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In Mists of Pandaria, some gear is now labeled "Elite" or "Heroic Elite". I'm used to Cataclysm having items with "Heroic" to differentiate gear earned in Heroic content (to differentiate it from normal and raid-finder difficulties), but this is the first I've heard of an "Elite" tier of gear.

What makes an item "Elite"? Does it mean anything other than a high iLevel? (I notice that there is also "Heroic Elite")

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Cataclysm has PvP Elite gear, which is earned by proving that you are good at rated PvP. Maybe PvE is getting rated content. I hope that's what it is! –  Koviko Aug 9 '12 at 0:50

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As of the time of answering, Blizzard has revealed one source of the Elite gear:



From this, it would appear that Blizzard is moving to, at least in some encounters, adding Ulduar-style "dial your own difficulty" encounters for Mists raids, and compensating raiders that complete the hardest version with a half-tier improved gear.

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A Blizzard rep posted in the forums:


The Protectors of the Endless encounter is the first encounter in the Terrace of Endless Spring raid. It consists of three "Protectors" - Protector Kaolan, Elder Regail and Elder Asani.

When one of the three dies, each remaining Protector heals fully, gets a damage increase of 25%, and access to additional abilities. Protector Kaolan has the hardest additional abilities, so will usually be targeted and killed first.

MMO Champion has more information on the encounter here, including a explanatory video of the encounter from raid testing and a loot table.

The raid itself will be opened on October 30 (November 6 for LFR), and will only be accessible to those who have already cleared the Heart of Fear raid.

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