DruidGuidelevelingWerebearCompanionSeason 6

Pulverize – Druid Leveling Build for Diablo 4

Smash and crush your enemies with the Pulverize Druid!

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WolvesPoison CreeperBlood HowlTrampleWind ShearPulverize


Vessel of Hatred Guide

Build Introduction

The Pulverize Druid is a dependable Werebear build, with large smashes of PulverizePulverize and wide casts of Poison CreeperPoison Creeper to clear areas of enemies and level swiftly! Supporting abilities help keep up Spirit, heal, and apply debuffs to enemies.

After progressing through the Main Story and reaching level 60, continue your PulverizePulverize adventure with the Pulverize Druid Endgame Guide, or choose any of our Endgame Builds.

For general tips and information about leveling a Druid in Diablo 4, check out our Druid Leveling Page.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar for Pulverize Druid
Trample Trample Blood Howl Blood Howl Wolves Wolves Poison Creeper Poison Creeper Wind Shear Wind Shear Pulverize Pulverize

The table below outlines the recommended order for allocating Skill Points. 59 Points are gained from leveling, and the remaining 12 are from completing Renown events in each zone, for a total of 71 Skill Points.

OrderSkillCluster
1Wind ShearWind Shear Rank 1Basic SkillBasic Skill
2Enhanced Wind ShearEnhanced Wind ShearBasic SkillBasic Skill
3PulverizePulverize Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
4Enhanced PulverizeEnhanced PulverizeCore SkillCore Skill
5Raging PulverizeRaging PulverizeCore SkillCore Skill
6Fierce Wind ShearFierce Wind ShearBasic SkillBasic Skill
7Blood HowlBlood Howl Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
8Enhanced Blood HowlEnhanced Blood HowlDefensive SkillDefensive Skill
9Innate Blood HowlInnate Blood HowlDefensive SkillDefensive Skill
10PulverizePulverize Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
11PulverizePulverize Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
12Poison CreeperPoison Creeper Rank 1Companion SkillCompanion Skill
13Enhanced Poison CreeperEnhanced Poison CreeperCompanion SkillCompanion Skill
14Brutal Poison CreeperBrutal Poison CreeperCompanion SkillCompanion Skill
15WolvesWolves Rank 1Companion SkillCompanion Skill
16PulverizePulverize Rank 4Core SkillCore Skill
17TrampleTrampleWrath SkillWrath Skill
18Enhanced TrampleEnhanced TrampleWrath SkillWrath Skill
19Savage TrampleSavage TrampleWrath SkillWrath Skill
20PulverizePulverize Rank 5Core SkillCore Skill
21NeurotoxinNeurotoxin Rank 1Wrath SkillWrath Skill
22EnvenomEnvenom Rank 1Wrath SkillWrath Skill
23EnvenomEnvenom Rank 2Wrath SkillWrath Skill
24EnvenomEnvenom Rank 3Wrath SkillWrath Skill
25Poison CreeperPoison Creeper Rank 2Companion SkillCompanion Skill
26Poison CreeperPoison Creeper Rank 3Companion SkillCompanion Skill
27Poison CreeperPoison Creeper Rank 4Companion SkillCompanion Skill
28Poison CreeperPoison Creeper Rank 5Companion SkillCompanion Skill
29Call of the WildCall of the Wild Rank 1Companion SkillCompanion Skill
30Call of the WildCall of the Wild Rank 2Companion SkillCompanion Skill
31Call of the WildCall of the Wild Rank 3Companion SkillCompanion Skill
32QuickshiftQuickshift Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
33QuickshiftQuickshift Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
34Ursine StrengthUrsine StrengthKey PassivesKey Passive
35QuickshiftQuickshift Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
36Natural FortitudeNatural Fortitude Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
37Natural FortitudeNatural Fortitude Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
38Natural FortitudeNatural Fortitude Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
39Heightened SensesHeightened Senses Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
40Heightened SensesHeightened Senses Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
41Heightened SensesHeightened Senses Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
42Predatory InstinctPredatory Instinct Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
43Predatory InstinctPredatory Instinct Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
44Predatory InstinctPredatory Instinct Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
45Iron FurIron Fur Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
46Iron FurIron Fur Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
47Iron FurIron Fur Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
48Crushing EarthCrushing Earth Rank 1Wrath SkillWrath Skill
49Crushing EarthCrushing Earth Rank 2Wrath SkillWrath Skill
50Crushing EarthCrushing Earth Rank 3Wrath SkillWrath Skill
51Stone GuardStone Guard Rank 1Wrath SkillWrath Skill
52Stone GuardStone Guard Rank 2Wrath SkillWrath Skill
53Stone GuardStone Guard Rank 3Wrath SkillWrath Skill
54SafeguardSafeguard Rank 1Wrath SkillWrath Skill
55SafeguardSafeguard Rank 2Wrath SkillWrath Skill
56SafeguardSafeguard Rank 3Wrath SkillWrath Skill
57Feral AptitudeFeral Aptitude Rank 1Companion SkillCompanion Skill
58Feral AptitudeFeral Aptitude Rank 2Companion SkillCompanion Skill
59Feral AptitudeFeral Aptitude Rank 3Companion SkillCompanion Skill
60MendingMending Rank 1Wrath SkillWrath Skill
61MendingMending Rank 2Wrath SkillWrath Skill
62MendingMending Rank 3Wrath SkillWrath Skill
63DefianceDefiance Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
64DefianceDefiance Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
65DefianceDefiance Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
66Circle of LifeCircle of Life Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
67Circle of LifeCircle of Life Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
68Circle of LifeCircle of Life Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
69Ancestral FortitudeAncestral Fortitude Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
70Ancestral FortitudeAncestral Fortitude Rank 2Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
71Ancestral FortitudeAncestral Fortitude Rank 3Defensive SkillDefensive Skill

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. To access Spirit Boons:

  • Reach Level 15, accepting the quest chain beginning with Druid: Spirits of the Lost Grove.
  • Clear the Túr Dúlra Stronghold scenario in Scosglen.
  • Complete the quest chain to gain access to the Animal Spirits.
Boon NameAnimalEffect
Advantageous BeastDeerGain 15% Movement Speed and 15% Impairment Reduction.
Scythe TalonsEagleGain +10% increased Critical Strike Chance.
Pack LeaderWolfLucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a 25% chance to reset the Cooldowns of your Companion Skills.
EnergizeWolfLucky Hit: Dealing damage has up to a 15% chance to restore 30 Spirit.
Obsidian SlamSnakeEvery 10th kill will cause your next Earth Skill to Overpower.

Prioritize your first 25 Spirit Offerings to unlock the Wolf’s Pack Leader; Poison CreeperPoison Creeper is a significant source of our damage so cooldown resets go a long way!

Obsidian Slam will only function with Aspect of the Ursine HorrorAspect of the Ursine Horror, which makes PulverizePulverize an Earth Skill.

Gear, Gems, Elixirs, and Stats

The following sections cover the Legendary Aspects, Gear Affixes, Gems, and Runewords important for your character’s progression while leveling.

Legendary Aspects and Codex of Power

The Codex of Power updates and improves quality of the Aspects by salvaging Legendary Powers. Legendary Items with Aspect powers can be found across all content in Diablo 4. Random dropped Legendary Aspects can have a specific range of power on them. For example, Aspect of the Changeling's DebtAspect of the Changeling’s Debt can roll between 25% and 65% for the effect. Salvaging a higher rank will improve the Aspect’s rank within your Codex from then on.

Aspects gained from Dungeons will enter the Codex of Power at rank 1. This makes Dungeons a great way to get started when putting together a build, without having to rely on random drops. For example, to access Aspect of the Ursine HorrorAspect of the Ursine Horror directly without needing a random drop, you can clear Belfry Zakara in Hawezar.

The most significant aspects for the Pulverize Leveling Druid are the following:

AspectLegendary Aspect Power LocationRecommended Slot
Shockwave AspectShockwave AspectPulverize creates a shockwave that travels forward, dealing 80-120% of its damage to targets in the path.Salvaged LegendaryWeapon or Amulet
Aspect of the Ursine HorrorAspect of the Ursine HorrorPulverize is now also an Earth Skill. After casting Pulverize, tectonic spikes continue to deal damage over 2 seconds.Belfry Zakara, HawezarGloves or Ring
Aspect of the Calm BreezeAspect of the Calm BreezeWind Shear now deals Poisoning damage over 4 seconds.

Lucky Hit: Wind Shear has up to a 6-14% chance to fully restore your Spirit.
Grinning Labyrinth, Dry SteppesAmulet or Ring

See below for a list of Dungeon Legendary Powers that can be useful to the Pulverize Druid while leveling.

