Druid Tank in the Season of Discovery Guide

In the Season of Discovery, Druid Tanks receive a plethora of new tools through the Rune system, allowing the attachment of runes to gear for acquiring unique powers. Notable additions for tanking include Survival of the Fittest, Lacerate, and Skull Bash. Additionally, Druid Tanks can explore the versatility of Ferocious Roar and/or Shred when off-tanking.

While the simultaneous use of all these new spells is not possible due to shared gear slots, such as Skull Bash and Ferocious Roar both occupying the leg slot, these additions will significantly impact and redefine the Druid Tank playstyle in the world of WoW Classic.

Best Runes for Druid Tank

Chest Rune

Legs Rune

Gloves Rune

Best Talent Builds for Feral Main Tank - Phase 1

Balance

Surprisingly, opting for Balance initially to acquire Natural Weapons and Omen of Clarity seems like a fantastic choice for Feral Druids. These talents prove to be the most potent in terms of DPS, especially when seamlessly transitioning to Cat Form to capitalize on the Omen of Clarity procs. Additionally, Natural Shapeshifter shines as a valuable off-tank tool, even for those fully committed to a DPS role.

Feral Combat

Following the acquisition of these three powerful Balance talents and Restoration's Furor, the focus shifts entirely to Feral Combat. Here, direct bonuses to tanking abilities such as Feral Instinct and Ferocity become paramount.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Druid Tanks experience enhanced viability in the Season of Discovery, surpassing their standing in WoW Classic. The introduction of Survival of the Fittest elevates their often precarious survivability to considerably higher levels. A notable improvement is the permanent version of the Crowd Pummeler Manual, as the need for constant farming appears to be addressed with the arrival of the Automatic Crowd-Pummeler in the next phase.

Strengths:

1. Excellent gear scaling, allowing for effective adaptation to different situations.

2. Hybrid gearing and role versatility, enabling Druid Tanks to seamlessly transition between roles.

3. Unique utility with Rebirth, providing a distinct advantage in group dynamics.

Weaknesses:

1. Limited PvE itemization poses challenges in optimizing gear for specific encounters.

2. Lack of defensive cooldowns compared to other tank classes may present vulnerability in certain situations.

How to Play Druid Tank

As a tank, your primary objective is to swiftly establish threat against enemies, ensuring proper positioning for your group to handle potential threats or adeptly avoiding any lethal positional mechanics. The introduction of Skull Bash allows you to interrupt casting enemies, while off-tank capabilities are bolstered with Feral Form DPS using Ferocious Roar and/or Shred.

Rotation

1. Maintain Lacerate stacks on the target or use Shred on cooldown.

2. Queue Maul with every auto-attack if you have excess rage.

3. Utilize any available surplus Rage to maximize Global Cooldowns (GCDs) with Swipe.

Embrace the dynamic playstyle of the Druid Tank, employing a strategic rotation to assert dominance on the battlefield and protect your group from impending threats.

Stats and Gear for Druid Tank

Important Stats:

1. Feral Druid Hit Cap is 9%

2. 1 Strength = 2 Attack Power

3. 1 Agility = 2 Armor, 0.05% Dodge, and 0.05% Critical Strike Chance

Stat Priority at Level 25:

1. Hit Chance

2. Haste

3. Crit Chance

4. Strength

5. Stamina

6. Agility

7. Attack Power and Feral Attack Power

8. Defense

9. Armor

10. Dodge Chance

While most of these stats may be challenging to attain for a level 25 Druid Tank, the primary focus is on maximizing threat generation. The Survival of the Fittest rune covers baseline survivability. Once a solid threat is established, prioritize stacking Stamina to enhance Effective Health Points (EHP) in Bear Form, followed by the remaining, less impactful defensive stats.

Gear Recommendations for Druid Tank - Phase 1

- Leotards of the Fang: These excellent Feral leggings drop from Lord Cobrahn in Wailing Caverns.

- Powerful Assault Hammer: This weapon is obtained from Mr. Smite in The Deadmines and boasts substantial offensive stats.

- Humbert's Helm: Dropped by Dun Garok Rifleman in South Eastern Hillsbrad Foothills. Alliance players need to acquire it through the Neutral Auction House.

