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Restoration Druid Stat Weights and Gearing

Updated 2 days, 20 hours ago for patch 9.0.5 by Preston. View the change log.

This page covers the stats that are relevant for a Restoration Druid and what kind of things you should look for when gearing up. As a general rule, it’s almost always better to go with the higher item level piece of gear. Feedback is always welcome. You can leave a comment at the bottom of the page, contact me, or tweet @PrestonDvorak.

Stat Priority and Weights

The priorities below correspond to the different builds on the Talents and Builds page. Where are the stat weights? Now, more than ever, generalized stat weights are unnecessary. Item level is really the sole indicator of an upgrade outside of some niche situations with trinkets. If you want stat weights for yourself, I recommend the Additional Resources section below.

Raiding

Both raiding builds like a balance of secondary stats with a slight favor towards Haste, especially until you get your GCD to around 1.25 seconds (or whatever you feel is speedy enough for you, it's not a hard requirement).

  1. Intellect
  2. Haste (to ~20%)
  3. Critical Strike = Versatility = Mastery
  4. Haste (over ~20%)

General Raid Gearing Notes

  • Always use your highest item level gear, even if it doesn't strictly adhere to the priorities above. Use enchants, gems, and consumables to help balance our secondary stats or reach your Haste goal.
  • Leech is worth about 5 item levels and sockets are worth about 10 item levels when comparing gear.

Mythic+

The Mythic+ priority will favor Mastery slightly over other secondary stats, but you should still use your higher item level gear. Leech also loses a bit of its usefulness in Mythic+ as a lot of your healing will be going into the tank and the need to save mana overall is much lower.

  1. Intellect
  2. Mastery = Haste >=  Versatility = Critical Strike

General Mythic+ Gearing Notes

  • Always use your highest item level gear while favoring Mastery and Haste. Use enchants, gems, and consumables to help boost your Mastery further where possible.
  • Sockets are worth about 10 item levels when comparing gear.

Additional Resources

Use the tools below to get stat weights specifically for your current gear and item level, which will be more accurate than the information  provided above.

Twig It - A robust spreadsheet that allows you to get stat weights based on your current stats and healing breakdown for different fights, using WarcraftLogs data.

Stat Explanations

Intellect increases the power of all your spells. This includes how much healing your spells heal for and how much damage your damaging spells do.

Haste decreases the cast time of your spells, increases how frequently your heal over time effects heal, and decreases your global cooldown. Your global cooldown affects how quickly you can cast spells that have no cast time, such as Rejuvenation. Getting a low global cooldown is essential as a Restoration Druid because our main healing spell does not have a cast time.

Critical Strike increases the chance of both your healing and damage spells being critical strikes. A critical heal will heal for twice as much as a non-critical heal, this includes heals from healing over time effects. This equates to free healing, but you can't reliably control when it happens.

Mastery increases the amount your heal over time effects heal for based on the total heal over time effects you have on the target. For example, if your mastery is 10% and you have one heal over time effect on a player, that heal over time will be healing for 10% more. If you have two heal over time effects on a player they will both be healing for 20% more. There is no cap on this effect, so the more heal over time effects that are active the more powerful it will be.

Versatility increases all healing and damage you do by a flat percentage. It also decreases all damage you take. This is similar to our Mastery, but without the chance to multiply with more healing effects on a target.

Diminishing Returns on Secondary Stats

Starting in Shadowlands, secondary stat gains suffer diminishing returns starting at 30% rating. Due to this, I don't recommend having over 30% rating for any secondary stat, if you can reasonably help it. This is further reinforced by the fact Restoration Druids like more balanced stats anyway.

You can see the secondary stat diminishing return effects below.

  • From 0% to 30% rating - 0% penalty
  • From 30% to 39% rating - 10% penalty
  • From 39% to 47% rating - 20% penalty
  • From 47% to 54% rating - 30% penalty
  • From 54% to 66% rating - 40% penalty
  • From 66% to 126% rating - 50% penalty

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Best in Slot Lists

With the removal of titanforging mechanics, and the overall streamlining of gear, item level should once again be the primary indicator of an upgrade. This will make Best in Slot lists slightly more useful than in previous expansions, however, there will still be situations that stray from this list. Always use your best judgement when picking gear!

Best in Slot Gear

Raiding - +

The gear below is relevant for all builds when raiding, except where noted in parenthesis. The talent builds noted correspond to those on the Talents and Builds page. Gear from the weekly Mythic+ Great Vault will be a similar item level to the current Mythic-level raid, with only the last bosses in a raid tier having higher item level gear. This is why you see some dungeon items as best in slot. I've tried to always include one Mythic+ item and one Raid item of similar item level to keep things more flexible. 

