Long story short, literally the only reason I even have a druid is because every other class is fun in their own way and after having each of those, leaving one out just felt wrong. But beyond that, I just can't stand it. I have yet to find a druid build that is actually at least mildly entertaining to play, let alone one that doesn't also just suck compared to other classes options.
I've settled on a summoner as the "least stupid" but even those, even in full BiS, aren't just still kinda bad but they remain beyond aggravating to play, simply because seeing your wolves' idiot "AI" make them just leisurely stroll across the screen from left to right most of the time, rather than attacking anything, is just exceptionally daft.
So basically, I guess I'm putting up a challenge:
Give me a druid build that is at least mediocre by comparison (not holding out for "good" on a druid by any means) and that is actually somewhat entertaining. And convince me why that's the build to play!
I'll give every idea I might not have tried yet or haven't tried in ages a fair shot.
Whomever manages to convince me of something that I'll actually replace my summon druid with wins a Jah.
If by some miracle someone manages to come up with an idea that actually takes my druid from "just annoying and hands down the least interesting class out there" to "at least tied for last place, rather than miles behind", you win 5 Jah instead.
And if by some bigger miracle someone from Blizz actually reads this and takes it as incentive to fix summons AI...well, you can spawn your own Jah I guess but do it anyways! Or at least replace them with Hephasto-bind AI or something. Sure, they then possibly wouldn't use their special abilities anymore but blindly zerging summons with no special ability use would still far surpass the current "inactive most of the time but sometimes buffs up before becoming inactive again".
Full disclosure, it has been decades of this. So I'm not sure there's any new idea even left. There's hence a very real chance this goes nowhere, noone wins anything and he remains an annoying, badly coded summoner. But hey, worth a shot either way!
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Long story short, literally the only reason I even have a druid is because every other class is fun in their own way and after having each of those, leaving one out just felt wrong. But beyond that, I just can't stand it. I have yet to find a druid build that is actually at least mildly entertaining to play, let alone one that doesn't also just suck compared to other classes options.
I've settled on a summoner as the "least stupid" but even those, even in full BiS, aren't just still kinda bad but they remain beyond aggravating to play, simply because seeing your wolves' idiot "AI" make them just leisurely stroll across the screen from left to right most of the time, rather than attacking anything, is just exceptionally daft.
So basically, I guess I'm putting up a challenge:
Give me a druid build that is at least mediocre by comparison (not holding out for "good" on a druid by any means) and that is actually somewhat entertaining. And convince me why that's the build to play!
I'll give every idea I might not have tried yet or haven't tried in ages a fair shot.
Whomever manages to convince me of something that I'll actually replace my summon druid with wins a Jah.
If by some miracle someone manages to come up with an idea that actually takes my druid from "just annoying and hands down the least interesting class out there" to "at least tied for last place, rather than miles behind", you win 5 Jah instead.
And if by some bigger miracle someone from Blizz actually reads this and takes it as incentive to fix summons AI...well, you can spawn your own Jah I guess but do it anyways! Or at least replace them with Hephasto-bind AI or something. Sure, they then possibly wouldn't use their special abilities anymore but blindly zerging summons with no special ability use would still far surpass the current "inactive most of the time but sometimes buffs up before becoming inactive again".
Full disclosure, it has been decades of this. So I'm not sure there's any new idea even left. There's hence a very real chance this goes nowhere, noone wins anything and he remains an annoying, badly coded summoner. But hey, worth a shot either way!
Description by I've settled on a summoner as the "least stupid" but even those, even in full BiS, aren't just still kinda bad but they remain beyond aggravating to play, simply because seeing your wolves' idiot "AI" make them just leisurely stroll across the screen from left to right most of the time, rather than attacking anything, is just exceptionally daft.
So basically, I guess I'm putting up a challenge:
Give me a druid build that is at least mediocre by comparison (not holding out for "good" on a druid by any means) and that is actually somewhat entertaining. And convince me why that's the build to play!
