Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (cleanup) |
(AGN -> HN, back -> prev :Community Issues, Replaced: All Game Nav → Header Nav , Typos fixed: atack → attack, prefered → preferred (3), s) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ | {{Cleanup|July 2007}} | ||
{{ | {{Header Nav|game=Diablo II: Lord of Destruction}} | ||
"Commanding the forces of nature, he summons wild beasts and raging storms to his side." | "Commanding the forces of nature, he summons wild beasts and raging storms to his side." | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
==Attributes== | ==Attributes== | ||
The three disciplines that a druid can master each require a particular attribute distribution. If a druid player takes the elemental route, emphasizing spells that cause fire and ice damage, he will require a larger mana supply than one who focuses on shape-shifting or summoning. An elemental druid will need to sink more stat points into energy than one who uses summoned creatures, or a transformed body, to fight for him. | The three disciplines that a druid can master each require a particular attribute distribution. If a druid player takes the elemental route, emphasizing spells that cause fire and ice damage, he will require a larger mana supply than one who focuses on shape-shifting or summoning. An elemental druid will need to sink more stat points into energy than one who uses summoned creatures, or a transformed body, to fight for him. | ||
A shape-shifter will most often be found in were form, which, especially for werebear users, amplifies the druid's life supply. Still, shape-shifters will most often be found in melee combat, biting and clawing at enemies, and this takes its toll on vitality. A shape-shifter would be wise to put a stat point or two into vitality as often as he levels up. Melee fighters should also attend to their strength statistic as well. | A shape-shifter will most often be found in were form, which, especially for werebear users, amplifies the druid's life supply. Still, shape-shifters will most often be found in melee combat, biting and clawing at enemies, and this takes its toll on vitality. A shape-shifter would be wise to put a stat point or two into vitality as often as he levels up. Melee fighters should also attend to their strength statistic as well. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==Builds== | ==Builds== | ||
These are some of the most effective and most popular druid builds. Every build has a strength and a weakness. | These are some of the most effective and most popular druid builds. Every build has a strength and a weakness. | ||
Decide for yourself which one you want to be. | Decide for yourself which one you want to be. | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
This druidwill use Maul to attack his enemies. If there are too many enemies, then he will use shockwave to stun them and then use pick them off one by one. The Grizzly will be a great distraction to his enemies, and the Oak Sage can give him more life, or the Heart of Wolverine will make him more accurate and let him do more damage. | This druidwill use Maul to attack his enemies. If there are too many enemies, then he will use shockwave to stun them and then use pick them off one by one. The Grizzly will be a great distraction to his enemies, and the Oak Sage can give him more life, or the Heart of Wolverine will make him more accurate and let him do more damage. | ||
;Strategy: | ;Strategy: | ||
''PVM'': In one-on-one against a melee atacker, you can just stun the monster and you will not even get hit. It cannot get much easier. If it is ranged, go within range of your shockwave and stun it. Then it will not be able to attack and once again, it is a piece of cake. Against large groups, you should shockwave them and then use your grizzly as distraction. Then use Maul and pick them off one by one. | ''PVM'': In one-on-one against a melee atacker, you can just stun the monster and you will not even get hit. It cannot get much easier. If it is ranged, go within range of your shockwave and stun it. Then it will not be able to attack and once again, it is a piece of cake. Against large groups, you should shockwave them and then use your grizzly as distraction. Then use Maul and pick them off one by one. | ||
| Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
These druids put Hurricane on and use tornado to attack the monsters not killed by Hurricane. Cyclone armor will help the druid stay alive while at the same time it will synergize Hurricane. Their summons will also distract the enemy. Solor creeper or Carrion Vine is used depending on whether the player wants a vine to suck mana or life. A Oak Sage is used for extra life and the grizzly will make a fine tank. | These druids put Hurricane on and use tornado to attack the monsters not killed by Hurricane. Cyclone armor will help the druid stay alive while at the same time it will synergize Hurricane. Their summons will also distract the enemy. Solor creeper or Carrion Vine is used depending on whether the player wants a vine to suck mana or life. A Oak Sage is used for extra life and the grizzly will make a fine tank. | ||
;Strategy: | ;Strategy: | ||
