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WoW Forever guides › Druid guide

WoW Forever Druid Guide: Talents, Leveling Gear and What Changed

By Marc · Updated October 12, 2026

Built on the WoW Forever beta. Items, talents and stats can still change before launch on November 4, 2026, and for some new items it isn't known yet where they come from.

Druids in WoW Forever play differently from Classic: 18 of their 52 talents are new, spread over the Balance, Feral Combat and Restoration trees. High Order Skyborne and Windshaper Skyborne can be Druids for the first time.

This guide shows what changed, which races can play a Druid, and the best leveling gear for each spec at levels 20, 30 and 40, worked out by the same gear engine as the WoW Forever gear helper.

Races that can be a Druid

  • Alliance: Night Elf, High Order Skyborne NEW
  • Horde: Tauren, Windshaper Skyborne NEW

Every race's racial abilities, with what changed since Classic, are on the WoW Forever racials page.

Talent changes per tree

Balance: 5 new of 16 talents

  • Genesis (row 1, 5 ranks): Increases the periodic damage and healing done by your spells and abilities by 5%.
  • Nature's Majesty (row 2, 2 ranks): Increases your critical strike chance with spells and melee attacks by 4%.
  • Nature's Splendor (row 3, 1 rank): Increases the duration of your Moonfire and Rejuvenation spells by 3 sec, your Regrowth spell by 6 sec, and your Insect Swarm spell by 2 sec.
  • Overgrowth (row 5, 2 ranks): Increases the maximum number of targets you may have affected by Entangling Roots by 2.
  • Eclipse (row 5, 3 ranks): Your Wrath spell reduces the cast time of your next 2 Starfire spells by 0.50 sec. Stores up to 4 charges. Lasts 15 sec.

No longer in the tree: Nature's Grasp, Improved Nature's Grasp, Natural Weapons, Improved Thorns and Omen of Clarity.

Feral Combat: 9 new of 20 talents

  • Feral Swiftness (row 2, 2 ranks): Increases your movement speed while in Cat Form by 30%, and increases your chance to Dodge by 4%.
  • Shredding Attacks (row 3, 3 ranks): Reduces the Energy cost of your Shred ability by 18 and reduces the Rage cost of your Lacerate ability by 3.
  • Shifting Power (row 4, 1 rank): Instantly convert 0 Mana into 40 Energy. Shifting Power's cost is reduced by effects that reduce the cost of Shapeshifting.
  • Primal Bite (row 4, 1 rank): Bite the target, dealing 100% normal damage plus 26 and generating a high amount of threat.
  • Improved Shifting Power (row 5, 2 ranks): Reduces the cooldown of your Shifting Power spell by 8 sec.
  • Natural Instinct (row 5, 2 ranks): Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your melee abilities by 20% and increases your spell healing by 25% of your Intellect.
  • Natural Reaction (row 6, 5 ranks): Increases your dodge chance by 5%, and gives you a 100% chance to gain 5 Rage each time you dodge.
  • Rend and Tear (row 6, 5 ranks): Increases damage done by your melee abilities on Bleeding targets by 10%.
  • Berserk (row 7, 1 rank): Requires Cat Form, Bear Form, Dire Bear Form Causes your Primal Bite ability to strike up to 3 targets, removes its cooldown, and increases the critical strike chance of your Combo Point-generating abilities by 100%. Clears and grants immunity to Fear effects for the duration. Lasts 15 sec.

No longer in the tree: Feral Aggression, Feline Swiftness, Improved Shred, Primal Fury and Faerie Fire (Feral).

Restoration: 4 new of 16 talents

  • Naturalist (row 2, 5 ranks): Reduces the cast time of your Healing Touch spell by 0.5 sec and increases all damage you deal by 5%.
  • Gift of the Earthmother (row 3, 1 rank): Reduces the global cooldown by 0.5 seconds on your Rejuvenation, Swiftmend, and Wild Growth spells.
  • Living Spirit (row 5, 3 ranks): Increases your Spirit by 15%.
  • Wild Growth (row 7, 1 rank): Heals the target and their party for 336 over 7 sec. Party members must be within 43.5 yards of target. The amount healed is applied quickly at first, and slows down as Wild Growth reaches its full duration.

