Post by Heckler
Here's how your viability will probably progress:
Glyph of Maul is more-or-less necessary (
Level 15)
As stated above
Swipe is important (
Level 16)
Faerie Fire (Feral) is great for 'free' TPS when Rage is still hard to get. (
Level 18)
Until you get
Primal Fury, you'll be rage starved all day long (
Level 26)
Primal Precision is VITAL to lowbie tanking IMO, 10 Expertise (5% more chance to hit) is incredible. (
Level 28)
Once you pick up
Natural Reaction, rage becomes less limiting (
Level 37 - 45)
Dire Bear Form at 40 represents a massive jump in Armor Values (
Level 40)
Savage Defense is sorta like having a Shield (
Level 40)
Barkskin -- 12 seconds of 20% damage reduction every 60 seconds for free? Yes please. (
Level 44)
Survival of the Fittest - Uncrittable before 80? Druids ftw. (
Level 37 - 45)
Protector of the Pack is another big jump in Mitigation. (
Level 47-49)
Lacerate is a Bear's best friend, although it's a bit underwhelming while lowbie tanking. (
Level 66)
There's probably some I missed in there, but I'd say thats a pretty good framework for how viability increases with level. You should be just as good as an equal-level pally or warrior all the way up though (Possibly even superior given that you don't need to change any gear to be in 'plate' at level 40, and you'll be crit immune sooner) (Note that I assumed you would not seek out Omen of Clarity right away)
At level 32 you should be ready to go for tanking, as an example to possibly give you some confidence, on my latest Feral project me and my wife 2-manned Gnomeregan at level 28 (full clear) with a Bear and a Disc. Priest.
Edit: How could I forget FFF?