Arcanums and Special Head, Leg and Shoulder Enchants in WoW Classic 1.12.1

◆Why enchanters cannot enchant head, legs and shoulders

In 1.12.1 enchanting formulas exist for weapons, shields, chest, cloak, bracers, gloves and boots — the full list is on the page best enchants in WoW Classic, and levelling the profession is covered in the enchanting guide. There are no formulas for head, legs or shoulders at all. These three slots are upgraded only by items the character applies personally:

• arcanums — head or legs;
• shoulder enchants — Argent Dawn mantles, Zandalar Tribe signets and the Scourge enchants from Naxxramas.

Every such upgrade does not stack with other enchantments: the new one replaces the old one. Temporary effects such as poisons and sharpening stones do not touch it.

◆Four sources of arcanums and shoulder enchants

Dire Maul arcanums

The three strongest arcanums are made by Lorekeeper Lydros of the Shen'dralar in the library of Dire Maul. You need a libram that drops from the dungeon's inhabitants, a Pristine Black Diamond, Large Brilliant Shards and one rare reagent. The quests unlock after the Elven Legends quest and are available from level 57. A detailed reagent breakdown is on the page Dire Maul librams.

Lesser Arcanums of the Burning Steppes

Mathredis Firestar stands at Flame Crest in the Burning Steppes, roughly at 65, 23. He accepts five lesser librams that drop from creatures in high-level zones and, for 30 gold plus reagents, creates a Lesser Arcanum. The quests are available from level 50 and are repeatable.

Zul'Gurub class enchants

In Zul'Gurub Zanza the Restless creates one head and leg enchant for each class. You need a Primal Hakkari Idol and a Punctured Voodoo Doll for your class, plus reputation with the Zandalar Tribe. The full list is in the section Zul'Gurub enchants.

Shoulder enchants

In 1.12.1 shoulders have three kinds of upgrades: Argent Dawn mantles with +5 to one resistance (from Revered), the Zandalar signets from Rin'wosho the Trader on Yojamba Isle (Exalted and 15 Zandalar Honor Tokens) and four Scourge enchants that drop from Sapphiron in Naxxramas. A comparison is on the page shoulder enchants in WoW Classic.

How to get an arcanum: step by step

1. Decide on your role and choose an upgrade from the table below.
2. For a Lesser Arcanum, collect the libram, a Black Diamond, the reagents and 30 gold, then bring everything to Mathredis Firestar.
3. For a Dire Maul arcanum, complete Elven Legends, obtain the libram and hand it to Lydros together with the reagents.
4. For a class enchant, gather the idol and the doll in Zul'Gurub and raise your Zandalar reputation.
5. Use the item on your helm or leggings — the enchant binds the item to your character.

Summary table of upgrades

What to choose: priorities by role

Arcanum of RapidityBinds when picked upUse: Permanently adds 1% haste to a leg or head slot item. Does not stack with other enchantments for the selected equipment slot.

• Tanks. For a warrior the best fit is the class enchant Presence of Might from Zul'Gurub; before that, the Arcanum of Protection. For Molten Core some tanks keep a second item with +20 fire resistance.
• Melee and hunters. Rapidity speeds up both melee and ranged attacks. Rogues and hunters later gain more from their Zandalar class enchants.
• Casters and healers. Focus (+8) is the universal choice before Zul'Gurub, afterwards the class enchants with spell damage or healing take over.
• Levelling and alts. The Lesser Arcanum of Voracity (+8 to the stat you need) is cheap and available from level 50.

Arcanum tips for x5

• The Pristine Black Diamond is a rare drop, so buying it on the auction house is often cheaper.
• Dire Maul librams are unique: you can carry only one copy of each.
• A spare Dire Maul arcanum can be traded to Zanza for a Savage Guard — useful against Hakkar and in Ahn'Qiraj.
• Keep one fire resistance item for Molten Core and enchant your main helm for your role.

◆Related pages

• Dire Maul librams and Lesser Arcanums
• Zul'Gurub class enchants
• Shoulder enchants in WoW Classic
• Shen'dralar — the Dire Maul faction
• Best enchants in WoW Classic
• Enchanting guide

Ready to build the perfect helm and leggings? Create an account, connect to the WoW x5 server and start with a Lesser Arcanum — with boosted rates, librams and reagents pile up much faster.