Introduction to Upgrading Gear in Midnight

Season 2 Changes

📌 This guide covers both Season 1 and Season 2 of WoW Midnight. Season 2 introduced new item level tiers, renamed crests, and higher gear ceilings. See the Season 1 sections below for historical reference and the Season 2 sections for current content.

Season 2 Item Level Tiers

Season 2 raised the gear ceiling across all tracks. The new item level ranges are:

TrackItem Level RangeAdventurer259-276Veteran272-289Champion285-302Hero298-315Myth311-328 (up to 337 from final raid bosses)

Season 2 Crest Names

Season 2 replaced Dawncrests with Mistcrests. The full list of Season 2 crest currencies:

• Adventurer Mistcrests

• Veteran Mistcrests

• Champion Mistcrests

• Hero Mistcrests

• Myth Mistcrests

The weekly crest cap and per-rank cost (20 Crests per rank, 100 weekly cap) remain the same in Season 2. For detailed Season 2 gearing paths, see our Midnight Gearing Guide.

Introduction to Upgrading Gear in Midnight

Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the world of World of Warcraft: Midnight, understanding how to upgrade your gear efficiently is crucial for maximizing your character's potential. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of the Midnight gear upgrade system, detailing the changes, updates, currencies, and tracks involved. With strategic insights and practical tips, you'll be ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

Key Takeaways

The Midnight gear upgrade system is designed to provide players with a clear and structured path to enhancing their equipment. Key highlights of this system include:

• Track-Based System: Each item belongs to a specific upgrade track, unique to its type and source.

• Crest Costs: Upgrading an item costs 20 Crests per rank, with a weekly cap of 100 Crests per season.

• Track-Specific Crests: Hero items require Hero Crests, while Myth items need Myth Crests.

• Crafted Gear: Requires 80 Crests to craft, adhering to the two-Embellishment rule.

• Optimal Item Level Gain: Prioritize upgrading Hero and Myth gear over Champion items for faster progression.

• Sources of Crests: Obtainable from raids, Mythic+ dungeons, Delves, Prey activities, and open-world events.

• Valorstones Removal: Gear upgrades now solely require Crests and a small amount of gold.

Understanding Gear Upgrade Mechanics

The Midnight gear upgrade system is rooted in a track-based structure, where each item follows its unique upgrade path. Gaining proficiency in this system involves comprehending three main aspects: Crest costs and their weekly cap, gear upgrade limits, and the functioning of upgrade tracks.

Crest Costs and Weekly Cap

In the Midnight expansion, upgrading gear involves spending Crests, with each rank costing 20 Crests. These Crests are specific to the item's track, with Hero items requiring Hero Crests and Myth items needing Myth Crests. The weekly cap is 100 Crests per type, limiting upgrades to five per week under optimal conditions.

💡 Valorstones have been removed from the game, simplifying the upgrade process which now includes a minor gold cost.

Gear Upgrade Limits

Each item in Midnight has a defined upgrade track, including Adventurer, Veteran, Champion, Hero, and Myth tracks. Items can only be upgraded within their track, meaning a Champion item cannot be transformed into a Hero item simply by upgrading its rank.

Understanding Upgrade Tracks (Season 1)

The following track table reflects Season 1 item levels and sources. See the Season 2 section at the top of this guide for current ilvl ranges.

Upgrade TrackItem Level (S1)World / QuestingDelves / BountifulDungeons (Drops)Dungeons (Great Vault)RaidsUnranked207QuestingAdventurer220World ActivitiesTier 1Veteran233Great VaultTier 5Tier 1Champion246Tier 7Mythic SeasonalTier 5Hero259Tier 8-11Mythic +6-7Mythic +2-3HeroicMyth272Mythic +10 or higherMythic

Where to Upgrade Gear in Midnight

For those looking to enhance their gear, Midnight's upgrade vendors, Cuzolth and Vaskarn, are stationed in Silvermoon City's primary hub, The Bazaar.

🗺️ To locate these gear upgrade vendors, head right from the Sanctum of Light and enter the building marked with a Crest Exchange signboard.

