Druid

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Druid
Druid
Druid Crest.png
Available to Highmountain taurenHighmountain tauren Highmountain tauren
Kul TiranKul Tiran Kul Tiran
Night elfNight elf Night elf
TaurenTauren Tauren
TrollTroll Troll
WorgenWorgen Worgen
Zandalari trollZandalari troll Zandalari troll
Specializations Balance Balance (ranged DPS)
Feral Feral (melee DPS)
Guardian Guardian (tank)
Restoration Restoration (healer)
Resource(s) Mana, Energy, Combo Points, Rage, Astral Power
Primary attribute Intellect or Agility
Weapon skills Staves, Daggers, One-handed or Two-handed Maces, Fist weapons, Polearms and held in off-hand items excluding shields and weapons.
Armor type Leather; can also equip Cloth.
Signature abilities [Innervate]
[Regrowth]
[Starsurge]
[Frenzied Regeneration]
[Ferocious Bite]

“We are the preservers of the balance, now and forever, as Malfurion lies in the Dreaming. Never forget this.”

Kal of Dolanaar

The druid (occasionally druidess for females)[1] is a shapeshifting hybrid class available to the night elf, worgen, tauren (including Highmountain), troll (including Zandalari), and Kul Tiran races. Druids are able to perform each of the three group roles (tanking, healing, and dealing damage) by utilizing their shapeshift forms. While a druid is most effective in the role determined by their active specialization and equipment, they can also use their shapeshifting abilities to temporarily switch to a different role in combat. In addition to combat forms, druids can shapeshift into forms that increases movement speed while running, swimming, or flying. The ability to switch roles out of combat - and temporarily perform a different role in combat - makes the druid class one of the most versatile in World of Warcraft.

Druids have as many faces to them as nature itself: destruction, animal fury, transformation, healing. Everything about them is rooted in cycles and transience, and the Emerald Dream of what Azeroth would have been with nature unfettered.[2]

Nature magic serves as the source of power for druids, as they are guardians of nature who seek to preserve balance and protect life. It is no secret that tauren and night elf alike can call upon Elune's moonlight magic, or Mu'sha as she is called in tauren mythology.[3] They also used solar magic, a form of nature magic practiced through the use of solar energy, the radiant energy emitted by the suns.

Class overview

Guardians of nature who seek to preserve balance and protect life, Druids have unmatched versatility on the field of battle. This is in part because druidism is much more than a fighting discipline—it’s a way of life steeped in traditions so ancient that even the origin of their kind is preserved largely in mythology passed on through millennia.

Druids harness nature’s raw energy for an incredible breadth of offensive and defensive abilities, as well as to restore life to the wounded. Through communion with nature and the demigod Cenarius, Lord of the Forest, Druids are supernaturally endowed with the gift of shapeshifting, allowing them to take the form of all manner of nature’s creature and access powers as distinct as they are diverse.[4]

Game Guide

Druids harness the vast powers of nature to preserve balance and protect life. With experience, druids can unleash nature’s raw energy against their enemies, raining celestial fury on them from a great distance, binding them with enchanted vines, or ensnaring them in unrelenting cyclones. Druids can also direct this power to heal wounds and restore life to fallen allies. They are deeply in tune with the animal spirits of Azeroth. As master shapeshifters, druids can take on the forms of a variety of beasts, morphing into a bear, cat, storm crow, or sea lion with ease. This flexibility allows them to fill different roles during their adventures, tearing enemies to shreds one minute and surveying the battlefield from the sky the next. These keepers of the natural order are among the most versatile heroes in Azeroth, and they must be prepared to adjust to new challenges on a moment’s notice.[5]

Creation screen description

Druids live in a state of unparalleled union with nature. Tightly bound to the plant and animal kingdoms, they are natural shapeshifters, and so they know firsthand the abuse visited on their wild brethren. In consequence, despite their numbers, druids tend to be wary, reclusive, and difficult to spot. Few outsiders have plumbed the depths of their secrets.[6]

Druids are shape-shifters with an affinity for the plants and animal kingdoms. Druids can specialize in healing, casting spells at range, or taking the form of a cat or bear to fight in melee.

