Best Diablo 4 Druid Build: Skills, Stats, Items, Legendary Aspects

The Druid class in Diablo 4 is one that many players may choose to try for its unique abilities and layered playstyle, thanks to its ability to transform into savage beasts. However, this does mean that the class does take some getting used to, and of course, knowing which build is best suited for the class will be vital to making it a viable pick long term.

Luckily, you won't have to worry about that, as this guide will be providing you with the best build guide for the Druid class in Diablo 4. We'll be covering the best skills, stats, items, Spirit Animals, and Legendary Aspects that go best with the druid build, and much more.

Update on 30 May 2023: We've updated this article with the best Druid build featuring skills, gems, Legendary Aspects, and more (Unique Items and Spirit Boons have been added). 

Diablo 4 Druid Overview: Is it a Good Class?

The Druid class is perfect for players who are interested in a unique mix of ranged and melee combat (similar to the Rogue build in Diablo 4) thanks to its two main ways of dealing damage to enemies. The first is its close-range melee abilities, either by swinging around a one- or two-handed melee weapon or transforming into one of two forms, a Werewolf or Werebear, and dishing out powerful close-ranged skills (more on those later). 

Then, of course, we have the long-range skills and abilities that the Druid employs. Being at one with nature as the Druid is, the class employs a nature-themed set of range casting in the form of earth and storm magic, making it deadly no matter where you are on the field. Now while the Druid is a class to be reckoned with, it does have some weaknesses, with the main being its complexity and knowing how to balance the class's abilities and skills; luckily, our build guide can walk you through doing just that. 

Best Diablo 4 Druid Skills Build: Lightning Beast

We've dubbed the build we've chosen for the Druid class in Diablo 4 the Lightning Beast Druid, mainly for its use of storm and lightning abilities that stun, damage, and force enemies into vulnerable positions as you cleave through them. Below are the best skills to use for this build, and you'll notice that similar to the Barbarian building up Fury for its skills, the Druid builds up Spirit and uses it to decimate enemies with powerful nature-infused attacks. 

If you're not caught up on all of the skill names in Diablo 4, or specifically with the Druid class, then the table above will be easier to grasp after we've elaborated on each of their descriptions below. You can find each of their upgrades listed in full well with the help of the icy-viens.com website. 

• Storm Strike - Electricity gathers around your weapon, dealing 'X'% damage to your target and chaining to up to 'X' surrounding enemies, dealing 'X'% less damage each time it chains. Dealing damage with Storm Strike reduces your damage taken by 'X'% for 'X' seconds. 

• Wild Storm Strike - Storm Strike chains to 'X' additional targets. 

• Fierce Storm Strike - Storm Strike has an 'X'% chance to make enemies Vulnerable for 'X' seconds. 

• Tornado - Conjure a swirling tornado that deals 'X'% damage. 

• Primal Tornado - Enemies damaged by Tornado are Slowed by 'X'% for 'X' seconds, stacking up to 'X'%. 

• Raging Tornado - Each time an enemy is damaged by a Tornado, they take x'X'% increased damage from Tornado for 'X' seconds, stacking up to x'X'% increased damage. 

• Debilitating Roar - Shapeshift into a Werebear and bellow a mighty roar, reducing damage dealt by nearby enemies by 'X'% for 'X' seconds. 

• Innate Debilitating Roar - Debilitating Roar also heals you for 'X'% of your maximum Life each second for its duration. 

• Preserving Debilitating Roar - Debilitating Roar also slows enemies by 'X'% for its duration. 

• Wolves - Passive: Summon 'X' wolf companions that bite enemies for 'X'% damage. Active: Direct the wolves to focus on an enemy, leaping to them and striking for 'X'% damage. 

• Ferocious Wolves - You deal x'X'% increased damage to your Wolves' focus target. 

• Brutal Wolves - Your Wolves' first attack against a focused enemy makes them Vulnerable for 'X' seconds.

• Trample - Shapeshift into a Werebear and charge forward, dealing 'X'% damage and Knocking Back enemies. Enemies who are Knocked Back into the terrain take an additional 'X'% damage and are stunned for 'X' seconds. 

• Natural Trample - Casting Trample grants 'X'% Base Life ('X') as Fortify. 

• Savage Trample - Casting Trample grants 'X' Spirit. 

