Shapeshift into dire bear form, increasing melee attack power by (your level*3), armor contribution from cloth and leather items by 370%, and Stamina by 25%. Also protects the caster from Polymorph effects and allows the use of various bear abilities.
The act of shapeshifting frees the caster of Polymorph and Movement Impairing effects.
The second version of [Bear Form], gained at level 40. This form is meant to mimic the armor transition from mail to plate that warrior and paladins go through. 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 attack speed for Bear and Dire bear forms is 2.50.
This is essentially a more powerful version of [Bear Form], and learning it prevents the Druid from using Bear Form.
This form essentially mirrors the armor change of warriors and paladins from mail to plate at level 40.
The armor bonus is only affect cloth and leather items, and not item modifiers (enchantments, armor kits, etc). For example, a [Blackened Defias Belt] with 50 base armor, and a +24 armor from [Heavy Armor Kit] will count for:
164 armor in Bear form (164 = 50 + 50 * 1.8 + 24)
259 armor in Dire Bear form ( 259 = 50 + 50 * 3.7 + 24)
259 armor in Moonkin form ( 259 = 50 + 50 * 3.7 + 24)
Talent improvement
Bear Form/Talents
Tips and tactics
Main article: Druid tactics
Dire Bear form is simply an improved Bear form; standard Bear form tactics apply.
Patch changes
Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04): Mana energizes that occur while in this form will now appear in the combat log and floating combat text.
Patch 3.0.8 (2009-01-20): Armor contribution only affect cloth and leather items and does not affect bonus armor.
Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Armor contribution from items has been lowered from 400% to 370%
Patch 2.0.10 (2007-03-06): Now grants 25% increased stamina instead of 25% increased health. In addition, the armor bonus has been reduced from 450% to 400%.