Druid The druid is a shapeshifting , hybrid class and also one of the most versatile classes in the game . As with other hybrids , druids need to specialize in a single role for the best results . Due to their need to shape - shift to fulfill roles , they can only perform one role at a time ; they must switch between the different shapes to adapt to changing situations . A properly specced and geared druid is capable of fulfilling any role . Druid players need to be aware that this versatility also bears a danger — it may be difficult to keep focused when gathering gear . In order to truly fulfill a hybrid role , druids require several complete sets . This is expensive in time , bag space , and gold ; however , the ability to spec to completely different roles makes druids a smart and flexible class choice . Another nice feature of druids is their ability to travel faster . See the skills section below for more information . Background . Druids are keepers of the world who walk the path of nature , following the wisdom of the Ancient s and Cenarius , healing and nurturing the world . To druids , nature is a delicate balance of actions in which even the smallest imbalance can create storming turmoil from peaceful skies . Druids draw their power from this natural energy , using it to change their shapes and command the forces of nature . Traditionally , druids chose the path of a specific animal totem . Since the invasion of the Burning Legion , however , most druids have undergone a number of reforms , including encouraging the study of magic from all totems . Druids who do this are known as druids of the wild . Lore . Cenarius is the patron entity of all druids . However , each group of druids has its own special patrons and some even have the ability to transform into a being that looks like their patron . Many druids take on an animal companion based on their patron . According to tauren mythology , Cenarius instructed them first in druidism as recounted in their myth , " Forestlord and the First Druids " . With the release of " Wrath of the Lich King " , it is strongly suggested that tauren were most likely the first students of Cenarius , as accounted for by a 10 , 000 + year old immortal tauren druid by the name of Xarantaur . There is still debate whether this character is considered canon , but Xarantaur suggests in the game that while he and his brethren were taught directly by Cenarius , his fellow druids forgot their lessons over the years ; this would imply that current tauren druidism is relatively new , learned from the night elves . As it stands , the night elves lay claim to the first druid with Malfurion Stormrage . He is not only considered the most powerful known druid in Warcraft lore , but is also considered one of the most powerful characters on Azeroth . Malfurion led the night elves through the War of the Ancients and the long years that followed . With the creation of the World Tree Nordrassil , the kaldorei druids were bound to Ysera and her realm , the Emerald Dream , in which they spent centuries of their immortal lives . The Cenarion Circle was formed as the governing society of druids , based in sacred Moonglade . Locked in slumber in their barrow den s for generations , the druids awoke to meet the threat of the Burning Legion during its recent invasion . After Archimonde ' s defeat , the druids chose to remain in the waking world to help rebuild their shattered lands . The Legion ' s attack left a terrible scar on the natural order and the druids sought to heal it . The night elf druids were recently joined in the Cenarion Circle by the tauren druids . Neither participate in the Alliance / Horde conflict , but coexist peacefully within the Circle . Druids belong to many other different organizations or types including the Cenarion Expedition and the Druids of the Claw , Talon , Wild , Fang , Antler , Grove , Scythe and Pack . Warcraft Encyclopedia . Druids come and go as they please , and their goals typically have little to do with the " civilized " world . Unaffiliated with any specific government , the primary druidic organization on Azeroth , the Cenarion Circle , answers to no one save itself . The highest rank that a druid can have is that of archdruid , and there are only a few archdruids on Azeroth . At the moment the Cenarion Circle ' s leader is Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage , also widely considered to be the first mortal druid on Azeroth . Through their deep connection to life and nature , druids are able to take on an unusually large variety of roles . Probably a druid ' s best - known role is that of a healer . Druids are justly famed for their ability to restore life , cure poisonous wounds , and remove curses . Indeed , restoring and protecting the planet is one of the top priorities for all druids . Still , to regard a druid as merely a healer is a dangerously simplistic assumption that has led to the defeat of many an unwary foe . Druids ' empathy with the creatures of the wild also allows them to shapeshift into the forms of other animals . For example , a wounded druid whose magical energies are running low might abruptly take on the form of a bear in order to better withstand further injury . Alternatively , the druid might shift into the form of some large cat , sneak up behind an enemy , then pounce and deliver a fierce flurry of melee attacks . Even the deepest oceans can be explored by druids , who can simply shift into an aquatic creature , allowing them to stay underwater as long as needed . Until the end of the Third War , druids periodically visited the Emerald Dream to monitor the ebb and flow of life on Azeroth . Today such a visit has become more difficult due to Nordrassil ' s poor health . Druids possess a deep understanding of the way in which all living things depend upon one another . Whenever this delicate equilibrium is disrupted , the druids work to restore the balance . To that end , druids can use their connection with the Emerald Dream to exert a calming influence over animals , even forcing some into a temporary state of hibernation . Just as the druids can wield peace and somnolence , however , they can tap into the fury of nature itself . Terrible storms respond to their call , thorns sprout from their skin to wound their attackers . Even previously harmless roots grow from the soil at greatly accelerated speeds in order to entangle foes . For obvious reasons , druids thrive in the wild outdoors . Inevitably they lose some of their effectiveness when they are forced to endure separation from the natural environment . What good is a cleansing rain when a druid cannot even see the sky ? How are roots to capture a foe who is standing atop a high tower ? Such cases clearly require a druid with the imagination to consider new strategies and the flexibility to carry them out . Equipment . Druids are able to wear cloth and leather armor only . Druids do not use shield s ( although in bear form their armor is so high it were as if they were ) , and do not dual wield . Off - hand items may be used by druids . Druids receive a 5 % bonus to their primary stat when wearing all leather armor . It is uncommon to find two - handed maces with agility on them , so most feral or guardian druids use either staves or polearms . Races . < tabber > Playable races = The druid class can be played by the following races : Before the demon hunter became available , the druid class was the most limited class concerning races . Only two races per faction can become a druid . The worgen and troll races were added in the expansion . Demon hunters can only be two races ( blood or night elves ) . TCG images = < / tabber >