Heirloom items are relatively new items that were present with the release of Wrath of the Lich King. These items should elicit a feeling of déjà vu as they are nearly always named after items from Classic World of Warcraft. These items also have a distinct golden color to their text.
Heirloom items differ from other items as they scale with your current level. This means that Heirlooms automatically take on the attributes of a blue quality item dependent on the level of its wearer. However, Heirlooms at level 80 will only amount to an item level 187 rare item, and as such will be replaced quickly. Thankfully Heirlooms have another unique quality that will allow you to use them for a long time to come;, they bind to an account instead of a single character. This allows you to send your Heirloom item to any other character who shares the same account and server as the character who purchased the item, even characters of the opposite faction.
Heirlooms provide several other unique benefits, including no durability, greatly cutting your repair bills, and several Heirloom pieces (shoulders, ring, and chest) grant the wearer an experience bonus. These bonuses stack with each other and with the rested bonus, though they do not stack with the Essence of Wintergrasp. Heirlooms, like most other items, can be returned for a refund in the normal two hour period, as long as you have not mailed the item to a different character.
Heirloom items do have a disadvantage as they are treated as item level 1 pieces, and therefore cannot use many of the Burning Crusade or higher enhancements. Only enhancements that will not bind the item to the player can be used on an Heirloom item. Also, enhancements placed on an Heirloom item only work if the character using them is the correct level.
If you choose to transfer a character to another account with an Heirloom item, the item will come with you and bind to the new account. Plate and Mail Heirloom pieces will lower one level of armor (Plate will go to Mail, Mail will go to Leather) for characters who purchase them below level 40. Once level 40 is reached the pieces will revert back to the better quality armor.
Shoulder and Head Enchants
The shoulder enchants purchasable from the Sons of Hodir at exalted and the head enchants purchasable from various factions at revered have been made into Heirloom-quality items. Like other Heirloom items these enchants can be given to another one of your characters on your account without the nasty reputation grind. These enchants are only useable by level 80 characters.
PvP Heirloom Items
PvP Heirloom items are purchasable in Wintergrasp from either Knight Dameron (Alliance) or Stone Guard Mukar (Horde). All PvP Heirloom items can be purchased with Stone Keeper’s Shards. A commendation is also available for purchase that grants you 2000 honor.
PvE Heirloom Items
These items can be purchased either in Dalaran with Badges of Heroism, or once you have gained the <Crusader> title, they may also be purchased from Dame Evniki Kapsalis at the Argent Tournament Grounds for Champion’s Seals.
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