First of all, when choosing your BOA gear, consider whether you might later like to pass it onto another character (for example, I tend to pick cloth items for my caster druids, because I know that if I choose to create a clothie later, I can recycle my BOA items. I do the same for my melee characters – shaman/hunter/feral druid all have to share each other’s hand-me-downs). Obviously if you’re swimming in tokens/points, this won’t be an issue, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Now, it’s important to keep in mind that Leather Specialization will give you a bonus 5% intellect if you stick to leather pieces only, but this is learned at level 50 so until then, it’s fine to wear cloth BOA items if you wish. But after level 50, be aware that wearing cloth items will cost you that 5% intellect bonus. However, the % bonus to levelling will outweigh this 5% intellect loss (in terms of how fast you will progress), so don’t worry too much if you are using cloth BOAs (marked with *).

I have also listed pvp/resilience items – but remember that you get resilience at the cost of other stats (eg spirit), so only take these items if you can’t afford the PvE equivalent. They still give you 10% experience, so it’s worth grabbing – just prioritise the PvE ones if you can afford them. Unless, of course, you intend to PvP to level – in which case, feel free to grab the PvP BOA gear.

Resto BOA items

BOA gear for resto Druids is quite straightforward; a 2H weapon will see you right through to 80 without having to find a decent offhand item. Leather is best, but the cloth BOA items have the same stats, so if you already have cloth BOA items from another character, feel free to recycle them.

Weapon	1-80	Dignified Headmaster’s Charge (2H) or Devout Aurastone Hammer (1H) or Grand Staff of Jordan (2H) or The Blessed Hammer of Grace
Chest	1-80	Preened Ironfeather Breastplate or Tattered Dreadmist Robe *
Shoulders	1-80	Preened Ironfeather Shoulders or Lasting Feralheart Spaulders or Tattered Dreadmist Mantle *or Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle *
Trinket	1-80	Discerning Eye of the Beast (x2 – you can wear two at once)
Ring	1-80	Dread Pirate Ring
Cloak	1-85	Ancient Bloodmoon Cloak
Helm	1-85	Preened Tribal War Feathers or Tattered Dreadmist Mask *

Balance BOA items

Same as resto as above.

Feral BOA items

Weapon	1-80	Repurposed Lava Dredger
Chest	1-80	Stained Shadowcraft Tunic
Shoulders	1-80	Stained Shadowcraft Spaulders or Exceptional Stormshroud Shoulders
Trinket	1-80	Swift Hand of Justice (x2 – you can wear two at once)
Ring	1-80	Dread Pirate Ring
Cloak	1-85	Inherited Cape of the Black Baron
Helm	1-85	Stained Shadowcraft Cap

If you have a Venerable Mass of McGowan or Balanced Heartseeker recycled from another character, you can use them, but remember that druids cannot dual wield, and good feral offhand items are hard to find.

Finally, if you’re not sure what the stats will be on your low level BOA item, simply look it up on Wowhead and adjust the slider underneath the item tooltip. This way you can see exactly the stats to expect from your BOA items as you level up. And, by mousing over the Cost column, you can see how many heroic bosses or raids you would need to complete in order to afford that particular item.

BOA items from Archaeology

These are items that can be passed around your account, but require level 85 to use – so they can’t be used for levelling. They can be given to level 85 alts to use.

For more information on heirloom items and how/where to purchase them, visit Wowpedia’s page on Heirloom items.