DruidEndgameGuideWerebearseason 7

Shifter Pulverize – Druid Build for Diablo 4 (Season 7)

Shift your gameplay with this Human-Werebear builder spender.

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PulverizeClawBlood HowlEarthen BulwarkPetrifyPoison Creeper


Season

Build Introduction

Smash through the enemies of Sanctuary with the Shifter Pulverize! This is your guide for the balanced and dependable Shifter PulverizePulverize Druid. This build is a basic builder-spender with high volume of Overpower attacks.

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


Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths
  • Consistent gameplay as a Builder-Spender
  • Leveling friendly, low requirements
  • High sustained damage at all target counts
Weaknesses
  • Highest burst can take setup
  • Has some resource management to balance
  • Overpower gaps can be unreliable

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 Legendary Aspects are required for build functionality to get started on the Pulverize Druid:

Required Aspects

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for Shifter Pulverize (order does not matter)
Blood Howl Blood Howl Petrify Petrify Poison Creeper Poison Creeper Earthen Bulwark Earthen Bulwark Claw Claw Pulverize Pulverize

Spirit Boons – The Druid Specialization

Druids unlock powerful Spirit Boon passives, giving offerings to the animal spirits to receive their blessing. Once fully unlocked, you can 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.
Iron FeatherEagleGain 30% Maximum Life.
Avian WrathEagleGain x40% Critical Strike damage.
EnergizeWolfLucky Hit: Dealing damage has up to a 15% chance to fully restore your Spirit.
Obsidian SlamSnakeEvery 6th attack cast will cause your next Earth Skill to Overpower.

While leveling and gearing, Gift of the Stag can replace Wariness to help with Spirit Management.


Gear, Stats, Gems and Elixirs

The following are the recommended Legendary Aspects, Gear Affixes, Gems and Elixirs for the Pulverize 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 Power
2 Handed MaceGrand RubyGrand RubyShockwave AspectShockwave AspectPulverize creates a shockwave that travels forward, dealing 80-120% of its damage to targets in the path.
HelmGrand SapphireGrand Sapphire(Recommended Mythic) Heir of PerditionHeir of Perdition
(Recommended Unique) Godslayer CrownGodslayer Crown
Aspect of MightAspect of Might
Give in to hatred and earn Lilith’s Favor, increasing your damage dealt by 60%. Slaughter enemies to briefly steal Lilith’s Favor from Nearby allies.
ChestGrand SapphireGrand Sapphire(Recommended Mythic) Shroud of False DeathShroud of False Death
(recommended Unique) Insatiable FuryInsatiable FuryJuggernaut's AspectJuggernaut’s Aspect
If you haven’t attacked in the last 2 seconds, gain Stealth and 40% Movement Speed.
GlovesN/AAspect 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.
PantsGrand SapphireGrand SapphireSkinwalker's AspectSkinwalker’s AspectWhen you use a Shapeshifting Skill that changes your form, Heal for 5-25% of your Maximum Life. If you are at full Life, gain the same amount as Fortify.
BootsN/A(Offensive) Ballistic AspectBallistic Aspect
(Defensive, Unstoppable) Aspect of MetamorphosisAspect of Metamorphosis
When you have Fortify your Earth Skills gain +2 Ranks.
AmuletGrand DiamondGrand DiamondAspect of RetaliationAspect of Retaliation Your Core Skills deal up to 35-75% increased damage based on your amount of Fortify.
Ring 1Grand DiamondGrand Diamond(Recommended Unique)Hunter's ZenithHunter’s Zenith
Aspect of the Changeling's DebtAspect of the Changeling’s Debt
Every 30 seconds you spend in an animal form, your next Core Skill is guaranteed to Overpower and Critically Strike, and deals 30-60% increased damage.

Casting a Shapeshifting Skill reduces this timer by 1 second, or 2 seconds if it changes you to a new animal form.
Ring 2Grand DiamondGrand Diamond(Recommended Mythic) Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies
(Convenience Unique)
Airidah's Inexorable WillAiridah’s Inexorable Will
Raw Might AspectRaw Might Aspect
Spending your Primary Resource reduces the Resource cost of your Skills and increases your damage by 10% for 3 seconds, up to 50%.

Use a 2-Handed Mace for Overpower damage.