• Cataclysm - A massive storm follows you for 'X' seconds. Tornadoes knock back enemies, and lightning strikes wildly dealing 'X'% damage. 

• Prime Cataclysm - Cataclysm's duration is increased by 'X' seconds. 

• Supreme Cataclysm - Lightning strikes from Cataclysm make enemies Vulnerable for 2 seconds. 

What Passive Talent Skills Are Best for D4 Druids?

Passive skills are activated at all times, and choosing the right ones to synergize with your build is one of the key aspects of any successful build and playstyle. So below, you can find out the full list of all the passive skills for the Lightning Beast Druid builds in Diablo 4. 

• Heart of the Wild - Maximum Spirit is increased by 'X'. 

• Predatory Instinct - Critical Strike Chance against Close enemies is increased by 'X'%. 

• Ancestral Fortitude - Increase your non-physical resistances by 'X'%. 

• Call of the Wild - You deal x'X'% increased Critical Strike Damage against your Wolves' focus target. Raven attacks deal x'X'% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies. Vine Creeper's poison duration is increased by 'X'%.

• Endless Tempest - Increase the duration of Hurricane and Cataclysm by 'X'%. Requires 1 point in Elemental Exposure. 

• Charged Atmosphere - Every 'X' seconds, a Lightning Strike hits a Nearby enemy dealing 'X'% damage. Requires 1 point in Elemental Exposure. 

• Electric Shock - Lucky Hit: Dealing Lightning damage to enemies has an 'X'% chance to Immobilize them for 'X' seconds. If the target is already Immobilized, the Lightning damage dealt to them is increased by x'X'% instead. Requires 1 point in Charged Atmosphere.

• Mending - While in Werebear form, you receive 'X'% additional healing from all sources. 

• Defensive Posture - Increases the amount of Fortify you gain from all sources by 'X'%. 

• Thick Hide - Whenever you are Stunned, Immobilized, or Knocked Down, Fortify for 'X'% Base Life ('X'). Requires 1 point in Defensive Posture. 

• Unrestrained - Reduce the duration of control impairing effects by 'X'%. Triple this effect while you are Fortified for over 'X'% of your maximum Life. Requires 1 point in Thick Hide or Nature’s Resolve. 

• Quickshift - When a Shapeshifting skill transforms you into a different form, it deals x'X'% increased damage. 

• Natural Fortitude - Shapeshifting Fortifies you for 'X'% Base Life ('X'). Requires 1 point in Quickshift. 

• Ursine Strength - Gain 'X'% additional maximum Life while in the Werebear form and for 'X' seconds after leaving the Werebear form. While Healthy, deal x'X'% increased damage.

• Perfect Storm - In addition, casting a Storm skill has an 'X'% chance to trigger a free Earth skill of the same category.

Diablo 4 Druid Spirit Animal System Priority

Each class in Diablo 4 has a special ability that is unique to them specifically and grants them powerful and useful abilities. The Barbarian class has the Arsenal System, while the Rogue has the Specialization System, and finally, the Druid has the powerful Spirit Animal System.  

The Spirit Animal System works by allowing players to interact with four spirit animals once they reach level 15. From here, they can find and give boons to the spirit animals, who in return, will unlock player bonuses for your build. Players can receive one bonus from each of the four spirit animals and eventually unlock a second bonus from either of the four animals, giving you five in total. 

So below we've listed the first four Spirit Animal boons and the final bonus one you should go for to make the most out of the Lightning Beast Druid build for Diablo 4:

• Advantageous Beast (Deer) - Reduce the duration of Control Impairing Effects by 15%.
• Avian Wrath (Eagle) - Gain x30% Critical Strike Damage.
• Overload (Snake) - Lucky Hit: Dealing Lightning damage has up to a 20% chance to cause the target to emit a static discharge, dealing 60% Lightning damage to surrounding enemies.
• Calamity (Wolf) - Extend the duration of Ultimate Skills by 25%.
• *Bolster (Wolf) - Fortify for 10% of your Maximum Life when you use a Defensive Skill.

Stats Priority For Diablo 4 Druids

When it comes to stats for the Lightning Beast Druid build, you'll want to focus on the following stats and improve them in the following order from most vital to least, in descending order:

• Strength - Increases Armor by +X (1 Strength = 1 Armor)
• Intelligence - Increases All Resistances by +X.XX% (1 Intelligence = 0.05% All Resist)
• Willpower - Improves Healing Received by +X.XX% (1 Willpower = 0.1% Healing Received)
• Dexterity - Improves Chance to Dodge attacks by +X.XX% (1 Dexterity = 0.025% Chance to Dodge)

Please note: This priority list assumes your items will have enough resistance for your current difficulty level.