I'll give every idea I might not have tried yet or haven't tried in ages a fair shot.
Whomever manages to convince me of something that I'll actually replace my summon druid with wins a Jah.
If by some miracle someone manages to come up with an idea that actually takes my druid from "just annoying and hands down the least interesting class out there" to "at least tied for last place, rather than miles behind", you win 5 Jah instead.
And if by some bigger miracle someone from Blizz actually reads this and takes it as incentive to fix summons AI...well, you can spawn your own Jah I guess but do it anyways! Or at least replace them with Hephasto-bind AI or something. Sure, they then possibly wouldn't use their special abilities anymore but blindly zerging summons with no special ability use would still far surpass the current "inactive most of the time but sometimes buffs up before becoming inactive again".
Full disclosure, it has been decades of this. So I'm not sure there's any new idea even left. There's hence a very real chance this goes nowhere, noone wins anything and he remains an annoying, badly coded summoner. But hey, worth a shot either way!
Schnorki
Can be used to make Runewords:
I am running fire druid in split p8 96tz. Not OP, perfectly serviceable.
The most value druid has over most anyone is their play patterns (except for summoner, ew) not being brain-dead. Really, how do you even look at summoner and say to yourself: "Yep, I have fun with my most damaging skill being Teleport (that's not even mine) and watching the whole spectacle without casting literally anything."
1. You get to use Ravenlore with Defender's Fire (using uniques in runeword-infested world is a plus in my book) and you need to cycle through 4 skills, sometimes even all 5, to maximize damage potential because of cast delays. With one Opalvein you get to forego a 19+% fcr Caster Amulet and can use any 9-10% amulet instead, which is a plus. Firedruid is also the real flagship of Phoenix Monarch.
2. Furydruid is still my pet char (pun intended). Juggling those timed skills makes it THE build that needs more than 2 brain cells. Plus it deals a ton of damage (think mine has some 8-24k in charscreen) and there is no clear-cut BiS weapon, so you get to use more than one. Almost like druid is a balanced class, as all generic druids should be. With Protector's Stone the option to switch from a GG Metamorphosis to Jalal's Mane after getting buffs is back on the menu.
Biggest perk? You look badass in Sacred Armor and you are probably the only non-merc character that can use it at the cost of -5% frw because you will have put a lot into strength as well. Looks > frw.
If you are a sick-o with cash in your mattress, furydruid is one of the better chars to use 3/20/20s in PvM.
3. Never played wind druid. Don't care for physical caster with all the Hell resists, moreso now that warlock does it better. Seems like a weak firedruid to me.
4. Rabies druid is terrible even in BiS gear. Had a +3 Rabies +3 Fury: Skill + Heart of Wolverine Metamorphosis. Even in secret level it did little in p1. Venom proc doesn't fix this.
5. Fire Claws bear is perfectly fine, strong, just single target.
TL;DR You can be pure physical furydruid, you can be Armageddon furydruid, you can be fireclaw bear speccing into fire, or just bear speccing into physical, or speccing into both; you can be fireclaws geddon bear, firedruid, Wind druid (meh), summon druid (ew), Rabies druid (double-ew). So many builds that differ a lot in itemization.
The most value druid has over most anyone is their play patterns (except for summoner, ew) not being brain-dead. Really, how do you even look at summoner and say to yourself: "Yep, I have fun with my most damaging skill being Teleport (that's not even mine) and watching the whole spectacle without casting literally anything."
1. You get to use Ravenlore with Defender's Fire (using uniques in runeword-infested world is a plus in my book) and you need to cycle through 4 skills, sometimes even all 5, to maximize damage potential because of cast delays. With one Opalvein you get to forego a 19+% fcr Caster Amulet and can use any 9-10% amulet instead, which is a plus. Firedruid is also the real flagship of Phoenix Monarch.
