The Druid

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World of Warcraft Druid
Images courtesy of Peter Dorsi

Known as one of the most versatile classes in the World of Warcraft, the Druid’s multi-dimensional abilities allows it to become one of the most effective hybrid units in the game. The Druid’s shape shifting skills enables it to adapt into any situation it faces. Also, the shape changing talents of the Druid help the unit effectively slide seamlessly in all four roles in the game – Tanker, Healer, or Damage Dealer (either melee or ranged). However, the Druid can only perform one role at any given moment.

Background
The Druids are said to be the keepers of the World, the healers and nurturers of Nature who have learned the ways of Nature through the teachings of the Ancients and Cenarius. The Druid believes that the Nature’s state is the result of tilting the fragile balance of all actions in the world. Even the slightest shift of weight in the balance can cause havoc right after a moment of tranquility. From this imbalance, the Druid can channel Nature’s energy to do his bidding, be it changing into an animal form or lord over the forces of nature.

By tradition, the Druids have always walked a path dictated by certain animal totems. However, the invasion of the Burning Legion pushed most Druids to deviate from their old ways and infused several changes, which includes the learning of the arts and magic of other totems. This group of Druids is branded as the Druids of the Wild.

History
The lore of the Tauren has mentioned that the knowledge of Druidism was first given to them by Cenarius, as declared in the myth Forestlord and the First Druids. But in reality, Malfurion Stormrage, a night elf, was the first one to be instructed in the ways of Druidism by Cenrius himself. In fact, Malfurion was Cenarius’ greatest student. But there is a great probability that Cenarius met and forged a friendly relationship with the Tauren.

Cenarius would command the Night Elves in the War of the Ancients and during the several years that ensued. The creation of the World Tree Nordassil bounded the kaldorei druids to Ysera and in the plane called Emerald Dream (Ysera’s realm) these Druids spent their eons of immortality.

The recent attempt of the Burning Legion to invade the living woke the Druids from their slumber and prompted these creatures of Nature to counter the conquest. After Archimonde’s defeat, the Druids opted to stay in the waking realm to help in its rebuilding process. The Druids sought to heal the scar left by the assault of the Burning Legion.

The Cenarion Circle was established to help govern the growing numbers of society. The organization was based in the sacred world of Moonglade.

The war led to Malfurion’s friendship with Hamuul Runetotem of the Tauren race. Under Malfurion’s tutelage, Hamuul Runetotem learned the mystic ways of Druidism and soon became the first Tauren to be included in the Cenarion Circle. Hamuul Runetotem went on to become the archdruid of the Taurens.

Although all druids have looked up to Cenarius as their patron, each group of Druids has their own specific patron. Quite a number of Druids even gained the ability to change in the form similar to that of their patron. The Druid’s patron also dictates what type of animal companion a Druid must take.

Organizations of Druids
The Druids are divided into several circles. The names of which are as follows:

  • Cenarion Circle
  • Cenarion Expedition
  • Druids of the Claw
  • Druids of the Talon
  • Druids of the Wild
  • Druids of the Fang
  • Druids of the Antler
  • Druids of the Grove

Among the prominent Druids are Cenarius, Malfurion Stormrage, Fandal Staghelm, Remulos, Hamuul Runetotem, Croll Bearmantle, and Arch Druid Renferal.

Overview
The Druid class is only playable through one race each faction: Night Elf (Alliance) and Tauren (Horde).

The main skills of the Druid include:

  • Damage spells (three single-target and one multiple-target mage-like damage spells);
  • Healing spells (four single-target and one multiple-target priest-like healing spells);
  • Cat Form skills which makes the Druid function like the Rogue;
  • Bear Form abilities that morphs a Druid into a Warrior because of its high armor and health rate;
  • Poison- and curse-cleansing enchantments;
  • And a long list of utility spells that enhances movement rate, crowd control, and an excellent buff for the party.

Talent points can be assigned in the Talent Tree in order to improve the Druid’s mastery of his skills, thus becoming a more specialized unit for a specific role the player sees fit.

The Druid Class is said to be one of the hardest in terms of leveling, although many have also said that the Druid is at its best element when going solo.

The Skill Trees
The Druid’s mastery of the Druidism can be further developed by adding points to the Skill Trees. For the Druid, there are three different skill trees where each tree has a unique assortment of spells and abilities that can be used in certain situations.

