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Tornado/Hurricane Wind Druid D2R Starter Build

Tornado/Hurricane Wind Druid D2R Starter Build

One of the best leveling builds for the Druid Class in Diablo 2 Resurrected

Early Ladder MF
Wind Druid Build

For Diablo 2 Resurrected
 

Build notes:
July 23, 2021
-Build created

 

Build Overview

Wind Druid is a fun and highly synergistic build that is viable right from the start of a season. It has no problems with clearing the end-game Diablo 2 content, even at an increased player count. Its survivability is very good, thanks to the incredibly high health value. As for downsides, it relies on Enigma Runeword for mobility and won't show its full potential without it. 

While it is not the first Build that comes to mind when you're thinking about what starter character to make, it can be a great alternative to your standard Hammerdins and Blizzard Sorcs. 

You can also check our other  Diablo 2 Resurrected Builds

 

 Pros  Cons
 Great survivability   Low mobility without Enigma 
 High Damage output   High-end gear for the build can be rather hard to get 
 Fast clear speed   

 

Skills

ATTRIBUTES
  1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character. 
  2. Dexterity - Same as Strength - you only need enough Dexterity to meet gear requirements. 
  3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat. 
  4. Energy - Adding points to Energy is an extreme waste - don't do it. 
ELEMENTAL SKILLS

This is the core Skill Tree of this Build. From it, we get Hurricane - a powerful AoE skill, Cyclone Armor - a nice defensive skill, Twister - a solid synergy for the build, and the mighty Tornado - our main source of single-target damage. All four Wind-based Druid Skills, we're interested in, synergize with each other which makes the Wind Druid very powerful. 

Skills:

  1. Arctic Blast [1/20] - Prerequisite. A spout of ice that freezes your enemies.
  2. Cyclone Armor [20/20] - Covers the Druid in protective forces that absorb elemental attacks. This gives you a nice elemental absorption shield and synergizes with your core offensive skills. 
  3. Twister [20/20] - Summons three small twisters that deal damage and stun enemies. Twister synergizes with other wind-based Druid skills. 
  4. Tornado [20/20] - Casts a larger whirlwind to damage your foes. This is a Twister on steroids, much better at dealing with individual targets. Tornado synergizes with Hurricane, Twister, and Cyclone Armor. 
  5. Hurricane [20/20] - Manipulates a strong force of the wind to surround your character. A powerful aura-like AoE that damages all enemies that get too close to you. While its damage is not that high, it also slows all nearby enemies. Hurricane synergizes with Cyclone Armor, Tornado, and Twister. 

SUMMONING SKILLS

Druid's summoning tree is a great source of utility and we want just that. Mainly, we're interested in two skills - Oak Sage and Grizzly. Oak Sage will help us stay alive by increasing our health and Summon Grizzly will give us a personal tank. 

Skills:

  1. Raven [1/20] - Prerequisite. 
  2. Oak Sage [X/20] - Summons a spirit that increases your party's health. This is a powerful utility skill that increases the Health of everyone in your group, including mercenaries and summons. With it, your survivability simply skyrockets. 
  3. Summon Spirit Wolf [1/20] - Summons a spirit wolf to attack your enemies. 
  4. Summon Dire Wolf [1/20] - Summons a Dire Wolf to attack your enemies. 
  5. Summon Grizzly [1/20] - Summons a Grizzly bear to attack your enemies. Even with just 1 point, Grizzly is very effective at tanking. It will help you stay alive by soaking up damage. 
SHAPE SHIFTING SKILLS

We don't need any Shape Shifting Skills. 

Skills:

  1. none 

 

Items

You should try to get to a 99% Faster Cast Rate breakpoint, if possible. Items with +Skills/Elemental Skills, are also extremely important - your main source of these will be Runewords (at least at the start). Magic Find should also be close to the top of your list as it will allow you to gear up much quicker. Extra Health and Vitality is always welcome as well, as it makes you a bit tankier. Faster Hit Recovery, Faster Run/Walk, and extra Stamina/Stamina Regen are also very useful to have. 

HELMETS

[Early] Lore (Runeword) - You should aim to get this one as soon as possible because it's one of the most powerful items you can get early on. It will give you +1 to All Skills, and take care of your mana problems to some extent. 

