With Diablo 2: Resurrected just around the corner, ARPG enthusiasts have an opportunity to fire up the old Diablo 2 for one last playthrough before enjoying it in glorious 4K and 60 FPS once the remake finally comes out. It is also the perfect time for players to pre-build and level up some of their characters, as it was recently announced that it will be possible to transfer save files from the original game into Resurrected.
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With seven playable classes to choose from, most of the die-hard fans of the franchise will have their best builds memorized. One of the most interesting and versatile characters in all of the Diablo games is the Druid. Skilled in the magical arts and proficient in melee combat, he can make for an excellent hybrid build.
10 They Weren't A Playable Class Until The Lord Of Destruction DLC
The original base game of Diablo 2 didn't feature Druids as a playable class at all. This was also the case with the first Diablo title. Their first in-game appearance as a character that players could choose to play came with the Lord of Destruction DLC to Diablo 2.
Aside from introducing Druids to the game, the expansion pack included the Assassin class, as well as the fifth act of the story with a whole new area to explore. It seems like adding the Druid class was a great decision as players missed them in Diablo 3, and Blizzard has already announced that Druids will return in Diablo 4.
9 Druids Are One of The Most Versatile Classes
With the ability to use magic, which includes brewing up powerful firestorms, and deadly ranged spells, melee skills comparable to those of the Barbarian, and some unique shapeshifting and summoning abilities of his own, the Druid is likely the single most versatile class in Diablo 2.
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This means that players can develop their own, unique Druid build by mixing up all of the aforementioned skills in a variety of ways, making this class not only very effective but also one of the most exciting ones to use in the game.
8 Shapeshifting Skill Tree Is The Way To Go For Druids
As versatile and well-rounded as they are, the opinion of the Diablo community regarding the best way to use Druids is quite unanimous. The shapeshifting skill tree doesn't only offer the most original abilities to use in the game, allowing players to turn into a werewolf or werebear, it also is a gateway to some of the most powerful druid builds one could possibly make.
From the Fireclaws Werewolf to a Maul Bear, a shapeshifting Druid of a high level can spend the majority of playtime in animal form, minimizing the player's reliance on gear without hindering their ability to use some really powerful magic.
7 Druids Are A Heavily Underrated Class
When they were first introduced in Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction, many fans weren't all that excited about playing as Druids. There were many opinions that since these characters can be molded into all three of melee, magic, and summoning builds, they would never be able to achieve the effectiveness of classes dedicated to these particular playstyles (Barbarian, Sorceress, and Necromancer, respectively).
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Some players are still reluctant to use Druids because of these unfavorable opinions. The truth is, however, that combining one of the three aforementioned playstyles (melee, magic, or summoning) with the Druid's unique shapeshifting abilities, can lead to an incredibly powerful hybrid build in the later phases of the game.
6 They Almost Appeared In Diablo 3
Although it wasn't in the plans ahead of the release of Diablo 3, the Druid class was rumored to appear in the game as part of a hero pack released a couple of years after the title has made its debut.
The developers decided to take a different route, and opted to include the Necromancer instead of the Druid in the final rendition of the hero pack. Many fans were hoping for them to be added in the future, whether in another expansion or a seasonal update, but the developers chose not to include the character in the game, upsetting many players in the process.
5 They Reject The Use Of Traditional Magic
In Diablo's lore, Druids are presented as a nature-loving class, one that lives in oneness with the natural world and tries to avoid causing unnecessary harm to the environment and wild creatures. As such, they oppose the use of traditional magic (or Dubhdroiacht, as they came to call it), citing its destructiveness as the main reason.
Instead, they practice a philosophy known as Caoi Dulra, which places an emphasis on maximum synthesis with nature. This explains the Druids' powers, allowing them to summon animals and shift into wild creatures. Some of their abilities that cause massive fire damage are a little inconsistent with this line of reasoning, but then again, fire is considered to be a force of nature.
4 They Live In "Druid Colleges"
In the world of Diablo, druids group up to live, train and fight together in huge stone towers. Their way of life is reminiscent of how the witchers lived in Kaer Mohren. Taking in apprentices at a young age and training them to live accordingly with the Caoi Dulra philosophy, the Druid class is one that considers the cultivation of their traditions to be a matter of utmost importance.
Druid colleges are scattered across the world in Diablo, with their inhabitants making sure that the environment surrounding them is protected and cared for. In a way, they are the Diablo equivalents of the real-life forest rangers.
3 Druids Descend From Barbarians
Historically, the Druids come from a tribe of Barbarians known as the Henknoc. Their origins involve a dispute between Bul-Khatos, the Barbarian King, and Fiacla-Géar, his trusted advisor and confidant. The conflict stemmed from the pair's differing opinions on the potential future of the Barbarian tribes.
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Bul-Khatos intended for them to focus on mastering the art of melee combat and cultivating a warrior mentality, while Fiacla-Géar was adamant about the importance of synergy with the wildlife and forces of nature. The two friends, once sharing a brotherly bond, could not come to an agreement, and Fiacla-Géar gathered like-minded warriors and left the Barbarians to create the very first Druid College in the Scosglen forests.
2 The Origins Of Druids Are In Celtic Mythology
Although they play crucial role in Diablo's lore, the Druid class wasn't invented by Blizzard. The name, fundamental principles of these characters, and some aspects of their way of life are derived from Celtic mythology and adjusted according to the needs of the popular ARPG series.
The Celtic Druids, although capable of fighting when necessary, were not combat-minded at all, and just like Diablo's Druid class, they had the ability to harness the forces of nature and bend it to their will. Mythology aside, Druids were also an actual high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures, responsible for religious rituals, legal expertise, and political advice, somewhat akin to the scholars and philosophers of ancient Greece or Rome.
1 Druids Are The Most Peaceful Out Of The Diablo Classes
Even though they originated from the Barbarian tribes and are highly skilled in the art of killing, the Druids choose not to pursue violence as the primary means of achieving their goals. Sure, players may use them to wreak havoc and devastate monsters in Diablo 2, but lore-wise, Druids are the most peace-loving class.
Placing their focus on preserving natural environments and studying wildlife, they prefer to use their magic to create and improve their surroundings. Historically, Druids use combat as a last resort method for defending themselves and the creatures under their protectorate.