Diablo 4 Beta Druid Class Guide: Skills, Pros & Cons, Gameplay, Build Types

Now you are in the Diablo 4 early access beta, and those who've pre-purchased the game is able to venture forth into the harsh wilderness of Sanctuary until they hit level 25. Before getting into the game, picking up a class and build is needed. Which class have you chosen to play? Rogue, Barbarian, Necromancer, Druid, or Sorceress? Take a look at this article, we focus on the Druid and see whether it is a good starter character for D4 open beta. 

Diablo 4 Beta Druid Class Guide: Skills, Pros & Cons, Gameplay, Build Types

The following Druid class overview for Diablo 4 beta includes all information about best skills & abilities, unique mechanics, gameplay, and build tips. Besides, you will find out what Druid builds are the most strongest. To ensure you understand how Druid class performs in battle, we will provide you with a list of its strengths and weaknesses as well. Now let’s get straight into this Diablo 4 beta Druid class guide. 

Related Read: 

Diablo 4 Beta Sorceress Class Guide

Diablo 4 Beta Class Guide & Tier List

D4 Beta Druid Class Basics - What Makes a Druid?

The Druid is a highly versatile and unique class that offers players many options for customization and playstyle. One of the key features of the Druid is their ability to shapeshift into different animal forms, such as a werebear or werewolf. Each animal form has its own unique abilities and strengths, allowing the player to adapt to different situations and playstyles. The Druid's shapeshifting ability will likely play a major role in their gameplay, with players using it to deal damage, control the battlefield, and protect themselves.

The class’s spellcasting abilities focus on the elements of nature, such as wind, lightning, and earth. They can call down lightning strikes, summon tornadoes, and create earthquakes to damage and control their enemies. Their versatility makes them a strong choice for both solo and group content. Usually dealing Physical damage, they can also inflict Poison and Lightning damage types to slay their foes.

In addition to their shapeshifting and elemental magic abilities, the Druid can summon animal companions, such as wolves or bears, to fight alongside them. These animal companions can provide additional damage and support in combat, giving players even more options for customizing their playstyle.

Strengths/Weaknesses of D4 Druid for Open Beta 

• + Versatility: The Druid is a highly versatile class that can take on both melee and ranged roles, making it adaptable to different playstyles and situations.

• + Shapeshifting: The Druid's shapeshifting abilities provide access to different forms that have unique abilities and strengths, allowing players to customize their playstyle and role in a group.

• + Animal Companions: The Druid can summon animal companions to fight alongside them, providing additional damage and support.

• + Elemental Abilities: The Druid has access to powerful elemental abilities that can deal significant damage and control the battlefield.

• + Healing: The Druid has access to several healing abilities that can restore health to themselves and their allies.

• - Squishy: The Druid's base health and armor are relatively low, making them vulnerable to damage.
  

• - Resource Management: The Druid's abilities consume a resource called "Fury," which must be managed carefully to avoid running out of resources during combat.

• - Limited Range: Some of the Druid's abilities are melee-focused, which can make it challenging to engage enemies at range.

• - Complexity: The Druid has a wide variety of abilities and forms, which can make it challenging for new players to learn and master.

• - Group Role: While the Druid can fulfill several roles in a group, it may not excel in any particular role, which can make it challenging to find a specific niche in a group composition.

Diablo IV Druid Spirit Animal Mechanic

This class’s mechanic will not be available during the open beta even though the Druid will be playable by then. So this class mechanic allows you to form bonds with Spirit Animals. So at level 15, you're going to unlock the ability to interact with 4 different Spirit Animals, these spirit animals will be able to receive Boons that Druids can acquire by defeating mobs and other activities. These Boons will unlock player bonuses that the Druid can then choose to receive by forming a bond with that Spirit Animal. At first, Druids will only be able to bond with one spirit animal at a time and only receive that single animal's buffs. And you'll be able to swap these out whenever you want. Now once Druids have unlocked all four spirit animals in Scosglen, you'll get two significant advantages, Druids can then bond with a fifth spirit animal for completely different buffs or Druids can simultaneously receive two bonuses from one spirit animal of their choice and one bonus from all four remaining Spirit Animals.

