Build Introduction
Smash through the enemies of Sanctuary with the Pulverize Druid: Puddle Edition! This is your guide for the balanced and dependable  Pulverize Druid. This is a poisonous
Pulverize Druid. This is a poisonous  Grizzly Rage build leveraging the Unique Item
Grizzly Rage build leveraging the Unique Item  Rotting Lightbringer, splashing and attacking with a high volume of Overpowered puddles.
Rotting Lightbringer, splashing and attacking with a high volume of Overpowered puddles. 
Just starting on your druid adventure? Try out the Pulverize Leveling Build and swap to this one at Level 60.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Simple smashy gameplay.
- Leveling friendly, low requirements.
- Grizzly Rage cooldown management.
- Has some resource management to balance.
Build Requirements
The following Legendary Aspects are required for build functionality to get started on the Pulverize Druid.
 Aspect of the Ursine Horror
Aspect of the Ursine HorrorSeveral Unique Items enhance the gameplay for the build but are not required for its function. Check out the Uniques section for more information.
This is a  Grizzly Rage build! Read up on managing your Ultimate Skill here.
Grizzly Rage build! Read up on managing your Ultimate Skill here.
Quick Navigation
This guide covers everything necessary to get started on the  Pulverize Druid, including Skill Tree points, Paragon, Gearing, and Seasonal updates. Jump to the sections you’re looking for here.
Pulverize Druid, including Skill Tree points, Paragon, Gearing, and Seasonal updates. Jump to the sections you’re looking for here.
Skill Bar and Skill Tree Points
If you are missing skill points, complete Renown events in each zone. See how these Skills play in the Rotation and Gameplay section.
Druid Class Mechanic – Spirit Boons
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 Name | Animal | Effect | 
|---|---|---|
| Gift of the Stag | Deer | Gain 30 Spirit. Gain 10 Spirit Per Second. | 
| Swooping Attack | Eagle | Gain 20% Attack Speed. | 
| Avian Wrath | Eagle | Gain x40% Critical Strike damage. | 
| Energize | Wolf | Lucky Hit: Dealing damage has up to a 15% chance to fully restore your Spirit. | 
| Obsidian Slam | Snake | Every 6th attack cast will cause your next Earth Skill to Overpower. | 
Druid’s primary resource is Spirit. See the Spirit Management Section on how to keep casting!
Gear, Stats, Gems, and Runes
Check these sections for all important Pulverize gearing considerations to improve the power of your character in the endgame.
Seasonal Players, please check out our Season 10 Mechanics Section for information on Chaos Armors and ideal Chaos Armor setups.
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. Combine these with the right stat priorities.
| Slot | Aspect | Unique/Legendary Power | 
|---|---|---|
| 2 Handed Mace | Unique –  Rotting Lightbringer | If no puddle is around you, Pulverize forms a puddle that guarantees its own Overpowers and deals 200-600% of its normal damage as Poisoning over 7 seconds. Pulverize causes all close puddles to splash 20-60% of their total damage within their areas and around them. Pulverize radius increase will affect the size of the puddle and its splashes. | 
| Helm | Mythic –  Heir of Perdition Unique –  Vasily’s Prayer | 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. | 
| Chest | Mythic –  Shroud of False DeathUnique –  Insatiable Fury | If you haven’t attacked in the last 2 seconds, gain Stealth and 40% Movement Speed. | 
| Gloves |  Shockwave Aspect | Pulverize creates a shockwave that travels forward, dealing 80-120% of its damage to targets in the path. | 
| Pants |  Tibault’s Will | You deal 10-20% increased damage while Unstoppable and for 5 seconds after. When you become Unstoppable, gain 50 of your Primary Resource. | 
| Boots |  Aspect of the Ursine Horror | Pulverize is now also an Earth Skill. After it Overpowers, your Earth Skill Cooldowns are reduced by 0.5-1.5 seconds. | 
| Amulet |  Aspect of the Rabid Bear | While Grizzy Rage is active, your direct damage is converted into Poison damage, you deal 40-80% more Poison damage, and you passively spread Rabies. | 
| Ring 1 |  Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast | The duration of Grizzly Rage is increased by 3-10 seconds. In addition, Critical Strikes while Grizzly Rage is active increase your Critical Strike Damage by 5% for the duration, up to a maximum of 100%. | 
| Ring 2 | Mythic –  Ring of Starless Skies  Aspect of the Changeling’s Debt | Spending your Primary Resource reduces the Resource cost of your Skills and increases your damage by 10% for 3 seconds, up to 50%. | 
See how this build compares to the rest at our Endgame Build Tier List.
Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes
Each line of affixes is listed in order of importance, and some alternatives are given. The bolded affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades. Check the Tempering guide and Masterworking guide for more details about these topics.
| Slot | Gearing Affixes | Tempering Affixes | 
|---|---|---|
| 2 Handed Mace –  Rotting Lightbringer | Willpower% Poison Damage Chance for Cast Pulverize Twice Resource Cost Reduction | |
| Helm –  Heir of Perdition | Critical Strike Chance Lucky Hit Chance Movement Speed Ranks to Core Skills | |
| Helm –  Vasily’s Prayer | Maximum Life Willpower% Ranks in Defensive Posture Armor | |
| Chest –  Shroud of False Death | All Stats Maximum Life Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth Resource Generation | |
| Chest –  Insatiable Fury | Max Life Werebear Overpower Damage Ursine Strength’s Bonuses Ranks to  Iron Fur | |
| Gloves – Legendary Aspect | Ranks to  Pulverize Attack Speed Willpower All Resistance Lucky Hit: Chance to make enemies Vulnerable |  Shapeshifting Finesse – Werebear Overpower  Werebear Innovation – Pulverize Size | 
| Pants –  Tibault’s Will | All Stats Maximum Life Maximum Resource Damage Reduction while Unstoppable | |
| Boots – Legendary Aspect | Movment Speed Willpower Max Life All Resistance |  Druid Motion – Movement Speed  Werebear Innovation – Pulverize Size | 
| Amulet | Willpower% Ranks to  Envenom Ranks to  Quickshift Ranks to  Toxic Claws |  Werebear Innovation – Pulverize Size  Ultimate Efficiency —  Druid – Grizzly Rage Cooldown Reduction | 
| Ring –  Ring of Starless Skies | Attack Speed Critical Strike Chance Lucky Hit Chance Ranks to Core Skills | |
| Rings – Legendary Aspect | Critical Strike Chance Willpower Attack Speed Maximum Life Resource Cost Reduction |  Shapeshifting Finesse – Werebear Overpower  Ultimate Efficiency —  Druid – Grizzly Rage Cooldown Reduction | 
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 Aspect. For Seasonal Players with
Juggernaut’s Aspect. For Seasonal Players with  Brawn Over Brains, Armor cap is reduced to 795 armor.
Brawn Over Brains, Armor cap is reduced to 795 armor. 
Max Size Temper increases are capped at 100% total.
There are three options for Offensive Tempers:
- Earth Critical Strike Chance is the most valuable until you have capped your crit. Seasonal players will use  Purge the Infected for an easy full Critical Strike. For eternal players, Crit can be capped at a higher paragon after getting your Purge the Infected for an easy full Critical Strike. For eternal players, Crit can be capped at a higher paragon after getting your Ring of Starless Skies and Ring of Starless Skies and Heir of Perdition. Heir of Perdition.
- Once you do not need more Crit Chance, Offensive Temper for Werebear Overpower.
- For quality of life during content like bossing, or in content where things aren’t dying promptly,  Grizzly Rage Duration can be a valid Offensive Temper. Grizzly Rage Duration can be a valid Offensive Temper.
Both Willpower% and Chance to Pulverize Twice are valid mastercrafts. Willpower% can pull ahead at very high gear levels and paragon, where Chance to Pulverize Twice’s second attack increases total splash count.
For information on Legendary Aspects and the updated Codex of Power, see here.
After gearing, look at progression systems like Paragon next.
Uniques and Mythic Uniques
The following Unique items are recommended for the Pulverize Druid.
 Rotting Lightbringer places puddles that deal Poisoning damage over time, lasting 7 seconds each. Subsequent Casts of Pulverize will send Splashes from Puddles, dealing high damage. Rotting Lightbringer places puddles that deal Poisoning damage over time, lasting 7 seconds each. Subsequent Casts of Pulverize will send Splashes from Puddles, dealing high damage.- More than one puddle can be active at a time, just not overlapped.
- There are two kinds of splashes: Puddle Splashes that resonate from the puddle on Pulverize cast, and Splash Projectiles that are sent out from the center of the puddle to impact near the edge of the puddle.
- Puddles and their Splashes increase with Pulverize Size temper.
 - Damage of the base puddle is not significant (Normal Damage).
- Splashes will be the highest damage for the build. Splashes always Overpower.
 - The initial hit that triggers a puddle will have a standard Overpower chance. Options like Obsidian Slam and  Provocation are still taken to help fill these gaps. Provocation are still taken to help fill these gaps.
- Pulverize hits inside the puddle will always Overpower, but have normal Critical Strike Chance.
 - General Strategy for using  Rotting Lightbringer: Rotting Lightbringer:- In farm, simply keep smashing and moving. Puddles behind will send out splashes as you Pulverize, so most things will die as you go.
