Restoration Druid Healing Gear and Best in Slot in Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.0.1

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 8.0.1 Changes for Restoration Druids
  • 3. Restoration Druid Strengths
  • 4. Restoration Druid Weaknesses
  • 5. Restoration Druid Viability
  • 6. Contents
  • 7. Changelog
• +Easy Mode
  • 1. Foreword
  • 2. The Basics of Restoration Druids
  • 3. Talent Choice for Restoration Druids
  • 4. Stat Choice for Restoration Druids
    • 4.1. Raid Healing
    • 4.2. Dungeon healing
  • 5. Basic Playstyle for Restoration Druids
    • 5.1. Raid Healing
    • 5.2. Dungeon Healing
  • 6. Cooldown Usage for Restoration Druids
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Main Resource of Restoration Druids
  • 3. Basic Abilities for Restoration Druids
    • 3.1. Healing Spells
    • 3.2. Utility for Restoration Druids
  • 4. Important Procs for Restoration Druids
  • 5. Cooldowns for Restoration Druids
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices for Restoration Druid
  • 2. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 3. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 4. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 5. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 6. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 7. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 8. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 9. PvP Talents (War Mode)
    • 9.1. Restoration Druid War Mode Talents
      • 9.1.1. General PvP Talents
      • 9.1.2. Restoration Druid PvP Talents
  • 10. Changelog
• +Azerite Traits and Armor
  • 1. Choosing Azerite Gear as a Restoration Druid
  • 2. Relative Strength of Azerite Traits for Restoration Druid
    • 2.1. S Tier
    • 2.2. A Tier
    • 2.3. B Tier
    • 2.4. C Tier
    • 2.5. D Tier
  • 3. Azerite Trait Details and Rotation Changes for Restoration Druid
    • 3.1. Azerite Traits Details
    • 3.2. Azerite Traits Rotation Changes
  • 4. Azerite Gear for Restoration Druids for Raiding
    • 4.1. Azerite Helms
    • 4.2. Azerite Shoulders
    • 4.3. Azerite Chests
  • 5. Azerite Traits for Restoration Druid
    • 5.1. Outer Ring
    • 5.2. Middle Ring
    • 5.3. Inner Ring
  • 6. Find Azerite Armor By Trait/Power
  • 7. Changelog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Rotation / Playstyle for Restoration Druids
    • 1.1. Raid Healing
    • 1.2. Dungeon Healing
  • 2. Cooldown Usage for Restoration Druids
  • 3. Optional Read: Mastering Your Restoration Druid
    • 3.1. Understanding Your Spells
      • 3.1.1. Healing Spells
      • 3.1.2. Utility for Restoration Druids
    • 3.2. Procs and Mechanics
      • 3.2.1. Mastery: Harmony
      • 3.2.2. Clearcasting Procs
      • 3.2.3. Ysera's Gift
    • 3.3. Detailed Cooldown Usage for Restoration Druids
      • 3.3.1. Tranquility
      • 3.3.2. Ironbark
      • 3.3.3. Innervate
    • 3.4. Mana Management
  • 4. Changelog
• +DPS Guide
  • 1. Introduction to DPS as Restoration Druid
  • 2. Spells and Passives Summary
    • 2.1. Caster Form
    • 2.2. Cat Form
  • 3. Basic Rotation
    • 3.1. 1-2 Targets
    • 3.2. 3+ Targets
  • 4. Advanced Rotation
    • 4.1. Single Target
    • 4.2. 2-4 Targets
    • 4.3. 5+ Targets
  • 5. Stat Priority
    • 5.1. Single Target
    • 5.2. 2+ Targets
  • 6. Gear and Azerite Traits
  • 7. Changelog
• +Mythic+ Tips
  • 1. Restoration Druid in Mythic+
    • 1.1. Restoration Druid Mythic+ Rotation
    • 1.2. Restoration Druid Utility
  • 2. Mythic+ Talents for Restoration Druids
  • 3. Azerite Gear for Restoration Druids for Dungeons
    • 3.1. Azerite Helms
    • 3.2. Azerite Shoulders
    • 3.3. Azerite Chests
  • 4. Mythic+ Affixes
    • 4.1. Tier One Affixes
    • 4.2. Tier Two Affixes