Lore

 

  • Defense: Depends on base Helmet 
  • Required Level: 27 
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Helmet 
  • Durability: Depends on base Helmet 
  • Ort + Sol
    • +1 to All Skills 
    • +10 to Energy 
    • Lightning Resist +30% 
    • Damage Reduced by 7 
    • +2 to Mana After Each Kill 
    • +2 to Light Radius 

[Late] Harlequin Crest (Shako) - If you're after Magic Find but don't want to sacrifice offensive power for it, Harlequin Crest is your best pick for this slot. From it, you'll get +2 to All Skills, +50% Magic Find, and a lot of Attributes. 

Harlequin Crest

  • Defense: 98 to 141 
  • Required Level: 62
  • Required Strength: 50
  • Durability: 20
    • +2 to All Skills 
    • +1-148 to Life (+1.5 per Character Level) 
    • +1-148 to Mana (+1.5 per Character Level) 
    • Damage Reduced By 10% 
    • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
    • +2 to All Attributes 

WEAPONS

[Early] Spirit Weapon (Runeword) - This incredibly powerful runeword, which only requires level 25, will carry you into the late game. It gives you everything you might need - Skill Levels, Faster Cast Rate, Life Leech, Bonus Mana, Extra Life, and Faster Hit Recovery. 

Spirit

  • Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
  • Required Level: 25
  • Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
  • Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
  • Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn  
    • +2 To All Skills 
    • +25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies) 
    • +55% Faster Hit Recovery 
    • Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage 
    • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal) 
    • +75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds 
    • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
    • +250 Defense Vs. Missile 
    • +22 To Vitality 
    • +89-112 To Mana (varies) 
    • +3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)

[Late] Heart of the Oak (Runeword) - One of the most powerful weapon Runewords and an ideal choice for a Wind Druid build. it provides +3 to all Skills and a 30% Faster Cast Rate, as well as a plethora of other useful bonuses. You can't go wrong with this one. 

Heart of the Oak

  • Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
  • Required Level: 55
  • Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
  • Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
  • Ko + Vex + Pul + Thul 
    • +3 To All Skills 
    • +40% Faster Cast Rate
    • +75% Damage To Demons 
    • +100 To Attack Rating Against Demons 
    • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage, 3 sec. Duration (Normal) 
    • 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit 
    • +10 To Dexterity 
    • Replenish Life +20 
    • Increase Maximum Mana 15% 
    • All Resistances +30-40 (varies) 
    • Level 4 Oak Sage (25 Charges) 
    • Level 14 Raven (60 Charges) 
SHIELDS

[Early] Ancient's Pledge (Runeword) - This easy-to-make Runeword is a great early game option (you'll get the runes from a quest, so you only need to find a shield with three open sockets). 

Ancient's Pledge

  • Defense: Depends on base Shield 
  • Required Level: 21 
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Shield 
  • Durability: Depends on base Armor 
  • Ral + Ort + Tal
    • +50% Enhanced Defense 
    • Cold Resist +43%  
    • Fire Resist +48% 
    • Lightning Resist +48% 
    • Poison Resist +48% 
    • 10% Damage Goes To Mana 

[Early/Late] Spirit Shield (Runeword) - This Runeword offers a great balance of offensive and defensive power. You will need a 4 open socket Monarch for it, though. 

Spirit Shield

  • Defense: Depends on base Shield 
  • Required Level: 25 
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Shield 
  • Durability: Depends on base Shield 
  • Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn 
    • +1 To All Skills 
    • +25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies) 
    • +55% Faster Hit Recovery 
    • +250 Defense Vs. Missile 
    • +22 To Vitality 
    • +89-112 To Mana (varies) 
    • Cold Resist +35% 
    • Lightning Resist +35% 
    • Poison Resist +35% 
    • +3-8 Magic Absorb (varies) 
    • Attacker Takes Damage of 14 

[Late] Splendor (Rune Word) - A great and inexpensive mid-to-late game option. It grants +1 to all Skills, high FCR, and 20% Magic Find. This is not a big upgrade over the Spirit Shield, but 20% additional Magic Find is worth your consideration. 

Splendor 

  • Defense: Depends on base Shield 
  • Required Level: 37
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Shield ​​​​​
  • Durability: Depends on base Shield
  • Eth + Lum 
    • +1 To All Skills 
    • +10% Faster Cast Rate 
    • +20% Faster Block Rate 
    • +60-100% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
    • +10 To Energy 
    • Regenerate Mana 15% 
    • 50% Extra Gold From Monsters 
    • 20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
    • +3 To Light Radius 

AMULETS

[Early] Rare/Magic Amulet with + Druid/Elemental Skills would be ideal, but chances of finding these are extremely low. Most likely, you will end up with a Magic Amulet with Magic Find and/or Resistances.

