Druid Leveling and Item Hunting Guide by Mefdinkins

Mefdinkins 1-50 Druid Solo Guide (Under Development):

Introduction – After seeing Kriven’s 1-50 cleric guide I wanted to do the same for druids. I’ve played many MMO’s and all different types of characters (wizards, druids, rogues, assassins, archers) but for some reason the original EQ druid is my all-time favorite.

Goal of this Guide - My goal is to give new druids suggestions on places to level a first character. This guide will aim to provide solid XP, while bringing you to areas where you can find a good item drop, or you can work on your epic quest. If you follow this guide you can slowly upgrade your gear through drops and make decent platinum to fill in the rest of your slots. If you’re super twinked and don’t need to worry about platinum or items then there are probably better XP options and you can ignore those suggestions. If you aren’t interested in starting the epic quest until later then there may be better XP options for you and you can ignore those sections. This guide is meant to start a dialogue and I hope that many characters will contribute so new players, or players looking for a bit of advice can find it.

Druid XP Techniques - druids have many ways to get XP, unlike a warrior who typically only has the option of grouping, druids can group for experience, Root/Rot, Charm/Kite, DD/Kite, and Quad. Each technique has its strengths and weaknesses.

• Grouping - Grouping is a great way to have fun with other characters. It allows you to meet other players and bring valuable skills from other classes that supplement your own. I think it is important for new players to gain levels through both solo and group experience because it can be a little overwhelming jumping into a level 50+ dungeon having never contributed to a group before. This guide will focus on solo XP though… so be sure to check the wiki, your guild or /who all ‘your current level’ to see where other characters are for group XP opportunities.

• Root/Rot - Druids have a good line of root spells, like Grasping Roots and have strong and mana efficient damage over time spells, like Breath of Ro. This technique involves rooting a mob in place and casting your damage over time spells on it.
  • Pros - 1) Can be very mana efficient, damage over time spells like Breath of Ro have a great damage per mana ratio (1030 damage for 225 mana). Additionally, once you cast your spells you can sit down to regenerate mana while the mob slowly dies. 2) At 45+ Elder Spiritist’s Vambraces can add ~370 damage for free on every rooted mob. 3) Great for dungeons, so you can take advantage of higher XP modifiers per single kill. Dungeons are typically not spread out enough to allow for easy kiting, but root/rot requires minimal space. 4) Great for unwanted adds and dealing w/ random mobs. If you’re attacked at 20% mana you can usually root a mob and then cast your most efficient DOT on it while medding up and take it out without running out of mana.
  • Cons - 1) Considered not as efficient XPwise as quadding or charm kiting. 2) At lower levels root doesn't last long enough and casting/recasting makes it less mana efficient. Dots do less damage on mobs that are chasing you.
• Charm - Druids have a powerful charm animal line of spells, Befriend Animal. This technique involves charming an animal and having it fight a similar level mob. Once both mobs are low, you can invis or hide yourself and finish off both mobs to get solid XP.
  • Pros - 1) Can be very mana/time efficient, considered to be the best possible XP for many. 2) Should try to learn eventually because it is almost mandatory to solo levels 57-60.
  • Cons - 1) Can take a while to get used to, especially learning how to invis yourself and when to. 2) Criticized by some as 'not having enough downtime' since you have to constantly pull and play attentively (instead of having downtime like quadding) to med up. 3) Only works on animals (who typically don't have the best drops) and in some levels there may not be a good area/place to do it.
• Quadding - Druids have a powerful area of effect direct damage spell line, Lightning Strike. This technique involves snaring a group of four mobs and then casting your AEDD on them all while staying out of melee range allowing you to kill four mobs in one kite
  • Pros - This can be very mana efficient, some consider it the best XP available. 2) At level 46 when the Luminescent Staff proc becomes available to you you have a right click AEDD for 187 that can essentially allow you to power level yourself from 46-49 (or even higher) while expending minimal mana for Ensnare or zero mana when coupled with Elder Spiritist's Gauntlets.