- In Push, gather multiple packs, place several puddles nearby, and smash until enemies are dead.
- Vs bosses, place puddles nearby with the boss generally centralized around them, maximizing the number of potential splashes and projectiles to hit them. It will look like you are circling them.
 
 
- (Before Mythic)  Insatiable Fury gives Skill ranks to all Werebear Skills, including Insatiable Fury gives Skill ranks to all Werebear Skills, including Pulverize, and the ranks to Pulverize, and the ranks to Iron Fur are a welcome defensive boost. Iron Fur are a welcome defensive boost.
-   Tibault’s Will offers strong gear affixes and an always active multiplier thanks to Grizzly Rage. The Damage Reduction while Unstoppable is a large category for survival. Tibault’s Will offers strong gear affixes and an always active multiplier thanks to Grizzly Rage. The Damage Reduction while Unstoppable is a large category for survival.
Mythic Unique Items
 Heir of Perdition has Strong Gear Affixes and a steady damage multiplier. The multiplier can be stolen occasionally from others who also use this helm for a higher damage multiplier. Heir of Perdition has Strong Gear Affixes and a steady damage multiplier. The multiplier can be stolen occasionally from others who also use this helm for a higher damage multiplier.
 Shroud 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. The high category for All Stats helps activate paragon Rare Node bonuses. Shroud 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. The high category for All Stats helps activate paragon Rare Node bonuses.
 Ring of Starless Skies is a powerful Resource Cost Reduction tool and damage multiplier, with strong Gear Affixes. Ring of Starless Skies is a powerful Resource Cost Reduction tool and damage multiplier, with strong Gear Affixes.
Check our Unique Item Target-farming guide for information on where to find everything you need.
Gems and Runewords
The following are the recommended Gem and Runeword setups for the Pulverize Druid.
Gems
| Weapon Gems | Armor Gems | Jewelry Gems | 
|---|---|---|
|  Grand Ruby for Overpower Damage |  Grand Sapphire for Willpower |  Grand Diamond for Resistance to all Elements | 
Runewords
Use these Runeword combinations, placed in a 2-Handed Weapon and one Armor slot.
| Runeword Combination | Runeword Effects | 
|---|---|
| Igni Yom |  Cir – Gain: 300 Offering. Cast 5 Skills, then become exhausted for 3 seconds.  Thul – Requires: 300 Offering. Overflow: Up to 100% Increased Size. Cooldown: 2 seconds. Invoke the Sorcerer’s Mystical Frost Nova Skill, inflicting Freeze and Vulnerable onto enemies. | 
| Cir Thul |  Cir – Gain: 300 Offering. Cast 5 Skills then become exhausted for 3 seconds.  Thul – Requires: 300 Offering. Overflow: Up to 100% Increased Size. Cooldown: 2 seconds. Invoke the Sorcerer’s Mystical Frost Nova Skill, inflicting Freeze and Vulnerable onto enemies. | 
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.
 Thul applies Vulnerable, a damage taken debuff, and Freezes enemies. It is targeted with the cursor with keyboard and mouse, or aimed at enemies in the direction of casting on the controller.
Thul applies Vulnerable, a damage taken debuff, and Freezes enemies. It is targeted with the cursor with keyboard and mouse, or aimed at enemies in the direction of casting on the controller. 
 Yom casts
Yom casts  Petrify, granting Resource and stunning enemies. This is useful for maintaining Seasonal Power Overabundance.
Petrify, granting Resource and stunning enemies. This is useful for maintaining Seasonal Power Overabundance. 
Other combinations also work; adjust to the content you are running.
- Pushing –  Qax can be a higher total damage option over Qax can be a higher total damage option over Thul, but needs a high Resource Cost Reduction Greater Affix on your Thul, but needs a high Resource Cost Reduction Greater Affix on your Rotting Lightbringer and Rotting Lightbringer and Ring of Starless Skies, or investment into Resource Generation like Ring of Starless Skies, or investment into Resource Generation like Reactive Ooze Arcana, Gift of the Stag, or Energize Spirit Boons. Reactive Ooze Arcana, Gift of the Stag, or Energize Spirit Boons.
- Speedfarming –  Bac Bac Jah for teleport is useful when farming. Jah for teleport is useful when farming.
- Bossing: Grizzly Rage Cooldown –  Zec can be useful when bossing, where Grizzly Rage likes to run out between attempts. Zec can be useful when bossing, where Grizzly Rage likes to run out between attempts.
- Spirit Management – If you have any spirit issues, use  Lum. Lum.
- Early Gearing – While leveling and gearing before legendary Runes become accessible, many Magic and Rare runewords, such as  Gar for Critical Strike Chance, will be viable. Gar for Critical Strike Chance, will be viable.
