Druid

From d2pwiki

Contents 1 Lore 2 Skills 2.1 Shape Shifting 2.2 Summoning 2.3 Elemental 3 Builds 3.1 Wind 3.2 Werewolf 3.3 Werebear 3.4 Fire Claws

Lore

The Druids are a race of nomadic warrior-poet-kings. Driven from their homelands long ago by their Barbarian brothers, the Druid tribes live primarily in the northern forests. Using mystic secrets passed down through the generations, they summon the elements of fire and wind to do their bidding, and command the creatures of the forest to aid them in battle. Shifting from their human forms into that of wild beasts, gives them abilities far beyond those of other mortals.

In the ancient tome of the Druids, the Scéal Fada, it is written that Bul-Kathos, the great and ancient king of the Barbarian tribes, had a mysterious but trusted confidant, who was only referred to as Fiacla-Géar. This man is sometimes described as Bul-Kathos's close friend, and at other times, he is referred to as his brother. Whatever the source of their relationship, their bond was strong, and together they shared the secrets of the ancients: of the mysteries below the peaks of Mt. Arreat, of the venerated task put to their people to protect those mysteries, and of the prophecies regarding the dark times ahead.

They both agreed that, in order to fulfill their sacred trust, their people must devote themselves to nothing save that charge. However, they disagreed on exactly how the people could best do this. Bul-Kathos believed that only by bringing the tribes together and training them in strict martial discipline could the tribes faithfully concentrate on their goal for generations to come. Fiacla-Géar, on the other hand, believed that only through obtaining a spiritual oneness with the land they had sworn to protect could the people truly appreciate the importance of their role.

Both agreed the other's philosophy had merit, and so around the time Bul-Kathos united the tribes, Fiacla-Géar gathered together a small group consisting of the tribes' greatest warrior-poets and shamans and mysteriously retreated into the forests surrounding the area known as Scosglen. There he and his people created the first of the Druid Colleges, huge mortar-less stone towers, covered in vines and safely hidden beneath the leafy canopies of the dense forests.

They have dwelt there ever since, forging a new way of life for themselves. They created a new culture and language, cutting themselves off from their Barbarian cousins and their ways, vowing not to return to the Steppes of Mt. Arreat until the time of the Uileloscadh Mór, the final battle between the men of the world and the demons of the Burning Hells.

Here, in preparation for the impending conflict, he taught his people the Caoi Dúlra, a way of thinking that holds harmony with the natural elements of the world, its plants and animals, as the heart of its most intrinsic beliefs, for they are the personification of the very world that the Druids have sworn to protect. Not only was Caoi Dúlra the basis for their system of values, but through its study and practice, the Druids learned to bond with the natural entities of Sanctuary. This bonding was so absolute that eventually they discovered how to talk to the plants and animals, and these beings taught them all the secrets of the natural world. They taught them methods to call animals from far away, how to summon sentient plants from the earth, ways to change their own forms to share the strengths of their animal cousins, even, to a limited extent, techniques to control the weather.

At the Túr Dúlra, the greatest of the Druid Colleges, stands the magnificent oak Glór-an-Fháidha. This tree is the most revered source of the Druids guidance and teachings. Under its branches, for centuries, the Druids of Scosglen have been honing not only their powerful arsenal of natural magic, but also the martial skills they have retained from their Barbarian forefathers. They have done this because they believe themselves to be the world's last line of defense when the time of the great conflict comes, a time they believe is at hand. Lashing out in fury at the recent insurgence of denizens of the Burning Hells, and at the Leathdhiabhala, demonic corruptions of the very creatures they have vowed to defend, the Druids have, at last, emerged from their forests, marching toward their final stand against the minions of Chaos.

Traits and Abilities

The Druids shun the use of traditional magic, or Dubhdroiacht, as they call it. They instead practice a form of magic based in their close bond to nature. Through this intimate kinship with the world of Sanctuary, a Druid has the power to command fire, earth, and the winds. He is a friend to the animals of the wilds and can call upon them to aid in his struggle. He can also use his heightened rapport with the animals to change the shape of his own body, drawing on the strengths and abilities of his woodland companions to better serve their cause.

Skills

Shape Shifting

For the main article, see Shape Shifting

This is a very interesting tree, out of any of the other Characters, the Druid is the only that actually changes form. There are main routes, and multiple sub-routes to go for this tree. One is to use Werewolf and utilize Fury to tear your enemies to shreds. Or, one can opt to go the Werebear route and use Maul to knock your enemies senseless.

Summoning

For the main article, see Summoning

Unlike the Necromancer's summons, the Druid's are there to assist and aid him, rather then to kill on their own. From the helpful spirits like Oak Sage which increases the player's life to the Heart of the Wolverine which increases AR and Damage. Among the more active summons include Spirit Wolves which Teleport around to kill, or Dire Wolves which feed off monster's corpses to become more powerful. The most powerful summon though, is the Grizzly. Reaching up into the thousands of points of damage, a Grizzly can serve as a powerful tank and ally. This tree also holds the ever interesting Poison Creeper and other vines which assist the Druid in various ways.

Elemental

For the main article, see Elemental

One of the more popular Druid skill trees, because it holds such powerful skills as Hurricane, Twister, and Tornado. To the easily under appreciated Fissure which does more damage then is readily apparent. Open to the Druid is also the Cyclone Armor skill, which shields him from elemental damage.

Builds

Wind

For the main article, see Wind Druid

The most popular Druid incorporates the powerful, if not difficult to aim, Tornado and Twister skills along with Hurricane and a dash of Cyclone Armor. They will also utilize low strength and high vitality with an Oak Sage to have a large pool of Life. There are also two differing beliefs on blocking for a build like this, one group maintains that high life is sufficient, while the other maintains that high blocking is preferable.

Werewolf

For the main article, see Werewolf Druid

This build is relatively straight forward. Incorporating Werewolf, Lycanthropy, Fury and either Oak Sage or HoW. The strength's of this build are incredibly fast attacking speed, and high damage output from Fury.

Werebear

For the main article, see Werebear

This build is similar to the Werewolf, however instead uses Werebear and Maul in place of Werewolf and Fury. Some Druids also utilize the stunning skill Shockwave to stun their opponents while smashing them to pieces with their powerful claw swipes.

Fire Claws

For the main article, see Fire Claws Druid

This build opts for the powerful synergized Fire Claws skill. Utilizing either the Werewolf or Werebear (it is the Druid's own choice) skills, they unleash a powerful fire-laced claw attack which always hits, regardless of AR. This build relies less on physical damage, and more on the fire elemental damage from Fire Claws.