prod689
01-06-2008, 03:55 PM
FCR Based Elemental Druid
by prod689
I am building this guide the way I built my druid, and seems pretty successful. I'm sure you'll have questions.
1. Intro
2. Stats
3. Skills
4. Gear
5. Strategy (PVP)
6. End Damage
1.Intro
I know there is many wind druid guides out there. I'm not going to sit here and say that mine is better than anyone elses. I see a lot of people building their druids around damage and just accepting the 99% fcr as the way to go for more damage. I can understand from an rich/poor perspective why people would choose the 99fcr over the 163. I would like people to understand just how important the 163 fcr build really is though. I've dueled lots of damage based druids and my build wins 85% of the time. Not because I'm really good, but because the cast rate allows you to do things that the normal damage build does not. Just hear me out. As always no guide is perfect and I am always open for suggestions. Anyways, on to the guide.
2. Stats
Strength: Enough for gear. (Preferably MagePlate Enigma, 55 str)
Dexterity: JUST ENOUGH FOR GEAR. Don't try to go for max block here. I'll explain later.
Vitality: Obviously put everything into this stat.
Energy: Don't waste anything here. Just leave at base.
3. Skills
Elemental Skills:
Artic Blast: 1 (I know this sucks but o well)
Cyclone Armor : 20 (This will save you time and time again. A no brainer)
Twister: 20 (Synergy for your main skills, MUY IMPORTANTE!)
Tornado: 20 (This is your main attack, bar none.)
Hurricane: 20 (This is also a must, synergy and awesome helper.)
Summoning Skills:
Raven: 1 (Kind of nice, puts some zons in their dodge frame)
Spirit wolves: 1 (Helper with smiters and bowazons and FC zons)
Dire wolves: 1 (Have to do it in order to get bear)
Bear: 20 (I'll explain later)*
Oak Sage: Whatever points you have left.
*Maxed out bear is important for dueling in this regard. I know I'll get killed for not maxing Oak sage but the damage from a maxed out bear is awesome. When teleing around it will hold its own not only with damage but becomes a good tank shield for the druid. Although, I would not suggest dueling smiters/chargers/bowazons with just the bear, their desynch will give you a bad day if you do. BUT, for all other characters the bear will tear them up while you tele on top of them. I notice when I duel sorcs necros or anything that runs away from you tornado, that as long as you can get close to them the bear will hit them causing fairly decent damage. The oak sage is nice yes, but I didn't max it but still have 3.2k life.
4. Gear
Ok, this is the fairly expensive part. But if you want a good druid, you will pay the price to get it. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Helm:
Most druid circs have +2 to elemental or druid skills with 20% fcr and some other mods. Try to get a +3 to elemental with 20 fcr. Regardless which helm you use whether it even has skills or not, the fcr is the important part. THIS IS A MUST IN ORDER TO HIT 163 FCR BP!
Its expensive but looks better than the stupid green and blue helms like pelt and such. (Remember FCR over damage) Whatever helm you choose you should socket it with a Shael (20% to fhr).
Armor:
There is ONLY ONE CHOICE, and that is Enigma. Try, really really try to get mage plate due to strength cost. If you have to settle for a little higher strength nigma then do so, but really try to get MP nigma.
Ammy:
This will get a little expensive also. Try and find or trade or buy an amulet with +1 or +2 to skills and 10% fcr. Again, this is very important for this build. You have to have this in order to hit BP (legitimately ;)) Other mods that accompany these ammy's will help too, especially if you can find one with strength AND resists.
Belt:
There is only one choice here for the FCR build. Arachnids Mesh. You can't get any better for this build. +1 to skills and 20 FCR, you get the picture.
Boots:
Sandstorm Treks is a great option here. FHR and strength mods is definately needed to equip full gear.
Weapon:
Absolutely positively no other option. HOTO or "Heart of the Oak" 40% FCR +3 to skills, mana boost and resists. Can't beat it. Actually you need it.
SWITCH
A 3-6 BO Call to Arms. Every character needs this.