Legendary AspectAspect TypeAspect PowerDungeon Location
Aspect of the Changeling's DebtAspect of the Changeling’s DebtOffensiveYou deal 25-65% increased damage while hitting a Poisoned enemy as a Werebear or a Crowd Controlled enemy as a Werewolf.Conclave, Kejistan
Aspect of RetaliationAspect of RetaliationOffensiveYour Core Skills deal up to 35-75%% increased damage based on your amount of Fortify.Seaside descent, Dry Steppes
Crashstone AspectCrashstone AspectOffensiveEarth Skills deal 35-75%% more Critical Strike Damage to Crowd Controlled enemies.Stockades, Scosglen
Aspect of the UmbralAspect of the UmbralResourceRestore 1 – 8 of your Primary Resource when you Crowd Control an enemy.Champion’s Demise, Dry Steppes
Aspect of DisobedienceAspect of DisobedienceDefensiveYou gain 0.4-.8% increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to 25-40%.Halls of the Damned, Kehjistan
Aspect of MightAspect of MightDefensiveBasic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for 2-10 seconds.Dark Ravine, Dry Steppes
Skinwalker's AspectSkinwalker’s AspectDefensiveWhen you use a Shapeshifting Skill that changes your form, gain 5-25% Life. If you are at full Life, gain the same amount as Fortify.Fading Echo, Kehjistan
Ghostwalker AspectGhostwalker AspectMobilityWhile Unstoppable and for 4 seconds after, you gain 10 – 30% increased Movement Speed and can move freely through enemies.Broken Bulwark, Scosglen
Aspect of QuicksandAspect of QuicksandUtilityDamage from Earth Skills Slow enemies hit by 20-60% for 5 seconds.Feral’s Den, Scosglen
Ballistic AspectBallistic AspectUtilityWhen you have Fortify your Earth Skills gain +2 Ranks.Whispering Pines, Scosglen

Some aspects only become useful in combination. For example:

Check our Legendary Aspect and Codex of Power Guide for general Codex information.

Gear Affix and Stat Priority

Below are the recommended Gear Affixes for each slot for the Pulverize Leveling Build. Gear Affixes are listed by importance. Affixes in Bold are the most important for the build, and alternatives are added as well.

SlotGemStats
2 Handed MaceRubyRubyResource Cost Reduction
Willpower
Max Life
Overpower Damage
Chance on Hit for Spirit
Helm SapphireSapphireRanks in Poison CreeperPoison Creeper
Ranks to Companion Skills
Willpower
Max Life
Spirit Per Second
ChestSapphireSapphireMax Life
Spirit Per Second
Willpower
Armor
GlovesN/ARanks in PulverizePulverize
Critical Strike Chance
Attack Speed
Willpower
Critical Strike Damage
Pants SapphireSapphireMax Life
Armor
Willpower
Dodge Chance
BootsN/AMovement Speed
Spirit Per Second
Willpower
Dodge Chance
AmuletDiamondDiamondMovement Speed
Ranks to EnvenomEnvenom

Critical Strike Chance
Willpower%
Resource Cost Reduction
RingsDiamondDiamondCritical Strike Chance
Attack Speed
Maximum Life
Resource Generation
Chance on Hit to makes enemies Vulnerable
  • Critical Strike Chance is important for Pack Leader Spirit boon resets and overall damage.
  • Resource Cost Reduction and Spirit Per Second will go a long way to help us keep smashing out our Pulverizes.
  • A couple Armor Affixes will help us stay ahead of the Damage.
  • 2 Handed Weapons are double budget for aspects. This means we can make our Shockwave AspectShockwave Aspect or other strong multiplier even better. 2-handed Maces are recommended for the Overpower damage.

Tempering

Tempering manuals are found across Sanctuary. The Blacksmith is able to apply extra Tempering affixes on items. Manuals are divided by types similar to Legendary Aspect Powers; a Resource manual like Worldly StabilityWorldly Stability has Resource type tempers, and can only be placed on rings and amulet.

When tempering at the Blacksmith, the item will randomly select one of the listed affixes from the chosen Tempering Manual. For example, the Offensive Manual Shapeshifting FinesseShapeshifting Finesse can give Werebear Overpower Damage, or give something utterly useless to the build like Werewolf Attack Speed. There is a limit to the number of times a temper can be rerolled to try to get the desired affix. This means the item can get ruined for the build, and you must try again with a new item. Unique Items cannot be Tempered. Here’s a list of Useful tempers to look out for, sorted by type.

