Post by ruleofthumb

I posted this on my guild's website, and I figured I'd share it with you all. I've seen a few posts here and there with people wondering where/what to get the best items, and I've seen posts about 'starter gear' so I decided to go the direction. I fully plan on updating this list in the future when bigger and better gear is release onto live servers.
Here I'm going to post what I believe to be the best-in-slot gear for each of the Druid's four roles; feral tanking, feral DPS, balance, and restoration. This is as of patch 3.0.9. If you have any changes and/or additions, please say something. The purpose of this list is to show those who are curious about what gear they should be looking out for. This list is not profession-bias, so this list is composed of items for everyone of any profession.
I understand that different people have different views on what to gem/enchant on their gear. The gems and enchants I included in this guide give a balance between the different stats, i.e. agility and stamina for tanking.
*Note* I'm not well educated on Balance and Restoration so I'm relying on you more experienced Boomkins and Trees to let me know what is right and wrong.
Feral Tank
Head- Hood of the Exodus (H Naxxramas - Gothik the Harvester)
Neck- Heritage (H Naxxramas - Shared Boss Drop)
Shoulders- Valorous Dreamwalker Shoulderpads (H Naxxramas - Loatheb)
Back- Platinum Mesh Cloak (25 Emblems of Valor)
Chest- Valorous Dreamwalker Rainments (H Naxxramas - The Four Horsemen)
Wrists- Thrusting Bands (H Naxxramas - Noth the Plaguebringer)
Hands- Valorous Dreamwalker Handgrips (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion)
Waist- Sharp-Barbed Leather Belt (H Utgarde Keep - Ingvar the Plunderer)
Legs- Valorous Dreamwalker Legguards (H Naxxramas - Thaddius)
Feet- Footwraps of Vile Deceit (H Naxxramas - Loatheb)
Finger- Gatekeeper (H Naxxramas - Sapphiron)
Finger- Deflection Band (Naxxramas - Anub'Rekhan)
Trinket- Defender's Code (H Naxxramas - Shared Boss Drop)
Trinket- Valor Medal of the First War (40 Emblems of Heroism)
Weapon- Origin of Nightmares (H Naxxramas - Grobbulus)
Idol- Idol of Terror (20 Badges of Justice) Despite this being old school, it is still currently the best tanking idol.
Feral DPS
Head- Valorous Dreamwalker Headguard (H Naxxramas - Kel'thuzad)
Neck- Favor of the Dragon Queen (Heroic Judgment at the Eye of Eternity quest reward)
Shoulders- Valorous Dreamwalker Shoulderpads (H Naxxramas - Loatheb)
Back- Drape of the Deadly Foe (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad)
Chest- Chestguard of the Recluse (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Wrists- Sinner's Bindings (H Naxxramas - Maexxna)
Hands- Frosted Adroit Handguards (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Waist- Belt of the Tortured (H Naxxramas - Patchwerk)
Legs- Leggings of the Honored (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion +2 Drakes)
Feet- Dawnwalkers (H Naxxramas - Anub'Rekhan)
Finger- Ring of Invincibility (25 Emblems of Valor)
Finger- Surge Needle Ring (Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Trinket- Fury of the Five Flights (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion)
Trinket- Darkmoon Card: Greatness (Darkmoon Nobles Deck quest reward)
Weapon- Journey's End (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad)
Idol- Idol of Worship (H Naxxramas - Grand Widow Faerlina)
*Note* This set is hit capped, but not expertise capped. A couple expertise gems and Primal Precision will get you expertise capped for dodges.