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


Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Each line of affixes is listed in order of importance. 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
2 Handed MaceWillpower
Max Life
Chance on Hit to Restore Spirit
Critical Strike Damage
Werebear AugmentsWerebear Augments – Chance to Cast Pulverize Twice
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse – Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies
Helm – (Recommended Mythic) Heir of PerditionHeir of PerditionCritical Strike Chance
Lucky Hit Chance
Movement Speed
Ranks to Core Skills
Helm – (Recommended Unique) Godslayer CrownGodslayer CrownAll Stats
Maximum Life
Damage to Elites
Cooldown Reduction
Helm – Legendary AspectCooldown Reduction
Max Life
Willpower

Spirit Per Second
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance – Max Life
Nature Magic InnovationNature Magic Innovation – Petrify Duration OR
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune – Chance to [Stun/Freeze] Enemies
Chest – (Recommended Mythic) Shroud of False DeathShroud of False DeathAll Stats
Maximum Life
Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth
Resource Generation
Chest – (Recommended Unique) Insatiable FuryInsatiable Fury Max Life
Werebear Overpower Damage
Ursine Strength’s Bonuses
Ranks to Iron FurIron Fur
Chest – Legendary AspectWillpower
Max Life
Armor
Spirit Per Second
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance – Max Life
Nature Magic InnovationNature Magic Innovation – Petrify Duration
Gloves – Legendary AspectAttack Speed
Critical Strike Chance
Ranks to PulverizePulverize
Lucky Hit: Chance to make enemies Vulnerable
Earth FinesseEarth Finesse – Earth Critical Strike Chance
Nature Magic InnovationNature Magic Innovation – Petrify Duration
Pants – Legendary AspectWillpower
Max Life
Armor
Dodge Chance
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance – Total Armor%
Nature Magic InnovationNature Magic Innovation – Petrify Duration
Boots – Legendary AspectImplicit: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown By 1.5 Seconds
Movement Speed
Max Life
Resistance to All Elements
Spirit Per Second
Natural MotionNatural Motion – Movement Speed
Nature Magic InnovationNature Magic Innovation – Petrify Duration
AmuletRanks to EnvenomEnvenom
Ranks to QuickshiftQuickshift
Willpower%
Max Life
Earth FinesseEarth Finesse – Earth Critical Strike Chance
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance – Maximum Life
Ring – (Recommended Mythic)Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies Attack Speed
Critical Strike Chance
Lucky Hit Chance
Ranks to Core Skills
Ring – (Recommended Unique) Hunter's ZenithHunter’s ZenithWillpower
Ranks to Predatory InstinctPredatory Instinct
Ranks to Heightened SensesHeightened Senses
Ranks to QuickshiftQuickshift
Ring – (Convenience Unique) Airidah's Inexorable WillAiridah’s Inexorable WillWillpower%
Damage to Close Enemies
Lucky Hit Chance
Ultimate Cooldown Reduction
Rings – Legendary AspectCritical Strike Chance
Attack Speed
Maximum Life
Resource Cost Reduction
Earth FinesseEarth Finesse – Earth Critical Strike Chance
Worldly StabilityWorldly Stability – Resource Generation

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


Gems and Runewords

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

Gems

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
Grand RubyGrand Ruby for Overpower DamageGrand SapphireGrand Sapphire for WillpowerGrand DiamondGrand Diamond for Resistance to all Elements

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, placed in 2-Handed Weapon and one Armor slot:

Runeword CombinationRuneword Effects
Lith WatLithLith – Gain: 25 Offering. Stand still for 0.3 seconds while fighting.
WatWat Requires: 100 Offering Cooldown: 1 Second. Overflow: Increase duration. Evoke the Necromancer’s Horrid Decrepify, Slowing enemies, reducing their damage, and letting you Execute them.
Xol YomXolXol – Gain: 150 Offering. Evoke power from another Class
YomYom – 500 Offering. Cooldown: 5 Seconds. Overflow: Increase Stun Duration. Evoke the Druid’s Petrify, Stunning enemies and restoring 100 Spirit.

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. Periodic casts of PetrifyPetrify will be a strong Stun, Critical Strike Damage multiplier and Spirit Generator. Tempering for PetrifyPetrify Duration will mean significant uptime on Petrify.

Other combinations can also situationally work well; adjust to the content you are running. These can include:

  • (Offering Efficiency) other Ritual options such as BacBac for Move, TamTam for Cast Core Skill, or FeoFeo for get Crowd Controlled may trigger more often.
  • (Gathering) KryKry rune for VortexVortex can be a strong quality of life increase.
  • (Spirit Management) PocPocLumLum in combination can give strong Spirit Refund.
  • (Early Gearing) While leveling and gearing before legendary Runes become accessible, many Magic and Rare runewords such as GarGar for Critical Strike Chance will be viable.

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 Shifter Pulverize Druid.

The road to max paragon level 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 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, DominateDominate can be exchanged for UndauntedUndaunted, and SpiritSpirit for TerritorialTerritorial.