Manual TypeManual NameManual Effect
WeaponWerebear AugmentsWerebear AugmentsChance for Pulverize to Hit Twice
OffensiveEarth FinesseEarth FinesseEarth Critical Strike Chance
Earth Lucky Hit Chance
Earth Damage
Earth Overpower Damage
OffensiveShapeshifting FinesseShapeshifting FinesseWerebear Overpower Damage
OffensiveNatural FinesseNatural FinesseDamage to Close Enemies
Damage to Distant Enemies
UtilityWorldly FortuneWorldly FortuneLucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
DefensiveWorldly EnduranceWorldly EnduranceTotal Armor%
MobilityNatural MotionNatural MotionMovement Speed
ResourceWorldly StabilityWorldly StabilityResource Generation

Gems and Runewords

The following are the best Gems to socket into your gear for each category:

  • Weapon: RubyRuby for Overpower Damage.
  • Armor: SapphireSapphire for Willpower.
  • Jewelry: DiamondDiamonds for All Resistances

Runewords are a flexible power to help strengthen a build or fill its weaknesses. Two Runes combine for the total Runeword effect:

  • A conditional trigger Rune of Ritual that supplies Offerings when the condition is met.
  • An effect Rune of Invocation that costs Offerings.

Once the Rune of Ritual has supplied enough Offerings, the Rune of Invocation will trigger its effect. Some Runes of Invocation will have overflow effects, where excess Offerings will spillover to empower the triggered effect.

Runewords replace Gems in gear. Up to two sets of Runeword pairs can be placed at a time. Runeword combinations are placed within 2 sockets of the same item e.g. Helm, Chest, Pants or 2-handed Weapon.

The following are Runeword combinations for the Pulverize Leveling Druid. These leveling recommendations are limited to Magic and Rare quality runes, and are placed in 2-Handed Weapon and one Armor slot:

Runeword CombinationRuneword Effects
Poc Lum PocPoc – Gain: 5 Offering. Spend 5% of your Maximum Resource.
LumLum – Requires: 5 Offering (Overflow: Increased Resource Restored) Cooldown: 1 Second.
Restore 1 Primary Resource.
Moni GarMoniMoni – Gain: 25 Offering. Cast a Skill after moving. (Cooldown: 0.2 seconds)
GarGar – Gain 2.5% Critical Strike Chance for 5 seconds, up to 25%.

PocPocLumLum will give a refund on Spirit after spending. MoniMoniGarGar will be a tidy Critical Strike Chance increase for damage and Packleader Boon resets.

There will be several Runeword combinations that help out and work, feel free to try them all out as you acquire the runes. For example, some of the damage effect triggers like TonTon will do especially good damage in very early levels.

Elixirs and Health Potions

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

  • Craft the highest Elixir of PrecisionElixir of Precision for Critical Strike Chance, Critical Strike Damage and bonus Experience. Or Iron Skin ElixirIron Skin Elixir can help push the Capstone Dungeons earlier and easier.
  • Remember to upgrade your potion as you level, increasing the instant healing of the potion. Upgrades are available when you reach Level 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60.

Unique Items

Here’s a list of useful Unique Items for the Pulverize Bear to look out for while leveling:

  • Insatiable FuryInsatiable Fury has strong gear affixes and extra ranks in all Werebear Skills.
  • Hunter's ZenithHunter’s Zenith – strong gear affixes and effect that grants periodic Critical Overpowers.

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. As you build Rapport with your Mercenary, you gain more access to their Skills and Perks.

The following Mercenary options are recommended for the Pulverize Leveling Druid:

Main Mercenary – Varyana, the Berserker

Reinforcement – Raheir, the Shieldbearer

  • Reinforcement Ability – CraterCrater

Hysteria and Bloodlust will both give strong Attack Speed bonuses.

Damage Rotation

  1. Poison CreeperPoison Creeper on gathered enemies for lethal Poison damage.
  2. WolvesWolves against strong Single Target enemies like Elites or Bosses.
  3. PulverizePulverize your enemies, and take note of when Enhanced PulverizeEnhanced Pulverize is going to cause Pulverize to Overpower.
  4. Blood HowlBlood Howl and TrampleTrample for Spirit generation and to help maintain Shapeshifting buffs such as QuickshiftQuickshift.
  5. Wind ShearWind Shear as filler to generate Spirit.

Advanced Information

It is time to start your Pulverize journey!

Or see below for further information on how the build works, Spirit Generation explanations, Skill and gameplay options, and what to do after level 60, including a starter Paragon board to help you transition to the Endgame Pulverize build.

Mechanics and Playstyle

The primary sources of damage for the Pulverize Leveling Druid are PulverizePulverize and Poison CreeperPoison Creeper.

PulverizePulverize smashes in front of you, dealing physical damage in a wide circle.

