Entry Paladin Level 80 Gear - BoE

The sweat and blood is spent. The days of played time are over and you are now level 80! So what's the first thing on people's mind as they stand at the plateau of 80-hood? Gear. How can I gear up as quickly as possible?

I have created my list of options, with my preferences

Well, first, be warned this list might not be for those with empty pockets. It costs gold to grab those coveted BoE items, and on certain items, lots of it. However, if you can obtain a few of these pieces, you are all set to jump right into raiding, or whatever conent you wish to tackle.

*Costs are estimated from my server up to July 2009.

Head

[Spiked Titansteel Helm] - One of the best values in the game. Crafted by blacksmithing, this helm doesn't meet it's upgraded match until Ulduar.
Cost: 500-600g
[Iron Riveted War Helm] - Only slightly better than the Spiked Titansteel Helm by a teeny, tiny few DPS. Plus it costs about 4500g more.
Cost: 4500-5000g
[Skullcage of Eternal Terror] - The thrifty options now. This helm isn't helf bad, but the Spiked Titansteel Helm is what you should be aiming for.
Cost: 50-100g
[Helm of Command] - Not unless you have no other options.
Cost: 25-75g

Neck

[Titanium Impact Choker] - Not having an option with strength at this slot hurts, but this is still your best BoE neck.
Cost: 500-600g
[Draconic Choker of Ferocity] - Only if you have no gold. Stats are not all that bad,though.
Cost: 25-50g

Shoulders

[Savage Saronite Pauldrons] - Not many choices for shoulders. This is your only option. It looks pretty, but target this for an upgrade soon. Sons of Hodir shoulders are a nice option. Plus, it's a PvP piece.
Cost: 50-75g

Cloak

[Cloak of Bloodied Waters] - A knockout for a BoE cloak. The strength pushes this past almost all Heroic dungeon cloaks, only to be upgraded far into Naxx. My best choice by far.
Cost: 150-300g
[Shawl of the Shattered Giant] - From Ulduar, nice stats except for the attack power, which we value highest on this piece. Not worth the gold spent in my opinion, but it's still second best on my list.
Cost: 2500-3000g
[Ice Striker's Cloak] - Not a bad deal for a smidge of crit and AP, but Cloak of Bloodied Waters is more DPS hands down, and it's cheaper too.
Cost: 300-500g

Chest

[Savage Saronite Hauberk] - Another PvP piece due to lack of options. This piece should be a priority to upgrade.
Cost: 35-75g

Wrist

[Wristbands of the Sentinel Huntress] - Great deal that sits on the AH for around 1500-2000g. Ignore these and scan the trade channel for people selling Emblem of Valor Bracers for 1000g-1200g. There's your ticket. Well worth the investment.
Cost: 1000-1200g
[Cast Iron Shackles] - Not a bad piece of gear, especially since it has hit. One of the more expensive rare pieces, however.
Cost: 125-175g

Hands

[Zeliek's Gauntlets] - Another outstanding bargain on the auction house. It should be awhile before you find an upgrade here. Ulduar and up most likely.
Cost: 1000-1500g
[Savage Saronite Gauntlets] - Your cheap PvP option.
Cost: 25-50g

Belt

[Belt of the Titans] - Slam dunk winner of a belt that is second BiS for Paladins on many lists. It's pricey, but worth it if you can't find the upgrades (like myself) while raiding. Purchasing the materials yourself might end up being the cheapest route.
Cost: 5000-7000g / Purchasing Mats: 4000-6000g
[Savage Saronite Waistguard] - Another PvP blah-blah item. If you can't drop 5000-7000g on the Titans belt, you might be stuck with this.
Cost: 25-50g

Legs

[Savage Saronite Legplates] - Why or why can we not get away from the resilience gear. Buy these, spit on em, then move along. Your only true BoE option. Don't waste the money on leather legs.
Cost: 35-75g

Feet

[Footpads of Silence] - Best in Slot for non-hard mode gear. But it's pricey.
Cost: 5000-7000g / Mats cost: 4000-6000g
[Battlelord's Plate Boots] - Pretty much the same as above. A little bit less DPS, but costly nonetheless.
Cost: 5000-7000g / Mats cost: 4000-6000g
[Iron-Spring Jumpers] - A solid option with hit. A little pricey, but not too bad. This would be my first choice.
Cost: 1000-1500g
[Spiked Titansteel Treads] - Your cheapest epic option. Nothing wrong at all here, just not the best DPS-wise.
Cost: 400-500g
[Beserker's Sabatons] - Not unless you're broke. Aim for the Spiked Titansteel Treads if you cannot get the 3 others.
Cost: 75-100g

Ring

[Inscribed Ring of the Kirin Tor] - Not BoE, but can be vendor-bought. 7000g for the first ring, then 1000g more to upgrade to this baby. Not too shabby since it includes a hearth to Dalaran as well.
Cost: 8000g total
[Surge Needle Ring] - Great ring, hard to find. Pricey too, but it's one fothe best you can get until Ulduar.
Cost: 4500-5000g
[Ring of the Kirin Tor] - Not BoE, must be vendor purchased for gold. A solid ring that is your only epic option with strength.
Cost: 7000g
[Titansteel Assault Band] - A solid ring that can last you a long time. Should definitely be one of your two rings if the above 3 are out of your price range.
Cost: 400-600g
[Ring of Scarlet Shadows] - The only rare option I am throwing in here. Good stats, even though the gem socket is empty. Personally I'd throw a sovereign twilight gem in there, but that's just me.
Cost: 50-100g

Trinket

[Darkmoon Card: Greatness] - Only BoE trinket we can get through the Darkmoon Fair. Make sure it's the one with strength.
Cost: 4000-5000g for the deck / 5000-6000g for the card itself

Weapon

[Titansteel Destroyer] - I'm not giving any other options here. This is your best choice, and should be your first upgrade. Period.
Cost: 800-1200g

So, all that said...make decisions wisely. Upgrades can come fast and furious at times, so don't drop a thousand gold or two if you know your reputation upgrades are around the corner, or if you're due for a heavy raiding week with many potential upgrades.

Most of all, have fun...after all, 1-80 is a long haul...time to enjoy all that hard work!

Khor