Druid

Rotations & Guide · PvE guide · PvP guide · Talent builds · Abilities · Talent Calculator · Macros · Changes vs Classic

Other classes: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock

Druids are shapeshifting hybrids that can heal, tank in bear form, fight in cat form or cast as Moonkin. Forever adds a real bear toolkit, and the new talent tree adds Lacerate, Feral Charge and Primal Bite for Feral and Wild Growth for Restoration, plus the out-of-combat Revive. Insect Swarm is now a Balance talent, and Omen of Clarity a trainer ability at 20.

Balance (Caster DPS)

Balance casts Moonfire, Insect Swarm, Starfire and Wrath from range, and from level 40 does it in Moonkin Form, the Balance capstone. Insect Swarm is now a Balance talent (tier 4, level 25), Nature's Grace speeds your casting by 10% for 3 sec after non-periodic crits, and Omen of Clarity, now a passive every Druid learns from the trainer at 20, procs free spells.

Feral Combat (Tank)

Feral Combat covers bear tanking and cat DPS. Forever gives bears a proper toolkit: Lacerate, a tier 4 talent, stacks a high-threat bleed up to 5 times, Feral Charge, a tier 3 talent from level 20, closes gaps and interrupts, and Primal Bite (Blizzard's renamed Mangle), the level 40 capstone, is a 6 sec cooldown bite with high threat. Maul remains the rage dump and Swipe the AoE threat.

Restoration (Healer)

Restoration is a HoT healer that now has real group healing via Wild Growth, the tier 7 capstone: a party-wide front-loaded HoT on a 6 sec cooldown. Rejuvenation and Regrowth cover the tank, Swiftmend (now a tier 4 talent) instantly heals a target that has Rejuvenation or Regrowth, and Nature's Swiftness enables an instant Healing Touch.

Tips & tricks: what ForeverDB learned

Balance

Updated 13 November 2026 for build 1.60.1.70938 · From the DPS simulator, the game client

Learning from players: DPS. Collecting comparable fights before publishing observed cast patterns.

Observed cast patterns, not a proven optimal rotation. Gear, buffs, healing assignments and incoming damage can explain performance differences. HPS is effective healing; overhealing does not increase it. HPS counts effective healing, APS counts recorded shield absorption, and EHPS is their combined rate. Shield application sizes and overhealing do not increase EHPS. Healing assignments and incoming damage still limit healer comparisons. Build groups use the version reported by the log; some logs omit the hotfix build number.

Speculation: The class guide's rotation card uses Moonfire here and the simulator disagrees: check it in game before trusting either: The simulator's 180 s fight at level 60 did 7% more damage without Moonfire on a single target. The class guide disagrees, so treat this as a lead to test. (level 60)
Simulator: When Nature's Grace procs, cast Starfire within 15 sec before it fades. The simulator sees it proc 3.677 times in a 180 s fight. (level 60)
Simulator: At level 60, Greater Arcane Elixir is your best consumable (+4.4% DPS in the simulator). Elixir of Greater Intellect is second (+4.1%). (level 60)
Simulator: At level 60, the simulator puts 52% of your damage on Starfire, 24% on Moonfire, and 23% on Insect Swarm (recommended build, best gear, 180 s single-target fight). (level 60)
Simulator: At level 60, Insect Swarm accounts for 4.1% of your DPS: the simulator did that much less damage without it, and it was on the target 83% of the time. (level 60)
Simulator: At level 60, the simulator shows you spending 96.8 s unable to cast in a 180 s fight. Drink between pulls and start full. (level 60)
Simulator: At level 60, the simulator values stats this way (1 spell power = 1): Intellect 1.21, hit rating 0.8, Spirit 0.8. (level 60)
Simulator: At levels 20-29, Scroll of Intellect IV is your best consumable (+5.2% DPS in the simulator). Greater Arcane Elixir is second (+2.8%). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: At levels 20-29, Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin is the party buff that helps you most: +6.1% DPS in the simulator. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: At levels 20-29, the simulator puts 83% of your damage on Starfire and 17% on Moonfire (recommended build, best gear, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: At levels 20-29, the simulator shows you spending 9.8 s unable to cast in a 60 s fight. Drink between pulls and start full. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: When Nature's Grace procs, cast Starfire within 15 sec before it fades. The simulator sees it proc 2.447 times in a 60 s fight. (levels 30–39)
Simulator: At levels 30-39, Greater Arcane Elixir is your best consumable (+5.7% DPS in the simulator). Baked Salmon is second (+5.4%). (levels 30–39)
Simulator: At levels 30-39, Arcane Intellect from a Mage is the party buff that helps you most: +1% DPS in the simulator. (levels 30–39)
Simulator: At levels 30-39, the simulator puts 70% of your damage on Starfire, 16% on Moonfire, and 14% on Insect Swarm (recommended build, best gear, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 30–39)
Simulator: At levels 30-39, Moonfire accounts for 7% of your DPS: the simulator did that much less damage without it, and it was on the target 93% of the time. (levels 30–39)
Simulator: At levels 30-39, Insect Swarm accounts for 3.9% of your DPS: the simulator did that much less damage without it, and it was on the target 91% of the time. (levels 30–39)
Simulator: When Nature's Grace procs, cast Starfire within 15 sec before it fades. The simulator sees it proc 2.153 times in a 60 s fight. (levels 40–49)
Simulator: At levels 40-49, Elixir of Greater Intellect is your best consumable (+7.1% DPS in the simulator). Baked Salmon is second (+5.5%). (levels 40–49)
Simulator: At levels 40-49, Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin is the party buff that helps you most: +5.6% DPS in the simulator. (levels 40–49)
Simulator: At levels 40-49, the simulator puts 69% of your damage on Starfire, 17% on Moonfire, and 14% on Insect Swarm (recommended build, best gear, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 40–49)
Simulator: At levels 40-49, Insect Swarm accounts for 3.2% of your DPS: the simulator did that much less damage without it, and it was on the target 91% of the time. (levels 40–49)
Simulator: At levels 40-49, the simulator shows you spending 6.2 s unable to cast in a 60 s fight. Drink between pulls and start full. (levels 40–49)
Simulator: When Nature's Grace procs, cast Starfire within 15 sec before it fades. The simulator sees it proc 1.987 times in a 60 s fight. (levels 50–59)
Simulator: At levels 50-59, Elixir of Greater Intellect is your best consumable (+8.5% DPS in the simulator). Greater Arcane Elixir is second (+5.7%). (levels 50–59)
Simulator: At levels 50-59, Arcane Intellect from a Mage is the party buff that helps you most: +6.6% DPS in the simulator. (levels 50–59)
Simulator: At levels 50-59, the simulator puts 69% of your damage on Starfire, 16% on Insect Swarm, and 15% on Moonfire (recommended build, best gear, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 50–59)
Simulator: At levels 50-59, Insect Swarm accounts for 5% of your DPS: the simulator did that much less damage without it, and it was on the target 91% of the time. (levels 50–59)
Simulator: At levels 50-59, the simulator shows you spending 10.3 s unable to cast in a 60 s fight. Drink between pulls and start full. (levels 50–59)

