#0 - Feb. 28, 2007, 7:15 p.m.
Q u o t e:
Druids
- When the duration of "Cyclone" ends, area buffs such as "Leader of
the Pack", "Tree of Life", and "Moonkin" will now be correctly
resumed.
- "Bear Form" now grants 25% increased stamina instead of 25% increased
health.
- "Dire Bear Form" now grants 25% increased stamina instead of 25%
increased health. In addition, the armor bonus has been reduced from
450% to 400%.
- The multiplier on base weapon damage for "Mangle (Bear)" ability has
been changed from 130% to 100%. In addition, the bonus damage has
been reduced by the same ratio.
- "Savage Fury" no longer affects "Mangle (Bear)".
- "Savage Fury" no longer applies to "Maul" or "Swipe".
- The critical damage bonus on "Predatory Instincts" reduced from
3/6/9/12/15% to 2/4/6/8/10%.
- "Improved Leader of the Pack" can no longer get critical heals.
- The armor bonus from "Moonkin Form" has been increased from 360% to
400% (to match Dire Bear Form).
- The rage normalization equation has been adjusted to grant more rage.
The rest of the latest PTR patch notes can be found here:
http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=202520297&sid=1
Additional Information:
The changes being made to Druids were done due to the fact that their damage, mitigation and hitpoints were higher than intended. We based our decision on internal tests, not complaints or feedback from other classes. Even with these changes, Druids will still be viable tanks, and very capable in player vs. player encounters.
There will be focus testing going on in the PTRs for the changes being made to Druids. While the devs felt these changes were needed to tone down certain effects that were playing out on live realms, it is not their intention to eliminate Bear tanking as an option altogether. If these changes pan out to be too dampening on the Druid's tanking potential, further changes will occur to keep them as a viable option for tanking.