Shield:
Since we are not going for max block or anything like that, Spirit Monarch shield is the only option. HAS TO BE AT LEAST 33-35 FCR for this build to work right. Breaking point, breaking point, keep thinking breaking point.
SWITCH
To maximize your BO you need a spirit. Low, high it doesnt really matter.
Rings:
YOU need rings that have 10% FCR on them. The other mods that usually accompany these rings are just a bonus, nice to have though. Some are expensive and others people might just give you.
Gloves:
Some people have different preferences on gloves with fcr. I personally like Magefist due to the mana regen. Some like Trangs for the resists. Choose one, as long as you have the 20% FCR you're doing fine.
In your inventory you should have:
9x Elemental Gc's. If you can afford lifers and fhr mod'd ele gc's do so, otherwise just have the ele gc's.
Druid torch. The closer to perfect the better...obviously
Anni. This is a must have item for the same obvious reasons as torch.
If you can, fill the rest of your inventory up with either lifer small charms or resists small charms, totally up to you.
All this being said, lets breakdown the FCR for gear...
Helm: 20%
Weapon: 40%
Belt: 20%
Shield: 33-35%
Rings: 20% ( 10% and 10%)
Ammy: 10%
Gloves: 20%
Now if your lucky enough to come across a perf Spirit Monarch you will have 165% Fcr. Thus breaking, well, the breaking point.
5. Strategy (PVP)
The whole point of this build is to spam and spam...and spam some more. With the 163 Bp you will be able to spam like no one else (DAMN U TMC). You can cast twice the amout of tornados doing more damage and tele/spamming is absolutly a beautiful thing. You can cast 4 tornados and telespam some more before those 4 have even worn out.
Dueling suggestions for the different classes.
Smiters/Chargers/Bowazons.
Now days, these builds are tough. Damage is much higher for zons, Desynching has become a norm for smiter chargers. Desynch can cause major problems for you if you dont stay busy teleporting and spamming.
You will need those Spirit wolves and oak sage AND ravens. This should cover you up fairly well against most smiters.
Use the same summons for bowzons. Same technique and everything as smiter. They will mulitshot you and your minions will die, but the whole point is having enough protection to get to her. Then let her rip.
Sorcs and Necro and other teleing casters.
This is where the bear becomes worth its points. When you tele/spam you aren't going to hit 100% of the time, you bear should hit more often than your tornados. His damage and life will tank some spirits and cold, light and fire enough for you to Rip them apart. CYCLONE ARMOR...don't ever leave town without it. PERIOD.
Barbs and Hammerdins.
When your spamming the tornados make sure you are always out of the way of an incoming ww. You will not tank it. Tele on either side of them (whichever way the ww is going) and spam. Most people that duel with barbs are not scared to think they can tank your tornados. Prove them wrong.
Hammerdins can be tough if you duel really good ones. Most good pvp's know where to tele on you and how their hammers operate. Spam and tele. You generally can spam nados' and sit in them, when they try and tele on to you...They will die.
Javazons.
Be careful of these ones. Most if not all javazon pvp is all Farcasted now. Your bear and ravens combo should help you at least tank a few blows and if lucky, set the zon into her dodge frame. Move in to kill and kill fast. Make sure that if you duel javazon they do not hit you more than once or twice. ALWAYS RELOAD YOUR CYCLONE ARMOR.
Sins. (Primarily trappers)
Trapper sins usually play very defensive. They will wait for you to make the move to come to them. Make this a boring duel. Trust me, picking an assassin is a character trait of the one playing it. They typically like lots of damage and are not very patient. Play smart and play fast. Spam and tele like hell. Your patience should overcome their need for fishing you. You can tank some of their traps but not all. Just tele/spam.
6. End damage
Your damage and life should be somewhat similar to this.
6.3k to 6.7k tornados
2.9k hurricane
With sage life should be around 3.2k
Anyways, I hope you like this guide. FCR is so important for druids in dueling. FCR can mean the difference between getting nk'd or enjoying the other people complaining about how the can't hit you fast enough.
I hope as I write more guides that I will get a little bit better. Let me know what you think. Please give credit where credit is due.
