TL;DR
- Start with Sons of Hodir for essential shoulder enchants used by all classes
- Utilize championing system with faction tabards for efficient dungeon reputation farming
- Prioritize daily quests that offer the highest reputation-per-time investment
- Plan your reputation progression around class-specific gear needs and profession requirements
- Combine multiple reputation methods simultaneously for fastest progression to Exalted
This comprehensive guide explores the four primary reputation factions in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic. Mastering these systems is crucial for accessing powerful gear, enchants, and unique rewards that significantly enhance your character’s power throughout the expansion. Each faction offers distinct progression paths and specialized equipment tailored to different playstyles and class roles.
The reputation hierarchy follows a consistent pattern: Hated/Neutral → Friendly → Honored → Revered → Exalted. Understanding the most efficient methods for each faction can save you dozens of hours while maximizing your character’s combat effectiveness.
Strategic reputation farming requires planning around your class specialization, profession requirements, and preferred content. This guide provides actionable strategies to optimize your time investment.
Sons of Hodir
The Sons of Hodir represent one of the most essential reputations in WotLK Classic due to their exclusive shoulder enchants. These enchants provide significant stat bonuses unavailable through other sources, making them mandatory for min-maxing characters.
Players can acquire reputation through three primary methods: completing daily quests, farming Relics of Ulduar (purchasable on the auction house), and delivering Everfrost Chips to Calder. Each method offers different time-to-reward ratios depending on your available playtime and gold resources.
Starting at Hated reputation requires initiating the main quest chain beginning with “They took our men!” Completing “Mending Fences” and “A Spark of Hope” will advance you to Honored status. Pro Tip: Focus on the quest chain first, as it unlocks daily quests and provides substantial initial reputation gains.
Reputation Rewards
At Honored reputation, you gain access to the Shoulders of Frozen Knives (leather shoulders), which are only 13 item levels below Heroic Dungeon gear while providing 52 haste rating and 100 attack power increases.
The Giant Ring Belt (mail belt) offers +40 Agility, +51 Stamina, +34 Intellect, substantial attack power, and 25 critical strike rating improvement.
Leatherworkers can obtain the pattern for the Mammoth Mining Bag, enabling creation of 32-slot mining containers.
The Arcanum of the Frosty Soul provides a head enchant granting 30+ stamina and 25+ frost resistance.
Four distinct shoulder enchants become available: Lesser Inscription of the Axe (30 attack power, +10 critical strike for physical DPS), Lesser Inscription of the Crag (+18 spell power, +5 mana/5 for healers), Lesser Inscription of the Pinnacle (15 dodge, +10 defense for tanks), and Lesser Inscription of the Storm (18 spell power, +10 critical strike for caster DPS).
Revered reputation unlocks faction-specific mounts (separate Alliance and Horde versions), though these lack vendor services and multi-person capacity.
Additional Revered rewards include Giant-Friend Kilt (leather legs with +78 critical strike, 90 spell power), Shoulders of the Giant Lords (plate shoulders enhancing critical strike, strength, and stamina), Broken Stalactite dagger (1.80 speed with critical strike, hit rating, and attack power enhancements, plus a one-handed axe improving critical strike, armor penetration, and attack power.
Exalted status grants the Reins of the Grand Ice Mammoth multi-person mount capable of carrying two passengers.
Jewelcrafters acquire Smooth Autumn’s Glow (+16 critical strike), tailors gain Pattern for the Glacial Bag (22-slot), and enhanced shoulder enchants provide superior bonuses: Greater Inscription of the Axe (+40 attack power, +15 critical strike), Greater Inscription of the Crag (+24 spell power, +8 mana/5), Greater Inscription of the Pinnacle (+20 dodge, +15 defense), and Greater Inscription of the Storm (+24 spell power, +15 critical strike).
Wyrmrest Accord
The Wyrmrest Accord offers specialized gear particularly beneficial for spellcasting classes. Reputation acquisition follows two primary pathways: completing questlines (Neutral to Honored) and utilizing the championing system with the Tabard of the Wyrmrest Accord purchased at Friendly reputation.
