Is bow druid supposed to be utter garbage?

[Anonymous:]

How about treewarden ?

[suntorytime]

Bowdruid is a great farmer (still can't compete with Wolfdruid though). The only thing he is lacking right now is a decent single target ability. Nova Shot is not bad but you have to stand right next to bosses to reach its highest damage potential. Being a ranged character, that doesn't make sense.

Savage Hunter

is not that huge of an improvement and the recent change to Laughing Ghost just made it one of the most awkward skills to use in this mod

[Orr]

i think druid is the worst class, trap rat is boring, wolf makes my head dizzy, seer is garbage, bow needs expensive gears, and acid fiends are annoying lol. Also, before 90 is a nightmare, you have to collect your corpse a lot. Druid is such a pain in the a**.

he is not so bad like that i played with seer druid and i dont see much dificult to play until 125 he is still viable for some bosses like xazax/astrogha but for others depends of u patience due teleports

[Crash]

Even with good positioning on Laughing Ghost, it feels awfully clunky, I can agree. Anything of a moving target, you have to be able to outrun, turn around, and target where the enemy will walk to by the time the nova explodes. Seems like it does zero damage outside of a few yards of the center, but the nova still travels screenwide. Druid already has multiple bow skills that span huge ranges and target count. Should definitely trim Laughing Ghost to like a Butcher pentagram-sized radius and make the whole explosion in that small circle deal full damage, so still rewarding players for targeting but with a bit of leniency in monster movement.

[Celestialray]

Seems like it does zero damage outside of a few yards of the center, but the nova still travels screenwide

I completely agree with this. I have problems with inarius because I can't possibly get close to the crystal ball without dying from lightning + getting surrounded by nuns and laughing ghost has extremely bad damage if you can't perfectly hit it and it's almost impossible considering you need to constantly run away from nuns.

I can't imagine how garbage the astrogha fight is considering you can't even use nova shot / homing nova shot cause you'd be killing he totems and even laughing ghost is a problem cause it has quite the aoe and probably just enough damage to kill he totems. I feel like druid needs a single target skill like amazon has (trinity arrow). Hopefully they'll do something about it next patch.

And please don't link me some duncraig farm. I am fully aware that druid does ok clearing stuff otherwise no one would even play it. But then every class with decent gear can farm duncraig (I had no problems with duncraig on any of my classes, even entering it at lvl 120 with only half signets).

Edit: Also, what the fuck is wrong with cascade and why does it shoot enemies that are far away instead of prioritizing those close to you?

[Im_a_ninja]

shaad bow runeword is a beast

[usling]

How about treewarden ?

Treewarden is........
Who needs bow druid when.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH62hRCtR0s&t=14s

[redicomerade]

Seems like it does zero damage outside of a few yards of the center, but the nova still travels screenwide

I completely agree with this. I have problems with inarius because I can't possibly get close to the crystal ball without dying from lightning + getting surrounded by nuns and laughing ghost has extremely bad damage if you can't perfectly hit it and it's almost impossible considering you need to constantly run away from nuns.

I can't imagine how garbage the astrogha fight is considering you can't even use nova shot / homing nova shot cause you'd be killing he totems and even laughing ghost is a problem cause it has quite the aoe and probably just enough damage to kill he totems. I feel like druid needs a single target skill like amazon has (trinity arrow). Hopefully they'll do something about it next patch.

And please don't link me some duncraig farm. I am fully aware that druid does ok clearing stuff otherwise no one would even play it. But then every class with decent gear can farm duncraig (I had no problems with duncraig on any of my classes, even entering it at lvl 120 with only half signets).

Edit: Also, what the fuck is wrong with cascade and why does it shoot enemies that are far away instead of prioritizing those close to you?

Hey man, you made topic named that druid is utter garbage, i showed you he isnt, and you say dont show me videos i know he is ok clearing stuff?? Im confused. Many people wonders how specific build can farm duncraig/teganze/fauzt, and yes every(almost every?) build can farm it, the question is how fast and safe. That build, considering im not fully equipped BIS items and all charms, is far from medicore doing it and provide many fun.

Dont get me wrong it has problems, like mentioned in this topic, single target, nova shot close distance focused, but its not utter garbage.

