Bow Druid - Hints and Guides?

Would be interested in some hints and / or guides around bow druids.
Thx in advance

click to char guides and cheack the old guides right under the guide center name

It's a great build but not starter build u could change build mid game when you have a good items to sustain coz it's soft . And for farming and leveling fast .

Bliyadolubov wrote:click to char guides and cheack the old guides right under the guide center name

I think there's no guide about it coz it's not a starter friendly build u get obliberated easily if u are not knowledgable how to make a sustain.

(WIP, lazy bastard)

Bow dudu miniguide: Don't start a char as one; you'll have a bad time. The absolute earliest it's even worth humoring is 100 as you'll have access to lifeshield and an uberskill by then.

Breakpoints (FPA, then stat req):

Simple gear progression: (In roughly ascending power level order; some items will shine in some scenarios better)

Thorn Branch

Thorn Branch
Recurve Bow (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (13 - 16) to (25 - 33)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 12
Required Dexterity: 111
Item Level: 29
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.19 per Dexterity)%
5% Chance to cast level 1 Barrage on Kill
+1 to Druid Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
+(6 to 10) to Maximum Damage
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Damage
Attacker Flees after Striking (4 to 5)%
Regenerate Mana +(16 to 25)%
(21 to 30)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (2)
Two-Hand Damage: (45 - 51) to (73 - 91)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Dexterity: 161
Item Level: 40
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.19 per Dexterity)%
7% Chance to cast level 5 Barrage on Kill
+2 to Druid Skill Levels
30% Attack Speed
+(11 to 20) to Maximum Damage
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Damage
Attacker Flees after Striking (8 to 9)%
Regenerate Mana +(31 to 40)%
(31 to 40)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
Two-Hand Damage: (111 - 123) to (171 - 195)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Dexterity: 312
Item Level: 67
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.19 per Dexterity)%
9% Chance to cast level 9 Barrage on Kill
+3 to Druid Skill Levels
35% Attack Speed
+(21 to 30) to Maximum Damage
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Damage
Attacker Flees after Striking (12 to 13)%
Regenerate Mana +(46 to 55)%
(41 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (5)
Two-Hand Damage: (149 - 163) to (228 - 255)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 58
Required Dexterity: 613
Item Level: 85
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.19 per Dexterity)%
10% Chance to cast level 11 Barrage on Kill
+(4 to 5) to Druid Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Damage
Attacker Flees after Striking (14 to 15)%
Regenerate Mana +(61 to 70)%
(51 to 60)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (6)

Cernunnos

Cernunnos
Druid Bows
'JahOhmBer'
Runeword Level: 80
2% Chance to cast level 9 Cascade on Death Blow
30% Attack Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+(110 to 140) to Maximum Damage
+(130 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
Weapon Physical Damage +50%
Slow Target 10%
+90% to Summoned Minion Life
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster

Intimidating/Creepy crafted Viper/Thorn Bow (OK craft)

Nature's Wrath

Nature's Wrath
Compound Bow (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (165 - 186) to (320 - 341)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 90
Required Dexterity: 530
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
Additional Dexterity Damage Bonus: 0.0390625%
50% Attack Speed
+150 to Maximum Damage
10% Life stolen per Hit
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+50% to Summoned Minion Life
+(31 to 50) to Dexterity
Socketed (6)

Caoi Dulra
(Druid Hunter Set)

Sylvanshine (Xis)

Ice Breaker (Xis)

Intimidating/Creepy crafted Viper/Thorn Bow (GG craft)

Azgar's Mark

Azgar's Mark
Viper Bow (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (244 - 267) to (299 - 324)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 660
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
1% Chance to cast level 60 Meteor Shower on Kill
20% Chance to cast level 4 Arrow on Striking
+(2 to 4) to Druid Skill Levels
+(12 to 24)% Bonus Damage to Mark of the Wild
(51 to 100)% Duration Bonus to Mark of the Wild
Adds 60-100 Damage
(6 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
-(10 to 15)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+75 Life Regenerated per Second
Socketed (6)