While accessing the upgrade interface doesn't require a lengthy questline, Vaskarn will prompt players to complete the Adventurer Gear first to familiarize themselves with the upgrading process. Once you've reached the necessary level and engaged in end-game content, the upgrade interface becomes automatically available. Note that this interface is character-based, not account-wide.

Navigating the Midnight Gear Upgrade Interface

To upgrade your gear, simply interact with the upgrade vendor to open the upgrade interface. Insert the item you wish to upgrade into the designated slot to view the current track, rank, and the maximum achievable rank. Additionally, you'll see the type of Crest required and the associated gold cost.

🔔 Once an item reaches the maximum rank within its track, it cannot be upgraded further or transferred to another track.

Currency Used for Gear Upgrades in Midnight

Crests are the primary currency for gear upgrades in Midnight. Each track uses its specific type of Crest, such as Hero Crests for Hero gear, and Myth Crests for Myth gear. The removal of Valorstones simplifies the process, now requiring only Crests and a small gold fee.

Types of Crests in Midnight

Season 1 crests (Dawncrests):

• Adventurer Dawncrests

• Veteran Dawncrests

• Champion Dawncrests

• Hero Dawncrests

• Myth Dawncrests

Season 2 crests (Mistcrests):

• Adventurer Mistcrests

• Veteran Mistcrests

• Champion Mistcrests

• Hero Mistcrests

• Myth Mistcrests

It's important to note that lower-level Crests cannot upgrade higher-tier gear. Each track's unique currency adds a layer of strategy to gear progression.

Crest Costs in Midnight

Upgrading each rank in any track costs 20 Crests. This uniform cost allows players to plan and calculate upgrades efficiently. Crafted gear, however, requires 80 Crests, equating to four upgrade ranks in power. This can be earned relatively quickly through Mythic+ dungeons.

With a weekly Crest cap of 100, players can achieve five upgrades per week if they plan wisely, especially when aiming for the BiS Gear.

Strategies for Fast Item Level Increase in Midnight

Maximizing item level in Midnight is less about constant farming and more about timing your upgrades. To avoid wasting Crests, focus on upgrading items that will remain relevant beyond a week:

• Hero Track: Prioritize upgrading these items as they offer the greatest long-term value, fully upgradeable to 6/6.

• Champion Track: Avoid fully upgrading these items, as they offer limited power gain in the long run.

• Myth Track: Upgrade these items to their maximum potential as soon as possible for significant item level boosts.

Reserve Crests for Gladiator Title Boost or other high-end content rewards. Given the weekly cap, it's easy to mistakenly invest Crests in low-tier items, so focus on acquiring Hero track gear first.

Midnight Recommended Upgrade Order

Slot TypeUpgrade PriorityReasonWeaponVery HighLargest item level impact on overall DPS or throughputTier PiecesHighSet bonuses increase overall powerTrinketsHigh (if BIS)Strong scaling or unique effectsArmor SlotsMediumGood for smoothing ilvlChampion Track ItemsLowWeak long-term scaling

Best Ways to Farm Upgrade Materials in Midnight

Farming Crests in Midnight naturally aligns with completing weekly routines. The weekly cap makes choosing the right content more crucial than farming everything at once. Different activities offer different Crest types, so target the content that aligns with your desired upgrades:

• Raids: A consistent source of Crests, with Normal and Heroic difficulties offering mid-tier Crests, and Mythic raids providing Myth Crests.

• Mythic+ Dungeons: Reliable for farming, with higher key levels rewarding higher-tier Crests and better Weekly Vault options.

• Delves: Offer upgrade materials based on tier difficulty.

• Prey Activities: On Nightmare difficulty, may drop Champion-track items and Crests, subject to tuning changes in future seasons.

• Blue Air Sparks: Collecting these in certain zones grants Coffer Key Shards and occasionally Adventurer Crests.

ActivityCrest TypeBest ForEfficiencyMythic RaidMythEndgame upgradesVery HighHeroic RaidHeroMid-to-high progressionHighMythic+ (High Keys)Hero / MythConsistent farmingVery HighDelvesVaries by TierSupplemental upgradesMediumPreyChampion / Hero (S1)Extra gearing optionsMediumBlue Air SparksAdventurerPassive incomeLow

Ascendant Venomstones: The Final Upgrade Step (Patch 12.1.5)

Patch 12.1.5 introduces Ascendant Venomstones as the ultimate gear upgrade currency, allowing players to push fully-upgraded items to their highest possible item levels. This new system replaces Voidcores and opens an exciting final progression phase for endgame raiders and Mythic+ enthusiasts.

