Introduction
The Storm Wolf build centers around unique items exclusive to the Druid class. The Greatstaff of the Crone transforms our Claw skill into a powerful Storm skill, augmenting it with a Storm Strike that deals 120% to 150% additional damage. The Tempest Roar helmet allows all of our Storm skills to double as Werewolf skills, synergizing perfectly with Mad Wolf’s Glee, a unique chest that permanently keeps us in Werewolf form and grants +2 ranks to all Werewolf skills. Finally, the highly coveted Melted Heart of Selig drains our Spirit instead of our life, providing exceptional survivability.
These unique items, combined with a well-crafted Skill Tree, Paragon Boards, and Legendary Aspects, as detailed below, will turn you into an unstoppable force capable of withstanding any challenge the game throws your way. This build will carry you into the endgame, on your journey to reach Level 100 and beyond.
Build Requirements
Before transitioning to this endgame build, ensure that your character is at least Level 50 and that you have acquired all the aforementioned unique items. Refer to the Druid Leveling Guide for a smooth leveling path to reach Level 50.
It is crucial to note that this build cannot be effectively played without the mandatory unique items listed below. Acquire all of them before transitioning to this build. The two 100% mandatory uniques to start this build are Tempest Roar and Greatstaff of the Crone. Additionally, prioritize stacking Lucky Hit Chance and Damage Reduction until you obtain the Melted Heart of Selig, after which you should focus on incorporating Maximum Life into your build whenever possible.
Strengths and Weaknesses
To compare this build with others, refer to our build tier list.
Season of the Malignant
Season 1 Patch Notes
The Season 1 Patch Update introduced several changes specific to this build. For a complete list of changes, consult the Changelog.
Patch 1.1
- Mad Wolf’s Glee:
- Werewolf Skill Ranks increased from 2 to 3.
- Storm Strike:
- Damage Reduction reduced from 25% to 15%.
- Cataclysm:
- Lightning damage increased from 64% to 77%.
- Tornado damage increased from 19% to 23%.
- Supreme Cataclysm:
- Vulnerable duration increased from 2 to 3 seconds.
- Prime Cataclysm:
- Duration increased from 2 to 4 seconds.
In addition to the build-specific changes, multiple sources of Critical Strike Damage and Vulnerable Damage were globally reduced for all classes. Additionally, the Malignant Hearts now provide armor based on their Item Power Level.
Patch 1.1.1
- Storm Strike:
- Spirit gain increased from 14 to 15.
- Claw:
- Spirit gain increased from 11 to 12.
Malignant Hearts
For Season 1, our best-in-slot Malignant Heart choices are as follows:
Caged Heart of the Malignant Pact (Wrathful, Super): This heart cycles through various Malignant bonuses every 20 kills:
- Vicious: Gain 20% Attack Speed.
- Devious: Core and Basic Skills have a 15% chance to fully restore your Primary Resource.
- Brutal: Every 21 seconds, gain a Barrier absorbing 85-102 damage.
Caged Heart of Revenge (Brutal, Defensive): 10-20% of incoming damage is suppressed. When using a Defensive, Subterfuge, or Macabre skill, suppressed damage is amplified by 250% and explodes, dealing up to 1360-2040 Fire damage to nearby enemies.
Caged Heart of The Barber (Wrathful, Super): Critical Strikes and subsequent damage within 2.0-4.0 seconds are absorbed by the target. The absorbed damage then erupts onto surrounding enemies. Stored damage increases by 10% per second.
While other Malignant Hearts can be used for smaller benefits, these three are recommended for maximizing the power of the build. For more information on Malignant Hearts, refer to our Malignant Heart Guide.
Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar
The tables below depict the complete allocation of Skill Points for the Storm Wolf Druid build. The first table highlights the crucial 48 points required to initiate the build, while the second table showcases the remaining 10 points that should be allocated after obtaining all Skill Points from Renown.
[Image: Skill Tree Points]
[Image: Skill Bar]
Spirit Boons – The Druid Specialization
Below is the optimal order for unlocking your Spirit Boons. Offer enough Druidic Spirit Offerings to unlock the first 4 listed Boons, then fully unlock the remaining Boons to activate the final Boon with Spirit Bonding.
[Image: Spirit Boons]
Paragon
The Paragon progression system becomes available once you reach Level 50, providing significant character power. On the Paragon Board, bonuses range from minor stats on Magic Nodes to more potent Rare Glyphs and Legendary Nodes.
As you progress towards Glyph Sockets and Legendary Nodes, prioritize Damage, Willpower, Resistance, and Life for Normal and Magic Nodes. The radius of Glyphs increases as you level them up. If you cannot fulfill Additional Bonus requirements early on, temporarily skip allocating extra nodes.