Classic guide

Druids call upon the versatility of nature to empower themselves, assuming the forms of primal beasts, summoning celestial energy, and channeling the restorative properties of the wilds to aid their allies.[7]

Background

See also: Druid races

The demigod Cenarius originally gave guidance to and lived amongst the nomadic yaungol in the grassy plains of central Kalimdor between the 12,000 and 11,900 BDP. To them he taught the secrets of the wilds and of druidic magic.[8] This later resulted in tauren mythology telling how they had been instructed themselves as the first druids by Cenarius,[9] thought that was only a reinterpretation of what had happened to their ancestors.

With the rise of the night elves, a few of them learned in turn of Cenarius, and those left touched and changed, some even becoming so transformed by his teachings that they instead chose to join the demigod in the protection of his realm. Those were no longer elves, but woodland guardians physically altered forever. But of all these followers, none of them truly followed the path Cenarius had for them until Malfurion Stormrage. The young prodigy revealed himself to be the first with the possible aptitude and will to truly understand how to wield the forces inherent in all nature,[10] to become the first real mortal druid on Azeroth[11] and to walk the Emerald Dream.[10] Others such as Valewalker Farodin had dabbled in nature magic before, but without being true druids themselves.[12]

Malfurion would lead the night elves through the War of the Ancients and the long years that followed. With the creation of the World Tree Nordrassil, the kaldorei druids were bound to Ysera and her realm, the Emerald Dream, in which they spent centuries of their immortal lives. The Cenarion Circle was eventually formed as the governing society of druids, based in sacred Moonglade.

Locked in slumber in their barrow dens for generations, the druids awoke to meet the threat of the Burning Legion during its recent invasion. The Legion's attack left a terrible scar on the natural order and, after Archimonde's defeat, the druids chose to remain in the waking world and help rebuild their shattered lands.

The night elf druids were recently joined in the Cenarion Circle by the tauren druids. It is not clear from the current game content if the tauren learned druidism separately from the night elves or if they were taught by the night elves. Conflicting information in the Warcraft universe further exacerbates the confusion. Either way, the tauren and the night elf druids do not participate in the Alliance/Horde conflict, but coexist peacefully within the Cenarion Circle.

The Gilnean druids were called harvest-witches and Celestine also refers to her druidic order as "keepers of the old ways". The harvest-witches would use their primitive druidic skills to cultivate crops but almost "died out" as Gilneas developed, though, when the nation fell into famine, it was the druids who, as Celestine claims, "called upon the earth's blessing and restored the harvest".[13] When Kul Tiras was founded by Gilnean sailors, it is possible that some harvest-witches brought some of their teachings, but modern Kul Tiran druids claim only the Thornspeakers of the Drust vrykul Ulfar as the source of their druidry, who says some of his people became part of human society and their descendants hear the "call of the wild".[14]

Druids belong to many different organizations or sects including the Cenarion Circle, Cenarion Expedition, Druids of the Claw, Druids of the Talon, Druids of the Fang, Druids of the Grove, Druids of the Antler and Druids of the Scythe.

It usually takes most druids a brief time to shapeshift, and rarely can it be done in a few seconds.[15] Druids generally cannot speak while in their animal forms, but there are some exceptions.[16][17][18][19] For example, Gaivan Shadewalker, Archdruid Glaidalis, and Arthur Tradewind[20] are all able to speak while shapeshifted. This may be possible through alternative, magical means of communication, similar to how jawless undead are capable of speech.

Warcraft Encyclopedia

A moonkin casting a lunar spell.

Druids come and go as they please, and their goals typically have little to do with the "civilized" world. Unaffiliated with any specific government, the primary druidic organization on Azeroth, the Cenarion Circle, answers to no one save itself. The highest rank that a druid can have is that of 'archdruid', and there are only a few archdruids on Azeroth. At the moment the Cenarion Circle's leader is Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, also the first mortal druid on Azeroth.

Through their deep connection to life and nature, druids are able to take on an unusually large variety of roles. Probably a druid's best-known role is that of a healer. Druids are justly famed for their ability to restore life, cure poisonous wounds and remove curses. Indeed, restoring and protecting the planet is one of the top priorities for all druids, however, restoring life comes with a price. Even the newest druid understands that life cannot simply be created from nothing[21] and must ask nature to sacrifice their life essence in order to transfer that life essence to the people and plants being healed.[22] However, to regard a druid as merely a healer is a dangerously simplistic assumption that has led to the defeat of many an unwary foe.

