PvP Fury Druid D2R Build Guide

Introduction

This guide has been made to meet the demand for updated information on Fury Wolf Druids since recent updates to Wereform Druids in Diablo 2 Resurrected. Please note that while the guide is geared towards PvP, this guide contains general information for anyone interested in Werewolf Druids, for optimising and considering all aspects, including new breakpoint requirements.

Recent changes to Werewolf Druids have resulted in an overhaul of their IAS calculations and the removal of several restrictions. These changes include an increased attack speed cap and a significant boost to attack rating bonuses. As a result, Fury Wolf Druids can now wield a wider range of weapons and gear than before, providing them with more flexibility and combat effectiveness.

Prior to these changes, Fury Wolf Druids were limited to using only specific weapon types that allowed them to attack at a reasonable speed. This disadvantage severely limited their combat effectiveness in comparison to other Melee classes. However, with the recent changes to their IAS calculations, Fury Wolf Druids can now gain IAS from all gear and are capable of using a broader range of weapons, including those that hit harder and are accessible to other Melee classes.

The purpose of this guide is to provide updated information on how to build a successful Fury Wolf Druid in Diablo II: Resurrected. The guide includes various gear recommendations and in-depth analysis of skill and attribute builds that will enable players to create a PvP-ready Fury Wolf Druid capable of taking on any challenger.

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Skill Considerations

Shapeshifting: 

When building a Fury Wolf in D2R, it is essential to focus on the Shapeshifting Skill Tree, maximizing the Werewolf, Lycanthropy, and Fury skills. Additionally, you should invest in the Summoning Skill Tree and max Oak Sage to increase your life.

Elemental: 

The Elemental Skill Tree should also be considered, with Cyclone Armor taking priority. Any remaining skill points can be distributed between Twister, Tornado, and Hurricane to enhance Cyclone Armor.

Summons:
Max Oak Sage for a significant life and survivability boost.


Stat Allocation:

When it comes to stat allocation, it is recommended to distribute points into strength for your gear requirements, enough dexterity for Max Block (75%), and the rest into Vitality. In rare cases, you may need to use attribute points for strength to wear certain gear (for example, to wear a higher strength requirement armor base or Stormshield).

Gear

Main Weapon:

Before diving into the weapons themselves, it's important to understand the general strategy for weapon selection. Against high defense opponents like Zealots, BvB, and Smiters, you'll want a high attack rating setup, while against low defense opponents, you'll want high damage and crushing blow setups due to your reduced chance to miss attacks.

Let's take a look at some commonly available uniques and runewords proven to work for Shapeshifting Fury Druid:

Ethereal Breath of the Dying Berserker Axe

This is a hard-hitting, high-damage weapon which allows us to reach 4 frames with our IAS. It's the de facto Shapeshifter weapon. With 58 additional IAS on gear at Level 42 Werewolf, you can reach your desired IAS breakpoint.

Ethereal Breath of the Dying War Spike 

This is a faster weapon which when equipped, can achieve 3 frame attack rate. You can achieve the fastest attack speed by obtaining 53 additional IAS on gear at Level 42 Werewolf. This is typically done by using Highlord's, 1x jewel with 15IAS, and 20IAS from your glove slot.

Ethereal Rune Master Ettin Axe 

An interesting unique item that provides additional socket slots for versatility and high damage.

Ethereal Death Cleaver Berserker Axe

An Ethereal Death Cleaver with Zod can also be considered as a high damage alternative.

Helmets:

Cerberus’ Bite: The most popular choice is Cerebus’ Bite, which is widely used for its attack rating boost and significant bonus to plus shapeshifting skills. This helmet can be socketed with a variety of max damage, Increased attack speed and Enhanced damage jewels. Alternatively a Ber rune can be socketed for Damage Reduction. It is important to note that the Shape Shifting skills (2-4) and high % Bonus to Attack Rating (60-12) are the most important stat components on this helmet if you’re looking to purchase one.

Guillaume's Face: Another great option is Guillame’s Face, which is the helmet of choice for fury versus melee duels due to its Crushing Blow. This helmet can be socketed with similar options as Cerebus’ Bite.

Rare Helmets: Rare helmets with a combination of the listed mods, have become popular and are an optional helm for Shapeshifters.
(3 Shapeshifting or 2 Druid/ 3 Fury/ FHR / Life / Resistances / 1-2 Sockets)

Jalal’s: This is your budget alternative and provides useful mods for a Shapeshifter.

Belts:

• Verdungo's: This is the de facto belt for D2R Fury Druids. It provides FHR, and also has important Damage Reduction.
• Immortal King’s: This belt and gloves combination provides 25% additional IAS, making it the only way to hit desired IAS breakpoints with certain slow weapons. The massive strength and dexterity on the items can also add significant hit points.

