Druid Template Advice RequestedFollow

I'm a level 10 night elf druid, about to spend that first big skill point and I have questions. I've read a lot of posts here and seen people post their templates that sound good to me, then someone else replies and says "but what about this...." and their alternative sounds good too. I realize in the end, it's up to me, but I'd sure appreciate some input.

First, I will rarely be going PvP. I also will often hunt solo or with one other person, however, eventually I hope to be with groups at times. I like to melee but also to have good spells to cast. I'd appreciate any recommendations for a template along those lines.

Also, my boyfriend and I are n00bs (like so many others to WoW) and we're a little puzzled when we read recommended templates. For example, when someone says they put 8 points into Balance Talents and 37 points in Feral Combat Talents -- is it recommended to focus in one area until you reach the max (like focus entirely on Balance Talents first) and then move on to Feral Combat Talents? Or spread it around and spend a little here, a little there, as you go along?

Thanks for any tips!

Don't worry about spending all of your points when you get them. You can wait until you decide. I'm lvl 18 and I just spent my first 5 points in Improved Mark of the Wild. After some research, I'm convinced that the first 5 points should go into Improved Mark of the Wild. This is your basic AC buff and works on other players.

Although the druid can do many things, the talents can be used to help us specialize in the following areas:
1. Balance: mage-type, nuker, dotter, ranged combat
2. Feral, Cat: rogue-type, sneak attacks, brutal dps
3. Feral, Bear: warrior-type, tanking
4. Restoration: priest-type, healer

I wouldn't say that the druid could replace any of the above classes -- their power comes in their ability to switch back and forth to meet various situations. One moment you can be a bear, the next you can turn NE and pop off a quick heal, and then turn back into a bear again. Managing your shapeshifing is part of the fun of being a druid.

Gywnhara is right -- you don't want to spread your points out. It's in your best interest to specialize in something. One strategy is to look at the bottom talents and find which one appeals to you and then make your points so that you can get that talent.

You don't have to max out your talents to 5/5. Careful distribution can lead to some impressive combinations such as a tanking bear that uses the balance talents to root attackers. Or a powerful cat that uses restoration talents to start their attack with 40 points of energy.

In the end, you want to choose the path that meets your style of play. If you want to attack from afar and dot and nuke, then choose restoration. If you want to run up and bash something, choose the feral bear. If you want to sneak around and attack from behind, choose feral cat. If you want to specilize in healing, choose restoration. It may not sound impressive but restoration would be a decent path for a druid. They have very mana-efficient heals. And healer-types are powerful in their own right. Just ask any priest in the game. Keep in mind that the druid will be able to do all of the above. You just want to figure out what you will do *most* of the time. I think each of the specializations are good for soloing as long as you use your talents effectively in a given situation.

You may want to start a mage, a priest, a rogue, or a warrior ... just for few levels to find out which you like the best.

Here's some links that you may find helpful.
http://wowvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Talents.View
http://wowvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Templates.List&class_select_id=Druid

I didn't like many of the templates I found. I made my own template for the cat with restoration talents, mentioned above. I'll be fighting with my rogue friend on PvP and figured we'd make a good combo. But I don't have my cat form yet (lvl 20) so I still have time to change my mind.

Hope this helps.

Stormscale: Treefan, 18th lvl Druid