d4DruidEndgameGuideStormWerewolfseason 7

Lightning Storm – Druid Build for Diablo 4 (Season 7)

Strike in a flash of lightning!

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Cyclone ArmorEarthen BulwarkBlood HowlCataclysmMaulLightning Storm


Season

Build Introduction

Wielding thunderous power, the Lightning Storm Druid is a force of nature, commanding the elements to rain down a storm of destruction upon the enemies of Sanctuary! Use Lightning StormLightning Storm and Tempest RoarTempest Roar to become the Lightning Storm Werewolf, and lash out with luminous lightning!

This guide covers everything necessary to get started on your Lightning StormLightning Storm adventure, including Skill Tree points, Paragon, Gearing, and Seasonal updates. The guide will primarily cover Endgame pushing, but will also give alternative options and in-depth gameplay information.


Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths
  • Large zones of coverage to kill enemies in a wide area
  • Top-end damage that kills bosses just as easily
Weaknesses
  • Lightning bolts can have unpredictable targeting
  • Ramping and setup can be inconsistent

To see how this build compares to the other builds on our site, you can check out our build tier lists.

Build Requirements

The following Unique Items are required for build functionality to get started on the Lightning Storm Druid:

Required Uniques

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar for Lightning Storm Druid
Cyclone Armor Cyclone Armor Earthen Bulwark Earthen Bulwark Blood Howl Blood Howl Cataclysm Cataclysm Maul Maul Lightning Storm Lightning Storm

Use Key Passive Perfect StormPerfect Storm while leveling and gearing.

Raging Lightning StormRaging Lightning Storm can be taken during farm.

Primal Lightning StormPrimal Lightning Storm can be taken for bossing to help Stagger the boss sooner.


Spirit Boons – The Druid Class Specialization

Druids unlock powerful Spirit Boon passives, giving offerings to the animal spirits to receive their Blessing. Once fully unlocked, activate the final Boon by Spirit Bonding with one of the four animal spirits to take two passives from that row.

Boon NameAnimalEffect
WarinessDeerTake 15% reduced damage from Elites.
Avian WrathEagleGain 40% Critical Strike Damage.
CalamityWolfExtend the duration of Ultimate Skills by 35%.
OverloadSnakeDealing Storm damage also applies an additional 20% Poisoning damage over 5 seconds. Lucky Hit: Dealing Poison damage has up to a 1% chance to summon a Lightning Bolt on the target dealing 120% damage.
Calm Before the StormSnakeLucky Hit: Nature Magic Skills have up to a 10% chance to reduce the Cooldown of your Ultimate Skill by 2 seconds.

While leveling and gearing, use the Energize and Gift of the Stag Spirit Boons, replacing Calamity and Wariness. This will help with Spirit Management.


Gear, Stats, Gems and Elixirs

The following are the recommended Legendary Aspects, Gear Affixes, Gems and Elixirs for the Lightning Storm Druid.

Legendary Aspects

Gear Slots with multiple options are listed in recommended priority. Any slot with an Optional Mythic Unique or Unique Item will include a valid alternative legendary power to use while still leveling and gearing.

SlotGemAspectUnique/Legendary Aspect Power
StaffGrand EmeraldGrand EmeraldAspect of RetaliationAspect of RetaliationYour Core Skills deal up to 35-75% increased damage based on your amount of Fortify.
HelmGrand SapphireGrand Sapphire(Required Unique) Tempest RoarTempest RoarLucky Hit: Storm Skills have up to a 15-35% chance to grant 4 Spirit.
Your base Storm Skills are now also Werewolf Skills
ChestGrand SapphireGrand Sapphire(Recommended Mythic) Shroud of False DeathShroud of False Death
(Recommended Unique) Mad Wolf's GleeMad Wolf’s Glee Juggernaut's AspectJuggernaut’s Aspect
If you haven’t attacked in the last 2 seconds, gain Stealth and 40% Movement Speed.
GlovesUnsung Ascetic's WrapsUnsung Ascetic’s WrapsLightning Storm gains 1 additional strike each times it grows.

