ukator
09-21-2005, 07:24 PM
Okay, while I can't give specific talent info (yet), I will share my experiences with a Feral Build today.
I assembled a set of gear that was dungeon-based -- nothing from raid areas (to the best of my recollection). Bone Ring Helm, Star of Mystaria, Death's Clutch, Stoneshield Cloak, Songbird Blouse, Bleak Howler Wristguards, Gordok Gloves (why, I don't know), Might of the Timbermaw, Unbridled Leggings, Boots of the Shrieker, Band of Flesh, Thrall's Resolve, and my trinkets were Blackhand's Breadth and something else.
Weapon was Unyielding Maul. No enchants at all, because I'm lazy when it comes to these tests. ;) (Good thing I'm not QA.)
I figured this set of gear would be something the average 60 could acquire with a little work and focus on getting Feral gear.
My spec for the character at the time is 11/37/3 (Balance/FC/Resto). I could have spent the points elsewhere that went into Restoration, but after getting the certain things in Feral and Balance that I felt would complement my build, I remembered how much I enjoyed Improved Mark of the Wild. :P
My test subjects in this case were the 57 Elite Hive'Ashi Stingers and Swarmers in Silithus, since I'm mucking around down there for other reasons.
My first test was pure Bear -- no starting Rage, nothing. I tore through the mob without having to shift to heal once; at the end of the fight (having used Frenzied Regeneration) I was at about 30% health and full mana. I saw a Maul crit near about 600 at one point, but that was the top of the damage game.
My next test was pure Cat -- though that's somewhat of a misnomer since Cat Form doesn't have the damage soaking that Bear does, and thus I did have to heal. I opened with a Tiger Fury'd Ravage that crit for about 1200, with short and fast hits throughout using Claw and Ferocious Bite primarily. About halfway through I was down to 20% health, so I shifted, Rejuv'd and Regrowth'd, and was back in the fray. I believe I finished the fight with about half health and mana.
The third test was a combination. I opened as I did before with Cat form -- a Ravage hit, which didn't crit this time (bah), and after cycling through a couple quick Claws to get a five-point FB off, I shifted out, Rejuv'd, hit another special ability that you'll find out about soon enough (please don't beat me), and went into Bear. As before, Faerie Fire and Demoralizing Roar kept the damage raining down on the monster without hurting me overmuch, and the ability I activated helped keep the Rage there when I needed it. I finished that fight in pretty good shape both health- and mana-wise (don't recall the actual percentages).
Now, the developers aren't ignoring the damage scaling issue, and they're adding in items that should aid Druid damage scaling. Out of curiosity, I equipped one of these items -- just a weapon -- and watched my damage go up significantly in both Bear and Cat. :)
In conclusion, knowing what I do of Feral Combat as it is now and how it will be, I feel Feral forms are more viable and the talents provide a much more sensible boost. The previous "split" between bear and cat abilities in the tree is practically nonexistent now, leading to a more well-rounded Feral Druid.
Hope that helps ya. :)
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?FN=wow-druid&T=426520&P=1
I assembled a set of gear that was dungeon-based -- nothing from raid areas (to the best of my recollection). Bone Ring Helm, Star of Mystaria, Death's Clutch, Stoneshield Cloak, Songbird Blouse, Bleak Howler Wristguards, Gordok Gloves (why, I don't know), Might of the Timbermaw, Unbridled Leggings, Boots of the Shrieker, Band of Flesh, Thrall's Resolve, and my trinkets were Blackhand's Breadth and something else.
Weapon was Unyielding Maul. No enchants at all, because I'm lazy when it comes to these tests. ;) (Good thing I'm not QA.)
I figured this set of gear would be something the average 60 could acquire with a little work and focus on getting Feral gear.
My spec for the character at the time is 11/37/3 (Balance/FC/Resto). I could have spent the points elsewhere that went into Restoration, but after getting the certain things in Feral and Balance that I felt would complement my build, I remembered how much I enjoyed Improved Mark of the Wild. :P
My test subjects in this case were the 57 Elite Hive'Ashi Stingers and Swarmers in Silithus, since I'm mucking around down there for other reasons.
My first test was pure Bear -- no starting Rage, nothing. I tore through the mob without having to shift to heal once; at the end of the fight (having used Frenzied Regeneration) I was at about 30% health and full mana. I saw a Maul crit near about 600 at one point, but that was the top of the damage game.
My next test was pure Cat -- though that's somewhat of a misnomer since Cat Form doesn't have the damage soaking that Bear does, and thus I did have to heal. I opened with a Tiger Fury'd Ravage that crit for about 1200, with short and fast hits throughout using Claw and Ferocious Bite primarily. About halfway through I was down to 20% health, so I shifted, Rejuv'd and Regrowth'd, and was back in the fray. I believe I finished the fight with about half health and mana.
The third test was a combination. I opened as I did before with Cat form -- a Ravage hit, which didn't crit this time (bah), and after cycling through a couple quick Claws to get a five-point FB off, I shifted out, Rejuv'd, hit another special ability that you'll find out about soon enough (please don't beat me), and went into Bear. As before, Faerie Fire and Demoralizing Roar kept the damage raining down on the monster without hurting me overmuch, and the ability I activated helped keep the Rage there when I needed it. I finished that fight in pretty good shape both health- and mana-wise (don't recall the actual percentages).
Now, the developers aren't ignoring the damage scaling issue, and they're adding in items that should aid Druid damage scaling. Out of curiosity, I equipped one of these items -- just a weapon -- and watched my damage go up significantly in both Bear and Cat. :)
In conclusion, knowing what I do of Feral Combat as it is now and how it will be, I feel Feral forms are more viable and the talents provide a much more sensible boost. The previous "split" between bear and cat abilities in the tree is practically nonexistent now, leading to a more well-rounded Feral Druid.
Hope that helps ya. :)
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?FN=wow-druid&T=426520&P=1