2. Furydruid is still my pet char (pun intended). Juggling those timed skills makes it THE build that needs more than 2 brain cells. Plus it deals a ton of damage (think mine has some 8-24k in charscreen) and there is no clear-cut BiS weapon, so you get to use more than one. Almost like druid is a balanced class, as all generic druids should be. With Protector's Stone the option to switch from a GG Metamorphosis to Jalal's Mane after getting buffs is back on the menu.
Biggest perk? You look badass in Sacred Armor and you are probably the only non-merc character that can use it at the cost of -5% frw because you will have put a lot into strength as well. Looks > frw.
If you are a sick-o with cash in your mattress, furydruid is one of the better chars to use 3/20/20s in PvM.
3. Never played wind druid. Don't care for physical caster with all the Hell resists, moreso now that warlock does it better. Seems like a weak firedruid to me.
4. Rabies druid is terrible even in BiS gear. Had a +3 Rabies +3 Fury: Skill + Heart of Wolverine Metamorphosis. Even in secret level it did little in p1. Venom proc doesn't fix this.
5. Fire Claws bear is perfectly fine, strong, just single target.
TL;DR You can be pure physical furydruid, you can be Armageddon furydruid, you can be fireclaw bear speccing into fire, or just bear speccing into physical, or speccing into both; you can be fireclaws geddon bear, firedruid, Wind druid (meh), summon druid (ew), Rabies druid (double-ew). So many builds that differ a lot in itemization.
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Can trade on LoD, RotW, and Ladder/Non-Ladder
Can trade on LoD, RotW, and Ladder/Non-Ladder
Amazing build, you will love this.
Rabies 20
Poison vine thingy 20
Fury 20
HoW 20
Prereqs
Rest in WW and Lycanthropy
Gear:
Plague Bearer
4os socketed Monarch with 4 poison facets (5/5 of course)
Trang gloves
Bramble
Metamorphosis with +3 Rabies / +3 Fury
Mara
BK ring x 2
Gore Riders
Swap:
Grief Phase Blade
Another 4os socketed Monarch with Bile jewel and 3 poison facets (5/5 of course)
Merc:
Act 5 with Bulwark, Mania, Plague and CoH
Play:
It's easy, you bite with Rabies, and the poison spreads to everything. Meanwhile, you are Furiously hitting everything with your super Grief PB and the merc is Burst of Speed hitting everything as well. Did I mention he's also giving you Fanaticism making BOTH of you hit things even faster?
What's great is you're doing both poison and physical damage at the same time. What could go wrong!?
Rabies 20
Poison vine thingy 20
Fury 20
HoW 20
Prereqs
Rest in WW and Lycanthropy
Gear:
Plague Bearer
4os socketed Monarch with 4 poison facets (5/5 of course)
Trang gloves
Bramble
Metamorphosis with +3 Rabies / +3 Fury
Mara
BK ring x 2
Gore Riders
Swap:
Grief Phase Blade
Another 4os socketed Monarch with Bile jewel and 3 poison facets (5/5 of course)
Merc:
Act 5 with Bulwark, Mania, Plague and CoH
Play:
It's easy, you bite with Rabies, and the poison spreads to everything. Meanwhile, you are Furiously hitting everything with your super Grief PB and the merc is Burst of Speed hitting everything as well. Did I mention he's also giving you Fanaticism making BOTH of you hit things even faster?
What's great is you're doing both poison and physical damage at the same time. What could go wrong!?
Elemental Fury Autocast Hybrid build (around Stormlash).
Weapon: Shael'ed/Jeweled Stormlash
Offhand: Stormshield or Phoenix, tho I prefer upped Stormchaser for additional Tornado procs.
Armor: Fortitude/Enigma for swap
Headgear: +3 Twister/ Tornado/ Hurricane, Jalal's Mane also fits good here if no better options.