Lightning Storm Critical Strikes cause lightning to strike twice, dealing 10-40% increased damage.
PantsGrand SapphireGrand SapphireVigorous AspectVigorous AspectGain 7.5-17.5% Damage Reduction while Shapeshifted into a Werewolf.
Boots(Recommended Unique) Wildheart HungerWildheart Hunger
Aspect of MetamorphosisAspect of Metamorphosis
Shapeshifting into a new animal form increases the value of your Bestial Rampage bonuses by 2-5%, up to 20-50%. This bonus decays by 2% per second.
AmuletGrand AmethystGrand AmethystAspect of the UnsatiatedAspect of the UnsatiatedAfter Critically Striking an enemy with Shred, you gain 15 Spirit. While at 100 Spirit, your Werewolf Skills deal 20-40% increased damage until you go below 30 Spirit.
Ring 1Grand RubyGrand Ruby(recommended Unique) Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng
Aspect of the UmbralAspect of the Umbral
While Cataclysm is active, you gain unlimited Spirit and deal 40-100% increased damage.
Ring 2Grand SapphireGrand Sapphire(Recommended Mythic) Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies
Aspect of the Changeling's DebtAspect of the Changeling’s Debt
Spending your Primary Resource reduces the Resource cost of your Skills and increases your damage by 10% for 3 seconds, up to 50%.

Aspect of the UnsatiatedAspect of the Unsatiated damage buff is for any Werewolf Skill, which with Tempest RoarTempest Roar, includes Lightning StormLightning Storm.

Staff is used over other 2-handed weapons for the faster attack speed. The Damage Over Time bonus will get some value from the Overload Boon.

For information on Legendary Aspects and the updated Codex of Power, see here.


Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Each line of affixes is listed in order of importance. Tempering Manuals and their recommended affixes are provided in the final column. The bolded affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades. Unique Items cannot be Tempered, but can be Masterworked.  Check the Tempering guide and Masterworking guide for more details about these topics.

Any slot with an Optional Mythic Unique or Unique Item will include a valid alternative legendary power to use while still leveling and gearing.

SlotGearing AffixesTempering Affixes
StaffWillpower
Maximum Life
Critical Strike Damage
Chance on hit to restore Spirit
Storm AugmentsStorm Augments – Chance for Lightning Storm to Deal Double Damage
Storm FinesseStorm Finesse – Storm Critical Strike Chance
Helm – Tempest RoarTempest Roar (Required Unique)Willpower%
Maximum Resource
Lightning Resistance
Ranks to Wild ImpulsesWild Impulses
Chest – Mad Wolf's GleeMad Wolf’s Glee (Recommended Unique)Max Life
Werewolf Attack Speed
Lupine Ferocity’s Damage Bonus
Ranks to Digitigrade GaitDigitigrade Gait
Chest – Legendary AspectWillpower
Max Life
Spirit Per Second
Armor
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance – Total Armor
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune – Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize/Stun for 2 Seconds
Gloves – Unsung Ascetic's WrapsUnsung Ascetic’s Wraps (Required Unique)Damage to Distant Enemies
Ranks to Lightning StormLightning Storm
Critical Strike Chance
Ranks to DefianceDefiance
PantsArmor
Willpower
Max Life
Dodge Chance
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance – Total Armor%
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune – Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize/Stun for 2 Seconds
Boots – Wildheart HungerWildheart Hunger (Recommended Unique)Movement Speed
Shapeshifting Attack Speed
Cold Resistance
Ranks to Heightened SensesHeightened Senses
Boots – Legendary AspectImpicit: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown By 1.5 Seconds
Willpower
Movement Speed
Max Life
Spirit Per Second
Druid Motion – Ranks to Digitigrade GaitDigitigrade Gait OR Movement Speed
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune – Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize/Stun for 2 Seconds
AmuletRanks to EnvenomEnvenom
Attack Speed
Critical Strike Chance
Ranks to QuickshiftQuickshift
Druid Motion – Ranks to Digitigrade GaitDigitigrade Gait OR Movement Speed
Storm FinesseStorm Finesse – Storm Critical Strike Chance
Ring – (Recommended Unique) Mjölnic RyngMjölnic RyngWillpower
Critical Strike Chance
Movement Speed While CataclysmCataclysm is Active
Ranks to Endless TempestEndless Tempest
Ring – (Recommended Mythic) Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies Attack Speed
Critical Strike Chance
Lucky Hit Chance
Ranks to Core Skills
Rings – Legendary AspectCritical Strike Chance
Maximum Life
Resource Cost Reduction
Critical Strike Damage
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse – Damage to Close/Distant Enemies
Ultimate Efficiency —  DruidUltimate Efficiency CataclysmCataclysm Cooldown Reduction
  • Some Gear Affixes like Cost Reduction, Spirit on Kill or Spirit Per Second can be useful in early gearing or leveling, especially if not using the Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng with full CataclysmCataclysm uptime.
  • Daggers have the best attack speed and give Damage to Close which is a bonus for ThunderstruckThunderstruck. The rest of the legendary node is covered by Unsung Ascetic's WrapsUnsung Ascetic’s Wraps.
  • Armor cap is 1000 for up to 85% Physical Damage Reduction. This is generally reached with either one Armor Gear Affix and one Total Armor% Temper, or using a Juggernaut's AspectJuggernaut’s Aspect.

