Skills and Builds for the Druid in D2R
The Druids are kin to the Barbarian. They once lived together in the Northern Steppes, charged with the duty of protecting the great power that resides within Mount Arreat. It goes that the ancient Barbarian king Bul-Kathos had a trusted advisor. Together they agreed that the tribes must devote themselves to nothing but their task of guarding the mountain, though the king believed this was to be achieved through strict physical training, while his advisor believed achieving a spiritual connection with the land was key to their success. It is through combining their tactics that the first Druid Colleges were created in the forests of Scosglen. Within these schools a new culture developed and the Druids became a people of their own.
The Druids eschew the use of conventional magic, and instead they draw upon their connection with nature to summon magic. As such, the Druid can command the winds, earth and fire. Tied to the earth and its creatures, the Druid can summon animals to his aid during battle. He also knows how to use plants to increase his abilities. Like his Barbarian ancestors, the Druid has a deep connection with the animal spirits, so his most impressive skill is his ability to shapeshift and take on the form and abilities of an animal. The Druid is calm and stoic, but his strict training and impressive skills make him a great fighter in battle. Indeed, legends tell of great Sorcerers and Mage Clans attempting to infiltrate Scosglen, only to be defeated by the Druids.
The Druid’s skill tree is separated into his separate magical focuses. These are:
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Elemental Skills
Shape Shifting Skills
Summoning Skills
By focusing attention to one aspect of the Druid’s skillset, he can be turned into a specialist Druid build. The most common of these are: