Elkagorasa the Casual

Inspired by Cynwise , I decided to do a little math. Ok, no deep analysis, just some basic calculations on my gear. I want to know what it's going to take to get me into the next level raiding. Current iLevel I have an average gear score of 465 equipped now. This is found by doing a simple average of my equipped gear. Fire up Excel, and fill in the numbers, easy to do. By tinkering with the numbers for gear iLevel, I found that by increasing a single item by 10 points (460 -> 470), it makes my overall average score increase by ~1. For example, when I replaced my crafted PVP helm (450) with the scenario reward (463), I went from an average score of 464.5 to 465.3 (0.8 increase). To do a full point increase, I'd need a 16 point change (i.e. 450 -> 466). I want a 470 overall (average) ilevel. To do so, I need to improve my over all score by 4.7 points or add 75 points on my gear. Add REP Gear Spin it around, I have 3 pieces that are over 470, (2*476 and 4...

I have come to realize that raiding without rep grinding is going to be very very boring. I am stuck at this point waiting for the random number gods to drop me an upgrade. I am still sporting my crafted pvp helm and several other blue sub-460 items. My only saving graces last night, a winning roll on heroic version of my old shoulders  (450 -> 463), and "Love Is In The Air" started Sunday, so I picked up the 480 necklace  (463 -> 480). Finally, off the AH, I purchased a new pair of bracers  for 1100g (450 -> 476). This only brought my overall average iLevel up 3 points (from 462). Outside of straight RNG, I COULD look into valor/rep upgrades, but bah humbug. It just sounds painful. Shado-pan (head), Golden Lotus (chest), Dominance Offensive (shoulder, belt, trinket & feet) and/or Klaxxi (legs & belt) all Revered. As you can see, I am not very reputable. In fact, Dominance Off likes me best with only FRIENDLY. You'd think that since this is a ...