No longer in the tree: Improved Mark of the Wild, Improved Healing Touch and Improved Enrage.

Plan a build with these trees in the WoW Forever talent calculator.

Best leveling gear per spec

The best item for each slot you can have by each level, scored with the spec's stat weights for that level. Where Alliance and Horde differ (faction quest rewards), both are listed. Items whose source isn't known yet are left out. Pre-raid lists for level 60 follow once it's clear which high-level items WoW Forever really has: its beta data still holds leftovers from other versions of the game.

Balance

By level 20 · weapons: one-hand and off hand
HeadPearly Circlet · Crafted: Tailoring 100
NeckMark of the Pack Leader · World drop (The Barrens)
ShoulderMagician's Mantle · World drop (Auction House)
BackHeavy Woolen Cloak · Crafted: Tailoring 100
ChestDro'zem's Tunic · World drop (Redridge Mountains)
WristWitherbite Bracers · Ruins of Lordaeron, Witherfang
HandsPearly Gloves · Crafted: Tailoring 75
WaistPearly Sash · Crafted: Tailoring 85
LegsFiligreed Pearly Leggings · Crafted: Tailoring 100
FeetSpidersilk Boots · Crafted: Tailoring 125
RingAlliance Minor Channeling Ring · Quest: WANTED: Chok'sul (Loch Modan)Horde Black Pearl Ring · World drop (Auction House), Darkshore
TrinketLookie's Spyglass · The Deadmines, Cookie
Main HandEvocator's Blade · World drop (Auction House)
Off HandDefective Samophlange · Vendor: Winklespark (The Barrens)
By level 30 · weapons: one-hand and off hand
HeadFiligreed Pearly Circlet · Crafted: Tailoring 125
NeckScorn's Icy Choker · Scarlet Monastery, Scorn
ShoulderBloodmage Mantle · Scarlet Monastery, Bloodmage Thalnos
BackFaerie Dragon's Skin · World drop (Stonetalon Mountains)
ChestPearly Gown · Crafted: Tailoring 110
WristSpidertank Oilrag · Gnomeregan, Electrocutioner 6000
HandsAlliance Town Clerk's Mittens · Quest: Crime and Punishment (The Stockade)Horde Oilrag Handwraps · Quest: The Lost Pages (Ashenvale)
WaistSkycaller's Leather Belt · Crafted: Leatherworking 150
LegsPearly Leggings · Crafted: Tailoring 125
FeetGolden Slippers · Crafted: Tailoring 140
RingPhilanthropist's Ring · Quest: Greater Friend of the Library
TrinketRoogug's Severed Head · Razorfen Kraul, Roogug
Main HandSwinetusk Shank · Razorfen Kraul, Agathelos the Raging
Off HandOrb of Mystic Insight · Crafted: Enchanting 140
By level 40 · weapons: one-hand and off hand
HeadAlliance Wild Headdress · Quest: WANTED: Marez Cowl (Arathi Highlands)Horde Augural Shroud · World drop (Auction House), Desolace
NeckScorn's Icy Choker · Scarlet Monastery, Scorn
ShoulderInquisitor's Shawl · Scarlet Monastery, High Inquisitor Fairbanks
BackFaerie Dragon's Skin · World drop (Stonetalon Mountains)
ChestDreamweave Vest · Crafted: Tailoring 225
WristGreen Whelp Bracers · Crafted: Leatherworking 190
HandsGloves of the Greatfather · Crafted: Leatherworking 190
WaistGolden Cord · Crafted: Tailoring 190
LegsPearly Leggings · Crafted: Tailoring 125
FeetEarthen Silk Slippers · Crafted: Tailoring 145
RingPhilanthropist's Ring · Quest: Greater Friend of the Library
TrinketAnkh of Life · World drop (Auction House)
Main HandSoulsplatter Mace · Quest: Khan Jehn (Desolace)
Off HandAlliance Arcane Infused Rod · Quest: Starving Arcane (City of Dalaran)Horde Thrash's Trash · Vendor: Friz Frazzlespark (Riverglades)

