(07-02-2010, 09:38 AM)Alliera Wrote: And yes, the ilevel difference is so big this time around because Blizzard wants to move health pools up so high that tanks won't be hit quite so hard, relatively. The easiest way to accomplish that without weighting stamina differently (which would have other consequences) is to increase the ilevel.
Here's a blue comment on exactly the subject most of this thread has been on, the jump in ilevel from LK to Cata, from Zarhym:
Since we're only raising the level cap to 85 in Cataclysm, one of the goals is to pack as much content and gameplay as possible into the new 78-85 zones and dungeons. We don't want the leveling experience from 80-85 to feel as if it's only half of the content we've provided in the last two expansions. So, with that comes more substantial scaling of items and character power with each level gained. A level-82 character should feel significantly more powerful than a level-80 character, for example. There are some epic and legendary items from Wrath of the Lich King raid content which may take a while to replace, but chances are most of your gear will be replaced by the time you start running level-85 normal 5-player dungeons.
The first rule of thumb, as usual, is that you'll probably be focused on the stats most important to your class. If you're, say, an Unholy death knight, you probably won't be replacing items until the strength on the new gear outweighs the strength on what is currently equipped, even with gems and enchants considered. By the time this occurs you'll also likely be incorporating the benefits of Mastery rating.
One thing people have pointed out: If you have 264-277 armor, putting new gems/enchants on it will let you keep it longer, especially the 3-slot pieces.
Gem stats have changed for Cata, however, and Satorri has a primer here.
--Mav