Where Tyler is correct that shapeshifting is the spice and not the pudding of Druid lore, I have to agree with Turtle. Shapeshifting is the unique mechanic given to Druids and for the most part I believe it's what draws players to the class. Without it we'd pretty much be Shamans without totems.

What I'd like to see for both Balance and Restoration is more shapeshifting forms. In fact blizzard could go far with this idea and really make playing Druids even more interesting.

What if, for Balance, activating an Eclipse state could proc a Solar or Lunar form that lasts for a few seconds and increases burst damage for one form and DoTs for the other? Similarly, Restoration could have two forms to choose from. One that increases direct healing, and one that increases HoTs. My main issue with Restoration is, in addition to crappy damage, the fact that our direct healing is awkward or useless because the spec focuses on HoTs.

Hell maybe even some type of mechanic on a cooldown that allows Balance to switch to greatly improved healing for a short duration and Restoration could have a similar cooldown that improves burst damage for a short duration. I think I like this idea even better. And it would solve problems for both of those specs. The improved survivability that everyone seems to be wanting for Balance, (again I don't share this opinion as I've stated before but that's just me), and improved burst for Restoration which I DO think it needs.

This would mirror what we have as Feral Druids, and add a nice balance to the class that's missing at the moment. Get it? Balance... heh.