This article will discuss whether or not Druids can use polearms in Classic. This is a question that many people have been asking themselves lately, so hopefully this blog post will provide some insight!
Are druids allowed to use pole arms? The answer to this question is no. You may be wondering why they are not allowed to use them, and the reason for this is because it would make balancing difficult. If all classes were able to use polearms then one class would be overpowered compared to the others.
So can Druids use polearms in classic? The answer is a resounding no. However, they are allowed to equip them on their off-hand or hand weapon slot if you feel the need for some extra damage!
What did Blizzard have to say about Druid weapons and armor earlier this year when patch 5022 went live? When discussing changes that affect all classes, developers will sometimes address Druids specifically by mentioning “your class” rather than any particular name (like Shaman). In order of most recent posts from Cataclysm devs: Community Manager Bashiok replied, “Druids are a melee-focused class, but can still equip some ranged weapons on their offhand.”
In other words: Druids can use many different weapon types in the Classic game; they just can’t use polearms.
How do you feel about this change? Do you think that it is necessary to allow Druid’s to have access to Polearms in order for them to be more competitive with Rogues and Warriors? Let us know what you think! Comment below or tweet @BlizzardCS using #ClassicChat! Your opinion matters.
At BlizzCon 2017 we were told that Blizzard was looking into druid balance across all expansions including Diablo III and Heroes of the Storm. We don’t know if this change to polearms in Classic was one of the changes Blizzard considered, but we do know that they were discussing druid balance on an expansion-by-expansion basis.
Yes, druids can use any weapon type except polearms. We have no word on whether they will be allowed to use them at a later date, but we do know that Blizzard was considering the balance of druid across all expansions including Diablo III and Heroes of the Storm.
What are your thoughts about this change? Do you think it is necessary for druids to access polearm weapons in order for them to be more competitive against rogues and warriors? Let us know what you think! Comment below or tweet @BlizzardCS using #ClassicChat! Your opinion matters.
“At BlizzCon 2017 we were told that Blizzard was looking for feedback on druid balance across all expansions, including Diablo III and Heroes of the Storm.”
“Blizzard has not confirmed whether or not druids will be allowed to use polearms at a later date. The developers have said that they are taking fan opinion into account when deciding what weapons can be used in Classic.”
“However, Blizzard did confirm that Druids cannot use polearm weaponry!”
“We do know that Blizzard was considering the balance of Druid across all expansions including Diablo III and Heroes of the Storm” From Blizzcon 2017)
“Druids can’t access Polearms but we’re hoping for an update on this decision sometime soon!” (from MMOExaminer )
“It is not confirmed whether or not Druids can use Polearms in the Classic Game, but Blizzard has said that they are considering fan opinion.” (from Blizzpro)
“Blizzard has been listening to Druid feedback concerning all of their games. The developers have stated that they will be changing some things with regards to how Druids play within each game”
“In Diablo III, Blizzard briefly talked about a change which allowed druid’s weapons and armor sets to scale appropriately when equipped by any class.”
“This was something we were only able to do for this expansion because of the way our item system works,” says Wyatt Cheng from Blizzard. “I don’t think it would work as well if you tried to do it in WoW.”
“And there are some concerns that, if you make a change like this for one class and not another–if druids can equip armor sets from all subclasses, but warriors can’t wear anything other than plate or mail”
“It’s possible we would have to nerf druid raw damage output since they’re able to use gear with stats that typically favor caster classes. And then certain raid bosses might be more difficult because the most dangerous abilities come out of melee range instead of at long range where tanks usually stand.” (from Blizzpro)
Allowing Druids access to Polearms could mean changing how their gameplay is balanced against other classes considering how much impact weapons have on gameplay.
“Some people have a hard time understanding why Druids can’t equip “Polearms” in WoW.”
“In retrospect, it might not have been the best idea to allow druid’s access to weapons that are typically used by other melee classes.” (from Battle.net)
There is also some concern about how easy it would be for Druids could use Polearm type items considering they are one of the few classes who can wear Cloth Armor that has stats suited towards caster types and their ability to heal themselves with spells like Rejuvenation or Innervate. The more powerful abilities however come out of range which tanks usually stand making it difficult for them when standing around waiting for boss attacks instead.
