Introduction
With the release of The War Within, Valorstones have been introduced as the new primary upgrade currency in World of Warcraft. Valorstones replace Flightstones from Dragonflight and serve as a critical resource for upgrading gear throughout Season 1 of The War Within.
Understanding how to efficiently use Valorstones for gear upgrades in WoW is essential for players looking to maximize their item level progression without wasting valuable gear upgrade materials. This guide will cover:
- How Valorstones work and where to obtain them.
- The most efficient ways to farm Valorstones.
- Best strategies for upgrading equipment efficiently.
By the end of this WoW Valorstones Guide, you’ll have all the knowledge needed to optimize your upgrade currency usage and enhance your gear progression effectively.
1. What Are Valorstones and How Do They Work?
A. Understanding Valorstones as an Upgrade Currency
Valorstones are a gear enhancement currency that functions identically to Flightstones from Dragonflight. They are used to upgrade season 1 gear in The War Within, allowing players to increase their item level brackets without replacing equipment.
B. How Many Valorstones Can You Carry?
- Max Cap: 2,000 Valorstones at any given time.
- No Hard Limit: You can spend Valorstones and keep farming, meaning there is no long-term cap on how many you can obtain.
C. How Do Valorstones Compare to Flightstones?
| Feature | Flightstones (Dragonflight) | Valorstones (The War Within) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Upgrading Dragonflight gear | Upgrading TWW Season 1 gear |
| Farming Sources | Dungeons, World Quests, Raids | Dungeons, World Quests, Events |
| Upgrade System | Required Crests for higher ranks | Still requires Crests for upgrades |
2. Best Ways to Farm Valorstones Efficiently
To upgrade your gear quickly, you need to farm Valorstones efficiently. Below are the best sources for acquiring Valorstones in The War Within.
A. Valorstones from World Content
- World Quests: 8-12 Valorstones per quest
- Outdoor Treasures: 1-5 Valorstones per chest
- Weekly Event Quests: 48-75 Valorstones per completion
- Faction Objectives: 5-10 Valorstones per objective
Farming Tip:
Prioritize high-value World Quests that grant gear rewards and Valorstones simultaneously.
B. Valorstones from Dungeons
Running dungeons is one of the fastest ways to earn Valorstones, with different difficulty levels offering increased rewards.
| Dungeon Difficulty | Valorstones Per Boss | Valorstones Final Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Follower Dungeon | 10 Valorstones | 15 Valorstones |
| Normal Dungeon | 10 Valorstones | 15 Valorstones |
| Heroic Dungeon | 10 Valorstones | 30 Valorstones |
| Mythic 0 Dungeon | 10+ Valorstones | 30-50 Valorstones |
| Mythic+ 3 Dungeon | 55 Valorstones | Bonus 25 Valorstones |
Farming Tip:
- Run Mythic 0 dungeons weekly to maximize rewards.
- High Mythic+ keys provide the best return on time invested.
C. Valorstones from Raids and Weekly Caches
Raids provide one of the most reliable sources of Valorstones per week.
| Content Type | Valorstones Earned |
|---|---|
| Raid Boss Kill | Varies by difficulty |
| Weekly Raid Quest | 55 Valorstones |
| Weekly Cache Rewards | 48-75 Valorstones |
Farming Tip:
- Prioritize raid lockouts and weekly cache completions to get guaranteed Valorstones.
D. Special Events and Activities for Valorstones
Several new world events in The War Within provide bonus Valorstones farming opportunities.
| Event Type | Valorstones Earned |
|---|---|
| Worldsoul Memory (Rotating Event) | Several hundred Valorstones per event |
| Snuffling Activity (Faction-Based) | 10 Valorstones per item turn-in |
| Awakened Machine Event | 75 Valorstones per completion |
Farming Tip:
- Participate in as many rotating world events as possible for the best Valorstones per hour ratio.
3. Efficient Valorstones Usage: How to Upgrade Gear Smartly
Once you’ve collected Valorstones, the next step is using them effectively to upgrade your gear.
A. Prioritizing Upgrades for Maximum Efficiency
Not all upgrades provide the same value. Prioritize upgrades that give the highest stat gains.
Best Items to Upgrade First:
- Weapons – Biggest power increase.
- Trinkets – Can provide BiS (Best-in-Slot) effects.
- Tier Set Pieces – Essential for set bonuses and synergy.
- Rings & Necklaces – Often overlooked but provide strong secondary stats.
Items to Upgrade Last:
- Off-pieces like bracers, belts, and cloaks (typically provide lower stat gains).
B. Understanding Valorstones and Crest Interaction
- Valorstones alone are not enough to upgrade gear to higher levels.
- You will still need Crests (Drake, Wyrm, Aspect Crests) for Mythic+ and Raid gear upgrades.
- Mythic+ provides a great mix of both Valorstones and Crests for efficient progression.