How to play it at level 60: priority, procs and cooldowns

What to press, in order. Cast the first one that is ready and whose condition holds.

Insect Swarm: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 83% of the sim's fight; worth 4.1% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Starfire: Fill the gaps with it: Your filler: cast it when nothing above is ready; worth 41.4% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

React to:

When Nature's Grace procs: Starfire within 15 sec: Nature's Grace makes Starfire better: use it before it fades (Simulator, Forever client)

Keep up:

Insect Swarm on the target, at least 80% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)

Before the pull:

Greater Arcane Elixir (Simulator, Forever client)
Elixir of Greater Intellect (Simulator, Forever client)
Baked Salmon (Simulator, Forever client)
Scroll of Intellect IV (Simulator, Forever client)

Avoid:

Leave Moonfire out of single-target fights at level 60: the simulator's 180 s fight did 7% more damage without it. (Simulator)

Latest changes:

13 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70888 -> 1.60.1.70938; 60-60: Starfire worth 68% -> 41.4%; 1 tip(s) dropped; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70938)
11 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70862 -> 1.60.1.70888; 50-59: Starfire worth 61.7% -> 66.1%; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70888)
8 November 2026: tip wording or values (client build or hotfix rebuild)

Feral Combat

Updated 13 November 2026 for build 1.60.1.70938 · From the game client

Learning from players: DPS. Collecting comparable fights before publishing observed cast patterns.

Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown here is the site's rotation card for level 60, using cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (level 60)
Forever client: Frenzied Regeneration has a 3 min cooldown at level 60 (client data), so you can use it about once every second or third pull. (level 60)
Simulator: At level 60, the simulator values stats this way (1 attack power = 1): hit rating 3.37, Agility 2.48, Strength 2.4. (level 60)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown here is the site's rotation card for levels 20-29, using cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 20–29)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown here is the site's rotation card for levels 30-39, using cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 30–39)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown here is the site's rotation card for levels 40-49, using cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 40–49)
Forever client: Frenzied Regeneration has a 3 min cooldown at levels 40-49 (client data), so you can use it about once every second or third pull. (levels 40–49)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown here is the site's rotation card for levels 50-59, using cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 50–59)
Forever client: Frenzied Regeneration has a 3 min cooldown at levels 50-59 (client data), so you can use it about once every second or third pull. (levels 50–59)

How to play it at level 60: priority, procs and cooldowns

What to press, in order. Cast the first one that is ready and whose condition holds.

