Restoration Druid Stat Weights and Gearing
Updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago for patch 9.1.0 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 or special gear introduced with an expansion. Both of which will be noted in the best in slot lists 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.
- 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.
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 flexible.
Bosses with Best in Slot Gear
Sanctum of Domination
Eye of the Jailer (1), The Nine (2), Remnant of Ner'zhul (1), Soulrender Dormazain (1), Painsmith Raznal (1), Guardian of the First Ones (1), Fatescribe Roh-Kalo (1), Kel'Thuzad (4), Sylvanas Windrunner (3)
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 - Blightbone (1)
Plaguefall - Doctor Ickus (1), Domina Venomblade (1)
Mists of Tirna Scithe - Ingra Maloch (1), Mistcaller (1), Tred'ova (2)
Halls of Atonement - Halkias (1)
De Other Side - The Manastorms (1), Dealer Xy'exa (1), Mueh'zala (1)
Sanguine Depths - Kryxis the Voracious (2), Grand Proctor Beryllia (1)
Spires of Ascension - Devos, Paragon of Doubt (1)
Theater of Pain - None
Head
Cap of Writhing Malevolence (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Remnant of Ner'zhul
Hood of the Hidden Path (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Mistcaller
Sadist's Sinister Mask (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Neck
Interplanar Keystone (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
Sin Stained Pendant (226) - Halls of Atonement, Halkias
Charm of Eternal Winter (226) - Castle Nathria, Huntsman Altimor
Shoulder
Spaulders of the Crooked Confidant (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
Malodorous Gristle-Sown Spaulders (252) - Plaguefall, Doctor Ickus
Wicked Flanker's Gorget (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
Back
Dealer Xy'exa's Cape (252) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
Self-Replicating Tissue (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Guardian of the First Ones
Crest of the Legionnaire General (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
Chest
Witherheart Studded Breastplate (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Sylvanas Windrunner
Anima-Splattered Hide (252) - Sanguine Depths, Kryxis the Voracious
Corset of the Deft Duelist (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Wrist
Fastened Venombarb Binds (252) - Plaguefall, Domina Venomblade
Fate-Threaded Bindings (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Fatescribe Roh-Kalo
Precisely Calibrated Chronometer (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy,mox
Hands
Hangman's Knotbinders (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Painsmith Raznal
Rocket Chicken Handlers (252) - De Other Side, The Manastorms
Bleakwing Assassin's Grips (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
Waist
Windrunner's Baldric (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Sylvanas Windrunner
Sapgorger Belt (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Tred'ova
Heedless Pugilist's Harness (226) - Castle Nathria, Sludgefist
Legs
Elite Aranakk Breeches (259) - Sanctum of Domiation, Kel'Thuzad
Abyssal Disharmony Breeches (252) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
Volatile Shadestitch Legguards (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
Feet
Trenchant Warmonger Treads (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Soulrender Dormazain
Viscera-Stitched Footpads (252) - The Necrotic Wake, Blightbone
Enchanted Toe-Tappers (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Finger
Tarnished Insignia of Quel'Thalas (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Sylvanas Windrunner
Sworn Oath of the Nine (252) - Sanctum of Domination, The Nine
Death God's Signet (252) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
Entwined Gorger Tendril (252) - Sanguine Depths, Kryxis the Voracious
Most Regal Signet of Sire Denathrius (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
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.
Maledict Opus (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
Lakali's Spire of Knowledge (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Tred'ova
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:
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.