Gloves: Laying of Hands
Boots: Gore Rider/ War Traveler, up to your purposes
Belt: Nosferatu for IAS BP, or Verdungo's
Rings: Carrion Wind for Twister procs, Raven Frost (optional if you're rich and can afford Cham'ed headgear, if yes - Bul'Katos then)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath.
Some Elemental skillers are needed for this build. Also, -physical res Renewed Bone Break, as well as pre-RoTW Crack of the Heavens do wonderful things to your DPS.
Max out Fury, 10 Lycantrophy, 10 Werewolf.
The rest goes to Elemental skills for synergy:
20 Twister
20 Cyclone Armor
20 Hurricane
Remaining points go to Tornado.
Hurricane sports strong CC aura
In terms of fun this build shines. Also can clear areas/both ubers really good (with some gear swap/pre-buffing). Reaper's Toll on your merc buff that damage even further.
Weapon: Shael'ed/Jeweled Stormlash
Offhand: Stormshield or Phoenix, tho I prefer upped Stormchaser for additional Tornado procs.
Armor: Fortitude/Enigma for swap
Headgear: +3 Twister/ Tornado/ Hurricane, Jalal's Mane also fits good here if no better options.
Gloves: Laying of Hands
Boots: Gore Rider/ War Traveler, up to your purposes
Belt: Nosferatu for IAS BP, or Verdungo's
Rings: Carrion Wind for Twister procs, Raven Frost (optional if you're rich and can afford Cham'ed headgear, if yes - Bul'Katos then)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath.
Some Elemental skillers are needed for this build. Also, -physical res Renewed Bone Break, as well as pre-RoTW Crack of the Heavens do wonderful things to your DPS.
Max out Fury, 10 Lycantrophy, 10 Werewolf.
The rest goes to Elemental skills for synergy:
20 Twister
20 Cyclone Armor
20 Hurricane
Remaining points go to Tornado.
Hurricane sports strong CC aura
In terms of fun this build shines. Also can clear areas/both ubers really good (with some gear swap/pre-buffing). Reaper's Toll on your merc buff that damage even further.
Summoner Druid has to actively engage combat. If you think that standing around watching your wolves kill stuff will work, you are doing it wrong.
I solo'ed my Summoner Druid to level 97, btw.
So my advice is:
-Make use of Werebear/ Werewolf form and lead your pack into battle. You should always run ahead so your minion AI stays in "attack mode" and doesn't go in "roaming mode".
- Shock Wave is a one-point-wonder with a high Stun duration. It makes the Summoner Druid one of the safest builds in D2R and an excellent supporting party member! You bring thousands of life as meatshild, several auras and crowd control.
-Get some IAS/Crushing Blow and slap Champs and Bosses. Maul: Skill brings another source of stun. Beast in a Berserker Axe is the weapon of choice, providing Fanaticism for everyone, skills to Werebear, IAS and CB. Horizons gloves and boots give another 10% CB, high IAS, high AR, CBF and can be considered BiS for this build.
-Rethink your merc choice. Rogue Scout with Mist works best for me, because she doesn't get hindered by the pack and she brings some severely needed AoE and elemental damage. In my games, the Rogue does 50% of all the killing. She can deal 3k average damage with 8 fpa and elemental splash damage as well as 100% Pierce on top. Additionally, Inner Sight removes defense from monsters, so the low attack rating of the Druid isn't an issue anymore.
A2 merc is too slow, A5 merc doesn't have fitting weapon options. A3 merc doesn't have good aura options.
-Enigma is mandatory for any Summoner.
-Cast Ravens on critical monsters. They all will attack the monster you cast a Raven on.
All in all, the Summoner Druid is a very weak build. It lacks AoE, it lacks elemental, it lacks raw damage. But that doesn't mean it can't be optimized to have fun. Don't play /p8 with it. Try soloing or small parties of 2-3 heroes where he works best.
For me, the Summoner Druid is one the most chilled and safe builds available. Perfectly made for late night gaming while watching a series or hearing some music.
Later on, I will post a video of my Summoner to showcase if this is appreciated.