A druid's empathy with the creatures of the wild also allows him to shapeshift into the forms of other animals. For example, a wounded druid whose magical energies are running low might abruptly take on the form of a bear in order to better withstand further injury. Alternatively, the druid might shift into the form of some large cat, sneak up behind an enemy, then pounce and deliver a fierce flurry of melee attacks. Even the deepest oceans can be explored by a druid, who can simply shift into an aquatic creature, allowing him to stay underwater as long as needed.

Until the end of the Third War, druids periodically visited the Emerald Dream to monitor the ebb and flow of life on Azeroth. Today such a visit has become more difficult due to Nordrassil's poor health. Druids possess a deep understanding of the way in which all living things depend upon one another. Whenever this delicate equilibrium is disrupted, the druid works to restore the balance. To that end, a druid can use his connection with the Emerald Dream to exert a calming influence over animals, even forcing some into a temporary state of hibernation. Just as the druid can wield peace and somnolence, the druid can tap into the fury of nature itself: terrible storms have responded to a druid's call; thorns have sprouted from the druid's skin to wound his attackers; even previously harmless roots have grown up out of the soil at greatly accelerated speeds in order to entangle a foe.

For obvious reasons, druids thrive in the wild outdoors. Inevitably, however, they lose some of their effectiveness when they are forced to endure separation from the natural environment. What good is a cleansing rain when a druid cannot even see the sky? How are roots to capture a foe who is standing atop a high tower? Such cases clearly require a druid with the imagination to consider new strategies and the flexibility to carry them out. Yet this flexibility, too, comes with an underlying negative corollary. The druid tends to be a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. An unusual mixture of priest, rogue, and warrior, the druid is therefore not equal to any of these three classes in their particular specialties. Even so, the druids' incredible adaptability serves them well in confronting the challenges that Azeroth has to offer.[23]

Organizations

Main article: Druid organizations
Name Leader Form Being of reverence Base of operations Affiliation Status
Cenarion Circle  Malfurion Stormrage Various Various Nighthaven, Moonglade Independent Active
Dreamweavers  Rensar Greathoof Various Various Dreamgrove, Val'sharah Cenarion Circle Active
Ashen  Delandros Shimmermoon IconSmall Panther.gif Cat  Ashamane Mistvale, Val'sharah Cenarion Circle Active
Druids of the Antler  Sylendra Gladesong IconSmall Elk.gif Stag  Malorne Malorne's Refuge, Val'sharah Cenarion Circle Active
Druids of the Branch  Archdruid Lilliandra IconSmall Treant.gif Treant Unknown Cenarion Circle Active
Druids of the Claw  Lea Stonepaw IconSmall DruidBear.gif Bear / IconSmall Panther.gif Cat  Ursoc Unknown Cenarion Circle Active
Druids of the Fang  Lord Serpentis  † IconSmall Serpent.gif Serpent Wailing Caverns Emerald Nightmare Defunct
Druids of the Fin Unknown IconSmall SeaLion.gif Sea lion Unknown Cenarion Circle Active
Druids of the Flame IconSmall DruidoftheFlame Male.gif Tindral Sageswift
IconSmall FandralFire.gif Fandral Staghelm  † (formerly)
Various  Smolderon
 Ragnaros  † (formerly)
Firelands Primalists, Independent Active
Druids of the Moon  Isoraen Nightstar (presumed) IconSmall Wildkin.gif Moonkin  Elune Temple of Elune, Val'sharah Cenarion Circle Active
Druids of the Scythe  Ralaar Fangfire  † IconSmall Wolf.gif Wolf / IconSmall Worgen Male.gif Worgen  Goldrinn Daral'nir, Emerald Dream Wolf Cult, Independent Defunct
Druids of the Talon  Skylord Omnuron IconSmall DruidCrow.gif Storm crow  Aviana Dreamgrove, Val'sharah Cenarion Circle Active
Harvest-witches  Celestine of the Harvest (presumed) Various Unknown Gilneas, Cenarion Circle Active
Lun'alai  Jin'alun Humanoid pterrordax IconSmall Unknown.gif An unknown matron Zuldazar Zandalari Empire Active
Raptari  Wardruid Loti Various  Gonk Zuldazar Zandalari Empire Active
Thornspeakers  Ulfar Various Ulfar's Den, Drustvar Kul Tiras Active

Races

Main article: Druid races

The druid class can be played by the following races:

Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health Mana
Alliance Alliance Night elfNight elf Night elf WoW Icon update.png 17 24 20 22 22 48 54 100
WorgenWorgen Worgen Cata-Logo-Small.png 24 22 20 18 21 61 54 68
Kul TiranKul Tiran Kul Tiran BattleForAzeroth-Logo-Small.png N/A
Horde Horde TaurenTauren Tauren WoW Icon update.png 26 16 21 18 24 32 65 68
TrollTroll Troll Cata-Logo-Small.png 22 22 21 18 23 24 54 68
Highmountain taurenHighmountain tauren Highmountain Legion-Logo-Small.png N/A
Zandalari trollZandalari troll Zandalari BattleForAzeroth-Logo-Small.png N/A

Note about races

Druids utilize various forms for each specialization, and each race has a different-looking skin for their forms (Bear, Cat, and Moonkin). Beginning in Shadowlands, Druids can now change the skin and coloration of each of their forms at the Barbershop, including using Legion Artifact forms without transmogrifying the weapon itself, although there are still race-specific skins that cannot be used by other races. Prior to this, the Bear and Cat forms were colored based on hair color when new models were introduced in Wrath of the Lich King, so in Classic versions of the game, it would be wise to research what hair color corresponds with each form's color.

Racial abilities

Below is a list of every race that can be a Druid, their racial traits and how they can be relevant (or not) to druids: Alliance Night elfNight elf Night elf

  • [Shadowmeld] is a [Vanish]-like ability. It can be useful in aggro management for DPS in PvE, although the aggro drop is only temporary. For PVP, it gives the Druid the ability to get back into [Prowl].
  • [Nature Resistance] grants them a 1% reduction to all Nature damage taken.
  • [Quickness] increases the Druid's dodge change by 2% for both melee and ranged attacks, as well as increasing their movement speed by 2%.
  • [Touch of Elune] increases the Druid's haste by 1% during the night, and their Critical Strike by 1% during the day.
  • [Wisp Spirit] changes the player into a wisp upon death, with 75% more speed, allowing faster death recovery.

Alliance WorgenWorgen Worgen Cata-Logo-Small.png

Alliance Kul TiranKul Tiran Kul Tiran BattleForAzeroth-Logo-Small.png

Horde TaurenTauren Tauren

  • [War Stomp] stuns up to 5 enemies in an 8 yard radius for 2 seconds, with a 0.5 second cast time and a 1.5 minute cooldown, and can be cast in all forms.
  • [Brawn] increase the Critical Strike bonus damage and healing by 2%, making their Critical Strikes more impactful.
  • [Cultivation] increases the Druid's Herbalism skill by 5 and allows them to pick herbs quicker if Herbalism is their profession.
  • [Endurance] grants the Druid additional Stamina, that scales based upon level.
  • [Nature Resistance] grants a 1% reduction to all Nature damage taken.

Horde TrollTroll Troll Cata-Logo-Small.png

  • [Berserking] increases the Druid's haste by 15% for 10 seconds, with a 3 minute cooldown.
  • [Beast Slaying] grants the Druid 20% extra experience from killing Beast-type enemies.
  • [Da Voodoo Shuffle] reduces the duration of all movement-impairing effects by 20%.
  • [Regeneration] increases Health regeneration by 10% and allows 10% to continue during combat.

Horde Highmountain taurenHighmountain tauren Highmountain tauren Legion-Logo-Small.png

  • [Bull Rush] is an instant ability that causes the Druid to charge forward for 1 second, knocking enemies down for 1.5 seconds, with a 2 minute cooldown.
  • [Mountaineer] increases the Druid's Versatility by 1%.
  • [Pride of Ironhorn] increases the Druid's Mining skill by 5 and allows them to mine ore quicker if Mining is their profession.
  • [Rugged Tenacity] decreases all damage taken by a small fraction of the Druid's Stamina.
  • [Waste Not, Want Not] gives the Druid a chance to find additional meat and fish from all sources.

Horde Zandalari trollZandalari troll Zandalari troll BattleForAzeroth-Logo-Small.png

  • [Embrace of the Loa] provides one of a few different buffs depending on which Loa is chosen to revere:
    • Embrace of Akunda gives the Druid's healing abilities a chance to heal an extra amount.
    • Embrace of Bwonsamdi gives the Druid's damaging abilities a chance to deal extra Shadow damage, and heal for the amount of Shadow damage done.
    • Embrace of Gonk gives a flat 5% movement speed increase.
    • Embrace of Kimbul gives the Druid's damaging abilities a chance to cause the target to bleed over 6 seconds, and can stack 3 times.
    • Embrace of Krag'wa gives the Druid a chance to gain Health and Armor upon taking damage.
    • Embrace of Pa'ku gives the Druid's abilities a chance to grant 4% Critical Strike for 12 seconds.
  • [Pterrordax Swoop] provides the Druid with a 2-minute Slow Fall on a 15 minute cooldown.
  • [Regeneratin'] is a channeled ability that fully heals the Druid over 6 seconds, but is interrupted by taking any damage and has a 2.5 minute cooldown.
  • [City of Gold] increases the Druid's gold earned from all creatures by 2%.

