Druids were first introduced in Diablo II and they’ve been a dynamic class since then. With nature magic, lycanthropy, and beast companions, Druids have tons of build options to satisfy many playstyles. In this guide, I will show you how to run both a hybrid companion/Storm spell caster build and a Werebear ‘Pulverize’ build, either of which can make the pivot to the endgame.
Beginner Leveling & Starter Endgame Build – ‘Lightning Storm’ Companion Druid
This Druid guide is very flexible and a great way to deal small, consistent passive damage and high active damage without having to juggle too many abilities. This makes for a very chill play style (usually). It also allows you to customize the build in a bunch of different ways to suit your needs.
The main idea is to generate Essence with either Wind Shear or Storm Strike (while inflicting Vulnerable on enemies), then spend it on Lightning Storm. This deals considerable damage to groups of enemies. You will also have a few Companion animals to deal damage to enemies and poison them. Finally, you’ll grab some passive abilities that boost damage against Vulnerable and Poisoned enemies.
Late in the build, you’ll grab abilities that will add a chance for your Storm abilities (like Wind Shear, Storm Strike, and Lightning Storm) to add Immobilize, which is another debuff that you’ll get damage bonuses against. Straightforward synergy and easy-to-manage resources are the name of the game.
Note: I recommend using Aldkin as your Hired Mercenary. His Fire build ability ‘Ember’s Gift,’ lets you get unlimited Spirit while standing in his Storm Of Fire, which lets you use Lightning Storm freely.
Basic Skills
- Wind Shear – Wild Wind Shear
- Storm Strike – Fierce Storm Strike (Optional: Alternative to Wind Shear)
- Earth Spike (Optional: If taking Resonance)
Core Skills
- Lightning Storm 5/5 – Primal Lightning Storm
- Heart of the Wild
- Wild Impulses
- Abundance
Defensive Skills
- (Optional: Healing / Essence Generation) Blood Howl – Innate Blood Howl
- (Optional: Defense / Vulnerable) Cyclone Armor – Innate Cyclone Armor
Companion Skills
- Wolves – Enhanced Wolf Pack
- Nature’s Reach
- Poison Creeper – Ferocious Poison Creeper
- Humanity
- Clarity
- (Optional: Bonus Pet Damage) Call of the Wild
Wrath Skills
- Elemental Exposure
- Electric Shock
- Bad Omen
- Neurotoxin
- Envenom 3/3
Ultimate Skills
- (Optional) Cataclysm – Supreme Cataclysm
- (Optional) Catastrophe
- Defiance
- Natural Disaster
- Circle of Life
- (Optional) Resonance
Key Passive
Beginner Leveling & Starter Endgame Build – Werebear ‘Pulverize’ Druid
This build focuses on shifting into Werebear form, both for the added durability and to use Pulverize, a hard-hitting Spirit-spending ability that you’ll amplify with Overpower and self-healing.
Survivability is one key issue in this build. up until you reach certain defensive passive skills further down in the tree. But you can alleviate that by putting more points into Werebear skills like Debilitating Roar, which reduces enemy damage by 40 percent. If you have no issues surviving on your chosen difficulty, you can opt to go with Blood Howl for the quick healing and spirit generation, but no added durability.
Your choice of Ultimate Skill can also come down to survivability vs damage. Take Grizzly Rage to trigger Provocation more often, or go with Cataclysm to inflict Vulnerable on nearby enemies. There are lots of choices, so you can take the build where you’d like.
Note: I recommend using Aldkin as your Hired Mercenary, using his Fire build ability ‘Ember’s Gift,’ which gives you unlimited Spirit while standing in his Storm Of Fire, letting you use Pulverize freely.
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Basic Skills
- Wind Shear – Fierce Wind Shear
Core Skills
- Pulverize 5/5 – Raging Pulverize
Defensive Skills
- (Optional: Fortify, Defense, Healing) Debilitating Roar 1/5 – Preserving Debilitating Roar
- (Optional: Healing / Spirit Generation) Blood Howl 1/5 – Innate Blood Howl
Companion Skills
- Poison Creeper 1/5 – Ferocious Poison Creeper
- Feral Aptitude
- Clarity
Wrath Skills
- Trample 1/5 – Savage Trample
- Mending 3/3
- Provocation 3/3
Ultimate Skills
- (Optional: Self-healing & Defense) Grizzly Rage – Supreme Grizzly Rage
- (Optional: Make enemies Vulnerable) Cataclysm – Supreme Cataclysm
- Quickshift 3/3
- Defensive Posture
- Nature’s Resolve
- Catastrophe
Key Passive
Now that you are equipped with knowledge of nature and its potency, turn the forces of Hatred into food for the beasts of the field and bring balance (however short lived) back to Sanctuary, Wanderer.
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