Balance Druid BIS Gear Cataclysm Classic

Stat Priority For Balance Druid DPS

Your Stat Priority for Balance Druid DPS BiS in Cataclysm Classic should be like this (left to right).

Intellect → Spell Power → Hit Rating and Spirit → Haste Rating → Mastery → Critical Strike Rating.

In Cataclysm, the prioritization of stats for Balance Druids has changed significantly. Intellect and Spell Power now take precedence over Hit Rating, even if you haven’t reached the hit cap. Additionally, Mastery has been introduced. The focus of gearing is to maximize intellect, which means prioritizing higher item level (ilvl) gear over specific stats, except for trinkets and set pieces.

Hit Rating and Spirit have a cap; once reached, additional points in these stats won’t benefit your damage output and should be reforged into more useful stats. Balance Druids need to reach the spell hit cap, making Hit Rating crucial until the cap is reached. You gain spell hit from gear with Hit Rating and Spirit due to the Balance of Power talent. Reforging helps in managing hit cap in pre-raid gear.

Intellect: The primary stat, stronger than all other stats even below hit cap. Weapons still have Spell Power, which is almost as strong as Intellect.
Hit Rating: Aim for a total of +17% hit chance, equating to 1742 rating. Beyond this, hit rating should be reforged into other stats like Haste or Mastery.
Haste: Strongest secondary stat after hit cap. It speeds up your spells and DoTs.
Mastery: Increases the strength of your eclipses, strong in both AoE and single-target situations after reaching the hit cap.
Critical Strike: The weakest secondary stat but still valuable.

Gear

Weapons

Main Hand for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Incineratus or Twilight’s Hammer.

These weapons are nearly identical in performance, so choose the one with the least loot competition. Heroic staves are not available, and staves are generally weaker due to the advantage provided by off-hand enchants.

Best Enchant: Enchant Weapon – Power Torrent.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Incineratus	Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Best	Twilight’s Hammer	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Blade of the Witching Hour	Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Andoros, Fist of the Dragon King	Nefarian	Blackwing Descent

Offhand for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Book of Binding Will.

This is the strongest off-hand item. You might need to take Scepter of Ice due to its Spirit.

Best Enchant: Enchant Off-Hand – Superior Intellect.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Book of Binding Will	Halfus Wyrmbreaker	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Scepter of Ice	Elementium Monstrosity	The Bastion of Twilight

Relic for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Relic of Norgannon.

This relic is preferred due to its Haste. If you struggle to reach the hit cap, Relic of Eonar is a suitable alternative.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Relic of Norgannon	Valor Points	Orgrimmar/Stormwind City
Alt	Relic of Eonar	Valor Points	Orgrimmar/Stormwind City

Body Armor

Shoulders for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Stormrider’s Shoulderwraps.

Stormrider’s Shoulderwraps are the best option for shoulders. Like the head slot, there are very few situations where you wouldn’t use these.

Best Enchant: Greater Inscription of Charged Lodestone ( Exalted reputation with Therazane required).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Stormrider’s Shoulderwraps	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Passive Resistor Spaulders	Toxitron	Blackwing Descent

Chest for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Scorched Wormling Vest.

Scorched Wormling Vest is the best chest item as long as you can secure the 4-piece set bonus from shoulders, head, legs, and gloves.

Best Enchant: Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Scorched Wormling Vest	Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Stormrider’s Vestment	Valor Points + drop upgrade from Halfus Wyrmbreaker	The Bastion of Twilight

Back for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Shroud of Endless Grief.

Shroud of Endless Grief is the strongest back option in T11, but it will be contested by other casters. Alternatives include Drape of the Twins and Planetary Drape. Preferred off-stats for Planetary Drape are Haste/Mastery or Haste/Spirit.

Best Enchant: Enchant Cloak – Greater Intellect or Lightweave Embroidery (if Tailoring).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Shroud of Endless Grief	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Drape of the Twins	Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Planetary Drape	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds

Head for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Stormrider’s Cover.

Stormrider’s Cover is the top choice for the head slot. Even if you already have a 4-piece set from other items, the tier head is still better. The only exception is if you have a 359-tier head and a 372 non-tier head along with the 4-piece bonus. The 359-tier head that gives the 4-piece bonus is better than a 372 head without the bonus.

