BIG GRIZZ Diablo IV Druid Build

BIG GRIZZ Druid BUILD for Diablo IV

(this build’s got that BIG GRIZZ energy & uses two defensive skills, making it beary tanky)

♦ ◊ ♦ ◊ ♦

Diablo IV launches on June 6th, 2023 for PC (Battle.Net), XBOX, & PlayStation with a 4 days Early Access (no wipe) for pre-orders (so kind of really launching June 2nd).

Diablo IV’s Open Beta Tests are almost here and I felt motivated to make some Pre-Launch theorycrafted semi-builds that should be good for ‘fresh-into-endgame’ characters when the game launches. I also plan to evolve them into FULL builds when the game is released & keep them updated when we get rebalance updates. This is one such build for the Druid Class called BIG GRIZZ.

The Beta tests will only let us reach lvl 25 and only let us play in the first Act/Zone (Fractured Peaks) so those builds will be more useful for the actual game launch and ideally for characters around lvl 50+ or 60+. I’ve used 50+ and 60+ skill points when making the builds instead of the full 100 so that they can be used to jumpstart a player’s post-story endgame grind.

I’ve also made spreadsheets for those builds (see the links below) that have shortlisted the active and passive skills + legendary aspect that work well with the build so one can spend the extra skill points on the way to lvl 100 into those other skills.

This build will be updated post-launch to a new & expanded version when I have actual in-game information as reference.

Video Version:

Skill Trees

Below you’ll see ONLY the Active & Passive skills that were selected for this build. For additional skills that can be taken on the way to lvl 100 + alternative skill options, you can check my pre-launch builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (BIG GRIZZ) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

Some of the skill icon images you see could be outdated & different from what is seen in the Full release version. I plan to replace them once the Beta ends or after the full launch

Basic Skill (Resource Generator/Builder) (Required Points: 0 )

(active) Maul – Shapeshift into a Werebear and maul nearby enemies, dealing +21.00% (X-?) damage. Type: Shapeshifting Damage: Physical Generates: 11 Spirit
- (1st upgrade) Enhanced Maul – If an enemy is hit by Maul, then Fortify for X.
- (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Fierce Maul – While Healthy, Maul grants 4 additional Spirit.

Spirit / Core Skill(s) (Resource Spender) (Required Points: 2 )

(active) Pulverize – Shapeshift into a Werebear and slam the ground, dealing 52.50% (X-?) damage to nearby enemies. Talents: Iron Hide, Hunt the Weak, Feral Spirit, Quickshift, Storm and Claw, Elemental Exposure. Type: Shapeshifting Damage: Physical Spirit Cost: 34
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Pulverize – Pulverize deals 20% (muiltiplicative) increased bonus damage when hitting 2 or more enemies.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Primal Pulverize – Enemies hit with Pulverize deal 15% reduced damage for 4 seconds.
(passive) Heart of the Wild – Maximum Spirit is increased by 3.
- (upgrade did NOT take to save points) Wild Impulses – Your Core Skills cost 5% (multiplicative) more Spirit but deal 10% (multiplicative) increased damage
- (upgrade) Abundance – Basic Skills generate 5% more Spirit.
(passive) Predatory Instinct – Critical Strike Chance against nearby enemies is increased by 3%.
- (upgrade) Iron Fur – While in Werebear form, damage reduction is increased by 3%. This bonus persists for 3 seconds after leaving Werebear form.
- (upgrade – did NOT take cuz it’s a Werewolf synergy) Digitigrate Gait / Lycanthropic Speed
(passive) did not pick other Spirit/Core passives to save points

Defensive Skills (Required Points: 6 ) I took both of the Defensive skills listed below

(active) Debilitating Roar – Shapeshift into a Werebear and bellow with ferocity, reducing the attack speed of nearby enemies by 50% for 4 seconds. Talents: Iron Hide, Hunt the Weak, Feral Spirit, Quick Shift, Storm and Claw. Type: Shapeshifting Damage: Physical Cooldown: 22 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Debilitating – Roar Debilitating Roar also Fortifies you for X.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Preserving Debilitating – Roar Debilitating Roar also heals you for 4% of your maximum Life each second for its duration.
(passive) Ancestral Fortitude – Increase your non-physical resistances by 5%.
- (upgrade) Vigilance – You Take X% reduced damage for X seconds after using a Defensive Skill.