I solo'ed my Summoner Druid to level 97, btw.
So my advice is:
-Make use of Werebear/ Werewolf form and lead your pack into battle. You should always run ahead so your minion AI stays in "attack mode" and doesn't go in "roaming mode".
- Shock Wave is a one-point-wonder with a high Stun duration. It makes the Summoner Druid one of the safest builds in D2R and an excellent supporting party member! You bring thousands of life as meatshild, several auras and crowd control.
-Get some IAS/Crushing Blow and slap Champs and Bosses. Maul: Skill brings another source of stun. Beast in a Berserker Axe is the weapon of choice, providing Fanaticism for everyone, skills to Werebear, IAS and CB. Horizons gloves and boots give another 10% CB, high IAS, high AR, CBF and can be considered BiS for this build.
-Rethink your merc choice. Rogue Scout with Mist works best for me, because she doesn't get hindered by the pack and she brings some severely needed AoE and elemental damage. In my games, the Rogue does 50% of all the killing. She can deal 3k average damage with 8 fpa and elemental splash damage as well as 100% Pierce on top. Additionally, Inner Sight removes defense from monsters, so the low attack rating of the Druid isn't an issue anymore.
A2 merc is too slow, A5 merc doesn't have fitting weapon options. A3 merc doesn't have good aura options.
-Enigma is mandatory for any Summoner.
-Cast Ravens on critical monsters. They all will attack the monster you cast a Raven on.
All in all, the Summoner Druid is a very weak build. It lacks AoE, it lacks elemental, it lacks raw damage. But that doesn't mean it can't be optimized to have fun. Don't play /p8 with it. Try soloing or small parties of 2-3 heroes where he works best.
For me, the Summoner Druid is one the most chilled and safe builds available. Perfectly made for late night gaming while watching a series or hearing some music.
Later on, I will post a video of my Summoner to showcase if this is appreciated.
Fury: Skill druid is a nice Ubers killer.
Works almost the same as a Frenzy barb with almost same gear.
Works almost the same as a Frenzy barb with almost same gear.
My timezone is CET/UTC+1.
i think i will try out Fire Claws with 2x Phoenix one day. one shot few lucky souls while the rest dies slow and painful Death from the procced firestorms. nice
-96 enemy fire res is also nice
-96 enemy fire res is also nice
Im currently leveling a Fury druid with the bespoke purpose of Uber hunting. I think (hope) that is something he can do well. And I hate paladin lol
DasNarf wrote: 2 weeks agoSummoner Druid has to actively engage combat. If you think that standing around watching your wolves kill stuff will work, you are doing it wrong.
I solo'ed my Summoner Druid to level 97, btw.
So my advice is:
-Make use of Werebear/ Werewolf form and lead your pack into battle. You should always run ahead so your minion AI stays in "attack mode" and doesn't go in "roaming mode".
- Shock Wave is a one-point-wonder with a high Stun duration. It makes the Summoner Druid one of the safest builds in D2R and an excellent supporting party member! You bring thousands of life as meatshild, several auras and crowd control.
This was my first build when I came back to D2. Grabbed a Jalal's Mane in a "free items game" and except the helmet I got my sons as "papa bear" completely selffound through hell
Surely not the most fun char to play but one of the most chill ones (got him to 95 and he is my last char in the Expansion).
After a 20 year break from D2 I started playing D2R in 2024 with my sons (9 and 10 years old)
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1/+2 (Germany)
Online workdays: casually from 07:00-09:00 pm
Online weekends: casually midday to evening
Non-Ladder | Softcore | Expansion
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1/+2 (Germany)
Online workdays: casually from 07:00-09:00 pm
Online weekends: casually midday to evening
Non-Ladder | Softcore | Expansion
I'm totally with Schnorki. There is no great Druid. But the one that is the most usable is the Fury druid. Basically a Frenzy barb with furry friends, which is quite nice.Tornado_OLO wrote: 2 weeks agoFury: Skill druid is a nice Ubers killer.
