d4DruidEndgameGuideStormWerewolfSeason 6

Lightning Storm – Druid Build for Diablo 4

Strike in a flash of lightning!

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Cyclone ArmorEarthen BulwarkBlood HowlCataclysmMaulLightning Storm


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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.

Season 6: Lightning StormLightning Storm now has a dedicated Weapon temper for Chance to deal double Damage.

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 is now more reliably giving the extra lightning strike, and 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 30% Critical Strike Damage.
Swooping AttacksEagleGain 15% Attack Speed.
CalamityWolfExtend the duration of Ultimate Skills by 25%.
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 Wolf’s Energize for Spirit management. Replaces Calamity.

Paragon Board

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

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 least level 15+ in radius. Pathing should prioritize placing your Glyphs and Legendary Nodes, then filling out the rest of the paths to take the Magic and Rare nodes. Total Boards placed are now limited to a max of 5; the Starter Board and four Class Boards.

Click this link to see the Paragon Board in its entirety! Paragon Board images are courtesy of d4builds.gg.

Starting Board

For the Starting Board, path up, placing the HeadhunterHeadhunter Glyph into the Glyph Socket.

Lust for Carnage

For the second board, choose Lust for Carnage, placed from the Starting Board, rotated once. Take the Legendary Node Lust for CarnageLust for Carnage and socket the WerewolfWerewolf Glyph.

Ancestral Guidance

For the third board, choose Ancestral Guidance, placed against the Lust for Carnage board’s right side, rotated twice. Socket the FulminateFulminate Glyph and take the Legendary Node Ancestral GuidanceAncestral Guidance.

Thunderstruck

For the fourth board, choose Thunderstruck, placed against the left side of the Lust for Carnage board, rotated once. Socket the Earth and SkyEarth and Sky Glyph.

Heightened Malice

For the final board, choose Heightened Malice, placed against the bottom side of the Thunderstruck board, rotated three times. Take the Legendary Node Heightened MaliceHeightened Malice and socket the SpiritSpirit Glyph.

For a more defensive setup, exchange FulminateFulminate for TerritorialTerritorial.

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

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
1 Handed DaggerGrand EmeraldGrand EmeraldAccelerating AspectAccelerating Aspect OR (Defensive Optionalv Mythic) DoombringerDoombringerCritical Strikes with Core Skills increase your Attack Speed by 10-30% for 5 seconds.
TotemGrand EmeraldGrand EmeraldAspect of the Changeling's DebtAspect of the Changeling’s DebtYou deal 25-65% increased damage while hitting a Poisoned enemy as a Werebear or a Crowd Controlled enemy as a Werewolf.
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(Optional Minmax 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 RetaliationAspect of RetaliationYour Core Skills deal up to 35-75% increased damage based on your amount of Fortify.
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 OR Aspect of the UnsatiatedAspect of the UnsatiatedSpending 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.

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
One-Handed DaggerWillpower
Maximum Life
Critical Strike Damage
Resource Cost Reduction
Spirit on Kill
Storm AugmentsStorm Augments – Chance for Lightning Storm to Deal Double Damage
Storm FinesseStorm Finesse – Storm Critical Strike Chance
One Handed Sword- (Defensive Optional Mythic) DoombringerDoombringerAll Stats
Maximum Life%
Damage Reduction
Lucky Hit: Chance to Heal
TotemWillpower
Critical Strike Chance
Cooldown Reduction
Maximum Life
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.

Runewords

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 combination options for the Lightning Storm Druid, placed in Armor slots:

Standard

Runeword CombinationRuneword Effects
Lith YomLithLith – Gain: 25 Offering. Stand still for 0.3 seconds while fighting.
WatWat Requires: 100 Offering Cooldown: 1 Second. 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.

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

Other more offensive setups could trade Que for options such as Ohm for War CryWar Cry, Kry for VortexVortex or Gar for Critical Strike Chance.

Depending on the content, other Runes may give more Offering than LithLith or XolXol, such as MoniMoni for Skill after Moving, 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!

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, Toxic ClawsToxic Claws, and synergize with other Unique Items Mad Wolf's GleeMad Wolf’s Glee.
  • (Required) Unsung Ascetic's WrapsUnsung Ascetic’s Wraps gives extra Lightning Strikes and double-strikes on Critical Strike.
  • (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 Minmax) – 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.
  • (Recommended) The Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng grants a high damage multiplier during CataclysmCataclysm and makes Lightning StormLightning Storm cost zero Spirit. See the Cataclysm and Spirit Management section for more information about CataclysmCataclysm uptime.

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) Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies is a powerful Resource Cost Reduction tool and damage multiplier with exellent Gear Affixes. Replaces Aspect of the UnsatiatedAspect of the Unsatiated. The damage buff will stack even while using Mjölnic RyngMjölnic Ryng.
  • (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.
  • (Optional Defensive) Tyrael's MightTyrael’s Might – High Defensive capability usable in high push content. Damage loss to Mad Wolf's GleeMad Wolf’s Glee.

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 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 6: Season of Hatred Rising

The following list details the important changes in the Season 6 Patch Updates that are specific to the Lightning Storm Druid. For general Season 6 information, check out our Season 6 Hub.

Itemization:

Skills and Stats:

  • Paragon Boards are now limited to 5 boards; the Starter Board and up to four Class Boards.
  • Several Paragon Boards have shifted their nodes around.
  • New Skill Passives including Feral AptitudeFeral Aptitude.
  • QuickshiftQuickshift – New Effect – Shapeshifting into a new animal form grants 1/2/3% increased damage, up to 6/12/18%. This bonus is lost after 3 seconds in Human form.
  • Heightened SensesHeightened Senses – New Effect – When Shapeshifting, Werebear grants 3/6/9% Damage Reduction and Werewolf grants 2/4/6% Movement Speed. Both bonuses persist as long as you are in either animal form and are doubled while both are active. They are lost after 3 seconds in Human form.
  • Bestial RampageBestial Rampage – New Effect – When Shapeshifting, Werebear grants 30% increases damage and Werewolf grants 20% Attack Speed. Both bonuses persist as long as you are in either animal form, but are lost after 3 seconds in Human form.
  • CataclysmCataclysm – Lightning Strike damage increased from 95% to 115% Weapon Damage. Lightning Strikes now cannot hit the same target more than once every 0.5 seconds.
  • Ancestral GuidanceAncestral Guidance increased from 30% to 40%.
  • Lust for CarnageLust for Carnage now also gives 50% more damage to Werewolf Critical Strikes.

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, Inner BeastInner Beast, Endless TempestEndless Tempest ranks and 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 with images 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.
  • FlickerstepFlickerstep for Ultimate Cooldown Reduction when evading through enemies. This competes with other good options and as such is not a default choice.
  • Zec rune of Invocation can give more Cooldown Reduction on Cataclysm.

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 Swooping Attacks.
  • 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

  • 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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