Cataclysm Faction Rewards for Feral Druids

World of Warcraft Cataclysm introduced a number of new Factions that players can improve their standing with through questing and/or wearing special reputation tabards while running level 85 instances.  Each of these Factions offers a variety of powerful rewards, but it can be tough to sift through them to decide which Faction has the most to offer your particular class and spec.  To make things easier for my Druid brothers and sisters, I have done all the leg work for you.  Check out my list of Faction reputation gear for Feral Druids as well as my recommendations for advancing your factions after the bump.

Hellscream's Reach/Baradin's Wardens (Tol Barad)
Unsolvable Riddle (Trinket)
Mirror of Broken Images (Trinket - Tanking)
Spear of Trailing Shadows (Polearm)
Baradin Grunt's Talisman/Baradin Footman's Tags (Trinket)
Tol Barad Searchlight (Vanity Item)
Rustberg Gull (Pet)
Spectral Wolf/Spectral Stead (Ground Mount)
Drake of the West Wind (Flying Mount)
Hellscream's Reach/ Baradin's Wardens Tabard (Tabard)
Consumables to Use in Tol Barad and a Battle Standard


The Earthen Ring
Signet of the Elder Council (Ring)
Softwind Cape (Back)
Arcanum of the Earthen Ring (Head Enchant - Tanking)


Therazane
Terrath's Signet of Balance (Ring)
Lesser/Greater Inscription of Unbreakable Quarts (Shoulder Enchant - Tanking)
Lesser/Greater Inscription of the Shattered Crystal (Shoulder Enchant - DPS)

Guardians of Hyjal
Acorn of the Daughter Tree (Neck)
Nightrend Choker (Neck)
Sly Fox Jerkin (Chest)


Ramkahen
Brown/Tan Riding Camel (Mount)
Arcanum of Ramkahen (Head Enchant - DPS)
Quicksand Belt (Waist)

Dragonmaw Clan/Wildhammer Clan
Liar's Handwraps/Stormbolt Gloves (Hands)
Leggings of the Impenitent/Swiftflight Leggings (Legs)

The Game Plan

The Tol Barad Factions offer some nice rewards both in terms of actual gear and vanity items, so there is no reason not to work on them by completing daily quests and engaging in battles.  There is no reputation tabard available for Hellscream's Reach or Baradin's Wardens, so you do not need to choose these factions over any others, simply work on them when the battles happen and when you have time to do the daily quests.

As for the other Factions, The Earthen Ring and the Dragonmaw/Wildhammer Clans each offer Epics which would fit nicely in any Feral Druid's gear set.  If you are a Feral Tank, I would suggest hitting The Earthen Ring First as you would pick up not only a great set of gloves, but also unlock your ideal Arcanum.

As an alternative, you could also start out with Therazane.  Gear-wise you will only pick up a blue ring, but you will be unlocking some really nice shoulder enchants.  These enchants should be useful the entire expansion and, the gear you pick up while grinding out your Therazane reputation may help you make wiser choices on which order to work through the other Factions.

If you are a Feral DPS, Ramkahen would be a good next choice so that you can unlock your Arcanum.  If you are a tank, however, you could choose Guardians of Hyjal instead depending on what gear slots you desperately need an upgrade for.

In summary, as a starting point I would rank the Cataclysm Factions as follows for gearing up your Feral Druid:
1.  Hellscream's Reach/Baradin's Wardens (Tol Barad)
2.  Therazane
3.  The Earthen Ring
4.  Dragonmaw Clan/Wildhammer Clan
5.  Ramkahen  (if DPS)
6.  Guardians of Hyjal


Which faction rewards are you most excited about?  How will you be tweaking your Faction progression order?  Let me know in the comments.  Also, stay tuned for similar guides for Balance and Restoration Druids!