''PVM'': When you get out of town, cast Hurricane. Recast it once it's gone. Since Cyclone Armor makes Armegeddon go for a few minutes, this shouldn't happen too often. When you see some enemies, charge them. Due to the fact that tornados are VERY slow, you should only use it in close range. The hurricane will badly damage if not kill most of the enemies, and tornado will finish them off. Use this | ''PVM'': When you get out of town, cast Hurricane. Recast it once it's gone. Since Cyclone Armor makes Armegeddon go for a few minutes, this shouldn't happen too often. When you see some enemies, charge them. Due to the fact that tornados are VERY slow, you should only use it in close range. The hurricane will badly damage if not kill most of the enemies, and tornado will finish them off. Use this strategy regardless of how many enemies you are facing and how many ways they're coming from because you will have time to kill them all due to the fact the they will be slowed down by your hurricane. | ||
''PVP'': Due to the fact that most Duelers have something so that they can't get frozen, your Hurricane will not be slowing them down. You will have to make sure your Hurricane is within range to hit them because they can EASILY dodge your slow tornados. However, due to the fact that you have maxed cyclone armor, you will be able to tank all the people who are using elemental skills. | ''PVP'': Due to the fact that most Duelers have something so that they can't get frozen, your Hurricane will not be slowing them down. You will have to make sure your Hurricane is within range to hit them because they can EASILY dodge your slow tornados. However, due to the fact that you have maxed cyclone armor, you will be able to tank all the people who are using elemental skills. | ||
| Line 115: | Line 115: | ||
All extra points are on summoning skills. | All extra points are on summoning skills. | ||
;Strategy: | ;Strategy: | ||
''PVM'': When you are in town, summon all the things you need to summon and transform. When you meet enemies in small groups, stun them with maul and help your bear kill them all. When you face large groups, hit them with shockwave instead and pick them off one by one and make sure that they stay stunned so you can kill them without getting hit. | ''PVM'': When you are in town, summon all the things you need to summon and transform. When you meet enemies in small groups, stun them with maul and help your bear kill them all. When you face large groups, hit them with shockwave instead and pick them off one by one and make sure that they stay stunned so you can kill them without getting hit. | ||
''PVP'': You should not do PVP with this build. | ''PVP'': You should not do PVP with this build. | ||
==Choosing Your Build== | ==Choosing Your Build== | ||
If you've always | If you've always preferred to attack from afar, then you should become an elemental druid. If you want to be an elemental druid and you wish to hit huge groups of enemies that are tightly compacted,you should be a fire druid. If you want to hit huge groups of enemies that are spread apart, then you should be a windy druid. If you've always preferred to Hack and Slash, then you should be a Shapeshifting Druid. If you like hitting lots of things very fast, very accuratly, and do a lot of damage, then you should be a Werewolf. If you prefer to make yourself into a tank, then Choose the Wearbear. | ||
If you've always wanted some servants to do all the work for you, then you should be a summoning druid. | If you've always wanted some servants to do all the work for you, then you should be a summoning druid. | ||
===Creating a Master Druid=== | ===Creating a Master Druid=== | ||
Each of the druid's three skill disciplines tempts every player, yet to succeed in the higher skill levels (nightmare and hell), a druid must focus on one of the three, while using a second discipline to supplement his proficiency. Druids can be fashioned into characters that resemble quite a few of the other character classes--an elemental druid, for example, may elect to stand aside from large battles and cast devastating spells like a sorceress, while a shape-shifting druid will often be found ripping enemies apart like a barbarian. | Each of the druid's three skill disciplines tempts every player, yet to succeed in the higher skill levels (nightmare and hell), a druid must focus on one of the three, while using a second discipline to supplement his proficiency. Druids can be fashioned into characters that resemble quite a few of the other character classes--an elemental druid, for example, may elect to stand aside from large battles and cast devastating spells like a sorceress, while a shape-shifting druid will often be found ripping enemies apart like a barbarian. | ||
Any combination of primary and secondary discipline from among the three choices--elemental, shape-shifting, and summoning--may be used successfully. You could play through the game nine times, just using the druid class, to try them all. A few moments of thought before applying skill points will lead you to the combination you are likely to prefer most. | Any combination of primary and secondary discipline from among the three choices--elemental, shape-shifting, and summoning--may be used successfully. You could play through the game nine times, just using the druid class, to try them all. A few moments of thought before applying skill points will lead you to the combination you are likely to prefer most. | ||
| Line 133: | Line 133: | ||
