World of Warcraft
What Is Item Level (ilvl) in World of Warcraft?
The number that shows how powerful a piece of gear is in WoW, and the average of your equipped gear that groups use to judge readiness.
What is item level in WoW?
Item level (ilvl) is the number on every piece of gear that tells you how strong it is: the higher the item level, the more stats it gives. Your character sheet shows the average item level of your equipped gear, which is the number most groups look at when deciding whether you are ready for harder content.
Item level and your stats
Higher item level means more primary stat, stamina and secondary stats on the same piece. Upgrading one slot raises your average, and more total stats mean more damage, healing or survivability.
Item level is not everything, though. Two items with the same ilvl can be very different for your spec if one has better secondary stats, a set bonus or a useful effect.
Where higher item levels come from
Harder content drops better gear. Raids on higher difficulties, higher Mythic+ keys, high-tier delves and rated PvP all reward higher item levels, and the Great Vault gives a weekly choice based on what you completed.
Upgrade tracks
Most seasonal gear belongs to an upgrade track: Adventurer, Veteran, Champion, Hero or Myth, from lowest to highest. You raise an item step by step within its track by spending crests earned in content of the matching difficulty. The exact item levels of each track change every season.
Example
You get a Hero-track trinket at its first upgrade step. By spending crests from harder content, you can upgrade it several times within the Hero track, raising its item level without needing a new drop.
Average vs. equipped item level
The character sheet can show two numbers: your equipped average and the average of the best gear you own. Group finder applications and inspections show what you are wearing, so equip your best pieces before you apply.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does ilvl stand for?
Item level. Players write ilvl or iLvl in chat and in group listings.
Is higher item level always better?
Usually, but not always. Secondary stats, set bonuses and special effects can make a slightly lower item better for your spec.