The other one is that all Earth skills have a chance to cause crushing blows which is another extremely powerful bonus that the Druid will have. So the Druid will have an active perk that'll cause all earth skills to have a chance to deal crushing blows, which reduces a target's life by a flat percentage based off of total health. So if we go take a look at Diablo 2 for instance, crushing blows will reduce the amount of an enemy's health by 25% for normal enemies and 12 and a half percent for bosses champions and unique. If this is the case, then the Druid is going to be an amazing party member for helping chunk off portions of boss health bars.

Diablo 4 Druid Shapeshifting 

This is a big thing for Druids and things are a little different between this Druid and previous Druids that we've known. So shape-shifting in Diablo 4 isn't a permanent action or something that's under direct control. Instead, you will shape-shift depending on the skill that's used. So for instance, if you use the skill maul, you're going to shift into a bear, use the skill, remain in that form for a few seconds and then you're going to turn to your human form, the same goes for any skills that shift you into a werewolf.

Diablo 4 Open Beta Druid Skills and Abilities

Basic skills

- Earth Spike: Earth spike is going to sunder the Earth and impale an enemy, dealing a small amount of damage. Each time you hit that enemy with earth spike, your chance to deal a crushing blow to that target is increased.

- Shred: It is going to cause you to shape shift into a werewolf and shred an enemy. This does have a chance to strike twice. 

- Storm Strike: It is going to imbue your weapon with electricity and strike at your target. It's going to deal damage to that target and then chain lightning to up to three nearby targets.

- Maul: It will shape-shift into a bear and then maul an enemy, damaging them and fortifying yourself. Fortify will reduce your damage taken for a short period.

- Wind Shear: You're going to conjure a blade of wind that deals damage and increases your movement speed.

Spirit skills

- Pulverize: It is going to cause you to shape-shift into a bear, slam the ground and deal large amounts of AOE damage. 

- Landslide: It will crush enemies with pillars of earth and has a chance to deal a crushing blow. 

- Tornado: You are going to conjure a vortex that moves outwards and curves in random directions. It'll deal damage each second that it comes in contact with an enemy.

Defensive skills

- Cyclone Armor: An absolute classic for Druids, this is a toggled skill. So once you toggle it on, powerful winds will protect you and grant reduced range damage. If you do take melee damage from a melee enemy, then there's a chance the attacker is knocked back.

- Earthen Bulwark: It will surround you with rocks for three seconds, this will make you Unstoppable and absorb damage. Once this bulwark has expired, the rocks will shatter and deal damage to nearby enemies.

- Trample: You're going to rush forward as a bear, so you rush 40s, you shape-shift into a bear and you deal damage to enemies and stun them. Debilitating Roar: You're going to shift into a bear and you're going to roar and reduce the attack speed of nearby enemies.

- Ravenous Bite: You're going to shape-shift into a werewolf and you're going to tear an enemy's flesh. You're going to deal damage and heal you which is great for sustain. 

Wrath skills

- Hurricane: You are going to form a hurricane around the Druid and you're going to deal damage to nearby enemies.

- Boulder: You are going to hurl a large rolling Boulder that knocks back and damages enemies and it has a chance to deal a crushing blow.

Companion skills

- Wolves: You're going to summon two wolves to fight beside you. If you press the skill again, you'll direct the Wolves to focus attacks on an enemy. This will increase their Critical Strike chance against that specific target.

- Ravens: It will cause Ravens to fly above you and periodically attack enemies. Then when you press the skill again, the target area is then swarmed with Ravens, damaging enemies and applying vulnerability to them.

- Vine Creeper: It is going to periodically emerge from the ground and poison enemies. If you press the skill again, you'll command the vines to strangle enemies in a target area which will poison them and stun them. Ultimate skills 

- Cataclysm: You'll summon a massive storm that'll follow you for a short duration. Tornadoes will knock back enemies and lightning will deal large amounts of damage.