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 Pulverize Druid:

Witchcraft Powers

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.

Force of WillForce of WillPsyche

  • When you kill an enemy, your next Overpower deals X% increased damage, up to 100%.
  • Rank 4: The damage bonus extends to the next 2 Overpowers instead of 1.
  • When bossing or in low kill content where you do not get good Overpower stacks from Force of Will, this can be exchanged for another useful power like (Defensive) Hex of ShatteringHex of Shattering or (Vulnerable) Shaken SoulShaken Soul.

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 Uniques are recommended for the Pulverize Druid:

  • (Recommended) Hunter's ZenithHunter’s Zenith – This is a ring with strong gear affix ranks to several skill passives and a strong rate of Critical Overpowers for PulverizePulverize. It will need to be well rolled to compete with an alternative Legendary Aspect ring.
  • (Convenience Unique) Airidah's Inexorable WillAiridah’s Inexorable Will – This ring yoinks Distant enemies dealing physical damage to them, and groups them. Between native casts of PetrifyPetrify and Runeword casts, this effect will trigger often. May be a mild damage topend loss to other options.

Mythic Unique Items

  • (Recommended) Heir of PerditionHeir of Perdition has Strong Gear Affixes and a steady damage multiplier. The multiplier can be stolen occasionally from others that also use this helm for a higher damage multiplier.
  • (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.
  • (Recommended) Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies is a powerful Resource Cost Reduction tool and damage multiplier, with strong Gear Affixes.
  • (Optional Defensive) DoombringerDoombringer– Druids can now use swords! DoombringerDoombringer is a chonky Damage Reduction and Max Health item. The Max Health% is a nice damage offset since it will boost our Overpowers. It may be a valid choice when pushing dangerous content where dying is punished, such as Infernal Hordes or high Pit. To use this item:
    • Move Shockwave AspectShockwave Aspect to Amulet.
    • Move Aspect of RetaliationAspect of Retaliation to Totem.
    • On the Totem, look for Willpower, Critical Strike Chance, and Max Life. Temper (Mastercrafted) Chance for Pulverize to Cast Twice and Earth Critical Strike Chance.
    • Mastercraft Damage Reduction or Max Life on the DoombringerDoombringer.

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 Pulverize Druid:

Main Mercenary – Varyana, the Berserker

Reinforcement – Raheir, the Shieldbearer

Hysteria and Bloodlust will both give strong Attack Speed bonuses.

For a Spirit Management setup, try Raheir’s Iron Wolf's CallIron Wolf’s Call for periodic free casts of PulverizePulverize or Aldkin’s Ember's GiftEmber’s Gift for Spirit Per Second while in Storm of Fire.


Rotation and Playstyle

  1. Blood HowlBlood Howl to increase Attack Speed and upkeep Werewolf Shapeshifting buffs such as Heightened SensesHeightened Senses.
  2. Poison CreeperPoison Creeper to Immobilize and apply Poison.
  3. PetrifyPetrify to apply Stun and a heavy Critical Strike Damage multiplier.
  4. PulverizePulverize your enemies.
  5. ClawClaw as filler for Spirit.

Use Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark defensively and as a source of Unstoppable to break Crowd-Control effects.

Check out the advanced Build Mechanics 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

Not much changes with the gameplay of the Pulverize Druid in season 7. Damage is up thanks to changes to Paragon nodes like Heightened MaliceHeightened Malice. Changes to Spirit Boons give easier Spirit Management and more frequent Overpowers vs Bosses. Some Damage Reduction sources like Heightened SensesHeightened Senses have been nerfed.

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

Skills and Stats

  • PetrifyPetrify – New effect at Rank 5: Casting Petrify resets all your non-Ultimate Skill Cooldowns.
  • 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.
  • Spirit Boon Gift of the Stag new effect – Gain 40 Maximum Spirit. You gain 5 Spirit every second.
  • Spirit Boon Energize new effect – Lucky Hit: Dealing damage has a 15% chance to fully restore your Spirit.
  • Spirit Boon Obsidian Slam new effect – Every 6th attack cast will cause your next Earth Skill to Overpower.
  • 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.
  • Survival InstinctsSurvival Instincts – New Effect – Now: While in Werebear form, you deal 30% increased damage or 45% when you are at full Life. You have 1% increased Overpower damage, up to 25%, for every 1% difference in current Life percent and Fortified Life percent between you and the enemy.
  • TerritorialTerritorial – Increased Damage Reduction against Close enemies from 10% to 15%.
  • UndauntedUndaunted -Increased Damage Reduction while Fortified from 10% to 15%.

