Item Quality and Binding in WoW Classic
Vanilla WoW Classic 1.12 · x5 realm · wowx5.ru
In WoW Classic items differ by quality (color) and by binding. Understanding these labels saves beginners from the biggest mistake — accidentally selling or wasting a valuable item. On WowX5 x5 the system is identical to original Vanilla.
Quality colors
| Color | Quality | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grey | Poor (junk) | Vendor only |
| White | Common | Basic items, reagents, consumables |
| Green | Uncommon | First items with stat bonuses |
| Blue | Rare | Dungeon loot, sturdy gear |
| Purple | Epic | Raid loot, best-in-slot pieces |
| Orange | Legendary | Unique items like Thunderfury |
Don't rush to vendor green and blue items — many are worth more on the Auction House or disenchanted into dust by an enchanter.
Item level
Every item has an internal item level (ilvl) that drives stat strength. Two blue items of the same slot can differ in ilvl — generally, higher ilvl means a better piece. Exact values are easy to check in an item database and in the class BiS guides.
Item binding
Binding determines whether an item can be traded or sold to another player.
Bind on Pickup (BoP, soulbound)
- Binds immediately when it enters your bag (boss loot, quest rewards).
- Cannot be given to another player (except trading loot within 2 hours to the same group).
- Can only be sold to an NPC vendor.
Bind on Equip (BoE)
- Binds only when you equip the item.
- Before equipping it can be freely auctioned and traded.
- BoE epics are a valuable gold source (see gold farming).
Extra labels
- Unique — you can only carry one of that item.
- "Soulbound" — an already-bound item (after pickup/equip).
Practical tips for beginners
1. Keep only what you need; vendor grey junk regularly. 2. Before equipping a BoE epic, weigh whether selling it is more profitable. 3. When looting in a group, confirm the loot rules (roll, loot master).
Related material
FAQ
What do the item colors mean in WoW Classic?
Grey is junk (vendor only), white is common, green is uncommon, blue is rare, purple is epic, orange is legendary. The 'higher' the color, the stronger the item's stats.
What is the difference between Bind on Pickup and Bind on Equip?
Bind on Pickup (BoP) binds the moment you receive it (usually raid/dungeon loot) and cannot be traded. Bind on Equip (BoE) binds only when you equip it; until then it can be sold or given to another player.
Can you sell a bound item?
A bound item can only be sold to an NPC vendor at a fixed price; it cannot be auctioned or given to a player. BoE items can be freely auctioned before you equip them.