  • Enhanced PulverizeEnhanced Pulverize makes Pulverize Overpower every 12 seconds while you remain Healthy. Overpower deals extra damage based on current Health and Fortify, and Healthy means Current Life is at least 80% of Max Life.
  • Raging PulverizeRaging Pulverize Pulverize deals 75% increased Overpower Damage. Enemies Overpowered by Pulverize are Stunned for 3 seconds.

Two Legendary Aspects modify Pulverize:

  • Shockwave AspectShockwave Aspect, a secondary shockwave line will erupt from the edge of the Pulverize. There is a small overlap between these two hits where enemies can be struck by both effects.
  • Aspect of the Ursine HorrorAspect of the Ursine Horror makes PulverizePulverize an Earth Skill, allowing Pulverize to benefit from Earth and Nature modifiers like DefianceDefiance and Stone GuardStone Guard. This also makes PulverizePulverize leave Tectonic Spikes that deal extra damage over two seconds.

Poison CreeperPoison Creeper is a Companion that passively attacks to apply a small Poison. The Active Skill deals significant Poison damage over time in a wide area around the player and Immobilizes enemies.

The active cast of Poison CreeperPoison Creeper, especially in early levels, is lethal damage to all but the toughest enemies, making it very efficient to use on most leveling builds. We take Pack Leader boon to reset the Companion Active Skill.

Supporting abilities for the build include Storm StrikeStorm Strike, Blood HowlBlood Howl, TrampleTrample and WolvesWolves.

Our Key Passive is Ursine StrengthUrsine Strength. The Damage and Overpower multipliers are active in any form as long as the player is in the Healthy Status, which is 80% Life or higher.

Spirit Generation

This build has a few sources of Spirit Generation to keep Pulverizing. These include:

  • Our Basic Skill Wind ShearWind Shear generates Spirit when hitting enemies.
  • Innate Blood HowlInnate Blood Howl and TrampleTrample generate Spirit on Active Skill use.
  • The Wolf’s Energize Boon grants a Lucky Hit for 30 Spirit.

Druids Have Options!

Any of the supporting skills Blood HowlBlood Howl, TrampleTrample, or WolvesWolves can be substituted for another desirable supporting Skill depending on looted Legendary Aspects, playstyle, leveling content, or preference. Some examples to try can include:

  • Want to use an Ultimate Skill for a big burst cooldown? Try out PetrifyPetrify to stun enemies, regenerate Spirit and apply a large Critical Strike Damage debuff. If you found a Blood Boiling AspectBlood Boiling Aspect, line it up with CataclysmCataclysm for Overpower screenwide attacks.
  • This build recommends the Spirit Generation on Blood HowlBlood Howl and TrampleTrample for smoothness of play, but the other passives, such as Enhanced Blood HowlEnhanced Blood Howl for Attack Speed and Natural TrampleNatural Trample for Fortify Generation work too!
  • Want extra Defensives? Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark can provide Barrier, Unstoppable, and Fortify. Primal PulverizePrimal Pulverize can be used as a Damage Reduction debuff on enemies. Spirit Boon Wariness can help against Elites and Bosses.

The Key Passive Ursine StrengthUrsine Strength is used for the reliable passive damage multiplier, Overpower damage and Max Life. Bestial RampageBestial Rampage can be more total damage but requires you to be more careful about maintaining Forms. ClawClaw can be used as your Basic Skill to help upkeep these buffs.

Roadmap at Level 60

Once you’re ready, at level 60 or even sooner, it’s time to start those Endgame Activities.

Paragon

After Level 60, you gain no more Skill Points and instead start progressing in the Paragon Board. Allocate Paragon Points into nodes along the path to gain further power. Rare Glyphs start at 3 Radius, growing by 1 Radius at level 15, and then at level 46. Level up your glyphs by running The Pit.

Here is an early 3 board setup to get you started. It prioritizes Spirit Generation nodes from Ancestral GuidanceAncestral Guidance board, and Spirit Cost Reduction from Inner BeastInner Beast board. Remember to rotate the boards as necessary! This will get you ready for that transition to the Pulverize Endgame Guide or other Endgame Druid Builds.

Thanks so much for reading and good luck on leveling!

Changelog

  • 15 October, 2024: Updated for new onsite Paragon tool.
  • 26 September, 2024: Updated for season 6, Season of Hatred Rising, including more Skill Points, new Paragon, Runeword and Mercenary systems.
  • 7 August, 2024: Updated for post-launch of season 5. Some changes to Skill Tree recommendations and improving readability.
  • 2 August, 2024: Updated for Patch 1.5.0 and Season of the Infernal Hordes.
  • 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.
  • 8 May 2024: Guide created for the launch Season 4.
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