(active) Earthen Bulwark – Rocks surround you for 3 seconds, making you Unstoppable and absorbing up to X damage. Type: Earth Magic Damage: Physical Cooldown: 16 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Earthen Bulwark – Earthen Bulwark makes you Unstoppable while active.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Preserving Earthen Bulwark – Casting Earthen Bulwark grants X Fortify.

Companion Skills (Required Points: 11 ) I did NOT take a companion BUT if you want to sacrifice one of the Defensive skills, I recommend the skills & upgrades below

(active) Ravens – Active: The target area is swarmed with ravens. dealing 89.25 (X-?) damage over 6 seconds. Type: Companion Damage: Physical Cooldown: 25 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Ravens – Passive: Ravens fly above you and periodically attack your enemies for 13.85% (X-?) damage every 5 seconds.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Ferocious Ravens – Enemies inside the swarm of Ravens when it is activated become Vulnerable for 3 seconds.
(passive) did not pick any Companion passives to save points BUT even if you take a companion i still won’t recommend the Companion passives for this build

Wrath Skills (Required Points: 16 )

(active) Trample – Shapeshift into a Werebear and charge forward, dealing 26.25% (X-?) damage and Knocking Back enemies. Enemies who are Knocked Back into terrain take an additional 47.25% (X-?) damage and are Stunned for 3 seconds. Type: Shapeshifting Damage: Physical Cooldown: 14 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Trample – You are Unstoppable during Trample.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Savage Trample – Casting Trample grants 20 Spirit.
(passive) did not pick any Wrath passives to save points but there are some worth considering

Ultimate Skills (Required Points: 23 )

(active) Grizzly Rage – Shapeshift into a Dire Werebear for 10 seconds gaining 20% (multiplicative) bonus damage and 20% (multiplicative) damage reduction. Damage bonus is increased by +3% each second while in this form. Kills extend the duration by 1 second up to +10 additional seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds
(1st upgrade) Prime Grizzly Rage – You are unstoppable when Grizzly Rage is active.
(2nd upgrade) Supreme Grizzly Rage – Gain X Fortified Life per second while Grizzly Rage is active.
(passive) Defensive Posture – Increase the Damage Reduction gained while you are Fortified by an additional +3%.
- (upgrade) Thick Hide – Whenever you are Stunned, Immobilized, or Knocked Down, Fortify for X.
- (upgrade – did NOT pick to save points) Nature’s Resolve – 5% chance when struck to Fortify you for X

Specializations (Required Points: 33 )

(passive) Ursine Strength – Gain 20% (multiplicative) additional maximum Life while in Werebear form and for 3 seconds after leaving Werebear form. While Healthy, deal 20% (multiplicative) increased damage.

Class Mechanic (Spirit Boons):

I don’t have much info regarding the Spirit Boons but I think you can pick at least 2 from the same category + maybe 1 more from another. I’ll leave this empty for now.

Legendary Aspects / Powers

I will only list the Legendary Aspects that have been selected for the build and the slots in which I advise putting those. For in-depth information you can check my pre-launch builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (BIG GRIZZ) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

Helm: Aspect of Shared Misery
Amulet: Ballistic Aspect
Chest: Skinwalker’s Aspect
Pants: Mending Stone
Gloves: Aspect of Quicksand
Boots: Ghostwalker Aspect
Ring 1: Aspect of The Umbral
Ring 2: Aspect of The Rampaging Werebeast
1H Weapon (see note below): Crashstone Aspect
Off-hand (see note below): Aspect of The Ursine Horror
2-H Weapon (see note below): Crashstone Aspect

NOTE: I recommend using 1H + offhand so that you can get an extra aspect. 

If you go for 2-Handed and put Aspect of The Ursine Horror in the Gloves Slot you could move Aspect of Quicksand to the Chest Slot, while removing Skinwalker's Aspect from the setup or replacing Mending Stone in the Pants slot with it (skinwalker).

Useful Links (Spreadsheets & more):

For all of my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

For my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Class Skill Trees (can be used as mini-calculator): This Spreadsheet

♦ ◊ ♦ ◊ ♦

This concludes the BIG GRIZZ Druid Build for Diablo IV. If you’re interested in the game, below are links to the various platforms where one can buy it (you can just click the links to open a new tab):

PC (Battle.Net)

XBOX

PlayStation

Official Website

Rocky Diablo IV Druid Build

Rocky Druid BUILD for Diablo IV

(Rock their world with giant Boulders while naturally crushing their hopes)

♦ ◊ ♦ ◊ ♦

Diablo IV launches on June 6th, 2023 for PC (Battle.Net), XBOX, & PlayStation with a 4 days Early Access (no wipe) for pre-orders (so kind of really launching June 2nd).