Feral Charge: Whenever it's ready: Talent: charge a caster to interrupt it. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Lacerate: When it's missing from the target: Talent, rank 5 at 58: stack it to 5 on the boss and keep it up. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Primal Bite: Whenever it's ready: Talent: whenever it's off cooldown. Rank 3 at 60. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Maul: Whenever it's ready: With spare Rage; rank 7 at 58. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Demoralizing Roar: When it's missing from the target: Keep it up on the boss; rank 5 at 52. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

React to:

Under 30% mana: Dire Bear Form: Shift before the pull. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Under 30% mana: Enrage: Instant Rage to open with; Furor (every level 60 Feral build) also gives 10 Rage on each shift. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

Keep up:

Lacerate on the target, at least 0% of the time (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Demoralizing Roar on the target, at least 0% of the time (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

Cooldowns:

Bash: as needed (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Frenzied Regeneration: as needed (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

Latest changes:

13 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70888 -> 1.60.1.70938; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70938)
11 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70862 -> 1.60.1.70888; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70888)
7 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70790 -> 1.60.1.70862; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70862)

Restoration

Updated 13 November 2026 for build 1.60.1.70938 · From the game client

Learning from players: Healing + absorbs/s (EHPS). Collecting comparable fights before publishing observed cast patterns.

Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown for level 60 uses cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (level 60)
Forever client: Nature's Swiftness has a 3 min cooldown at level 60 (client data). That is about once every second or third pull. (level 60)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown for levels 20-29 uses cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 20–29)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown for levels 30-39 uses cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 30–39)
Forever client: Nature's Swiftness has a 3 min cooldown at levels 30-39 (client data). That is about once every second or third pull. (levels 30–39)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown for levels 40-49 uses cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 40–49)
Forever client: Nature's Swiftness has a 3 min cooldown at levels 40-49 (client data). That is about once every second or third pull. (levels 40–49)
Forever client: There is no simulation for this spec yet. The order shown for levels 50-59 uses cooldowns and costs from the Forever client. (levels 50–59)
Forever client: Nature's Swiftness has a 3 min cooldown at levels 50-59 (client data). That is about once every second or third pull. (levels 50–59)

How to play it at level 60: priority, procs and cooldowns

What to press, in order. Cast the first one that is ready and whose condition holds.

Rejuvenation: When it's missing from you: Keep it on the tank; rank 11 at 60. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Regrowth: When it's missing from you: For big hits; rank 9 at 60. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Swiftmend: Whenever it's ready: Talent: instant heal on a target with your Rejuvenation or Regrowth on it. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Healing Touch: Whenever it's ready: Rank 11 at 60; lower ranks when the full heal would overheal. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Abolish Poison: When it's missing from you: On the tank against poison mobs. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Remove Curse: Whenever it's ready: Clear harmful curses, tank and healer first. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

React to:

Under 30% mana: Innervate: On yourself when you're nearly dry. (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

Keep up:

Rejuvenation on you, at least 0% of the time (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Regrowth on you, at least 0% of the time (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Abolish Poison on you, at least 0% of the time (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

Cooldowns:

Nature's Swiftness: as needed (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)
Barkskin: as needed (ForeverDB guide, Forever client)

Latest changes:

13 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70888 -> 1.60.1.70938; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70938)
11 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70862 -> 1.60.1.70888; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70888)
7 November 2026: client build 1.60.1.70790 -> 1.60.1.70862; new Blizzard post (new client build 1.60.1.70862)

Every spec's latest changes. Re-studied every week and after each new game build.

Best in slot gear at any level: Balance, Feral Combat, Restoration

Best professions for Druids: Leatherworking + Skinning.

Druid abilities

Healing Touch (level 1)
Mark of the Wild (level 1)
Wrath (level 1)
Moonfire (level 4)
Rejuvenation (level 4)
Thorns (level 6)
Entangling Roots (level 8)
Bear Form (level 10, from the Classic class quest Body and Heart)
Demoralizing Roar (level 10)
Growl (level 10, from the Classic class quest Body and Heart)
Maul (level 10, from the Classic class quest Body and Heart (rank 1))
Nature's Grasp (level 10)
Teleport: Moonglade (level 10)
Enrage (level 12)
Regrowth (level 12)
Revive (level 12)
Bash (level 14)
Cure Poison (level 14, from the Classic class quest Power over Poison)
Aquatic Form (level 16, from the Classic class quest Aquatic Form)
Swipe (level 16)
Faerie Fire (level 18)
Hibernate (level 18)
Cat Form (level 20, from the quest The Great Cat Spirit)
Claw (level 20, from the quest The Great Cat Spirit (rank 1))
Omen of Clarity (level 20)
Prowl (level 20, from the quest The Great Cat Spirit (rank 1))
Rebirth (level 20)
Rip (level 20, from the quest The Great Cat Spirit (rank 1))
Shred (level 20)
Starfire (level 20)
Soothe Animal (level 22)
Ferocious Bite (level 24)
Rake (level 24)
Remove Curse (level 24)
Abolish Poison (level 26)
Dash (level 26)
Challenging Roar (level 28)
Cower (level 28)
Tranquility (level 30)
Travel Form (level 30)
Poised (level 32)
Ravage (level 32)
Track Humanoids (level 32)
Frenzied Regeneration (level 36)
Pounce (level 36)
Pounce Bleed (level 36)
Dire Bear Form (level 40)
Feline Grace (level 40)
Hurricane (level 40)
Innervate (level 40)
Moonkin Aura (level 40)
Barkskin (level 44)
Gift of the Wild (level 50)

No longer trainer abilities in the live client

Lacerate

Data from the WoW Forever client, build 1.60.1.70938, extracted 2026-11-13.