Works almost the same as a Frenzy barb with almost same gear.
What I also like is that you really want to ditch the shield and pick up a big two-hander.
Things like an upped Bonesnap are wild in the hands/ Claws of a Fury druid.
Playing HC SSF right now.
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
There is one secret build which needs Sigon's Complete Steel and socketed Wirt's Leg with 3x Zod. Total madness, pure fun. Recommended.
Well, convincing somebody is always a challenge because people are different, and what's fun for some might not be fun for others...
Anyway, druid is one of our favorite characters for team play. We have a Werewolf summoner hybrid on all 3 family accounts (with some changes of focus). We tried bear but it was too slow for us - wolf is fast with multiple attacks. and with the right gear he has very good damage even without maxing the shapeshifting tree, leaving points for summons. A duo playthrough with wolf-summoner and Lightning Fury amazon was amazing: zon cleared most enemies but she was a glass cannon, wolf and summons provided safety and killed survivors.
For solo play he is okay: when a friend asked me what to play for a solo self-found run as his very first playthrough (never played before), I suggested either summon necro or wolf/summon druid. He chose the latter because he wanted more "action", and he completed the whole game without dying (he did find Jalal's and Reaper's Toll, and followed my advice to use an A2 merc with Harmony). I also played a wolf summoner ages ago (before LoD came out), which I enjoyed but stopped after killing normal Diablo because I don't like playing alone (we restarted 2,5 years ago, to play together with my kids).
Here are 2 examples of the wolf/summon builds that we have:
Summon focused build Skills:
1 point in Fury and pre-reqs, 5 points in Lycanthropy,
Max Oak Sage, Grizzly, Dire wolf, Raven, rest goes into Spirit Wolf (11 at lvl 89)
Gear: Jalal, CoH, Gore Rider, Grief PB, Phoenix Monarch (swap for summoning: HoTo, Spirit Monarch), Arach, Raven Frost, mana steal ring, Steelrend, Rare Amulet (+2 druid, 6% life steal, 21 strength, 18 all res, Teleport charges, it costed an Ist to buy), 8 Summon Grand Charms.
Merc: cold Manic Pixie Dream Girl with Eth Delirium, Eth Hysteria, Mist Matriarchal Bow (+6 skills). I'm still waiting to see her turn into a doll because she rarely gets hit thanks to the army protecting her.
Wolf focused build skills:
Max Lycanthropy, 15 so far in Fury (at lvl 90) and 1 in pre-reqs, max Oak Sage, Grizzly and Dire Wolf, 1 in pre-reqs.
Gear: Jalal, CoH, Highlord, Gore Rider, Dungo, LoH, Raven Frost and BK rings, Grand charms: Summon skillers initially, replaced by Shape skillers/max dmg AR grand charms, weapon swap: HoTo and Spirit. Main weapon options: Eth Obsession Archon Staff for 1-hit potential, or Eth 3OS Tomb Reaver with excellent rolls (self-found), or Eth Death GA (my favorite). I also have an Eth Ribcracker that I did not try yet (need to be Zodded).
Merc: cold A2 with Faith GMB, Andy, Eth Treachery.
I hate to re-apply buffs all the time so I'm not interested in Metamorphosis. BO is entirely optional and can be provided by teammates.
I agree with DasNarf and Vued above: engage in combat and kill enemies yourself, then your horde will follow you to provide distraction and safety, eat corpses that prevents resurrection and CE, etc. Main damage comes from Werewolf and the A2 girl (and Ravens in the summon-focused build).
Anyway, druid is one of our favorite characters for team play. We have a Werewolf summoner hybrid on all 3 family accounts (with some changes of focus). We tried bear but it was too slow for us - wolf is fast with multiple attacks. and with the right gear he has very good damage even without maxing the shapeshifting tree, leaving points for summons. A duo playthrough with wolf-summoner and Lightning Fury amazon was amazing: zon cleared most enemies but she was a glass cannon, wolf and summons provided safety and killed survivors.