Best Enchant: Arcanum of Hyjal (Revered reputation with Guardians of Hyjal required).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Stormrider’s Cover	Nefarian	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Helm of the Blind Seer	Atramedes	Blackwing Descent

Waist for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Gale Rouser Belt.

Gale Rouser Belt is the best option. You’ll want it with Haste/Spirit, Haste/Mastery, Haste/Crit, or Mastery/Spirit. Belt of the Nightmare is close but has Crit/Spirit, making it slightly less optimal.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Gale Rouser Belt	Nezir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Belt of the Nightmare	Nefarian	Blackwing Descent

Legs for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Stormrider’s Leggings.

Stormrider’s Leggings are the best leg option. They would be slightly better than Gale Rouser Leggings with Haste/Spirit if you already have the 4-piece bonus from other slots.

Best Leg Armor: Powerful Ghostly Spellthread.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Stormrider’s Leggings	Valor Points + drop upgrade from Maloriak	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Gale Rouser Leggings	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds

Feet for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Nightmare Rider’s Boots.

Nightmare Rider’s Boots are the best choice for boots. Your alternative is Treads of Hideous Transformation.

Best Enchant: Enchant Boots – Lavawalker.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Nightmare Rider’s Boots	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Treads of Hideous Transformation	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight

Wrist for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Manacles of the Sleeping Beast.

Manacles of the Sleeping Beast are the best and only option for wrists.

Best Enchant: Enchant Bracer – Mighty Intellect or Draconic Embossment – Intellect (if Leatherworking).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Manacles of the Sleeping Beast	Chimaeron	Blackwing Descent

Hands for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Stormrider’s Gloves.

Stormrider’s Gloves are the best option for hands, even if you already have the 4-piece set without them. They follow the same priority rules as the head and shoulders.

Best Enchant: Enchant Gloves – Haste, and Synapse Springs (if Engineering).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Stormrider’s Gloves	Valor Points + drop upgrade from Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Hydrolance Gloves	Elementium Monstrosity	The Bastion of Twilight

Jewelry

Trinkets for Balance Druid DPS

Best Combination: Darkmoon Card: Volcano and either Theralion’s Mirror or Heart of Ignacious.

Theralion’s Mirror is generally considered the strongest, but its proc can sometimes be wasted if it activates right after entering an eclipse. It’s great for snapshotting mastery in long solar phases. Heart of Ignacious has additional gearing requirements to hit haste breakpoints with its use effect, making it effective for DoTs. The choice between the two depends on the fight, with both being viable alongside Darkmoon Card: Volcano.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best Overall	Darkmoon Card: Volcano	Darkmoon Volcanic Deck Quest	Darkmoon Island
Best Alt	Theralion’s Mirror	Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Heart of Ignacious	Elementium Monstrosity	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Bell of Enraging Resonance	Atramedes	Blackwing Descent

Rings for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Signet of the Fifth Circle and Planetary Band.

These rings with Haste/Spirit or Haste/Mastery are the top choices. Competition for rings will be tough as there are few in T11. As a hybrid, you may have to settle for Security Measure Alpha due to its Spirit.

Best Enchant: Enchant Ring – Intellect (Only Enchanters can apply this on their rings).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Signet of the Fifth Circle	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight
Best	Planetary Band	Nezir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Security Measure Alpha	Toxitron	Blackwing Descent

Neck for Balance Druid DPS

Best: Valiona’s Medallion.

Valiona’s Medallion is the best necklace. It is identical to Planetary Amulet with Haste/Mastery. As a hybrid, you might need to grab a Planetary Amulet with Haste/Spirit or Mastery/Spirit to reduce loot competition.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Valiona’s Medallion	Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight
Best Alt	Planetary Amulet	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds

F.A.Q.

What are the best Races for Balance Druid?

Alliance – Worgen and Night Elves, Horde – Trolls and Tauren.

Are Balance Druids good?

Balance Druids offer a highly engaging and rewarding gameplay experience in Cataclysm Classic. The specialization provides numerous satisfying moments, particularly when your strategic setup pays off. For instance, detonating mushrooms under enemy adds and watching your screen fill with high damage numbers while also creating a slowing field to help control the adds can be incredibly gratifying.

What tier is Balance Druid in?

He’s in A tier in Cataclysm Classic, along with Arcane Mage, Retribution Paladin, Ele Shaman, Assasination Rogue and Unholy Death Knight.

What are the best professions for Balance Druid?

It’s Engineering and Tailoring (also Alchemy).