Mr. Painless

Mr. Painless
Recurve Bow (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (222 - 244) to (369 - 393)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 725
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.19 per Dexterity)%
9% Chance to cast level 50 Punisher Bolt on Striking
+4 to Druid Skill Levels
40% Attack Speed
Adds 25-150 Damage
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Damage
-(25 to 30)% to Enemy Poison Resistance
Slow Target (21 to 25)%
+100 to Dexterity
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (6)

Kingsport's Signals

Kingsport's Signals
Arrow Quiver
Required Level: 110
Item Level: 120
1% Chance to Gain Heart of the Pack for 3 seconds on Striking
-100% Attack Speed
-50% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+1 to Steady Shot
+60 to Heartseeker
Maximum Fire Resist +5%

Grove

Nature's Vigil

Nature's Vigil
Antlers (Sacred)
Defense: (2898 - 3847) to (3062 - 4093)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 500
Item Level: 1
+(2 to 3) to Druid Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
+(100 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+1000 Defense
(21 to 25)% to Dexterity
+100 Life after each Kill
Socketed (4)

Caoi Dulra
(Druid Hunter Set)

Savage Hunter

Sky Spirit

Sky Spirit
Falcon Mask (Sacred)
Defense: (2390 - 2689) to (2642 - 2972)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 500
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 32 Tempest on Striking
150% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 42-84 Lightning Damage
+(20 to 25)% to Lightning Spell Damage
-(28 to 35)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 10%
+1 Life on Striking
+(4 to 5) to Light Radius
Socketed (4)

Nature's Grace

Nature's Grace
Druid Helms
'KoVenVenIth'
Runeword Level: 100
+(1 to 2) to Druid Skill Levels
1% Base Block Chance
+30% to Poison Spell Damage
-15% to Enemy Poison Resistance
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+100 to Strength
40% to Strength
Requirements -50%

Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors
'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense

Nature's Will

Nature's Will
Light Plate (Sacred)
Defense: 8229 to 9882
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 650
Item Level: 1
+(2 to 3) to Druid Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
25% Hit Recovery
Adds 100-200 Fire Damage
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+200% Enhanced Defense
Socketed (6)

Caoi Dulra
(Druid Hunter Set)

Rebel (Xis)

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 19
2% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 36
2% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 85
2% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

Nature's Embrace

Nature's Embrace
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2202 - 2752) to (2286 - 2857)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 1
+1 to Druid Skill Levels
25% Attack Speed
-10% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
Maximum Life +3%
Socketed (2)

Caoi Dulra
(Druid Hunter Set)

Black Void

Black Void
Heavy Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3060 - 3442) to (3304 - 3717)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
20% Attack Speed
Adds 10-15 Damage
(10 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
Slow Target 10%
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Target Takes Additional Damage of (25 to 50)
30% Magic Find
Socketed (2)

Rainbow (Xis)

Lilith's Temptation

Lilith's Temptation
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3680 - 4089) to (4031 - 4479)
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 2 Time Strike on Striking
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
-100 to Life
(60 to 100)% Magic Find
Requirements -100%
Socketed (2)

Featherclaw

Scosglen's Legends

Scosglen's Legends
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1072 - 1340) to (1220 - 1525)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 1
+(11 to 13)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 50) to Strength
+(31 to 50) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
Poison Length Reduced by 50%
Socketed (4)

Last King of Scosglen
(Druid Werebear Set)

Geleb's Greed

Geleb's Greed
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: 1608 to 1830
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 115
1% Chance to cast level 37 Fire Fountain on Death Blow
+1 to All Skills
-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(23 to 31) to Pyroblast
+200% Enhanced Defense
+5 Fire Absorb
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

Curse of the Zakarum
(Zakarum Set)