Paragon Board
The following are the preferred Glyphs, Boards, and pathing recommended for making the most of the 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 a stricter pathing to take almost 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 breakpoint increases. At level 15, the glyph grows in radius and gains a special effect. At level 46, the glyph grows to max radius and gains an additional damage multiplier.
Glyphs are placed as if they are at least level 15+ in radius. Rotate boards as necessary.
Season 10 Mechanics
Chaos Perks
Chaos Perks are the latest flavor of seasonal power, offering a selection of one Unique and 3 other powers of any combination. Perks are acquired from Seasonal Reputation or from Bartuc in Infernal Hordes. Here is the recommended setup for the Pulverize Druid:
| Power | Description | 
|---|---|
|  Brawn Over Brains | Gain the following: 100-200% Maximum Life +50-100% Healing Received 75-125% Overpower Damage However, your Maximum Resistances are reduced by 25%, and your damage reduction from Armor is capped at 60%. | 
|  Purge the Infected | Your Healing Potion is infused with the power of Chaos, granting you 100% Resource Cost Reduction, 40-80% increased Attack Speed and 40-80 increased Movement Speed for 5 seconds. Your Healing Potion has a 15 second Cooldown and you can drink it at full Life. Cooldown is now affects by Cooldown Reduction. | 
|  Overabundance | Every 100 Spirit you generate above your Maximum increases your damage by 50-100% for 5 seconds. This bonus stacks up to 3 times, but does not refresh. | 
|  Crazy Brew | Your Healing Potion is infused with the power of Chaos, granting you 100% Resource Cost Reduction, 40-80% increased Attack Speed and 40-80 increased Movement Speed for 5 seconds. Your Healing Potion has a 15 second Cooldown and you can drink it at full Life. | 
Chaos Armors
Chaos Armors are a selection of generic and class Unique Items that can drop as empowered versions in any Armor Slot besides their native slot. For example, a Chaotic Fists of Fate could drop as a helm, chest, pants, and boots. These items open many possibilities, but have a very large pool of items with low drop rates and are untradable, meaning a perfect setup may take a while, and many combinations will be effective in the meantime.
Fists of Fate could drop as a helm, chest, pants, and boots. These items open many possibilities, but have a very large pool of items with low drop rates and are untradable, meaning a perfect setup may take a while, and many combinations will be effective in the meantime.
The best Chaos Armor for the Pulverize Druid is  Rotting Lightbringer, opening up the weapon slot for a high Legendary Aspect multiplier. Other strong options to look for include
Rotting Lightbringer, opening up the weapon slot for a high Legendary Aspect multiplier. Other strong options to look for include  Banished Lord’s Talisman and
Banished Lord’s Talisman and  Fists of Fate.
Fists of Fate. 
The following is a recommended Chaotic setup for the Pulverize Druid. Recommended Masterworks will be in Bold.
| Slot | Aspect | Gear Affixes | Tempers | 
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Handed Mace |  Aspect of the Rabid Bear | Willpower Max Life Resource Cost Reduction Overpower Damage |  Werebear Augments – Chance to Pulverize Twice  Shapeshifting Finesse – Werebear Overpower Damage | 
| Helm |  Fists of Fate (Helm) (Replaced with  Heir of Perdition | Lucky Hit Chance Critical Strike Chance Attack Speed Lucky Hit: Chance to make enemies Vulnerable | |
| Chest |  Banished Lord’s Talisman (Chest Armor) (Replaced by  Shroud of False Death) | Maximum Life Overpower Damage Attack Speed Ranks to Core Skills | |
| Gloves |  Shockwave Aspect | Attack Speed Willpower Ranks to Pulverize Max Life |  Werebear Innovation – Pulverize Size  Werebear Innovation – Grizzly Rage Duration OR  Shapeshifting Finesse – Werebear Overpower Damage | 
| Pants |  Rotting Lightbringer (Pants) | Willpower% Poison Damage Chance for Cast Pulverize Twice Resource Cost Reduction | |
| Boots |  Aspect of the Ursine Horror | Movement Speed Willpower Max Life Armor Resist All |  Druid Motion – Movement Speed  Werebear Innovation – Pulverize Size | 
| Amulet |  Aspect of Retaliation | Willpower% Ranks to  Envenom Ranks to  Quickshift Ranks to  Toxic Claws |  Werebear Innovation – Pulverize Size  Ultimate Efficiency —  Druid – Grizzly Rage Cooldown Reduction | 
| Ring |  Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast | Willpower Attack Speed Maximum Life Resource Cost Reduction |  Shapeshifting Finesse – Grizzly Rage Duration  Ultimate Efficiency —  Druid – Grizzly Rage Cooldown Reduction | 
| Ring | Mythic –  Ring of Starless Skies  Aspect of the Changeling’s Debt | Willpower Attack Speed Maximum Life Resource Cost Reduction |  Shapeshifting Finesse – Grizzly Rage Duration  Ultimate Efficiency —  Druid – Grizzly Rage Cooldown Reduction | 
Other Chaotic Considerations
- Use  Song of the Mountain for extra armor as needed. Song of the Mountain for extra armor as needed.
