Introduction for Druids

[Istalkeri]

The Druid class is a class that is at one with nature. From calling forth vines to trap their enemies all the way to changing into a bear, the Druids revolve around anything and everything to do with nature. Peaceful and aggressive the Druid class is considered by many to be a jack of all trades and master of none. With the ability to stealth like a Rogue, heal like a Priest, tank like a Warrior, and cast spells like a Mage the Druid can fit many roles. Although they cannot do some of these tasks as well as the original classes all the time, they can when specialized that way, and they can still be very useful in alternate roles at any time.

Anyone who likes to be flexible and helpful in any situation may find the Druid class to be something they will be interested in. They’re not the strongest fighters or the absolute best support but they can fill both roles. In the expansion Druids are very valuable for most of their abilities and can often times fill the roles of other classes like Warriors or Priests with no problem.


Getting Started

The first thing for you to consider about the Druid class is this: Is the Druid class right for you? The Druid class is kind of unique in that it’s not for everyone. While it is the jack of all trades (healing, tanking, stealthing) it’s the master of none. Some may argue that here or there it’s better and they are probably right. However, generally speaking it’s not the best at a certain field at all times. So without that understanding and a good understanding of what the class is about you’ll probably find the class to be under whelming. That’s why we’ve come up with a good list of what a Druid is and isn’t so that it may help you in choosing and understanding the class.

* Druids use Nature’s power to attack their enemies and support their allies. The majority of their damage comes either in the form of spells if they go Balance and stay in Moonkin Form, melee damage from their shape shifted forms (Bear for tanking and Cat for DPS), or from supporting their allies as a healer..
* Druids can shape shift into a Warrior, Rogue, Priest, and Mage like form (with various training and levels). Each of these forms give the class depth and flexibility.
* Druids can switch between their various forms quickly and easily, meaning that one second they can tank, the next they can heal, and then the next they could be in their DPS/stealth form doing massive damage.
* Druids can tank like a Warrior using bear form. However, they lack the Warrior specific gear for important encounters.
* Druids can stealth like a Rogue but can’t obtain the Rogue like talents nor the massive amount of skills Rogues have.
* Druids can heal like a Priest (well more like a Shaman/Paladin) but they can’t use many of the support spells Priests have. They make excellent raiding/instance healers though. Their Tree of Life form helps with this.
* Druids can cast damage spells sort of like a Mage. With their Moonkin talent they are able to transform into a Mage like form (an Owlkin) and from there can do some massive spell damage. However, this build is very gear dependent and some of it is not readily available.
* Druids are known as amazing small scale PvP healers and currently (Patch 2.0-2.4) rule 2v2 and 3v3 Arena healing.

In a quick summary, you could say that the Druid is a class that can do everything well, but not everything perfectly. Great for people who like doing it all and other related things.
Druid Forms - Shapeshifting

The thing that most separates Druids from other classes is their shapeshifting ability. Druids have many different forms that they can shapeshift into to function differently. While in each different form they gain access to different abilities, and if they attempt to use an ability that they can not use in that form they revert to caster form. Their forms are as follows:

* Caster Form: This is your normal form, where you appear as your Night Elf or Tauren self. When you use most caster abilities or potions you automatically revert to this form.
* Bear Form: This is your tank form. The bear form comes with a rage bar and abilities very similar to the Warrior skill set. Very useful for tanking and can provide some offensive damage.
* Cat Form: This is your melee DPS form. The cat form comes with the ability to stealth and abilities very similar to the Rogue skill set. Very useful for sneaking around and for causing massive attack damage. This is the form most used while leveling a Druid.
* Swimming Form: Useful for swimming, as you can get around in water without a speed penalty and you do not need to return to the surface to breath.
* Moonkin Form: This is your caster DPS form. Limits what you can cast but boosts your damage output and provides a passive spell crit buff to party members.
* Tree of Life Form: This is an optional healer form for restoration Druids. It boosts your HoT (Heal over Time) healing ability, but limits what you can cast and your mobility.
* Flight Form: This form allows you to fly (in places that allow it).
* Travel Form: This is your ground travel form. IT boosts movement speed by 40% while outdoors and allows quick get away from dangerous areas.

As of Patch 2.3 switching forms is instant and does not trigger the global cool down. As an added bonus Blizzard also enabled an option that allows you to cast a spell available in caster form while in an alternate form and it will automatically change forms for you before casting (given you have enough mana). If you prefer to disable this you can with the /console autoUnshift 0 command.
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