Notable

See also: List of druids
Name Role Affiliation Status Location
Neutral  Cenarius Lord of the Forest, Demigod of the Groves, patron god of all druids Cenarion Circle, Guardians of Hyjal Alive Various
Neutral  Remulos Son of Cenarius, Keeper of Moonglade Cenarion Circle Alive Various
Alliance  Malfurion Stormrage First mortal druid, co-ruler of the night elves Darnassus, Cenarion Circle Alive Various
Horde  Hamuul Runetotem Archdruid of the Tauren Thunder Bluff, Cenarion Circle Alive Various
Neutral  Fandral Staghelm Former Archdruid of Darnassus, Archdruid of the Druids of the Flame Druids of the Flame, Old Gods' forces Deceased-Killable Various
Neutral  Zaetar Son of Cenarius, father of the centaur Deceased Emerald Dream
Alliance  Broll Bearmantle Champion of the Crimson Ring, druid representative on the New Council of Tirisfal Cenarion Circle, New Council of Tirisfal Alive Various
Alliance  Celestine of the Harvest Gilnean harvest-witch Gilneas Alive Various
Horde  Zen'tabra Leader of the Darkspear druids Darkspear tribe, Guardians of Hyjal Alive Various
Alliance  Ulfar Last of the Drust druids and leader of the Thornspeakers Thornspeakers Alive Ulfar's Den, Drustvar
Horde  Wardruid Loti High priestess of Gonk and member of the Zanchuli Council Raptari, Zandalari Empire Alive Dazar'alor
Neutral  Leyara Fandral Staghelm's lieutenant Druids of the Flame Deceased-Killable Various

Specializations

For a full list of specialization abilities, see Druid abilities

Druids are the only class that has four specializations, which are:

Balance

Druid preview Balance.jpg
Spell nature starfall.png

Can take on the form of a powerful Moonkin, balancing the power of Arcane and Nature magic to destroy enemies at a distance.

Balance druids focus on dealing ranged magical damage, with an array of signature abilities such as [Starsurge], [Sunfire], [Solar Beam] and [Starfall]. Balance druids use [Moonkin Form] to increase their damage dealt, protect them from harm and grant spell haste to themselves and their party. As well as granting Balance druids a distinctive owlkin appearance (although this can be changed with  [Glyph of Stars]), this form has also gained Balance druids nicknames such as "Boomkin", reflecting their potential for extremely high damage output.

As of the Legion expansion, Balance druids no longer primarily use mana as a resource. Instead, using their spells such as [Moonfire] and [Solar Wrath], they generate Astral Power, which is used to cast the abilities [Starsurge] and [Starfall].

The elements that carve form into the universe are fluid forces of nature. Some beings seek to bend the power of these natural elements to their will. Druids, however, worship the protecting spirits of nature. Long ago, nature’s equilibrium was thrown out of balance, leaving the world vulnerable to catastrophic events, including the first invasion of the Burning Legion.

By leveraging the sacred powers of the moon, the sun, and the stars, balance druids access arcane and nature magics—made more potent still through shapeshifting, when the spellcaster takes the form of the moonkin—to aid in the fight against imbalance that threatens the natural order of all things.[4]

Feral

Druid preview Feral.jpg
Ability druid catform.png

Takes on the form of a great cat to deal damage with bleeds and bites.

Feral druids are powerful feline melee damage-dealers, using [Cat Form] to deal swift and savage damage to their enemies. They have much in common with rogues, using energy to fuel their attacks and combo points to build to deadly finishing moves. Like rogues, Feral druids are extremely agile, and can use [Prowl] to sneak around and [Pounce] on enemies when they least expect it. Feral druids are often called "Cat", "Kitten" or "Kitty", these affectionate nicknames belying their formidable ferocity.

