Balance Druid leveling guide
Balance turns the Druid into a strong caster in Moonkin Form. Wrath and Starfire trigger Eclipse for each other, Moonfire and Insect Swarm do damage over time, and Starfall, Typhoon and Force of Nature take care of groups. Because you can still heal yourself and switch to cat or bear when needed, you rarely have to stop in Northrend.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Eclipse makes Wrath and Starfire hit very hard.
- Starfall, Typhoon and Force of Nature deal with groups of enemies.
- Moonkin Form gives extra armor, and Owlkin Frenzy protects your casts.
- Mana runs out quickly when you use Starfall and Hurricane often, and healing means leaving Moonkin Form.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Balance: Starlight Wrath 5/5, Improved Moonfire 2/2, Nature’s Majesty 2/2, Moonglow 3/3, Nature’s Grace 3/3, Nature’s Splendor, Vengeance 5/5, Insect Swarm and Lunar Guidance 3/3.
- Moonfury 3/3, Balance of Power 2/2, Moonkin Form, Improved Moonkin Form 3/3, Improved Faerie Fire 3/3, Wrath of Cenarius 5/5, Eclipse 3/3, Typhoon and Force of Nature.
- Earth and Moon 3/3 and Starfall, for 51 points. In Restoration: Improved Mark of the Wild 2/2, Furor 5/5 and Natural Shapeshifter 3/3.
Level 71 to 80
- Omen of Clarity, Master Shapeshifter 2/2 and Intensity 3/3.
- Naturalist 4/5, for 20 points in Restoration.
Rotation
One enemy
- Faerie Fire, then Insect Swarm and Moonfire from range.
- Wrath until Eclipse lights up for Starfire, then Starfire until Eclipse lights up for Wrath.
- Force of Nature on a strong enemy, and Entangling Roots if it gets too close.
Groups of enemies
- Starfall in the middle of the group, then Typhoon when they reach you.
- Hurricane on enemies that stand still, and Moonfire on one or two to spread damage.
Staying alive
- Barkskin when you take hits, and Entangling Roots or Typhoon to gain distance.
- Leave Moonkin Form for Regrowth and Rejuvenation when a fight goes wrong.
- Innervate when mana runs low, and Bear Form as a last resort.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Power first, then Hit, Haste, Crit and Spirit.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, with as much Spell Power as possible.
- Enchants: Mighty Spellpower on the weapon, Exceptional Spellpower on the gloves and Superior Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Herbalism with Inscription or Alchemy, since you can gather herbs straight from Flight Form.