The championing system involves wearing the faction tabard while completing specific normal dungeons and all heroic instances.

Progression from Honored to Exalted requires completing three daily quests: Drake Hunt, Defending Wyrmrest Temple, and Aces High!
Reputation Rewards
Honored reputation unlocks Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions (+43 defense, +25 hit rating), Bracers of Accorded Courtesy (Paladin wrists with haste, spell power, and Yellow Socket for +16 Intellect), Fang of Truth one-handed sword (attack power and hit rating), and Arcanum of the Eclipsed Moon head enchant (+25 Arcane resistance, +30 Stamina).
Revered status provides Ancestral Sinew Wristguards (cloth wrists with +50 spell power and Blue Socket).
Additional Revered rewards include Breastplate of the Solemn Council (tanking chest with +76 defense, +56 expertise), Sabatons of Draconic Vigor (tanking boots with +58 defense, +29 hit rating), Gavel of the Brewing Storm (healing mace with +49 stamina, +26 intellect, critical strike, haste, and spell power improvements), Arcanum of Blissful Mending head enchant (+30 spell power, +10 mana/5), and Mysterious Bag Pattern (32-slot enchanting bag for tailors).
Exalted reputation grants Sandals of Crimson Fury (+51 haste, +77 spell power, +49 stamina, +50 intellect, Blue Socket).
Dragonfriend Bracers (leather wrists with +38 critical strike, +100 attack power), Grips of Fierce Pronouncements (main hands restoring 33 mana/5, +77 spell power), Legplates of Bloody Reprisal (+90 armor penetration), and Glimmering Monarch Topaz for jewelcrafters (+8 Parry, +8 Defense).
Argent Crusade
The Argent Crusade provides versatile combat gear suitable for multiple class specializations. Reputation acquisition follows two established methods: completing questlines and utilizing the championing system as previously described.

Advancement from Honored to Exalted through questing requires completing the Troll Patrol daily quest sequences:
Captain Brandon’s quests: Can you dig it, High Standards, and Something for the Pain
Captain Grondel’s assignments: Couldn’t Care Less, Creature Comforts, and Whatdya Want, a medal?
Captain Rupert’s missions: Done to Death, Intestinal Fortitude, and Throwing Down
Reputation Rewards
Honored reputation unlocks Cloak of Holy Extermination (+25 armor penetration, +52 attack power).
Tanking legs (Special Issue Legplates) provide strength, stamina, +69 defense rating, and +46 hit rating.
Standard Issue Legguards enhance stamina, intellect, +80 spell power, and +40 haste rating.
Revered status grants Battle Mender’s Helm (+91 spell power, +77 critical strike), Fang-Deflecting Faceguard (melee DPS head with strength, stamina, +78 armor penetration).
Additional Revered rewards include Argent Skeleton Crusher two-handed mace (+77 armor penetration), Zombie Sweeper Shotgun (+18 critical strike, +14 hit rating, +68 attack power), Guardian’s Twilight Opal for jewelcrafters (+8 Expertise, +12 Stamina), and Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector tank head enchant (+37 stamina, +20 defense rating).
Exalted reputation provides Boots of the Neverending Path (+66 hit rating, +122 attack power).
Polished Regimental Hauberk (excellent Enhancement Shaman chest with agility, stamina, intellect, +49 hit rating, +104 attack power, and Yellow Socket with +4 hit rating).
Additional Exalted rewards include Helm of Purified Thoughts (Holy Paladin head with stamina, intellect, +84 spell power, +45 critical strike, Meta and Blue sockets granting +8 Intellect), Signet of Hopeful Light epic ring (+42 stamina, +50 intellect, +36 haste, +58 spell power), and Brilliant Spellthread Pattern for tailors (+50 spell power, +20 spirit when embroidered on pants).