Upgrade Strategy Example:
| Upgrade Path | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Heroic Dungeon Gear → Mythic 0 Gear | Valorstones Only |
| Mythic 0 → Mythic+ 5 Gear | Valorstones + Drake Crests |
| Mythic+ 5 → Mythic+ 10 Gear | Valorstones + Wyrm Crests |
| Mythic+ 10+ → Mythic Raid Gear | Valorstones + Aspect Crests |
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid with Valorstones
A. Holding the Valorstones Cap Too Long
- The max cap is 2,000 Valorstones, so spend them frequently to avoid wasted gains.
B. Wasting Valorstones on Low-Priority Upgrades
- Avoid upgrading weak gear when better replacements are easy to obtain.
C. Not Running Weekly High-Reward Activities
- Missing world events, dungeons, or raid caches can delay gear progression.
5. Advanced Valorstones Farming Techniques
For players looking to maximize their Valorstones per hour, here are some pro-level farming techniques that can help you get ahead in The War Within.
A. Speed Farming Valorstones from Mythic+ Dungeons
Mythic+ dungeons remain the most efficient way to farm Valorstones while also acquiring high-end gear.
Best Strategy for Mythic+ Valorstones Farming:
- Run lower Mythic+ keys (3-5) quickly instead of attempting higher, slower keys.
- Form a pre-made group with AoE-focused specs to clear dungeons faster.
- Time your runs properly to avoid waiting for respawns in open-world events.
- Always complete at least one high-level Mythic+ key (10+) for weekly Great Vault rewards.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re just starting, running multiple +3 keys back-to-back will yield more Valorstones per hour than struggling through a +10 dungeon.
B. Efficient Open-World Valorstones Farming Routes
Certain zones and event locations provide repeatable sources of Valorstones, making them excellent farming spots.
Top Locations for Open-World Valorstones Farming:
| Location/Event | Valorstones Earned | Best Farming Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Worldsoul Memory (Zone Rotation) | Several hundred per event | Join an organized group & farm elite mobs. |
| Snuffling (Renown 2 Unlock – The Assembly of the Deeps) | 10 Valorstones per item turn-in | Farm The Odd Glob of Wax and turn in for repeatable rewards. |
| Awakened Machine (World Event) | 75 Valorstones per completion | Focus on elites & event bosses for max efficiency. |
| Disturbed Earth (Rare Drops from Open-World Chests) | Random Valorstones drops | Combine with mining/herbalism farming routes. |
💡 Pro Tip: The Worldsoul Memory event rotates every 7 hours, so track the event timer and plan your farming sessions accordingly.
C. Best Valorstones Farming Strategy for Casual Players
Not every player can dedicate hours to Mythic+ or world event grinding, but there are still efficient ways to acquire Valorstones at a slower pace.
Casual-Friendly Valorstones Farming Plan:
- Do all World Quests that reward Valorstones (8-12 per quest).
- Run at least 3 dungeons per week (Heroic or Mythic 0).
- Complete weekly objectives (raid boss kills, weekly cache activities).
- Join at least one major world event each week (Awakened Machine or Worldsoul Memory).
💡 Pro Tip: Even 5-6 hours per week of targeted Valorstones farming is enough to keep up with gearing progression.
6. Gearing Roadmap: How to Upgrade Efficiently with Valorstones
Knowing when and how to use Valorstones is just as important as farming them efficiently. Below is a step-by-step roadmap to optimizing your upgrade path.
A. Phase 1: Early-Game Gearing (Item Level 400-470)
- Farm Explorer/Adventurer gear from world quests and dungeons.
- Use Valorstones to upgrade weapons and trinkets first.
- Run Heroic dungeons to start collecting Mythic 0 pieces.
💡 Goal: Reach Mythic 0 item levels ASAP.
B. Phase 2: Pre-Raid & Mythic+ Entry
- Run Mythic 0 dungeons for base-level raid and Mythic+ gear.
- Start farming Drake Crests + Valorstones to upgrade key slots.
- Prioritize upgrading tier set pieces if available.
💡 Goal: Prepare for Normal Raid and Mythic+ 5+ dungeons.
C. Phase 3: Mid-Tier Raiding & Mythic+ Progression
- Push higher Mythic+ keys (5-10) for better upgrade materials.
- Focus Valorstones upgrades on rings, neck, and trinkets.
- Run Heroic raids weekly for tier set completions.
💡 Goal: Reach full Veteran or Champion gear and push into Hero content.
D. Phase 4: Endgame Gearing
- Use Valorstones to refine final gear slots.
- Upgrade Mythic+ 10+ and Mythic raid gear to BiS levels.
- Save remaining Valorstones for Season 2 upgrade transitions.
A. How Many Valorstones Can You Earn from Raids?
Each raid boss grants a fixed number of Valorstones, with higher difficulties rewarding more.
| Raid Difficulty | Valorstones Per Boss | Full Clear Valorstones (10 Bosses) |
|---|---|---|
| Raid Finder (LFR) | 20 Valorstones | 200 Valorstones |
| Normal Raid | 30 Valorstones | 300 Valorstones |
| Heroic Raid | 40 Valorstones | 400 Valorstones |
| Mythic Raid | 50 Valorstones | 500 Valorstones |
💡 Pro Tip: Even if you don’t have a raid group, LFR provides an easy way to farm Valorstones weekly with minimal time investment.