Amulet Amulet

  • Required Level: varies. 
  • In Magic Amulets, look for:
    • + to Cold Spells. 
    • Magic Find. 
    • Resistances. 
  • In Rare Amulets, look for:
    • + to Sorceress Skills 
    • Magic Find 
    • Resistances 
    • Attributes 

[Late] Mara's Kaleidoscope - One of the most popular unique Amulets in the game. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties. It's expensive but worth its price. 

Mara's Kaleidoscope

  • Required Level: 67
    • +2 To All Skills 
    • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
    • +5 To All Attributes 

ARMORS

[Early] Stealth (Runeword) - This is an item everybody wants to equip once they reach level 17. It's extremely easy to farm and insanely powerful early on - just look at the bonuses it gives. 

Stealth

  • Defense: Depends on base Armor 
  • Required Level: 17 
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
  • Durability: Depends on base Armor 
  • Tal + Eth  
    • +25% Faster Run/Walk 
    • +25% Faster Casting Rate 
    • +25% Faster Hit Recovery 
    • +6 to Dexterity 
    • Regenerate Mana 15% 
    • +15 Maximum Stamina 
    • Poison Resist +30% 
    • Magic Damage Reduced by 3 

[Mid/Late] Skin of the Vipermagi (Serpentskin Armor) - A very solid caster armor that will give you a nice power boost over Stealth and make farming for Enigma quicker. 

Skin of the Vipermagi

  • Defense: 279
  • Required Strength: 43
  • Durability: 24
  • Required Level: 29
    • +120% Defense
    • +1 to All Skills
    • 30% Faster Cast Rate
    • Magic Damage Reduced By 9-13 (varies) 
    • All Resistances +20-35 (varies) 

[Late] Enigma (Runeword) - A must-have for this build. Enigma gives you access to Teleport, which is amazing for mobility. On top of that, it increases your Skill Levels and gives you a lot of bonus Magic Find. 

Enigma

  • Defense: Depends on base Armor 
  • Required Level: 65 
  • Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
  • Durability: Depends on base Armor 
  • Jah + Ith + Ber  
    • +2 To All Skills 
    • +45% Faster Run/Walk 
    • +1 To Teleport 
    • +750-775 Defense (varies) 
    • +(0.75*Clvl) To Strength (Based On Character Level) 
    • Increase Maximum Life 5% 
    • Damage Reduced By 8% 
    • +14 Life After Each Kill 
    • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
    • (1*Clvl)% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)

RINGS

[Early] Rare/Magic Rings with Faster Cast Rate, Resistances, Magic Find, and Bonuses to Life are what you should be looking for early. 

Magic Rings Rare Rings

  • Required Level: varies. 
  • In Magic Rings, look for:
    • Magic Find 
    • Attributes 
    • Magic Find 
  • In Rare Rings, look for:
    • Faster Cast Rate
    • Magic Find 
    • Resistances 
    • Attributes 
    • Life Leech 

[Late] Raven Frost - Freeze Immunity is very important to have on every character and this ring is one of just a few items that give it. 

Raven Frost

  • Required Level: 76
    • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies) 
    • 15-45 Cold Damage 
    • +15-20 Dexterity (varies) 
    • +40 Mana 
    • Cold Absorb 20% (varies) 
    • Cannot be Frozen 

[Late] The Stone of Jordan - An extremely powerful Ring that gives +1 to All Skills and increases your maximum mana by a lot. If you feel like you don't need the Raven Frost, you can use two of these instead. 

The Stone of Jordan 

  • Required Level: 29
    • +1 to All Skills
    • Increase Maximum Mana by 25% 
    • Adds 1-12 Lightning Damage 
    • +20 to Mana

GLOVES

[Early] Rare Gloves are what you're looking for early, as there are not many useful bonuses on Magic ones. If you get lucky, you can get Rare Gloves with Life Leech, Magic Find, increased Gold from Monsters, or Half Freeze Duration. 

