Sadly, regarding tanks in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, Guardian Druids aren't going to be every group's first, or even second, choice. On our tank tier list, they sit in the C tier. Despite having impressive AOE damage, they lack the mobility and single-target damage compared to other classes. Our best in slot guide will help you obtain the best gear Dragonflight has to offer and do the most damage you can.

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Guardian Druid Best in Slot Stat Priority

The most important factor to consider when obtaining new gear is your stat priority. In general, you should follow a rule like this:

Survivability Stat Priority

1. Versatility
2. Haste
3. Mastery
4. Critical Strike

DPS Stat Priority

1. Versatility
2. Haste
3. Critical Strike
4. Mastery

Important Notes For BiS Lists

It is important to note that any jump in ilvl by more than 10 points almost always results in the higher ilvl item being better. If you have an upgrade of 5 ilvl or less, compare the stats based on the stat priorities to decide the better item.

When weighing options of other items not listed below, refer to the stat priority of the class and spec. Keep in mind that stats eventually have diminishing returns, so it is not required to have absolutely every slot stack the same 2 stats. For simplicity, we offer the best per slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

The calculations for diminishing returns are as follows:

• 0 to 30% in a stat - no penalty.
• 30% to 39% in a stat - 10% penalty.
• 39% to 47% in a stat - 20% penalty.
• 47% to 54% in a stat - 30% penalty.
• 54% to 66% in a stat - 40% penalty.
• 66% to 126% in a stat - 50% penalty.

In the case where you have reached 30% in a secondary stat, an item that has a secondary stat that is lower on priority may in fact be a better upgrade. This is why it is always important to sim your gear. For simplicity, we offer the best item in that slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

Guardian Druid BiS Gear

The items appearing in these lists may come from Mythic+, Raids, or The Vault. Their item level will depend on the instance's level of difficulty (Normal, Heroic, Mythic, Mythic+ 1-20). This list does not include Renown or Crafting items as it is meant as a guide on what dungeons or raids to attend to get your best gear from these sources.

Item tooltips will show the Mythic 9 or the Normal Raid difficulty item level version.

Best Head

Ideally, you want to pick up tier.

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Best Neck

Theorycrafting and data show that the Elemental Lariat is almost always your best neck piece. We recommend getting this crafted ASAP. Anything else is honestly not worth mentioning. Use a missive to ensure your desired stats.

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Best Shoulders

Despite the Mythic+ shoulders having your best two stats, we recommend tier.

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Best Back

You can't go wrong with either option here.

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Best Chest

No option is too exciting here, honestly, so we recommend tier.

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Best Wrist

The raid bracers are there if you're desperate, otherwise we recommend looking elsewhere.

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Best Hands

Tier gloves have your best stats, so it's a no brainer here.

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Best Waist

Pick your choice here between Versatility and Haste.

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Best Legs

Tier has an insane amount of Haste; pick them up.

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Best Feet

Your Mythic+ boots generally have your two worst stats, but still, sim for the best upgrade.

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Best Rings

There should be several viable options here. Make sure you always sim upgrades.

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Best Trinkets

Data is based on simulations from bloodmallet.

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Best Weapons

We highly recommend simming all weapon upgrades. We like the crafted one out of nearly everything available.

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Best Gems For Guardian Druid

Here we list the best gems you can socket your gear with for Guardian Druid. As always, it is best to sim to ensure you're using the best options available. These gems are chosen given consideration to your best stats.

• Epic unique gem - Inscribed Illimited Diamond
• Remaining gems - Sensei's Alexstraszite

Best Enchants For Guardian Druid

Here are the best enchants available for Guardian Druid in Dragonflight.

• Cloak - Homebound Speed
• Chest - Waking Stats
• Bracers - Devotion of Speed
• Legs - Fierce Armor Kit
• Boots - Watcher's Loam
• Rings - Devotion of Versatility
• Weapon - Sophic Devotion

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How To Simulate To Determine Your Best Gear

Raidbots is a tool that World of Warcraft players can use to figure out if the gear they just looted is an upgrade. As mentioned earlier, there are so many nuances and diminishing returns as certain points in the game, that determining an exact set of bis gear is impossible. With the ilvl scaling of Mythic+ loot on higher keys and utility different gear has for different fights, there just isn't a pure "this is the absolute best for the entire Season" list. It's even something that certain classes have come across in Classic Wrath!

Don't worry, because we're still here to help. We highly recommend using raidbots to determine if an item you just acquired is an upgrade. Here's a quick guide to help you run simulations to see if your new item is an upgrade:

• Make sure you have the Simulationcraft add-on installed.
• With your new loot in your inventory, open your chatbox and type /simc.
• A window will open up. Copy the entire text and paste it on the Raidbots Top Gear page. I included my Simulation craft window for my personal character below

• This step is important. On the Top Gear page, scroll down and make sure you're selecting the gear you want simmed. If you do not select the gear you're wearing, as well as the gear in your inventory you just acquired, you won't know if you picked up an upgrade.
• Raidbots will then let you know which items allow you to maximize your DPS.