Elemental/Summon Druid

[MonkeyFace]

I recently started a Summoning/Shifting Druid and I'm loving it, so I'm also planning on doing a second Druid - this time an elemtanl Druid.

I'm planning this so far:

Summoning:
20 Summon Grizzly
20 Summon Dire Wolf
18 Heart of Wolverine

Elemental:
20 Armageddon
20 Hurricane

I've chosen to go on the dual elemental path because I like having greater coverage against all sorts of monsters. HoW isn't maxed out because I need an additional 8 points if for prerequisites (and 98 + 12 = 110). I've never used Armageddon or Hurricane before (I've only ever reached Lv. 20-something with a Druid) I've geard people say that their immediate prerequisites, aka. Volcano and Tornado, can be better used. Is this true? If so, then I can max out all my chosen skills... but whatever, I'd just like some advice/criticism.

Cheers,
~MonkeyFace.

[sdbramwell]

It depends on how your going to play really, in hell, its not always viable to do realistic damage with hurricane, and often times armageddon, the damage output just isnt viable.

The other cold tree skill that is viable, is tornado, but usually requires a lot of synergy input to get good damage output.

In regards to the fire tree, im a little inexpereienced, but i hear fissure is pretty good.

[MonkeyFace]

Thanks for replying.

The other cold tree skill that is viable, is tornado, but usually requires a lot of synergy input to get good damage output.

If that be the case, and it's between Tornado and Hurricane, I'd choose Hurricane over Tornade because of the synergy input needed for Tornado's damage output at a reasonable level.

In regards to the fire tree, im a little inexpereienced, but i hear fissure is pretty good.

For the Fire tree, I'm good to go with any skill that is suggested - the Fire skills I've used beforehand (Firestorm, Motel Boulder, Fissure, Volcano), with the exception of Firestorm, all seem pretty cool.

[sdbramwell]

If that be the case, and it's between Tornado and Hurricane, I'd choose Hurricane over Tornade because of the synergy input needed for Tornado's damage output at a reasonable level.

Basically, I meant to say that maxing hurricane alone isn't really viable in hell either. The cold skill tree, at least in my experience, is useless unless you use a lot of synergy input. The one benefit you would receive from hurricane, is the slowed movement, which is great for mob control.

[MonkeyFace]

Slowed movement works for me... what with the Dire Wolves and the Druid with a decent Fire spell and weapon, it should work pretty well.

[sdbramwell]

yeah, if you are just using it for slowed movement, then I would not bother maxing it.

[MonkeyFace]

I'll use it for slowed movement, but I'll take the damage dealt as well. Unless you think there's another skill better maxed out?

[sdbramwell]

personally im not sure. but in hell i do know the damage will be almost nothing, even maxed. it will be a good skill for damage until about halfway through nightmare.

you could possibly add points to your spirit wolves for bonuses to your minions.

[Verashiden]

Hurricane won't slow anything noticeably. Hell monsters have crazy chill resistance making the only viable option for a Druid Holy Freeze.

If you want a elemental summoner I'd recommend the Fire Huntermentalist. It's a Summoner that utilizes a bow for proccing curse/OW/PMH, Fissure for crowd control, Cano for bosses, and summons to soak up/deal damage. You'll never really be at a loss of what to do for the build since there's so many different options you can do each fight. It's probably my favorite PvM Druid build :D.

[MonkeyFace]

I've never been keen on a bow - I'm more "run in there with a club and hope you don't die".:whistling:

I've been looking towards Tornado now, but I;m still not sure.

I even considered a WW or WB because I believe you can cast Armageddin whilst transformed.

[stephan]

You don't necessarily need to use a bow. You could simply use a +skill setup instead.

Putting 20 in Hurricane and 20 in Armageddon won't achieve anything, that is one thing that is sure. It's also noteworthy that Tornado is *not* a cold skill, it does physical damage.

[MonkeyFace]

So... where am I putting those last 20 points? (Or 18 if I max HoW.)

[sdbramwell]

I am pretty sure you cannot cast armageddon when you are in ww or wb form. but i have not tested this, i am attempting to recall from memory from a long long time ago.

It would depend on how strong you want your minions. Putting points into Spirit wolves gives your minions a +25 to Attack and +10 to defense per level. Thats not a lot, but if you cant figure out what else to do that may be a consideration.

Otherwise you may want to synergize your fire skill, by upping another one that may also be helpful to you.

[VeeSe]

I am pretty sure you cannot cast armageddon when you are in ww or wb form. but i have not tested this, i am attempting to recall from memory from a long long time ago.

It would depend on how strong you want your minions. Putting points into Spirit wolves gives your minions a +25 to Attack and +10 to defense per level. Thats not a lot, but if you cant figure out what else to do that may be a consideration.