Because the Druid build focuses mainly on dominating your enemies with powerful synergies and overwhelming abilities, your first concern should be to stay alive for as long as possible to build up your Spirit reserves. That means focusing on anything to add +Strength, giving you more damage reduction, and +Intellegence to increase your resistance to physical and non-physical attacks as you progress through World Tiers and take on tougher enemies. 

Lastly, you'll want to be sure you find all the Altars of Lilith, as they will grant you a permanent stat increase for all your stats. But of course, you can always level up your gear and stats manually with some good old grinding. 

Best Gems For Druids in Diablo 4

Gems in Diablo 4 can be worn on different pieces of gear, either embedded on your weapon, your armor, or around your neck as a piece of Jewelry. Depending on where you place the Gem, they will provide you with different effects, so below, we've broken down the best placements for each Gem to give you the most out of the Rogue class.

• Amethyst - Ideal for damage reduction over time when placed on armor. 
• Diamond - Provides resistance to all elements when worn as Jewelry. 
• Sapphire - Ideal for damage reduction when placed on armor. 
• Ruby - Provides Life energy when placed on Armor sets.
• Topaz - Ideal for damage reduction while control is impaired when placed on armor. 
• Emerald - Gives you a bonus against elites when placed on weapons. 

Top Legendary Aspects For Diablo 4 Druids

In Diablo 4, players can use the Occultist merchant and the Codex of Power to Imprint, Extract, and Store Legendary Aspects and Powers. For our suggested Druid build in Diablo 4, we've identified the top 13 Legendary Powers to look for, either by gathering item drops or by clearing and farming Dungeons.

• Skinwalker's Aspect - 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.
• Overcharged Aspect - Lucky Hit: Up to a 10% chance when dealing Lightning damage to overload the target for 3 seconds, causing any direct damage you deal to them to pulse X additional damage to surrounding enemies.
• The Aspect of Retaliation - Your Core Skills deal up to 20% increased damage based on your percent Fortified Health.
• Shepherd's Aspect - Core Skills deal an additional 6.0% damage for each active Companion.
• Crashstone Aspect - Earth Skills deal 40% more Critical Strike damage to Crowd Controlled enemies.
• Storm Beast's Aspect - Lucky Hit: Storm Skills have up to a 15% chance to grant 10 Spirit. Your base Storm Skills are now also Werewolf Skills.
• Ballistic Aspect - When you have Fortified Life your Earth Skills gain +3.

As previously stated, all players can extract Legendary Aspects from the Occultist NPC and apply them to their gear, even rare items, so be sure to experiment with them as you see fit. There are several aspects to select from, so be sure to review our complete list of Legendary Aspects and Abilities for the Druid build in Diablo 4.

Best in Slot Items For Diablo 4 Druid

At the time of writing, we aren't able to provide you with a comprehensive list of the best-in-slot equipment for a deadly Druid build in Diablo 4 since we're still unsure of the kinds of loot that drop throughout the game's mid-end game segments and won't be able to give you an accurate representation.

However, based on the build we currently have, we suggest anything that can boost the Druid's base amount of health, damage reduction, and resistance. Then focus on increasing your cast rate and reducing cooldowns, and finally pumping some extra points into your damage output. 

Unique Druid Items in Diablo 4?

Unique items in Diablo 4 hold immense potential for enhancing your character. These remarkable discoveries can fundamentally alter your playstyle if you decide to equip them. Apart from having powerful attributes similar to other items but with enhanced itemization, they often possess a distinctive effect that cannot be obtained through any other means.