For the dedicated page for Gear Systems and Itemization Overview, check here.


Gems and Runewords

The following are the recommended Gem and Runeword setups for the Lightning Storm Druid:

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
Grand EmeraldGrand Emerald for Critical Strike DamageGrand SapphireGrand Sapphire for WillpowerGrand AmethystGrand Amethyst for Shadow Resistance
Grand SapphireGrand Sapphire for Cold Resistance
Grand RubyGrand Ruby for Fire Resistance

Poison and Lightning Resistance are covered by Paragon nodes.

Seasonal: Use the recommended Occult Gem Setup for Jewelry.

  • Moonlight WardMoonlight Ward – For each rank in your slotted Unique Witchcraft Power, you gain 3% Damage Reduction and .5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements.
  • Voice of the StarsVoice of the Stars – While you have an Aura active, your Ultimate Skills gain each Witchcraft tag and deal 10% increased damage.
  • Friend of the BogFriend of the Bog – While you have three or more Growth & Decay Witch Powers slotted, you gain 10% primary stat, 10% Maximum Life and you are always Unhindered.

Runewords

Use these Runeword combinations for the Lightning Storm Druid, placed in Armor slots:

Runeword CombinationRuneword Effects
Lith WatLithLith – Gain: 25 Offering. Stand still for 0.3 seconds while fighting.
WatWat Requires: 100 Offering Cooldown: 1 Second. Overflow: Increased duration. Evoke the Necromancer’s Horrid Decrepify, Slowing enemies, reducing their damage, and letting you Execute them.
Xol QueXolXol – Gain: 150 Offering.
Evoke power from another Class.
QueQue – Requires: 300 Offering. Overflow: Increased Duration. Cooldown: 1 second.
Evoke the Druid’s Earthen Bulwark, granting yourself a Barrier.

Runewords use a conditional Rune of Ritual to generate Offering. The Offering is consumed by the Rune of Invocation to trigger its effect. Runes replace Gems in gear with two sockets. Up to two sets of Runeword Pairs can be placed at a time.

Horrid DecrepifyHorrid Decrepify is an efficient trigger for XolXol. QueQue will constantly upkeep Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark, granting Barrier, Unstoppable and Fortify. This is an effective defensive combination.

Options

  • The QaxQax is an interesting option as well, offering the boost for the entirety of the channeled spell, but availability and capability to keep channeling will be very gear and Lucky Hit dependent. Something like FeoFeoQaxQax would overflow your Lightning Storm for its channeled duration.
  • Other more offensive setups could trade QueQue for options such as Kry for VortexVortex or GarGar for Critical Strike Chance.
  • Depending on the content, other Runes may give more Offering than LithLith or XolXol, such as BacBac for Travel or FeoFeo for getting Crowd Controlled.

Elixirs, Incense and Health Potions

The Alchemist offers helpful consumables at the cost of foraged materials found throughout Sanctuary.

  • Craft the highest available Elixir of PrecisionElixir of Precision for Critical Strike Chance and Critical Strike Damage.
  • If mats are available, craft Chorus of WarChorus of War.
  • Remember to upgrade your potion as you level, increasing the instant healing of the potion!

Paragon Board

The following are the preferred Glyphs, Boards, and pathing recommended for making the most of the Lightning Storm Druid.