Post by ruleofthumb

Balance
Head- Valorous Dreamwalker Cover (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad)
Neck- Wyrmrest Necklace of Power (Heroic Judgment at the Eye of Eternity quest reward)
Shoulders- Valorous Dreamwalker Mantle (H Naxxramas - Loatheb)
Back- Pennant Cloak (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion +2 Drakes)
Chest- Valorous Dreamwalker Vestments (H Naxxramas - The Four Horsemen)
Wrists- Unsullied Cuffs (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion +2 Drakes)
Hands- Valorous Dreamwalker Gloves (H Obisdian Sanctum - Sartharion)
Waist- Leash of Heedless Magic (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Legs- Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Feet- Boots of Impetuous Ideals (H Naxxramas - Loatheb)
Finger- Band of Channeled Magic (25 Emblems of Valor)
Finger- Signet of Manifested Pain (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad)
Trinket- Illustration of the Dragon Soul (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion)
Trinket- Dying Curse (H Naxxramas - Shared Boss Drop)
Weapon- Torch of Holy Fire (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad )
Off-Hand- Surplus Limb (H Naxxramas - Patchwerk)
Idol- Idol of the Shooting Star (H Naxxramas - Instructor Razuvious)
*Note* This set has just enough hit rating to be hit capped so long as you have the Balance of Power talent. Although it does not count the hit chance you get from Improved Faerie Fire.
Restoration
Head- Valorous Dreamwalker Headpiece (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad)
Neck- Necklace of the Glittering Chamber (Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Shoulders- Valorous Dreamwalker Spaulders (H Naxxramas - Loatheb)
Back- Cape of the Unworthy Wizard (25 Emblems of Valor)
Chest- Blanketing Robes of Snow (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Wrists- Unsullied Cuffs (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion +2 Drakes)
Hands- Valorous Dreamwalker Handguards (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion)
Waist-Leash of Heedless Magic (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Legs- Valorous Dreamwalker Leggings (H Naxxramas - Thaddius)
Feet- Arcanic Tramplers (H Eye of Eternity - Malygos)
Finger- Lost Jewel (H Naxxramas - Shared Boss Drop)
Finger- Band of Channeled Magic (25 Emblems of Valor)
Trinket- Illustration of the Dragon Soul (H Obsidian Sanctum - Sartharion)
Trinket- Forethought Talisman (H Naxxramas - Shared Boss Drop)
Weapon- Torch of Holy Fire (H Naxxramas - Kel'Thuzad )
Off-Hand- Matriarch's Spawn (H Naxxramas - Maexxna)
Idol- Idol of Lush Moss (15 Emblems of Heroism)
*Note* This set is bias towards haste over crit rating. For my knowledge, Resto Druids do not require much crit due to their primary method of healing involves HoTs.

Post by Abraxxes

I'd say Frosted Adroit Handguards are better than the T7.25 gloves, and if your only doing that for the set bonus then i'd take the T7.25 Shoulders over best in slot for the set. Also for waist i'd take Belt of the Tortured over the Crockalisk's Skin belt.
Kitty dps ^

Post by Aadramelekh

I disagree with your collection of 'best in slot' gear for Feral DPS. There are some other options that allow for better output. THIS Item selection provides EXACTLY 256 hit rating (almost perfect hit cap) and 10 expertise skill. With Primal Precision talent and 2 x 16 expertise gems one can also reach expertise cap.
For those that are too lazy to click on the link, here is the detailed list:
Head - Valorous Dreamwalker Headguard
Neck - Favor of the Dragon Queen
Shoulders - Valorous Dreamwalker Shoulderpads
Cloak - Drape of the Deadly Foe
Wrist - Sinner's Bindings
Hands - Frosted Adroit Handguards
Waist - Belt of the Tortured
Legs - Leggings of the Honored
Feet - Dawnwalkers
Fingers - Surge Needle Ring & Ring of Invincibility
Trinkets - Fury of the Five Flights & Darkmoon Card: Greatness
Weapon - Journey's End
Idol - Idol of Worship
This gear collection provides caps for hit and expertise with only 2 x 16 expertise gems and Primal Precision. This talent is easy to take in any kind of 'best feral DPS' talent build. So it should be present, because it offers the valuable equivalent of 80 expertise rating. And it contains more actualy 'best in slot' gear. The selection starts from the 2 x Tier 7 bonus which is considered mandatory. And the two best in slot pieces for feral DPS right now are undoubtedly the helmet and shoulderpads. The second condition is to have Primal Precision. From there the job is simple.
Additional notes: the 90 strength Darkmoon Card is clearly better than the Grim Toll and the vendor belt does not belong in this 'best in slot' under any circumstances. Also, while the Boots of Captain Ellis are good, the Dawnwalkers are clearly superior. The Idol of Worship is better than the Idol of the Ravenous Beast and will be even better once 3.1 arrives, and the Primal Gore talent will allow bleed ticks to critically hit.

Post by Kramp

Valor medal is better than Essence of gossamer ?