Otherwise you may want to synergize your fire skill, by upping another one that may also be helpful to you.

With such a heavy investment into summoning, you won't be able to go the path of a dual elemental druid and hope to do any damage in hell. You'll have to pick one (I would say either tornado + cyclone armor synergy or volcano + fissure) elemental skill and synergize it. Otherwise, you'll be spread way too thin, and your summons won't get any backup from you. Since it looks like your summons will deal the bulk of the damage with this build, I would suggest a might merc to help them out (and you as well if you plan on meleeing yourself).

[sdbramwell]

that is a good point and i thoroughly agree.

[MonkeyFace]

Okay. Which skill as a synergiser do you suggest if I focused on Armaggedon?

I am pretty sure you cannot cast armageddon when you are in ww or wb form. but i have not tested this, i am attempting to recall from memory from a long long time ago.

http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/druid-shapeshifting.shtml

You can cast Armageddon while in Werewolf form.
You can cast Armageddon while in Werebear form.

[stephan]

You can cast armageddon in WB form yes.

So... where am I putting those last 20 points? (Or 18 if I max HoW.)
With:

20 Direwolves
20 Grizzly
20 Fissure
20 Volcano
rest HoW

you have a solid Elemental/Summon Druid

I wouldn't make an Armageddon bear... Armageddon is really underwhelming. If you like meleeing or being a bear you could spend 20 points in Fire Claws and then 20 points in a FC synergy instead of Fissure/Volcano.

[sdbramwell]

well like i said i was trying to recall from memory, so i dont feel too bad. but yeah armageddon is pretty underwhelming.

[MonkeyFace]

I'm aware that I sound like an idiot, but would Volcano or Fissure be my main cast?

[stephan]

Not an idiot at all. :)

Like Verashiden said: Fissure for packs, Volcano for bosses.

[MonkeyFace]

AH, gotcha. Thanks. This is what we got then:

Smmoning:
20 Summon Dire Wolf
20 Summon Grizzly
20 Heart of Wolverine

Elemental:
20 Fissure
20 Volcano

Prerquisites:
1 Raven
1 Spirit Wolf
1 Oak Sage
1 Firestorm
1 Molten Boulder

= 105 skill points, leaving me 5 to put... where? Firestorm, perhaps - 5 points there will give +60% Fire Damage in total to Fissure. Or, Armageddon will give +10 seconds to Fissure and 70% Fire Damage to Volcano. Which is advisable?

Pardon my pickiness, and thanks for helping me, you guys.

[stephan]

Well, I wouldn't count on getting to level 94. 85-90 is a more reasonable goal.

[MonkeyFace]

True, but I've done it before with a Barbarian and an Assassin, so I like to be prepared. ;)

Anyway, thanks for all your help, guys.

[stephan]

Well, Fissure synergies then. If you also take a creeper you have even less points to spare.

[sdbramwell]

i hate creepers, they die to often imo.

[MonkeyFace]

Hear, hear. I'm going to stick them in Firestorm for +60% Fire Damage in Fissure.

Thanks for all your help. :)

[MonkeyFace]

Hey, sorry to double post, I just have another question regarding skill distribtuion.

Am I going to want to max out one skill at a time, or do a few points in one skill, then a few in another, etc.? I've done it so far so I;ve hit Fissure Lvl 7 at Level 18 (and obviously 1 HoW and Dire Wolf). I was thinking, maybe put Fissure to level 10, then get Dire Wolf to Lvl 3 and maybe HoW a few levels? Then when I hit Level 24 I can start work on Volcano?

[Verashiden]

Hmm, well here's what I usually do:

Get to lvl 5 Spirit Wolves ASAP, then save points. Then start pouring points into Fissure as soon as it's available. At 18 I put points into both Fissure and Dire until I run out of spare points, then I alternate between them, balancing them out whenever I get spare points (quests). 1 point in Volcano at 24 and one into Griz at 30. Oh, and 1 point into the spirit for now. After Dire Wolf and Fissure are maxed I start evenly putting points into Cano and Griz. Usually I max spirit last.

[MonkeyFace]

Cheers, that's what I'll do. :)

[stephan]

Personally I wouldn't waste the 4 extra points in Spirit Wolves. Certainly not if you are already at level 18 anyway.

[Verashiden]

Well, if you're twinked then sure. Untwinked I feel it's necessary.

[MonkeyFace]

Sorry, I should have mentioned - I'm not putting more than one point into Spirit Wolf as a prerequisite - I'll be putting the spares into Firestorm after the other 5 skills are maxed.

Thanks for your help, everyone.