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Druid Specialization PvE Guides
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Intro	Talents
Skill Rotation	Stat Priority
Consumables	Professions
Best in Slot

Feral Tank Druid Basics In Wrath Classic

Despite falling into the B tier on our WotLK PvE Tank Tier List, Feral Druids still do an excellent job tanking in Classic Wrath of the Lich King. While they received a slight nerf when it comes to diminishing returns on avoidance, the biggest issue with their "demise" and I'm using that term lightly, is the buffs other tank specs received. Make no mistake about it, if you're tanking as a Bear in Classic Wrath, you're going to do a great job.

This guide will focus specifically on level 80 content and abilities. It will be updated throughout the Wrath of the Lich King expansion as more content rolls out.

Important New and Reworked Talents and Abilities

• Berserk - Your new capstone talent. This is an excellent way to generate an impressive amount of threat at the start of an encounter.
• Challenging Roar - Now a 3-minute cooldown, down from 10.
• Growl - Your taunt now has a 30-yard range.
• Barkskin - Can be used while shapeshifted and no longer on the global cooldown.
• Savage Defense - A solid addition to a Druid's tanking arsenal. Since Bears don't wear shields, they don't exactly block incoming damage. This ability turns your crits into mitigation.
• Frenzied Regeneration - Received a huge buff to be an incredibly effective cooldown.
• Survival Instincts - The Druid equivalent to the Warrior's Last Stand ability.
• Rebirth - Now a 10-minute cooldown.
• Revive - You can now resurrect out of combat. This is not a drill, people.

Talent Build for Feral Tank Druids in WotLK

There are two different talent builds for Druid tanks in Classic Wrath.

Main Tank build for Feral Druids

Off Tank/Hybrid Feral Druid build

Feral Bear Druid Skill Rotation and Cooldowns

As a tank, you have to make sure that you maintain aggro on the enemy targets while also staying alive. Sure, the healers can help you out on that second part, but you have to make sure you're using your survivability cooldowns as well. When not actively tanking, it's important to also ensure you're doing the most DPS you can, especially since you'll be in Cat Form.

We're going to split up the rotations by each raid scenario.

Feral Druid Single Target Tanking Rotation

• Start the pull with Enrage and Berserk.
• Spam Mangle (Bear) during Berserk.
• Cast Faerie Fire (Feral) on cooldown if you cannot Mangle.
• Lacerate until you reach 5 stacks. Refresh when it's about to fall off.
• If you have the Rage available, cast Maul.
• Use Swipe (Bear) to spend excess Rage.

Feral Druid AOE Tanking Rotation

• Use Mangle (Bear) during Berserk.
• Spam Swipe (Bear).
• Use Maul on current target.
• Make sure you keep tabbing targets.

Feral Druid Tank Wrath Cooldowns

Non Feral Druid specs don't have much in terms of cooldowns in Classic Wrath of the Lich King. Feral has plenty of them, especially as a tank.

• Berserk is your most important offensive cooldown that greatly buffs Mangle and maximizes your threat output.
• Enrage is a great way to generate some Rage and boost your damage in Dire Bear Form.
• Barkskin is a good mitigation ability that you can use while shapeshifted.
• Frenzied Regeneration is a great way to regenerate health when needed.
• Survival Instincts is an amazing "oh crap" button to brace yourself for bursts of incoming damage. This may be your best defensive cooldown.
• You'll still have Innervate to give people mana. This has been reworked to no longer be based off of the target's spirit. Instead, the targeted player will regen 225% of your base mana. This opens up more people to see the full effect of Innervate. Please don't use this if you're actively tanking a boss.
• Of course, Rebirth is still a key raid cooldown. For the love of all things holy, don't use this if you're actively tanking a boss.

WotLK Feral Tank Druid Stat Priority

The most important stats for Bear Druids in Wrath of the Lich King Classic are as follows:

1. Stamina
2. Expertise Rating (soft cap)
3. Agility
4. Hit Rating
5. Expertise Rating (hard cap)
6. Armor (specifically from leather)
7. Strength
8. Haste
9. Armor Penetraton
10. Defense Rating
11. Critical Strike
12. Dodge
13. Feral Attack Power
14. Attack Power

Feral Tank Druid Consumables

There aren't many consumables you'll need for raiding:

• Guru's Elixir and Elixir of Protection will be the best bets during progression. Gift of Arthas is a solid option in the Guardian Elixir slot.
• If you're worried about the prices of Elixirs, use Flask of Stoneblood. It's not as optimal, however.
• Blackened Dragonfin
• Indestructible Potion, Free Action Potion, and Runic Healing Injector all provide key defensive uses.
• Don't get about Wild Spineleaf for Gift of the Wild.

Best Wrath Professions for Feral Tank Druids

• Engineering gives you access to both Saronite Bomb and Global Thermal Sapper Charge. You can use these while shapeshifted, providing more damage and, as a result, more threat.
• Leatherworking is a solid second option as it gives you access to Drums, Nitro Boosts, and the ability to craft some key items you'll wear.

Best In Slot Gear For Feral Tank Druids In WotLK

The article below outlines the very best item as well as alternative choices for each equipment slot for both Pre-Raid and Phase 1 of Wrath of the Lich King.

• Feral (Tank) Druid Best in Slot Gear (WotLK)