Build notes: |
September 09, 2021 -Build created |
Build Overview
Rabies is one of the most unusual melee skills in Diablo 2 Resurrected. It inflicts a spreading Poison when you hit an enemy, which can spread to nearby enemies even if they are immune to Poison (keep in mind that the effect can spread, but it will deal no Poison damage over the duration). When farming higher density zones, like for example the Secret Cow Level, you will be able to fully utilize the "hit and run" strategy that this build has to offer and watch enemies die all around you when you are already on your way to the next pack. This build is in no way a Boss-killing machine, but when it comes to Cow Level farming, it's one of the best options in the game. It's also a great choice if you want to try out different playstyles, or simply something of the meta.
In the following Guide, we will focus on maximizing your Poison DoT effect, but you should understand that this build is often played as a hybrid melee/poison where you apply your Rabies DoT and switch to Fury to finish off your enemies with strong melee/physical hits.
You can also check our other Diablo 2 Resurrected Builds
Pros | Cons |
Unique playstyle with good clear speed on certain areas with high monster density | Lacks single-target DPS |
One of the most potent DoTs in the game | Outclassed by tons of builds in most of the in-game aspects |
Tons of build variations and Item flexibility allows you to customize this build based on your personal preferences | |
One of the best Cow Level farmers Diablo 2 Resurrected has to offer | |
Solid defenses with high life pool and kiting capabilities |
Skills
ATTRIBUTES |
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SHAPE SHIFTING SKILLS |
This is the core Skill Tree of this Build. From it, you'll get the ability to assume the form of a Werewolf and shred your enemies with vicious Fury. Thanks to Lycantrophy, you will also become very tanky, even without investing any points into Vitality. Skills:
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SUMMONING SKILLS |
Druid's summoning tree is a great source of utility and we want just that. You are mainly interested in Oak Sage, Grizzly, and Heart of the Wolverine, which should be resummoned when slain for their amazing bonuses Skills:
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ELEMENTAL SKILLS |
You don't need any Elemental Skills. Skills:
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Items
While this is a melee build, our recommended setup revolves mainly around increasing the Poison DoT you deal, so Attack Rating/Attack Speed stats are much less relevant than you would normally expect from a Shapeshifting Druid. There are plenty of different options for this build, and it all depends on how much physical damage you want to deal with attacks, or if you are just going to farm Cows without bothering about any higher Tier content. As usual, you to maximize the level of all Druid Skills, with the Shapeshifting skills being your top priority here, and reach the 86% Faster Hit Recovery breakpoint - it's easily obtainable with just Jalal's Mane, Bramble, and two Small Chars with FHR bonus |
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HELMETS |
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Jalal's Mane (Totemic Mask) - all-around best Helmet for this build. It offers all the important stats for your Druid and tons of defensive stats that you won't find anywhere else |
Defense: 247-297
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Cerebus' Bite (Blood Spirit) - another decent option if you roll it with +4 to Shape Shifting Skills and if you are looking to play around as a melee a bit more |
Defense: 335-350
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WEAPONS |
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Grief (Runeword) - one of the best weapon options for this build. It offers the best balance between your Poison DoT damage and Physical Damage you deal with Fury |
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Death's Web (Unearthed Wand) - if you are solely relying on your Rabies damage over time effect, Death's Web will offer the highest possible DPS bonus out of all items in the game, but you will simply look pathetic as a melee character |
One-Hand Damage: 22 To 28 Required Level: 66 Required Strength: 25 Durability: 18 Staff Class - Fast Attack Speed
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SHIELD | |
4 Socket Monarch - with 4 Poison Facets. Most likely the best possible Shield in terms of Raw DPS that can grant up to 20% Increased Poison Skill Damage, and reduce enemy Poison Resistance by up to 20% as well |
Defense: 133-148 Level Requirement: 54 Strength Requirement: 156 Chance to Block: 52% (Paladin) / 47% (Amazon, Assassin, Barbarian) / 42% (Druid, Necromancer, Sorceress) Durability: 86 Sockets: 4 |
Head Hunter's Glory (Troll's Nest) - can roll up to 3 Sockets, so with 3 Poison Facets, you end up with tons of extra Poison DPS and additional defensive utility when compared to a fully Jeweled Monarch |
Defense: 478-593
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Spirit (Runeword) - one of the best Shields thanks to its high Skill bonus and just massive defensive utility |
Defense: varies Required level: 25 Required Strength: 156 (if using Monarch) Runes: Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn
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WEAPON SWAP | |
