WoW Forever beta Druid build for level 20: Feral cat, not Wrath

Overview

Levels 10–20 · Feral Combat Druid, solo questing and grinding.

Feral is the leveling spec for beta Druids, and players agree. The alternative is weak: “Druid Wrath needs a serious Revert” says Wrath’s damage is “pitiful” while leveling. So this build commits to forms. Ferocity makes your Claw, Rake and Maul cheaper. Feral Swiftness gives Cat Form 30% movement speed, which is huge without mounts. Thick Hide adds armor in form. With 10 points in Feral, Sharpened Claws adds 6% crit in Cat and Bear. Written for the first beta phase: level cap 20, client build 1.60.1.69913. Talents and tuning will change before the level 30 phase and again before launch on November 4.

Why this build

• Travel speed. Feral Swiftness makes Cat Form a mount before mounts.
• Flexible. Bear for tough pulls, Cat for fast kills, and heals between them.
• Cheap abilities. Ferocity means more Claws per fight.

Weak spots

• Wrath is weak. Do not plan to level as a caster in this phase.
• Shifting costs mana. Shifting in and out to heal drains it quickly.
• Bear Form has a known bug that multiplies armor from buffs, so it is tankier now than it will be.

Talent order by level

One point per level from level 10 to 20. The talent tree above shows the finished level 20 build; use the level slider to see it at any level.

• Levels 10–14 · Ferocity 5/5 — Reduces the cost of Maul, Mangle, Swipe, Claw and Rake by 5 Rage or Energy.
• Levels 15–16 · Feral Swiftness 2/2 — +30% movement speed in Cat Form and +4% dodge. A travel form before mounts.
• Levels 17–19 · Thick Hide 3/3 — Extra armor in Bear, Cat and Moonkin Form.
• Level 20 · Sharpened Claws 1/2 — +6% crit in Bear and Cat Form. Unlocked by 10 points in Feral.

Key levels

• Level 10 · Ferocity first: cheaper Claw, Rake and Maul.
• Level 15 · Feral Swiftness for 30% Cat Form speed.
• Level 17 · Thick Hide for extra armor in form.
• Level 20 · Sharpened Claws: +6% crit in Cat and Bear.

How to pull and kill

1. Cat Form: Rake, then Claw to 4–5 combo points and finish with Rip or Ferocious Bite.
2. Bear Form when two mobs come at once.
3. Shift out and heal between pulls, then shift back.
4. Travel in Cat Form with Feral Swiftness instead of walking.

Leveling tips

• Bear Form’s armor bug is on the official known issues list. Enjoy it but do not judge Bear tanking by it.
• Stay in form for travel and use Prowl to skip mobs you do not need.
• Moonfire is still a good puller before you shift.

After level 20

When the cap rises, continue with the Feral Cat Druid leveling guide. The beta class report tracks the Wrath feedback.

Sources

The talent path and leveling advice adapt these Classic guides to the WoW Forever talent trees; talents that are new or changed in Forever are chosen from this site’s talent data.

• WoW Forever Builds: beta class report (level 20)
• Official forums: Druid Wrath needs a serious Revert