best shapeshifting druid build?

[xjgregx]

just like the title says, this is mainly a werebear vs werewolf question, but all types of werebear and werewolf recommendations will help even more tnx

[Nolecub]

Depends on your play style. Check out the stickies above and try out a couple of different builds.

[GreatZeal]

There is no best or worst build for the Shape Shifters just depends on what you like.Also what you need to figure out if your gonna go PvP or PvP.But heres a list of some fun builds for the Shape Shift Tree

Flaming rabies-WereWolf
Fury/Rabies-WereWolf
Flaming Maul-WereBear

theres many more out the just check out the stickied post at the top.

[superjayson]

FC Druid (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=548850)
hhfsdf

[WRcheza]

pure fury wolf...
i'm quite convinced

[inanefedaykin]

Fury/rabbies imo.

[stoutewolf]

Fury/rabbies imo.

vouch:rolleyes:

[Jary]

dumb question. It's just open ended and non-specific... like, better at what?
A bear build will prbably be better at shockwave lol... a wolf build will prolly be better at feral rage and rabies.:wink3:

What are you using the build for, because even the godliest pvp build will get owned against ubers, per se... or visa versa.

[WRcheza]

you kidding me...
uber < wolf

pahaha

[obleo]

+1 for Fury/Rabies

[InDubiousBattle]

pure fury because 80k rabies = 300 pvp dmg if they stack res.

[Verashiden]

80k Rabies is just shy of 10k Dmg after PvP penalty and res. Meaning 40k Rabies, easily achievable, will deal 5k dmg with max res. Unless you mean per second and then it's 357. Regardless, it's extremely potent.

As for "best". There is none. That's like asking what's better, Hammerdin or a BVC. It depends. It'll always depend. Find what you like and play that.

[WRcheza]

btw
hammerdin < wolf
bvc < wolf

just thought i'd keep the tally up

[InDubiousBattle]

Actually I had a friend bite me after I put on andys face and quaffed an antidote so that I had 95% res to poison and it did just over 300 dmg to me total.

[Kiba]

Malamutes fight like there name suggest's , they fight like dogs. ;)

[Verashiden]

That's not stack, that's literal sorb.

[inanefedaykin]

Ok, running some numbers.
80k rabies is 23 pvp damage a frame. Lets say that even with a -70/20 switch you're still not lowering their resistances an andys brings you up to 85%.

3.5 a frame x 600 = 2100 pvp damage
With 75% reduction
3.5 x 150 = 525
With an antidote potio
1.1 x 600 = 660 pvp damage
with 75% duration reduction
1.1 x 150 = 165 pvp damage

So yeah, being bm neutralizes rabies damage.

[TheBassman]

pure fury wolf...
i'm quite convinced

vouch. :azn:

[Kirah]

I'll vote vita fury wolf for PvM. My experience is too limited to make a recommendation for PvP.

gooo wolves!

good luck and good hunting!
Kirah

[InDubiousBattle]

Well my number one biggest argument skills wise is that there are only two forms of attack that cannot be negated - magic damage and physical damage. Druids can't get magical damage so they go for physical over anything else - tornados, fury, molten bouldrr, volcano etc are all skills that are best served when their physical damage element is focused on. So if you build a f/r and someone uses an andys face with a gul in it for example, then you are basically reduced to a fury wolf with low attack rating and no backup skills that are viable.

[WRcheza]

i must agree with the post above me.

no way in hell to absorb/negate physical damage.

[jesterlolz]

However, those modifications weaken them, making them more susceptable to your fury.

Also, about the above calculations, plr doesn't affect rabies.

[KellKheraptis]

Not to mention biting an ear off is just bloody cool.

[WRcheza]

i hardly think substituting one helmet switch would make someone susceptible to a hybridized fury

[Verashiden]

And Fury is innately weak against Casters. Every build has a weakness. And you know what? Hybrids are better all around because they cover those weaknesses. Take Flaming Rabies for example. Your attacks may be weaker than a pure FC Druid. However, if they sorb your fire into the ground you still have a back up attack. Fury/Rabies will do better against a broader span of enemies than Pure Fury because it can do a one hit kill. And in some matchups one hit is all you're going to get if your lucky. Also, it pierces ES and Bone Armor.

