Okies, this is this weird debate I've been having with myself since LDoN came out and well, since I'm (or rather my guild) is closing down on the wire, I've got to make a decision about this and have what I see as sufficent reasoning behind the decision.

Here are the basics of the decision. My guild is not what you would call a regular raiding guild (we do not use dkp, but rather a typical merit system) and we usually hit planar flag related mobs at least one, but sometimes upwards of 2-3 times a week. Because of this, merit is spent very wisely and that of course is why I'm here asking for informed decisions :D Quick note, my guild has skipped ssra/vt and some luclin content, so while I love seeing VT items linked, I doubt seriously I'll see VT unless I find no quests that appeal to me.

One of the primary targets for us (flag-wise is Mith Marr) and I'm perplexed about whether or not to use my merit on the blade of the tempest or to hold out for something I cannot get via LDoN that is similar in nature (and thereby save my merit etc...).

Here are the two potential primary items:

Blade of the Tempest
MAGIC ITEM LORE ITEM NO DROP
Slot: PRIMARY
Skill: 1H Slashing Atk Delay: 30
DMG: 26
DEX: +8 STA: +12 CHA: +10 WIS: +15 AGI: +8 HP: +125 MANA: +125
SV FIRE: +12 SV COLD: +12 SV MAGIC: +12
Effect: Tempest Wrath
Class: DRU

OR

Ritual Claws of the Scion (augmented)
STR: +5 STA: +5 WIS: +20 INT: +10 HP:+100 MANA: +100 SV COLD +20
Effect: Improved Damage IV
Effect: Spell Haste IV

(total LDoN pts 2999 (Tak 357, Ruj 1150, Mmc 1492)

I guess in some ways, I'm leaning towards the claws, but I've had other druids suggest the blade of the tempest, but I've not received any sort of 'this is why you should go for the blade' just a simple, 'the blade is better than the claws' answer. It seems to me that having 2 nice effects on one piece of gear is a sound concept or am I just looking for the wrong upgrades in the wrong slots (i.e. should I look towards something else in pop to replace my primary weapon or should I save my merit within my guild for something that I cannot get via LDoN adventure pts as in obtuse slots like belt/neck/face/ring?)

Thanks for your time and any replies and feel free to check my magelo if you have suggestions :)

Blade of the Tempest can be clicked from inventory, that might help you make your decision.

Blade is a clicky dot , kinda useful sometimes and it has 25 more hp/mana than claws. Depends if you really need the focus on the claw or not. Maybe get both =p

I would go with the claws if you dont have any improve damage type focuses or spell haste focuses. Those two effects make it more valuable then 25hp/mana, as during raids spell haste for a druid is very valuable, as well the improved damage when you have to burn down mobs or finish off bosses.

The dot can be clicked from inventory anyways. If you need the resists of the blade, well, you can get better primary items that have better in each of those resists so /shrug.

I would save for a nice ring or earing as those two slots can be particularily tricky to get a good item for in PoP, good item meaning one with a focus that druids could make use of. Spell haste is also a focus that is not so available to druids unless you want to go with a combo sol and mith haste focuses, but that requires winning two items to get haste for all the spells.