I have been playing a Druid about 18 now. Have been saving my talent points. Have seen many posts about setting up a feral druid, which doesn't really interest me. I am not a big fan of bear form, it is possible my opinoin will change with the cat form, but I like the ability to cast and heal.

I am sure this has been asked many times,

Can anyone give me some ideas as to starting to use my points. I don't really have the gold to redo them. What are the must haves to start-off.

Thanks,

Lanne

Hey I'm new on these boards...

I would think that there are other essential Druid skillz that can be improved like Mark of the Wild or Nature's Grasp, stuff that only has one talent point or whatever.

(First Post, Woot!)

I'm a lvl 21 druid, and already I've distributed my talent points, paid to get em stripped, and reassigned so I have a little knowledge on the subject.

I first thought distributing my talent points amongst the 3 groups was the smartest idea (druids=balance, so I'd go for hardcore mediocrity). That worked okay- I put 4 points into mark of the wild, 2 points into wrath, and 5 points into the claw, rake, roar, and maul ability.

All in all, this was a disastrous combo. Feral talents seem to follow a hyperbolic scale- the abilities are really miniscule in the beginning, and it's only after a good number of levels that the talents really combine to make a dangerous beast.

With Balance, the effects are a little more... instant. Omen of Clarity is definitely a powerful enchantment, and hurricane is pretty nice (albeit 530 dmg over 10sec really can't be that powerful when you're level 40-50).

With Restoration the effects are more linear. You can expect to be a big time support character (which, in essence, druids are), so if you want to be a savior, go for restoration. Tranquility is a big Raid bonus, which will make you a valuable asset to any raid. The critical bonuses to your regrowth spell make it more worthwhile, and the -1sec heal cast is awesome.

For the tanker: Mark of the wild, basic feral combat talents, and maybe some balance (though, I wouldn't even bother with balance talents except that Omen of Clarity is nice).
For the healer: Mark of the wild, and basically any restoration talent.
For the general support: Balance and Restoration if you have lots of mana, feral talents if you're more a hitpoints type of person.

I hope this helps you.
-Hagstette

The most useful talent I've come across is Nature's Grasp. It's saved my butt a number of times when I've needed to run away from something fast. It's insta-cast so you can cast it whilst running, and it gives a chance that your persuer will get rooted when he hits you.

Add in improved nature's grasp and you increase your chance to proc.

It's also very useful in combat, whichever form you like to play in (just cast before you switch).

I've been putting a few points in each area so far, but I love the fact you can reset all your talents at a trainer, basically allows you to experiment a bit (although it's a gold a time to reset them, and that cost increases the more you do).

Hugs,
Tiniane.

I have been playing a Druid about 18 now. Have been saving my talent points. Have seen many posts about setting up a feral druid, which doesn't really interest me. I am not a big fan of bear form, it is possible my opinoin will change with the cat form, but I like the ability to cast and heal.

Since you mention wanting to embrace the healing aspect of being a druid (welcome to the club *grin* still don't get that "I wanna transform into a chihuahua" crowd ;) ) you're most likely going to be pursuing the Restoration tree in pretty serious depth, if not all the way to the top.

I'd recommend tossing a single point into Nature's Grasp early on, but otherwise 5x Improved Mark of the Wild, 5x Nature's Focus, 1x Gift of Nature, 5x Improved Healing Touch would be a great place to start and keep you busy for a few levels. First goal is to pick up Nature's Swiftness, Focus is also a GREAT ability for coming that early in the skill tree.

Personally i'm going with a Restoration build up to and including Innervate (pretty much most of the tree), with a dash of Balance once I get my Restoration abilities covered up to Omen of Clarity. Seems to be a pretty standard build right now.

Play around with builds on the skill calculator:

http://wowvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Talents.View&category_select_id=8

Very useful tool, gives you an idea how to budget your points and what to work towards next. :)

Yea...put 1 point into Nature's Grasp. Then put 5 into Improved mark, and 5 into Nature's Focus.

Even if you plan on going Feral, I think EVERY druid should have Focus maxed. Simply because that 60% of non interruption is crucial if you plan to solo or even group.