For solo play he is okay: when a friend asked me what to play for a solo self-found run as his very first playthrough (never played before), I suggested either summon necro or wolf/summon druid. He chose the latter because he wanted more "action", and he completed the whole game without dying (he did find Jalal's and Reaper's Toll, and followed my advice to use an A2 merc with Harmony). I also played a wolf summoner ages ago (before LoD came out), which I enjoyed but stopped after killing normal Diablo because I don't like playing alone (we restarted 2,5 years ago, to play together with my kids).
Here are 2 examples of the wolf/summon builds that we have:
Summon focused build Skills:
1 point in Fury and pre-reqs, 5 points in Lycanthropy,
Max Oak Sage, Grizzly, Dire wolf, Raven, rest goes into Spirit Wolf (11 at lvl 89)
Gear: Jalal, CoH, Gore Rider, Grief PB, Phoenix Monarch (swap for summoning: HoTo, Spirit Monarch), Arach, Raven Frost, mana steal ring, Steelrend, Rare Amulet (+2 druid, 6% life steal, 21 strength, 18 all res, Teleport charges, it costed an Ist to buy), 8 Summon Grand Charms.
Merc: cold Manic Pixie Dream Girl with Eth Delirium, Eth Hysteria, Mist Matriarchal Bow (+6 skills). I'm still waiting to see her turn into a doll because she rarely gets hit thanks to the army protecting her.
Wolf focused build skills:
Max Lycanthropy, 15 so far in Fury (at lvl 90) and 1 in pre-reqs, max Oak Sage, Grizzly and Dire Wolf, 1 in pre-reqs.
Gear: Jalal, CoH, Highlord, Gore Rider, Dungo, LoH, Raven Frost and BK rings, Grand charms: Summon skillers initially, replaced by Shape skillers/max dmg AR grand charms, weapon swap: HoTo and Spirit. Main weapon options: Eth Obsession Archon Staff for 1-hit potential, or Eth 3OS Tomb Reaver with excellent rolls (self-found), or Eth Death GA (my favorite). I also have an Eth Ribcracker that I did not try yet (need to be Zodded).
Merc: cold A2 with Faith GMB, Andy, Eth Treachery.
I hate to re-apply buffs all the time so I'm not interested in Metamorphosis. BO is entirely optional and can be provided by teammates.
I agree with DasNarf and Vued above: engage in combat and kill enemies yourself, then your horde will follow you to provide distraction and safety, eat corpses that prevents resurrection and CE, etc. Main damage comes from Werewolf and the A2 girl (and Ravens in the summon-focused build).
But that was a warlock build, not a druid.Karel wrote: 2 weeks agoThere is one secret build which needs Sigon's Complete Steel and socketed Wirt's Leg with 3x Zod. Total madness, pure fun. Recommended.
(Even stronger with Sigon's!)
Playing HC SSF right now.
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Lol yeah, imagine it socketed with zods and with complete sigon, Mosaicsin's stronger brother.vued wrote: 2 weeks agoBut that was a warlock build, not a druid.Karel wrote: 2 weeks agoThere is one secret build which needs Sigon's Complete Steel and socketed Wirt's Leg with 3x Zod. Total madness, pure fun. Recommended.
(Even stronger with Sigon's!)
Fire Druid is pretty nice if you like pressing a lot of different buttons in sequence, and don't mind the sound of Armageddon pelting the screen all the time. Fissure is pretty powerful and while waiting for the timer, you can cast the other fire spells, although admittedly it's pretty annoying (for me).
Wind Druid is surprisingly chill (pun?) People said he can't handle much more than P3 but I think in a lot of areas P7-P8 is fine, he is just a bit slower than most. The Tornadoes are a little wonky to deal with, but if you just cast behind the enemies and wiggle the mouse a bit you're good. Hurricane is much more chill than Armageddon (woooooooosh!) Still, a bit of an annoying build to play.
