Returning player looking for advice on Shaman level 49+

[SirAlvarex]

Hey everyone! I've played off and on over the past 5 years and just recently hit another "on" streak. A few weeks ago I started playing again and leveled up my Shaman from 42 to 49 and have had a blast doing so. However now that I've out leveled Hill Giants and Spectres I'm off to find new places to get my XP. I also have questions about getting faction for epic and who to talk to when I get the cash to buy a MQ.

1. I've read the Evil Shaman guide and saw a lot of mentions for CoM for 49+. I'm okay with heading there again (did some of the 42-49 in CoM) but am wondering if there are other places within Velious or Kunark for a good combination of Plat and XP. I'm guildless (2 year break will do that to ya) so any location that is light on PUGs will be hard.

2. How hard is it to get a PUG to kill Black Dire? I'm at that point in the epic quest but trying to find a bunch of folks who are willing to help me out is kind of daunting. I've met a few awesome folks who said they'd help but coordinating has been hard. Would it be possible to coordinate through the forums? I've seen a few posts like that but don't want to be a nuisance.

3. I've been told the Shaman epic is pretty much camped 24/7 for the MQ. However I don't see a bunch of WTS for it so I don't know what the going rate is nor who I'd speak to about buying one. I'm a fair bit off from affording it but knowing if I'm completely out of luck as a guildless Shaman in acquiring the Tear. Prior to taking my break I'd commonly see tears handed out to any Shaman hanging around the Fear Portal when my guild did Fear Raids. I presume since the revamp this doesn't happen anymore?

4. Which is more important: A Fungi Tunic or the Epic? This is coming from an Ogre Shaman.

Any other advice for a returning player? Thanks for any help!