Below is the full list of all the unique Druid items currently available in Diablo 4, though more may be added in the future:

• Great staff of the Crone (Staff)  
  • +9.0% Damage to Crowd-Controlled Enemies
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Non-Physical Damage
  • + Ranks of Claw
  • +[6.0 - 9.5]% Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies
  • +[9.5 - 13.0]% Damage to Close Enemies
  • Claw is now a Storm Skill and also casts Storm Strike at 120% normal damage.
• The Butcher's Cleaver (Axe)
  • +16.5% Damage to Healthy Enemies
  • +[4.5 - 8.2]% Critical Strike Chance Against Injured Enemies
  • +[6.0 - 9.5]% Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies
  • +[8.5 - 12.0]% Critical Strike Damage
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Physical Damage
  • Lucky Hit: When you Critically Strike an enemy you have up to a 100% chance to Fear and Slow them by 40% for 4 seconds.
• The Grandfather (Two-Handed Sword)
  • +9.0% Critical Strike Damage
  • +[9.0 - 16.0]% Damage
  • +[12 - 20] All Stats
  • +[147 - 235] Maximum Life
  • Ignores Durability Loss
  • Increases your Critical Strike Damage by [60 - 100]%.
• Waxing Gibbous (Axe)
  • +16.5% Damage to Healthy Enemies
  • +[10 - 22] Life On Kill
  • +[9.5 - 13.0]% Damage to Close Enemies
  • +[8.5 - 12.0]% Critical Strike Damage
  • +[13.0 - 20.0]% Damage to Injured Enemies
  • Gain Stealth for 2 seconds when killing enemies with Shred. Breaking Stealth with an attack grants Ambush which guarantees Critical Strikes for 1.0 seconds.
• Hunter's Zenith (Ring)
  • 16.6% Poison Resistance
  • + Ranks of the Quickshift Passive
  • +[13.5 - 24.0]% Overpower Damage with Werebear Skills
  • +[8.5 - 12.0]% Critical Strike Damage with Werewolf Skills
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Damage while Shapeshifted
  • Gain a bonus when you kill with a Shapeshifting Skill:
  • Werewolf: Your next Non-Ultimate Werebear Skill costs no Resource and has no Cooldown.
  • Werebear: Your next Werewolf Skill will Heal you for 84 when damage is first dealt.
• Insatiable Fury (Chest Armor) 
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Total Armor while in Werebear Form
  • [4.5 - 8.0]% Damage Reduction while Fortified
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Physical Damage
  • +[13.5 - 24.0]% Overpower Damage
  • Werebear form is now your true form, and you gain +2 Ranks to all Werebear Skills.
• Mad Wolf's Glee(Chest Armor)
  • +[3.2 - 6.0]% Movement Speed
  • [4.5 - 8.0]% Damage Reduction from Enemies That Are Poisoned
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Physical Damage
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Poison Damage
  • Werewolf form is now your true form, and you gain +2 Ranks to all Werewolf Skills.
• Storm's Companion (Pants)
  • While Injured, Your Potion Also Grants 20% Movement Speed for 2 Seconds
  • +[17.5 - 28.0]% Companion Movement Speed
  • +[8.5 - 12.0]% Companion Skill Damage
  • +[8.0 - 15.0]% Potion Drop Rate
  • Your Wolf Companions are infused with the power of the storm, dealing Lightning damage and gaining the Storm Howl ability.
  • + Ranks of Wolves
• Tempest Roar (Helm)
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Damage while Shapeshifted
  • +[7 - 12] Maximum Spirit
  • +[8.5 - 12.0]% Critical Strike Damage
  • [17.5 - 28.0]% Poison Resistance
  • Lucky Hit: Storm Skills have up to a 15% chance to grant 4 Spirit.
  • Your base Storm Skills are now also Werewolf Skills
• Vasily's Prayer (Helm)
  • +[4.5 - 8.0]% Damage while Shapeshifted
  • +[67 - 126] Maximum Life
  • [17.5 - 28.0]% Lightning Resistance
  • +[13.5 - 24.0]% Overpower Damage
  • Your Earth Skills are now also Werebear Skills and Fortify you for 1.68.

Except for The Butcher's Cleaver, Unique items become available for drops once you progress to World Tier 3, known as Nightmare difficulty. Before reaching that point, The Butcher's Cleaver is the sole Unique item that can potentially be found.

Once you do unlock them, we recommend using the Storms Companion pants, the Tempest Roar helm, and the Insatiable Fury chest armor as they will bolster your lightning-fueled abilities as well as give you an extra few extra buffs that will benefit this build immensely. 

And there you have it, an entire guide to the Druid class in Diablo 4 for a dominating build, including its ideal gems, stat priority, the Spirit Animal system, and much more. We will make every effort to keep this post up to current so that you always have the most up-to-date information.