The road to max Paragon is long. The above Paragon tabs show the following:

  • The BASE SETUP tab spends 50 fewer points than the max 328 points, taking stricter pathing to take all most all Legendary, Rare and Magic Nodes, and activates all Glyph Nodes with their secondary effects.
  • The FULL SETUP tab completes the paragon board in its final form, filling in the rest of the board to get the rest of the Magic and Rare Nodes, as well as give additional additive bonuses especially within the Glyph areas.

Glyphs have two significant breakpoint increases. At level 15, the glyph grows in radius and gains a special effect. At level 46, the glyph grows to its max radius and gains a strong conditional damage multiplier.

Glyphs are placed as if they are at least level 15+ in radius. Total Boards placed are now limited to a max of 5; the Starter Board and four Class Boards. Rotate boards as necessary.

For a more defensive setup, exchange FulminateFulminate for TerritorialTerritorial.

For further info on Paragon choices, check the Paragon Information in the Additional Information Section.


Powers of Witchcraft and Occult Gems

Seasonal players can choose from a selection of Witchcraft powers and Occult gems to enhance their gameplay. 1 Unique and 5 Normal Witchcraft Powers can be equipped using the Witchcraft tab on the character sheet. Witchcraft Powers gain additional effects at higher ranks. Occult gems are placed into the jewelry sockets, and can be crafted at the Tree of Whispers. Use the following setup for the Lightning Storm Druid:

Unique Power

The CycleThe CycleGrowth and Decay

  • Dealing any damage with your skills has a 15% chance to grow a flower from the ground. When an enemy is near, the flower deals X Poison damage to that enemy over 5 seconds. If an ally is near, the flower heals for 6% maximum Life. The flower withers away after use. A flower may grow once every 2 seconds per enemy. Frequency limited to a maximum of 3 per second.
  • Rank 5: The damage and healing affects all enemies or allies near the flower.

Normal Powers

Aura SpecializationAura SpecializationLost Power

  • The size of your Aura Effects is increased.
  • Rank 10: Increase the Critical Strike Damage by 50% against enemies inside your Aura Effects.

Hex of ShatteringHex of ShatteringPsyche

  • Damage done by your Witchcraft Effects afflicts enemies with Hex of Shattering causing them to deal reduced damage for 5 seconds.
  • Rank 8: When any Hex Effect is applied to Headrotten, all damage will be guaranteed Critical Strikes for 5 seconds.

Aura of SiphoningAura of SiphoningGrowth and Decay

  • Conjure an aura of decay that deals Poison damage to enemies every second.
  • Rank 10: Each time Aura of Siphoning deals damage, you are healed for 1% of Maximum Life.

Soul HarvestSoul HarvestGrowth and Decay

  • Feed upon the life force of nearby enemies whenever you use a skill with a cooldown, increasing your primary stat by 3% per monster for X seconds.
  • Rank 9: Soul Harvest does not lose duration so long as enemies are nearby.

Breath of the CovenBreath of the CovenLost Power

  • Dealing damage or applying a Crowd Control effect with any of your Witchcraft Effects increases your Attack Speed by X for 10 Seconds, stacking once per unique Witchcraft Effect (Eldritch, Psyche, and Growth & Decay).
  • Rank 8: Gain 40% Lucky Hit chance while bonuses from Eldritch, Psyche, Growth & Decay are active at once.

This is a Friends of the Bog – Breath of the Coven setup that will give strong Damage, Willpower, Max Life, Attack Speed and Lucky Hit bonuses.

Occult Gems

  • Moonlight WardMoonlight Ward – For each rank in your slotted Unique Witchcraft Power, you gain 3% Damage Reduction and .5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements.
  • Voice of the StarsVoice of the Stars – While you have an Aura active, your Ultimate Skills gain each Witchcraft tag and deal 10% increased damage.
  • Friend of the BogFriend of the Bog – While you have three or more Growth & Decay Witch Powers slotted, you gain 10% primary stat, 10% Maximum Life and you are always Unhindered.

Optionally, for farm or quality of life, swap Friend of the Bog for Hungering Void.

  • Hungering VoidHungering Void – While you have an Aura active, pull Nearby enemies toward you every 8 seconds.

Unique Items

The following Unique Items are recommended for the Lightning Storm Druid.

