Feral Druid DPS Guide - Dragonflight 10.2.6 (2024)

Last updated on Mar 19, 2024 at 18:50by Wordup26 comments

General Information

Welcome to our Feral Druid guide for World of Warcraft — Dragonflight 10.2.6.Here, you will learn how to play as a Feral Druid in both raidsand Mythic+ dungeons: from the very beginning to maximizing your DPS.

If you were looking for WotLK Classic content, please refer to our WotLK Classic Feral DPS Druid guide.

Feral Druid Overview

Feral, the Melee DPS specialization for Druids, forms its core gameplayaround a dual resource system of Energy and Combo Points and uses themto apply powerful Bleed DoT effects on targets. Alongside that, bothare used in tandem to create a build-and-spend system that incorporatespooling for high-damage moments.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Good sustained AoE both in cleave and uncapped scenarios
Can quickly switch between full AoE and priority damage when needed
Strong burst cooldowns for different situations
Gains resources and damage from low priority enemies dying
Powerful active defensive toolkit
Good group utility and control options

Weaknesses

Dragonflight Changes for Druids

We are maintaining a list of changes for Druids, so you can seewhat changes with every patch of Dragonflight.

Patch 10.2 Druid Class Changes

Feral Druid and Guide Changes in Patch 10.2.5

Due to Patch 10.2.5 being a mid-season patch, there are no changesfor Feral that affect the performance of the spec.

The guide is therefore mostly unchanged, but some sections have beenrefined with mid-season knowledge to reflect the current landscape inSeason 3.

Please have a browse and know that your feedback is welcome on our forum!

Leveling a Feral Druid

If you are interested in playing a Feral Druid but have yet to get one atmax level, you can look at our leveling guide for pointersto help you along the way.

Feral Druid Leveling Guide

Adjusting once you hit max level to a new UI can also be quitedifficult, especially with the number of things that Feral requires you totrack. Therefore, we recommend looking at our Addons and Macropage to use these while leveling to get used to them to makethe transition smoother.

Feral Druid Addons and Macros

Basics of Feral Druid Gameplay

Feral is one of the more complex specs to grasp due to relying on a dualresource system that requires you to manage and pool them correctly atdifferent times. It has a slow passive resource in Energy that can beconverted into Combo Points via generator spells, such as Shred,and then spent on finishing moves, such as Ferocious Bite.

Alongside this, Feral also has Bleed mechanics that apply debuffs to yourtarget that require different resources - Rake needing Energy and Rip needing Combo Points. This creates a spec that, on paper, seemsvery busy with a lot to pay attention to but tends to play slower and moremeasured. This puts more weight on your decision-making and foresightthan your snap gameplay. Once you grasp the concepts, however, it tends toclick into place and becomes a lot more fluid to manage; it just takes alittle practice!

It also has a very robust AoE toolkit that links together well, makinguse of Primal Wrath to apply the Rip effect to targetsaround you and Tear Open Wounds to activate these again whencast repeatedly. Rampant Ferocity and Sabertooth alsokeeps Ferocious Bite relevant in AoE, and Apex Predator's Cravingallows us to convert all of those active Rips into more bigmoments, creating a satisfying synergy between the entire toolkit.

If you have never played Feral before and are looking to learn the basicsof what the spec has access to, we recommend looking through ourSpell Summary first, as wellas the Easy Mode page linked below too.

Feral Druid Quick Guide

How to Gear Up as a Feral Druid

While we always recommend simming yourself for ideal results, we do provide adedicated Feral gearing page that lists the Best in Slot items to look out forin the current season of Dragonflight.

Feral Druid BiS and Gear

Once you have started to gear, you should ideally have the appropriateconsumables, gems, enchants, and more to go alongside your new items. We havea dedicated page for exactly this, as shown below, and the stats page,where you can find more information on our stat priority and any necessarychanges you may need to make with consumables.

Feral Druid Stat PriorityFeral Druid Enchants and Gems

End-Game as a Feral Druid

Like all specs, Feral, when leveling, plays very differently at max levelwhen progressing or doing end-game content. Therefore, we have dedicated pagesfor Mythic+ and PvP to cover the nuances of these content paths.

Feral Druid Mythic+ GuideFeral Druid PvP Guide

Improving as a Feral Druid

If you are looking for an answer to a specific question, often these arecommon queries many players have. We keep pages that cover the mostfrequently asked questions and also mistakes players tend to run into.

Feral Druid "How to Improve" GuideFeral Druid FAQFeral Druid Simulations

10.

Viability of Feral Druid in the Current Patch

Feral in Season 3 is in an unusual spot, where previously it had a strongniche as a mass AoE spec, that power has been outshined by others. Despite that,it brings extremely strong single-target burst and can bring soliduncapped AoE when necessary at a fairly low opportunity cost on the talenttree. It also comes with a 30-second burst damage profile allowing for goodoutplay moments in raid encounters so long as you plan your timings. ForMythic+, it still brings solid and varied damage, alongside having the defensivetoolkit to survive the extreme damage intake even at higher key levels,making it a solid pick. It is also one of the better specs to pick to gainaccess to Mark of the Wild in Raids, while also bringing it forMythic+ groups.

11.