Feral Combat

By level 20 · weapons: two-hand
HeadDefender's Leather Hood · Crafted: Leatherworking 100
NeckAlliance Tarnished Locket · Quest: Remember That I Love You (Riverglades)Horde Mark of the Pack Leader · World drop (The Barrens)
ShoulderForest Leather Mantle · World drop (Auction House)
BackSentry Cloak · World drop (Auction House)
ChestBlackened Defias Armor · The Deadmines, Edwin VanCleef
WristAlliance Courier's Wristguards · Quest: Stonetalon Supply Run (Stonetalon Mountains)Horde Spare Part Bindings · Quest: Light's Justice (Ruins of Lordaeron)
HandsBrawler's Leather Gloves · Crafted: Leatherworking 75
WaistDeviate Scale Belt · Crafted: Leatherworking 115
LegsDefender's Leather Pants · Crafted: Leatherworking 105
FeetBrawler's Leather Boots · Crafted: Leatherworking 85
RingFirst Mate Band · The Deadmines, Mr. Smite
Two-HandAlliance Staff of Soran'ruk · Quest: The Orb of Soran'rukHorde Hammerbone · Quest: Leaders of the Fang (Wailing Caverns)
By level 30 · weapons: two-hand
HeadDefender's Leather Helm · Crafted: Leatherworking 130
NeckSouvenir Sea Shell · Vendor: Gezzy Gunkgear (Stranglethorn Vale)
ShoulderBarbaric Shoulders · Crafted: Leatherworking 175
BackTigerstrike Mantle · World drop (Auction House)
ChestSpirewind Fetter · World drop (Auction House)
WristBarbaric Bracers · Crafted: Leatherworking 155
HandsEbon Vise · Scarlet Monastery, Fallen Champion
WaistProwler's Leather Belt · Crafted: Leatherworking 150
LegsDefender's Leather Kilt · Crafted: Leatherworking 125
FeetAlliance Harbinger Boots · World drop (Auction House)Horde Grizzled Boots · Quest: The Book of Ur (Shadowfang Keep)
RingAlliance Field Researcher's Loop · Quest: Greater Friend of the LibraryHorde Band of Allegiance · Quest: Service to the Horde (Dustwallow Marsh)
Two-HandSlaghammer · Razorfen Kraul
By level 40 · weapons: two-hand
HeadDefender's Leather Helm · Crafted: Leatherworking 130
NeckGazlowe's Charm · World drop (Auction House)
ShoulderFleshhide Shoulders · Razorfen Downs, Glutton
BackWing of the Whelpling · World drop (Auction House)
ChestRaptor Hunter Tunic · Quest: Raptor Mastery (Stranglethorn Vale)
WristBarbaric Bracers · Crafted: Leatherworking 155
HandsProwler's Leather Gloves · Crafted: Leatherworking 175
WaistOgron's Sash · World drop (Auction House)
LegsBasilisk Hide Pants · World drop (Auction House)
FeetProwler's Leather Shoes · Crafted: Leatherworking 200
RingSuspicious Spare Part · Vendor: Rettrick (Tanaris)
TrinketArena Master · World drop (Stranglethorn Vale)
Two-HandWhirlwind Warhammer · Quest: Whirlwind Weapon

Restoration (Druid)

