Earthen Ring Reputation Guide: Fast & Efficient Farming in World of Warcraft

The Earthen Ring is a crucial faction in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, particularly for players focused on tanking and healing roles. Gaining reputation with them unlocks access to valuable rewards, including powerful head enchants, gear, and more. This guide will provide you with the most effective strategies to grind Earthen Ring reputation, drawing on player experiences and tips to maximize your efficiency.

Understanding the Earthen Ring Reputation Grind

Unlike some Cataclysm factions, the Earthen Ring does not offer daily quests, making the reputation grind primarily focused on questing and dungeon runs. Many players initially find earning reputation confusing, especially in the starting zone of Vashj’ir. Let’s break down the best approaches:

Questing for Earthen Ring Reputation

• Vashj’ir: Many players initially expect Vashj’ir quests to heavily contribute to Earthen Ring rep. However, reputation gains in Vashj’ir are somewhat scattered and not all quests provide rep. Early quests in Kelp’thar Forest, the Nespirah questline in Shimmering Expanse, and end-zone quests in Abyssal Maw are the primary sources within Vashj’ir. Completing all Earthen Ring associated quests in Vashj’ir will only get you partway through Friendly reputation.

• Deepholm & Twilight Highlands: To progress beyond Friendly, you’ll need to venture into Deepholm and Twilight Highlands. Quests in these zones offer a more substantial amount of Earthen Ring reputation. The Deepholm questline, in particular, is a significant source. Twilight Highlands quests, especially those later in the zone after the Wildhammer Clan questline, also contribute to your standing with the Earthen Ring.

• Zone Order: A common and effective leveling path for reputation gain is Hyjal -> Deepholm -> Uldum -> Twilight Highlands, potentially followed by Vashj’ir if you skipped it initially. You’ll naturally gain reputation through questing in these zones.

Dungeon Tabard Farming: The Fastest Reputation Grind

The most efficient method to reach Exalted with the Earthen Ring, especially after reaching Friendly, is by utilizing the Tabard of the Earthen Ring in Cataclysm dungeons.

• Acquiring the Tabard: Once you reach Friendly reputation with the Earthen Ring, you can purchase the Tabard of the Earthen Ring from Provisioner Arok. He is located in Silver Tide Hollow in Vashj’ir (Shimmering Expanse). The coordinates are roughly 57:13. You can also find this vendor in Deepholm at coordinates 57:13 in the northeast.

• Dungeon Choice: Heroic Grim Batol stands out as the absolute fastest dungeon for Earthen Ring reputation farming. Players have reported earning over 2000 reputation per run, and even more with reputation bonuses.

• Grim Batol Heroic Farming Strategy:

  1. Heroic Difficulty: Set Grim Batol to Heroic difficulty.
  2. Trash Mob Focus: The most efficient runs skip bosses and focus on clearing trash mobs. Mass pulling and AoEing down groups of mobs is the quickest approach, especially at higher character levels.
  3. Skip Bosses: Ignore all bosses (General Umbriss, Forgemaster Throngus, Drahga Shadowburner, and Erudax).
  4. Reset Method: After clearing trash up to the final boss chamber, the fastest reset method is to jump into the lava at the end of the dungeon. This will kill you and respawn you at the dungeon entrance, ready to reset and repeat. Alternatively, queuing for a skirmish and immediately leaving will also return you to the graveyard. You can then reset the dungeon.

• Other Dungeons: While Grim Batol Heroic is optimal, other Cataclysm heroics like The Stonecore, Vortex Pinnacle, Lost City of Tol’vir, and Zul’Gurub also provide good reputation when wearing the tabard. Normal Grim Batol runs are also viable, particularly if you are instance-capped on heroics.

• Reputation per Run (Grim Batol Heroic): Expect to gain approximately 2000-2500 reputation per Heroic Grim Batol run, depending on whether you clear all trash and if you have any reputation bonuses active.

Maximizing Your Reputation Gains

• Reputation Buffs: Take advantage of any reputation buffs available in the game. This includes:

  • Darkmoon Faire: The Darkmoon Faire provides a reputation buff that significantly increases gains.
  • Human Racial (Diplomacy): Human characters receive a racial bonus to reputation gains.
  • Guild Perks: Guild perks can increase reputation gains.
  • Timewalking Events: During Cataclysm Timewalking events, a 50% reputation bonus (Sign of the Destroyer) makes dungeon farming incredibly fast, yielding over 3000 reputation per Grim Batol Heroic run.

• Efficiency Tips for Dungeon Runs:

  • High Mobility Class: Classes with high mobility and AoE capabilities are ideal for fast dungeon clears.
  • Speed Gear/Enchants: Utilize gear and enchants that increase movement speed to minimize run time.
  • Vendor Mount: Having a vendor mount readily available can save time for selling trash loot.
  • Reset Macros: Macros for targeting and killing specific mobs (like net casters in Grim Batol) can streamline your runs.

Earthen Ring Rewards: Why Grind the Rep?

Reaching higher reputation tiers with the Earthen Ring unlocks valuable rewards:

• Revered:

  • Arcanum of the Earthen Ring (Head Enchant – Tanks): A powerful tanking head enchant providing 90 Stamina and 35 Dodge. This is a primary reason for tanks to prioritize this reputation.
  • Sly Fox Jerkin (Leather Chest – Feral Tanks/DPS): A good chest piece option for Feral Druids.

• Exalted:

  • Signet of the Elder Council (Ring – Feral Tanks/DPS): Another desirable item for Feral Druids and potentially other melee DPS.
  • Various Gear for Healers: Exalted reputation unlocks access to item level 346 and 359 gear pieces beneficial for healers, particularly Holy Paladins who can find excellent cloaks, chests, and gloves.
  • Shoulder Enchant for Scribes: Scribes can obtain a unique shoulder enchant without grinding reputation.

Conclusion: Your Path to Exalted with the Earthen Ring

While the Earthen Ring reputation grind may seem daunting initially, especially with the scattered quest rewards in Vashj’ir, focusing on dungeon tabard farming, particularly in Heroic Grim Batol, offers the fastest and most efficient path to Exalted. By utilizing reputation buffs and efficient dungeon clearing strategies, you can quickly unlock the valuable rewards offered by this important Cataclysm faction, enhancing your tanking or healing capabilities. Remember to start questing in Vashj’ir and other Cataclysm zones to reach Friendly, then equip your tabard and head to Grim Batol for rapid reputation gains!