WoW Class Breakdown: Druids

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Druids

Druids are one of two hybrid classes in World of Warcraft. Hybrid classes are those that can fill various roles depending on their spec (the talents the Druid decided to choose). Druids can be Caster Dps (shoots at a range and is magical), Melee Dps (must be in melee range and is physical), or a healer (Restoration Spec). Druids are also unique in that they have various forms they can shape shift into. Cat is a very quick (attack + speed) form that can stealth and is similar to a rogue. Bear is a very slow but durable form similar to Warriors. Cheetah form is used when the druid needs to get away (+30% movement speed).

Druids must master all of these forms to play their class to the best of its ability. Druids are considered top healers in 2v2 and 3v3 for many reasons. Druids have the most powerful healing in the game, and almost all are instant cast. Druids also have amazing kiting abilities (cheetah form) and the ability called Cyclone, which makes a character unable to do anything (Cyclone can't be dispelled). The only downside to Druids, the reason why not many of them are in 5v5, is that they are extremely squishy in human form. In 5v5 there are between 2-4 DPS (targets doing damage) on a target and a Druid cannot survive that in human form and must go into bear form. Bear Form allows them to stay up for a while but they cannot heal while in this form and are effectively shut down. Very good Druids though can still heal effectively with good usage of kiting (moving around as to avoid damage/CC). Sheep is one of the most powerful CC's in the game and druids are the only class that can get out of it constantly (through shape shifting), others can only remove sheep through usage of a PvP trinket (a one time removal of a CC/Snare every 2 minutes). Although Druids were widely regarded as an underdog in all the arenas, they are becoming more and more prominent in 2v2/3v3 and starting to sprout in top 5v5 teams.

Moonkin and Feral Druids are also fairly decent specs, with Moonkins sprouting on some top 3v3/5v5 teams and Feral Druids having a few spots in top 2v2/3v3/5v5 teams. A Moonkin Druid has a small arsenal of very powerful spells and also has extremely high armor for a caster, making the Moonkin near last on the list of targets. Moonkins bring great CC (Cyclone and Entangling Roots) and the only real downside to them is that they have very little defensive abilities. Teams with mostly casters can easily burn down a Moonkin and it will not be able to defend itself. With that, though, many top Moonkin players have improvised and often will heal/kite in order to maximize their ability in the Arena. Feral Druids are very tough to play, but when they are played with peak performance Feral Druids become phenomenal. Feral Druids bring very high Dps through cat form, very good survivability with bear form, and very good crowd control in human form. Feral Druids can very easily lock down two healers with Feral Charges (Bear form) and well placed Cyclones. With this and the ability to heal, Feral Druids can be a great asset to any team.

March 28th, 2009

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