Feral druids also seek to curb imbalance in nature. They observe the fantastic intricacies of the physical world and the delicate fabric in which all living creatures are given purpose. Whether on land or in the sea, in a lush jungle or an uncultivated desert, death is part of the cycle which sustains life. Nature is an eternal dance between predator and prey.

As a shapeshifter, the feral druid endlessly pursues a greater understanding of this truth. They seek a visceral connection to the wild, and in combat take the form of a deadly feline predator. Feral druids become ferocious, agile stalkers—ripping, biting, and bleeding their enemies dry. The forces of chaos are tamed by the druid’s primal fury.[4]

Guardian

Druid preview Guardian.jpg
Ability racial bearform.png

Takes on the form of a mighty bear to absorb damage and protect allies.

Guardian druids are indomitable tanks, using the strength of [Bear Form] to become a towering, snarling wall between themselves and their allies. Similar to Protection warriors, Guardian druids use rage to fuel their abilities, mauling and mangling their enemies and transforming their rage into health with [Frenzied Regeneration]. Guardian druids' Bear Form is improved with [Thick Hide], allowing them to square up to the most formidable of foes. Guardian druids are often known simply as "Bears".

Like their feral brothers and sisters, guardian druids attune themselves to nature through the animal kingdom. They commune with the wild to understand how life perseveres through adversity. They know that the creatures who survive are often those built to best protect themselves and their kin. In this, the guardian druid finds a deep and harmonious value in the steadfast—all the while recognizing that sturdiness requires an aggressive stance when danger comes near.

Taking the form of a great bear, the guardian druid becomes a massive wall of fur, claw, tooth, and rage, aided by the forces of nature, standing between allies and any opposing threats.[4]

Restoration

Druid preview Restoration.jpg
Spell nature healingtouch.png

Uses heal-over-time Nature spells to keep allies alive.

Restoration druids are capable healers, specializing in restoring their allies' health through heal over time effects. Restoration druids possess a range of healing options, from direct healing to more sophisticated buffs such as [Living Seed], with abilities such as [Nourish] offering synergistic effects, and can also dispel with [Nature's Cure]. Restoration druids are capable of healing allies without the use of a special shapeshift form, but with the talent [Incarnation] can take on the form of the Tree of Life.

The many gifts provided by nature must sometimes be reciprocated. Restoration druids seek order in the world by tending directly to its many life forms. Friend to flora and fauna alike, restoration druids celebrate birth and growth. Where there is decay, they bring rejuvenation. Where there is abatement, they summon regrowth. Life not only needs protection—it needs nourishment.

To foster this harmony, the restoration druid builds a bond with the things that grow, gaining inspiration from the flower’s bloom, the seed’s sprout, the mushroom’s spores, and the tree’s growth. Like nature, the restoration druid perseveres through patience and persistence, the foundation upon which all life is built and sustained. They use this power to mend wounds and provide persistent remedies that keep their allies from falling.[4]

Hero talent trees

TheWarWithin-Icon-Inline.png This section concerns content related to The War Within.

Druid of the Claw

Druids of the Claw are masters of their mighty animal forms. When they transform into cats or bears, they become ferocious physical combatants and protectors of the wild.[24]

Elune's Chosen

Dedicate yourself to the Moon Goddess, increasing your control over the moon and stars. Infuse abilities with astral might and call down potent lunar magic from the sky.[25]

Keeper of the Grove

Keepers of the Grove take inspiration from Cenarius' mighty children to protect the balance of nature and safeguard the Dream. They channel the power of the Dream to make their spells especially potent and summon empowered treants to protect their allies and crush their enemies.[26]

Wildstalker

Wildstalkers are druids who feel such an affinity for the remote wilds of the world that they live amongst them, mostly in cat form, hunting to perpetuate the cycle of life and death and destroy those who would despoil nature. They use their healing powers to restore life to barren spaces and the creatures who live there.[25]

Abilities

For a full list of druid abilities, see Druid abilities

Druids have a range of magical and physical abilities. While each specialization focuses on strengthening a particular area of a druid's repertoire, all druids are capable of using [Cat Form] and [Bear Form], dealing physical and ranged magical damage, healing targets and using numerous other abilities.

Some signature druid abilities:

Shapeshifting

Main article: Druid shapeshift forms

The druid's most notable ability is shapeshifting into different forms. These following forms can be obtained when reaching a certain level: [Moonkin Form] (Balance specialization only), [Cat Form], [Bear Form], and [Travel Form] (which increases speed in a form appropriate to the location used, whether it be land, water, or flying allowed).

