Friday, June 11, 2010

Treeform is getting the heaveho, so why not Moonkin too?

So asks Happytreez.  I agree with the logic as the difference between Moonkin form and Tree form is nill.  Treeform provids buffs to healing that could easily be imparted without a form at all.  And the current plan for Cataclysm is to do just that by removing permanent Tree form and instead turn it into a short term buff that has a cool down.

Tree of Life is changing from a passive talent to a cooldown-based talent, similar to Metamorphosis. Mechanically, it feels unfair for a druid to have to give up so much offense and utility in order to be just as good at healing as the other classes who are not asked to make that trade. We are exploring the exact benefit the druid gets from Tree of Life. It could strictly be better healing, or it could be that each heal behaves slightly different. You also will not be able to be banished in Tree of Life form (this will probably be true of Metamorphosis as well). Additionally, we would like to update the Tree of Life model so that it feels more exciting when you do decide to go into that form. Our feeling is that druids rarely actually get to show off their armor, so it would be nice to have at least one spec that looked like a night elf or tauren (and soon troll or worgen) for most of the time. 
Moonkin form also imparts buffs that could easily be imparted in caster form.  And like Tree form, Moonkin form has certain limitations placed on it in regard to what spells can be used while in the form.  I'd like to see Moonkin given the Tree of Life treatment and turned into a short term buff with a cool down and let us run around in caster form.