- prod_689
by prod689
I am building this guide the way I built my druid, and seems pretty successful. I'm sure you'll have questions.
1. Intro
2. Stats
3. Skills
4. Gear
5. Strategy (PVP)
6. End Damage
1.Intro
I know there is many wind druid guides out there. I'm not going to sit here and say that mine is better than anyone elses. I see a lot of people building their druids around damage and just accepting the 99% fcr as the way to go for more damage. I can understand from an rich/poor perspective why people would choose the 99fcr over the 163. I would like people to understand just how important the 163 fcr build really is though. I've dueled lots of damage based druids and my build wins 85% of the time. Not because I'm really good, but because the cast rate allows you to do things that the normal damage build does not. Just hear me out. As always no guide is perfect and I am always open for suggestions. Anyways, on to the guide.
2. Stats
Strength: Enough for gear. (Preferably MagePlate Enigma, 55 str)
Dexterity: JUST ENOUGH FOR GEAR. Don't try to go for max block here. I'll explain later.
Vitality: Obviously put everything into this stat.
Energy: Don't waste anything here. Just leave at base.
3. Skills
Elemental Skills:
Artic Blast: 1 (I know this sucks but o well)
Cyclone Armor : 20 (This will save you time and time again. A no brainer)
Twister: 20 (Synergy for your main skills, MUY IMPORTANTE!)
Tornado: 20 (This is your main attack, bar none.)
Hurricane: 20 (This is also a must, synergy and awesome helper.)
Summoning Skills:
Raven: 1 (Kind of nice, puts some zons in their dodge frame)
Spirit wolves: 1 (Helper with smiters and bowazons and FC zons)
Dire wolves: 1 (Have to do it in order to get bear)
Bear: 20 (I'll explain later)*
Oak Sage: Whatever points you have left.
*Maxed out bear is important for dueling in this regard. I know I'll get killed for not maxing Oak sage but the damage from a maxed out bear is awesome. When teleing around it will hold its own not only with damage but becomes a good tank shield for the druid. Although, I would not suggest dueling smiters/chargers/bowazons with just the bear, their desynch will give you a bad day if you do. BUT, for all other characters the bear will tear them up while you tele on top of them. I notice when I duel sorcs necros or anything that runs away from you tornado, that as long as you can get close to them the bear will hit them causing fairly decent damage. The oak sage is nice yes, but I didn't max it but still have 3.2k life.
4. Gear
Ok, this is the fairly expensive part. But if you want a good druid, you will pay the price to get it. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Helm:
Most druid circs have +2 to elemental or druid skills with 20% fcr and some other mods. Try to get a +3 to elemental with 20 fcr. Regardless which helm you use whether it even has skills or not, the fcr is the important part. THIS IS A MUST IN ORDER TO HIT 163 FCR BP!
Its expensive but looks better than the stupid green and blue helms like pelt and such. (Remember FCR over damage) Whatever helm you choose you should socket it with a Shael (20% to fhr).
Armor:
There is ONLY ONE CHOICE, and that is Enigma. Try, really really try to get mage plate due to strength cost. If you have to settle for a little higher strength nigma then do so, but really try to get MP nigma.
Ammy:
This will get a little expensive also. Try and find or trade or buy an amulet with +1 or +2 to skills and 10% fcr. Again, this is very important for this build. You have to have this in order to hit BP (legitimately ;)) Other mods that accompany these ammy's will help too, especially if you can find one with strength AND resists.
Belt:
There is only one choice here for the FCR build. Arachnids Mesh. You can't get any better for this build. +1 to skills and 20 FCR, you get the picture.
Boots:
Sandstorm Treks is a great option here. FHR and strength mods is definately needed to equip full gear.
Weapon:
Absolutely positively no other option. HOTO or "Heart of the Oak" 40% FCR +3 to skills, mana boost and resists. Can't beat it. Actually you need it.
SWITCH
A 3-6 BO Call to Arms. Every character needs this.
