Mastering the Power of the Druid: Unleashing the Versatility and Might of Diablo IV’s Shapeshifting Class

Diablo IV – Bear Bender Build

This guide covers Storm, Pulverizer, and Shapeshifting Druids. We’ll start by discussing what your first 15 levels should ideally look like, followed by the best choices leading up to level 50.

Diablo IV’s branching skill trees can make for a number of versatile builds, some of which might even involve hybridizing the builds we’re about to delve into. Nonetheless, these three, more focused paths are excellent ways to get rolling with a new Druid, all the way to level 50.

1: Storm Druid – Levels 1-15
To start, spend your first few points by acquiring Storm Strike and unlocking Enhanced Storm Strike and Fierce Storm Strike. Fierce Storm Strike has the chance to make enemies Vulnerable, which means they’ll take an additional 20 percent damage. This is an exceedingly effective status affliction, which makes it an easy choice over the Wild Storm Strike.

Screenshot: Blizzard / Kotaku

Moving onto the next skill grouping, grab Lightning Storm. Feel free to max this one out by investing up to five points in it at your own pace, but be sure to unlock Enhanced Lightning Storm and Primal Lightning Storm. Primal Lightning Storm has a nice chance to Immobilize enemies, so on top of hitting foes with Vulnerability from Fierce Storm Strike, we’re stacking our debuffs.

Now you’ll want to grab some passive skills before taking more attacks. Heart of the Wild will increase your Spirit by three, which you should follow up with Abundance for increased Spirit generation. You can invest up to two more skill points in each of these abilities.

As you approach level 15, grab Cyclone Armor and Ravens. Take Cyclone Armor up to Innate and Ravens up to Ferocious (roar). Innate Cycle and Ferocious Ravens further augment your ability to place enemies into Vulnerable status.

2: Pulverizer Druid – Levels 1-15
For a Pulverizer build that is wonderfully tanky but can still hit like a truck, get started with Maul, Enhanced Maul, and then Fierce Maul to increase your attack range. This gets you into bear form, but that’s only the beginning.

Now it’s time to make that bear work even harder with Pulverize. After you’re comfortably ursine you’ll want Enhanced Pulverize and Primal Pulverize. This path enhances your tanking capabilities, with Primal Pulverize reducing incoming damage from afflicted enemies by 20 percent for four seconds.

Screenshot: Blizzard / Kotaku

Next up you should acquire some passives. Since we’re looking at tank scenarios, grab Predatory Instinct to increase critical strike chance against nearby enemies. Follow this up with Iron Fur for increased defenses while in werebear mode. You can invest up to three points in each of these.

After your passives, grab Earthen Bulwark and its Enhanced variant, followed by Preserving Earthen Bulwark. Preserving Earthen Bulwark will Fortify you, reducing incoming damage by 10 percent. After this, get Debilitating Roar, its enhanced version, and then Innate Debilitating Roar, as this will slow down advancing hordes.

For the remaining few levels on your path to level 15 (and thus the Druid class quest), juice up existing skills. We recommend bringing Pulverize up as high as you can until the Druid class quest opens up.

3: Shapeshifting (Bear or Wolf) Druid – Levels 1-15
This build starts differently depending on your preferred transformation. If you prefer to focus on the werebear form, start with Maul, Enhanced Maul, and Fierce Maul. Or to kick things off as a shapeshifting werewolf, invest your first three skill points into Claw, Enhanced Claw, and Wild Claw. Fierce Claw’s poison ability isn’t bad, but the additional chance for a second strike with Wild Claw makes it a little more preferable. Your playstyle might change your preference.