  • The Balance Tree

Maximizing this tree enables the Druid to become an effective range caster equipped with an array of damage spells. With the Moonkin Form included in this buildup, the Druid virtually becomes a fusion of a mage and shadow priest fitted with plate armor. Though the AoE is not existent, the Balance Tree allows the Druid to be efficient in nuking single targets as well as becoming an off-healer for the party. This Tree also makes the Druid an excellent teammate during a raid because of its crowd control capabilities.

  • The Feral Tree

Building up the Feral Tree gives the Druid’s melee form more boosts. A Feral Tree-centered Druid can fill the roles of a Tank or a Melee Damage Dealer with relative ease. While the skills in this tree are leaning towards either role, the specialization of each one relies heavily on the gear in tow. Virtually, a Druid with a Feral Tree orientation can function like a Warrior or a Rogue.

  • The Restoration Tree

This tree has a wide range of healing spells. An excellent Restoration Tree buildup makes the Druid the best healing unit of the game – a viable player for the main healer position. With spells like Revive that can be cast even during combat, a Restoration Druid is an excellent 5-man party member especially in PvP situations. The Restoration Druid also has excellent mana efficiency.

The Shape Shifting Forms
The most notable attribute of the Druid Class is the ability to change its form. Most of the Druid’s shape shifting forms are acquired through Druid-specific quests. Other forms are gained by purchasing the services of a class trainer.

Form

Level

Effect

Humanoid Form

Level 1

Known as the “Caster Form,” the Humanoid Druid can nuke, heal, and do crowd control.

Bear Form

Level 10

With high armor and health rate, the Druid can emulate a Warrior’s tanking and off-tanking abilities. The attributes also enable the leather armor’s act like mail armor.

Aquatic Form

Level 16

Additional 50% movement speed when swimming. The Druid can also breathe underwater. Only usable when swimming.

Cat Form

Level 20

The Druid is able to afflict melee DPS and is capable of going stealth like a Rogue. A night elf Druids look like a dark lynx when in cat form. The Tauren version is similar to a lion.

Travel Form

Level 30

The Druid transforms to a cheetah. Additional 40% running speed. Can only be activated outdoors on land.

Dire Bear Form

Level 40

Basically the improved version of the Bear Form, with higher armor rate like that of plate armor and greater life bonuses.

Moonkin Form

31 Points in Balance Tree

The Druid becomes a spellcaster with an aura giving other party members 5% chance to activate spells. When activated, the Druid spells are limited to Remove Curse and all Balance Spells.

Tree of Life Form

41 Points in Restoration Tree

The Druid morphs into a Tree of Life, with movement speed reduced by 20%. Nearby party members get a healing bonus of 25% of the Druid’s total Spirit. When in this form, the Druid can only use Swiftmend, Innervate, Nature’s Swiftness, Rebirth and healing over time spells. Mana consumption is also reduced by 20%.

Flight Form

Level 68

The Druid changes to a Storm Crow with a flight speed bonus of 60% (the same as that of a flying mount). Can only be activated in Northrend (with Cold Weather Flying at level 77) and Outland. Cannot be used in combat.

Swift Flight Form

Level 70

The improved version of flight form, with flight speed greatly enhanced by 280%. Can be obtained through a quest chain at level 70 or can be gained through a training session at level 71. Requires 300 riding skill.

Armors and Weapons
The Druid class is only limited to wearing cloth and leather armor. As for weapons, a Night Elf Druid starts with staves and daggers. Its Tauren counterpart begins with staves and one-handed maces. The Druid’s lists of applicable weapons include:

Though druids can use off-hand items, they cannot be equipped with shields nor can they do a dual wield.

Limitations of the Druid Class
The Druid class is no doubt an effective unit in the game, given its talents and the degree of versatility it possesses. With great flexibility in role switching, from tanker to off-tank to melee DPS to healer, and excel in all roles, the Druid class still has an offset that limits its flexibility; the Druid’s inability to equip or replace armor accessories during combat means the Druid has to fill one primary role before the encounter. A tanker druid cannot switch to be a successful healer at the same time in a single engagement so to speak.

Another major limitation is that the Druid cannot cast all spells in various animal forms. And as mentioned earlier, the Druid can only wear cloth and leather types of armor.

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