  • (Required) Tempest RoarTempest Roar is required for the build to function, making Lightning StormLightning Storm a Werewolf Skill as well as providing significant Spirit Generation. This also allows Lightning Storm to benefit from Shapeshifting passives such as QuickshiftQuickshift and synergize with other Unique Items Mad Wolf's GleeMad Wolf’s Glee.
  • (Recommended) Mad Wolf's GleeMad Wolf’s Glee is an excellent offensive Unique Item, giving movement speed and Skill Ranks to all Werewolf Skills.
  • (Optional for Resistances) Tassets of the Dawning SkyTassets of the Dawning Sky is a valid item If pushing high and more elemental resistance is necessary. Mastercraft the Max Resists and Resistance affixes.
  • (Recommended) – Wildheart HungerWildheart Hunger has gear affixes and grants a stacking bonus to Bestial RampageBestial Rampage. For a boot slot, this is a strong offensive option. However, the stacks decay unless maintained by constant shifting. This bonus can be well worth maintaining by cycling between and to Werewolf or Werebear forms, but makes the rotation much more frenetic.

Tempest RoarTempest Roar can be target-farmed from Duriel. Unsung Ascetic's WrapsUnsung Ascetic’s Wraps can be target-farmed from The Beast in the Ice.

Mythic Unique Items

The following Mythic Unique Items are situational to the build:

  • (Recommended) Shroud of False DeathShroud of False Death gives +1 rank to all Skill Passives which means several bonuses to Damage Multipliers, Damage Reductions, Resistances, Fortify, Healing and Critical Strike Chance.
  • (Optional Defensive) DoombringerDoombringer – Doombringer’s Gear Affixes for Large Maximum Life, Damage Reduction, and Lucky Hits to Heal and apply Damage Reduction debuffs from enemies is a great way to clear content safely. This will be at a damage loss from losing access to a Weapon Temper for Chance for Lightning Storm to deal Double Damage.

Mercenaries

Once unlocked, Mercenaries are followers that aid the Player in combat. A main mercenary is chosen to fight alongside you, granting strong buffs or perks, and a secondary Mercenary is chosen to periodically Reinforce you under a chosen Opportunity condition.

The following Mercenary options are recommended for the Lightning Storm Druid:

Main Mercenary – Varyana, the Berserker

Reinforcement – Raheir, the Shieldbearer

Hysteria and Bloodlust will both give strong Attack Speed bonuses.


Rotation and Playstyle

  1. MaulMaul in place to activate Werebear Shapeshifting buffs like Bestial RampageBestial Rampage.
  2. CataclysmCataclysm as you engage enemies.
  3. Maintain Preserving Blood HowlPreserving Blood Howl for Attack Speed bonuses.
  4. Channel and hold or Clickcast your Lightning StormLightning Storm to slay your foes.

Use Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark for Barrier and Unstoppable, as needed.

MaulMaul does not need to hit a target for Werebear Shapeshifting buffs. Make sure you’re familiar with your Force Hold keybind to easily Maul in place.

Check out the advanced Mechanics and Playstyle section for a more in-depth description on how the build works, what synergies exist and what to look out for.


Season 7 Updates: Season of Witchcraft

The biggest changes to the Lightning Storm druid are the spirit boons. Gift of the Stag and Energize buffs make early Spirit Management easier, and Overload boon now lets you apply Poison instead of Toxic ClawsToxic Claws. The new Heightened MaliceHeightened Malice requires Poisoned enemies to be Nearby for the damage buff, which is a pretty large range (unlike Close).

The following list details the important changes in the Season 7 Patch Updates that are specific to the Lightning Storm Druid. For general Season 7 information, check out our Season 7 Hub.

Itemization:

  • Tempest RoarTempest Roar – Changed flat damage Willpower affix to +% Willpower affix.
  • Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng – New Effect- While Cataclysm is active, you gain unlimited Spirit and deal 40-100% increased damage. Cataclysm receives your Lightning Bolt benefits.
  • Aspect of the UnsatiatedAspect of the Unsatiated – New Effect- After Critically Striking an enemy with Shred, you gain 15 Spirit. While at 100 Spirit, Werewolf Skills deal 20-40% increased damage until you go below 30 Spirit.