    • 4.3. Tier Three Affixes
    • 4.4. Seasonal Affix
  • 5. Mythic+ Azerite Traits
    • 5.1. S Tier
    • 5.2. A Tier
    • 5.3. B Tier
    • 5.4. C Tier
    • 5.5. D Tier
  • 6. Changelog
• +Common and Worst Mistakes
  • 1. Mismanaging Mana
  • 2. Low Cooldown usage
  • 3. Bad Uptime on Important Spells
  • 4. Thinking Damage Does Not Matter
• +Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. Battle for Azeroth Restoration Druid Frequently Asked Questions
    • 1.1. What Changed for Restoration Druid in BfA?
    • 1.2. How Much of Stat X Should I Have?
    • 1.3. Which Raid Frames Should I Use?
    • 1.4. Can I Level to 120 as Restoration?
    • 1.5. Why Pick Abundance After Healing Touch Was Removed?
    • 1.6. Do Autumn Leaves Work with Germination?
    • 1.7. Is Darkmoon Deck: Tides Worth Buying?
    • 1.8. Two-Handed weapon or One-Handed plus Off-Hand?
  • 2. Changelog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Introduction for Restoration Druid Boss Advice in Uldir
  • 2. Talent Cheatsheet for Restoration Druid in Uldir
  • 3. Taloc
    • 3.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on Taloc
    • 3.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on Taloc
  • 4. M.O.T.H.E.R.
    • 4.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on M.O.T.H.E.R.
    • 4.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on M.O.T.H.E.R.
  • 5. Fetid Devourer
    • 5.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on Fetid Devourer
    • 5.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on Fetid Devourer
  • 6. Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
    • 6.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
    • 6.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
  • 7. Vectis
    • 7.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on Vectis
    • 7.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on Vectis
  • 8. Zul, Reborn
    • 8.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on Zul, Reborn
    • 8.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on Zul, Reborn
  • 9. Mythrax the Unraveler
    • 9.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on Mythrax the Unraveler
    • 9.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on Mythrax the Unraveler
  • 10. G'huun
    • 10.1. Suggested Talents for Restoration Druid on G'huun
    • 10.2. Restoration Druid Playstyle on G'huun
  • 11. Changelog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. The Basics of Stats for Restoration Druid
    • 1.1. Raid Healing
    • 1.2. Dungeon Healing
  • 2. Getting a Better Understanding of Restoration Druid Stats
    • 2.1. Statistics Explanations
  • 3. Changelog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems for Restoration Druids
  • 2. Enchants for Restoration Druids
  • 3. Consumables for Restoration Druids
  • 4. Changelog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Macros
    • 1.1. Generic Macros for Druids
      • 1.1.1. Rebirth
      • 1.1.2. Shapeshift forms
      • 1.1.3. Canceling forms
    • 1.2. Specific Macros for Restoration Druids
      • 1.2.1. Mouseover Macros
  • 2. Addons
    • 2.1. Healer Stat Weights
    • 2.2. Raid Frames
    • 2.3. Boss Mods
    • 2.4. WeakAuras
  • 3. Changelog
• ×Gear and Best in Slot
  • 1. Best in Slot for Restoration Druids
  • 2. Trinkets
    • 2.1. Trinket Tier Rankings for Raiding
    • 2.2. Trinket Tier Rankings for Mythic+
  • 3. Azerite Gear for Restoration Druid
  • 4. Changelog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Learning How to Simulate Your Character
  • 2. Best Trinkets
    • 2.1. Single-Target
    • 2.2. 3-Targets
    • 2.3. 5-Targets
  • 3. Azerite Trait Priority
    • 3.1. Single-Target
    • 3.2. 3-Targets
    • 3.3. 5-Targets
  • 4. Changelog