This build will be updated post-launch to a new & expanded version when I have actual in-game information as reference.

Video Version:

Skill Trees

Some of the skill icon images you see could be outdated & different from what is seen in the Full release version. I plan to replace them once the Beta ends or after the full launch

Basic Skill (Resource Generator/Builder) (Required Points: 0 )

(active) Earthspike – Sunder the earth, impaling the first enemy hit for 16.80% (X-?) damage. Each time you hit an enemy with Earthspike, your chance to deal Crushing Blow to that target is increased by 10%. Requires a Bludgeoning weapon. Type: Earth Magic Damage: Physical Generates: 8 Spirit
- (1st upgrade) Enhanced Earthspike – Earthspike has a 10% chance to Stun for 2.5 seconds.
- (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Fierce Earthspike – Fortify for X whenever Earthspike damages enemies who are Stunned, Immobilized, or Knocked Back.

Spirit / Core Skill(s) (Resource Spender) (Required Points: 2 )

(active) Landslide – Crush enemies between 3 pillars of earth, dealing up to 78.75% (X-?) damage. Has an additional 10% chance to deal a Crushing Blow. Talents: Natural Balance, Eye of the Storm, Elemental Exposure, Natural Resonance, Primal Resonance, Earthbind, Fury of Nature, Earthen Might. Type: Earth Magic Damage: Physical Spirit Cost: 29
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Landslide – Enemies hit by all 3 Landslide pillars have a 25% chance to be Immobilized for 3 seconds by the final hit.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Primal Landslide – Landslide has a 10% increased Critical Strike Chance and deals 30% (multiplicative) increased Critical Strike Damage against enemies who are Stunned, Immobilized or Knocked Back.
(passive) Heart of the Wild – Maximum Spirit is increased by 3.
- (upgrade did NOT take to save points) Wild Impulses – Your Core Skills cost 5% (multiplicative) more Spirit but deal 10% (multiplicative) increased damage
- (upgrade) Abundance – Basic Skills generate 5% more Spirit.
(passive) did not pick other Spirit/Core passives to save points

Defensive Skills (Required Points: 6 )

(active) Earthen Bulwark – Rocks surround you for 3 seconds, making you Unstoppable and absorbing up to X damage. Type: Earth Magic Damage: Physical Cooldown: 16 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Earthen Bulwark – Earthen Bulwark makes you Unstoppable while active.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Preserving Earthen Bulwark – Casting Earthen Bulwark grants X Fortify.
(passive) Ancestral Fortitude – Increase your non-physical resistances by 5%.
- (upgrade) Vigilance – You Take X% reduced damage for X seconds after using a Defensive Skill.

Companion Skills (Required Points: 11 )

(active) Wolves – Passive: Summon 2 wolf companions that bite enemies for 18.19% (X-?) damage. Active: Direct the wolves to focus an enemy, leaping to them and striking for 36.75% (X-?) damage. Talents: Call of the Wild Type: Companion Damage: Physical Cooldown: 14.0 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Wolves – Wolves deal 20% (multiplicative) increased damage to Immobilized, Stunned, Slowed, or poisoned enemies.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Ferocious Wolves You deal 10% (multiplicative) increased damage to your Wolves’ focus target.
(passive) did not pick any Companion passives to save points

Wrath Skills (Required Points: 16 )

(active) Boulder – Unearth a large rolling boulder that knocks back and crushes enemies, dealing 34.65% (X-?) damage with each hit. Type: Earth Magic Damage: Physical Cooldown: 10 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Boulder – Enemies are slowed by 30% for 2 seconds after being hit with Boulder.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Natural Boulder – Your Basic Skills grant 75% bonus Spirit while damaging enemies who are Knocked Back by Boulder.
(passive) Crushing Earth – Earth Skills deal 5% (multiplicative) increased damage to Slowed, Stunned, Immobilized or Knocked Back enemies.
- (upgrade) Stone Guard – While Fortified over 50% of your maximum Life, your Earth Skills deal 4% (multiplicative) increased damage.
- (upgrade – did NOT pick to save points) Safeguard Critical Strikes with Earth Skills Fortify you for X.