Shield:
Since we are not going for max block or anything like that, Spirit Monarch shield is the only option. HAS TO BE AT LEAST 33-35 FCR for this build to work right. Breaking point, breaking point, keep thinking breaking point.
SWITCH
To maximize your BO you need a spirit. Low, high it doesnt really matter.
Rings:
YOU need rings that have 10% FCR on them. The other mods that usually accompany these rings are just a bonus, nice to have though. Some are expensive and others people might just give you.
Gloves:
Some people have different preferences on gloves with fcr. I personally like Magefist due to the mana regen. Some like Trangs for the resists. Choose one, as long as you have the 20% FCR you're doing fine.
In your inventory you should have:
9x Elemental Gc's. If you can afford lifers and fhr mod'd ele gc's do so, otherwise just have the ele gc's.
Druid torch. The closer to perfect the better...obviously
Anni. This is a must have item for the same obvious reasons as torch.
If you can, fill the rest of your inventory up with either lifer small charms or resists small charms, totally up to you.
All this being said, lets breakdown the FCR for gear...
Helm: 20%
Weapon: 40%
Belt: 20%
Shield: 33-35%
Rings: 20% ( 10% and 10%)
Ammy: 10%
Gloves: 20%
Now if your lucky enough to come across a perf Spirit Monarch you will have 165% Fcr. Thus breaking, well, the breaking point.
5. Strategy (PVP)
The whole point of this build is to spam and spam...and spam some more. With the 163 Bp you will be able to spam like no one else (DAMN U TMC). You can cast twice the amout of tornados doing more damage and tele/spamming is absolutly a beautiful thing. You can cast 4 tornados and telespam some more before those 4 have even worn out.
Dueling suggestions for the different classes.
Smiters/Chargers/Bowazons.
Now days, these builds are tough. Damage is much higher for zons, Desynching has become a norm for smiter chargers. Desynch can cause major problems for you if you dont stay busy teleporting and spamming.
You will need those Spirit wolves and oak sage AND ravens. This should cover you up fairly well against most smiters.
Use the same summons for bowzons. Same technique and everything as smiter. They will mulitshot you and your minions will die, but the whole point is having enough protection to get to her. Then let her rip.
Sorcs and Necro and other teleing casters.
This is where the bear becomes worth its points. When you tele/spam you aren't going to hit 100% of the time, you bear should hit more often than your tornados. His damage and life will tank some spirits and cold, light and fire enough for you to Rip them apart. CYCLONE ARMOR...don't ever leave town without it. PERIOD.
Barbs and Hammerdins.
When your spamming the tornados make sure you are always out of the way of an incoming ww. You will not tank it. Tele on either side of them (whichever way the ww is going) and spam. Most people that duel with barbs are not scared to think they can tank your tornados. Prove them wrong.
Hammerdins can be tough if you duel really good ones. Most good pvp's know where to tele on you and how their hammers operate. Spam and tele. You generally can spam nados' and sit in them, when they try and tele on to you...They will die.
Javazons.
Be careful of these ones. Most if not all javazon pvp is all Farcasted now. Your bear and ravens combo should help you at least tank a few blows and if lucky, set the zon into her dodge frame. Move in to kill and kill fast. Make sure that if you duel javazon they do not hit you more than once or twice. ALWAYS RELOAD YOUR CYCLONE ARMOR.
Sins. (Primarily trappers)
Trapper sins usually play very defensive. They will wait for you to make the move to come to them. Make this a boring duel. Trust me, picking an assassin is a character trait of the one playing it. They typically like lots of damage and are not very patient. Play smart and play fast. Spam and tele like hell. Your patience should overcome their need for fishing you. You can tank some of their traps but not all. Just tele/spam.
6. End damage
Your damage and life should be somewhat similar to this.
6.3k to 6.7k tornados
2.9k hurricane
With sage life should be around 3.2k
Anyways, I hope you like this guide. FCR is so important for druids in dueling. FCR can mean the difference between getting nk'd or enjoying the other people complaining about how the can't hit you fast enough.
I hope as I write more guides that I will get a little bit better. Let me know what you think. Please give credit where credit is due.
- prod_689