Also if you cant do cathedral of vanity, youre doing it wrong. Summon fiends, dont move, summon more, wait for lighting to turn off, jitan to crystal ball, 2 nova shot, move from inarius, cascade to nuns, kill inarius. I wont show you video since you dont like it. Good luck its fun character i like it.
Personally i get far more joy from making character strong and squeze as much you can from it, than taking like, as example only: Orb of annihilation and just win game.

[OrphineM]

Hi, bow druid main this season. Did all the content through 125 with the exception of Kingdom of Shadow because I hate that uberlevel and Valthek because my internet's not stable for me to beat that maze before I DC at random.

First and foremost, a NotArmory link goes a long way as how you're geared out is important. I've mained a bow druid for reference, but started as a caster however as a poison caster druid steamrolls to 115 ez and is stupidly simple to run; You just pump up the poison skills and watch your acid fiends facetank the world with 30K+ hp, it trivializes pretty much every uber up to 115 with the sole exception of legacy of blood.

Anyways, gearing a bow druid in general is pretty easy; this is what I'd have going into Hell:

Stats: Roughly 3/1 Str/Dex split, tune as needed for AR.
---
Skills: SMAX Elfin Weapons, Nova Shot (really your best performer here), Lifeshield. 1pt Pagan Rites, 1pt Acid Fiends, 1pt Faerie Fire. From here flavor to taste; I like leaning on acid fiends in midgame to help with survivability + the damage aura, so split the rest of the points into poison flash and acid fiends to make em C H O N K Y. Put a few points into Elvensong and Mythal as well to get cooldowns. There is an argument for putting points into Spore Shot to make Cascade shine however.
---
Gear:

(Obviously druid bow set items are nuts at this point, and even do some real work up through 120, but that depends if you luck into them. That said, they will carry you pretty far. SUs are also excluded as it's hard to control what drops. That said, if one drops, evaluate it, it might beat these options.)

Bow:

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)

hits like a mack truck and solves your mana problems early, and even includes some IAS. I am also partial to

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

in a good sacred base druid bow, or

Sylvanshine

is a real contender as well. When in doubt, toss some Jah runes in for damage, Perf Ammies for AR, Ix/Sha/Ath runes for FCR/IAS/FHR or try to roll some crafted life leech jewels. Aim for AR/Damage/Leech/frame breakpoints on your jewels. TU wins out due to MO space at this point.
Quiver:

Hanabigami

Hanabigami
Arrow Quiver
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 80
5% Chance to cast level 36 Ice Lance on Kill
5% Chance to cast level 36 Forked Lightning on Kill
5% Chance to cast level 36 Flamefront on Kill
Adds 13-25 Fire Damage
Adds 13-25 Lightning Damage
Adds 13-25 Cold Damage
-(1 to 10)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances

has those big dick procs.

Cindercone

Cindercone
Arrow Quiver
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
1% Chance to cast level 20 Flamefront on Striking
Adds 13-25 Fire Damage
+20% to Fire Spell Damage
(5 to 10)% to Strength
(5 to 10)% to Dexterity

gives str/dex however. Either is good, but the former really wants you to craft one with 10 ele pierce.
Helm:

Natha

Natha
Druid Helms
'GulEl'
Runeword Level: 65
4% Chance to cast level 2 Arrow on Striking
20% Attack Speed
50% Hit Recovery
(31 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(58 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+5 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 10%

is really good. Even has some phys resist.

Lavadome

Lavadome
Helm (4)
Defense: (78 - 89) to (115 - 131)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 29
Item Level: 10
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
+15 to Vitality
(3 to 5)% to Vitality
+(81 to 120) to Life
Fire Resist +(11 to 30)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (300 - 334) to (391 - 435)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 57
Item Level: 31
+1 to All Skills
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
+30 to Vitality
(6 to 10)% to Vitality
+(121 to 160) to Life
Fire Resist +(31 to 50)%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (753 - 825) to (970 - 1062)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 201
Item Level: 51
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
+(101 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+45 to Vitality
(11 to 15)% to Vitality
+(161 to 200) to Life
Fire Resist +(51 to 70)%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1191 - 1290) to (1519 - 1645)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 402
Item Level: 77
+2 to All Skills
+(131 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+60 to Vitality
(16 to 20)% to Vitality
+(201 to 240) to Life
Fire Resist +(71 to 90)%
Socketed (4)

is fine for defense too.

