One of my favorite aspects of the Druid class in World of Warcraft is the shapeshifting ability. And while you usually can't cast spells while in your shape-shifted form, you can break spells cast upon you by shape shifting. All those frost spells designed to slow you down will be easily foiled. Since each shape offers its own advantages, I thought it would be a good idea to provide a brief overview of what you can expect when you play a WoW Druid.
The Bear (level 10)
The bear is the first form that you get to learn as a Druid. You should be able to pick it up around level 10 as long as you take care of the quests needed to learn it. You'll start with the quest "Heeding the Call" and once you complete the set of quests required, just see the Druid Trainer about learning the spell for the Bear Form.
The Bear form is useful for tanking and you get an armor bonus while shapeshifted. At level 40, the Dire Bear Form gives even better bonuses to both armor and hit points.
Aquatic (level 16)
The Aquatic form that you can pick up at level 16 is basically a sea lion. Naturally, you can only shapeshift into the aquatic form while in the water. It increases your swim speed and allows you to breath underwater, so the Aquatic form will allow you to travel much faster.
Like the Bear form, you pick up Aquatic by first doing some quests. The first quest is "A Lesson to Learn" and you'll need to get to either Thunder Bluff or Darnassus before you can begin.
The Cat (level 20)
You can turn yourself into a cat at level 30 and pick up some nice Rogue-like abilities. The cat provides stealth ability and more damage dealing. You'll be able to cloak yourself and track humanoids, useful for PvP.
There are no quests required for Cat form. You can just buy the spell from a class trainer.
Travel Form (level 30)
Travel form is a faster cat, a cheetah specifically, and in this form you'll get a 40% increase in run speed outdoors and over land. The Travel form means your Druid will never need a mount and while you won't be able to fight while shapeshifted into the travel form, you can cast the spell in the middle of a fight and use it to escape very quickly.
You'll purchase the Travel form spell from a class trainer.
Moonkin and Tree of Life
The Moonkin and Tree of Life forms require additional points in Balance and Restoration talents, respectively. For Moonkin, you need 31 points in Balance talents and in return you'll get some great DPS abilities when you cast it. For Tree of Life, you need 41 points in Restoration and it will increase your healing ability while in this form.
Flight Form and Swift Flight Form
You'll pick up Flight form and Swift Flight at levels 68 and 70 respectively. These are the shapeshifting forms that make flying mounts completely unnecessary as you'll essentially be your own flying mount! Flight Form provides a 60% increase in movement speed, and Swift Flight form bumps that up to 280%. You gain the spells by completing quests and the forms can only be used in Outland.
