Build notes: |
July 01, 2023 -Build created |
Build Overview
Storm Claw Druid is one of the more interesting builds as it uses two Basic Skills to do the heavy lifting - Claw and Storm Strike. Storm Strike will be automatically triggered on Claw use so that you can spend most of the time Shapeshifted into a Werewolf. It synergizes extremely well with Grizzly Rage Ultimate Skill and Dire Wolf's Aspect. It's achieved by equipping a Unique Greatstaff of the Crone - it's a mandatory item if you want to run this build. The game provides an unusually high amount of tools you can implement to increase your Basic Skill's Damage like Topaz Gem in w weapon's slot or Aspect of Might. The build also values high Attack Speed, Lucky Hit Chance, and Critical Strike modifiers which result in a lot of damage after allocating Lupine Ferocity Key Passive. The multiple Items, Skills, and Paragon nodes improve your Survivability, especially Damage Reduction, so even despite the short range, the character is very hard to kill.
Please keep in mind, that the following Guide explains the basic variant of the build, without diving into all alternative variants that may utilize different utility skills for various benefits. This will be obviously updated as we have a chance to test out this build properly in the actual game.
You can also check our other Diablo 4 Builds
Pros | Cons |
extremely durable due to many items and skills granting Damage Reduction and Fortify | has a short range |
has a Vulnerability source and many CCs | mediocre clear speed and damage |
nearly-permanent uptime of Ultimate Ability which vastly improves the overall performance |
Skills
STORM STRIKE [5/5] |
You won't use it directly, but it will be triggered on hit with Claw due to the Greatstaff of the Crone Weapon. It causes a chaining lightning strike that hits 3 enemies and grants a 25% Damage Reduction for 3 seconds. With Tempest Roar, it's also a Werewolf Skill - it synergizes with Key Passive. Modifiers:
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CLAW [5/5] |
Due to the Greatstaff of the Crone, it's a Strom Skill and one of the two main damaging abilities. It's a simple Attack you perform as a Warewolf to proc Storm Strike and to deal Physical Damge. Modifiers:
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CYCLONE ARMOR [1/5] |
Its passive component grants you a 10% Non-Physical Damage Reduction. When activated, it deals low damage and Knocks Back enemies around the character. Modifiers:
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BLOOD HOWL [1/5] |
You can use it as a Werewolf to Heal for 20% of your Maximum Life. It has a 15-second Cooldown. Use it offensively too due to selected modifiers. Modifiers:
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DEBILITATING ROAR [1/5] |
Reduces Damage of nearby enemies by 70% for 4 seconds. It has a 22-second Cooldown and uses Werebear form. With Aspect of Dark Howl, it's a Werewolf Skill instead. Modifiers:
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HURRICANE [4/5] |
A Hurricane that deals a lot of Physical Damage around your character for 8 seconds. It has a 22-second Cooldown. Modifiers:
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GRIZZLY RAGE [5/5] |
The Ultimate Skill with a 50-second Cooldown. It changes you into a Werebear, and For the next 12 seconds, it grants an x20% damage bonus and a 20% Damage Reduction. The damage bonus gets increased by 3% each second while in a Dire Werebear form. Kills extend its duration by 1 second each, by up to 10 extra seconds. With Rampaging Beast Aspect (which is mandatory) it will Shapeshift you into a Werewolf instead. Modifiers:
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Passive Skills
PREDATORY INSTINCT [3/3] |
Increases Crit Chance against Close enemies by +6%. |
ANCESTRAL FORTITUDE [1/3] |
Non-Physical Resistances get increased by 5%. |
VIGILANCE [3/3] |
After using a Defensive Skill (Blood How, Debilitating Roar, and Cyclone Armour), gain a 15% Damage Reduction for 6 seconds. |
ELEMENTAL EXPOSURE [3/3] |
When you land a Lucky Hit, your Storm Skills have a 10% Chance of making enemies Vulnerable for 3 seconds. |
ENDLESS TEMPEST [3/3] |
The Duration of the Hurricane and Catalysm gets increased by 15%. |
BAD OMEN [3/3] |
When you land a Lucky Hit, you have up to a 30% Chance to Hit them with a Lightning Bolt if they're also Vulnerable, Stunned, or Immobilized. |
NEUROTOXIN [2/3] |
Poisoned enemies are Slowed by 16%. |
TOXIC CLAWS [1/3] |
Critical Strikes with Werewolf Skills (Claw) cause Poison lasting for 4 seconds, its damage is insignificant. |
