Start with the exact build problem, then seek a source with verified evidence. Do not farm or price an attractive item name without a role, a source, current-version context and a stable inventory state.
Gear-drop checklist
- State the intended build or stage improvement.
- Check whether the source and item state are confirmed, observed or unknown.
- Compare the farm’s stability and time cost.
- Re-evaluate once the item changes your bottleneck.
Official gear-source map
The Plaguelands release notes identify a current gear context: Level 90 gear and accessories, Level 90 stage sources, Level 80–90 Synthesis recipes, Level 90 crafting recipes and new Unique Stats. The same release context lists Type C market status and later server-item notices make inventory state important. These are source facts, not a promise that every source has the same item pool or that the highest item level is always the best upgrade.
| SOURCE CONTEXT | CONFIRMED USE | PLAYER CHECK |
|---|---|---|
| Level 90 stages | Released as a current source context for Level 90 gear. | Record difficulty, stage and actual item result. |
| Synthesis | Level 80–90 recipes are part of the release context. | Record recipe, materials and patch. |
| Crafting | Level 90 crafting recipes are listed. | Compare the crafted effect with the active bottleneck. |
| Market | Type C trading context is version-sensitive. | Timestamp listings and confirm inventory status. |
Use the gear page as a source map, then move to the gear guide for the before-and-after test. A drop is not valuable merely because it is rare; it is valuable when it changes a measured result.
Official source: Plaguelands release announcement.