Discover the best wands for each level in WoW Classic Hardcore, why Priests excel with wands, and how Mages, Warlocks, and other wand users can maximise their damage while avoiding common mistakes in wand selection.
In WoW Classic Hardcore, it is common for players to try to conserve mana for dangerous scenarios – such as healers wanting only to use mana to heal, damage dealers wanting to save enough mana for additional mobs, escape utilities, etc., and wands allow for damage output while using no mana.
Best in Slot Guide for wands
Wand Level | Wand Name | DPS | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Lesser Magic Wand | 11.3 DPS | AH or Enchanting level 10 | It is usually slightly too expensive to get at exactly level 5, enchanting usually is easy to get to, keep all equipment and use enchanting on them until level 10 |
13 | Greater Magic Wand | 17.5 DPS | AH or Enchanting level 70 | Usually goes for a relatively low amount in Auction house, getting enchanting to 70 is more expensive and so it’s recommended to buy it outright. |
17 | Cookie’s Stirring Wand | 22.3 DPS | Deadmines Dungeon drop – Cookies. | From Deadmines dungeon where players are recommended to be level 17 or higher at least. |
18 | Gravestone Scepter | 29.0 DPS | Quest – Blackfathom Villainy | From BFD dungeon where players are recommended to be level 22 or higher at least. |
31 | Goblin Igniter | 32.8 DPS | Quest – Venture Company Mining | Level 39 Quest – may be difficult to run as a lower level. |
44 | Flaming Incinerator | 47.2 DPS | Zul-Farrak Dungeon drop – Any Boss | Very low drop rate from 52 elites – can only do 1 run per day of this dungeon. |
46 | Noxious Shooter | 50.0 DPS | Maraudon Dungeon drop – Noxxion Boss | From Maraudon dungeon where players are recommended to be level 45 or higher. |
51 | Woestave | 51.3 DPS | Dungeon Quest – Blood of Morphaz | Quest in Sunken Temple Dungeon, where players are recommended to be level 50. For Priests and after a quest chain. |
The likelihood of an optimised Wand user is that they use the above wands throughout their leveling careers in World of Warcraft Hardcore; however, there are other technically BiS Wands that aren’t recommended as they are due to be upgraded shortly after, in as little as just one level. For example, an extremely low chance world drop at level 16 would be superseded at level 17.
There are some good world drops; however, they cannot be efficiently sought after, and so they aren’t listed.
Other Wands
Wand Level | Wand Name | DPS | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | Spark of people’s Militia | 12.78 DPS | Alliance Quest ‘The people’s Militia’, in Westfall, which would be completed at roughly level 16. | This means that, if the player was able to somehow get this at level 9, it would be a good wand. However, as it is unlikely until level 16, other options are better. |
9 | Cinder Wand | 11.79 DPS | Horde Quest ‘Arugal’s Folly’, in Silverpine Forrest, which would be completed at roughly level 13. | This is a good wand, however, it is not Best in slot wand at level 13. Superseded by Greater Magic Wand. |
10 | Branding Wand | 21.56 DPS | Horde Quest ‘Isha Awak’, in the Barrens, which would be completed at roughly level 25. | This is an awful wand to aquire as a level 25. This is not recommended. |
12 | Blazing Wand | 12.67 DPS | This is randomly dropped as a World Drop. | There isn’t a way to guarantee this drop, and there is a better wand at level 13, so it is lucky and short lived if you did manage to get this at level 12. |
15 | Fire Belcher | 20.29 DPS | This is from the Wailing Caverns Dungeon Drop, from Deviate Faerie Dragon. | The dungeon is more likely to be done by Horde, as it is located in the Barrens and so LFG usually would be tougher for Alliance. |
16 | Skycaller | 21.65 DPS | This is randomly dropped as a world drop. | This has an extremely low drop rate, and would be a good wand if you are avoiding Dungeons in Hardcore WoW as at level 17 Cookie’s Stirring wand becomes viable. |
21 | Dire Wand | 20.3 DPS | This is randomly dropped as a world drop. | This has a low drop rate, and is superseded by Skycaller, as well as the other options on this list. It is a Shadow type so it is useful to collect. |
22 | Thunderwood | 27.11 DPS | This is randomly dropped as a world drop. | This isn’t an awful wand, but it is superseded by other wands on this list. For example, the Gravestone Scepter has higher DPS and lower level to equip. |
23 | Consecrated Wand | 24.1 DPS | Alliance Quest ‘Worgen in the woods’ in Duskwood | This is the fastest wand in the game, so hold onto it, as you can regenerate mana quickly during long fights when Seal of Wisdom is up. Can be done roughly at level 29. |
41 | Blackbone Wand | 35.3 DPS | Avaliable from select Wand vendors | The 4 wand vendors would be Ironforge’s Harrick Boulderdrum, Ardwyn Cailen of Stormwind, Katis of Orgrimmar, or Zane Bradford of the Undercity. Usually goes for 4 gold or less. |
Tips
Note that using wands contributes to the 5-second mana regeneration timer. Additionally, mana regeneration during wanding can be achieved through Mages and Priests’ talents, specifically Meditation (Disc) and Arcane Meditation (Arcane), which provide 15% of outside combat regeneration during combat or with external potions.
Priests especially excel with wands as they usually out-dps their abilities and conserve mana for healing abilities, as well as up to 25% increased damage from wands via their talent tree ‘Wand Specialisation’
It is recommended that wand users have multiple wand types, as it is generally a good idea to keep various types of wands. Fire, Shadow, Frost, etc., as mobs can be resistant, and the classic era is very unforgiving, which may result in lower DPS compared to the correct wand type, despite its low DPS.
Conclusion
Selecting the right wand is a crucial step for any wand user aiming for the smoothest levelling experience. Holding multiple wands is also essential to avoid resistance and potential death.
Certain classes, such as priests, have a greater need for a wand due to their wand specialisation, a 25% damage per second increase above other classes. Wanding does impact passive mana regeneration, and so strategies may still suggest not to wand in dire circumstances.