Knights of the Ebon Blade
Non-Death Knight characters begin at Neutral reputation with the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Three distinct reputation acquisition methods are available: completing questlines, trading with Arcanist Miluria (1 Emblem of Triumph for 1 Ebon Blade Commendation Badge).
The third method involves the championing system using the Tabard of the Ebon Blade.

Progression from Honored to Exalted through questing requires completing specific daily quest sequences:
Shadow Vault dailies: Leave Our Mark, Vile Like Fire, and Shoot’ Em Up
Death’s Rise assignments: From Their Corpses, Intelligence Gathering and No Fly Zone
Reputation Rewards
Friendly reputation unlocks the Tabard of the Ebon Blade, while jewelcrafters acquire Deadly Huge Citrine (+6 agility and critical strike improvement).
Honored status provides Dark Soldier Cape for spellcasters (+29 hit rating, +46 spell power).
Additional Honored rewards include Toxin-Tempered Sabatons for tanks (+34 defense rating, +102 shield block value), and Nerubian Reinforced Quiver Pattern for leatherworkers (28-slot quiver).
Revered reputation grants Sterile Flesh-Handling Gloves (cloth hands with +68 spell power).
Wound-Binder’s Wristguards for leather users provide +38 stamina, +42 intellect, +36 spirit, and +51 spell power.
Spaulders of the Black Arrow (mail shoulders with +33 critical strike, +88 attack power).
Reaper of Dark Souls one-handed sword (excellent for Frost Death Knights with +66 attack power, +26 critical strike, +33 hit rating).
Runeblade of Demonstrable Power two-handed sword provides +168 attack power, +67 critical strike, and +33 haste rating.
Additional Revered rewards include Wicked Monarch Topaz for jewelcrafters (+16 attack power, +8 critical strike), and Abyssal Bag Pattern for tailors (32-slot soul bag).
Exalted reputation unlocks Belt of Dark Mending (+64 stamina, +50 intellect, +55 haste rating, +77 spell power).
Darkheart Chestguard enhances attack power by 180 and armor penetration rating by 68.
Kilt of Dark Mercy provides 36 mana per 5 seconds restoration and +104 spell power.
Death-Inured Sabatons for strength users (superb boots with two sockets and +66 critical strike rating).
Glowing Twilight Opal for jewelcrafters grants +9 spell power and +12 stamina.
Advanced Reputation Farming Strategies
Efficient reputation farming requires strategic planning beyond simply completing available quests. Critical Insight: The Sons of Hodir shoulder enchants provide benefits to all classes, making them the highest priority for most players.
Prioritize reputation methods based on your available playtime. For limited time, focus on daily quests that offer the highest reputation-per-minute returns.
Common mistakes include: attempting to farm all reputations simultaneously (spreads progress too thin), neglecting championing system efficiency, and failing to coordinate with profession requirements.
Optimization tips include: completing dungeon runs while wearing multiple faction tabards, focusing on reputation during bonus reputation events, and utilizing alts to farm reputation-bound items.
Time estimates for reaching Exalted vary significantly: Sons of Hodir (3-4 weeks with daily quests), Wyrmrest Accord (2-3 weeks with championing), Argent Crusade (3-4 weeks with dailies), and Knights of the Ebon Blade (2-3 weeks with combined methods).
In-depth mechanics analysis reveals that combining quest completion with championing system usage can reduce total time investment by 30-40%.
Class-specific recommendations: Physical DPS should prioritize Sons of Hodir and Argent Crusade, healers benefit most from Wyrmrest Accord, while tanks find value across all factions.
For comprehensive character development strategies, consult our Class Guide to align reputation farming with your specialization needs.
Action Checklist
- Complete Sons of Hodir quest chain to unlock daily quests and shoulder enchants
- Purchase and equip faction tabards for championing system usage
- Prioritize daily quests offering highest reputation-per-time returns
- Coordinate dungeon runs with multiple faction tabards for efficiency
- Plan reputation progression around class gear needs and profession patterns
- Utilize bonus reputation events and coordinate with guild members for faster completion
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