Choosing Your Druid Build
When leveling a Druid, the first step is to choose which build you want to focus on. The three primary builds are:
1. Summoner Druid: Focuses on summoning animals and spirits to fight for you.
2. Wind Druid: Utilizes elemental spells, particularly those associated with the wind, like Tornado and Hurricane.
3. Fire Druid: Centers around fire spells, with abilities like Firestorm and Molten Boulder.
Each build has its own strengths and weaknesses, so select one that aligns with your preferred playstyle.
Summoner Druid Overview
- Strengths: High survivability due to summons absorbing damage, ability to deal with crowds.
- Weaknesses: Can be slower in solo play and relies heavily on summons for damage.
Wind Druid Overview
- Strengths: High area-of-effect damage, excellent for clearing large groups of enemies.
- Weaknesses: Requires careful positioning and can be mana-intensive.
Fire Druid Overview
- Strengths: High burst damage and effective against single targets.
- Weaknesses: May struggle with mana management early on.
Skill Allocation
As you level up your Druid, you'll gain skill points that you can allocate to enhance your chosen build. Here's a breakdown of skill allocation for each build.
Summoner Druid Skills
1. Summon Spirit Wolf (1 point): Your first summon, useful for tanking.
2. Summon Grizzly (20 points): Your strongest tank and melee damage dealer.
3. Raven (1-20 points): Useful for distraction and damage.
4. Heart of Wolverine (20 points): Boosts your summons' damage and attack rating.
Wind Druid Skills
1. Cyclone Armor (1 point): Provides a shield against elemental damage.
2. Tornado (20 points): Your primary damage dealer.
3. Hurricane (20 points): Aura that deals damage over time.
4. Twister (1 point): Useful for crowd control.
Fire Druid Skills
1. Firestorm (20 points): Great early-game damage.
2. Molten Boulder (20 points): A powerful area spell.
3. Fissure (20 points): Deals damage in a targeted area, effective against groups.
4. Armageddon (1-20 points): For late-game scaling and high damage.
Stat Allocation
In addition to skills, you must allocate your attribute points wisely. Here’s a basic guideline for each build:
Summoner Druid Stats
- Strength: Enough to wear gear (around 100-150).
- Dexterity: Minimum for gear; focus on Vitality afterward.
- Vitality: Maximize for survivability.
- Energy: Minimal investment; rely on gear for mana management.
Wind Druid Stats
- Strength: Enough for gear (around 100).
- Dexterity: Minimal; focus on Vitality.
- Vitality: Maximize for health.
- Energy: Moderate investment for skill spamming.
Fire Druid Stats
- Strength: Enough for gear (around 100).
- Dexterity: Minimal; focus on Vitality.
- Vitality: Maximize for survivability.
- Energy: Some investment to handle mana costs.
Gear Recommendations
The right gear can significantly accelerate your leveling process. Here’s what to look for based on your Druid build.
Summoner Druid Gear
- Weapon:
- “Heart of the Oak” (Runeword) for +skills and resistances.
- Shield:
- “Moser’s Blessed Circle” for resistances and block chance.
- Armor:
- “Treachery” (Runeword) for increased speed and damage reduction.
- Helm:
- “Lore” for +skills and energy.
- Rings:
- “Nature’s Peace” for +skills and damage reduction.
Wind Druid Gear
- Weapon:
- “Wizardspike” for +skills and faster cast rate.
- Shield:
- “Stormshield” for damage reduction and resistances.
- Armor:
- “Skin of the Vipermagi” for +skills and resistances.
- Helm:
- “Harlequin Crest” for +skills and life.
- Rings:
- “SoJ” (Stone of Jordan) for +skills and mana.
Fire Druid Gear
- Weapon:
- “Death’s Fathom” for +skills and cold resist.
- Shield:
- “Lidless Wall” for +skills and mana.
- Armor:
- “Chains of Honor” (Runeword) for +skills and resistances.
- Helm:
- “Nightwing's Veil” for +skills and cold damage.
- Rings:
- “Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band” for +skills and life.
Leveling Strategy
To maximize your efficiency while leveling, it’s essential to adopt strategies that suit your build and playstyle.
Early Levels (1-20)
- Focus on completing the Den of Evil quest for your first skill point.
- Prioritize leveling your primary attack skill.
- Engage in areas where you can efficiently farm experience, such as the Blood Moor and the Cold Plains.
Mid Levels (21-40)
- Start to branch out into tougher zones, like the Tamoe Highlands and the Monastery.
- If playing a Summoner, ensure your summons are strong enough to handle tougher enemies.
- Wind Druids should focus on leveling Tornado and Hurricane for effective crowd control.
Late Levels (41-60)
- Push through the tougher areas, such as the Chaos Sanctuary and Worldstone Keep.
- Consider joining a party for efficient leveling, especially in Hell difficulty.
- Optimize your gear and skill allocation based on your findings in tougher areas.
Conclusion
Leveling a Druid in Diablo II: Resurrected can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to explore multiple playstyles and builds. By following this D2R Druid Leveling Guide, you can maximize your efficiency through careful skill and stat allocation, as well as smart gear choices. Whether you choose to summon beasts, wield the powers of the wind, or unleash fiery spells, your Druid can become a formidable force in the world of Sanctuary. Happy leveling!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best skills to prioritize for leveling a Druid in Diablo II: Resurrected?
For leveling a Druid in D2R, it's recommended to prioritize skills in the Elemental tree, particularly 'Tornado' and 'Hurricane' for their area damage. Additionally, 'Summon Spirit Wolf' and 'Grizzly' are great for tanking and dealing damage.
What gear should I focus on while leveling a Druid?
While leveling, focus on gear that boosts your skills and increases your damage output. Look for items that provide +skills, faster cast rate, and elemental damage bonuses. Unique items like 'Rhyme' shield or 'Twitchthroe' armor are great early options.
Is it better to play a Summoner or Elemental Druid for leveling?
It depends on your playstyle. A Summoner Druid can be easier for solo play since minions can tank and deal damage, allowing you to focus on support. An Elemental Druid offers more direct damage output and can clear areas quickly, but requires more attention to positioning.
What runewords are ideal for a leveling Druid?
For a leveling Druid, consider using 'Leaf' (Tir + Ral) in a staff for a boost in fire skills and mana regeneration, or 'Heart of the Oak' (Ko + Vex + Pul + Thul) when you reach higher levels for its excellent all-around benefits.
What are some effective leveling strategies for a Druid in D2R?
To level efficiently as a Druid, consider joining parties for shared experience gains, focusing on areas with high monster density, and utilizing your summons or elemental skills to clear content quickly. Also, be sure to complete quests that grant experience rewards.
