From controlling the forces of nature to transforming into fierce animalistic forms, the Druid class in Diablo IV offers players a wide range of powerful skills. With its versatility and flexibility, the Druid class is sure to offer a playstyle that resonates with every player. This comprehensive guide is here to help you effectively navigate the different builds. Here, we will take you through an ideal journey from level 1 to 50, outlining the best choices and strategies along the way.
Diablo IV’s complex skill allow for a multitude of unique builds, which could even include hybridizing the paths discussed here. Nonetheless, the following three specific builds provide excellent foundations for a newcomer to the Druid class, guiding you all the way to level 50.
Storm Druid – Levels 1-15
Kickstart your journey as a Storm Druid by dedicating your first points to acquiring Storm Strike. This move can be further enhanced by unlocking Enhanced Storm Strike and Fierce Storm Strike. The latter offers a chance to render enemies Vulnerable, resulting in them taking an additional 20 percent damage. This potent status affliction makes Fierce Storm Strike a superior choice over Wild Storm Strike.
Next, focus on the skill group containing Lightning Storm. Invest a maximum of five points into this skill at your discretion but aim to unlock Enhanced Lightning Storm and Primal Lightning Storm. The latter ability offers a chance to immobilise enemies, allowing you to stack debuffs on top of the vulnerability from Fierce Storm Strike.
Consider investing in passive skills like Heart of the Wild, which increases your Spirit by three, and Abundance for augmented Spirit generation. Each of these abilities can take up to two additional skill points. As you approach level 15, acquire Cyclone Armor and Ravens, advancing them to Innate and Ferocious levels respectively. These upgrades boost your capacity to render enemies vulnerable.
Pulverizer Druid – Levels 1-15
For a sturdy, damage-dealing Pulverizer Druid build, start with Maul and enhance it with Enhanced Maul and Fierce Maul to expand your attack range. These steps morph your Druid into a bear form, but this is just the start of the journey.
To make your bear form more formidable, invest in Pulverize. After transforming, continue with Enhanced Pulverize and Primal Pulverize. The Primal Pulverize enhances your tanking capabilities by reducing incoming damage from afflicted enemies by 20 percent for four seconds.
For passive skills, turn your attention to Predatory Instinct to increase critical strike chance against nearby enemies. Following this, select Iron Fur for heightened defences while in werebear form. Each of these skills can accommodate up to three points.
Subsequently, acquire Earthen Bulwark and its Enhanced variant, followed by Preserving Earthen Bulwark. The latter grants you the Fortify status, reducing incoming damage by 10 percent. Additionally, invest in Debilitating Roar and its enhanced version, followed by Innate Debilitating Roar. These skills are effective in slowing down approaching enemy hordes.
As you inch closer to level 15, it is advised to further augment existing skills. In particular, aim to level Pulverize as high as possible before the Druid class quest unlocks.
Shapeshifting Druid (Bear or Wolf) – Levels 1-15
The Shapeshifting Druid build diverges at the start depending on your preference between werebear or werewolf forms. For those keen on werebear, begin with Maul, Enhanced Maul, and Fierce Maul. If werewolf appeals more, kick off with Claw, Enhanced Claw, and Wild Claw. The latter’s additional chance for a second strike edges it ahead of Fierce Claw’s poison ability, but your personal playstyle may influence your decision.
As you progress, if werebear is your chosen form, select Pulverize, Enhanced Pulverize, and Raging Pulverize. Unlike the Pulverizer build, the Shapeshifting Druid is not primarily a tank, so Raging Pulverize’s stun ability is typically more advantageous here. However, if a tankier shapeshifter is more appealing, you may wish to consider Primal Pulverizer instead. Those opting for a werewolf form should invest in Shred, Enhanced Shred, and Primal Shred. While both forms can be acquired, focusing on one form during the initial 15 levels often proves more beneficial.
Passive skills offer some flexibility. Heart of the Wild and Predatory Instinct are worthwhile investments. Depending on your form, consider Digitigrade Gait for increased movement speed in werewolf form or Iron Fur for bolstering the bear form.
If werewolf form is your preference, select Blood Howl, or opt for Debilitating Roar if you favour the bear form. Regardless of your choice, aim to reach the Enhanced and Preserving variant for each.
Druid Class Quest and Spirit Boons
Upon reaching level 15, the “Druid: Spirits of the Lost Grove” quest will automatically appear in your quest log, and enemies will begin dropping Spirit Offerings. Navigate your way to the Tur Dulra stronghold, clear it, and complete the quest. These Spirit Offerings can then be exchanged for potent Spirit Boons.
Your Druid is associated with four spirits: Wolf, Snake, Deer, and Eagle.
- Deer Spirit boons are beneficial for damage reduction, making them appealing for tank-based Druid builds.
- Wolf boons aid in cooling down companion abilities.
- Eagle boons enhance your attacks.
- Snake boons are notably beneficial for Storm and Pulverizer builds, offering increased healing and an augmented chance of a cooldown reduction on your ultimate.
Levelling from 16-50 for Storm, Pulverizer, and Shapeshifting Druid
Advancing to level 50 will involve enhancing all your abilities as much as possible, but there are a series of key skills you’ll want to acquire for each of the three builds:
- Storm Druid (Levels 16-50): Post Druid Class quest, obtain all three ranks of Nature’s Reach, followed by Hurricane, advancing it to Savage Hurricane. Unlock Elemental Exposure, Charged Atmosphere, and Bad Omen to amplify damage against vulnerable enemies. Select Cataclysm as your ultimate, advancing it to Supreme status, and opt for Perfect Storm at the end of the skill tree. As you ascend to level 50, strive to max out all skills and consider additional abilities like Circle of Life, Trample (Enhanced and Savage), Endless Tempest, and Natural Disaster.
- Pulverizer Druid (Levels 16-50): After level 15, focus on upgrading Pulverize to rank 5. Acquire Trample and enhance it with Natural, then invest in Grizzly Rage Prime and Supreme. Poison Creeper, Enhanced, and Brutal are also beneficial. Select Grizzly Rage as your ultimate and max it out. Also acquire Defensive Posture, Ursine Strength, Ancestral Fortitude, Vigilance, and Mending. On your path to level 50, strive to max out ranks in every skill and consider investing in Wild Impulses (all three ranks), Predatory Instinct, Crushing Earth, and Stone Guard.
- Shapeshifting Druid (Levels 16-50): Use your journey to level 50 to increase the ranks of all existing skills. Upgrade Wolves to Ferocious, acquire Rabies, and advance it to Natural. Gradually invest in Carrion Vine, including its enhanced and savage variants. As your ultimate, Feral Spirit is an excellent choice, enabling your transformation to become more potent. Also consider investing in passive abilities like Predatory Instinct and Nurturing Nature for further boosts in combat and healing. As you level up, continue to max out the ranks in every skill and contemplate additional abilities.
The Diablo IV Druid character is all about maximizing your potential through mastering your environment. Each build offers a unique playing experience, reflecting the power and versatility of nature. With Storm, Pulverizer, and Shapeshifting builds at your disposal, Diablo IV’s Druid ensures each playthrough is an adventure like no other. Have fun discovering the ways you can harness the Druid’s unique abilities and truly make the character your own.
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