Best drop: Stone-Worn Footwraps, from Krik'thir the Gatewatcher in heroic Azjol-Nerub or Cleric's Linen Shoes from Commander Stoutbeard/Commander Kolurg in heroic Nexus.

Best quest piece: As with Restoration, there really aren't that many good quest options here, but Kilix's Silk Slippers from the quest Death to the Traitor King, or Sandals of Mystical Evolution from the quest Quickening in the Nexus are your best bet.

Best faction piece: Sandals of Crimson Fury, available at exalted with the Wyrmrest Accord.

Runner-up: Silky Iceshard Boots, a Tailoring BoE -- but be prepared for these to be fairly expensive. You can also check the AH for Tundra Wolf Boots, a BoE from heroic Utgarde Pinnacle, or Arcanic Tramplers, a BoE drop from Malygos-25.

Enchant: A lot of people swear by Tuskarr's Vitality for raiding. You'd otherwise want Enchant Boots -- Greater Spirit, especially if you have points in Improved Moonkin Form, or Enchant Boots -- Icewalker, depending on your current gear set and stat preferences.


RINGS

Best overall: Signet of the Kirin Tor, purchaseable with firstborn child at Dalaran's Jewelcrafting shop. If you don't have the cash for this, don't sweat it; both 10- and 25-man raids should have readily available upgrades.

Best drop: Annhylde's Ring from Ingvar the Plunderer in heroic Utgarde Keep, or Band of Guile from the Dark Runed Chest in heroic Culling of Stratholme.

Best quest piece: Voodoo Signet from the quest For Posterity in Gun'drak, or Ring of Temerity, from the quest The Struggle Persists in the Oculus.

Best faction piece: Signet of Hopeful Light, available at exalted with the Argent Crusade.

Runner-up: Titanium Spellshock Ring, a Jewelcrafting BoE, or the more inexpensive Ring of Northern Tears.

Enchant (if applicable): Enchant Ring -- Greater Spellpower.


TRINKETS

As you might expect, this slot is the source of much debate, particular because your selection of good trinkets pre-raid is somewhat limited.

Best overall: Sundial of the Exiled, available for 40 emblems of heroism. You're probably going to be using this until something better drops in Ulduar (damage-wise it's second only to a Naxx-25 drop), so save those badges.

Best drop: Mark of the War Prisoner, from Cyanigosa in heroic Violet Hold. This sole piece may wind up being the single most decisive contribution to your DPS given the relative lack of +hit on pre-raid pieces; try to get this. Flame Ember from Sjonnier in heroic Halls of Stone is another strong piece, as is Pendulum of Telluric Currents if you're stacking +haste. If you want a +spellpower trinket, use Tome of Arcane Phenomena from the cache of Eregos in heroic Oculus.

Best quest piece: Honestly, there really isn't much that can compete with the other pieces listed here, but Rune of Infinite Power from Mystery of the Infinite, Redux is a kid-brother version of War Prisoner, and Thunder Capacitor from the early Borean Tundra quest Something That Doesn't Melt is surprisingly strong (though with the amount of +haste itemized on the gear you're likely to be wearing, the proc may be a little spotty). Cannoneer's Fuselighter is rewarded by The Last Line of Defense in Icecrown and will tide you over for a bit.

Best faction piece: Oracle Talisman of Ablution or Frenzyheart Insignia of Fury. Not great at 80, but better than nothing.

Runner-up: Jewelcrafters will want to use a Twilight Serpent until otherwise hit-capped, and Alchemists can use a Mercurial Alchemist Stone. Darkmoon Card: Illusion is usable, but as EJ commenters note, you'd really only be using it for the +spellpower.


WEAPON

Best overall: Staff of Draconic Combat, from the cache of Eregos in heroic Oculus.

Best drop: Staff of Sinister Claws, from Herald Volazj in heroic Old Kingdom.

Best quest piece: Chilly Slobberknocker, from the quest The Champion of Anguish in Gun'drak.

Best faction piece: Flameheart Spell Scalpel, available at revered with the Kirin Tor. You can also use Gavel of the Brewing Storm (revered, Wyrmrest Accord), but Flameheart's +hit is likely to be of more use than Gavel's +haste and is otherwise superior in all stats barring +stamina.

Runner-up: Titansteel Guardian, a Blacksmithing BoE (although I believe the +spellpower on this puppy's getting nerfed as of today's patch 3.0.8).

Enchant: Enchant Weapon -- Mighty Spellpower, but I stand by my earlier comments on the Resto gear piece: this is hellishly expensive right now. If this is going to break your bank, take Exceptional Spellpower.


OFF-HAND

Best overall: Ward of the Violet Citadel, available for 25 emblems of heroism.

Best drop: Telestra's Journal, from Grand Magus Telestra in heroic Nexus.

Best quest piece: Bonecaster's Revenge, from the quest Banshee's Revenge in Icecrown.

Best faction piece: Darkspear Orb (Horde) or Orb of the Forgotten Kingdoms (Alliance), available at revered with the Horde Expedition or Alliance Vanguard. Not a great piece -- use it only if you can't find anything else.

Runner-up: Iron-bound Tome, an Inscription BoE with +200 armor (?!?) on it. If you want more +int or +spirit, use Faces of Doom instead.

As always, drop a comment if you're found a helpful piece that's not listed here, and I'll make sure it gets added!

Filed under: Druid, (Druid) Shifting Perspectives