Bosses with Best in Slot Gear

Castle Nathria
Huntsman Altimor (1), Sun King's Salvation (1), Artificer Xy'mox (2), Hungering Destroyer (1), The Blood Council (2), Sludgefist (1), Stone Legion Generals (3), Sire Denathrius (4)

Dungeons (Mythic+ Weekly Vault)
The Necrotic Wake - Blightborne (2)
Plaguefall - Domina Venomblade (1)
Mists of Tirna Scitha - Ingra Maloch (1), Tred'ova (1)
Halls of Atonement - Lord Chamberlain (1)
De Other Side - Hakkar the Soulflayer (1), Mueh'zala (1)
Sanguine Depths - General Kaal (1)
Spires of Ascension - Kin-Tara (2), Oryphrion (1), Devos, Paragon of Doubt (1)
Theater of Pain - Xav the Unfallen (1), Mordretha (1)

Head
  1. Sadist's Sinister Mask (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Vicious Surge Faceguard (226) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
Neck
  1. Charm of Eternal Winter (226) - Castle Nathria, Huntsman Altimor
  2. Azure-Venom Choker (226) - Spires of Ascension, Kin-Tara
Shoulder
  1. Wicked Flanker's Gorget (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
  2. Wicked Bladewing Pauldrons (226) - Sanguine Depths, General Kaal
Back
  1. Crest of the Legionnaire General (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
  2. Drape of Twisted Loyalties (226) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
Chest
  1. Corset of the Deft Duelist (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
  2. Rainshadow Hauberk (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
Wrist
  1. Fastened Venombarb Binds (226) - Plaguefall, Domina Venomblade
  2. Precisely Calibrated Chronometer (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy,mox
Hands
  1. Winged Hunters' Gloves (226) - Spires of Ascension, Kin-Tara
  2. Bleakwing Assassin's Grips (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
Waist
  1. Heedless Pugilist's Harness (226) - Castle Nathria, Sludgefist
  2. Sapgorger Belt (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Tred'ova
Legs
  1. Volatile Shadestitch Legguards (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
  2. Soulfeather Breeches (226) - De Other Side, Hakkar the Soulflayer
Feet
  1. Enchanted Toe-Tappers (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
  2. Viscera-Stitched Footpads (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Blightbone
Finger
  1. Most Regal Signet of Sire Denathrius (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Hyperlight Band (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy'mox
  3. Stitchflesh's Misplaced Signet (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Blightborne
  4. Death God's Signet (226) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
Two-Hand Weapons

In general, Two-handed weapons have more Intellect than secondary stats, but the difference isn't often significant at similar item levels.

  1. Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Nathrian Ferula (226) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain
One-Hand Weapons

In general, One-hand/off-hand combinations have more secondary stats than Intellect, but the difference isn't often significant at similar item levels.

  1. Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Flashcrafter's Knife (226) - Theater of Pain, Xav the Unfallen
Off-Hand Items
  1. Thaumaturgic Anima Bead (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
  2. Deathwalker's Promise (226) - Theater of Pain, Mordretha

Mythic+ - +

The gear below is relevant for Mythic+ and dungeon content. This is best used with the Mythic+ build on the Talents and Builds page. Gear from the weekly Mythic+ Great Vault will be a similar item level to the current Mythic-level raid, with only the last bosses in a raid tier having higher item level gear. This is why you see some dungeon items as best in slot. I've tried to always include one Mythic+ item and one Raid item of similar item level to keep things more flexible.

Bosses with Best in Slot Gear

Castle Nathria
Shriekwing (1), Huntsman Altimor (1), Artificer Xy'mox (2), Hungering Destroyer (1), Lady Inerva Darkvein (1), The Blood Council (2), Sludgefist (1), Stone Legion Generals (2), Sire Denathrius (4)

Dungeons (Mythic+ Weekly Vault)
The Necrotic Wake - Surgeon Stitchflesh (1)
Plaguefall - Domina Venomblade (1)
Mists of Tirna Scithe - Mistcaller (1)
Halls of Atonement - Halkias (1) Echelon (1), Lord Chamberlain (3)
De Other Side - The Manastorms (1), Xy'exa (1), Mueh'zala (2)
Sanguine Depths - General Kaal (1)
Theater of Pain - Xav the Unfallen (1), Mordretha (1)

Head
  1. Sadist's Sinister Mask (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Hood of the Hidden Path (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Mistcaller
Neck
  1. Charm of Eternal Winter (226) - Castle Nathria, Huntsman Altimor
  2. Sin Stained Pendant (226) - Halls of Atonement, Halkias
Shoulder
  1. Wicked Flanker's Gorget (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
  2. Wicked Bladewing Pauldrons (226) - Sanguine Depths, General Kaal
Back
  1. Dealer Xy'exa's Cape (226) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
  2. Cowled Batwing Cloak (226) - Castle Nathria, Shriekwing
Chest
  1. Freshly Embalmed Jerkin (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Surgeon Stitchflesh
  2. Corset of the Deft Duelist (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Wrist
  1. Fastened Venombarb Binds (226) - Plaguefall, Domina Venomblade
  2. Precisely Calibrated Chronometer (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy,mox
Hands
  1. Gloves of Phantom Shadows (226) - Castle Nathria, Lady Inerva Darkvein
  2. Rocket Chicken Handlers (226) - De Other Side, The Manastorms
Waist
  1. Waistcord of Dark Devotion (226) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain
  2. Heedless Pugilist's Harness (226) - Castle Nathria, Sludgefist
Legs
  1. Volatile Shadestitch Legguards (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
  2. Skyterror's Stonehide Leggings (226) - Halls of Atonement, Echelon
Feet
  1. Primeval Soul's Ankleguards (226) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
  2. Enchanted Toe-Tappers (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Finger
  1. Most Regal Signet of Sire Denathrius (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Signet of the False Accuser (226) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain
  3. Death God's Signet (226) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
  4. Hyperlight Band (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy'mox
Two-Hand Weapons

In general, Two-handed weapons have more intellect than secondary stats, but the difference isn't often significant at similar item levels.

