WotLK Classic Balance Druid Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
On this page, you will learn how to optimize the rotation of your Balance Druid in both single-target and multiple-target PvE situations in WotLK Classic. We also have advanced sections about cooldowns, procs, etc. in order to minmax your DPS.
Foreword
If you have not already, please read the Spell Summary page. Knowing how each spell and ability works in detail will make it much easier to understand the topics discussed on this page.
Best Rotation for Balance Druids
We recommend this rotation whenever you are not using the Tier 9 2-piece bonus. Combine it with the following Talents and Glyphs for Tier 10, found on the Talents section of this guide.
We will be presenting the skill rotation of a Balance Druid as a priority list, which means you should try to use the one at the top of the list first for maximum DPS. Use a Potion of Wild Magic just before pulling for maximum damage.
A special optimization with the Tier 10 2-piece bonus is to stand in melee range with a quick weapon and high Haste to get in a melee swing every time you do an instant cast such as Insect Swarm. This will lead to a higher rate of Omen of Clarity procs, which in turn convert into higher damage from the Tier 10 bonus.
Short Fight Single-Target Rotation for Balance Druids
In single-target you will look towards the following priority:
- Keep Faerie Fire on the target if raiding, for the Improved Faerie Fire debuff. You can skip it if another Druid is keeping it up and your raid has the 3% Spell Hit debuff already;
- Use Force of Nature within melee range of the boss. You can delay it to line up with Bloodlust if it won't cost you an extra use during the fight;
- Use Starfall in a position where you will not pull unwanted enemies;
- Apply and refresh (after it expires) Insect Swarm on the target unless currently buffed by (Lunar) Eclipse;
- During Eclipse buffs, spam the buffed spell (Lunar = Starfire, trinkets, Potion of Speed, and Hyperspeed Accelerators, Solar = Wrath);
- When not in an Eclipse, work towards your next one by casting either Wrath (for your first Eclipse) or Starfire, with the spell you want to cast always being the same as the buffed spell of the Eclipse you mostly recently left;
- Moonfire if movement is needed.
Area Damage Rotation for Balance Druids
For area-of-effect damage you will use a different rotation:
- Use Starfall in a position where you will not pull unwanted enemies;
- Use Typhoon with Glyph of Typhoon to hit as many enemies as possible and, hopefully, proc Nature's Grace;
- Channel Hurricane.
Tier 9 2-set Rotation for Balance Druids
Use this build if you are using the Tier 9 2-piece bonus to enable Moonfire critical strikes. Best used alongside the Tier 9 talent build:
We will be presenting the skill rotation of an Balance Druid as a priority list, which means you should try to use the one at the top of the list first for maximum DPS. Use a Potion of Wild Magic just before pulling for maximum damage.
In single-target you will look towards the following priority:
- Keep Faerie Fire on the target if raiding, for the Improved Faerie Fire debuff. You can skip it if another Druid is keeping it up and your raid has the 3% Spell Hit debuff already;
- Use Force of Nature within melee range of the boss;
- Use Starfall in a position where you will not pull unwanted enemies;
- Apply and refresh (after it expires) Moonfire on the target;
- During Eclipse buffs, spam the buffed spell (Lunar = Starfire, trinkets, Potion of Speed, and Hyperspeed Accelerators, Solar = Wrath);
- When not in an Eclipse, work towards your next one by casting either Wrath (for your first Eclipse) or Starfire, with the spell you want to cast always being the same as the buffed spell of the Eclipse you mostly recently left;
- Insect Swarm if movement is needed or maintain it to increase tank survivability, if needed.
Area Damage Rotation for Balance Druids
For area-of-effect damage you will use a different rotation:
- Use Starfall in a position where you will not pull unwanted enemies;
- Use Typhoon with Glyph of Typhoon to hit as many enemies as possible and, hopefully, proc Nature's Grace;
- Channel Hurricane.
Changelog
- 03 Oct. 2023: Updated with Phase 4 rotation.
- 22 Jun. 2023: Clarified the situations where you can swap to the new rotation with Tier 9 2-set bonus.
- 13 Jun. 2023: Added a new rotation for Trial of Crusader geared players.
- 22 Jan. 2023: Added new rotation options if you have moved past Tier 7 bonuses.
- 18 Jan. 2023: Reviewed for Phase 2 release ahead of Ulduar raid release.
- 20 Sep. 2022: Page added.
This guide has been written by Seksi, original vanilla player and multi-class player, currently playing on Gehennas Horde. You can find him on the Classic Shaman and Druid, as well as the Icy Veins Discord.
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