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Much has changed since the last time Druids were a playable class in a Diablo game. Werebear builds were pretty much only good for tanking back then. But in Diablo 4, Druids have far more options for customizing their gear and abilities.
The new challenge that this presents is how exactly to develop the build you want to end up with. Earth magic and Werebear skills have especially high potential to work well off each other. Today we'll take a look at the very best ways you can blend the two, in this Earth Bear Druid guide.
Best Earth Bear Druid Specializations
After reaching level 15, you'll have access to the Druid class quest. Completing this will allow you to unlock Spirit Boons, powerful buffs unique to Druids. Once you unlock all available Spirit Boons, you can even attune with a chosen Spirit Animal and select a second Spirit Boon from it. Here are the best Spirit Boons for the Earth Bear Druid:
|
Spirit Animal |
Spirit Boon |
|---|---|
|
Deer |
Advantageous Beast — Reduce the duration of Control Impairing Effects by 15%. |
|
Eagle |
Swooping Attacks — Gain 10% Attack Speed. |
|
Wolf — Bonded |
Bolster — Fortify for 10% of your Maximum Life when you use a Defensive Skill |
|
Wolf — Bonded |
Energize — Lucky Hit: Dealing damage has up to a 15% chance to restore 10 Spirit. |
|
Snake |
Obsidian Slam — Every 20th kill will cause your next Earth Skill to Overpower |
Best Earth Bear Druid Skills
The Earth Bear build is extremely durable due to stacking Fortify generation with skill upgrades. It's also capable of decent crowd control and very high AoE damage output. But until you're able to get the best aspects for the Earth Bear Druid, its skill set is more similar to a basic tanking build.
Wild Maul's chance to Knock Down enemies is great for managing large groups of mobs, while Primal Pulverize will significantly reduce their damage. With the right Aspect, Pulverize will be significantly improved with Earth damage over time. The best strategy is to save up your Spirit and use Pulverize multiple times on the same spot.
You can get a big Fortify bonus and basic heal with Preserving Debilitating Roar. As for the Companion Skill, Brutal Ravens is a great option for dealing damage to distant enemies. But the most important move of all for the Earth Bear build is Natural Trample, which deals a ton of damage and gives a big chunk of Fortify as well.
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Type of Skill |
Recommended Skills |
|---|---|
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Basic |
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Core |
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Defensive |
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Companion |
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Wrath |
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Ultimate |
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Key Passive |
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Best Earth Bear Druid Aspects
Druids have some really cool Aspects in Diablo 4. With so many out there, this is often the toughest part of developing your character's build. Several of the Earth Bear Aspects can be found in the Codex of Power, and their dungeons can be tracked from there. Others must be found as random item drops.
|
Aspect Name |
Type |
Effect |
|---|---|---|
|
Aspect of the Trampled Earth |
Offensive |
Trample now summons 6 Landslide pillars of earth during its duration that deal [70-80]% normal damage. Trample is now also a Nature Magic and Earth Skill. |
|
Aspect of the Ursine Horror |
Offensive |
Pulverize is now also an Earth Skill. After casting Pulverize, tectonic spikes continue to deal [X] damage over 2 seconds. |
|
Aspect of Retaliation |
Offensive |
Your Core skills deal up to [20-40]% increased damage based on your amount of Fortify. |
|
Ballistic Aspect |
Utility |
When you have Fortify your Earth Skills gain +2 Ranks. |
|
Aspect of Quicksand |
Utility |
Damage from Earth skills Slows Enemies hit by [25-50]% for 5 seconds. |
|
Skinwalker's Aspect |
Defensive |
When you use a Shapeshifting Skill that changes your form, gain [X] Life. If you are at full Life, gain the same amount as Fortify. |
Best Earth Bear Druid Gear
In addition to legendary Aspects, there are a couple of unique items that only Druids can use. Being lucky enough to find one of these can even change which skills you use, as their effects are even stronger than rare Aspects. But gems and basic Affixes are important as well.
- Bonus Skill Ranks, Werebear Skill Damage, and Earth Skill Damage are all extremely powerful if you can stack them up
- Fortify Generation and Overpower Damage are two of the most important stats for skill synergy
- Damage Reduction While Fortified
- Core Skill Damage, Wrath Skill Damage
- Dexterity, Willpower, Max Life
Best Gems
As long as you can keep your Fortify Generation up high enough from gear Affixes, you probably won't need to slot too many gems for defensive buffs. But thankfully crafting and unsocketing gems is simple enough. Sometimes you'll need to stack resistances for certain fights, but these are the overall best for the Earth Bear build specifically:
|
Equipment Type |
Gem |
Effect |
|---|---|---|
|
Weapon |
Ruby |
Bonus Overpower Damage |
|
Armor |
Sapphire |
Damage Reduction while Fortified |
|
Jewelry |
Diamond |
Bonus Resistance to All Elements |
Best Unique Items
Finding one of these ultra-powerful pieces of gear takes more luck than skill. They can only be found from random item drops starting on World Tier 3, and their drop rates appear to be far lower than those of legendary Aspects. These two Unique Items are game-changers for the Earth Bear Druid:
- Insatiable Fury is a unique chest piece that makes Werebear form your true form and gives +2 Ranks to all Werebear skills. Stacking this up with the Ballistic Aspect gives a sweet +4 to all skills that are combined Earth and Werebear skills.
- Vasily's Prayer is a unique helm, which makes all your Earth skills also Werebear skills and causes them to Fortify you. This item gives Earth skills all the bonuses that Werebear skills receive. Furthermore, it will allow you to cast Earth skills while in Werebear or even Dire Werebear form.