Many abilities are restricted to a certain form. Others have different forms or effects depending on the druid's form when it is used. Because Cat Form and Bear Form use energy and rage, respectively, rather than mana, druid abilities that use mana cannot be used by druids when they are in these forms. However, druids can quickly shift between forms to gain access to desired abilities.

For all forms, the following applies:

  • Immune to [Polymorph] in all forms except the default, humanoid form.
  • You can't switch from polymorphed humanoid to another form.
  • Shapeshifting breaks all movement-impairing effects (like [Slow] or [Hamstring]) and roots ( [Frost Nova] or [Entangling Roots]), except the 3-second daze that can proc when one is attacked from behind by a melee attack.
  • Depending on the form, the druid is considered either Humanoid (Caster and Moonkin), Beast (Travel, Aquatic, Bear, and Cat), or Elemental (Tree of Life); and thus is vulnerable (or immune) to different spells. This also applies to being tracked.
  • Shapeshifts are not buffs or magical effects, thus they may not be dispelled.
  • Mana regeneration still continues at the same speed as out of the form.
  • Weapons and armor that have the "Chance on hit" effect or have gained the said enchantments can still proc regardless of form.
  • Items with an "Equip: When hit ..." do work in forms. Some examples of these items are the  [Naglering] and  [Darkmoon Card: Wrath]'s damage,  [Green Whelp Armor] sleep.

If you shapeshift while wearing any disguise, your form buff will remove the disguise buff. This is because it has a blanket effect and can cause unexpected bugs when two buffs are stacked. Items like the  [Noggenfogger Elixir] were changed in 2007 to not stack with Druid forms so that it would not cause any future problems. Subsequent issues have arisen, such as the jet-pack required for Gunship Battle, giving the message "Cannot use whilst shape-shifted". This can make completing some achievements more challenging for feral and balance druids, such as  [With a Little Helper from My Friends], requiring creative thinking such as spending the battles as a gunner in Wintergrasp.

As of 5.0.4, druids can mount while in [Moonkin Form].

Gear

See also: Druid sets

Druids are able to wear cloth and leather armor only, and gain additional benefits from wearing completely leather.

Druids can equip staves, daggers, one-handed or two-handed maces, fist weapons, and polearms. "Held in off-hand" items can still be used, but they cannot [Dual Wield].

In the RPG

Icon-RPG.png This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Druids are keepers of the world who walk the path of nature following the wisdom of the Ancients and Cenarius, healing and nurturing the world. To a druid, nature is a delicate balance of actions in which even the smallest imbalance can create storming turmoil from peaceful skies. Druids draw their power from this wild energy using it to change their shapes and command the forces of nature.[27] Traditionally, druids chose the path of a specific animal totem, however, since the invasion of the Burning Legion, most druids have undergone a number of reforms including encouraging the study of magic from all totems. Druids who do this are known as druids of the wild.[28]

Notes and trivia

  • The Touch of nature refers to ones ability to interact with nature itself, animals, plants, trees and generally all druidic characteristics.
  • There is a relation to the spiritual magic of shaman and the natural magic of druids, which is why the shaman were able to hear the spirits of Stonetalon Mountains.[29]
  • Prior to World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, druids had only three talent trees, with Feral being called Feral Combat originally. In these versions, many talents provided benefits to both Tanking and DPS capabilities, based upon which form the Druid was in (either [Bear Form] or [Cat Form]). Currently, they are the only class in the game with four talent trees.
  • In Warcraft III, Druids of the Claw wear bear pelts on their back and their shapeshift animation depicts them pulling the pelt's head over their face as they enter Bear Form, while Druids of the Talon wear feathered cloaks which they sweep around themselves when they enter Crow Form. Similarly, during development, the writers played with the idea of having Medivh's cloak be a night elf artifact that allows the wearer to turn into a raven.[30] Altogether, this indicates that the original idea behind druid shapeshifting was that they turn into animals by literally putting on the enchanted skins of the creatures in question. This concept was evidently abandoned after Warcraft III, as it has never been mentioned in World of Warcraft or any other sources.
  • Druids of the wild are mentioned in the World of Warcraft: Game Manual as having been trained by Fandral Staghelm.[31] This presumably refers to the druid adventurers that can shift between many animal shapes.
  • Druids replaced runemasters during the early development of World of Warcraft.[32]
  • Hearthstone has a number of different shapeshifted forms not seen in World of Warcraft, as can be seen with Druid of the Swarm and Shellshifter.
  • The Hearthstone token card Small Repairs seems to feature a dwarf druid.
  • The druid class inspired the design of Lifeweaver from Overwatch.[33]