Call to Arms (Runeword) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to buff yourself with Barbarian's Warcries |
Defense: Depends on base Weapon
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Spirit (Runeword) - the same Runeword can be used on your weapon swap as well to boost the level of all the Warcries and grant an extra FCR bonus |
Defense: varies Required level: 25 Required Strength: 156 (if using Monarch) Runes: Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn
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AMULETS |
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The Eye of Etlich - another interesting Amulet that grants a bonus to all your Skills but also additional Life Steal which can come in handy if you use Fury regularly |
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Highlord's Wrath - a solid choice, mainly for the bonus to All Skills though, the other bonuses are less relevant if you are solely relying on the DoT effects |
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Mara's Kaleidoscope - one of the best Amulets in the game. It may be a bit overpriced for a Rabies Druid, but you may as well have this piece lying around somewhere from another character |
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Magic or Rare Amulet - obviously, with +to All Druid Skills or Shape Shifting Skills. You can also get some extra Resistances, Life, Attributes, or Leech if you don't have it anywhere else |
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ARMORS |
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Bramble (Runeword) - the best body armor you can use on Rabies Druid when it comes to maximizing your Poison DoT. It also grants massive Poison resistance and Faster Hit Recovery, basically fulfilling your needs for these two important stats |
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Fortitude (Runeword) - the best option if you want to go a bit more into hybrid/melee build and fight in close proximity of your enemies (instead of tagging enemies and running away) |
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RINGS |
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Raven Frost - playing a Rabies Druid while frozen is nearly impossible as you need to run between packs to quickly apply your Poison. Raven Frost renders you immune to Freeze which basically is a must-have for this build |
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The Stone of Jordan - mainly for the bonus to All Skills. All around solid option |
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Bul-Kathos Wedding Band - another great ring for this build. It grants a bonus to all skills, Life Steal, and maximum Life - all exceptionally valuable stats for Rabies Druid |
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GLOVES |
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Trang'Oul's Claws (Heavy Bracers) - when it comes to boosting the Poison part of your damage, this is the best pair you can possibly choose for this Rabies Druid build |
Defense: 67-74
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Soul Drainer (Vambraces) - this pair of Gloves are great for their double leech, and additional bonuses applied on melee hits like reduced defense and Weaken debuff |
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Dracul's Grasp (Vampirebone Gloves) - A good all-around choice that increases your attack speed and gives you some extra survivability. These gloves also give a high strength bonus and a 25% Chance of Open Wounds
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BOOTS |
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Gore Rider (War Boots) - a top choice for any physical damage-based build. These extremely powerful boots provide amazing offensive bonuses and a solid 30% Increased Run/Walk Speed |
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War Traveler (Battle Boots) - this pair is notable for providing a high Magic Find bonus in addition to other useful bonuses. An interesting choice for sure. |
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Aldur's Advance (Battle Boots) - can be used for their massive Movement Speed and Life bonuses |
Defense: 39-47
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BELTS |
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String of Ears (Demonhide Dash) - the best option if you want to stay in melee range and use Feral Rage/Fury to take down your enemies |
Defense: 102-113 (varies)(Base Defense: 29-34)
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Verdungo's Hearty Cord (Mithril Coil) - A very solid defensive option that offers a Faster Hit Recovery bonus, an insanely high boost to Vitality |
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CHARMS |
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MERCENARY |
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We recommend picking up Act 2 Might Mercenary for the highest possible DPS. Whether you want to use your Merc against Cows is up to you, but keep in mind that he will most likely die quite often when surrounded
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ENDNOTE This is our premiere Rabies Druid Build for Diablo 2 Resurrected where we tried to include all of the important information on how to set up this character while keeping the guide as compact as possible. If we've missed something of importance, please let us know! If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback. |
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