Summoner is the weakest IMO, but he is still pretty cool. I like having a big zoo, although you can kinda do that with the other builds too, they just won't be as powerful. Druid summon tree is cool because soft points affect the synergies too! That said, even if you manage to get your Ravens to level 50+, kill speed is still pretty slow on higher player counts. And as you said, the AI on the wolves/bear is kinda ass.
I, like you, think the Druid is probably the weakest class, but I don't think he's completely useless. You just gotta be in the right mood to play him.
Wind Druid is surprisingly chill (pun?) People said he can't handle much more than P3 but I think in a lot of areas P7-P8 is fine, he is just a bit slower than most. The Tornadoes are a little wonky to deal with, but if you just cast behind the enemies and wiggle the mouse a bit you're good. Hurricane is much more chill than Armageddon (woooooooosh!) Still, a bit of an annoying build to play.
Summoner is the weakest IMO, but he is still pretty cool. I like having a big zoo, although you can kinda do that with the other builds too, they just won't be as powerful. Druid summon tree is cool because soft points affect the synergies too! That said, even if you manage to get your Ravens to level 50+, kill speed is still pretty slow on higher player counts. And as you said, the AI on the wolves/bear is kinda ass.
I, like you, think the Druid is probably the weakest class, but I don't think he's completely useless. You just gotta be in the right mood to play him.
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I think it's intended. As a caster, he is basically a sorc with half the damage and twice the def. Leading to a slower but safer play style, which most people don't like. On HC, there is value in this. On SC, it just drags...
Blizzard did something similar with the Warlock but decided to go for twice the damage, twice the def this time.
Blizzard did something similar with the Warlock but decided to go for twice the damage, twice the def this time.
Playing HC SSF right now.
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Quite accuratevued wrote: 2 weeks ago
Blizzard did something similar with the Warlock but decided to go for twice the damage, twice the def this time.
Much as proc-builds tend to usually be pretty bad at best, that is the only idea so far I haven't already pursued (multiple times in most cases) so...gonna have to look into that one/expand on the idea.Eremes wrote: 2 weeks agoElemental Fury Autocast Hybrid build (around Stormlash).
Weapon: Shael'ed/Jeweled Stormlash
Offhand: Stormshield or Phoenix, tho I prefer upped Stormchaser for additional Tornado procs.
Armor: Fortitude/Enigma for swap
Headgear: +3 Twister/ Tornado/ Hurricane, Jalal's Mane also fits good here if no better options.
Gloves: Laying of Hands
Boots: Gore Rider/ War Traveler, up to your purposes
Belt: Nosferatu for IAS BP, or Verdungo's
Rings: Carrion Wind for Twister procs, Raven Frost (optional if you're rich and can afford Cham'ed headgear, if yes - Bul'Katos then)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath.
Some Elemental skillers are needed for this build. Also, -physical res Renewed Bone Break, as well as pre-RoTW Crack of the Heavens do wonderful things to your DPS.
Max out Fury, 10 Lycantrophy, 10 Werewolf.
The rest goes to Elemental skills for synergy:
20 Twister
20 Cyclone Armor
20 Hurricane
Remaining points go to Tornado.
Hurricane sports strong CC aura
In terms of fun this build shines. Also can clear areas/both ubers really good (with some gear swap/pre-buffing). Reaper's Toll on your merc buff that damage even further.
Druid is my least favourite class, and I really don't like his gait. So if anything, I play Fury druid.
So if anything, I play Fury druid.
Was about to suggest another proc based build to make it somehow fun, but based on Destruction (with Fury perhaps) instead of Stormlash.
Some guides exist - but you'll make a better build yourself.
Or try something that does not exist with a Rift polearm ?!
Some guides exist - but you'll make a better build yourself.
Or try something that does not exist with a Rift polearm ?!
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