Rare Gloves

  • Required Level: varies. 
  • In Rare Gloves, look for:
    • Life Leech 
    • Extra Gold From Monsters
    • Half Freeze Duration 
    • Magic Find 

[Late] Trang'Ouls Claws (Heavy Bracers) - From these, you will get a 20% Increased Faster Cast Rate, a nice boost to Cold resistance, and some much-needed mana regen. You can also use Magefist or Chance Guards for some additional Magic Find. 

Trang'Ouls Claws

 

  • Defense: 24 - 25 
  • Required Level: 23
  • Required Strength: - 45
  • Durability: 18
    • +20-30% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
    • +10 Defense 
    • +1 To Fire Skills 
    • 20% Faster Cast Rate 
    • Regenerate Mana 10-25% 
    • Adds 1-6 Fire Damage 

BOOTS

[Early] You can get amazing bonuses on Rare and Magic Boots - look for Faster Run/Walk, Magic Find, increased Gold from Monsters, and extra Attributes. 

Rare Boots Magic Boots

  • Required Level: varies. 
  • In Magic Belts look for:
    • Faster Run/Walk and Slower Stamina Drain 
    • Faster Run/Walk 
    • Magic Find 
    • Attributes 
  • In Rare Belts, look for:
    • Resistances 
    • Faster Run/Walk 
    • Extra Gold From Monsters
    • Magic Find 
    • Attributes 

[Late] War Traveler's (Battle Boots) - This pair is notable for providing a  high Magic Find bonus in addition to other useful bonuses which makes it a top choice for the build. 

War Traveler's

  • Defense: 120-139 
  • Required Level: 42
  • Required Strength: 95
  • Kick Damage: 37-64 
  • Durability: 48
    • +150-190% Enhanced Defense 
    • 25% Faster Run/Walk 
    • +10 to Vitality 
    • +10 to Strength 
    • Adds 15-25 Damage 
    • +40% Slower Stamina Drain 
    • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10 
    • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 

BELTS

[Early] Rare/Magic Rings with Faster Hit Recovery, bonuses to Life, and increased Gold from Monsters are a good early-game option until you find something better

Rare Belt Magic Belt

  • Required Level: varies. 
  • In Magic Belts look for:
    • Bonuses to Life 
    • Faster Hit Recovery 
  • In Rare Belts, look for:
    • Faster Hit Recovery 
    • Extra Gold from Monsters 
    • Replenish Life 
    • Bonuses to Life 
    • Resistances 

[Late] Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - This belt is ideal for casters and thus you want it. It's going to be quite expensive, but +1 All Skills and a 20% Faster Cast Rate are worth it. 

Arachnid Mesh

  • Defense: 119-138 
  • Potion Slots: 16 
  • Required Level: 80
  • Required Strength: 50
  • Durability: 12
    • +90-120% Enhanced Defense  
    • Slows Target by 20% 
    • +1 To All Skills 
    • 20% Faster Cast Rate 
    • Maximum Mana 5% 
    • Level 3 Venom (11 Charges) 

CHARMS

  1. Grand Charms -  If you're lucky and you find Grand Charms with +Elemental Skills early, consider yourself lucky. Otherwise, use any of these that offer useful bonuses - Magic Find, Resistances, Life, etc.
  2. Large Charms -  You can find Magic Find, Resistances and bonuses to Life on these which makes them useful early on - if you find these, you should definitely use them. 
  3. Small Charms - With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find - whatever suits your needs, basically. 
  4. As for Unique Charms; if you can afford them - use them. 

MERCENARY

Equipping a mercenary early on can be extremely difficult, as finding a 4-Socket Polearm (for Insight Runeword) can take a lot of time, however, if you manage to do that, you should definitely employ a Merc as it will help you on your ventures. Please note that the below-mentioned recommendations can turn out to be quite expensive, especially early on. 

We recommend picking up Act 2 Defiance Mercenary for extra damage mitigation bonuses. He should be equipped with: 

  1. Insight Rune Word in Ethereal Spear - This provides a Meditation Aura that increases our Mana Recovery Rate which is extremely helpful. 
  2. Fortitude Rune Word in Armor - This Runeword gives solid defenses that are necessary to keep your merc alive. 
  3. Vampire Gaze - An extremely solid and versatile headgear that will make your merc much more durable. 
  4. The rest of the Merc's equipment will mainly depend on your budget and drops - focusing on items with extra defense, life/vitality, life leech, or offensive mods (like crushing blow) is generally a good idea. 

 

END NOTE

This is our premiere Diablo 2 Resurrected build 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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