For more Diablo 4, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:

Diablo 4 Class Builds - Best Barbarian Build |  | Best Necromancer Build | Best Sorcerer Build | Best Druid Build | Best Rogue Build | All Classes Tier List | Best Class For Beginners | Build Calculator | 

Class Mechanics: Sorcerer Enchantment System | Barbarian Arsenal | Rogue Specialization | Necromancer Book of the Dead | Druid Spirit Animals | Unlock Golems | 

Items - Healing Vial | Item Slot Types | Transmogs/Wardrobe | Salvage Items | Durability & Repair | Trading Items | All Unique Items & Stats | Set Items | Item Quality/Rarity Levels | Elixirs | Butcher's Cleaver | Cry of Ashava Trophy | 

Features: Beginners Guide | Impressions From Beta | 

Quests: Ritual Tower Key | Forgive Me Side Quest | Traveler's Prayer Side Quest | Secret Of The Spring Riddle | Raising Spirits Side Quest | Woodsman Of Nevesk | Fiend Rose | 

General D4 Guides: Legendary & Gold Farming | Town Portal | Inventory Size | Stash Size | Beat Lilith's Lament | Beat Den Mother Boss | Beat Lord Avitus Boss | Beat Blood Bishop Boss | Reset Dungeons | Gathering Legions Guide | The Butcher Boss | Leave Dungeons | All Stronghold Locations | Hardcore Mode | Change Difficulty | Unlock/Launch Time | Balance Changes | Patch Notes | 

Diablo 4 Tech Guides - Ray Tracing Support | Couch Co-Op | Server Regions | PC Requirements & File Size | Diablo 4 Servers Down? | Connection Issues Fix | Crashing Issues Fix | Unable To Install or Patch | Low FPS Fix | Error Code 34202 Fix | Disable Fog & Glare | Stuck in Queue Fix | Console Issues | PC Issues | Enable & Disable Chat Bubbles | Hit Max Level Fast | Best PC Settings High FPS | Error Code 395002 Fix | Error Code 316719 Fix | D4 on Steam Deck | Offline Mode | DLSS 3 & NVIDIA Reflex | 

Crafting/Vendors - Jeweler | Gambling & Obols | Occultist | Alchemist | Blacksmith | | Monster Parts | Skins | Ore | Plants | 

Legendary Aspects - Codex of Power | Sorcerer Legendary Powers | Barbarian Legendary Powers | Rogue Legendary Powers | Necromancer Legendary Powers | Druid Legendary Powers

Activities - Strongholds | Nightmare Dungeons | Silent Chests | Altars of Lilith | Helltides | Endgame | 

Story & Lore - Campaign Length | Who is Lilith? | Who is Inarius | Deckard Cain | Secret Cow Level | All D4 Acts Listed | 

Zones - Fractured Peaks Overview | Scosglen | Kehjistan | Dry Steppes | Hawezar | All Waypoint Locations | Full World Map | Fractured Peaks Chests | Fractured Peaks Cellars | 

Stronghold Guides - Kor Dragan | Malnok | Nostrava |

Mounts - Temptation Mount | Diablo 4 Class Dismount Mechanics | Unlock & Customize |

Seasons - Battle Pass Price | Diablo 4 Season Duration | Battle Pass Differences | Get Favor | Next Season Start Date | Season Blessings | Season Journey | Diablo 4 Content Roadmap |

Gameplay Systems - Armor System | Clans | Primary Stats & Effects | Shrines & Buffs | Renown & Reputation | Max Level & Paragon Cap | World Tier Difficulty Levels | Followers/Mercenaries | 

World Bosses - Ashava | Avarice | Wandering Death | Beat Ashava | Ashava Spawn Location | 

Diablo 4 Misc - Statue of Inarius Price & Specs | Wolf Pack Cosmetic | Codes | Diablo 4 Free-to-Play? | Mother's Inked Title | Collector's Edition | How To Respec | Stagger Mechanic | Patch Notes | Asmongold Diablo 4 Beta Thoughts | Item Shop | Wings of the Creator Emote | 

Challenges/Achievements - Necromancer Challenges | Barbarian Challenges | Druid Challenges | Rogue Challenges | Sorcerer Challenges | Crafting Challenges

Diablo 4 PvP - Coming soon!

Our section keeps growing, so check for new guides daily! Don't forget to pick up one of the Diablo 4 Editions and join the fight to save Sanctuary soon.