Balance Druid leveling guide
Balance turns the Druid into a caster with Nature and Arcane spells. Improved Wrath and Vengeance make your spells fast and your critical strikes big, and Moonkin Form at level 40 adds armor for you and Crit for your group. In Classic Era it uses a lot of mana and levels slower than Feral, but you kill from range and can always heal yourself. In Classic Era the Druid is only for Night Elves and Taurens.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Kills from range, and outdoors Entangling Roots keeps melee enemies away.
- Heals, Bear Form and the armor of Moonkin Form make you hard to kill.
- Moonkin Form gives Crit to your whole group.
- Heavy mana use, so you drink after most fights.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
- Improved Wrath 5/5 and Improved Moonfire 5/5.
- Nature’s Reach 2/2 and Improved Entangling Roots 3/3.
- Vengeance 5/5, then Moonglow 1/3 at level 30.
Level 31 to 40
- Moonglow 3/3, Nature’s Grace and Improved Starfire 1/5.
- Moonfury 5/5, then Moonkin Form at level 40.
Level 41 to 60
- Improved Starfire 5/5, for 35 points in Balance.
- In Restoration: Improved Mark of the Wild 5/5, Nature’s Focus 5/5, Insect Swarm, Reflection 3/3 and Improved Healing Touch 2/5.
Rotation
One enemy
- Open with Starfire at maximum range, then Moonfire while the enemy walks toward you.
- Wrath until it reaches you. Outdoors, Entangling Roots, step back and cast again.
- From level 41, Insect Swarm before the first Starfire.
Two enemies
- Entangling Roots on one enemy, or Hibernate from level 18 if it is a Beast or Dragonkin.
- Moonfire on both, then kill one with Wrath and Starfire.
Staying alive
- Rejuvenation and Regrowth between casts, and Bear Form with Bash when an enemy is on you.
- Barkskin from level 44 reduces the damage you take while you cast.
- Innervate from level 40 restores your mana in a long fight.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 1-12 | Teldrassil | Mulgore |
| 12-20 | Westfall, Loch Modan, Darkshore | The Barrens, Silverpine Forest |
| 20-30 | Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Wetlands | The Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles |
| 30-40 | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace |
| 40-50 | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands |
| 50-60 | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring |
Dungeons worth the detour: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Intellect and Spirit while leveling, then Stamina. Spell Damage and Crit matter more at level 60.
- A staff with Intellect or Spell Damage fills the weapon slot.
- Enchants: Mana or Stats on the chest, Intellect on the bracers, and Spell Power on the weapon at level 60.
- Tradeskills: Herbalism with Alchemy for mana potions, or Skinning with Leatherworking for leather armor.