 Gloves:

• Steelrends: These gloves are a very common choice, especially for maximising damage. They are typically used when you don't need IAS on your gloves.
• Bloodfists: IAS and FHR for required breakpoints, as well as some useful melee buffs.
• Immortal King’s: This is to combine with Immortal King’s belt to hit required IAS breakpoints if required and provides a very cheap alternative.

Boots:

Gore Riders: These are an all-around best option. The Open Wounds, Crushing Blow, and Deadly Strike are absurdly synergistic to a Shapeshifter. If strength allows, consider Upgrading this item base using the Horadric Cube.

• Goblin Toes: These boots have 25% Crushing Blow, which is useful when paired with Guillaume’s Face, providing a suitable alternative to Gore Riders.

Shields:

Stormshield: This is really the de facto defensive focussed shield for all max-block characters. Consider socketing based on your breakpoint requirements, with max damage jewels being the priority if desired breakpoints are achieved without use of this socket.

Amulets:

Highlords is our de facto choice, providing much needed 20IAS and deadlystrike based on a one percent per one third of your character level.

• Angelics set including rings and amulet is a budget option that will require ‘Cannot be Frozen’ from another slot to replace Ravenfrost. 

Rings:

One ring slot should always be assigned to Ravenfrost unless you are opting into the Angelics set; ideally look for high AR and Dexterity. 

• Crafted and Rare rings provide strong options for your second slot. Look for these attributes (Attack rating, Strength, Dexterity, Life and Resistances). 
• A second Ravenfrost is a good budget option for your second ring slot. 

Weapon Switch

For your swap gear, the standard Call to Arms and Spirit combo is recommended.

Charms:

• A Torch and Annihulus Annihilus are recommended (as per any D2R character). 

For the rest of your inventory, you have a few different options:

• Shapeshifting (additional life mods or FHR desirable; FRW is also an option for additional mobility
• A physical sunder can be considered for PvM, noting this build is not designed for PvM. Likewise with Gheeds Grand Charm. 

• Ideal small charms will be some combination of this depending on your desired goals
  (Up to 3 max damage / up to 20ar / up to Life) 

(Up to 3 max damage / up to 20ar / 5FHR)

(FRW small charms with additional mods) 

Faster Hit Recovery and Blocking
Faster Hit Recovery (FHR) and Faster Block Rate (FBR) are two important aspects of the Shapeshifting Fury Druid's survival in PvP combat. Achieving the optimal breakpoints for FHR and FBR is crucial for the Druid's ability to quickly recover from enemy hits and block incoming attacks. In this guide, we will discuss the optimal breakpoints and strategies for achieving them.

Faster Hit Recovery (FHR)

FHR determines the amount of time it takes for a character to recover from a hit and resume attacking or defending. The FHR breakpoint table for the Shapeshifted Werewolf is as follows:

The chance of being put into FHR is based on the amount of damage done to the total life base of the character. The following table outlines the chances of being put into FHR based on the amount of damage taken:

For the average dueler, most attacks will fall into the 37.5% chance to cause FHR once the Druid has approximately 8,000 life. It is not necessary to go for the fastest breakpoint.

Faster Block Rate (FBR)

FBR determines how quickly a character can block incoming attacks with a shield. The FBR breakpoint table for the Shapeshifted Werewolf is as follows:

Since almost all Shapeshifting Fury Druid builds will use Stormshield, the most relevant breakpoints are 27% and 48%. It is recommended to aim for one of these breakpoints to optimize the Druid's blocking ability.

Strategies for Achieving Optimal FHR and FBR Breakpoints

To achieve the optimal FHR and FBR breakpoints, Druids can use a combination of equipment, charms, and skill points. Here are some strategies for achieving optimal breakpoints:

1. Equipment: Decide on your core gear and calculate FHR and FBR before adding ancillary charms, jewels and runes. 
2. Charms: Use small charms with FHR bonuses, to make up for item deficiencies. 
3. Skill points: Invest skill points into Werewolf Form and Lycanthropy to increase the Druid's life and thus reduce the chance of being put into FHR. 
4. Maxing out Lycanthropy also increases the Druid's FBR.

Conclusion:
The information in this guide should enable you to start theorycrafting for your ideal Shapeshifter build; the meta is evolving and the Shapeshifter has emerged as a competitive PvP build worth trialing, for new and experienced users alike. Given the viability of budget options for gear, cheaper build variants can still be effective, unlike some end-game D2R builds which require expensive, core gear.