Refer to the images below to determine the optimal path and glyph locations for each Paragon Board. Please note that for the Starter Board, we traverse the right side, crossing through the middle to place the Keeper Rare Glyph, ensuring that sufficient Intelligence is allocated within its radius. From there, head up the left side towards the top and exit to the first real board.
[Image: Paragon Boards]
Paragon board images courtesy of d4builds.gg.
Mechanics and Playstyle
The Storm Wolf build is remarkably straightforward to execute, thanks to the carefully chosen items and skills. Due to the unique items we utilize, we are constantly in Werewolf form, and our primary attack is Claw, which also triggers Storm Strike with a chance to immobilize targets due to Enhanced Storm Strike. Additionally, we employ Earthen Bulwark with Enhanced Earthen Bulwark for added defense and Unstoppable as an emergency skill when faced with overwhelming enemies. Blood Howl serves not only as a defensive cooldown but also an offensive one, courtesy of Preserving Blood Howl and Enhanced Blood Howl, ensuring constant availability while dispatching enemies.
To maintain optimal performance, our goal is to always keep Hurricane active. This skill grants us +2 ranks to all Shapeshifter Skills, thanks to one of our Legendary Aspects. Achieving this relies on Cooldown Reduction and talents like Endless Tempest.
Claw boasts one of the highest base Lucky Hit chances among Basic skills in the game at 50%. By transforming it into a Storm Skill, we capitalize on numerous Lucky Hit talents in our Skill Tree and Spirit Bonds, such as Elemental Exposure, Bad Omen, Electric Shock, and the Earthen Might Keystone Passive, thanks to the Legendary Mighty Storm’s Aspect.
Lastly, we possess Cataclysm as our Ultimate ability, providing a significant damage boost that lasts for over 15 seconds, thanks to our Calamity Spirit Bond and the talents Endless Tempest and Prime Cataclysm.
Malignant Heart Changes: If you utilize the suggested Malignant Hearts, keep an eye on when your Earthen Might procs and unleash all of your cooldowns, as all your abilities will critical hit and receive increased damage due to The Barber Malignant Heart.
Damage Rotation
Our damage rotation follows a priority system, which remains consistent for both AoE and Single Target situations:
- Activate Hurricane if it is off cooldown or not currently active.
- Use Blood Howl if the buff is not active and it is off cooldown.
- Employ Earthen Bulwark when overwhelmed and surrounded by numerous enemies.
- Unleash Cataclysm if fighting an elite pack and it is off cooldown.
- Utilize Claw to trigger Storm Strike and maintain high Spirit levels at all times.
Gear Choice and Stat Priority
While farming with the Storm Wolf Druid, be sure to pick up any Rare Items that may serve as upgrades. Save Legendary Items with valuable aspects in your stash for later extraction and imprinting onto well-rolled Rare Items.
When it comes to weapons, prioritize using a two-hander once you acquire Legendary Aspects until you obtain your Unique item. Two-handed weapons grant 200% of the Legendary aspect bonus.
Stat Priority List
The following list illustrates the affixes to prioritize on gear for the Storm Wolf Druid build. Affixes for each gear slot are listed in order of importance. Bolded stats are the most important and may be crucial for the build’s optimal performance.
- Damage Reduction
- Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
- Lucky Hit Chance
- Attack Speed
- Lucky Hit Chance
Best in Slot Aspects, Powers & Uniques
Here are the best-in-slot Aspects found on Unique and Legendary Items that are vital for the Storm Wolf Druid build. If you cannot find the proper Legendary drops, Aspects from the Codex of Power can be used, although they provide weaker effects. Extract Aspects from lower-level Legendary Items and imprint them onto better Rare Items with preferred stats.
[Image: Best in Slot Aspects]
Gems
Ensure that you socket the best Gems into your gear for each slot type:
- Weapon: Royal Topaz for +#% Basic Skill Damage.
- Armor: Royal Ruby for +#% Maximum Life if you have an Amulet, or Royal Sapphire for Damage Reduction while Fortified if you don’t.
- Jewelry: Utilize the recommended Malignant Hearts mentioned earlier for their special effects and armor bonus. If playing on the Eternal Realm, use Royal Diamond for all Resistance, or any gem providing the resistance type you lack the most.
Elixirs and Health Potions
Visit the Alchemist in any major town to craft Elixirs that enhance your stats and experience gain for 30 minutes, providing you with an edge during your adventures. Remember to gather the necessary crafting materials by foraging plants. Choose an Elixir that provides the resistance you most require or try the Assault Elixir to boost your Attack Speed.
Upon reaching Level 20, 30, 45, 60, 70, 80, and 90, return to the Alchemist to upgrade your potion. The additional healing is essential for survival.
Changelog
- August 7th, 2023: Updated for patch 1.1.1.
- July 23rd, 2023: Updated Gems section to reflect the presence of Malignant Hearts.
- July 18th, 2023: Updated for Season 1, added Malignant Hearts, updated item affixes, changed Skill Tree and Skill Bar.
