Feral Druid Tanking

[Oryx]

The only armor kits that have -any- real value to a Feral Druid are Core Armor Kits... And I certainly don't have access to those yet. Armor bonuses from Kits are NOT multiplied by our Dire Bear Form multiplier. The +3 Defense from a Core Kit would be interesting as a supplement, but again... Hard to get. The best bet is probably to find stat enchantments (Primarily +All Stats or +HP/+Sta).

I would note that it's not THAT hard to buy 3 Core Leathers, which is all you need for a Core Armor Kit. Core Leathers are about 10g each these days.

[Amato]

I'd just like to say that for some of us, that's still not an option. Personally, I'd have to sell off half my vault to raise the 120g to put four Core Armor Kits on my gear, and I'm not entirely sure the +12 Defense is worth that considering what other options there are for enchants now.

I realize I apparently am on the low end of gold-earners in WoW, but this is a severe problem for me and one I've run into at pretty much every step of my Feral Druid career. Every time I've asked someone for aid, I've been told if I really want it I can buy it on the Auction House. But what it comes down to for me is no, I can't. Not unless I want to go to some shady site and buy gold first.

On another note, resistances. I never finished this thought in my original post ever so long ago. Many resistance items, especially fire, can be crafted at relatively low levels for relatively low material costs. I myself am capable of crafting all the Volcanic leather items. Just watch out, as the next step up requires loads of MC loot to craft.

[Guest]

Yeah, I noticed that when I was checking out the leather fire resist stuff. It was mostly cores and core leather... Like you, Amato, I'm gold-poor these days as well. My feral set is actually fairly lacking. Most of it is composed of blues from the mid- to late-50's range. Game mechanics aren't really set up for it right now unless you like to pvp... and I don't. *shrug* Perhaps with the expansion...?

[Amato]

Depending on what you're looking for, I can steer you in the right direction to be well set (Stat-wise) for Feral tanking or DPS with few (If any) epics. Heck, until last week my tanking set still had greens in it. Low ones, too.

Gear quality does not mean tank ability. You just need to know your tanking style, what you'll be up against, and what the best stats are to have for you in that situation. Historically, I've always gone for Armor and Resists over HP and Defense, because due to my Elemental Leatherworking the former two were much easier to get than the latter. Now I am attempting a more rounded list, incorportating a lot of items many people would view as Resto gear and some that I had to beat out Rogues on rolls for.

[Guest]

We'll have to chat sometime when I can link you my gear. I was able to snag the Wristguards of Stability (sorry I'm too much of a computer noob to understand the link procedure for posts) and other than rings, that's my only epic feral item.

I've been able to figure out my dps and my tanking styles just fine, but it's difficult tanking because I seem to take damage so much easier than the plate wearers. The whole not being able to parry thing makes it a bit rough sometimes. I've been thinking about working on getting the rest of the Cadaverous set. Is that worth it, do you think?

-Mellith

[Amato]

For the effort required to pick it up, I'm not sure the Cadaverous set is worth it. But that's just my opinion. I tend to dislike collecting the Scholo sets now simply because they seem to me to be ridiculously hard to come by.

For reference, my current Bear form stats are somewhere in the area of 5.5K HP, 12K Armor, 332 Defense.

On another note, once Burning Crusade comes out and I get to 70, I know -exactly- what my spec will be.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.wowhead.com/?talent-bc=MZxhhsfMdVIstVxsz">http://www.wowhead.com/?talent-bc=MZxhhsfMdVIstVxsz</a><!-- m -->

[Cloudjumper]

Great information, thank you! I look forward to hearing your all thoughts on tanking in the Outlands.

[Guest]

Three cheers for Blizzard and their new love for feral druids. The gear I've been finding... a wonderful leather jerkin as a quest reward and the staves, especially... is great! I've tanked the last two instances I've been in and I'm very happy with my new armor. Remembering how to tank was a bit of a challenge, but overall I'm very happy to feel useful again!

If any younger feral druids are disappointed in Azeroth leather goods... just remember that better things await you!

P.S. I spend most of my time in cat form and the agility/chance to hit stats on several items are to die for. Or maybe to smile for. *grin*

P.P.S. How cool is it that we can talk to NPCs in feral forms now?

[Cloudjumper]

I am really liking the ability to interact with NPCs in feral forms, now if they could just let me open chests and doors while in feral I would be tres happy.

So you find you spend most of your time in cat form? I tend to focus a lot on cat form right now but that is because it is my primary hunting form.

[Guest]

If I'm hunting humanoids or one mob at a time, it's cat form for me. Very efficient. For multiple mobs or those much higher level than me... bear form's the way to go.

[Fleethoof]

The new feral itemization post-60 is so good Fleetie respeced feral to level...bwhhahahahahameow!

[Guest]

Wow! I /never/ thought I'd see that happen!!

[Mahiah]

I didn't respec Mahiah to feral to level. I am constantly amazing myself at how well she can do hunting as a resto druid in feral form. I know the wonderful feral gear helps her SO much!

[Efluvious]

*cries in agony* warriors are made for two purposes, dps which they are moderate at if Geared correctly, and tanking. but with Feral druids, and now paladins, I'm finding that my tanking skills are almost not needed, and almost anyone will do for moderate dps.
I'm sorry to put this here, but I just needed a bit of a rant. I actually do enjoy Druids as both tanks and healers, AND they can do moderate to good dps. Very versatile class, and the next class I am going to try out. Any tips on leveling spec's?

[Cloudjumper]

Spec feral, kill soft targets like casters. Cat form is your friend.
Don't spend the gold on your caster spells as you rarely use them. Save them for later.
Buy your heals and your feral spells cause that is all you normally use, solo or in a group.
If someone tells you that you can't do something, prove them wrong, but don't gloat.
Don't worry about keeping a feral and healing set of gear until 40 or so, you can heal just fine before that in whatever you are wearing.

Also I think warriors are great tanks, you seem to have much better skills to keep group agro than a druid does. I can keep agro great on a single target, not so much with groups of targets.

And above all - HAVE FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Druids are AWESOME!




(Note: The above post is made on my own personal experiences and no way reflects the opinions or experiences of all Druids)