How Diablo 4's Druid Compares
Blizzard unveiled the Druid's abilities and skill trees during the Diablo 4 reveal at BlizzCon 2019. For fans of the original Druid in Diablo 2, many abilities and ideas behind Diablo 4's Druid will seem familiar Diablo IV Items. The Druid's skills still hold onto the three main ideas behind Elemental, Shapeshifting, and Summoning, though skills are more divided up between different categories instead of three main skill trees. The skill groups in Diablo 4 are: Basic Attacks, Spirit Attacks, Defensive Abilities, Wrath Abilities, Companion Abilities, and Ultimate Abilities. The abilities in each category feature different Shapeshifting and Elemental abilities. For example, in Basic Attacks, Maul will turn the Druid into a Werebear to slam nearby enemies while Storm Strike electrifies the Druid's weapon with electric damage for a time.
The Summoning skills also make an appearance in the form of Companion skills. These skills will passively keep up specific types of companions alongside the Druid which do different things. Wolves will seek out and bite enemies, Ravens will inflict Vulnerability to enemies, and Vine Creepers will poison nearby enemies. The Druid's Ultimate abilities are more unique in Diablo 4. Grizzly Rage is the most reminiscent of Diablo 2, as it lets the Druid turn into a Werebear for a short time to rampage around and deal massive damage with new Werebear skills. Cataclysm summons many tornadoes to deal wind and lightning damage. Petrify is the most original skill in the group as it stuns all nearby enemies and allows players to deal extra damage to them. Using these abilities will allow the Druid to fill a lot of great rolls, especially when going against Diablo 4's massive world bosses.
When comparing the two Druids, Diablo 4's Druid definitely captures the spirit of Diablo 2 while adding some more variety to the class. It's clear that Blizzard is trying to add some variety It keeps the classic ideas behind the original Druid while innovating and remixing skills to create a fresh cheap Diablo 4 Items, new experience for Diablo 4. Hopefully fans will enjoy the Druid along with the other Diablo 4 starting classes whenever the game finally launches.