dumb newb question

[dirtynoob]

okay I have my first character ever to reach nm and its a druid, anyways I read a few guides on creating all kind of druids but I have a few questions.
(by the way my build is a lvl 34 wherebear with no points in elementals) also that I'm not buffed at all no super great items, this is my highest character and my first one on the web.

1. I've got two skill points that I want to distribute where should I put them? keep in mind I'm not using fire claws, my main skills are shock wave and maul.
5 points in lycanthropy
7 in wherebear
5 maul
5 shockwave
2 soul of wolverine
1 the spirit barb
and 2 in wherebear
(again i'm a complete newb at the game in general, so just tell me where to put some points into, and try not to bash me to much:)

2. which should I go with (although it might be to late) Wolverine spirt or the Spirit barb?

3. besides the very fast speed rating, why is using a maul <--weapon) with a wherebear so much better than using a regular weapon that has very fast rating on it??

just a reminder I've read all of the guides but they mostly tell you to use the flame claw skill, which I didnt want to use, so with that in mind, any helpful advice would be great.
note: if this doesnt make any sense I'm sorry I've had along day and I'm tired.

[Tor]

max lycanthopy, max heart of wolverine, 10 in werebear, rest into fireclaws/synergies, 1 hunger

fireclaws helps you kill physical immunes and the abilities from a charged maul also go with it
it has a nice attack rating boost because werebears lack attack rating and it makes you hit more accurately

incame things lie they arent faster
a 4 shael 2 ed/ias phaseblade will give ou the fastest attack

[Crogon]

1) if you're trying to build a shockbear, there SHOULD be a guide around here somewhere.

2) waste no more points on spirit of barbs, its lame even when maxed. only use is to annoy a ww barb.

3) druids get a bonus to ed when using mauls weapons, its not much, but more str = more ed.

[dirtynoob]

okay great thanks for the info.

and yeah, you'd think there would be a guide for building a shock bear, but I havent found one yet. :spy:

[Crogon]

i KNOW there usta be one, they were all the fad for a while back in 08, then again for a bit in 09. if you cant find one in the strategy compendium, check some other d2 sites, theres gotta be one somewhere :P