can do the same mindless drone crap for a week to buy one.
yay for putting the customer first.
Ashvoyager Feb 24th 2009 10:55PM
@darthginger
You must've really enjoyed that grind to 80. I bet it was not monotonous or drone-like at all.
Max Mar 1st 2009 6:38PM
leveling to 80 was fun and not at all monotonous...
sosei Feb 24th 2009 6:43PM
So - correct me if I'm wrong - if you didn't buy in and get one of the rings the first time, you'd have to spend a total of 9k (at exalted, roundabouts) to get the updated ring? Or can you buy one of the new ones right off the bat for 8k?
ClayMask Feb 24th 2009 7:23PM
I'm pretty sure you'd have to buy the original ring and then upgrade it.
Mattimus Feb 24th 2009 6:50PM
And still no Tank rings.
BillDoor Feb 24th 2009 6:57PM
Inscribed Ring of Kirin Tor is the tanking ring. Not all tanking gear has to have gobs of +defense on it.
dillonwelch Feb 24th 2009 6:59PM
So you mean crit and expertise aren't tank stats? =P
schadow Feb 24th 2009 9:35PM
The stats on the ring are primarily for offense and threat gen, except for the strength adding to block value, and the stamina.
This makes it a situational piece at best. Proper tank rings have things like dodge rating, parry rating, block rating, defense rating, etc. that enhance a tank's defenses.
It is not good enough to be healthy and threatening - avoidance and mitigation are extremely important aspects of tanking. These rings do not address those facets, and thus will not be a part of my main tank set.
They are awfully expensive for situational-use items. I can't see myself buying one any time soon.
epic Feb 24th 2009 7:28PM
welcome to dual specing ...you have 2 other trees...go meet them they miss you