Screenshot: Blizzard / Kotaku

Next up, if you prefer bear form, take Pulverize, Enhanced Pulverize, and Raging Pulverize. The shapeshifting Druid isn’t as much of a tank as the Pulverizer build, so the ability to stun enemies with Raging Pulverize is a slightly better option here (though if you wanted a more tanky shapeshifter, you may want to consider Primal Pulverizer instead). Alternatively, if you want a werewolf

Stag to Supreme is advised. Acquiring Spirit of the Bear and elevating it to Prime will be beneficial. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Snake, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended. Upgrading Spirit of the Deer to Supreme is a wise move. Getting Spirit of the Lynx and taking it to Supreme will aid your progress. Furthermore, investing in Spirit of the Eagle, Enhanced, and Supreme is essential

Investing in Feral Rage, Enhanced, and Savage is a recommended strategy. Upgrading Shred to Primal is also advised. Acquiring Dire Wolves and elevating it to Prime will be beneficial. Additionally, investing in Lycanthropy, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended. Upgrading Blood Howl to Prime is a wise move. Obtaining Feral Roar and advancing it to Prime will be advantageous. Furthermore, investing in Spirit of the Wild, Enhanced, and Supreme is a smart choice. Upgrading Primal Shred to Supreme is highly recommended. Gaining Spirit Wolves and taking them to Prime is a strategic move.

Investing in Spirit of the Pack, Enhanced, and Supreme will be beneficial to your progress. Upgrading Dire Wolves to Supreme is suggested. Obtaining Spirit of the Oak and raising it to Prime should be a goal. Investing in Spirit of the Bear, Enhanced, and Supreme is advised. Upgrading Spirit Wolves to Supreme is a wise move. Getting Spirit of the Lynx and taking it to Prime is recommended. Investing in Spirit of the Panther, Enhanced, and Supreme will help you advance. Upgrading Spirit of the Oak to Supreme is essential. Acquiring Spirit of the Eagle and taking it to Prime is a strategic move.

Investing in Spirit of the Wolf, Enhanced, and Supreme is a wise choice. Upgrading Spirit of the Lynx to Supreme will be beneficial. Obtaining Spirit of the Serpent and elevating it to Prime will aid your progress. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Snake, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended. Upgrading Spirit of the Eagle to Supreme is a smart move. Getting Spirit of the Stag and taking it to Prime is advised. Investing in Spirit of the Deer, Enhanced, and Supreme will benefit you greatly. Upgrading Spirit of the Serpent to Supreme is a wise decision.

Obtaining Spirit of the Wolf and advancing it to Supreme is a goal to aim for. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Panther, Enhanced, and Supreme is advised. Upgrading Spirit of the Stag to Supreme will be beneficial. Acquiring Spirit of the Bear and taking it to Prime is a strategic move. Investing in Spirit of the Snake, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended. Upgrading Spirit of the Deer to Supreme is a wise choice. Gaining Spirit of the Lynx and elevating it to Supreme will aid your progress. Furthermore, investing in Spirit of the Eagle, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended.

Upgrading Spirit of the Panther to Supreme is a smart move. Obtaining Spirit of the Serpent and taking it to Prime will be beneficial. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Stag, Enhanced, and Supreme is advised. Upgrading Spirit of the Bear to Supreme is essential. Getting Spirit of the Wolf and elevating it to Supreme is a strategic move. Investing in Spirit of the Snake, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended. Upgrading Spirit of the Lynx to Supreme is a wise choice. Acquiring Spirit of the Eagle and taking it to Supreme will aid your progress.

Investing in Spirit of the Panther, Enhanced, and Supreme is a recommended strategy. Upgrading Spirit of the Stag to Supreme is advised. Acquiring Spirit of the Bear and elevating it to Supreme will benefit you greatly. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Snake, Enhanced, and Supreme is recommended. Upgrading Spirit of the Deer to Supreme is a smart move. Getting Spirit of the Lynx and taking it to Supreme will aid your progress. Furthermore, investing in Spirit of the Eagle, Enhanced, and Supreme is essential.

Upgrading Spirit of the Panther to Supreme is a wise decision. Obtaining Spirit of the Serpent and elevating it to Prime is recommended. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Stag, Enhanced, and Supreme is advised. Upgrading Spirit of the Bear to Supreme is a strategic move. Getting Spirit of the Wolf and taking it to Supreme will be beneficial. Additionally, investing in Spirit of the Snake, Enhanced, and Supreme is wise. Upgrading Spirit of the Lynx to Supreme is recommended. Acquiring Spirit of the Eagle and elevating it to Supreme will aid your progress.

Investing in Spirit of the Panther, Enhanced, and Supreme is a smart choice. Upgrading Spirit of the