Celtic Heroes

Hopefully a fairly simple question, tho hoping for a extensive reasoning with numbers:

Given the Two (and only Two) options listed, which one would you level up, and why?

Honestly, in my opinion, I prefer abundance over shield of bark. A reason to me would be that abundance is an all rounder. Shield of bark only affects defense and kind of helps with reducing hit point drop rate. What this basically means is that i think shield of bark reduces hit points at a higher rate than abundance. Abundance adds extra hit points (hp: the long horizontal red line on the user interface) This means that even if the mob that is attacking the tank, or even yourself, as a druid, it gives you a higher window of oppurtunity to heal that wounded ally or yourself compared to shield of bark. When i was level 60, i was immediately able to get to Aggragoth, or the cave area where Aggragoth, level 150 dragon resides. I had max abundance (if you prefer abundance, leave it to others to upgrade wards, dont even bother with this if you prefer abundance). These are my thoughts, if you want more of my opinion, or you think it doesn't make any sense that you would like to object with it, i reside in world Taranis, and i will show you how much abundance is more useful compared to shield of bark, i will even demonstrate it.

Regards, RoyalSeraphim of Taranis

It's indeed a fairly simple question but it requires more details to provide a more accurate answer.

If it’s for support built, there is a good chance you can forgo Bark as most druids usually invest into it and hence you can invest Abundance.
If it’s for solo built, you need to get Bark as it is crucial for your suriveability.

Facts:
Bark when maxed gives about 350 additional armour, it helps in reducing mob damage but it does not affect defence which stands for your potential rate in evading melee hits. (Royal take note)
Abundance when maxed gives about 1100 additional hp.
Abundance can nullify *tearing claw* effect from Aggragoth and 140 dragon. (Need 7 skill points in it)

While having 1100 additional hp does help in a higher survivability rate on the target. This again depends on the situation.
If it’s against a spell mob like Blade Wing Full / Black Druids, HP is better but if its against melee mob like Stone Lord / Wyverns , Armour is much better.
On the Wyverns for example, the target receives 1100 additional hp but due to no bark, it may also be receiving an additional 150 to 300 more damage per melee hit. The N.T cool down is probably about 2 – 3 melee hits. Hence, bark may still be better on this situation. Note: This is assuming there is only druid and the target has average armour and hp.

Overall, there is no one perfect druid built for all situations. Unity is strength. If you are in a clan, discuss with your druid clannies and see if you can work something out. You invest Abundance & they invest bark etc. Again if this is for solo levelling, you can survive without abundance but you cannot live without Bark.

Support Druids need to go Abundance, DPS Druids need to go bark.

Why?

Well a Support Druid isn't EVER gonna have the Bark that a DPS Druid will have. So when you group with them your Bark will be useless to the group. Whereas a 7+ Abundance is an absolute must in Chined Prince/King/Emp fights and in Dragon fights. And won't be used by DPS because they will be focusing on Bark and Embrace.

Knowing what you are, even if yer a hybrid, and using the spell that makes most sense is the smart move.

DPS and Support Druids in the same boss group are incredible for adding some great buffs all highly skilled to a group, don't waste bark points as support or Abundance points as DPS, you cancel yer utility.

I just reread Morph's thoughts and realized I said the same thing. Yea, Morphweasel.

Shield of bark only affects defense and kind of helps with reducing hit point drop

Shield of Bark does NOT effect defense. Only Armor Aka Physical Resistances, it's basically a Ward of Crush/Slash/Pierce that can stack with other wards. Spell DMG completely disregards Bark, and it doesn't protect you from Wisp Melee hits or Magic/Cold/Fire/Posion DMG at all.

By defense i meant what you said tea, hard to think about which words to describe it, but that really is what i meant.

Support Druids need to go Abundance, DPS Druids need to go bark.

I disagree. When I am sporting my DPS build I add nothing to bark but always add points to abundance.
Bark gets interrupted way too much if you are solo attacking anything near my levels. Once your Bark wears out after the initial cast, it is next to impossible to cast again. I think abundance lasts longer & I'd rather have the added HPs to provide the extra buffer against strong attacks that take out many HPs. The benefit to Abundance is if I can get a heal in during battle, my HPs are at max again.

Maybe it comes down to style of play, but I see Bark as a one-time use spell during any given battle if you solo.

Shield of Bark does NOT effect defense. Only Armor Aka Physical Resistances, it's basically a Ward of Crush/Slash/Pierce that can stack with other wards. Spell DMG completely disregards Bark, and it doesn't protect you from Wisp Melee hits or Magic/Cold/Fire/Posion DMG at all.

Quoting for emphasis. Is this absolutely, 100%, confirmed? Especillay with regards spells dmg totally disregarding bark???
That seems to add a heavy favor towards abundance lol.

Shield of Bark does NOT effect defense. Only Armor Aka Physical Resistances, it's basically a Ward of Crush/Slash/Pierce that can stack with other wards. Spell DMG completely disregards Bark, and it doesn't protect you from Wisp Melee hits or Magic/Cold/Fire/Posion DMG at all.

Quoting for emphasis. Is this absolutely, 100%, confirmed? Especillay with regards spells dmg totally disregarding bark???
That seems to add a heavy favor towards abundance lol.

Yes, Bark only increases armor, which means physical resistances. spell damage can only be reduced by elemental resistances (and totally nullified by evasion skills).

Support Druids need to go Abundance, DPS Druids need to go bark.

I just reread Morph's thoughts and realized I said the same thing. Yea, Morphweasel.

Lol, if i ever come to Arawin, I will pick that name

Once I turned 120 I changed to all abundance with only lvl1 bark. Giving the tank more hp is always easier for the druid.

This logic does not compare best use but definitely makes the case for playability. If you are always doing bosses with another druid then I would compare stats but this is not normal for anything but the highest bosses.

Touch