 Purge the Infected‘s guaranteed Critical Strikes means we do not have to gear for Critical Strike Chance. Purge the Infected‘s guaranteed Critical Strikes means we do not have to gear for Critical Strike Chance.
- If you need more Spirit Generation to maintain 3 stacks of  Overabundance, swap in Overabundance, swap in Yom or Yom or Lum. Lum.
- Farm – Chaotic  Airidah’s Inexorable Will can be used during farm. Use the runeword setup Airidah’s Inexorable Will can be used during farm. Use the runeword setup Bac Bac Jah Jah Igni Igni Yom for Teleports and Petrifies that will bring enemies in. Yom for Teleports and Petrifies that will bring enemies in.
- Speedfarm – There is merit to just having an off-amulet to swap in with Movement Speed and Movement Speed Tempering on it for when you are not pushing.
 Aspect of the Ursine Horror is still required for applying the Earth Tag to Pulverize. Aspect of the Ursine Horror is still required for applying the Earth Tag to Pulverize.
- Gloves are staying non-Chaotic to leave room for a Legendary Aspect and Pulverize Size Temper.
- Highest Pit Push will probably look different from ideal general gameplay. These differences will likely be things like:  Dire Wolf’s Aspect on gloves and use another Chaos Armor on boots. This may be generally worse in most other gameplay because we like being move speed capped. Dire Wolf’s Aspect on gloves and use another Chaos Armor on boots. This may be generally worse in most other gameplay because we like being move speed capped.
 Heir of Perdition on helm. Heir of Perdition on helm.
 Shroud of False Death is worse damage than Shroud of False Death is worse damage than Fists of Fate (Chest Armor), but at a large survival difference, so only use it over Shroud if you have the survival. Fists of Fate (Chest Armor), but at a large survival difference, so only use it over Shroud if you have the survival.
- Weapon in that case could go either 2H Mace or Mace/Totem with  Shockwave Aspect and Shockwave Aspect and Aspect of Retaliation. Aspect of Retaliation.
 Shockwave Aspect, in general, is a flex choice; sometimes it makes puddles double hit, but only close ones hit by your Pulverizes, so this choice will be a fishing difference for larger bosses. Feel free to try out runs with or without Shockwave. Shockwave Aspect, in general, is a flex choice; sometimes it makes puddles double hit, but only close ones hit by your Pulverizes, so this choice will be a fishing difference for larger bosses. Feel free to try out runs with or without Shockwave.
 
Mercenaries
Main Mercenary – Varyana, the Berserker
- Skills:  Cleave, Cleave, Hysteria, Hysteria, Bloodthirst, Bloodthirst, Bloodlust Bloodlust
Reinforcement – Raheir, the Shieldbearer
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.
Hysteria and Bloodlust will both give strong Attack Speed bonuses. Crater will help group enemies.
Build Mechanics
Rotation and Playstyle
The Pulverize Druid is straightforward gameplay with minor buff maintenance.
- Prebuild stacks of  Quickshift by casting Quickshift by casting Claw and Claw and Pulverize. Pulverize.
- Cast  Grizzly Rage to activate your Werebeast form. Grizzly Rage to activate your Werebeast form.
 Pulverize your enemies. Place one or more Puddles nearby with your Pulverize your enemies. Place one or more Puddles nearby with your Rotting Lightbringer and Pulverize to resonate splashes from each. Rotting Lightbringer and Pulverize to resonate splashes from each.
Use  Debilitating Roar Defensively as needed, or proactively for the
Debilitating Roar Defensively as needed, or proactively for the  Innate Debilitating Roar damage buff.
Innate Debilitating Roar damage buff. 
 Cyclone Armor is for passive defense and unavailable for Active Use during
Cyclone Armor is for passive defense and unavailable for Active Use during  Grizzly Rage. You still keep the passive defensive benefits.
Grizzly Rage. You still keep the passive defensive benefits. 
 Poison Creeper is used to passively apply poison, and the Active Use can be used to Immobilize as necessary.
Poison Creeper is used to passively apply poison, and the Active Use can be used to Immobilize as necessary. 
 Claw and
Claw and  Maul during
Maul during  Grizzly Rage can be used as filler to gain Spirit as necessary.