Maffer's Frenzy

Maffer's Frenzy
Light Plated Boots (Sacred)
Defense: 784 to 868
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 115
2% Chance to cast level 13 Psionic Scream on Kill
+1 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
Adds 3-5 Damage
50% Bonus to Attack Rating
+18 to Wolf Companion
Elemental Resists +(20 to 30)%
+20 Life after each Kill
Socketed (4)

Curse of the Zakarum
(Zakarum Set)

Zealot Rush

Zealot Rush
Light Plated Boots (4)
Defense: (67 - 78) to (102 - 119)
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 31
Item Level: 10
5% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(11 to 25)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(21 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (248 - 281) to (338 - 384)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 36
10% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(41 to 55)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (613 - 685) to (817 - 914)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 51
20% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(71 to 85)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to Dexterity
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (944 - 1044) to (1247 - 1378)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 85
30% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(86 to 100)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to Dexterity
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

Wind Runner

Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense

Dyers Eve

Dyers Eve
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
5% Chance to cast level 5 Time Strike on Striking
+2 to All Skills
Adds 15-20 Damage
5% Life stolen per Hit
Elemental Resists +10%
Physical Resist (1 to 10)%

Ripstar

Ripstar
Ring
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+0.5625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+20 Life on Melee Attack

Giant's Knuckle

Giant's Knuckle
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
20% Attack Speed
Adds 10-15 Damage
(5 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
5% Deadly Strike
+25 Life Regenerated per Second
Physical Resist 5%

Sockets:

MOs:

Crafting:
- General rule is an 'ok' craft is going to have 2 of these mods, GG obviously has all of the ones it can fit.

using a maple is a sad attempt to justify 10 wsm for a loss of 4-6 base damage (which is massive for a base item difference) for reference, that's the equivalent of using a saber instead of a long sword

(assuming speedcalc is correct) yes, maple bow hits capped 8fpa at 163 ias compared to recurve getting 232

but lets be real, not silly. 232 ias is very easy to obtain.

I just want to add that while homing Nova shot is good single target, you do need to gear specifically for fire Pierce for it to be any good, so you can't just switch helms for bossing. Another viable option for bossing is

Ranger's Disguise

Ranger's Disguise
Spirit Mask (Sacred)
Defense: (2836 - 3129) to (3182 - 3510)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 650
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 20 Sun Strike on Striking
80% Attack Speed
+10 to Widowmaker
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
15% to Strength
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)

. Although the max res penalty is harsh, both fragmentation shot and Widowmaker are pretty decent single target WDM skills that won't require you to switch your entire setup.

Crash wrote:using a maple is a sad attempt to justify 10 wsm for a loss of 4-6 base damage (which is massive for a base item difference) for reference, that's the equivalent of using a saber instead of a long sword

(assuming speedcalc is correct) yes, maple bow hits capped 8fpa at 163 ias compared to recurve getting 232

but lets be real, not silly. 232 ias is very easy to obtain.

Oh. Yeah I misread the last benchmark for thorny as 332 for some reason. That's pretty easy to get anyways.

Diaco wrote:I just want to add that while homing Nova shot is good single target, you do need to gear specifically for fire Pierce for it to be any good, so you can't just switch helms for bossing. Another viable option for bossing is
Ranger's Disguise
Ranger's Disguise
Spirit Mask (Sacred)
Defense: (2836 - 3129) to (3182 - 3510)
(Druid Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 650
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 20 Sun Strike on Striking
80% Attack Speed
+10 to Widowmaker
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
15% to Strength
Maximum Life +(2 to 3)%
Physical Resist 10%
Socketed (4)
. Although the max res penalty is harsh, both fragmentation shot and Widowmaker are pretty decent single target WDM skills that won't require you to switch your entire setup.

Ooh.

Yeah I'd at least want a gelebs before using savage. Also, aren't those xbow only skills?

Hy, with the full set, what you use for the socket slots ? Crafted jewels or runes ? thx