Signe's Sonorous Scramaseax (252) - Sanctum of Domination, The Nine
Scithewood Scepter (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch- 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:
Off-Hand Items
Guarm's Lost Chew Toy (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Eye of the Jailer
Vessel of Shining Radiance (252) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
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:
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
Sanctum of Domination
Eye of the Jailer (1), The Nine (2), Remnant of Ner'zhul (1), Soulrender Dormazain (1), Painsmith Raznal (1), Guardian of the First Ones (1) Fatescribe Roh-Kalo (1), Kel'Thuzad (4), Sylvanas Windrunner (2)
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 - Globgrog (1), Domina Venomblade (1)
Mists of Tirna Scithe - Ingra Maloch (1), Tred'ova (1)
Halls of Atonement - Halkias (1), Echelon (1), Lord Chamberlain (2)
De Other Side - The Manastorms (1), Mueh'zala (2)
Sanguine Depths - Grand Proctor Beryllia (1), General Kaal (1)
Spires of Ascension - Devos, Paragon of Doubt (1)
Theater of Pain - None
Head
- Cap of Writhing Malevolence (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Remnant of Ner'zhul
- Digested Interrogator's Gaze (252) - Plaguefall, Globgrog
- Sadist's Sinister Mask (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Neck
- Interplanar Keystone (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
- Sin Stained Pendant (252) - Halls of Atonement, Halkias
- Charm of Eternal Winter (226) - Castle Nathria, Huntsman Altimor
Shoulder
- Spaulders of the Crooked Confidant (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
- Wicked Bladewing Pauldrons (252) - Sanguine Depths, General Kaal
- Wicked Flanker's Gorget (233) - Castle Nathria, Stone Legion Generals
Back
Drape of Twisted Loyalties (252) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt- Self-Replicating Tissue (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Guardian of the First Ones
- Cowled Batwing Cloak (226) - Castle Nathria, Shriekwing
Chest
- Witherheart Studded Breastplate (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Sylvanas Windrunner
- Freshly Embalmed Jerkin (252) - The Necrotic Wake, Surgeon Stitchflesh
- Corset of the Deft Duelist (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Wrist
- Fastened Venombarb Binds (252) - Plaguefall, Domina Venomblade
- Fate-Threaded Bindings (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Fatescribe Roh-Kalo
- Precisely Calibrated Chronometer (226) - Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy,mox
Hands
- Hangman's Knotbinders (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Painsmith Raznal
- Rocket Chicken Handlers (252) - De Other Side, The Manastorms
- Gloves of Phantom Shadows (226) - Castle Nathria, Lady Inerva Darkvein
Waist
- Windrunner's Baldric (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Sylvanas Windrunner
- Waistcord of Dark Devotion (252) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain
- Heedless Pugilist's Harness (226) - Castle Nathria, Sludgefist
Legs
- Elite Aranakk Breeches (259) - Sanctum of Domiation, Kel'Thuzad
- Skyterror's Stonehide Leggings (252) - Halls of Atonement, Echelon
- Volatile Shadestitch Legguards (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
Feet
- Trenchant Warmonger Treads (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Soulrender Dormazain
- Primeval Soul's Ankleguards (252) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
- Enchanted Toe-Tappers (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Finger
- Tarnished Insignia of Quel'Thalas (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Sylvanas Windrunner
Signet of the False Accuser (252) - Halls of Atonement, Lord Chamberlain- Death God's Signet (252) - De Other Side, Mueh'zala
- Sworn Oath of the Nine (252) - Sanctum of Domination, The Nine
- Most Regal Signet of Sire Denathrius (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- 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.
- Maledict Opus (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
- Lakali's Spire of Knowledge (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Tred'ova
- 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:
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.
- Signe's Sonorous Scramaseax (252) - Sanctum of Domination, The Nine
- Scithewood Scepter (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
- 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:
Off-Hand Items
- Guarm's Lost Chew Toy (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Eye of the Jailer
- Vessel of Shining Radiance (252) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
- 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:
Shards of Domination
Certain pieces of gear from Sanctum of Domination have special sockets. For leather armor, these sockets are on Head, Shoulder, Chest, Hand, and Feet items. You can place Shards of Domination in these sockets to gain the Shard's effect. If three of the same type of Shard are socketed, you gain an additional set bonus while in The Maw, Torghast, or Sanctum of Domination.
Obtaining and Upgrading Shards of Domination
Shards of Domination drop from bosses in Sanctum of Domination. It's not yet clear if each Shard drops from a specific boss or if any boss can drop any Shard.
Shards of Domination have five ranks and are upgraded using 
Stygian Embers at Bonesmith Heirmir in Korthia. Stygian Embers drop from bosses in Sanctum of Domination and from weekly quests in Korthia.
Shard upgrade costs are listed below.
- Rank 2, Ominous - 5
Stygian Embers - Rank 3, Desolate - 15 Stygian Embers
- Rank 4, Foreboding - 30 Stygian Embers
- Rank 5, Portentous - 50 Stygian Embers
Best in Slot Shards of Domination
Raiding - +
The shards below are relevant for any Raiding build on the Talents and Builds page. You'll want to make sure you're using three shards of the same type to gain the additional set bonus while in Sanctum of Domination. Not all of the individual shards are relevant to healing, but it's still worth using a less than useful shard to gain the set bonus.