DEFIANCE [3/3] |
Nature Magic Skills (Hurricane, Cyclone Armor, Storm Strike) deal x12% increased damage to Elites. |
Key Passive
LUPINE FEROCITY |
Every 6th Werewolf Skill hit (which is applicable to Claws and Strom Strike (with the unique Helm on)), Strikes Critically and deals x70% increased damage. |
Spirit Boons
WARINESS |
Makes you take 10% Reduced Damage from Elites, one of the deadliest types of foes. |
SWOOPING ATTACKS |
Grants +10% Attack Speed so you can use Claw more frequently. |
CALAMITY |
Extends the Duration of Grizzly Rage by 25% which yields many benefits, you may even be able to use it on every pack of enemies. |
MASOCHISTIC |
Critical Strikes with Claw heal you for 3% of Maximum Life - great with Crit Chance and Attack Speed. |
CALM BEFORE THE STORM |
Lucky Hits have a 10% Chance of reducing Grizzly Rage by 2 seconds. Claw has already a high base Lucky Hit Chance so it's all tied together nicely with Attack Speed. |
Items
Here's the stat priority list. Helm and Weapon are Unique - it's the Tempest Roar and Greatstaff of the Crone. In your other gear pieces prioritize CDR, Maximum Life, Critical Damage, Crit Chance, Attack Speed, Damage Reduction, and Lucky Hit Chance. Enemies should be Close to you, Slowed, and Vulnerable most of the time. You'll spend a lot of, if not all time in a Werewolf form.
Chose Topaz Gem in a Weapon slot for more Damage with Basic Skills. Use Sapphire Gem in your Armor for damage reduction while you're Fortified, or Ruby for Maximum Life. For the Jewelry, choose Skull for the increased Armor. |
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RECOMMENDED UNIQUE ITEMS |
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Tempest Roar (Helm) - It suits this build perfectly. Grants solid offensive and defensive bonuses, but most importantly, Base Storm Skills are now Werewolf Skill, which is extremely good with your Key Passive. |
+Damage while Shapeshifted +Poison Resistance +Maximum Spirit +Life on Kill +Lucky Hit: Storm Skills have up to a [15 - 25%] chance to grant 4 Spirit. Your base Storm Skills are now also Werewolf Skills |
Greatstaff of the Crone (Chest Armor) - With this on, Claw is a Strom Skill, and it casts Storm Strike on use, which deals up to 150% of its normal damage. It's very important. |
+Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies +Damage to Close Enemies +Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies +Non-Physical Damage +Ranks to Claw +Claw is now a Storm Skill and also casts Storm Strike at [120 - 150%] normal damage. |
CODEX OF POWER |
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Mandatory/Heavily recommended Aspects
Optional Aspects
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Paragon
1st Board - Starting Board Nodes - Allocate Willpower around the Glyph socket and all the Rare nodes in the board. Glyphs - Werewolf Glyph increases damage and Damage Reduction while in a Werewolf form |
2nd Board - Inner Beast Board Nodes - Allocate Magic nodes around the Glyph socket. The Inner Beast node reduces Spirit costs after Shapeshifting. Glyphs - Fang and Claw make close enemies receive more damage from you while in a Werewolf or Werebear form. |
3rd Board - Thunderstruck Board Nodes - The Legendary node makes Storm Skills deal increased Crit Damage against Vulnerable enemies. Get Dexterity from around the socket. Glyphs - Exploit increases damage against Vulnerable targets. It also ensures that every hit once per 20 seconds per enemy makes them Vulnerable for 3 seconds. |
4th Board - Heightened Malice Board Nodes - Heightened Malice node is great with Poison, which you can apply easily - makes you deal increased damage while there are 3 Poisoned enemies nearby. Glyphs - Spirit increases Crit Damage per Dexterity in range and increases your damage against targets you Strike Critically - great against bosses or with a high Crit Chance and Attack Speed. |
5th Board - Lust for Carnage Board Nodes - The Legendary node grants you 2 Spirit on Critical Strike while in a Werewolf form. It's extremely good. Glyphs - Territorial grants Damage Reduction from Close enemies, and increases your Damage to Close enemies per Dexterity in range. |
END NOTE This is the beta version of our Storm Claw Druid Build for Diablo 4. The game has just launched so we expect all of the Guides will require constant updates when we get to test all the builds properly. Make sure to check out the Guides regularly to keep track of all the changes! If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback. |
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