Our Balance Druid BIS guide will focus on what gear is best in slot for you as you begin your journey into Wrath of the Lich King Classic. Currently, we’ll go over both pre-raid and Phase One best in slot lists. As additional phases are released, we’ll update the list accordingly.
Special thanks to the theorycrafting communities for their work discussing items and working on simulations to find the best gear available for players. As always, the best thing to do to determine gear upgrades is to sim your DPS.
Boomkin Best In Slot Pre Raid Gear
Pre-Raid Best-In-Slot gear includes everything that can be obtained without stepping inside the first raids of WotLK. This includes gear obtained via Quests, Reputation Vendors, Professions, Dungeons, and Heroic Dungeons. There may also be a few pieces of gear from The Burning Crusade, namely Sunwell Plateau, that are still viable alternatives if you can find a group to go back and farm them.
Head Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Your absolute best option requires Engineering, so everyone won’t be able to obtain it. Battlemap Hide Helm is a solid backup.
Neck Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
I’m not sure why you’d consider the other two options when your best bet is obtained through emblems, especially one that’s a craft.
Shoulders Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Hope you enjoy Halls of Stone, because that’s where you’ll go for your pre-raid shoulders.
Back Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Easy options here in the cloak slot. You can either pick up the BOE or do some PVP and farm Honor.
Chest Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
I put five options here since you’re able to obtain your pre-raid chest piece from a wide variety of places. Tier is the ideal one, but you can pick up others stop-gaps along the way.
Wrist Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
A lot of viable options here. Azure Cloth gets the nod, but these are all pretty solid.
Hands Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
There are some alternatives from BOEs and Sunwell gear, but ultimately, these are your best bets.
Waist Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Plush Sash gets you an impressive amount of hit.
Legs Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
These are all pretty close. It all will honestly depend on what’s the easiest for you to get.
Feet Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Getting to exalted is what it is, but it’s definitely your best option.
Rings Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
You’re only getting a single-digit DPS increase from the Kirin Tor signet. If you’re not made of money, there’s smarter options.
Reminder that only enchanters can enchant rings.
Trinkets Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
At least Sundial drops off of the one boss in Violet Hold you’ll fight every time.
Main-Hand Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Main Hand/Off Hand is the ideal setup over a Two-Handed weapon.
Off-Hand Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Getting your bis for 25 emblems is a no-brainer. There’s no real reason to post the other options.
Staff Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Honestly, only pick these up as a stop-gap for main hand/offhand combo.
Idol Pre Raid Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
The emblem idol is your pre-raid bis. Pick up the quest reward in the meantime.
Boomkin Best In Slot Phase One Gear
Phase one sees the introduction of the first wave of raids in Wrath of the Lich King, they are: Naxxramas, Obsidian Sanctum, and Eye of Eternity
Head Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
4 piece is really good and you’ll use one of those tier slots here.
Neck Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
You and every other caster are going for the Malygos quest reward. Good luck.
Shoulders Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Tier is what you want here. Everything else is just temporary.
Back Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Pennant Cloak is the obvious bis option here.
Chest Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Your pre-raid bis should be the Heroes’ tier piece. The only real upgrade from there is the Valorous piece.
Wrist Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Your absolute bis is the Unsullied Cuffs, but other options are available if you need the hit rating.
Hands Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
It’s been a broken record, but 4 piece is that good. Get the tier. Your pre-raid was tier already, go get the upgrade.
Waist Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
A no-brainer bis option with Leash, but if you need hit, hold off on it.
Legs Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
This is your one non-tier slot, but pick them up as you wait for the Malygos legs.
Feet Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
You read that right; Malygos 10, not 25, has your best option here.
Rings Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Manifested Pain and Lost Jewel are a clear-cut best, but Band of Channeled Magic is solid too.
Reminder that only enchanters can enchant rings.
Trinkets Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
The top two trinkets are going to be very contested. The other raid options are more than viable.
Main-Hand Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Main Hand/Off Hand is the ideal setup over a Two-Handed weapon.
Torch of Holy Fire will most likely be prioritized to a healer.
Off-Hand Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Accursed Spine is easily your best option here, but there’s some importance from getting the hit from Surplus Limb.
Staff Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
Honestly, only pick these up as a stop-gap for main-hand/off-hand combo.
Idol Phase 1 Best In Slot Balance Druid WotLK
There’s only one legitimate option in raids for your idol slot.
Need a dual spec? We’ve got every Druid Specialization covered! Check out our other Druid Guides Below
Druid WotLK Specialization Guides
Balance Druid WotLK PvE Guide Restoration Druid WotLK PvE Guide Feral Druid Cat DPS WotLK PvE Guide Feral Druid Bear Tank WotLK PvE Guide
Druid WotLK Best In Slot Guides
Balance Druid Best In Slot Phase 2 Restoration Druid WotLK Best in Slot Feral Druid Cat DPS WotLK Best in Slot Feral Druid Bear Tank WotLK Best in Slot