Grizzly Rage can be used as filler to gain Spirit as necessary. 
Skills, Support, and Synergies
 Pulverize is our primary, high-damage Skill. Two Legendary Aspects modify the Skill:
Pulverize is our primary, high-damage Skill. Two Legendary Aspects modify the Skill: 
 Shockwave Aspect creates a damaging wave along the path of the Pulverize. There is an overlap between the initial Shockwave Aspect creates a damaging wave along the path of the Pulverize. There is an overlap between the initial Pulverize and its shockwave, so enemies can be double-hit by each Pulverize. This is useful for gathering and helping to speed through content. However, Shockwave does not increase Rotting Lightbringer Splash volume, so in high pit push, you can choose to replace this with Pulverize and its shockwave, so enemies can be double-hit by each Pulverize. This is useful for gathering and helping to speed through content. However, Shockwave does not increase Rotting Lightbringer Splash volume, so in high pit push, you can choose to replace this with Aspect of Retaliation or Aspect of Retaliation or Aspect of the Changeling’s Debt to improve base Pulverize damage. Aspect of the Changeling’s Debt to improve base Pulverize damage.
 Aspect of the Ursine Horror makes Aspect of the Ursine Horror makes Pulverize an Earth Skill. Earth Skills are also Nature Skills, and this allows Pulverize to benefit from Nature-based modifiers such as Pulverize an Earth Skill. Earth Skills are also Nature Skills, and this allows Pulverize to benefit from Nature-based modifiers such as Defiance or Defiance or Crushing Earth. Crushing Earth.
Pulverize damage type becomes Poison, from Physical, thanks to  Aspect of the Rabid Bear.
Aspect of the Rabid Bear. 
 Rotting Lightbringer places pools of Poisoning damage, which scales off your Overpowered Pulverize damage. More than one puddle can be placed at a time, just not overlapped. Subsequent casts of
Rotting Lightbringer places pools of Poisoning damage, which scales off your Overpowered Pulverize damage. More than one puddle can be placed at a time, just not overlapped. Subsequent casts of  Pulverize will cause puddles to send out Splashes for high damage.
Pulverize will cause puddles to send out Splashes for high damage. 
Is  Shockwave Aspect or
Shockwave Aspect or  Aspect of Retaliation better?
Aspect of Retaliation better? 
- Shockwave sends extra splashes from puddles, so wherever you are actively pulverizing, this will be better. As well, Shockwave makes gathering easier with the distant hits.
- Retaliation can boost the base damage of your Pulverize and puddle splashes.
Shockwave will generally be the better pick. There is some unreliability, given how many bugs there are with  Rotting Lightbringer. Feel free to try out either and adjust to your own gameplay.
Rotting Lightbringer. Feel free to try out either and adjust to your own gameplay. 
Overpower
Overpowered attacks will deal extra damage to enemies. We get Overpowers from several sources:
 Rotting Lightbringer guarantees Overpower from hits inside the puddle and from splashes sent out from the puddle. Rotting Lightbringer guarantees Overpower from hits inside the puddle and from splashes sent out from the puddle.
 Enhanced Pulverize grants an Overpower every 10 seconds. Enhanced Pulverize grants an Overpower every 10 seconds.
- Spirit Boon Obsidian Slam causes Earth Skills to Overpower after casting Six Earth Skills.
 Provocation 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 damaging non-defensive Skill like Maul. Try to only use it on Provocation 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 damaging non-defensive Skill like Maul. Try to only use it on Pulverize. Pulverize.
- A natural 3% chance for any non-channeled Skill to Overpower.
There are several damage multipliers to Overpower, including  Survival Instincts,
Survival Instincts,  Raging Pulverize, and
Raging Pulverize, and  Rotting Lightbringer scales its splashes from Critical Strike and Overpower.
Rotting Lightbringer scales its splashes from Critical Strike and Overpower. 
Ultimate Skill
This build uses  Grizzly Rage as its Ultimate Skill. Grizzly Rage grants Unstoppable for its duration, grants Damage Reduction, and a large Damage multiplier that grows over time. With
Grizzly Rage as its Ultimate Skill. Grizzly Rage grants Unstoppable for its duration, grants Damage Reduction, and a large Damage multiplier that grows over time. With  Aspect of the Rabid Bear, our damage type for all attacks becomes Poison, which helps unify several multipliers.
Aspect of the Rabid Bear, our damage type for all attacks becomes Poison, which helps unify several multipliers. 
Grizzly Rage’s cooldown can be reduced while Grizzly Rage is active. Any Skill not tuned to Grizzly Rage, such as Storm or Wolf Skills, will be unavailable while Grizzly Rage is active. Certain Skills, like  Cyclone Armor with a passive effect, will still be up, but the Skill will be unavailable for Active Use.
