Bear Form

Bear Form is the second shapeshift ability learned by a druid at level 15. This form has tank-like abilities, similar to a warrior. While in bear form, the druid's mana bar is replaced by a rage bar. The armor contribution is upgraded from 65% to 120% at level 40. You receive an increased armor bonus at level 40 while in Bear Form, to match the introduction of plate armor to warriors and paladins at the same level.

Talent improvement
In Feral Combat:
 * Feral Swiftness increases your chance to dodge while in Bear Form by 2-4%.
 * Furor gives you a 33-100% chance to gain 10 Rage when you change into Bear Form.
 * Fury Swipes gives you a 5-15% chance in Bear Form to cause a fury swipe, dealing 310% weapon damage.
 * Thick Hide (druid talent) increases armor by an additional 26-78% while in Bear Form.
 * Primal Fury gives you a 50-100% chance to get 5 extra Rage when you land a critical hit.
 * Leader of the Pack increases ranged and melee critical strike chance of all party members within 45 yards by 5% and critical hits restore 4% health and 8% mana while in Bear Form.
 * Predatory Strikes increases your melee attack power by 50-150% of your level and 7-20% of any attack power of your equipped weapon while in Bear Form.
 * Natural Reaction reduces damage taken by 6-12%, increases your dodge chance by 3-6% and you regenerate 1-3 Rage every time you dodge while in Bear Form.

In Restoration:
 * Heart of the Wild increases your stamina by 2-6% while in Bear Form.
 * Natural Shapeshifter reduces mana cost of Bear Form by 10-20%.
 * Master Shapeshifter increases Bear Form physical damage by 4%.

Tips and tactics

 * As a druid, you really need to get a feel for when to change forms. Early on in the game, you may find it useful to cast a few long range spells, such as Wrath or Moonfire, then change to bear form when an enemy gets close.
 * Bear form is generally good to use against non-casters or those with higher armor, since you do higher melee damage, but at a slower attack speed.
 * If you're not sure if you can handle your (melee) enemy(s) (i.e. higher level, may be adds), use bear form until you get a feel for the fight.
 * Also, as a tank, bear form has a pretty reliable taunt to draw aggro away from more squishy party members.
 * For details on tanking as a druid in raids, see the druids as tanks page.
 * In Bear Form, or as a Druid in general, you cannot block or parry, so your only method of ignoring damage is through dodging. However keep in mind that you do not gain rage from dodging an attack.