- Gain one of the set bonuses below
Chaos Bane
Blood Link (best if additional damage is required)
Portentous Shard of Rev or 
Portentous Shard of Zed
Portentous Shard of Kyr
Mythic+ - +
The shards below are relevant for the Mythic+ build on the Talents and Builds page. With no set bonuses from Shards outside of Sanctum of Domination, it's much less important to use three shards of the same type.
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.
Trinkets are generally interchangeable within each tier but are ordered from "best" to "worst."
High Tier
Unbound Changeling (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
Titanic Ocular Gland (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Eye of the Jailer
Soulletting Ruby (252) - Theater of Pain, Kul'tharok
Shadowed Orb of Torment (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Remnant of Ner'zhul
Carved Ivory Keepsake (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Fatescribe Roh-Kalo
First Class Healing Distributor (233) - Tazavesh Hard Mode, P.O.S.T. Master
Tome of Insight (233) - 
Korthian Armaments, Stygia Vendor, Duchess Mynx, Korthia
So'leah's Secret Technique (233) - Tazavesh Hard Mode, So'leah
Unchained Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity (246) - Ranked PvP, Duelist Rank 
Inscrutable Quantum Device (252) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
Mid Tier
Cabalist's Hymnal (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Macabre Sheet Music (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
Resonant Silver Bell (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
Vial of Spectral Essence (252) - Theater of Pain, An Affront of Challengers
Boon of the Archon (252) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
Lingering Sunmote (252) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
Empyreal Ordnance (252) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
Soul Cage Fragment (233) - World Boss, Mor'geth
Low Tier
Forbidden Necromantic Tome (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
Siphoning Phylactery Shard (252) - The Necrotic Wake, Nalthor the Rimebinder
Sunblood Amethyst (252) - Halls of Atonement, High Adjudicator Aleez
Overflowing Anima Cage (226) - Sanguine Depths, Executor Tarvold
Scrawled Word of Recall (252) - Sanctum of Domination, The Nine
Manabound Mirror (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
Tuft of Smoldering Plumage (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King's Salvation
Consumptive Infusion (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
Situational
- 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.
Trinkets are generally interchangeable within each tier but are ordered from "best" to "worst."
High Tier
- Unbound Changeling (252) - Mists of Tirna Scithe, Ingra Maloch
- Titanic Ocular Gland (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Eye of the Jailer
- Soulletting Ruby (252) - Theater of Pain, Kul'tharok
- Resonant Silver Bell (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
- First Class Healing Distributor (233) - Tazavesh Hard Mode, P.O.S.T. Master
- Carved Ivory Keepsake (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Fatescribe Roh-Kalo
- Unchained Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity (246) - Ranked PvP, Duelist Rank
- Tome of Insight (233) - Korthian Armaments, Stygia Vendor, Duchess Mynx, Korthia
- So'leah's Secret Technique (233) - Tazavesh Hard Mode, So'leah
- Soul Cage Fragment (233) - World Boss, Mor'geth
Mid Tier
- Cabalist's Hymnal (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Shadowed Orb of Torment (252) - Sanctum of Domination, Remnant of Ner'zhul
- Forbidden Necromantic Tome (259) - Sanctum of Domination, Kel'Thuzad
- Macabre Sheet Music (226) - Castle Nathria, The Council of Blood
- Inscrutable Quantum Device (252) - De Other Side, Dealer Xy'exa
Low Tier
- Siphoning Phylactery Shard (252) - The Necrotic Wake, Nalthor the Rimebinder
- Vial of Spectral Essence (252) - Theater of Pain, An Affront of Challengers
- Boon of the Archon (252) - Spires of Ascension, Devos, Paragon of Doubt
- Manabound Mirror (233) - Castle Nathria, Sire Denathrius
- Overflowing Anima Cage (226) - Sanguine Depths, Executor Tarvold
- Sunblood Amethyst (252) - Halls of Atonement, High Adjudicator Aleez
- Empyreal Ordnance (252) - Spires of Ascension, Oryphrion
- Lingering Sunmote (252) - Sanguine Depths, Grand Proctor Beryllia
- Consumptive Infusion (226) - Castle Nathria, Hungering Destroyer
- Scrawled Word of Recall (252) - Sanctum of Domination, The Nine
- Tuft of Smoldering Plumage (226) - Castle Nathria, Sun King'
Situational
- Situational trinkets will be noted as they're added.
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