By level 20 · weapons: two-hand
HeadPristine Circlet · Crafted: Tailoring 100
NeckMark of the Pack Leader · World drop (The Barrens)
ShoulderMagician's Mantle · World drop (Auction House)
BackHeavy Woolen Cloak · Crafted: Tailoring 100
ChestWisdom's Leather Armor · Crafted: Leatherworking 80
WristDrakewing Bands · World drop (Auction House)
HandsPristine Gloves · Crafted: Tailoring 75
WaistPristine Sash · Crafted: Tailoring 85
LegsWisdom's Leather Pants · Crafted: Leatherworking 105
FeetWisdom's Leather Boots · Crafted: Leatherworking 85
RingBlack Pearl Ring · World drop (Auction House), Darkshore
TrinketLookie's Spyglass · The Deadmines, Cookie
Two-HandAlliance Staff of Westfall · Quest: The Defias Brotherhood (The Deadmines)Horde Living Root · Wailing Caverns, Verdan the Everliving
By level 30 · weapons: one-hand and off hand
HeadHoly Shroud · World drop (Auction House)
NeckScorn's Icy Choker · Scarlet Monastery, Scorn
ShoulderBloodmage Mantle · Scarlet Monastery, Bloodmage Thalnos
BackAlliance Repairman's Cape · Quest: Data Rescue (Gnomeregan)Horde Faerie Dragon's Skin · World drop (Stonetalon Mountains)
ChestPristine Gown · Crafted: Tailoring 110
WristAlliance Spidertank Oilrag · Gnomeregan, Electrocutioner 6000Horde Knife-Polishing Rag · Quest: Open the Maw (Excavation Site: Wetlands)
HandsAlliance Truefaith Gloves · Crafted: Tailoring 150Horde Tattered Mittens · Quest: The Book of Ur (Shadowfang Keep)
WaistMender's Leather Belt · Crafted: Leatherworking 150
LegsWisdom's Leather Leggings · Crafted: Leatherworking 125
FeetGilded Slippers · Crafted: Tailoring 140
RingSea Giant's Toe Ring · Vendor: Gezzy Gunkgear (Stranglethorn Vale)
TrinketRoogug's Severed Head · Razorfen Kraul, Roogug
Main HandRoyal Diplomatic Scepter · Gnomeregan, Dark Iron Ambassador
Off HandOrb of Souls · Crafted: Enchanting 140
By level 40 · weapons: one-hand and off hand
HeadHoly Shroud · World drop (Auction House)
NeckGlowing Eye of Mordresh · Razorfen Downs, Mordresh Fire Eye
ShoulderInquisitor's Shawl · Scarlet Monastery, High Inquisitor Fairbanks
BackAlliance Repairman's Cape · Quest: Data Rescue (Gnomeregan)Horde Faerie Dragon's Skin · World drop (Stonetalon Mountains)
ChestDoomsayer's Robe · Quest: Solution to Doom (Uldaman)
WristGreen Whelp Bracers · Crafted: Leatherworking 190
HandsGloves of the Greatfather · Crafted: Leatherworking 190
WaistGilded Cord · Crafted: Tailoring 190
LegsStoneweaver Leggings · Uldaman, Ironaya
FeetMender's Leather Shoes · Crafted: Leatherworking 200
RingSea Giant's Toe Ring · Vendor: Gezzy Gunkgear (Stranglethorn Vale)
TrinketAnkh of Life · World drop (Auction House)
Main HandHand of Righteousness · Scarlet Monastery, High Inquisitor Whitemane
Off HandAlliance Orb of Lorica · Quest: In the Name of the Light (Scarlet Monastery)Horde Beacon of Hope · World drop (Auction House)

These are the best items overall. For your own character, with your gear, professions and play mode, the gear helper shows the upgrades in order.

Professions for Druids

Of the leveling picks above, 21 are made with Leatherworking, 20 are made with Tailoring and 2 are made with Enchanting. Leatherworking pairs well with Skinning. Every recipe, with where to learn it, is in the WoW Forever professions helper.

The other class guides: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock. All of them, side by side: WoW Forever class guides.

Frequently asked questions

What changed for Druids in WoW Forever?

Every talent tree was reworked: 18 of the Druid's 52 talents are new compared with Classic (5 in Balance, 9 in Feral Combat, 4 in Restoration). High Order Skyborne and Windshaper Skyborne can now be Druids too.

Which races can be a Druid in WoW Forever?

Alliance: Night Elf and High Order Skyborne. Horde: Tauren and Windshaper Skyborne.

What is a good leveling weapon for a Balance Druid at level 30?

By our gear engine's stat weights, Swinetusk Shank (Razorfen Kraul, Agathelos the Raging) is the best main hand you can get by level 30. The full list per spec and level is on this page.