MAD DOG Druid BUILD for Diablo IV [RDY-4-Launch]

(a Rabid Dog let loose & its companions are on the prowl, looking for prey to infest & Shred to pieces)

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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 Launch is getting closer and it’s time to make some Ready-For-Launch full Builds/Theorycrafts that should be good for both ‘fresh-into-endgame’ characters as well as late endgame. I also plan to evolve them further when the game is released & keep them updated when we get rebalance updates. This is one such build for the Druid Class called MAD DOG.

I’ve also made spreadsheets for those builds (see the links below) that have shortlisted the active and passive skills + legendary aspect + unique item + gems & sockets + suggested stat rolls + paragon boards that work well with the build which you can use to tinker. Alternatively, I’ve added build calculator links (mostly needed for the paragons)

This build will be updated post-launch to a new & expanded version when I have more 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 + alternative skill options, you can check my RDY-4-Launch Builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (MAD DOG) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

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

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

Defensive Skills (Required Points: 6)

Companion Skills (Required Points: 11)

Wrath Skills (Required Points: 16)

Ultimate Skills (Required Points: 23) Not taking an Active Ultimate

Specializations (Required Points: 33 )

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 (when you specialize into it) + maybe 1 more from every other category . I’d advise getting the following 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 for now.

• Eagle Category:
  Scythe Talons: +5% Critical Strike Chance
  Avian Wrath: +30% Critical Strike Damage
• Deer Category:
  Wariness: Take 10% reduced damage from Elites
• Snake Category:
  Masochist: Critical Strikes with Shapeshifting Skills heal you for 3% Maximum Life
• Wolf Category:
  Energize: Lucky Hit: Dealing damage has up to a 15% Chance to restore 10 Spirit

Unique Item

In Diablo IV apparently (I have multiple sources that confirmed this) we can equip more than one unique item at the same time (not so ‘unique’ if we can get decked out in full uniques I guess). It seems that the one unique per build idea that Unique inherited from the Mythical gear they supposedly replaced was scrapped even before the closed beta tests. My top pick will be the following one but check the notes under the Aspects list for some additional picks:

Mad Wolf’s Glee (Chest Armor)

Werewolf form is now your true form, and you gain +2 Ranks to all Werewolf Skills.

+[0.07 – 0.14] Physical Damage
+[0.07 – 0.14] Poison Damage [7 – 14]% Damage Reduction from Poisoned Enemies
+[16.5 – 23.5]% Movement Speed

“He was not a victim of the curse – he sought it out. As his skin split and his bones cracked, his laughter never ceased.” – Tale of the Mad Nobleman

Sockets & Gems

There are various possible good/viable choices for the gem slots. I’ve shortlisted what works by slot. I’d recommend picking one of those:

Weps: Ruby, Saphire, Skull, Amethyst, or Emerald.
Armor: Skull, Ruby, or Saphire.
Jewelry: Diamond unless you need specific resistance more than all.

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 RDY-4-Launch Builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (MAD DOG) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

• Helm: Stormshifter’s Aspect
• Amulet: Nighthowler’s Aspect
• Chest: Aspect of Might Until The Unique goes here (see note below)
• Pants: Vigorous Aspect
• Gloves: Aspect of the Wildrage
• Boots: Exploiter’s Aspect
• Ring 1: Aspect of The Tempest
• Ring 2: Storm Beast’s Aspect
• 1H Weapon (see note below): Aspect of the Alpha
• Off-hand (see note below): Stormclaw’s Aspect
• 2-H Weapon (see note below): Aspect of the Alpha

NOTE 1: Aspect of Might goes in the Chest slot ONLY until you get the Mad Wolf's Glee Unique Chest. There are two other alternative picks for Uniques you could use if you get those first: Andariel's Visage (Helm) & Storm's Companion (Pants)

NOTE 2: How to re-arrange if using any of the alternative Uniques:
- For Andariel's Visage (Helm): Aspect of Might gets removed from the Chest and Stormshifter's Aspect goes in the Chest to make room for the Unique
- For Storm's Companion (Pants): Aspect of Might gets removed from the Chest and Vigorous Aspect goes in the Chest to make room for the Unique

Paragon Boards:

Use the links below to check the paragon boards selected and the nodes I’ve taken. One link is for what the boards will look like at lvl 95 without any paragon points from renown (so more paragon points will be obtained on the way to 100 as well as from renown. The other link will be what the boards will look like when fully maxed out on paragon points.

• LVL 95 & no Points from renown: Click THIS LINK
• MAXed out points: Click THIS LINK

Suggested Gear Rolls to look out for (NOT in order of priority):

I’ve shortlisted 44 different affixes that work well with the build of almost 300 total. I’ll highlight in Orange the ones I think should get higher priority

Bonus to All Damage

Critical Strike Chance/Critical Damage Bonus

Critical Chance / Critical Damage with Physical/Lightning/Poison Skills

Critical Chance/Critical Damage with Core/Wrath/Companion/Werewolf/Shapeshifting/Nature/Storm Skills

Damage with Core/Wrath/Companion/Werewolf/Shapeshifting/Nature/Storm Skills

Lucky Hit Chance

+ X Ranks to Core/Wrath/Companion/Werewolf/Shapeshifting/Nature/Storm Skills

Overpower Damage

Physical/Lightning/Poison Damage Bonus

Lucky Hit Chance with Physical/Lightning/Poison Damage

Resistance to All Elements

+ % Critical Chance / Critical Damage with Physical/Lightning/Poison Damage

+ % Physical/Lightning/Poison Damage to Elites

+ % Critical Strike Chance with Physical/Lightning/Poison Damage Against Elites

Damage Reduction for X Seconds After Killing an Elite

+ % Damage for X Seconds After Killing an Elite

Damage Reduction from Elites

Critical Strike Chance Against Close Enemies

Damage to Close Enemies

Critical Strike Damage to Close Enemies

Critical Strike Chance Against Crowd Controlled Enemies

Critical Strike Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies

Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies

Critical Strike Chance Against Vulnerable Enemies

Critical Strike Damage to Vulnerable Enemies

Vulnerable Damage

Damage while Shapeshifted

Damage while in Werewolf Form

Damage while Healthy

Fortify Generation

Damage while Fortified

Chance When Struck to Fortify for X Life

+ All Stats

Companion Movement Speed

Damage vs Injured Enemies

Lucky Hit: Up to a +X% Chance to Execute Injured Non-Elites

Critical Strike Chance Against Injured Enemies

Damage vs Healthy Enemies

Weapon Damage (not sure if there are any bonuses to that as rolls)

Spirit Generation / Regeneration / On Kill

Movement Speed

Attack Speed

Willpower

Resource Cost Reduction

Useful Links (Spreadsheets & more):

For all of my Diablo IV RDY-4-Launch Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

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

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

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This concludes the MAD DOG 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