Gallery

RPG
TCG
Hearthstone

Patch changes

  • Shadowlands-Icon-Inline.png Patch 9.0.1 (2020-10-13): Druid forms can now be customized in the Barbershop.
  • Mists-Logo-Small.png Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28):
    • Feral Combat splits into two different specs: Feral (melee) and Guardian (tank).
    • Relics have been removed from the game.
    • Druids can now mount while in [Moonkin Form].
  • Cata-Logo-Small.png Patch 4.2.0 (2011-06-28): Druids now gain 1 attack power per point of Strength, down from 2. They continue to gain 2 attack power per point of Agility while in [Cat Form] or [Bear Form]. In addition, Cat Form's scaling rate from gear upgrades was slower than other classes, which was causing them to fall behind in damage with higher item levels. To counter the Strength change and improve scaling, several abilities had their coefficients modified.
  • Cata-Logo-Small.png Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12):
    • Worgen and trolls become the third and fourth races capable of becoming druids.
    • Duration of Restoration HoTs reduced from, e.g. 27 to 6 seconds for [Regrowth].
    • Class specific quest chains removed  —  druids who completed the Epic Flight Form quest chain before the patch now have a Feat of Strength.
    • [Eclipse] has been reworked and the Eclipse Bar added.
  • Wrath-Logo-Small.png Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04):
    • If you already possess a 310% speed mount, your Swift Flight Form's speed will increase to 310%.
    • Druids are able to customize the appearance of their Feral forms.[34]
  • Wrath-Logo-Small.png Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Druids received the regular resurrection spell [Revive].
  • Test-inline.png Patch 0.6 (2004-04-13): Added.

See also

References

 
  1. ^ N [30] WANTED: A Warp Splinter Clipping
  2. ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 88
  3. ^ H [73] An Injured Colleague
  4. ^ a b c d e Legion Class Preview Series: Druid
  5. ^ http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/druid
  6. ^ World of Warcraft: Classic class description
  7. ^ Taking Your First Steps in World of Warcraft Classic
  8. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 90
  9. ^ Forestlord and the First Druids
  10. ^ a b The Well of Eternity, chapter 4
  11. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 98
  12. ^ Don Adams on Twitter: "malfurion is indeed the first druid. this was poor wording on my part. the "keepers" of farodin's order were not full druids."
  13. ^ A IconSmall Worgen Male.gifIconSmall Worgen Female.gif Druid [2] Moonfire
  14. ^ Ulfar
  15. ^ World of Warcraft: Traveler, pg. 220
  16. ^ Loreology on Twitter
  17. ^ Through the Mirror Darkly, pg. 9
  18. ^ Last of the Line, pg. 6
  19. ^ Elegy, pg. 76: "Ferryn was beside her in his favorite shape—that of the nightsaber. For a moment, Delaryn rejoiced. But then she realized that he was speaking. He should not have been able to. Feline mouths could not form words."
  20. ^ A [10-80] Shapeshifters!
  21. ^ WoW TCG Card: Wild Seeds
  22. ^ The Demon Soul, pg. 463: "Malfurion called to his surroundings. He needed their sacrifice; only life could give life."
  23. ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Druid
  24. ^ Get an Eye on an Even Dozen New Hero Talent Trees
  25. ^ a b Get an Early Look at Eight New Hero Talent Trees
  26. ^ Get an Early Look at Hero Talents for Druid, Hunter, Mage, and Priest
  27. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 67
  28. ^ Alliance Player's Guide, 14
  29. ^ H [23] Shredding Machines
  30. ^ Blizzard Archive 2013-01-18. Warcraft 3 - Writer's Commentary - Medivh's Warning. YouTube. Retrieved on 2022-04-09.
  31. ^ World of Warcraft: Game Manual#Night elves
  32. ^ World of Warcraft Diary
  33. ^ New Overwatch 2 support hero Lifeweaver revealed ahead of season 4
  34. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard. Updated Druid Forms Coming Soon. Retrieved on 2009-06-12.​ “In our next major content patch, druids will find a host of new textures for two major forms, cat and bear.”

External links

fr:Druide pl:Druid