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What the Hell is a Hybrid?
Druids are a hybrid class. What does this mean? A druid is a combination of
many classes. They can do many things quite well but not quite as well as
the copied class. Note: Paladins and Shamans are also considered "hybrids"
by Blizzard.
In other words:
(a) A druid, fully "feral" spec can DPS (damage per second) *somewhere near*
(about 70%) as well as a same-level and same-equipped rogue -- this is
debateable;
(b) a druid, fully "feral" spec and with tanking gear can tank *somewhere
near* as well as a same-level warrior; and
(c) a druid, fully "resto" spec and with heal/mana gear can heal *almost* as
well as a same-level priest.
The point is that a druid can be *equally* adept at any of these three
roles, depending on where he puts his talent points and what armor he wears.
EQUALLY. In other words, druids do not HAVE to be purely healers! Priests
are healers. Warriors are tanks. Rogues are DPS. A druid is none of those
things and not as good at any of those things as the main class is. Druids
are hybrids; a combination.
The Meat of the Matter: GEAR
Let's talk about picking up gear in instances. You have a party that
consists of the typical classes and you kill a few bosses together. Everyone
plays their roles well. The rogue does his poisoning, stunlocks, saps, and
DPS. The druid buffs, debuffs, DOTs, heals, roots, plays support tank when
needed, support DPS at other times, and quickly bring down stray runners
with moonfire. Everyone contributes their share. You get to a point where a
certain leather item with +## Attack Power drops. The druid rolls on the
item. He wins. The rogue is upset because he thinks, "Hey if something has
+##, that means it is rogue gear." In a way he is right. It IS rogue gear.
But the rogue is forgetting the druid is a *hybrid* so it is also druid
gear. *Especially* if that druid has put some points into his feral spec and
may even be building an attack power set of armor for when he is in cat
form. That druid has as much right to "rogue gear" as any rogue. Just like
has as much right to a staff or mace that drops which gives +## to healing
spells. If Blizzard had meant +## attack power gear to *only* be meant for
rogues then they would have restricted it to rogues.
If you go through an instance with a group and everyone plays their roles
well and that druid keeps you healed and alive while you do your big DPS,
then he has as much right to any piece of gear he can wear that you do.
Hung Up on Stuff?
Finally, if you are quibbling over some illusionary *stuff* that only exists
virtually, in a game, on your screen, then maybe you should step back for a
moment and think about this. In the real world the acquisition of *stuff*
(land, money, toys, etc.) causes more pain, wars, death, and just plain
general unhappiness than any other desire. From the day we are born we are
programmed to want stuff and not be happy until we have better stuff and
more stuff. Challenge your programming. It's easier to do in games so give
it a try. Try being in the moment and enjoying the play more and the outcome
less. Oh it's neat and fun to collect these virtual items that make your
character more effective. But what about enjoying the trip?