A player who prefers to hack and slash, on the other hand, can choose to become proficient at shape-shifting, transforming himself into a werewolf or werebear, and learning a few summoning skills to boost the party's attack rating, or suck mana and life out of the fresh corpses. Keep in mind that your equipped weapon stats are still in effect in both werewolf and werebear form. For example, a slow attack weapon reaps the rewards from the faster attack speed of the werewolf. If you want to do damage fast and hit more, then choose the Wearwolf and use Fury, and you will be able to hit five times and have a huge attack rating bonus. If you prefer to have more life and make each hit stun the monster, you should choose the Wearbear and use Maul and Shockwave. Most shape-shifters use summoning skills to help them out. | A player who prefers to hack and slash, on the other hand, can choose to become proficient at shape-shifting, transforming himself into a werewolf or werebear, and learning a few summoning skills to boost the party's attack rating, or suck mana and life out of the fresh corpses. Keep in mind that your equipped weapon stats are still in effect in both werewolf and werebear form. For example, a slow attack weapon reaps the rewards from the faster attack speed of the werewolf. If you want to do damage fast and hit more, then choose the Wearwolf and use Fury, and you will be able to hit five times and have a huge attack rating bonus. If you prefer to have more life and make each hit stun the monster, you should choose the Wearbear and use Maul and Shockwave. Most shape-shifters use summoning skills to help them out. | ||
Elemental druids are not | Elemental druids are not preferred, but they are more than competent. The two main types are Windy and Fire. Windy druids use Hurricane and Tornado to do damage fast while using cyclone armor to make sure they stay alive. Fire druids will use fissure to do mass damage and use cyclone armor to stay alive. ALl Elemental druids use some summoning aid. | ||
Joining a regular group of other players will affect the druid's decisions, as a group without melee fighters will likely benefit most from a summoner or shape-shifter, while a group without spellcasting power will be grateful for the help of an elemental druid. A player who takes on Diablo alone is free to play with any style, as the druid is a well-balanced character for solo play. | Joining a regular group of other players will affect the druid's decisions, as a group without melee fighters will likely benefit most from a summoner or shape-shifter, while a group without spellcasting power will be grateful for the help of an elemental druid. A player who takes on Diablo alone is free to play with any style, as the druid is a well-balanced character for solo play. | ||
| Line 140: | Line 140: | ||
A druid, especially one who specializes in elemental spells, must be careful to manage his mana supply. Each elemental spell (to varying degrees) can affect numerous enemies with one casting. A volcano, for example, not only damages creatures at the point of eruption, but rains down fire damage on enemies in a wide radius around it. A molten boulder likewise attacks as many enemies as it encounters as it rolls away from the druid to its intended target point. | A druid, especially one who specializes in elemental spells, must be careful to manage his mana supply. Each elemental spell (to varying degrees) can affect numerous enemies with one casting. A volcano, for example, not only damages creatures at the point of eruption, but rains down fire damage on enemies in a wide radius around it. A molten boulder likewise attacks as many enemies as it encounters as it rolls away from the druid to its intended target point. | ||
A summoned raven, wolf, or bear, on the other hand, never causes damage to more than one creature at a time. These creatures, while certainly a boon to a druid who needs to distract some enemies while he casts spells or assists in the attack, cannot quickly dispatch a group of tough monsters. A shape-shifted druid mow down batches of the game's most difficult foes if he has fast | A summoned raven, wolf, or bear, on the other hand, never causes damage to more than one creature at a time. These creatures, while certainly a boon to a druid who needs to distract some enemies while he casts spells or assists in the attack, cannot quickly dispatch a group of tough monsters. A shape-shifted druid mow down batches of the game's most difficult foes if he has fast attack speed and is using fury. | ||
However, as tempting as it is, it is NOT RECOMMENDED to invest in all three skill trees extensively. This is because your druid will not be able to focus on one point and he will be doing pathetic damage elementally, with his melee, and with his minions. | However, as tempting as it is, it is NOT RECOMMENDED to invest in all three skill trees extensively. This is because your druid will not be able to focus on one point and he will be doing pathetic damage elementally, with his melee, and with his minions. | ||
| Line 152: | Line 152: | ||
