Lone Druid/Guide

Jungle
Lone Druid is usually played as a jungler. More information needed.

Spirit Bear Brawler
The most common way to play Lone Druid is to focus getting items on his Spirit Bear. This gives the bear the tankiness and damage to sustain itself in the middle of fights, while the Lone Druid mostly supports from behind with buffs. A is often picked up to farm for this build. Later in the game, a is usually picked up on the Spirit Bear, who can then be sent near the enemy to deal damage, and called back with Return if it comes under attack.

Attack Speed Carry
An older, less common way to play Lone Druid is to maximize attack speed and damage on Lone Druid himself, and emphasize fighting from a distance in his normal form instead of True Form. This synergizes well with Lone Druid's buffs, as well as Spirit Bear's entangle, which locks down enemies for him to hit with his ranged attacks.

General

 * Lone Druid is most dominant in the mid-game. Try to gain an advantage during this period.
 * If a match goes late, Lone Druid should consider building more damage on himself, making him as powerful as his Spirit Bear.
 * Tips needed.


 * The Spirit Bear is extremely durable, and can be used to tank neutrals and jungle creep in the early game.
 * An early on the Spirit Bear makes him very adept at harassing lane opponents.
 * When killed, the Spirit Bear gives a very large bounty of gold and experience to the enemy, similar to losing a hero. Do not let your bear die.
 * If you suspect an upcoming engagement, do not risk sending the Spirit Bear out too far if Summon Spirit Bear is on cooldown.
 * The Spirit Bear can deny Lone Druid, and vice versa.
 * When retreating, use the Spirit Bear to slow down chasing enemies with Entangle.
 * But also remember that Lone Druid takes 10% of his max health as damage if Spirit Bear dies.
 * Send the Spirit Bear out to push and attack buildings, especially up the high ground to hit tier 3 towers.
 * Unlike heroes, the Spirit Bear's does not gain stats. This means it will not be able to fight hard carries during the late game.
 * If the Spirit Bear is about to die in a teamfight, you can try to transfer its items to Lone Druid so he can continue the fight.
 * Keep in mind that the Spirit Bear's damage type is basic, meaning that its attack damage is reduced by 25% when attacking heroes and creep-heroes.
 * Tips needed.


 * Rabid's low cooldown and mana cost means the Lone Druid can keep the buff on almost all the time.
 * Use Rabid to help the Spirit Bear catch up to a fleeing enemy, and catch it with Entangle.
 * Rabid can be used both offensively and defensively. If you have to run away, Rabid's speed buff is most likely to allow you to escape a gank or a teamfight if the ennemies don't have lockdowns.
 * Tips needed.


 * To save an outnumbered ally, send out the Spirit Bear and use Savage Roar to scatter the enemy.
 * Use Savage Roar to push enemies into your allies.
 * Send the Spirit Bear into the Roshan Pit, and use Savage Roar to interrupt enemies attacking Roshan.
 * Tips needed.


 * Spirit Form has a cast time, during which Lone Druid cannot move. Be careful when using it while retreating, as the transform time could allow enemies to catch up with Lone Druid.
 * Transform into bear form before a fight to make Lone Druid more durable.
 * Transform into bear form in an emergency to save Lone Druid by gaining extra health.
 * Transform just before a projectile hits to disjoint it.
 * Although Lone Druid is much tankier in his bear form, he is usually not strong enough to last long in an intense fight, especially if his Spirit Bear has most of the items.
 * Transforming into human form makes Lone Druid move faster, but will greatly reduce his maximum health.
 * When retreating, only transform back to human form when no enemies are close enough to kill or disable Lone Druid.
 * Tips needed.


 * Use Battle Cry just before an engagement to maximize damage.
 * Use Battle Cry around ally summons, such as units.
 * Tips needed.

Items
Starting items:
 * keeps Lone Druid in lane.
 * gives Lone Druid a few extra stats.
 * can be used to heal the Spirit Bear.
 * can be built into a later on.

Early-game items:
 * is needed on all heroes. Sometimes, Lone Druid will not upgrade his boots in favor of spending money on the Spirit Bear.
 * can save Lone Druid in a pinch.
 * helps greating in farming.

Core items:
 * will keep Lone Druid healed, as most of the fighting is done by the Spirit Bear.
 * can save Lone Druid in a pinch.
 * 's lifesteal aura helps Lone Druid and his Spirit Bear farm, and increases their damage.
 * allows the Spirit Bear to attack no matter how far away he is from Lone Druid, making it a more efficient farmer and pusher.

Situational items:
 * makes Lone Druid harder to kill, and is eventually built into.
 * is an excellent late game item for quick pushes.
 * helps Lone Druid lock down enemies, and syngerizes well with the Spirit Bear's Entangle.
 * can deal large amounts of damage with Rabid's attack speed buff.
 * attack speed aura greatly benefits the Spirit Bear, and synergizes well with Rabid.
 * makes both Lone Druid and his Spirit Bear tankier against magic damage.
 * keeps enemies immobilized, and works well in addition to Spirit Bear's Entangle.
 * discourages enemies from attack Lone Druid, forcing them to focus on the Spirit Bear.

Spirit Bear
Starting items:
 * helps Spirit Bear tank creeps.
 * helps Spirit Bear kill creeps.
 * Items needed.

Early-game items:
 * makes Spirit Bear move faster.
 * is excellent for harassing and catching enemies.
 * Items needed.

Core items:
 * provides damage, and helps the Spirit Bear run down enemies and catch them with Entangle.
 * is easily picked up with proper jungling, and helps the Spirit Bear snowball into the late game.
 * greatly increases the Spirit Bear's damage, as its high health allows it to stay in the center of fights. It also makes up for the Spirit Bear's lack of stat gain.
 * Items needed.

Situational items:
 * is a valuable luxury item to give the Spirit Bear very high attack speed.
 * is suitable for the Spirit Bear, as its tankiness keeps him from dying and dropping it. Lone Druid can also pick it up if the Spirit Bear dies.
 * Items needed.