Why isn't the Oak Sage getting any love?

**melk** · 07-06-2009, 20:24

From all the builds I read only elemental druids seem to recommend the Sage. Sure for a summoner you would want them to do damage. But your not doing damage and if your summons get killed your next. That extra life is vital for getting a summon in quick with archers around. Now I might be wrong but that seems to be my opinion. Is there anyone else who prefers the Sage over HoW or am I alone on this?

**DECOYBOY** · 08-06-2009, 05:49

i guess it kinda depends on your own survivability and gear. with maxed resists and max vit, esp in werebear form...you shouldn't need much extra life yourself. pet-wise, with a reasonable amount of +skills, i've never had any problems with them dying off easily. if needed in extra hairy situations, i'll shockwave the source of trouble.

also they kill significantly faster with HoW than without and the oak tends to get picked off easier due to its lower hp gains at higher levels. i mean i'll throw an oak up for a party's sake, but if i'm alone it's HoW all the way.

**Jinchuu** · 08-06-2009, 12:14

I normally go with OS, even though it has some pitiful AI. The thing flies around with a constant deathwish. HoW tends to actually try to survive so it doesn't have to be recast as often. It boils down to what you care about more, extra hp or extra damage.

**Fenrix** · 08-06-2009, 14:46

I'm building my fireclaws druid with oak sage because my dps comes primarily from fireclaws and synergy from elemental skills, which (I believe) HoW doesn't affect. But that would be one of the few uses apart from the aforementioned elemental druid - HoW is better for any build centred around physical damage.

**Valindria** · 08-06-2009, 15:19

Originally Posted by Fenrix

I'm building my fireclaws druid with oak sage because my dps comes primarily from fireclaws and synergy from elemental skills, which (I believe) HoW doesn't affect. But that would be one of the few uses apart from the aforementioned elemental druid - HoW is better for any build centred around physical damage.

HoW would help the AR and the base damage. Edit: Base damage (or physical damage of the weapon) The fire damage added would not be increased.

Generally when I play I never saw the point of Oak for SS. You already get plus life from the lycanthropy, so why not kill stuff faster?

**Master Zap** · 08-06-2009, 16:15

I'm in the HOW camp myself.

I'd only use sage on windies and fire druids. Since I dont play these two buids, how it is!

(love my shifters, hunters and summon heavy druids)

**SnickerSnack** · 08-06-2009, 16:35

I only have a fury/summon druid, but I found that I don't like either spirit. They die too easily. I use a might merc, and fury gives a huge ed% bonus, so HoW doesn't help the damage significantly. I use the angelic combo and Jalal's and I have some pretty nice sharp/steel gcs with life, so ar isn't a problem.

For a pure fury or a pure summoner, HoW may be helpful since you'll have more skill points to spare, but for a hybrid, points in HoW just don't give enough return.

**Damric** · 09-06-2009, 13:49

yeah,

I find that with few +skill points from items, oak pays off, even just 1 point, which makes it good for elemental and hynrid builds where you need all your points for synergies.

But when you have lots of +skills, especially +summoning skills, HoW really pays off and adds a huge amount of damage and attack rate bonus if you maximize it. Plus the red aura is awesomeness!