What Are Ascendant Venomstones?

Ascendant Venomstones are a new upgrade currency exclusive to Patch 12.1.5. They function similarly to previous upgrade tokens but are specifically designed for gear that has already reached maximum rank within its track. Once upgraded with Venomstones, items gain the Ascendant Voidforged status and cannot be upgraded further.

💎 Venomstones are only applicable to weapons, trinkets, and necklaces that have reached their maximum upgrade rank (Hero 6/6, Myth 6/6, or max Tidal Crafted).

Eligible Items and Item Level Gains

Not all gear can be upgraded with Venomstones. The following items and their item level progression are eligible:

Armor pieces, rings, and other slot types are not eligible for Venomstone upgrades.

Upgrade Cost and NPCs

Each Venomstone upgrade costs 10 Ascendant Venomstones and a small amount of gold. To access the upgrade interface, visit Orin Straylight, the new upgrade vendor located near the Catalyst in Silvermoon City. Approach the upgrade interface just as you would with standard gear upgrades.

🗺️ Orin Straylight can be found near the Catalyst in the primary hub. Use the same location as Cuzolth and Vaskarn for standard crest upgrades.

Acquisition Timeline and Drop Sources

Ascendant Venomstones entered the game on a staggered schedule to prevent immediate gear cap jumps:

• October 13, 2026: Quest unlock enables players to learn about Venomstones

• October 20, 2026: Farming begins as drop sources activate

Once farming starts, Venomstones can be obtained from the following activities:

Upgrade Priority Strategy

Since Venomstones are moderately farmable but not infinite, prioritize upgrades in this order:

1. Weapon: Always upgrade your weapon first. It has the largest impact on DPS and throughput across all roles.

2. Trinkets: Upgrade BiS (Best-in-Slot) trinkets with strong scaling or unique effects next.

3. Necklace: Upgrade last as the iota value per slot is lowest, though still worthwhile for total ilvl.

For complete details on farming strategies and detailed Venomstone mechanics, see our Ascendant Venomstones Guide and the main Patch 12.1.5 Guide.

Farming Routes for Venomstones

To accumulate Venomstones efficiently, focus on your highest key Mythic+ level and current raid difficulty. Raid carries for The Unbinding of Kithix provide consistent Mythic-tier drops, while Tier 11 Bountiful Delves offers a flexible farming alternative for players not yet pushing Mythic raids.

Midnight Gear Upgrade FAQ

How Can I Upgrade Gear in Midnight?

To upgrade gear in Midnight, visit the upgrade vendor in the expansion hub to check the upgrade cost. If you have the necessary currency, place your item in the interface and use the required Crests to elevate your item's rank.

What Is the Weekly Crest Cap in Midnight?

The weekly Crest cap is 100 Crests per type. This allows you to upgrade your item up to five times each week. The cap applies to both Season 1 and Season 2 and may adjust with future patches.

How Do You Increase Item Level Fast in Midnight?

Focus on upgrading Hero and Myth items, prioritize weapons and tier pieces, and avoid expending Crests on rapidly replaced equipment.

Where Do Crests Drop in Midnight?

Crests drop from a variety of activities, including raids, Mythic+ dungeons, Delves, Prey events, and some open-world encounters like blue air sparks while flying.

What Is the Maximum Item Level in Midnight?

In Season 1, the highest item level attainable was 289 (6/6 Myth track). In Season 2, the maximum is 328 for standard Myth gear, with final raid bosses dropping pieces up to item level 337.

In conclusion, upgrading gear in Midnight requires careful planning to ensure you maximize your Crest usage. Starting with Hero track items and completing weekly activities will help you reach your goals efficiently. For those looking to expedite their progress, consider the services available through Koroboost.

For the complete weekly gearing workflow, check our Weekly Gearing Order for Midnight Season 1 covering Prey hunts, delves, raids, and crest priorities.

For Season 2 gearing paths and Mistcrest farming routes, see our Midnight Gearing Guide.