Ultimate Skills (Required Points: 23 )

(active) Petrify – Petrify all nearby enemies, Stunning them for 3 seconds. You deal 25% (multiplicative) increased Critical Strike Damage to Petrified enemies. Damage: Physical Cooldown: 60 seconds
(1st upgrade) Prime Petrify – Petrify’s duration is increased by 1 seconds.
(2nd upgrade) Supreme Petrify – Killing a Petrified enemy grants 25 Spirit.
(passive) Defiance – Nature Magic skills deal 4% (multiplicative) increased damage to Elites.
- (upgrade) did NOT take either of the two upgrades to save points
(passive) Defensive Posture – Increase the Damage Reduction gained while you are Fortified by an additional +3%.
- (upgrade) Thick Hide – Whenever you are Stunned, Immobilized, or Knocked Down, Fortify for X.
- (upgrade – did NOT pick to save points) Nature’s Resolve – 5% chance when struck to Fortify you for X

Specializations (Required Points: 33 )

(passive) Earthen Might – Lucky Hit: Damaging enemies with Earth Skills has up to a 5% chance to grant Earthen Might. This chance is increased by 10% for Critical Strikes, and is further increased by 10% if the target is Stunned, Immobilized, or Knocked Back. Earthen Might restores all of your Spirit & grants you 100% Critical Strike Chance for 5 seconds.

Class Mechanic (Spirit Boons):

I don’t have much info regarding the Spirit Boons but I think you can pick at least 2 from the same category + maybe 1 more from another. I’ll leave this empty for now.

Legendary Aspects / Powers

Helm: Aspect of Shared Misery
Amulet: Ballistic Aspect
Chest: Aspect of Quicksand
Pants: Mending Stone
Gloves: Nighthowler’s Aspect
Boots: Ghostwalker Aspect
Ring 1: Aspect of The Umbral
Ring 2: Aspect of Pummeling
1H Weapon (if possible to even use a Bludgeoning 1H weapon): Crashstone Aspect
Off-hand (if possible to even use a Bludgeoning 1H weapon): Aspect of Retribution
2-H Weapon (must be Bludgeoning): Crashstone Aspect

Useful Links (Spreadsheets & more):

For all of my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

For my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Class Skill Trees (can be used as mini-calculator): This Spreadsheet

♦ ◊ ♦ ◊ ♦

This concludes the Rocky Druid Build for Diablo IV. If you’re interested in the game, below are links to the various platforms where one can buy it (you can just click the links to open a new tab):

PC (Battle.Net)

XBOX

PlayStation

Official Website

Lycan Lacerator Diablo IV Druid Build

Lycan Lacerator Druid BUILD for Diablo IV

(Shapeshift into a Warewolf to Claw & Shred trough your enemies, tearing them apart)

♦ ◊ ♦ ◊ ♦

Diablo IV launches on June 6th, 2023 for PC (Battle.Net), XBOX, & PlayStation with a 4 days Early Access (no wipe) for pre-orders (so kind of really launching June 2nd).

This build will be updated post-launch to a new & expanded version when I have actual in-game information as reference.

Video Version:

Skill Trees

Below you’ll see ONLY the Active & Passive skills that were selected for this build. For additional skills that can be taken on the way to lvl 100 + alternative skill options, you can check my pre-launch builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (Lycan Lacerator) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

Some of the skill icon images you see could be outdated & different from what is seen in the Full release version. I plan to replace them once the Beta ends or after the full launch

Basic Skill (Resource Generator/Builder) (Required Points: 0 )

(active) Claw – Shapeshift into a Werewolf and shred an enemy, dealing 21.00% (X-?) damage. Type: Shapeshifting Damage: Physical Generates: 9 Spirit
- (1st upgrade) Enhanced Claw – Claw’s Attack Speed is increased by +10%.
- (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Wild Claw – Claw has an additional +10% Critical Strike Chance and deals +15% increased Critical Strike Damage.

Spirit / Core Skill(s) (Resource Spender) (Required Points: 2 )

(active) Shred – Shapeshift into a Werewolf and leap onto an enemy slashing them 3 times for 42.00% (X-?) damage per slash. Type: Shapeshifting Damage: Physical Spirit Cost: 34
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Shred – Each slash with Shred heals you for 2% of your maximum Life when it deals damage.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Raging Shred – Shred has an additional +10% Critical Strike Chance against Poisoned enemies.
(passive) Heart of the Wild – Maximum Spirit is increased by 3.
- (upgrade) Wild Impulses – Your Core Skills cost 5% (multiplicative) more Spirit but deal 10% (multiplicative) increased damage
- (upgrade) Abundance – Basic Skills generate 5% more Spirit.
(passive) Predatory Instinct – Critical Strike Chance against nearby enemies is increased by 3%.
- (upgrade) Iron Fur – did not pick to save points
- (upgrade) Digitigrate Gait / Lycanthropic Speed – did not pick to save points