- Thief's Mantle: This shoulder drops in Razorfen Kraul, a level 30 Dungeon with strong stats for the phase.

- Wolfskin Gloves: Great Bind on Equip gloves found in Razorfen Kraul, the level 30 Dungeon.

- Wildthorn Legs: Bind on Equip legs dropping from mobs in the level 26-33 range, potentially challenging to find.

- Lynx Boots: Bind on Equip boots that can drop from mobs in the level 20-27 range, possibly available on the auction house.

- Crescent Staff: Horde reward from the Leaders of the Fang quest line ending in Wailing Caverns.

- War Screams Boots: Horde-only boots from War Screams Supplies in Ashenvale.

- Westfall Brigand's Vest: Alliance-only reward from The Brotherhood of Defias quest within The Deadmines dungeon. The 11 agility is the maximum on any chestpiece in the open world at this level, and the 5 stamina aids in Feral's survivability.

In this level range, any green gear with Strength, Stamina, and Agility is suitable for use, so be vigilant in your search for such items!

Best Races for Druid Tank

Best Alliance Races

The sole race option for Alliance Druids is the Night Elf.

Night Elf:

1. Nature Resistance: Nature Resistance increased by 10.

2. Wisp Spirit: Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 50%.

3. Quickness: Dodge chance increased by 1%.

Shadowmeld: Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until canceled or upon moving. Night Elf Rogues and Druids with Shadowmeld are more difficult to detect while stealthed or prowling.

While Quickness is the primary beneficial Night Elf racial ability for tanking, its value is diminished in vanilla due to the low impact of avoidance stats, particularly for vanilla bears. In vanilla, there are two nature resistance fights, Princess Huhuran and Viscidus in the Ahn'Qiraj raid, where the Nature Resistance racial is useful. However, the additional nature resistance won't be significantly noticeable during tanking, as the majority of tank damage intake on those fights is still physical.

Best Horde Races

The only race option for Horde Druids is Tauren.

Tauren:

1. Herbalism: Herbalism skill increased by 15.

2. Endurance: Total Health increased by 5%.

3. Nature Resistance: Nature Resistance increased by 10.

4. War Stomp: Stuns up to 5 enemies within 8 yds for 2 sec.

Endurance is an incredible tanking racial, scaling multiplicatively with the already high health pool of bear tanks. It multiplies total health, not just Stamina, and scales with every source of increased health from consumables and raid buffs. This includes flat health buffs like Titan Flask and Elixir of Fortitude, available in later phases.

Best Professions for Druid Tank

Herbalism:

While leveling, it's beneficial to choose Herbalism for gold-making, independence in consumable farming, or selling on the auction house. Druids, especially with Travel Form and the ability to shapeshift out of roots/root enemies, make excellent farmers. Taurens receive an extra 15 skill points with Herbalism.

Engineering:

Engineering is the strongest PvE profession in World of Warcraft Classic, providing access to potent AoE damaging items like Big Bronze Bomb and, in later phases, Iron Grenade and Goblin Sapper Charge. Engineering offers crucial items throughout phases, including Goblin Rocket Boots, Gnomish Mind Control Cap, Gnomish Battle Chicken, and more powerful explosives for Feral Tanks' extra AoE damage and threat.

Leatherworking:

The second strongest profession for Druid Tanks in Phase 1 of Season of Discovery is Leatherworking, thanks to the new Void-Touched epic gear, particularly the Void-Touched Leather Gloves. Leatherworkers can also craft the Deviate Scale Belt, one of the best belts at this level. The Reinforced Leather Gloves, required for the epic gloves mentioned earlier, are also a strong item on their own.

Conclusion

With the Season of Discovery, Druid Tanks step into a new era of viability and flexibility. The Rune system introduces dynamic gameplay, and the enhancements to survivability make Druid Tanks a formidable force in the WoW Classic landscape.

As you embark on your journey with the Druid Tank in the Season of Discovery, may your runes be powerful, and your survivability unmatched. Embrace the unique playstyle, and may your adventures in Azeroth be filled with triumphs and victories. Until next time, fellow adventurers!

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