u/Comfortable_Web_1845

Hi all, I need help understanding gearing as a New player level 80 character without the Midnight expansion. I comepleted TWW by the Recap.

Still not sure if i got level too fast, did not get time to fully learn the game mechanics.

My character: Level 80 Protection Paladin, average item level 99. Everything I'm wearing came from quests dungeon and the campaign. I haven't done much dungeons for gear yet.

What I'm seeing in the Adventure Guide (class filter set to Protection):

• Heroic dungeons (The Rookery, Ara-Kara): drops are item level 89
• Mythic dungeons (Darkflame Cleft): drops are item level 95
• For example, my equipped shield is 98 and the Heroic shield is 89, which would cost me Armor, Stamina and Mastery
• My weakest slot is a trinket at 79, so the 95 Mythic trinket would be an upgrade there, but almost nothing else is

So everything in the dungeon loot tables is at or below my current item level.

My questions:

1. Is this normal after the item level or is something wrong?
2. How can I get higher item level gear as a level 80 without Midnight?
3. Do Mythic+ keys or the Great Vault give meaningfully better gear than what the Adventure Guide shows?
4. Are Delves still worth doing for gear and crests at level 80?