Defensive Skills (Required Points: 6 )

(active) Blood Howl – Shapeshift into a Werewolf and howl furiously, restoring X% Life. Cooldown: 15 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Blood Howl – Kills reduce the cooldown of Blood Howl by 1 second.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Innate Blood Howl – Blood Howl also generates 20 Spirit.
(passive) Ancestral Fortitude – Increase your non-physical resistances by 5%.
- (upgrade) Vigilance – did not pick to save points

Companion Skills (Required Points: 11 )

(active) Vine Creeper – Passive: A vine creeper periodically emerges from the ground every 7 seconds and poisons a nearby enemy for 37.80% (X) damage over 6 seconds. Active: Vines strangle enemies in a target area, poisoning them for X damage over 6 seconds and stunning them for 2 seconds. Type: Companion Damage: Poison Cooldown: 20 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Vine Creeper – Vine Creeper’s Immobilize duration is increased by 1 second.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Brutal Vine Creeper – Your chance to Critically Strike is increased by 20% against enemies strangled by Vine Creeper.
(passive) did not pick any Companion passives to save points

Wrath Skills (Required Points: 16 )

(active) Rabies – Shapeshift into a Werewolf and perform an infectious bite on the target dealing 24.40% (X-?) damage, and an additional 55.65% (X) damage over 6 seconds. Infected enemies spread Rabies to other nearby targets. Poison Damage Cooldown: 12 seconds
(1st upgrade) Enhanced Rabies – Once Rabies infects 4 targets, it deals 30% (multiplicative) increased Poison damage against all targets.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Enhanced Rabies – Once Rabies infects 4 targets, it deals 30% (multiplicative) increased Poison damage against all targets.
(passive) Toxic Claws – Critical Strikes with Werewolf skills deal 8% of their base damage as Poison damage over 4 seconds.
- (upgrade) Neurotoxin – DID NOT INVEST in this to save points

Ultimate Skills (Required Points: 23 )

(active) Lacerate – Shapeshift into a Werewolf, become Immune and quickly dash 10 times between nearby enemies dealing up to 420.20% (X-?) damage. Cooldown: 50 seconds
(1st upgrade) Prime Lacerate – Each time Lacerate deals a Critical Strike, heal for 3% of your maximum Life.
(2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Supreme Lacerate – Lacerate’s final strike deals 200% (multiplicative) increased damage.
(passive) Quickshift – After Shapeshifting into a different form, your next skill deals 5% (multiplicative) increased damage. (i only put 1 point into it to unlock the upgrades)
- (upgrade) Heightened Senses – Upon shapeshifting into a Werewolf or Werebear, gain 4% damage reduction against Elites for 3 seconds.
- (upgrade) Natural Fortitude – Shapeshifting Fortifies you for 0.56.

Specializations (Required Points: 33 )

(passive) Lupine Ferocity – Every 6th Werewolf skill hit Critically Strikes and deals 60% (multiplicative) increased damage.

Class Mechanic (Spirit Boons):

I don’t have much info regarding the Spirit Boons but I think you can pick at least 2 from the same category + maybe 1 more from another. I’ll leave this empty for now.

Legendary Aspects / Powers

I will only list the Legendary Aspects that have been selected for the build and the slots in which I advise putting those. For in-depth information you can check my pre-launch builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (Lycan Lacerator) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

Helm: Aspect of Disobedience
Amulet: Aspect of Shared Misery
Chest: Stalking Beast Aspect
Pants: Vigorous Aspect
Gloves: Nighthowler’s Aspect
Boots: Wind Striker Aspect
Ring 1: Aspect of The Unsatiated
Ring 2: Aspect of The Umbral
1H Weapon: Edgemaster’s Aspect
Off-hand: Aspect of Retribution
2-H Weapon (if you decide to use one): Edgemaster’s Aspect

Useful Links (Spreadsheets & more):

For all of my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

For my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Class Skill Trees (can be used as mini-calculator): This Spreadsheet

♦ ◊ ♦ ◊ ♦

This concludes the Lycan Lacerator Druid Build for Diablo IV. If you’re interested in the game below are links to the various platforms where one can buy it (you can just click the links to open a new tab):

PC (Battle.Net)

XBOX

PlayStation

Official Website