  1. Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Nathrian Ferula (226) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain
One-Hand Weapons

In general, One-hand/off-hand combinations have more secondary stats than Intellect, but the difference isn't often significant at similar item levels.

  1. Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Flashcrafter's Knife (226) - Theater of Pain, Xav the Unfallen
Off-Hand Items
  1. Thaumaturgic Anima Bead (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
  2. Deathwalker's Promise (226) - Theater of Pain, Mordretha

Best in Slot Trinkets

Raiding - +

The trinkets below are relevant for any Raiding build on the Talents and Builds page. Gear from the weekly Mythic+ Great Vault will be a similar item level to the current Mythic-level raid, with only the last bosses in a raid tier having higher item level gear. This is why you see some dungeon items as best in slot.

  1. Cabalist's Hymnal (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  2. Unbound Changeling (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
  3. Soulletting Ruby (226) - Theater of Pain, Kul'tharok
  4. Sinful Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity (226) - Ranked PvP, Duelist Rank
  5. Macabre Sheet Music (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
  6. Inscrutable Quantum Device (226) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
  7. Vial of Spectral Essence (226) - Theater of Pain, An Affront of Challengers
  8. Boon of the Archon (226) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
  9. Manabound Mirror (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  10. Siphoning Phylactery Shard (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Nalthor the Rimebinder
  11. Lingering Sunmote (226) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
  12. Empyreal Ordnance (226) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
  13. Overflowing Anima Cage (226) - Sanguine Depths, Executor Tarvold
  14. Sunblood Amethyst (226) - Halls of Atonement, High Adjudicator Aleez
  15. Tuft of Smoldering Plumage (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
  16. Consumptive Infusion - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
Situational

The trinkets below won't see normal use, but may have some situations where they're useful.

  1. Situational trinkets will be noted as they're added.

Mythic+ - +

The trinkets below are relevant for the Mythic+ build on the Talents and Builds page. Gear from the weekly Mythic+ Great Vault will be a similar item level to the current Mythic-level raid, with only the last bosses in a raid tier having higher item level gear. This is why you see some dungeon items as best in slot.

  1. Unbound Changeling (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
  2. Cabalist's Hymnal (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  3. Sinful Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity (226) - Ranked PvP, Duelist Rank
  4. Soulletting Ruby (226) - Theater of Pain, Kul'tharok
  5. Inscrutable Quantum Device (226) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
  6. Manabound Mirror (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
  7. Boon of the Archon (226) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
  8. Macabre Sheet Music (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
  9. Empyreal Ordnance (226) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
  10. Consumptive Infusion - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
  11. Lingering Sunmote (226) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
  12. Vial of Spectral Essence (226) - Theater of Pain, An Affront of Challengers
  13. Siphoning Phylactery Shard (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Nalthor the Rimebinder
  14. Tuft of Smoldering Plumage (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
  15. Overflowing Anima Cage (226) - Sanguine Depths, Executor Tarvold
  16. Sunblood Amethyst (226) - Halls of Atonement, High Adjudicator Aleez
Situational

The trinkets below are special cases, and the single-target healing focused ones may be particularly useful in high Mythic+ levels when you need to respond to spikes of damage on a single player.

  1. Situational trinkets will be noted as they're added.

Comment on Restoration Druid Guide

Changelog - View the last ten changes. - +

May 09, 2021 - 2:39 am (Addons) - Added the Cenarion Ward heal over time effect to the Grid2 profile.

May 04, 2021 - 3:32 pm (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Corrected the position of Inscrutable Quantum Device in the best in slot trinket lists.

April 17, 2021 - 4:19 am (Talents and Builds) - Minor updates to the Mythic+ talent build to note other talent options that pair well with certain legendary items.

March 09, 2021 - 12:31 pm (Restoration) - Reviewed guide for patch 9.0.5, no changes necessary.

March 08, 2021 - 12:41 am (Addons) - Updated Grid2 import code with some spell ID corrections an some additional debuffs based on dungeon guide updates.

February 24, 2021 - 4:35 pm (Addons) - Corrected Lifebloom and Soul of the Forest WeakAura import codes.

January 27, 2021 - 5:28 am (Talents and Builds) - Minor updates to the raiding and mythic+ talent builds.

January 27, 2021 - 5:21 am (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Reviewed best in slot lists, minor updates made to trinket lists.

January 27, 2021 - 4:39 am (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Added several missing trinkets to the BiS lists.

January 11, 2021 - 3:54 pm (Addons) - Updated remaining WeakAura import codes.