WoW Forever Balance Druid Guide
DamageCaster
Damage
Caster5 new, 6 changed and 5 removed talents since Classic; the 31-point talent stays Moonkin Form.
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.1 sec and its Mana cost by 10%.
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.5 sec and its Mana cost by 50%.
5/5
Increases the periodic damage and healing done by your spells and abilities by 1%.
Increases the periodic damage and healing done by your spells and abilities by 5%.
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 8%.
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 25%.
3/3
Increases the damage and critical strike chance of your Moonfire spell by 5%.
Increases the damage and critical strike chance of your Moonfire spell by 10%.
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 2%.
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 4%.
2/2
Increases the range of your offensive Balance spells by 10% and improves your chance to hit by 2%.
Increases the range of your offensive Balance spells by 20% and improves your chance to hit by 4%.
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 25%, and its victims can take up to 25% more damage without interrupting the effect.
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 75%, and its victims can take up to 75% more damage without interrupting the effect.
1/3
Increases the duration of your Moonfire and Rejuvenation spells by 3 sec, your Regrowth spell by 6 sec, and your Insect Swarm spell by 2 sec.
The enemy target is swarmed by insects, decreasing their chance to hit with attacks by 2% and causing 48 Nature damage over 12 sec. level 60 reference
Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Arcane and Nature spells by 20%.
Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Arcane and Nature spells by 100%.
Reduces the cast time of Starfire by 0.1 sec and Starfire has a 3% chance to stun its target for 3 sec.
Reduces the cast time of Starfire by 0.5 sec and Starfire has a 15% chance to stun its target for 3 sec.
Increases the maximum number of targets you may have affected by Entangling Roots by 1.
Increases the maximum number of targets you may have affected by Entangling Roots by 2.
All non-periodic spell criticals grace you with a blessing of nature, increasing your spellcasting speed and reducing your global cooldown by 10% for 3 sec.
Your Wrath spell reduces the cast time of your next 2 Starfire spells by 0.17 sec. Stores up to 4 charges. Lasts 15 sec.
Your Wrath spell reduces the cast time of your next 2 Starfire spells by 0.5 sec. Stores up to 4 charges. Lasts 15 sec.
Increases the damage done by your Arcane and Nature spells by 2%.
Increases the damage done by your Arcane and Nature spells by 10%.
Transforms the Druid into Moonkin Form. While in this form, the armor contribution from items is increased by 360%, Omen of Clarity gains 100% increased chance to trigger, and all party members within 45 yards have their critical strike chance increased by 3%, exclusive with Leader of the Pack. The Moonkin cannot cast healing spells while shapeshifted. The act of shapeshifting frees the caster of Polymorph and Movement Impairing effects.
“Balance Druid” means most of your 51 talent points go into Balance. Forever keeps Classic’s three open trees, so you can mix them.
Community build
Balance, spell power gear
Balance 11
Talents it takes
- Improved WrathImproved WrathBalance · tier 1 · max rank 5
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.1 sec and its Mana cost by 10%.
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.5 sec and its Mana cost by 50%.
5/5 - MoonglowMoonglowBalance · tier 2 · max rank 3
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 8%.
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 25%.
3/3 - Nature's MajestyNature's MajestyBalance · tier 2 · max rank 2★ New in Forever
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 2%.
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 4%.
2/2 - Improved Entangling RootsImproved Entangling RootsBalance · tier 3 · max rank 3
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 25%, and its victims can take up to 25% more damage without interrupting the effect.
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 75%, and its victims can take up to 75% more damage without interrupting the effect.
1/3
The guide’s build once you wear spell power gear, and its pick for High Order Skyborne: Improved Wrath first, Moonglow for cheaper damage spells, Nature’s Majesty for crit and a point in Improved Entangling Roots.
Posted by DrWonder on Wowhead, .
