There are a few distinct directions that Druids can go in Diablo 4. Any of these will work nicely in PvE situations with a perfect build. Earth and storm spellcasting or bear and wolf melee attacking could all be a part of the plan. Some Druid players may want a build that borrows the best from each concept.
But there is still a build that no other class can duplicate that makes the usually lethal PvE encounters feel almost pedestrian. With some smart choices, experts in Diablo 4 can become borderline unkillable all while turning their preposterous defense into offense.
Updated on June 30th, 2023 by Hodey Johns: This guide has been updated for the huge rebalance patch in 1.0.3. Many guides have remained untouched because most skills got a simple numerical buff or nerf to bring them in line with the rest of the skills in the game. Especially with Vulnerable builds becoming so powerful, this was an appropriate rebalance. However, not every skill received a small buff or nerf. Some of these were significant enough to change builds for and this build was one of those. Some of these buffs weren't to damage but to cooldown or resource reduction which alters the skill rotation entirely. The old build might still be better than it was before but this new guide gets the absolute most out of the class.
Skill Tree
Skill | Points |
Maul | 5 |
Enhanced Maul | 1 |
Fierce Maul | 1 |
Pulverize | 5 |
Enhanced Pulverize | 1 |
Primal Pulverize | 1 |
Predatory Instinct | 1 |
Iron Fur | 3 |
Debilitating Roar | 5 |
Enhanced Debilitating Roar | 1 |
Preserving Debilitating Roar | 1 |
Ancestral Fortitude | 3 |
Vigilance | 3 |
Wolves | 5 |
Enhanced Wolf Pack | 1 |
Ferocious Wolf Pack | 1 |
Trample | 5 |
Enhanced Trample | 1 |
Natural Trample | 1 |
Mending | 3 |
Grizzly Rage | 1 |
Prime Grizzly Rage | 1 |
Supreme Grizzly Rage | 1 |
Defensive Posture | 3 |
Nature's Resolve | 3 |
Ursine Strength | 1 |
At the maximum level and with all the Renown gathered, players will have 58 skill points to invest. This is a heavily defensive build but not purely so. The Werebear form is the star of the show, capable of getting Fortify buffs from many sources while also smacking down single boss targets or mobs. This is a tank build with unreal damage thanks to how to Overpower system works.
With Trample in the mix, this is also a surprisingly mobile build that will do well in PvE maps that aren't simple single-target affairs. If the Druid has to help a teammate or cut off a group of new spawns, the class is capable of getting to where it needs to be to dish out damage and reduce enemy output. But the PvE Druid doesn't need help; it can clear dungeons on its own.
Paragon Boards
Board | Paragon/Legendary Nodes | Glyph |
Start | Tenacity, Resolve | Undaunted |
Survival Instincts | Bulwark, Survival Instincts, Grizzly, Battleworn Hide, Ursine, | Werebear |
Inner Beast | Slayer, Tenacity, Determination, Shapeshifter | Territorial |
Lust for Carnage | Wild's Call, Regenerate | Fang and Claw |
Ancestral Guidance | Ancestral Guidance, Spiritual Power, Resolve | Exploit |
The paragon boards and glyphs can be a bit tough to figure out. It's a matter of adjusting the boards so that they snake properly. Few players will get to the maximum 200 paragon points but those that do will find that their powers are enhanced by enormous magnitudes.
Listing all nodes would be tedious and impossible to read, but if gamers move between the major nodes listed, it shouldn't be an issue. Make sure to purchase all relevant stat bonus nodes inside the designated glyph areas.
This build appropriately spends the bulk of its nodes in two paragon boards: Survival Instincts and Inner Beast. As a build designed to be in permanent Werebear form, that's appropriate. Still, there is plenty of time to track down armor and resistance nodes afterward for even more tanking and Fortify power.
The main goal of the endgame should be to become unkillable. Gamers that are looking to deal damage first should instead go for an ideal Werewolf build. The damage here is nothing to be ashamed of, it's just more focused on being invincible than clearing areas quickly.
Gear
Slot | Aspect/Piece |
Helm | Harlequin Crest |
Chest | Insatiable Fury |
Gloves | Aspect of Trampled Earth |
Pants | Aspect of Disobedience |
Boots | Aspect of Shared Misery |
Amulet | Aspect of Might |
Ring | Mangled Aspect |
Ring | Aspect of Ursine Horror |
Main Hand | Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast |
Off-Hand | Aspect of Retaliation |
With the new aspect system, gamers have a ton of freedom to take the piece of gear they find with the best stats and then add their favorite effect to it. Increasing potion efficiency helps out a bit but these aspects are game-changing. Note that some of these aspects can be swapped in and out on other pieces of gear; which piece has which aspect is not important.
The most critical component of this PvE Druid build is the Insatiable Fury chest piece, granting persistent rank bonuses to all Werebear skills. The damage is a little slow damage-wise at first (use a perfect leveling build for Druids to help) before getting geared up but the gear adds loads of damage to these defensive abilities. This PvE Druid may even be one of the best mob clearing classes in the game despite its melee limitations.
Spirit Boons
- Wolf (Bonded) - Bolster, Calamity
- Snake - Masochistic
- Eagle - Iron Feather
- Deer - Prickleskin
World Tiers can get out of control when it comes to difficulty. Thankfully, Spirit Boons are a simple way to keep pace with the escalating challenge. Without a bear option to bond with, the wolf is a solid secondary choice, granting more life and extended ultimate duration.
The snake has the single best buff by giving a 3% maximum health lifesteal, further making the build self-sustaining. The maximum life from Iron Feather is on par with the paragon nodes. Finally, the Deer offers a bit of retaliatory damage in the form of Thorns. The more enemies damage themselves, the better the results will be against bid World Bosses and high-level nightmare dungeons.
Diablo 4 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.