Topspin

Topspin
Skull Cap (4)
Defense: (76 - 83) to (115 - 125)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 1
5% Attack Speed
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 50) Defense
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
(3 to 5)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
10% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (1)
Defense: (277 - 301) to (365 - 397)
Required Level: 20
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 31
15% Attack Speed
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
+(71 to 100) Defense
(6 to 8)% to Dexterity
(6 to 8)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
20% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (3)
Defense: (704 - 760) to (876 - 943)
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 192
Item Level: 51
25% Attack Speed
+(91 to 110)% Enhanced Defense
+(151 to 200) Defense
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
(9 to 11)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
30% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1182 - 1258) to (1471 - 1564)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 384
Item Level: 77
30% Attack Speed
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+(301 to 400) Defense
(12 to 14)% to Dexterity
(12 to 14)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
40% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)

otherwise.
Armor:

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

is stupidly good. TU options include

Albrect's Revenge

for the reanimates/proc/demon kill lifesteal (don't underestimate this),

Steel Golem

Steel Golem
Gothic Plate (4)
Defense: (313 - 364) to (629 - 731)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 36 to 37
Item Level: 19
25% Hit Recovery
Stun Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(7 to 10)% to Strength
(7 to 10)% to Vitality
Requirements +(7 to 10)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1017 - 1140) to (1931 - 2166)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 78 to 80
Item Level: 40
45% Hit Recovery
Stun Attack
6% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 18)% to Strength
(15 to 18)% to Vitality
Requirements +(15 to 18)%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2542 - 2801) to (4732 - 5214)
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 291 to 298
Item Level: 67
65% Hit Recovery
Stun Attack
7% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 26)% to Strength
(23 to 26)% to Vitality
Requirements +(23 to 26)%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3804 - 4140) to (7061 - 7685)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 600 to 614
Item Level: 85
75% Hit Recovery
Stun Attack
8% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Requirements +(27 to 30)%
Socketed (6)

for FHR, or

Shroud Royal

Shroud Royal
Full Plate Mail (4)
Defense: (336 - 390) to (676 - 786)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 29
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01171875%
+(1 to 2) to Vanquish
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (7 to 10)
(6 to 8)% Gold Find
(6 to 8)% Magic Find
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1082 - 1213) to (2067 - 2318)
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 40
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.015625%
+(5 to 6) to Vanquish
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (15 to 18)
(10 to 12)% Gold Find
(10 to 12)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2707 - 2983) to (5055 - 5570)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 67
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01953125%
+(9 to 10) to Vanquish
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (23 to 26)
(14 to 16)% Gold Find
(14 to 16)% Magic Find
Socketed (5)
Defense: (4043 - 4401) to (7534 - 8200)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 85
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.0234375%
+(11 to 12) to Vanquish
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (27 to 30)
(18 to 20)% Gold Find
(18 to 20)% Magic Find
Socketed (6)

for even more defense. Don't like

Queen of Glass

Queen of Glass
Ancient Armor (4)
Defense: (315 - 344) to (630 - 688)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 33 to 34
Item Level: 29
15% Cast Speed
-(6 to 8)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(76 to 125) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Requirements -(11 to 15)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (899 - 969) to (1718 - 1852)
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 57 to 60
Item Level: 40
25% Cast Speed
-(11 to 13)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(176 to 225) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Requirements -(21 to 25)%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2084 - 2224) to (3911 - 4173)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 175 to 186
Item Level: 67
35% Cast Speed
-(16 to 18)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(276 to 325) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(41 to 45)%
Cold Resist +(41 to 45)%
Requirements -(31 to 35)%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3013 - 3202) to (5650 - 6005)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 323 to 344
Item Level: 85
40% Cast Speed
-(18 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(326 to 375) to Mana
Lightning Resist +(46 to 50)%
Cold Resist +(46 to 50)%
Requirements -(36 to 40)%
Socketed (6)

for this build but the 20% pierce is a very real consideration.
Belt:

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)

; Not even the set belt beats this unless you have another set piece.
Gloves:

Featherclaw

solves your AR problems
Boots:

Lionpaw

Lionpaw
Chain Boots (4)
Defense: (49 - 54) to (71 - 78)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 29
Item Level: 10
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(7 to 10) to all Attributes
+(31 to 50) to Life
+(16 to 25) to Mana
(3 to 5)% Bonus to Defense
10% Gold Find
Socketed (1)
Defense: (203 - 218) to (267 - 288)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 58
Item Level: 31
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(15 to 18) to all Attributes
+(71 to 90) to Life
+(36 to 45) to Mana
(9 to 11)% Bonus to Defense
15% Gold Find
Socketed (2)
Defense: (519 - 554) to (667 - 712)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 202
Item Level: 51
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(23 to 26) to all Attributes
+(111 to 130) to Life
+(56 to 65) to Mana
(15 to 17)% Bonus to Defense
20% Gold Find
Socketed (3)
Defense: (759 - 807) to (974 - 1036)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 403
Item Level: 77
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to all Attributes
+(131 to 150) to Life
+(66 to 75) to Mana
(18 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
25% Gold Find
Socketed (4)

is a better defensive option;

Death Spur

Death Spur
Heavy Boots (4)
Defense: 27 to 39
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 27
Item Level: 1
1% Chance to cast level 6 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.09375 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(11 to 15) to Strength
+(11 to 15) to Dexterity
Socketed (1)
Defense: 109 to 141
Required Level: 20
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 31
1% Chance to cast level 10 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.15625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(21 to 25) to Strength
+(21 to 25) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: 248 to 310
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 193
Item Level: 51
1% Chance to cast level 14 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.21875 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(31 to 35) to Strength
+(31 to 35) to Dexterity
Socketed (3)
Defense: 346 to 427
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 386
Item Level: 77
1% Chance to cast level 16 Spike Nova on Kill
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+0.25 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+(36 to 40) to Strength
+(36 to 40) to Dexterity
Socketed (4)

easily adds an extra 25 damage to your max which is a lot, and has a proc too, to boot.

Pax Mystica

Pax Mystica
Staves
'Tir'
Runeword Level: 10
+1 to All Skills
+7% to Spell Damage
+(2 to 5) to Blink
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
(11 to 13)% Magic Find

on swap for blinks.

Rings: Whatever, just get damage, leech, or

Ripstar

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

Amulet: Whatever, you know what mods to hunt, or

Athulhua's Oracle

is solid.

MOs:

Weapon: Enhanced Damage (up to 200%, socketables not factored in) > Breakpoints/AR > Max Damage/Leech as needed. With this setup, you'll probably lean more on AR first.
Armor: Enhanced Defense (same rule as above) > FHR breakpoints > weapon damage, ele resists as needed
Jewelry/Quiver: Mana regen, PDR, ele resists if you're really hard up for them.

Sockets:

In general: Ix/Sha/Ath runes can help reach FCR/IAS/FHR breakpoints. Perfect bloodstones/onyxes/amber/turquoise shores up your ele resists.
Weapon: Jah runes or P.Ammies for damage/AR, respectively.
Jewels: Tir jewelcrafts for MF, Ohm/Thai crafts for more damage, or Ber crafts for life/mana leech as needed. Ohm is the best option, but the others are real considerations as well. Good stats to roll regardless: FHR/IAS/FCR, Min/max damage, AR, All attributes%

Merc: A5 merc for C H O N K T A N K, or an A1 merc if you have those beefy fiends for even more damage.

What do:

Buff up, have acid fiends to tank. Pax Mystica to blink out of trouble. Spore shot on long crowds, Cascade in open areas, Nova shot when you wanna get dangerous and up and close. Laughing Ghost really needs a rework to be more usable, I'll admit. I hate it.

[Celestialray]

shaad bow runeword is a beast

Yes, I just got the runeword and it's amazing. Definitely rivals bowzon clearing speed.

really wants you to craft one with 10 ele pierce.

I can craft quivers? I don't see anything in the documentation about this. Or you mean get an unique one?

I have changed my gear a lot and leveled up since I created this thread. Bow druid is ok, but could be way better, especially because bowzon does everything he does but better. Laughing ghost is garbage and needs to go so we can have a real single target skill. He needs decent gear in order to shine, especially on the defensive part (I'm still a bit glassy compared to my other characters, but I'm getting there).

However, I don't see him doing too well in 125+ level content due to lack of survivability and average single target damage. But I'm just speculating now and I hope I'm wrong.