Skills and Stats:

  • CataclysmCataclysm New Effect at Rank 5: Casting Cataclysm Slows surrounding enemies by 70% for 8 seconds.
  • Toxic ClawsToxic Claws – New Effect – Damage from Shred and Lacerate deal an additional 24% of their Base damage as Poisoning damage over 4 seconds.
  • Heightened SensesHeightened Senses – New Effect – When Shapeshifting, Werebear grants 3% Damage Reduction and Werewolf grants 3% Movement Speed. Both bonuses persist as long as you are in either animal form. They are lost after 3 seconds in Human form.
    • Note: This is a significant nerf, effectively killing the 17 ranks immortality cheese.
  • Snake Boon Overload – New Effect
    • Dealing Storm damage also applies an additional 20% Poisoning damage over 5 seconds.
    • Lucky Hit: Dealing Poison damage has up to a 1% chance to summon a Lightning Bolt on the target dealing 120% damage.
  • Heightened MaliceHeightened Malice – New Effect – While a Poisoned enemy is Nearby, you deal 35% increased damage plus an additional 5% for each additional Poisoned enemy, up to 4.
  • Ancestral GuidanceAncestral Guidance – New Effect – After spending 75 Spirit, you deal 40% increased damage for 5 seconds. Your Ultimate Skills deal 1% increased damage per Spirit when cast.
  • WerewolfWerewolf – Increased Werewolf form damage from 11.12% to 16.6%.

Advanced Information

It is time to start on your Lightning Storm journey!

Or see below for further information on how the build works, as well as further explanations for Paragon, Gearing, and Gameplay, and available playstyle options.

Build Mechanics

The Lightning Storm Druid has simple execution as a build, but a lot of mechanics are coming together to make it work.

Lightning StormLightning Storm is our Core Skill and main ability. It is a Channeled Skill. While channeled:

  • The storm grows, covering a larger area as the ability is held. This size is preserved for 6 seconds between channels. As the storm grows, the Lightning Bolts can grow more inaccurate.
  • Unsung Ascetic's WrapsUnsung Ascetic’s Wraps adds strikes and double-strikes on Critical Strike.
  • Channeled abilities cannot Overpower.
  • Lightning Storm now (mostly) scales with Attack Speed modifiers even while held Channeled. There is a still a slight increase to rate of fire by clicking rapidly over holding to channel.

Supporting Skills

MaulMaul is Werebear buff maintenance Skill to help maintain Shapeshifting skills like QuickshiftQuickshift, Heightened SensesHeightened Senses, Bestial RampageBestial Rampage and Unique Item Wildheart HungerWildheart Hunger. This does not need to hit an enemy, it’s just the Form change that matters. Force Hold and swipe at the air before engaging enemies for the Bestial RampageBestial Rampage buff. Alternatively, other Werebear abilities like Innate Debilitating RoarInnate Debilitating Roar or TrampleTrample could be used to maintain Werebear buffs.

Cyclone ArmorCyclone Armor is largely just used for the passive effect, but the active knockback can be handy.

Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark is used for Unstoppable, and also provides strong Barrier and Damage Reduction from VigilanceVigilance.

Blood HowlBlood Howl is maintained for the Attack Speed bonus and VigilanceVigilance buff.

Ultimate and Key Passive

CataclysmCataclysm casts Lightning StormLightning Storm and TornadoTornado frequently, applies Vulnerable and with Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng can provide a hefty 100% multiplier to all damage and make Lightning StormLightning Storm cost zero Spirit. Cooldown Reduction Gear Affix, Endless TempestEndless Tempest ranks, Calm Before the Storm and Calamity Spirit Boons help keep this Skill active. See the Cataclysm and Spirit Management section for more info on maintaining CataclysmCataclysm.

Our Key Passive is Bestial RampageBestial Rampage for the high damage and attack speed multipliers. These are maintained easily with MaulMaul for Werebear and Lightning StormLightning Storm for Werewolf. While leveling and gearing, especially before full CataclysmCataclysm uptime or you have gotten your Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng, use Perfect StormPerfect Storm for better Spirit Generation.

Paragon Information

The Paragon Board is a progression system unlocked at Level 60, giving player power through Common stat Nodes, Magic affix Nodes, Rare leveled Glyphs, and Legendary board-exclusive Nodes. For general paragon board information, check the guide here. Paragon Points are earned from leveling, Renown and Altars of Lilith.