Post by ruleofthumb

Checking through this ATM. Note - stuff that 'drops from Gluth' doesn't. Gluth drops almost every piece (maybe every piece) of non-Sapph/KT loot in the zone, but only two non-set items and two set items per kill. Everything that's marked as Gluth is actually from something else, such as 4H.
The only items I have from Gluth on the list are the valorous chest pieces, which in fact, only drop off Gluth.
Aadramelekh- I appreciate your input. I'll definately change it up on the listing.
Valor medal is better than Essence of gossamer ?
Druids get plenty of stamina from their gear, the avoidance that the Valor Medal provides (passive and use effect) is better than the stamina that the Essence provides.

Post by ignis86

i use Emmerald's list to look at gear.

Post by Aadramelekh

You should have 4 PC T7 as Feral DPS, for example
As Nnoutaja said as well, going for the 4xTier7 set bonus will result in a lower DPS output when comparing Tier gear with any of the better alternatives for those spots. That 3 second reduction of Tiger's Fury cool down is only worth for fights that last at least three minutes, and even then, it only accounts for one extra usage of the ability. The extra crit, haste and attack power on the alternative pieces overtakes that bonus.
Simply put, Head and Shoulders (damn, it sounds like a shampoo commercial) is the best solution for keeping 2xTier7 bonus. Because they also happen to be the best in slot pieces anyway (regardless of what Emmerald's list says, that Concealment Shoulderpads are better, I disagree - the sheer amount of crit and the customizable nature (socket) of the Tier 7 shoulder piece makes it a little better).
Also I'd like to mention two alternatives for trinkets to be used in the tank gear setup. Although they are BoP crafted pieces, those that have the respective professions should not neglect their potential, as they are pretty powerful.
First, alchemy comes with a nice little piece: the Indestructible Alchemist's Stone offers an excellent balance of stamina and avoidance (1.27% dodge @ level 80). And I bet it will also receive an upgrade in the 3.1 patch or some time later. Also providing 40% greater effect for potions is a plus (a health potion when the situation is getting out of hand for the healers might give the Bear some extra seconds to allow recovery).
Best tanking trinket in game at the moment in my opinion is available to Jewelcrafters: the Figurine - Monarch Crab. With 2 x Solid Dragon's Eyes it becomes a stamina monster. With 2 x Delicate Dragon's Eyes it becomes an excellent mix between stamina and avoidance, much like the Alchemy piece. However, this combo will have a bigger advantage in 3.1, as the extra crit from that agility will help towards Savage Defense. And it offers a very nice use effect, for 7.62% more dodge (@ level 80) for 10 seconds, 1 minute cool down. Like its Alchemy counterpart, this piece will most likely receive an upgrade in the near future.

Post by Celdhyrean

Balance : as Kaitain said, no moonkin should gear/gem for more than 10% hit because we bring the debuff ourselves. There's really no excuse not to have it especially since it's an all-around good talent (either worth it for the raid debuffs or worth it for the free 3% crit) that every moonkin should have.
My corrections to your list :
- cloak : pennant
- boots : footsteps of Malygos
- waist : leash of heedless magic (or cincture if you want a + hit option)
- legs : Wanton Spellcaster or Mortal Arrogance (depending on what trinket you choose)
- trinket : dying curse or embrace of the spider (depending on what leg you chose), and Illustration of the Dragon Soul

Post by Mangea

Actually, I think that Darkmoon card:greatness with agility will be better than the strength one in 3.1.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Post by Aadramelekh

Actually, I think that Darkmoon card:greatness with agility will be better than the strength one in 3.1.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
You may be right. And I also tend to agree. However this is still 3.0.9 and it will still be for about a month or more. The topic is on best in slot gear today, not in 3.1. For the 3.1. patch, simply swap all strength gems with agility and there you go :)
For those that are slowly gathering cards to create a Nobles Deck, better wait till 3.1 comes live and make the decision then if the agility or the strength is better. However, due to high cost anyway I would pick the agility one for a good reason - it will be an excellent trinket for BOTH tanking and DPS. End of story :) 2 rabbits with one bullet. Pewpew!

Post by ruleofthumb

I appreciate everyone's input. I don't like knowingly giving out bogus information, so your comments are making it more accurate. Thanks! :)