The current meta for Druids revolves around 
Cataclysm and a snapshotting mechanic. Right now, with enough cooldown reduction, you can cast Cataclysm twice in a row and have all the bonuses from the first cast carry over to the second. This creates a huge power gap. If you manage to snapshot correctly, you are incredibly strong, but if you miss the window, you are much weaker.
Blizzard is addressing this issue in Season 8, as they do not want snapshotting to define the Druid’s power level. Instead, they are making several adjustments to other aspects of the class, including buffs to 
Stone Burst and a brand-new Unique Helm designed for Human Form builds.
New Unique: Gathlen’s Birthright
This new helm is meant for players who prefer staying in Human Form rather than shifting into Werebear or Werewolf. It introduces a new stacking mechanic, granting access to three Key Passives at once. Something never seen before for any of the classes.
Affixes:
- Inherent: Anima of the Forest grants you 15% Attack Speed
- +10.5-15% Willpower
- +224-296% Willpower
- +2-3 Ranks of Humanity
- +17.5-23% Movement Speed While in Human Form
Unique Power:
While in Human Form, Critical Striking enemies with Nature Magic 400-200 times grants you Anima of the Forest for 10 seconds.
While infused with Anima of the Forest, you gain the 
Perfect Storm and 
Earthen Might Key Passives.
This item is build-defining for Human Form Druids, making it possible to use three Key Passives at once by reaching 200 stacks of Anima of the Forest.
Skill and Aspect Changes
Stone Burst Buff
The 
Aspect of Anticline Burst is getting a big buff:
- Previous: Stone Burst deals 10-30% increased damage and when cast at or above 75 Spirit, it reaches its Maximum Size.
- Now: Stone Burst still deals 10-30% increased damage, but now it is guaranteed to Overpower when it detonates at Maximum Size.
This should make Stone Burst much stronger, giving Druids another powerful Overpower option outside of Werebear builds.
Storm Strike and Lightning Changes
Fierce Storm Strike will now always make enemies Vulnerable (instead of only having a 50% chance).- New Aspect of Impending Deluge will boost Storm Strike‘s damage by 50% and increase the damage the target takes from your other Skills by 20-40% for 6 seconds.
Cyclone Armor Rework
Enhanced Cyclone Armor will now make enemies Vulnerable.- Preserving Cyclone Armor will pull in enemies instead of knocking them back, but damage reduction is reduced to 10% for 4 seconds (down from 30% for 2 seconds).
- Innate Cyclone Armor will slow enemies and increase the damage they take.
Other Changes
- Spirit Boon Overload: Lightning bolts from Spirit Boon Overload will now trigger 35% of the time instead of just 1%.
- Lightning Dancer’s Aspect:
- Now: Lightning Storm and Lightning Bolt Critical Strikes have a 50% chance to spawn 3 Dancing Bolts (up from only Lightning Storm)
- Dancing Bolts now deal 30% increased damage.
- Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast: Critical Strike Damage per stack reduced from 10% (200% max) to 3% (60% max)
- Now grants Multiplicative Critical Damage rather than Additive, which results in a higher overall damage bonus.
These Druid changes in Season 8 address some of the frustrating and overpowered snapshot mechanics and introduce new build options, especially for Human Form Druids. Stone Burst buffs, Storm Strike changes, and new aspects and uniques are looking up to make the class feel more balanced.
Will you be trying a Human Form Druid or sticking to classic shapeshifting builds?
