Cataclysm Classic Restoration Druid Stat Priority

The stat priority for Restoration Druid is as follows:

1. Intellect
2. Haste (for a breakpoint)
3. Mastery
4. Spirit
5. Critical Strike
6. Haste (outside breakpoints)

Intellect is the new primary stat for all casters, including Restoration Druids, replacing Spell Power on every gear slot except for your weapon. Intellect increases your maximum Mana, which also increases your Mana regeneration through talents that regenerate a % of your maximum Mana, such as Revitalize and the related Replenishment.

Every point of Intellect gives one Spell Power, making it the best stat for Restoration. Your Intellect will also get further increased by raid buffs such as Blessing of Kings, making it the stat to stack above all others. You will get more of it on higher item level gear, making that the main factor to consider while gearing.

Haste Rating is the best secondary stat for Restoration as it allows you to quickly push out heals and make them tick more times within their total duration, as long as you are inside a breakpoint. The main downside of Haste is the added Mana costs derived from casting more frequently. Make sure you have enough Spirit to support the amount of Haste you have to avoid running out of Mana before a fight has ended.

At Level 85:

• 128.05 Haste Rating = 1% Haste

In Cataclysm, Haste adds additional ticks to damage over time and healing over time spells if you reach certain breakpoint numbers. This increases the potency of your healing spells such as Rejuvenation by giving them more healing within the same total duration.

The breakpoints vary depending on what Haste buffs you have. Common ones such as the 5% raid buff given by Shamans, Balance Druids and Shadow Priests can be presumed as active when reforging for Haste, but you can also get more Haste through racials like Berserking or while under the effect of Bloodlust.

Hitting your closest Haste breakpoint is very important as Restoration, as doing so drastically increases your healing and Mana efficiency, but be careful not to stack Haste past a reachable breakpoint as that will just mostly go to waste. Compare the Haste percentages on the chart below to your character sheet, subtracting 5% when calculating for what you need in a raid group with one of the aforementioned buffs active.

Ticks Gained	Rejuvenation	Wild Growth	Efflorescence
1 Extra Tick	12.51%	7.12%	7.12%
2 Extra Ticks	37.52%	21.43%	21.43%
3 Extra Ticks	62.47%	35.78%	35.78%
4 Extra Ticks	87.44%	50.04%	50.04%

Mastery is a new stat added in Cataclysm for all specializations. It gives unique bonuses, and Restoration Druids have Harmony, which increases the healing done by your direct healing spells Regrowth, Nourish, Healing Touch, and Swiftmend.

You will also get a 10-second buff from it after casting one of your direct heals, which increases the power of your heals over time by the same amount. Thus the idea with this Mastery is to remember to cast at least one direct heal every 10 seconds in order to keep the bonus active for the more powerful heal over time spells of your kit.

At Level 85:

• 179.28 Mastery Rating = 1 Mastery = 1.25% more healing

Spirit is primarily a healer stat that grants increased Mana regeneration while not casting. As Restoration, you get Meditation which allows 50% of your Spirit Mana regeneration to continue while casting. This is your main way of regenerating Mana during combat, and much of your gear will have Spirit on it. Your Spirit can also be further increased by raid buffs such as Blessing of Kings.

While Critical Strike Rating is usually your worst stat, it is not nearly as bad as it was in Wrath of the Lich King, as all of your heals over time can now critically strike for 200% healing value. Instead, the main problem with Critical Strike Rating is that you need a lot of Rating to get 1% more chance to land critical strikes.

At Level 85:

• 179.28 Crit Rating = 1% Crit