- Grizzly Rage: It will cause us to shift into a bear for a short duration, we'll gain new bear skills and increase our spirit regeneration which is a resource the Druid uses to cast skills.

- Petrify: You're going to stun all nearby enemies, damage will break this effect. However, if you break it this way, it'll cause extra damage to the enemies themselves. This skill does have a very large chance to deal a crushing blow.

How to Play and Unlock the Diablo 4 Beta Druid?

The only way to unlock and play as the Druid class in Diablo 4 beta is by taking part in the open beta weekend, starting on March 24.

This news was confirmed by Blizzard in their Diablo 4 beta blog post. For those playing during the closed beta, you’ll have to choose one of the other classes for this weekend. Unfortunately, you’ll need to wait to unlock the Necromancer class in Diablo 4 beta too, as that is locked until the open beta as well.

Diablo 4 Druid Class Build Tips

Based on the information released about the Druid class, here are some general tips for building a strong Druid in the D4 beta.

- Experiment with different shapeshifting forms: The Druid's ability to shapeshift into different animal forms is a key feature of the class, and players should experiment with different forms to find the ones that work best for their playstyle. Each animal form has its own unique abilities and strengths, so finding the right combination of forms can be crucial to success.

- Utilize elemental magic: The Druid has access to a wide range of elemental magic, including fire, ice, and lightning spells. These spells can deal significant damage to enemies and control the battlefield, so be sure to experiment with different spells and find the ones that work best for your playstyle.

- Customize your talents: The Druid has a variety of talents that can be selected to customize their playstyle and abilities. These talents can enhance the Druid's shapeshifting abilities, elemental magic, healing abilities, or provide other unique benefits. Be sure to experiment with different talents to find the ones that work best for your playstyle and strategy.

- Manage your Fury resource: The Druid's abilities consume a resource called Fury, which can be generated through attacking enemies, taking damage, or using certain abilities. Proper management of Fury is crucial to effectively utilizing the Druid's abilities, so be sure to balance your use of abilities with your Fury generation.

- Consider your role in group play: The Druid is a versatile class that can adapt to different situations and playstyles, so consider your role in group play when building your character. Are you going to be the damage-dealer, healer, or crowd-controller? Customize your build accordingly to fill the role that's best for your group.

What is the Strongest Druid Build in Diablo 4 Open Beta?

- Shapeshifter Build: This build focuses on utilizing the Druid's shapeshifting abilities to deal damage and control the battlefield. Key skills include Feral Rush, Maul, Swarm Form, Hurricane, and Pack Leader. Talents like Primal Form, Shapeshifter Mastery, and Thundering Hooves enhance the Druid's shapeshifting abilities, while Earthquake and Stormcaller provide additional area of effect damage. This build is great for players who enjoy both melee and ranged combat.

- Summoner Build: If you prefer a more passive playstyle, a Summoner build may be for you. This build revolves around summoning animal companions like wolves and bears to fight alongside you. Key skills include Call of the Wild, Summon Wolf, and Summon Bear. Talents like Animal Mastery, Pack Mentality, and Ferocity enhance the Druid's summons and improve their damage and survivability. This build is great for players who enjoy letting their minions do the heavy lifting.

- Support Build: Druids can also be great supports in group play, providing healing, crowd control, and damage reduction for their allies. Key skills include Regrowth, Entangling Roots, and Barkskin. Talents like Nature's Blessing, Nurturing Spirits, and Harmony of the Grove enhance the Druid's supportive abilities and increase their effectiveness. This build is great for players who enjoy playing a more defensive role and helping their team succeed.

So overall, the Druid is a class that brings a lot of versatility to the table, be it shape-shifting, unleashing the elements or even commanding pets to creatively solve problems, this class seems to have something for everyone. So what do you think this class? Is this the class for you?