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Thanks as always to news sources MMO Champion and WoWInsider, we have some wonderful new Druid-specific information from the Worldwide Invitational!
- The attacker/target range mechanics are being re-evaluated it might be changed for Wrath of the Lich King to fix most of the existing bugs, including the ones affecting the attack range of Feral Druids.
- There is a plan to give player access to two talent specs to switch between them without having to respec all the time.
- There will be a new model for the Druid’s Dire Bear Form and the Dire Cat Form will be introduced.
- Entangling Roots will be useable indoors.
- Nourish will be a new healing spell, healing for more hit points for each HoT effect on the target.
- There isn’t any plan to change Cyclone.
- You will be able to use your flying mount again at level 77, and might be able to take passengers at level 80.
Congratulations, Feral Druids! I couldn’t be happier to see you getting the attention you have long deserved with regard to the range bug and skin updates and additions. Dire Cat Form sounds incredibly cool (Dire Tree Form … not so much). I’m also very excited about the news of a second talent spec that you could switch between. Mayhaps it will be implemented similar to the system I described in Purchasable Talent Specs! It should make deciding on my leveling spec a lot easier if I can also keep an auxiliary Balance/Restoration spec!
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| Concept for “Dire Cat Form” by Magnus Lindstrom NOT AN OFFICIAL MODEL (but we can dream) |
We’ve been expecting the news about Nourish and Entangling Roots, and I’m not sure what to think of the announcement that Cyclone isn’t planned to change (there were previously rumors that its Diminishing Returns would be removed for PvE). Michael Gary from WoWInsider paraphrases Chilton’s explanation thus:
Blizzard had entertained thoughts of removing the diminishing returns from Cyclone, to help provide Druids a little more utility in instances. But the large cast time of Cyclone compared to its duration meant a Druid would spend at least half its time in instances casting that spell, and only that spell.
I’m guessing the restriction on flying until level 77 is likely to apply to Druids, as well. It seems kind of LogicLOL that we should “forget” how to fly, especially considering Druids forfeited a standard skill at level 68 to get the ability, but I can understand the desire to ensure players are “forced” to see the new content.
And from the Developer Panel Summary and Developer Q&A Panel Summary over on World of Raids:
Potions, on-hit effects and items will work in forms.
Will we be able to use flying mounts in Northrend?
Yes, but they will require some sort of attunement, “defrosting.” New mounts will be introduced too, possibly ones that can carry other players.
Will feral druids get new skins in WotLK?
They talked about it, but while some players would like it, other wouldn’t, like when the Rogue stealth animation was changed.
Will druids get male or female optional forms to choose from?
There is plan for a new dire bear form model and the introduction of the dire cat
Will druids have an epic ground form?
No plans.
Naturally, I’m disappointed that there are no plans for gender-specific modifications for our forms, but I’m even more sad that there are no plans for an epic ground form. I earlier suspected that changes to Entangling Roots being able to be used indoors might indicate plans to make all Arenas indoors only (thus preventing the use of Cheetah form). This seemed all the more likely with the possible bonus armor in Tree of Life and the removal of its movement restriction. It would have also meant that Druids could be considered for an epic-level ground speed form. Alas!
I’ll try to keep this post up-to-date with any new information being distilled. Please be sure to visit MMO Champion and WoWInsider for all the new and exciting news!
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*hugs* .-= Softi´s last blog ..Dum di dum di dum =-.
Gah! No offense, but I *really* hope Dire Cat Form doesn’t look anything like that. Make it purple, give it little spiny wings and it’s a Zergling! It probably doesn’t help that it looks like it’s got six legs in that picture
There is a plan to give player access to two talent specs to switch between them without having to respec all the time.
*tears of joy*
Also, there’s more good news for feral druids:
Windfury Totem: The effect is no longer a weapon enchant. It now provides a buff giving the same effect, the end result being that it now stacks with poisions, sharpening stones and also works for druid feral forms.
Wow, somebody actually agrees that the concept for a dire cat form is really really ugly.
But yeah it is true about the cyclone thing, would I want to be constantly casting it in addition to heals (or DPS in the Moonkin spec that I can easily switch to). Plus with roots having no restrictions on what kind of mob it can CC I don’t think it’s that big of deal to have the diminishing returns on cyclone.
…and Ill tell the same… again.
We do not need dire cat form.
and this can be ‘because druids community asked for it, we will throw them dire cat’.
if they wouldn’t implement different form for player from level 20 and 80, I would sadly LMAO.
all who say ‘hurray’ please tell me the difference between feral druid in may 2008, and may 2009.
there is none.
we will look the same… again.
again every single feral cat/bear will look exact the same!
Im not asking for updating model. Im asking for making model scalable!
add armour kits, razors, blades, insignias, tattoos, necklaces with totems…
its so simple to calculate avg. item level on character, so just add some additional items on feral model dependant on this parameter!
Well if we can switch specs as easily as you say, I might just have to be both healer and tank…Everything they are doing for ferals is causing me to salivate tremendously and it might be hard to resist the pull of the beast! But I think I’ll have to gear up both a great healing set and a Feral set. IDK we’ll just have to see in WOLK comes out!
@Itsnoteasy: I’m not offended at all. I actually didn’t notice the similarity between that model and a Zergling, but now that you mention it … I still think it’s beautiful though. Majestic and intimidating with a much more complex appearance than what we have now. But I understand it’s not to everyone’s taste. =)
@Witch Doctor: I KNO RITE? I’m already debating what “second” talent tree to take. Maybe a PvP tree. Maybe a Balance tree. Maybe ANOTHER Resto spec!!
@Georgelikeman: Yeah, I can see the reasoning behind not removing DR in the expansion. That *would* be a pain juggling Cyclone with Lifebloom stacks and Nourish.
@Warscreamer: You make a good point. =/ I am now a sad tree. Although at least a Druid at level 80 wouldn’t look like a Druid at level 20 anymore.
@Abagoo: I think you should do both. Then all your DKP will belong to me. ^_^
I was sitting around with some guildies waiting for a raid to start. We needed one more healer and a druid offered to re-spec to resto to go. This druid mentioned it would be great if we could save specs in-game. That way, when you had to respec you could choose from a previously saved spec. That would be a great idea.
@Phaelia: You should have your second tree be a solo/pvp balance for easier soloing (and pvping).
@TKC: Oh yeah the spec change thing is going to be KILLER in 10-man guilds.
No more having to level alts!
@Georgelikeman: I suspect I’ll “respec” my “off-tree” more than I’ve ever respecced before LOL. Just knowing that I can have that flexibility will make me want to make adjustments regularly. >.<