Advanced Information

It is time to get started on your Pulverize 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

PulverizePulverize is our primary, high-damage Skill. Two Legendary Aspects modify the Skill:

ClawClaw is used for Poison application, Werewolf buff upkeep like QuickshiftQuickshift, and to increase the cooldown rate on Hunter's ZenithHunter’s Zenith. Other Basic Skills can function with this build as well. For example, Wind ShearWind Shear could be used to enable a more ranged playstyle.

Overpower

Periodic Overpowered attacks will deal massive damage to enemies. We get Overpowers from several sources:

  • Enhanced PulverizeEnhanced Pulverize grants an Overpower every 12 seconds while Healthy. Healthy means Life is above 80%.
  • Spirit Boon Obsidian Slam causes Earth Skills to Overpower after casting Six Earth Skills.
  • ProvocationProvocation gives Overpowers as you remain in Bear Form. Some uptime is lost while casting any non-Werebear skills. This is a buff to watch, as it can be triggered on any non-defensive Skill. Try to only use it on PulverizePulverize.
  • Hunter's ZenithHunter’s Zenith will give periodic casts of Core Overpower Criticals.
  • If used, Banished Lord's TalismanBanished Lord’s Talisman grants Core Skill Overpowers after spending Spirit.
  • If used, Blood Boiling AspectBlood Boiling Aspect will Overpower a Skill every 20 seconds. Try to only use this effect on PulverizePulverize.
  • If used, XanXan rune can periodically give Critical Overpowers. Just be careful to only use this on PulverizePulverize.
  • A natural 3% chance for any non-channeled Skill to Overpower.

There’s several damage multipliers to Overpower, including Survival InstinctsSurvival Instincts, Raging PulverizeRaging Pulverize and Ursine StrengthUrsine Strength. Max Life and Fortify amount scales the Overpower strikes further. We get Max Life from Gear and Paragon, and Fortify from SafeguardSafeguard and Skinwalker's AspectSkinwalker’s Aspect.

Supporting Skills are Blood HowlBlood Howl, Poison CreeperPoison Creeper, and Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark:

  • Blood HowlBlood Howl gives Attack Speed and is also the method to refresh Werewolf buffs like Heightened SensesHeightened Senses.
  • Poison CreeperPoison Creeper periodically poisons enemies, and the active Skill use Immobilizes and Poisons enemies in a wide area.
  • Earthen BulwarkEarthen Bulwark is another defensive layer, also applying Unstoppable.

This build uses PetrifyPetrify as its Ultimate Skill. It is a welcome Crowd Control, Spirit Generator, and heavy Critical Strike Damage multiplier. At rank 5, it will also reset the cooldown on any non-Ultimate Skills.

The Key Passive for this build is Ursine StrengthUrsine Strength, for the consistent damage multiplier, Overpower damage, and Max life.

Bestial RampageBestial Rampage can potentially be faster play during speedfarming in combination with Wildheart HungerWildheart Hunger, but requires constant shapeshifting between Werebear and Werewolf to maintain the bonuses. This can be a disruptive combination.

Paragon

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 Shifter Pulverize Druid are listed above. The following section goes over some explanations and descriptions for the pathing process for the Shifter Pulverize 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 nodes like BulwarkBulwark and Nature-bornNature-born.
    • Resistance Nodes increase resistance against non-physical attacks.
    • Armor goals are reached with the help of Armor nodes like SpearheadSpearhead.
  • Build Functionality – The paragon boards improve Spirit Generation for the build from a few sources, including:
    • Various Max Spirit and Spirit on kill Magic and Rare nodes on the Ancestral GuidanceAncestral Guidance board.
    • Intelligence nodes increase Spirit Generation.

Spirit Generation

This build is a Basic Attack and Spender alternating build; cast your Basic Skill, cast your PulverizePulverize. Spirit is managed from a variety of sources:

  1. Resource Cost Reduction on 2-handed weapon, and Spirit Generation Tempers on Rings.
  2. Paragon Nodes in Ancestral GuidanceAncestral Guidance for Spirit on Kill, Spirit Generation and Max Spirit.
  3. The Wolf’s Spirit Boon Energize.
  4. Casts of ClawClaw.

This is generally sufficient in the Endgame to maintain the Spirit balance for an Alternator playstyle. However, if these are insufficient sources while leveling and gearing, consider using one or more of the following supplementary options:


Changelog

  • 19 Jan, 2025: Updated for on Season 7 and Patch 2.1 updates. Two tab paragon board introduced.
  • 15 October, 2024: Updated for new onsite Paragon Tool.
  • 27 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. Small changes to weapon type and optional unique item recommendations.
  • 5 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.
  • May 6, 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. Paragon Board redesigned for better Damage Reduction and output.
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