B. Weekly Raid Quest & Great Vault Valorstones Rewards
Each week, you’ll have access to raid-related weekly quests and the Great Vault, both of which provide significant amounts of Valorstones.
| Activity | Valorstones Earned |
|---|---|
| Weekly Raid Quest (Kill 3 Bosses) | 75 Valorstones |
| Great Vault (One Raid Boss Kill) | 50 Valorstones |
| Great Vault (Three Raid Boss Kills) | 100 Valorstones |
| Great Vault (Five Raid Boss Kills) | 150 Valorstones |
💡 Pro Tip: Even if you’re only doing Raid Finder (LFR), completing 3 bosses per week will still grant over 100-200 Valorstones from the quest and Great Vault combined.
C. Best Strategy for Farming Valorstones from Raids
To maximize your Valorstones gains from raids, follow this optimized weekly plan:
1. Prioritize Raid Finder for Easy Boss Kills
- LFR is the fastest, most casual-friendly way to farm Valorstones.
- You can queue at any time, making it easy to complete.
- Even a single boss kill contributes toward your weekly Great Vault goals.
2. Aim for At Least Three Raid Bosses Per Week
- The weekly raid quest requires three boss kills, rewarding 75 Valorstones.
- Even if you don’t finish a full raid clear, three bosses per week is the minimum target.
3. Consider Joining Normal or Heroic Raids for Higher Rewards
- Normal raids reward 30 Valorstones per boss, which is already better than LFR.
- Heroic raids are even better (40 per boss), but require a dedicated group.
- If you’re in a guild or raid team, prioritize Normal or Heroic for greater efficiency.
4. Claim Your Great Vault Raid Rewards
- The more bosses you kill, the better your Great Vault options.
- Try to kill at least five bosses per week to maximize your Valorstones income.
D. Weekly Cache Rewards & Their Valorstones Gains
In addition to raid drops, weekly caches from different activities also reward Valorstones.
| Weekly Activity | Valorstones Earned |
|---|---|
| Mythic+ Weekly Cache | 75 Valorstones |
| PvP Weekly Cache | 75 Valorstones |
| Raid Weekly Cache | 75 Valorstones |
| World Quest Cache (Faction Renown Bonus) | 48-75 Valorstones |
💡 Pro Tip: Completing at least one Mythic+, one PvP, and one Raid objective per week guarantees 225 Valorstones, significantly accelerating your gear upgrades.
E. Raid Boss-Specific Valorstones Drops
Some raid bosses have additional loot mechanics that affect Valorstones farming.
| Boss Type | Valorstones Bonus Drops |
|---|---|
| Final Raid Boss (Last Encounter) | +50% more Valorstones than normal bosses. |
| Optional Bonus Bosses (Hidden Encounters) | Additional 10-20 Valorstones each. |
💡 Pro Tip: Always try to defeat the final boss of any raid for the best Valorstones yield.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can Valorstones be used for all gear upgrades?
- Valorstones are only used for Season 1 gear in The War Within.
- Certain crafted and PvP items require separate upgrade materials.
Q2: Should I save Valorstones for future patches?
- No need to hoard Valorstones, as they can always be farmed again.
- Use them to keep progressing immediately rather than waiting.
Q3: What’s the best Valorstones farming method for solo players?
- World quests, Snuffling, and event farming are the best solo-friendly options.
- Normal dungeons and Delves also provide consistent Valorstones.
Q4: Is Mythic+ necessary for efficient Valorstones farming?
- No, but it’s the fastest method.
- Players who avoid dungeons can still farm through raids and world events.
8 Conclusion: Mastering Valorstones for Efficient Gear Progression
By using smart farming strategies and upgrade prioritization, you can maximize your Valorstones efficiency and progress through item levels without wasting resources.
Final Summary of Best Valorstones Strategies:
✅ Run Mythic+ dungeons (3-5 keys for efficiency, 10+ for high-end progression).
✅ Complete weekly raid and world event caches.
✅ Use Valorstones wisely—focus on weapons, trinkets, and tier set upgrades first.
✅ Participate in world events like Worldsoul Memory & Snuffling for extra Valorstones.
✅ Spend Valorstones regularly—don’t hoard them beyond the 2,000 cap.
With these Valorstones farming and upgrading strategies, you’ll stay ahead in The War Within, ensuring that you always have the best gear for dungeons, raids, and PvP.
Would you like an SEO-optimized meta snippet for this article? Let me know how else I can refine it! 🚀
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the fastest way to farm Valorstones?
- Mythic+ dungeons and Worldsoul Memory events provide the highest Valorstones per hour.
Q2: Can Valorstones be traded between characters?
- No, they are character-bound and cannot be sent to alts.
Q3: What’s the most efficient way to spend Valorstones?
- Upgrade weapons and trinkets first for the biggest power increase.