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Druid · spec comparison

Balance vs Restoration

Balance rates higher for Leveling; Restoration rates higher for PvE and PvP. Tiers come from the tier list, built from the launch client and the 2 November development notes.

Tier by tier

BalanceRestorationLeveling · BalanceBCPvE · RestorationBAPvP · RestorationBA

Balance

Ranged DPS · Caster staff or one-hand and off-hand

Moonkin Form, Moonfury, Eclipse, Nature's Grace, Vengeance, Improved Starfire, Insect Swarm and Genesis. Eclipse alternates your Wrath and Starfire bonuses and Moonkin aura is 5% spell crit for every caster near you.

Playstyle. Moonfire and Insect Swarm up, Wrath until Eclipse favours Starfire, Starfire until it flips back. Innervate yourself or the healer. Entangling Roots and Cyclone-style control in PvP from Moonkin or caster form.

Rotation

  1. Mark of the Wild, Moonkin Form
  2. Insect Swarm and Moonfire on the target
  3. Wrath when the Eclipse bonus favours Wrath (or no proc is up)
  4. Starfire when the Eclipse bonus favours Starfire
  5. Refresh Moonfire and Insect Swarm as they fall
  6. Innervate at half mana

Stat priority

Spell hit to 16% › Spell crit (Moonkin aura) › Arcane and Nature spell power › Intellect › Spirit › Stamina

Tips

  • Nature's Grace after a crit makes the next Starfire fast: Starfire follows every crit.
  • Genesis raises every periodic effect, including your healer's if you took the Restoration points.
  • Hurricane is the AoE; it is a channel, so position first.

Balance guidePvE buildCalculator

Restoration

Healer · Caster staff or one-hand and off-hand

Wild Growth as the 31-point heal with Naturalist shortening it, Bloom, Swiftmend consuming one effect, Nature's Swiftness, Living Spirit, Gift of Nature and Tranquil Spirit. Heals over time can crit now, so Rejuvenation and Regrowth on everyone is the plan.

Playstyle. Rejuvenation and Regrowth rolling on the tank, Swiftmend when the tank spikes, Wild Growth when the group takes damage, Healing Touch with Nature's Swiftness for the big one. Innervate on the mana-hungry healer.

Rotation

  1. Mark of the Wild, Thorns on the tank
  2. Rejuvenation and Regrowth on the tank before the pull
  3. Swiftmend when the tank drops, then reapply the consumed effect
  4. Wild Growth when three or more are hurt
  5. Healing Touch for steady damage; Nature's Swiftness plus Healing Touch for emergencies
  6. Rejuvenation on melee taking cleave; Tranquility as the panic button

Stat priority

Healing power › Spirit (Living Spirit) › Intellect › MP5 › Spell crit (heals over time crit now) › Stamina

Tips

  • Bloom rewards letting Rejuvenation run its full course: do not overwrite early.
  • Living Spirit makes Spirit a healing stat on top of regen.
  • Druids can drink in forms now; shift to Bear when the healer gets charged.

Restoration guidePvE buildCalculator

Other Druid comparisons

Balance vs Feral Combat · Feral Combat vs Restoration · Druid leveling guide · Best leveling class

Questions players ask

Is Balance or Restoration better for leveling a Druid?
Balance (B tier against C). Moonkin Form, Moonfury, Eclipse, Nature's Grace, Vengeance, Improved Starfire, Insect Swarm and Genesis. Eclipse alternates your Wrath and Starfire bonuses and Moonkin aura is 5% spell crit for every caster near you.
Which is better in PvE, Balance or Restoration?
Restoration, A tier against B. Wild Growth as the 31-point heal with Naturalist shortening it, Bloom, Swiftmend consuming one effect, Nature's Swiftness, Living Spirit, Gift of Nature and Tranquil Spirit. Heals over time can crit now, so Rejuvenation and Regrowth on everyone is the plan.
And for PvP?
Restoration at A tier against B. Rejuvenation and Regrowth rolling on the tank, Swiftmend when the tank spikes, Wild Growth when the group takes damage, Healing Touch with Nature's Swiftness for the big one. Innervate on the mana-hungry healer.
Can I play both?
Yes. Dual specialization unlocks at 40 for 10 gold, so most players level in one and keep the other for dungeons or PvP. Both builds load into the calculator from the links here.