31-point talent · level 40
Moonkin FormTransforms the Druid into Moonkin Form. While in this form, the armor contribution from items is increased by 360%, Omen of Clarity gains 100% increased chance to trigger, and all party members within 45 yards have their critical strike chance increased by 3%, exclusive with Leader of the Pack. The Moonkin cannot cast healing spells while shapeshifted. The act of shapeshifting frees the caster of Polymorph and Movement Impairing effects.
Key abilities
- WrathRank 1 · level 1Cost 10 ManaCast time 1.5 sec
Causes 14 to 16 Nature damage to the target.
1 - MoonfireRank 1 · level 4Cost 25 ManaCast time instant
Burns the enemy for 7 to 9 Arcane damage and then an additional 12 Arcane damage over 9 sec.
4 - StarfireRank 1 · level 20Cost 95 ManaCast time 3.5 sec
Causes 73 to 89 Arcane damage to the target.
20 - HurricaneRank 1 · level 40Cost 880 ManaCast time instant
Creates a violent storm in the target area causing 68 Nature damage to enemies every 1 sec, and increasing the time between attacks of enemies by 20%. Lasts 10 sec. Druid must channel to maintain the spell.
40
Builds are transcribed point by point from their public posts and checked against the beta client’s trees.
Leveling a Balance Druid: 1 to 60
When each tier opens with every point in Balance, when the build takes its talents and when the trainer teaches the key abilities.
Levels 1–9
- 1WrathWrathRank 1 · level 1Cost 10 ManaCast time 1.5 sec
Causes 14 to 16 Nature damage to the target.
- 4MoonfireMoonfireRank 1 · level 4Cost 25 ManaCast time instant
Burns the enemy for 7 to 9 Arcane damage and then an additional 12 Arcane damage over 9 sec.
- 1
Levels 10–19
- 10First talent pointImproved WrathImproved WrathBalance · tier 1 · max rank 5
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.1 sec and its Mana cost by 10%.
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.5 sec and its Mana cost by 50%.
- 15Tier 2 opensMoonglowMoonglowBalance · tier 2 · max rank 3
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 8%.
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 25%.
- 18Nature's MajestyNature's MajestyBalance · tier 2 · max rank 2★ New in Forever
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 2%.
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 4%.
- 10
Levels 20–29
- 20Tier 3 opensImproved Entangling RootsImproved Entangling RootsBalance · tier 3 · max rank 3
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 25%, and its victims can take up to 25% more damage without interrupting the effect.
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 75%, and its victims can take up to 75% more damage without interrupting the effect.
StarfireStarfireRank 1 · level 20Cost 95 ManaCast time 3.5 secCauses 73 to 89 Arcane damage to the target.
- 25Tier 4 opens
- 20
Levels 30–39
- 30Tier 5 opens
- 35Tier 6 opens
- 30
Levels 40–49
- 4031-point talentMoonkin FormMoonkin FormBalance · tier 7 · max rank 1
Transforms the Druid into Moonkin Form. While in this form, the armor contribution from items is increased by 360%, Omen of Clarity gains 100% increased chance to trigger, and all party members within 45 yards have their critical strike chance increased by 3%, exclusive with Leader of the Pack. The Moonkin cannot cast healing spells while shapeshifted. The act of shapeshifting frees the caster of Polymorph and Movement Impairing effects.
HurricaneHurricaneRank 1 · level 40Cost 880 ManaCast time instantCreates a violent storm in the target area causing 68 Nature damage to enemies every 1 sec, and increasing the time between attacks of enemies by 20%. Lasts 10 sec. Druid must channel to maintain the spell.
- 40
Levels 50–60
- 60All 51 points spent
- 60
Key Balance Druid abilities
Trainer abilities a Balance Druid leans on, with the level they’re taught and what the beta client changed.
- WrathWrathRank 1 · level 1Cost 10 ManaCast time 1.5 sec
Causes 14 to 16 Nature damage to the target.
- MoonfireMoonfireRank 1 · level 4Cost 25 ManaCast time instant
Burns the enemy for 7 to 9 Arcane damage and then an additional 12 Arcane damage over 9 sec.
