Item level

The age, 2 year, old debate about item level is once again brought up. Does item level really make up for the good old inspection? Of course sodding not!

I randomly got invited to this DS run with my hunter the other day, not having asked for it  or even wanting to go really, and in trade they wanted people with ilvl 394, yes a normal DS 10 run this. Me on my hunter having a rather low score of 382 asked why I got invited in the first place, the leader said nothing so I went around inspecting the others and realised they were all, even the leader, in PvP gear expecting to get through DS on that, alright for a dps it maybe possible to sneak through, but a tank? a healer? So I did the obvious thing and left.

I wouldn't know how difficult it is to get the highest PvP set but everyone seems to have that and go for that ilvl, which in all honesty is just wrong, on my realm no one seems to inspect people before a raid, the item level is what is asked for and that's it. This based on the fact that most DPS walk around raids in their PvP gear.

I for one has never really cared about item level, it is just wrong to me, I've boosted it to get in to the raid finder and hour of twilight heroics but apart from that, it is useless to me. I remember it coming out and people were a little bit cautious about it, now its item level and nothing else thank you very much!

To me there's nothing like an inspect and checking the talents before inviting someone, if you end up with an ungemmed, unenchanted and rubbishly geared PvE character with a full PvP set in the bags he's no use.
If you do however have a slightly lower item level score, say you've got a few tier pieces and heroics gear and gemmed it perfectly, added the right enchants and buckles and all. To me that person is a lot more worth than someone that clearly doesn't know his class and spec or really cares about adding the correct buffs to the gear.

I for one will always pick the people that knows more about their class and spec and how to gear, gem and enchant than the one with a high item level. If I find people with brilliant knowledge about class and spec and they happen to have beautiful gear, I'm in love, but til then geared, but not perfectly topped item level, characters will always be my first choice when it comes to raids, even heroics. If that makes me stupid then so be it, but anyone from Wrath, who raided regularly will know that this is the way to go.

So from a slightly undergeared hunter to the rest of the world, I can still beat you on boss damage eventhough I'm 10 item level points below you. May want to consider this on your future travels, inspection is everything!