Druid DPS

Waffle_Goblin

So, I apologize for asking this but I can't find any solid info. With the Seasons being introduced it's clear Druids acting as rental-version nukers is expected to be relevant. How do Druids perform in that respect? I don't wanna be Wizard-level DPS at all, but if I see a group looking for DPS would I do enough for them to say "yeah, Druid is flexible, grab em"? Or is it a "LOL, no" type thing?

Mullinstron

We are Not wizard level DPS, we cant keep it up. Their base buffed mana regen matches Spring and then they have their "Intervate" spell or whatever its called. We have to spend all of out time medding to be be about 75% of a DD nuker like a wizard in my expereince. My main Duo partner is a wizard and we have leveled together from 1-50.

Sedreth

Waffle_Goblin
druid's roll will flex based on grp comp, if the group already has a healer like a cleric you will be fine to do dps, but if there is no healer then yeah you should probably start healing, the ideal for the class is being able to do both and bring utility like snare and beast charms (charms can do a lot of dmg and CC)

TheStranger

It's worth noting that while you can't go as hard as a Wizard can, you also can put thorns on a tank. Which should be considered as Druid damage. Also you have DoTs and can cast a heal if needed. Your flexibility and buffs make you just as valuable.

BundyMcBeef

druid dots are laughable. only buffs we have are the skins. Shaman even gets a stronger version of that.

Raybane

BundyMcBeef Druid dots are extremely mana efficient.

Fangbang

Raybane They're mana efficient compared to the mana hungry nukes, but do incredibly low amounts of damage even at L60.

Raybane

Fangbang They do quite a lot more damage in total then any nukes Druid gets, so the damage you get from the time spent casting is great in addition to the low mana cost. The only problem is the generic DoT issue in groups with mobs doing too quickly, but that is not a Druid specific problem and actually less of a problem as the low mana cost still makes even a partial duration worth it while the other DoT using classes are worse off.

SirHealz

Yeah im not sure he's talking about the DoTs. I have several spells that hit fairly well and can be used combined with DoTs and shields. Specifically the winter line and the gust of wind. I am level 38. My rotation for damage is Swarm of Flies, Greater Frostbite, Gust of Wind, Winter's Fury, Gust of Wind, and I watch my shields. If you do this, let's say fighting giants in Scarwood, it works fairly well; however, you will be medding a lot.

Dot - hits for around 20-30 a tick
Shield - hits for 20 per hit
Frostbite - slows
Gust - hits for around 150-200
Winters Fury - hits for around 550-600

Sidenote - I think another plus for druids in a group is the group portal. I have saved my groups many time with this spell.

these are quoted from memory and im a disabled vet with a brain injury so i might be a little off on the numbers.

Phuture

[unknown] Thorns is massive damage and most people don't realize it. 10hits=300 damage, that cant be resisted, has low mana cost, and is cast ahead of battle. if a tank takes 200 hits during those 10minutes, that is 6000 damage.

Velthorian

Raybane easily solved by "Cull" mechanics that are completely missing from the game. odd choice. (mob hits 10% life, all remaining dots immediately do full damage) An equal boon to all dot casters, little reason to not do it. Usually mobs only have 1-5 dots on them at that time anyways. It solves mana efficiency, and helps with DPS, and helps with fleeing mobs all in one go.

Phuture

Velthorian This is actually a very good idea (for non raid mobs). It also makes mana-efficiency of dot spells easier and more fair.

Only potential I see is abusing a lower level dot to game it as an instant 10% nuke, but even then this is the kind of fun and fair gaming of old school mechanics that makes these games fun imo.

Fangbang

Raybane The DoTs at max level do less damage in total over their duration than the nuke does in one cast (₁₇₀₀ vs ₁₉₀₀). You will generally get 3-4 ticks off on a mob in a group setting, making the spell less mana efficient than a nuke (They're about 40% more mana efficient, but you're only getting 35% of the total damage of a nuke off in a group setting).

The reason I say they do pitifully low damage is because of this. When solo, you cannot "root rot" a Light Blue mob in under 6 casts of the DoTs. This is why Druids post-rework have commonly complained about Charm being the only true remaining solo farm, and why you hear so many complaints about mana efficiency - Nukes being the only reasonable non-charm option left, with each taking 10% of your mana and not guaranteeing even the death of a DB con mob.