- StarfireStarfireRank 1 · level 20Cost 95 ManaCast time 3.5 sec
Causes 73 to 89 Arcane damage to the target.
- HurricaneHurricaneRank 1 · level 40Cost 880 ManaCast time instant
Creates a violent storm in the target area causing 68 Nature damage to enemies every 1 sec, and increasing the time between attacks of enemies by 20%. Lasts 10 sec. Druid must channel to maintain the spell.
Balance Druid weapons by level
The top Caster pick in each band of ten levels, from quests, dungeons, vendors and crafting.
Levels 1–10
- Coldridge HammerColdridge HammerItem Level 12Binds when picked upTwo-HandMace18 - 27 DamageSpeed 2.70(8.3 damage per second)+1 Strength+1 SpiritQuest Protecting the Herd · Dun Morogh · lv 12
The client gives no required level: this is the level its quest can be taken at.
- Coldridge Hammer
Levels 11–20
- Advisor's Gnarled StaffAdvisor's Gnarled StaffItem Level 23Binds when picked upTwo-HandStaff45 - 69 DamageSpeed 2.90(19.7 damage per second)+8 Stamina+4 IntellectRestores 3 mana per 5 sec.Requires Level 18Vendor The Barrens
Changed in Forever. Classic Era: +8 Stamina · +4 Intellect
- Advisor's Gnarled Staff
Levels 21–30
- Glimmering StaffCrafted EnchantingGlimmering StaffItem Level 30Binds when picked upTwo-HandStaff43 - 65 DamageSpeed 2.20(24.5 damage per second)+11 Stamina+11 IntellectRequires Level 25
- Glimmering Staff
Levels 31–40
- Advisor's Gnarled StaffAdvisor's Gnarled StaffItem Level 43Binds when picked upTwo-HandStaff88 - 133 DamageSpeed 2.90(38.1 damage per second)+14 Stamina+9 IntellectRestores 6 mana per 5 sec.Requires Level 38Vendor The Barrens
Changed in Forever. Classic Era: +14 Stamina · +9 Intellect
- Advisor's Gnarled Staff
Levels 41–50
- Radiant StaffCrafted EnchantingRadiant StaffItem Level 50Binds when picked upTwo-HandStaff83 - 125 DamageSpeed 2.40(43.3 damage per second)+19 Stamina+19 IntellectRequires Level 45
- Radiant Staff
Levels 51–60
- Atiesh, Greatstaff of the GuardianAtiesh, Greatstaff of the GuardianItem Level 90Binds when picked upTwo-HandStaff225 - 338 DamageSpeed 2.90(97.1 damage per second)+28 Stamina+28 Intellect+27 Spirit+300 Spell HealingRequires Level 60Equip: Restores 11 mana per 5 seconds to all party members within 30 yards.Equip: +420 Attack Power in Cat, Bear, and Dire Bear forms only.Use: Creates a portal, teleporting group members that use it to Karazhan.Quest Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian · Tanaris · lv 60
Changed in Forever. Classic Era: +28 Stamina · +28 Intellect · +27 Spirit
- Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian
Races for a Balance Druid
Racials that work with Balance talents, and why.
- Night ElfAllianceNight ElfAlliance
Elune's Light; Shadowmeld.
- Elune's LightElune's Light
+10% critical strike chance for 15 sec
Works with Nature's GraceNature's GraceBalance · tier 5 · max rank 1All non-periodic spell criticals grace you with a blessing of nature, increasing your spellcasting speed and reducing your global cooldown by 10% for 3 sec.
spell crits proc Nature’s Grace for faster casts, and crits in Bear Form give Blood Frenzy’s extra Rage.
- Elune's Light
- TaurenHordeTaurenHorde
Plainsrunning works in Bear Form.
- EnduranceEndurance
+5% maximum Health and +1% Hit chance
Works with Nature's ReachNature's ReachBalance · tier 2 · max rank 2Increases the range of your offensive Balance spells by 10% and improves your chance to hit by 2%.
