Restoration Druid Stat Weights and Gearing
Posted 4 weeks, 2 days ago for patch 9.0 by Preston.
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).
- Intellect
- Haste (to ~20%)
- Critical Strike = Versatility = Mastery
- 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.
- Intellect
- 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
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
Sadist's Sinister Mask (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Vicious Surge Faceguard (226) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
Neck
Charm of Eternal Winter (226) - Castle Nathria, Huntsman Altimor
Azure-Venom Choker (226) - Spires of Ascension, Kin-Tara
Shoulder
Wicked Flanker's Gorget (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
Wicked Bladewing Pauldrons (226) - Sanguine Depths, General Kaal
Back
Crest of the Legionnaire General (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
Drape of Twisted Loyalties (226) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
Chest
Corset of the Deft Duelist (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Rainshadow Hauberk (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
Wrist
Fastened Venombarb Binds (226) - Plaguefall, Domina Venomblade
Precisely Calibrated Chronometer (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy,mox
Hands
Winged Hunters' Gloves (226) - Spires of Ascension, Kin-Tara
Bleakwing Assassin's Grips (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
Waist
Heedless Pugilist's Harness (226) - Castle Nathria, Sludgefist
Sapgorger Belt (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Tred'ova
Legs
Volatile Shadestitch Legguards (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
Soulfeather Breeches (226) - De Other Side, Hakkar the Soulflayer
Feet
Enchanted Toe-Tappers (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Viscera-Stitched Footpads (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Blightbone
Finger
Most Regal Signet of Sire Denathrius (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Hyperlight Band (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy'mox
Stitchflesh's Misplaced Signet (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Blightborne
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.
Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Kyrian:
Symphonic Chimekeeper (233) - Necrolords:
Staff of the Lichsworn Lieutenant (233) - Night Fae:
Staff of the Penitent (233) - Venthyr:
Torch of Fiery Atonement (233)
- Kyrian:
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.
- Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Kyrian:
Meditation's Muse (233) - Necrolords:
Plaguespine Sickle (233) or 
Grip of the Dead (233) - Night Fae:
Baron's Oaken Scepter (233) - Venthyr:
Mace of Enveloping Sins (233)
- Kyrian:
Flashcrafter's Knife (226) - Theater of Pain, Xav the Unfallen
Off-Hand Items
Thaumaturgic Anima Bead (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
- Kyrian:
Thenios's Beacon of Foresight (233) - Necrolords:
Malevolent Invoker's Crystal (233) - Night Fae:
Lyre of Decadent Frivolity (233) - Venthyr:
Master Stonewright's Chisel (233)
- Kyrian:
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
- Sadist's Sinister Mask (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Hood of the Hidden Path (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Mistcaller
Neck
- Charm of Eternal Winter (226) - Castle Nathria, Huntsman Altimor
- Sin Stained Pendant (226) - Halls of Atonement, Halkias
Shoulder
- Wicked Flanker's Gorget (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
- Wicked Bladewing Pauldrons (226) - Sanguine Depths, General Kaal
Back
Dealer Xy'exa's Cape (226) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
Cowled Batwing Cloak (226) - Castle Nathria, Shriekwing
Chest
- Freshly Embalmed Jerkin (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Surgeon Stitchflesh
- Corset of the Deft Duelist (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Wrist
- Fastened Venombarb Binds (226) - Plaguefall, Domina Venomblade
- Precisely Calibrated Chronometer (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy,mox
Hands
- Gloves of Phantom Shadows (226) - Castle Nathria, Lady Inerva Darkvein
- Rocket Chicken Handlers (226) - De Other Side, The Manastorms
Waist
- Waistcord of Dark Devotion (226) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain
- Heedless Pugilist's Harness (226) - Castle Nathria, Sludgefist
Legs
- Volatile Shadestitch Legguards (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
- Skyterror's Stonehide Leggings (226) - Halls of Atonement, Echelon
Feet
- Primeval Soul's Ankleguards (226) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
- Enchanted Toe-Tappers (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Finger
- Most Regal Signet of Sire Denathrius (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Signet of the False Accuser (226) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain- Death God's Signet (226) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
- 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.
- Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Kyrian: Symphonic Chimekeeper (233)
- Necrolords: Greatstaff of the Lichsworn General (233)
- Night Fae: Spire of the Long Dark (233)
- Venthyr: Sinbearer's Absolution Staff (233)
- Kyrian:
- 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.
- Mystic Anima Spherule (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Kyrian: Meditation's Muse (233)
- Necrolords: Plaguespine Sickle (233) or Grip of the Dead (233)
- Night Fae: Baron's Oaken Scepter (233)
- Venthyr: Mace of Enveloping Sins (233)
- Kyrian:
- Flashcrafter's Knife (226) - Theater of Pain, Xav the Unfallen
Off-Hand Items
- Thaumaturgic Anima Bead (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
- Kyrian: Burning Beacon of Hope (233)
- Necrolords: Frigid Invoker's Focus (233)
- Night Fae: Harp of the Sanguine Court (233)
- Venthyr: Stonewright's Infused Stonecarver (233)
- Kyrian:
- 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.
Cabalist's Hymnal (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Unbound Changeling (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
Soulletting Ruby (226) - Theater of Pain, Kul'tharok
Sinful Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity (226) - Ranked PvP, Duelist Rank
Macabre Sheet Music (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Vial of Spectral Essence (226) - Theater of Pain, An Affront of Challengers
Boon of the Archon (226) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
Manabound Mirror (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Siphoning Phylactery Shard (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Nalthor the Rimebinder
Lingering Sunmote (226) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
Empyreal Ordnance (226) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
Overflowing Anima Cage (226) - Sanguine Depths, Executor Tarvold
Sunblood Amethyst (226) - Halls of Atonement, High Adjudicator Aleez
Tuft of Smoldering Plumage (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
Consumptive Infusion - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
Inscrutable Quantum Device (226) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
Situational
The trinkets below won't see normal use, but may have some situations where they're useful.
- 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.
- Unbound Changeling (226) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
- Cabalist's Hymnal (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Sinful Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity (226) - Ranked PvP, Duelist Rank
- Soulletting Ruby (226) - Theater of Pain, Kul'tharok
- Manabound Mirror (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Boon of the Archon (226) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
- Macabre Sheet Music (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
- Empyreal Ordnance (226) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
- Consumptive Infusion - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
- Lingering Sunmote (226) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
- Vial of Spectral Essence (226) - Theater of Pain, An Affront of Challengers
- Siphoning Phylactery Shard (226) - The Necrotic Wake, Nalthor the Rimebinder
- Tuft of Smoldering Plumage (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
- Overflowing Anima Cage (226) - Sanguine Depths, Executor Tarvold
- Sunblood Amethyst (226) - Halls of Atonement, High Adjudicator Aleez
- Inscrutable Quantum Device (226) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
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.
- Situational trinkets will be noted as they're added.
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