Balance Druids brings utility to the raid, casting innervate on healers, using rebirth, increasing spell haste, and applying 13% spell power debuff. For guilds starting in ICC the Typhoon knockback can be a great addition in certain fights like Deathbringer Saurfang pushing the blood beasts and allowing more time to DPS. The big downside of Balance Druids is movement, where they can barely do any damage with the dots and might lose precious seconds of [Eclipse], lowering their DPS.
Best in slot gear for Balance Druid Wotlk
BIS Balance Druid Pre Naxx – Phase 1
This set focus on getting the 10% hit needed for raiding, then has much crit has possible while not discarding haste completely. The stats for pre-raid are 10% hit, 20% crit in moonkin form self buffed, 1660 Spell Power and wrath at cast time around ~1.3, around 338 haste rating. The essential for hit are needed, the other ones can be filled with haste/crit and even spirit because of the 30% spell power gain, this in case there is no time to pursue the full BIS before Naxx is released. This list follows the quickest path to gear up and be raid ready without counting on Emblem of Valor gear.
Head
Battlemap Hide Helm – Prince Keleseth in Utgarde Keep HC
Neck
Necklace of Taldaram – Essential for hit, Prince Taldaram in Ahn’kahet HC
Shoulders
Spaulders of Krystallus – Krystallus in Halls of Stone HC
Cloak
Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Ascendancy – Essential for hit, PVP 38000 honor points
Dark Soldier Cape – Essential for hit, Ebon Blade honored
Chest
Robes of Crackling Flame – Kirin Tor exalted, high spell power, haste and an really high amount of MP5 just from one item that will make a difference in longer fights
Wrists
Azure Cloth Bindings – Cyanigosa in Violet Hold HC
Main hand weapon
Titansteel Spellblade – Essential for hit, blacksmith
or
Flameheart Spell Scapel – Essential for hit, Kirin Tor revered reputation, subpar
Off hand
ward of the violet citadel – Essential for hit, 25 Emblems of Heroism,
Telestra’s Journal – Essential for hit, Grand Magus Telestra Nexus HC, subpar
Ranged
Idol of Steadfast Renewal – 15 Badges of Heroism
Hands
Awakened Handguards – Random drop Halls of Lightning HC
Waist
Girdle of Bane – Essential for hit, Utgarde Pinnacle King Ymiron
Legs
Windripper leggings – Leatherworking
or
Woven Bracae Leggings – Loken, Halls of Lightning
Feet
Sandals of crimson fury – Wyrmrest Accord exalted
Rings
Annhylde’s Ring – Ingvar in Utgarde Keep HC
or
Signet of Hopeful Light – Argent Crusade exalted
The Prospector’s Prize – Essential for hit, Krystallus in Halls of Stone HC
Trinkets
Sundial of the exiled – 40 Emblems of Heroism (must have even into Naxx)
Forge Ember – Sjonnir in Halls of Stone HC
BIS Balance Druid Naxx Wotlk Classic – Phase 1
Head
T7
Neck
Chain of the Ancient Wyrm – Sapphiron, Naxxramas 25, The Key to the Focusing Iris chain quest
Shoulders
T7
Cloak
Pennant Cloak – Sartharion, The Obsidian Sanctum
Chest
T7
Wrists
Unsullied Cuffs – Sartharion, The Obsidian Sanctum
Main hand weapon
Torch of the holy fire – Kel’Thuzad, Naxxramas
Off hand
Accursed Spine – Noth the Plaguebringer, Naxxramas
Ranged/Relic
Emblems
Hands
T7
Waist
Leash of Heedless Magic – Malygos, The Eye of Eternity
Legs
T7
Feet
Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster – Malygos, The Eye of Eternity
Rings
Band of Channeled Magic – Emblem of Valor
Signet of the Malevolent – Gothik/Gluth, Naxxramas
Trinkets
Illustration of the Dragon Soul – Sartharion, The Obsidian Sanctum
Dying Curse – Multiple Bosses, Naxxramas
BIS Balance Druid ICC – RS – Phase 4
Head
Sanctified Lasherweave Cover – T10
Shoulders
Sanctified Lasherweave Mantle – T10
Cloak
Cloak of Burning Dusk – Halion RS 25 HC
Chest
Sanctified Lasherweave Vestment – T10
Wrists
Phaseshifter’s Bracers – Halion RS 25 HC
Main Hand Weapon
Royal Scepter of Terenas II – The Lich King ICC 25 HC
Off-hand Weapon
Shadow Silk Spindle – Prince’s ICC 25 HC
Ranged
Idol of the lunar eclipse – Emblem of Frost vendor
Hands
Sanctified Lasherweave Gloves – T10
Waist
Crushing Coldwraith Belt – Lord Marrowgar ICC 25 HC
Legs
Plaguebringer’s Stained Pants – Festergut ICC 25 HC
Feet
Plague Scientist’s Boots – Festergut ICC 25 HC
Rings
Ashen Band of Endless Destruction – Ashen Verdict Exalted
Loop of the Endless Labyrinth – Lord Marrowgar ICC 25 HC
Trinkets
Phylactery of the Nameless Lich – Sindagrosa ICC 25 HC
Charred Twilight Scale – Halion RS 25 HC