If you are playing as a druid for the first time, you should find that progressing through the first few acts of the game is easy enough that you should not have to spend all of your skill points as soon as you get them. Your advanced skills are worth saving points for! A good rule of thumb is this: Do not put more than one point into a skill until you feel that it needs to be upgraded for you to succeed. In other words, if you find yourself struggling to complete an act or a quest because your opponents are suddenly tougher than you can handle, you should start to spend the skill points you have stored up. | If you are playing as a druid for the first time, you should find that progressing through the first few acts of the game is easy enough that you should not have to spend all of your skill points as soon as you get them. Your advanced skills are worth saving points for! A good rule of thumb is this: Do not put more than one point into a skill until you feel that it needs to be upgraded for you to succeed. In other words, if you find yourself struggling to complete an act or a quest because your opponents are suddenly tougher than you can handle, you should start to spend the skill points you have stored up. | ||
Saving up skill points not only lets you put more emphasis on the more powerful skills, but also gives you a chance to acclimate to the kind of fighter a druid is. When you get familiar with the skills you like using most, you can pump up those skills with assurance that you will get your money's worth. | Saving up skill points not only lets you put more emphasis on the more powerful skills, but also gives you a chance to acclimate to the kind of fighter a druid is. When you get familiar with the skills you like using most, you can pump up those skills with assurance that you will get your money's worth. | ||
Below are several distributions of skill points for a variety of druid characters, each of which has specialized in a different type of play and has completed the game. We assume that such a character is at level 35 and therefore has 39 spell points (one per level and four from quests) available. Note that some items increase skill levels, but such items are not assumed. | Below are several distributions of skill points for a variety of druid characters, each of which has specialized in a different type of play and has completed the game. We assume that such a character is at level 35 and therefore has 39 spell points (one per level and four from quests) available. Note that some items increase skill levels, but such items are not assumed. | ||
| Line 159: | Line 159: | ||
====Elemental Master==== | ====Elemental Master==== | ||
Here is an example of how a druid skillful at Fire elemental spells may have spent his skill points: | Here is an example of how a druid skillful at Fire elemental spells may have spent his skill points: | ||
| Line 171: | Line 170: | ||
Arctic Blast -- 1 skill points<BR> | Arctic Blast -- 1 skill points<BR> | ||
Cyclone Armor -- 20 skill points<BR> | Cyclone Armor -- 20 skill points<BR> | ||
Shape-Shifting | Shape-Shifting | ||
| Line 186: | Line 184: | ||
Carrion Vine -- 1 skill point<BR> | Carrion Vine -- 1 skill point<BR> | ||
Solar Creeper -- 1 skill point<BR> | Solar Creeper -- 1 skill point<BR> | ||
Oak Sage -- 1 skill points | Oak Sage -- 1 skill points | ||
To accomplish this distribution, you must have at times saved skill points to spend on higher-level skills. Because skills cannot be upgraded multiple times until you have gained new levels, this particular distribution leaves you with no remaining skill points. | To accomplish this distribution, you must have at times saved skill points to spend on higher-level skills. Because skills cannot be upgraded multiple times until you have gained new levels, this particular distribution leaves you with no remaining skill points. | ||
This druid relies on his summoned creatures to engage the enemy, while he casts area attacks to devastate the crowded foes (Fissure and Armageddon). In the beginning of the game, the druid should have little problem beating back foes with his summoned creatures and personal attacks. In midgame, the druid will rely more heavily on Fissure and Armagedddon. | This druid relies on his summoned creatures to engage the enemy, while he casts area attacks to devastate the crowded foes (Fissure and Armageddon). In the beginning of the game, the druid should have little problem beating back foes with his summoned creatures and personal attacks. In midgame, the druid will rely more heavily on Fissure and Armagedddon. | ||
| Line 195: | Line 193: | ||
====Shape-Shifting Master==== | ====Shape-Shifting Master==== | ||
Here is an example of how a druid who has mastered Wearwolf shape-shifting may have elected to distribute skill points: | Here is an example of how a druid who has mastered Wearwolf shape-shifting may have elected to distribute skill points: | ||
| Line 217: | Line 214: | ||
Poison Creeper -- 1 skill point | Poison Creeper -- 1 skill point | ||
Carrion Vine -- 1 skill point | Carrion Vine -- 1 skill point | ||
This shape-shifter has emphasized on werewolf form. A werewolf is very quick and has a easy time running down a group of fast ranged enemies. This is a recommended build for beginners and uses all 110 skill points you can possibly get form leveling and the skill quests | This shape-shifter has emphasized on werewolf form. A werewolf is very quick and has a easy time running down a group of fast ranged enemies. This is a recommended build for beginners and uses all 110 skill points you can possibly get form leveling and the skill quests | ||
| Line 224: | Line 220: | ||
====Summoning Master==== | ====Summoning Master==== | ||
Here is a sample distribution for a druid who has great skill in the summoning discipline: | Here is a sample distribution for a druid who has great skill in the summoning discipline: | ||