So yes, hybrids are viable because they cover a Pure builds inherent weaknesses. To say a pure > hybrid isn't true. Once again it depends.

[WRcheza]

that's why my pure fury is the anti caster.

sorcs, necros, hammerdins, trappers alike die much easier than a bvb or smiter vs me.

the aforementioned usually die in one hit. some hammerdins take 2-3 hits, but usually 1 fury is all it takes, whether it's the first hit or 4 and 5.

i prefer a pure physical attack that cannot be negated like rabies can. i can see its merits as a pvp build, i just cannot see myself using it because my playing style suits 1 fury ko's. i mean, cept versus all you wonderful wolves in this forum, but the chance i get to duel any of you is pretty slim. 98% of my game time is spent in pub duels, where there are mostly casters.
you bring a charger into the mix and i have a little more trouble, but all it takes is a well placed recasted oak to take the hit while i go in for the kill. since most chargers expect a 1hit ko, they'll not be using a shield....

[inanefedaykin]

To put it in perspective...
Take your average damage and divide it by 48. That's how much damage you're doing against a dueler with max block and 50% dr (read, anyone worth their salt).

[Paladine]

trying to find a good guide to a pure rabies druid. Ran some skills and gear through single player before making a ladder character and only came up about 5k dmg which is severally less that the "easy" 40k that was mentioned above. Any suggestions or pointing in the right direction?

[inanefedaykin]

Trang gloves, facets and bramble. Also, a heads up, rabies is absolute crap for pvm if that's what you were considering it for.

[InDubiousBattle]

trying to find a good guide to a pure rabies druid. Ran some skills and gear through single player before making a ladder character and only came up about 5k dmg which is severally less that the "easy" 40k that was mentioned above. Any suggestions or pointing in the right direction?

you have to max poison creeper ;)

[SSoG]

For PvM, it's either Shockwave/Fireclaw Werebear or Fury Wolf (my vote goes for the Shock/Fire Werebear, in a big way).

[WRcheza]

i also know that casters in pub duels usually only have 0-18dr without max block since they know they will be going against other casters, or they are using spirit or 20/20 shields.

then again, poison is the least looked after resistance.

still, i'm sticking to my guns with physical damage.

[Gluttony]

i also know that casters in pub duels usually only have 0-18dr without max block since they know they will be going against other casters, or they are using spirit or 20/20 shields.

then again, poison is the least looked after resistance.

still, i'm sticking to my guns with physical damage.

I find that most casters don't have much elemental resistance either. I have no problem one shotting most casters with my fireclaw bear. :P Not saying that your way is inferior or anything but pure fire damage works. Besides, if everyone starts sorbing fire and I have some trouble I can just get on my necro. If they sorb to the point of bm.. I can bm with my necro as well. :smiley:

[Miikai]

Im going to say Rabies/Fury Hybrid because im building one right now.

[WRcheza]

i know glut, i played 2 fc bears exclusively before i made my pure fury wolf. even when they sorbed, it was 1hitko still...maybe 2. MAYBE. haha

18k fc dmg@4fpa is just toasty death

[Gluttony]

i know glut, i played 2 fc bears exclusively before i made my pure fury wolf. even when they sorbed, it was 1hitko still...maybe 2. MAYBE. haha

18k fc dmg@4fpa is just toasty death

Yup it's a load of fun :grin:. The only time I feel they nearly completely negate my fire damage is when they throw on hotspurs, dwarf star, and some of the other fire absorb. Most people either don't have that much fire absorb gear or find it cheap so it's not a problem. For those that want to be that cheap I'll just bring my necro hehe.

I went the more life route so I do about 13k fire claw. I find that's enough to oneshot most people and I enjoy the benefit of more health. Just personal style really.