Cyclone Armor with a passive effect, will still be up, but the Skill will be unavailable for Active Use. 
Only one point is invested into Grizzly Rage because further points only reduce the cooldown, and we do not need the Rank 5 effect since we should always be already armor-capped without the effect.
 Grizzly Rage has a capped duration, but we gain or extend Grizzly Rage duration with:
Grizzly Rage has a capped duration, but we gain or extend Grizzly Rage duration with:
 Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast gives up to 10 seconds of extra duration Aspect of the Rampaging Werebeast gives up to 10 seconds of extra duration
- Kills extend the duration by 1 second.
- Overpowering Bosses extends duration by 5 seconds.
- Offensive Tempers on gear give more duration.
If this is not sufficient to maintain Grizzly Rage for most of the time or your downtime becomes too disruptive, consider one or more of the following options:
- Exchange Energize Spirit Boon for Calamity or Calm Before the Storm.
- Temper an Offensive Temper for Grizzly Rage Duration.
- Target your Mastercrafts towards Grizzly Rage Duration or Cooldown.
- Use the  Zec Rune, replacing Zec Rune, replacing Thul. Thul.
- Put more Skill Points into  Grizzly Rage for cooldown. Grizzly Rage for cooldown.
Key Passive
 Ursine Strength is our Key Passive, offering some health, damage, and Overpower multiplier.
Ursine Strength is our Key Passive, offering some health, damage, and Overpower multiplier. 
Spirit Management
Maintaining Spirit is essential to keep smashing out your  Pulverizes. Spirit is managed from a variety of sources.
Pulverizes. Spirit is managed from a variety of sources.
- Resource Cost Reduction on 2-handed weapon and  Ring of Starless Skies. Ring of Starless Skies.
- Gift of the Stag Spirit Boon.
- The Wolf’s Spirit Boon Energize.
- Intelligence stat for greater Resource Generation.
This is generally sufficient in the Endgame to maintain Spirit. However, if these are insufficient sources while leveling and gearing, consider using one or more of the following options.
- Use the Spirit Management Runeword Setup  Poc Poc Lum. Lum.
- Spirit Per Second on Boots, Chest, and Helm, or Resource Cost Reduction on Jewelry affix and Tempers.
- Use  Aspect of Quicksand with Aspect of Quicksand with Aspect of the Umbral. Aspect of the Umbral.
- Remove points from  Wild Impulses, placing them in Wild Impulses, placing them in Abundance, and use your Basic Skill as a Spirit Builder. Abundance, and use your Basic Skill as a Spirit Builder.
Elixirs, Incense, and Health Potions
The Alchemist offers helpful consumables at the cost of foraged materials found throughout Sanctuary.
- Craft your Elixir: - (Offensive)  Elixir of Advantage II for Attack Speed and Lucky Hit bonuses. Elixir of Advantage II for Attack Speed and Lucky Hit bonuses.
- (Defensive)  Elixir of Fortitude II For Max Life. Elixir of Fortitude II For Max Life.
 
- (Offensive) 
- One of each Incense Category can be used, for a total of three active Incenses at a time. In priority: - Defensive –  Reddamine Buzz for Max Life, or Reddamine Buzz for Max Life, or Song of the Mountain if you need the Armor, up to 1000 armor cap. Song of the Mountain if you need the Armor, up to 1000 armor cap.
- Core Stat –  Blessed Guide for Willpower. Blessed Guide for Willpower.
- Resistance –  Soothing Spices for All Resist, All Resist Maximum, and Armor. Soothing Spices for All Resist, All Resist Maximum, and Armor.
 
- Defensive – 
- Upgrade your Potion as you level, increasing the instant healing of the potion!
Season 10 Updates
Chaos armors and perks are numerically strong, but the playstyle itself will not change that much, other than doing far more damage. The nerf to Grizzly Rage is noticeable, but the aspects are still strong, as is having permanent Unstoppable and unifying damage type to Poison. The general gameplay Key Passive recommendation is Ursine Strength over Bestial Rampage, to give up Wildheart Hunger and make more room for Chaos Armors.
The following are important changes in the Season 10 Patch Updates that are specific to the Pulverize Druid. For general Season 10 information, check out our Season 10 Hub.
Itemization:
 Earth and Sky damage bonus increased from 10% to 18%. Earth and Sky damage bonus increased from 10% to 18%.
Skills and Stats:
 Grizzly Rage Base damage reduced from 60% to 40%. Grizzly Rage Base damage reduced from 60% to 40%.- Damage bonus per second reduced from 4% to 1% (capping at 25% rather than 100%).