General Information

This page is a gear reference for Restoration Druids. It lists your best items, with an emphasis on trinkets, and gives you gearing advice.

The other pages of our Restoration Druid guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

About Our Author

This guide has been reviewed and approved by Torty, one of the main Restoration Druid theorycrafters. He is an author of the Twig It spreadsheet and DPS action priority list. He currently raids in Pure.

1. Best in Slot for Restoration Druids

We do not believe Best in Slot list is possible to make due to way stat weights work for Restoration Druids. Each secondary stat is extremely close to each other with Intellect reigning supreme. The optimal gearing strategy in this case would be to just equip highest item level pieces whenever possible, excluding trinket and Azerite armor pieces.

Having said all that, there will be a few situations where item level upgrades will not be actual upgrades. Sockets are usually worth a bit more than 10 item levels, Leech on the first 2-3 pieces is worth about 15-20 item levels, Avoidance is worth around 10-15.

2. Trinkets

We will list notable trinkets that you should aim to get. Most of the World Quest trinkets offer similar power to each other and to Conch of Dark Whispers with the exception of Dinobone Charm, which is listed on this page separately.

• Inoculating Extract (Vectis, Uldir).
• Twitching Tentacle of Xalzaix (Mythrax, Uldir).
• Fangs of Intertwined Essence (Avatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss).
• Conch of Dark Whispers (Vol'zith the Whisperer, Shrine of the Storm).
• Ignition Mage's Fuse (Knight Captain Valyri, Tol Dagor).
• Revitalizing Voodoo Totem (Vol'kaal, Atal'Dazar).
• Balefire Branch (Soulbound Goliath, Waycrest Manor).
• Lady Waycrest's Music Box (Lord and Lady Waycrest, Waycrest Manor).
• Azurethos' Singed Plumage (Azurethos, The Winged Typhoon).
• T'zane's Barkspines (T'zane).
• Drust-Runed Icicle (Hailstone Construct, World Boss).
• Lion's Grace / Doom's Hatred.
• Darkmoon Deck: Tides (Inscription, crafted).
• Dread Gladiator's Medallion (PvP).
• Leyshock's Grand Compilation (World drop).
• Dinobone Charm (World Quest).

2.1. Trinket Tier Rankings for Raiding

Rankings by tiers assume equal item levels. Any disparities in item levels, sockets and Leech on trinkets within one tier will make them better than others. With enough of an item level gap, trinkets from lower tiers can surpass those from higher ones.

1. Tier A: Lion's Grace / Doom's Hatred, Conch of Dark Whispers, Twitching Tentacle of Xalzaix, Dinobone Charm, Leyshock's Grand Compilation, Fangs of Intertwined Essence.
2. Tier B: Drust-Runed Icicle, Darkmoon Deck: Tides, Lady Waycrest's Music Box, T'zane's Barkspines, Ignition Mage's Fuse.
3. Tier C: Azurethos' Singed Plumage, Inoculating Extract, Revitalizing Voodoo Totem, Dread Gladiator's Medallion.
4. Tier D: Balefire Branch.

2.2. Trinket Tier Rankings for Mythic+

1. Tier A: Drust-Runed Icicle, Leyshock's Grand Compilation, Ignition Mage's Fuse, Azurethos' Singed Plumage, Dinobone Charm.
2. Tier B: T'zane's Barkspines, Conch of Dark Whispers, Lady Waycrest's Music Box, Balefire Branch, Twitching Tentacle of Xalzaix, Lion's Grace / Doom's Hatred.
3. Tier C: Dread Gladiator's Medallion, Inoculating Extract, Revitalizing Voodoo Totem.
4. Tier D: Darkmoon Deck: Tides, Fangs of Intertwined Essence.

3. Azerite Gear for Restoration Druid

For information about what Azerite traits to choose and what the best items are, see our Azerite page.

4. Changelog

• 01 Oct. 2018: Updated trinket rankings.
• 09 Sep. 2018: Updated trinket rankings for latest hotfixes.
• 01 Sep. 2018: Updated trinket rankings.
• 23 Aug. 2018: Removed Doom's Hatred from the trinket list.
• 18 Aug. 2018: Added Dinobone Charm and Leyshock's Grand Compilation trinkets.
• 16 Aug. 2018: Updated trinket rankings.
• 13 Aug. 2018: Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.

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