Changelog

19 Mar. 2024 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (gear page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (Amirdrassil page): Updated for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
19 Mar. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
15 Jan. 2024 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, small update to encourage Convoke in Season 3 more.
15 Jan. 2024 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, no changes necessary.
15 Jan. 2024 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, small note to highlight Night Elf as ideal.
15 Jan. 2024 (gear page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, highlighted Ashes of the Embersoul as equal to Witherbark's.
15 Jan. 2024 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, no changes necessary.
15 Jan. 2024 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, changed food recommendation to secondary food.
15 Jan. 2024 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, no changes necessary.
15 Jan. 2024 (Amirdrassil page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
15 Jan. 2024 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, shifted recommendation to Convoke and added note regarding 2-minute trinkets.
15 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, moved Convoke to the primary button, added AoE opener switches.
15 Jan. 2024 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, moved Convoke build to recommended for single target.
15 Jan. 2024 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, no changes necessary.
15 Jan. 2024 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5, no changes necessary.
15 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.5
12 Nov. 2023 (Amirdrassil page): Page added.
10 Nov. 2023 (mythic+ page): Restructured and updated for Patch 10.2.
07 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Updated to remove Sporecloak recommendation, switched Toxic Thorn/Toxic Patch.
06 Nov. 2023 (FAQ page): Added note for Saber Jaws and reviewed for Patch 10.2.
06 Nov. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2, small adjustment to Energy section.
06 Nov. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2, no changes pending Bloodmallet charts.
06 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
06 Nov. 2023 (addons page): Added Innervate macro for Patch 10.2.
06 Nov. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
06 Nov. 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
06 Nov. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated link to Mythic+ hub.
06 Nov. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.2 and restructured the rotation tool.
06 Nov. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.2 with new builds.
06 Nov. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.2 talent changes.
06 Nov. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
04 Sep. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, no changes necessary.
04 Sep. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, no changes necessary.
04 Sep. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, added Trinket simulations.
04 Sep. 2023 (gear page): Restructured for Patch 10.1.7, information remains the same.
04 Sep. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, no changes necessary.
04 Sep. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, no changes necessary.
04 Sep. 2023 (stats page): Adjusted wording slightly to show Crit, Haste and Mastery all reach equality with gear.
04 Sep. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, slight restructuring.
04 Sep. 2023 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, changed recommended build to a more Rake focused one.
04 Sep. 2023 (rotation page): Restructured for Patch 10.1.7.
04 Sep. 2023 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, small restructuring to some sections but same recommendations.
04 Sep. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, no changes necessary.
04 Sep. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7, no changes necessary.
04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7.
10 Jul. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5, added note about Dire Fixation in AoE.
10 Jul. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5, small wording adjustments.
10 Jul. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5, no changes necessary.
10 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5 with megadungeon gear, and clarified crafting section.
10 Jul. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
10 Jul. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5, small note about Gem alternatives.
10 Jul. 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5, moved Haste and Mastery to equal.
10 Jul. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5 builds.
10 Jul. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5 and added Dire Fixation to build.
10 Jul. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5, small tweaks and notes about Dire Fixation AoE.
10 Jul. 2023 (talents page): Re-added Hybrid build, reworded some segments and also highlighted importance of Dire Fixation.
10 Jul. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
10 Jul. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5 to include Dire Fixation.
10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
25 May 2023 (gear page): Added section on Cataclysm Timewalking.
25 May 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Added Sarkareth tips.
09 May 2023 (gear page): Updated to account for Trinket changes.
09 May 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Updated with tips and builds for all bosses except Sarkareth.
09 May 2023 (this page): Updated to highlight boss tips and Gear updates.
01 May 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1, small change to indicate Convoke parity.
01 May 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 10.1 with new Berserk changes and Blootalons notes.
01 May 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1, no changes necessary.
01 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1 and Season 2 release with new gear recommendations.
01 May 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.1 for new enchants available.
01 May 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
01 May 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
01 May 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.1, small build changes and added new Affix details.
01 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.1 to include new Berserk changes and updated builds.
01 May 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.1 to include new Patch 10.1 changes and build options.
01 May 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.1 talent changes.
01 May 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1, slightly updated build due to new talent options.
30 Apr. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Page added ready for tips to follow after Season 2 launch.
29 Apr. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1, no changes necessary.
29 Apr. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1 changes, added new highlight sections and expected performance.
24 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Primordial Gemstones hotfixes.
24 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Primordial Stones hotfixes.
22 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Updated to account for Primordial Stone buffs.
22 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated to account for Primordial Stones hotfix.
20 Mar. 2023 (Legendaries): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7 with Onyx Annulet recommendations.
20 Mar. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (mythic+ page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
20 Mar. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
24 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (addons page): Added some additional mouseover and talent macros.
24 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed and updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
24 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
11 Dec. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Initial boss guides for pre-release.
11 Dec. 2022 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (talents page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (spells page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
28 Nov. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
28 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
25 Oct. 2022 (Legendaries): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (Torghast): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (Castle Nathria page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (Sanctum of Domination page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
25 Oct. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
20 Feb. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Cleaned up ready for Patch 9.2 launch.
15 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Page added with initial thoughts and information.
01 Nov. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
17 May 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Page created with initial information.
12 Oct. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
08 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Page added.
24 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
03 May 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Updated with notes for each boss.
15 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
03 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Page added.
10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for patch 8.1 with disclaimer about information being unclear currently.
04 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for preliminary Uldir release.
11 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page created (empty for now) in preparation for the eventual Uldir release.

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