The following compares the current state of Balance Druids to Windwalker Monks using the latest SimulationCraft data for end-game PvE in World of Warcraft The War Within patch 11.0.2.
Comparison
Category
Winner
Windwalker Monk
+19.08%
When simulating boss fight encounters, Windwalker Monks averaged 19.08% more DPS than Balance Druids (+304K DPS).
Balance Druid
+66.74%
When simulating AoE DPS, Balance Druids averaged 66.74% more DPS than Windwalker Monks (+2M DPS).
Windwalker Monk
+36.62%
Windwalker Monks have higher spike damage potential, achieving +3.2M more DPS than Balance Druids.
Spike damage is the peak DPS achieved in any given moment and is not sustained DPS.
Windwalker Monk
+1.25%
When upgrading the gear for both specs by +44 ilvl, Windwalker Monk DPS improved the most, +1.25% more than Balance Druid. In total, Windwalker Monks DPS increased by 68.31% and Balance Druids by 67.06%.
Windwalker Monk
+-1.39%
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 10.23% for Windwalker Monks.
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 8.84% for Balance Druids.
When introducing occasional movement and real-world latency, Windwalker Monks performed better, as Balance Druids suffered a +-1.39% DPS loss.
Balance Druid
When evaluating abilities used during boss encounters, Balance Druids had fewer damaging abilities in total, indicating a potentially less complex rotation.
The comparisons above highlight some of the key differences between Balance Druid and Windwalker Monk in the current meta, which can hopefully help you determine which spec to play or group up with.
Windwalker Monk
Balance Druid