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Reputation for specific rewards was a
mechanic introduced for end-game raiders in the original WoW. Blizzard
quickly realized that people would spend inordinate amounts of time
completing daily quests and conquering dungeons in order to gain some
better loot. What they've done in the latest expansion is make the
reputation gathering less "grindy" and more accessible. Wrath of the
Lich King brought about some great advancements as Blizzard learned
from the previous iterations. There are currently eight non-faction
specific (meaning both Horde and Alliance can earn reputation with
them).



In general reputation is gained by completing specific quests or using
the newly introduced "championing." Championing is when a player
wears the tabard of the group they are gaining reputation with
while completing level 80 dungeon instances. Each kill in a
dungeon will yield reputation for the tabard being worn (i.e. each
player in a group can champion for different reputation). The tabards
are available from each Reputation vendor at a reputation level of
"Friendly." We'll discuss gaining reputation a bit later. In this
article we'll highlight some of the better reputation gear for Paladins
and discuss the ways to gain reputation with those factions.



Enough talk, let's see
the gear!



Since the Paladin is a hybrid class, he/she is always on
the
lookout for gear that can bolster healing, cause more damage or aid in
protection. This is both a blessing and a curse because the reputation
rewards are spread out over almost all of the factions. This guide is
broken down by playstyle so you won't have to pick your way through to
find those pieces of gear for your href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/wow/guides/classes/paladin/talents">spec.
This is not an exhaustive guide with every piece of reputation gear
available, this is meant for those starting into Northrend to better
understand what is available to them.



When looking at the gear, you'll notice the traditional target="_blank"
href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/wow/guides/classes/paladin/gear">statistics
we're looking for as Paladins but you'll also notice the
added
requirement of reputation (such as "Requires Kirin Tor - 
Exalted"). Those lines dictate the level of reputation you'll need to
purchase the gear and did we mention it isn't free? Don't worry though,
at the levels you'll be picking these up it will feel like pocket
change for the most part.



Healing Gear



The healing plate in Northrend is quite good. Here are a
few of the
pieces, that will help you fill in your healing set:

• Bracers of Accorded Courtesy (Wyrmrest Accord - Honored)
• Helm of Purified Thoughts (Argent Crusade - Exalted)
• Girdle of the Warrior Magi (Kirin Tor - Revered)
• Standard Issue Legguards (Argent Crusade - Honored)

You'll notice that some of the rewards can be achieved prior to level
80. Those are the ones to aim for while you're leveling up. You can
earn experience points and reputation while you gather up some nice
loot.



Protection Based Gear



Next up, let's look at the plate designed for protection
spec loaded up
with defense.

• Ivory-Reinforced Chestguard (Kalu'ak - Honored)
• Toxin-Tempered Sabatons (Knights of the Ebon Blade -
  Honored)
• Ivory-Reinforced Chestguard (Kalu'ak - Honored)
• Breastplate of the Solemn Council (Wyrmrest Accord -
  Revered)
• Sabatons of Draconic Vigor (Wyrmrest Accord - Revered)
• Special Issue Legplates (Argent Crusade - Honored)
  

Blizzard loves its tanks, so you'll have some good option when out
hunting for gear heavy in defense.



DPS or Damage Gear



Last but certainly not least is the damage dealer or
retribution spec
gear.

• Whalebone Carapace (Kalu'ak - Honored)
• Fang-Deflecting Faceguard (Argent Crusade - Revered)
• Spaulders of the Giant Lords (Sons of Hodir - Revered)
• Legplates of Bloody Reprisal (Wyrmrest Accord - Exalted)
• Death-Injured Sabatons (Knights of the Ebon Blade - Exalted)

As you can see, you can even achieve epic level gear just through the
reputation process.



So where do I go?



The reputation vendors reside in the hubs of the quests that will grant
you reputation. Following is a quick tour of where you can start your
adventures:



The Argent Crusade
will first
be met in the northern reaches of Dragonblight, but a vast contingency
of outposts and daily quest also reside in Zul'Drak.



The Kalu'ak
are some of the
walrus-type humanoids added during Wrath. They tend to be near water
and like to fish (makes sense eh?). You'll find them early in your
Northrend tour as they are in both Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord.
You'll notice that you can garner some pre-level 80
gear with them that is quite nice. 



The Kirin Tor
are focused on
taking the fight to the Scourge, so most of their quests are completed
in dungeons, but they also have daily cooking and jewelcrafting quests.
You'll find them in the Violet Hold in Dalaran and they will provide
you with plenty of ways to make the Scourge pay! While doling out some
nice goodies to you along the way.



The Knights of the Ebon
Blade
are most known for cranking out Death Knights (who start out as neutral
after completing the starter zone). The rest of us must work our way
through Zul'Drak and Icecrown to gain reputation with these vanquishers
of the Scourge. 



The Sons of Hodir
are an
interesting crew. After a lengthy (24 parts seems lengthy to me) quest
chain, players become Neutral. That is a long ways just have someone
not hate you. It is all worth it though, as the quest chain is very
engaging with a great story arch and different quest mechanics. I won't
spoil it here, go see for yourself as the quest starts in a little
tavern at K3 called "They took our men!" You'll want to get reputation
with these guys no matter what spec you run, they have the best
shoulder glyph in the game for all classes (unless you are an inscriber
and can make the shoulder glyphs).



Wymrest Accord
describes the
uneasy truce between some of the dragon flights, their handlers and the
rest of us. We're all in this together as you'll complete quests in
Dragonblight (seems appropriate) based out of the tall structure of
Wyrmrest right smack in the middle of the zone. These guys will give
you the reigns to some dragons, so go make friends with them.



Other factions you'll meet along the way include the Murlocs on the
eastern coast of Borean Tundra. The Winterfin
Clan is not a clan you can garner real reputation with,
but you
can buy items from them using Winterfin Clams. For you starting out as
Retribution Paladins, I highly recommend the time it will take to
gather 50 clams and pick up Tidebreaker Trident.



So there is a brief introduction to the major reputation vendors in
Northrend and what they can provide for you. As said earlier, this is
by no means a complete list, but should give you enough information to
get you started and see which reputation rewards will best suit your
playstyle. Enjoy your run through Northrend and make some friends along
the way (they dole out good loot).