Increases the range of your offensive Balance spells by 20% and improves your chance to hit by 4%.
the racial 1% Hit adds to Nature’s Reach’s 4%.
- Endurance
Balance in Forever vs Classic
16 talents in Forever, 16 in Classic.
New 5
- GenesisGenesisBalance · tier 1 · max rank 5★ New in Forever
Increases the periodic damage and healing done by your spells and abilities by 1%.
Increases the periodic damage and healing done by your spells and abilities by 5%.
- Nature's MajestyNature's MajestyBalance · tier 2 · max rank 2★ New in Forever
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 2%.
Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 4%.
- Nature's SplendorNature's SplendorBalance · tier 3 · max rank 1★ New in Forever
Increases the duration of your Moonfire and Rejuvenation spells by 3 sec, your Regrowth spell by 6 sec, and your Insect Swarm spell by 2 sec.
- OvergrowthOvergrowthBalance · tier 5 · max rank 2★ New in Forever
Increases the maximum number of targets you may have affected by Entangling Roots by 1.
Increases the maximum number of targets you may have affected by Entangling Roots by 2.
- EclipseEclipseBalance · tier 5 · max rank 3★ New in Forever
Your Wrath spell reduces the cast time of your next 2 Starfire spells by 0.17 sec. Stores up to 4 charges. Lasts 15 sec.
Your Wrath spell reduces the cast time of your next 2 Starfire spells by 0.5 sec. Stores up to 4 charges. Lasts 15 sec.
Changed 6
- Improved WrathImproved WrathBalance · tier 1 · max rank 5
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.1 sec and its Mana cost by 10%.
Reduces the cast time of your Wrath spell by 0.5 sec and its Mana cost by 50%.
New spot, same tier - MoonglowMoonglowBalance · tier 2 · max rank 3
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 8%.
Reduces the Mana cost of your damaging spells by 25%.
Moved from tier 5 - Improved MoonfireImproved MoonfireBalance · tier 2 · max rank 2
Increases the damage and critical strike chance of your Moonfire spell by 5%.
Increases the damage and critical strike chance of your Moonfire spell by 10%.
Max rank 5 → 2 - Nature's ReachNature's ReachBalance · tier 2 · max rank 2
Increases the range of your offensive Balance spells by 10% and improves your chance to hit by 2%.
Increases the range of your offensive Balance spells by 20% and improves your chance to hit by 4%.
Moved from tier 3 - Improved Entangling RootsImproved Entangling RootsBalance · tier 3 · max rank 3
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 25%, and its victims can take up to 25% more damage without interrupting the effect.
Increases the damage done by your Entangling Roots spell by 75%, and its victims can take up to 75% more damage without interrupting the effect.
Moved from tier 2 - Insect SwarmInsect SwarmBalance · tier 4 · max rank 1
The enemy target is swarmed by insects, decreasing their chance to hit with attacks by 2% and causing 48 Nature damage over 12 sec. level 60 reference
Moved from Restoration
Removed 5
- Nature's GraspNature's GraspClassic tier 1 · max rank 1
Not a talent in the Forever beta client.
Classic tier 1 · max rank 1 - Improved ThornsImproved ThornsClassic tier 3 · max rank 3
Not a talent in the Forever beta client.
Classic tier 3 · max rank 3 - Omen of ClarityOmen of ClarityClassic tier 3 · max rank 1
Not a talent in the Forever beta client.
Classic tier 3 · max rank 1 - Natural WeaponsNatural WeaponsClassic tier 2 · max rank 5
Not a talent in the Forever beta client.
Classic tier 2 · max rank 5 - Improved Nature's GraspImproved Nature's GraspClassic tier 1 · max rank 4
Not a talent in the Forever beta client.
Classic tier 1 · max rank 4
Still unconfirmed
- Talents, trainer levels and weapons are read from the Forever beta client and can change before launch.
- The community builds so far are for level 20; none covers level 60 yet.