- Now begins its cooldown when it’s activated rather than after it ends.
 
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed an issue where Grizzly Rage was granting Unstoppable without learning its upgrades.
- Fixed an issue where Grizzly Rage was not removed from the available Skills on your Skill bar while it’s activated.
- Fixed an issue where Grizzly Rage did not periodically increase the player’s damage as expected.
- Fixed an issue where the puddles from Rotting Lightbringer were inconsistent in both appearance and effect.
- Fixed an issue where the puddles from Rotting Lightbringer didn’t function properly in certain terrain, such as in Belial’s boss area. - Note: Ptr testing showed this made the puddles more consistent but not fully fixed, and all other known bugs are still active.
 
- Fixed an issue where salvaging Rotting Lightbringer did not unlock its appearance.
Known Bugs with  Rotting Lightbringer:
Rotting Lightbringer:
- This weapon is often unreliable about whether puddles splash or not, depending on the terrain. This is related to the type of terrain or tileset, where some are much less likely to have functioning puddles that properly splash. If a new puddle is not sending out splashes, move and try again with the next puddle.
- Sometimes puddles can overlap, but it seems to only be when a puddle is broken and not splashing. 6 October note: Spinning around in a circle after pulverizing lets you place another puddle in the same spot. Why? Shrug.
- There is sometimes a lockout cooldown on how often you can place puddles, but this is not on a reliable timer.
- Splashes always Overpower, but they may not Critically Strike if they land outside an active puddle.
- Splash Projectile volume is not improved by Chance to Cast Pulverize Twice.
- While using  Shockwave Aspect, more splash projectiles will be shown, but it is the same number of impacts, with the extra projectiles being visual errors. Shockwave Aspect, more splash projectiles will be shown, but it is the same number of impacts, with the extra projectiles being visual errors.
 Tracker does not improve the duration of puddles. Tracker does not improve the duration of puddles. Bane does not amp puddle damage or related splash damage. Bane does not amp puddle damage or related splash damage.
Changelog
- 6 October, 2025: Adjusted offensive tempers in the gearing section to better account for seasonal powers. Added addenda in Other Chaotic Considerations for high pit push options. Added more Known Bugs.
- 26 September, 2025: Minor updates to suggested Chaotic Setup.
- 21 September, 2025: Updated for Patch 2.4 and Season 10. Seasonal Players, please note that the Season 10 Mechanics section has setups that include the seasonal Chaos Armors.
- 21 July, 2025:  Rotting Lightbringer is even buggier. Moved all Bugs from the Unique section to the Known Bugs section. Consolidated some sections’ info, and added a dedicated Pit Push section. Adjusted recommended Aspects and Masterworks. Rotting Lightbringer is even buggier. Moved all Bugs from the Unique section to the Known Bugs section. Consolidated some sections’ info, and added a dedicated Pit Push section. Adjusted recommended Aspects and Masterworks.
- 15 July, 2025: Patch 2.3.1 buffs to Pulverize. Added option in Key Passives section for flexing to  Ursine Strength over Ursine Strength over Bestial Rampage, which can be a slightly slower but higher defense option in high Pit push. Bestial Rampage, which can be a slightly slower but higher defense option in high Pit push.
- 8 July, 2025: More info on  Rotting Lightbringer, and added options for Offensive tempers. Rotting Lightbringer, and added options for Offensive tempers.
- 6 July, 2025: Further clarified behavior, known bugs, and pull strategy for  Rotting Lightbringer in the Unique Items section. Added some options for Runes, Unique Items, and Horadric Arcanas. Rotting Lightbringer in the Unique Items section. Added some options for Runes, Unique Items, and Horadric Arcanas.
- 2 July, 2025: Based on testing with updated  Rotting Lightbringer and unposted changes to Rotting Lightbringer and unposted changes to Grizzly Rage cooldown, there are some updates to the skill tree, runes, and gearing. See the Uniques section for full Rotting Lightbringer behavior and use. Grizzly Rage cooldown, there are some updates to the skill tree, runes, and gearing. See the Uniques section for full Rotting Lightbringer behavior and use.
- 27 June, 2025: Significant Updates for Patch 2.3 Season 9. Changes to Skill Tree, Ultimate, Gearing, Boons, Paragon, and a new Unique Item  Rotting Lightbringer. Rotting Lightbringer.
- April 24, 2025: Updated to the new unified format for Season 8 Patch 2.2 changes.
- 3 March, 2025: Minor updates for 2.1.3.
- 19 Jan, 2025: Updated for Season 7 and Patch 2.1 updates. Two-tab paragon board introduced.
- 15 October, 2024: Updated for the 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.








 
  
  
  
  
 