The recommended Paragon boards for the Lightning Storm Druid are listed above. The following section goes over some explanations and descriptions for the pathing process for the Lightning Storm Druid.

Broadly speaking, decisions for pathing through the Druid paragon board are divided into three categories:

  • Damage – The paragon boards provide a significant amount of Damage Multipliers and Additives. This includes:
  • Defense – The paragon boards help reach goals on Damage Reduction, Armor and Resistances. This includes:
    • Damage Reduction is improved from individual nodes providing bonuses like Damage Reduction against Vulnerable enemies.
    • Resistances are improved from Magic and Rare Resistance nodes.
    • Max Life and Armor nodes raising Effective Health.
  • Build Functionality – The paragon boards improve functionality for the build, including:

Cataclysm and Spirit Management

With the new Unique Item Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng, many Druid builds will play around CataclysmCataclysm for the significant Damage Multiplier and full Spirit Cost Reduction while CataclysmCataclysm is active. We make several choices on Spirit Generation and Spirit Boons that enable or make this choice shine. This also means downtime can be punishing, so we want to keep CataclysmCataclysm up to avoid Spirit problems.

In order to maintain CataclysmCataclysm, we use:

  • Calm Before the Storm for Ultimate Cooldown Reduction and Calamity Spirit Boon for Longer Ultimate duration.
  • Ranks in Endless TempestEndless Tempest extend the duration of Cataclysm.
  • Ranks in CataclysmCataclysm reduce Cataclysm cooldown.
  • Ultimate Efficiency —  DruidUltimate Efficiency —  Cataclysm Cooldown Reduction on the 2nd ring slot if using a Legendary Aspect.

If this is not sufficient for uptime, we can optionally use:

  • Target Cooldown Reductions or Lucky Hit Chance with Greater Affix or Mastercrafting.
  • Airidah's Inexorable WillAiridah’s Inexorable Will, mastercrafting the Ultimate Cooldown Reduction.

Spirit Management

In Early Gearing and Leveling, or before using the Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng, consider doing the following for Spirit Generation and Management:

  • Use Key Passive Perfect StormPerfect Storm.
  • Take the Wolf’s Energize Spirit Boon, replacing Calamity
  • Take the Deer’s Gift of the Stag, replacing Wariness.
  • Use Tibault's WillTibault’s Will. Periodic casts of Enhanced Earthen BulwarkEnhanced Earthen Bulwark from casting and Runewords will grant the Unstoppable for giving the Spirit.
  • Use Aspect of the UmbralAspect of the Umbral for Spirit against Crowd Controlled enemies.
  • Adjust Gear affixes: Resource Cost Reduction on Weapon, and Resource Generation on Rings. Spirit on Kill on weapon, or Spirit Per Second on Helm, Chest, or Boots can all be useful.
  • Use the PocPocLumLum Runeword Setup.
  • Use Rahair’s Iron Wolf’s Call Iconic Passive, with Varyana’s Bloodthirst with Lightning Storm Opportunity.
  • Worst case, use MaulMaul as an attack to build Spirit.

Changelog

  • 16 January, 2025: Updated for Season 7 and Patch 2.1 updates. Two tab paragon board introduced.
  • 15 October, 2024: Updated for new onsite Paragon Tool
  • 29 September, 2024: Updated for Season 6. Changes to Paragon, Skill Tree, Skill Bar, and recommended Uniques.
  • 7 August: 2024: Updated for post-launch of season 5. No Changes to Skills, Gearing or Paragon.
  • 4 August, 2024: Significant changes to Skills and Paragon to adjust for season 5, the change to Shepherd’s Aspect and the introduction of the Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng.
  • 17 June, 2024: Updated for mid-season patch 1.4.3.
  • May 15, 2024: Small changes in gear affixes to adjust for season launch changes from PTR.
  • 3 May, 2024: Guide reworked for the significant 1.4.0 changes to gearing and for season 4 speculative changes. Format changed to frontload basic build information and offer extra information and options afterwards.
    14 March, 2024: Guide created, fully replacing previous guide.
  • Ownership transferred.
  • Adjusted Gear, Skills, and Paragon sections to hit defensive stats targets and improve overall damage output.
  • Improved readability, explanations, and options.
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