January 21, 2022
-Build created

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... unless you want to go for Max Block, which is a solid approach on a Fire Druid - in that case, invest enough points into Dex to achieve it. 
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. 

This is the core Skill Tree for this build. From it, we'll get three devastating offensive Skills that combine Fire and Physical damage (Molten Boulder, Volcano, and Armageddon). With them, we'll be able to smash and scorch our enemies at the same time. 

Skills:

1. Arctic Blast [1/20] - Prerequisite. A spout of ice that freezes your enemies. 
2. Fire Storm [1/20] - Prerequisite. Unleashes a storm of wild flames to all burn enemies in range. Fire's range and speed increase per level. 
3. Cyclone Armor [1/20] - Covers the Druid in protective forces that absorb elemental attacks. This skill gives you a nice shield that absorbs all kinds of elemental damage. 
4. Molten Boulder [20/20] - You launch a boulder made of magma that deals fire and physical damage, knocking enemies back. Boulder's speed increases with subsequent levels. This is a very versatile skill and the reason why Fire Druid is so powerful - with this skill, you can deal physical and fire Damage at the same time, basically ignoring any enemy resistances. You should use this as your main offensive ability. 
5. Fissure [20/20] - Open volcanic vents below your enemies, burning them to a crisp. A solid ground-based AoE Skill. For this build, it mainly serves as Molten Boulder's synergy, however (it boosts Molten Boulder, Volcano, and Armageddon). 
6. Gust [X/20] - Teleports you to a location, chilling enemies around you in the process. This is a solid mobility skill that will help you jump out of danger, travel faster, and reposition your Merc (Act 1 Mercs tend to fall behind, especially when you're rushing through maps - casting Gust will teleport them back to you). You should invest enough points here to achieve a ~0.6s Cooldown. 
7. Volcano [20/20] - Summon forth a volcano to rain death and destruction over your enemies. Just like Molten Boulder, this deals a combination of Physical and Fire Damage. This will boost your AoE DPS quite substantially - use it in combination with Armageddon to rain fiery death on your enemies. Also, it synergizes with Molten Boulder and Armageddon. 
8. Armageddon [20/20] - Create a meteor shower to rain fiery destruction on nearby enemies. Another Fire Skill that also deals Physical Damage. When combined with Volcano, this creates a vast fiery kill zone (especially after the Season 3 radius buff). 

SUMMONING SKILLS

Druid's Summoning Skills offer a lot of defensive utility in the form of tanky summons and hefty life increases. We will take full advantage of this by picking up Grizzly and Oak Sage. 

Skills:

1. Skills:

2. Raven [1/20] - Prerequisite. Summon Ravens to peck out the eyes of your enemies. Ravens will blind enemies they attack which makes them very handy to have in certain situations. 
3. Heart of Wolverine [1/20] - Summon a spirit pet that adds to the damage and attack rating of you and your party. This is actually very handy to have on Fire Druid as a lot of your Damage is physical in nature. 
4. Summon Spirit Wolf [1/20] - Prerequisite. Summon a wolf with teleporting ability to fight by your side. 
5. Spirit of Barbs [1/20] - Prerequisite. Summon a spirit pet that returns damage to enemies who attack you or your party. 
6. Summon Dire Wolf [1/20]  - Prerequisite. Summon a wolf that becomes enraged, eating corpses to increase damage it does to enemies. 
7. Summon Grizzly [1/20] - Summons a powerful minion with AoE attack. This is great for distracting ranged opponents - you should summon it on top of them. 
8. Oak Sage [X/20] - Summon a spirit pet that increases life and grants health regeneration for you and your party. This is handy to have if you feel too squishy. You should spend all your remaining points here. 

This skill tree is not the focus of this build. 

Skills:

1. none. 

As per usual with PD2 Builds, you want to get as many Skill Levels (Druid/Elemental Skills in this case) as possible to increase the build's overall power level. Also, any bonuses to Fire Damage, minuses to Enemy Fire Resistance, and Sockets (that can be filled with Fire Facets that boost Fire Damage) are very welcome as well. Resistances are extremely important, so you should have them capped and maybe even increased, depending on where you want to go with the build. A faster cast rate is also the main stat (the higher the breakpoint, you can achieve, the better - within a reason of course). Defensive stats, like faster hit recovery and absorbs, are a nice addition but you should not choose gear for them specifically. 

HELMETS

Harlequin Crest (Shako) - You can't go wrong with Shako (and chances are, you already have one). This helmet will give you damage, sustain, and MF, all of which are great for mapping. 

• Defense: 98 to 141 
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 20
  • +2 to All Skills 
  • +1-99 to Life(1 per character level) 
  • +1-99 to Mana(1 per character level) 
  • Damage Reduced By 3-5% (varies) 
  • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +2 to All Attributes 

Ravenlore (Sky Spirit) - This is a top offensive choice for Fire Druid. It will not only give you +3 to Elemental Skills and lower enemy Fire Resistance by up to 20%, but it will also improve your own Resistances and boost your Energy by a lot. 

• Defense: 343-390 
• Required Level: 74
• Required Strength: 113
• Durability: 20 
  • +3 to Elemental Skills (Druid Only) 
  • +7 to Raven (Druid Only) 
  • -[10-20]% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies) 
  • +[120-150]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +[20-30] to Energy (varies) 
  • All Resistances +[15-25] (varies) 

Kira's Guardian (Tiara) - A very interesting Helmet that supplements the build's Fire Damage by lowering enemy fire resistance. Also, it gives you the Cannot be Frozen effect, which is very handy to have. 

• Defense: 90 to 170 
• Required Level: 77 
• Required Strength: -
• Durability: 25
  • +50-120 Defense (varies) 
  • 20% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • Cannot Be Frozen
  • All Resistances +25-45 (varies) 
  • -(5-10)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies) 
  • -(5-10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies) 
  • (5-10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies) 

WEAPONS

Earthshaker (Battle Hammer) - This is an amazing weapon for a Fire Druid as it gives up to +4 to Elemental Skills and boosts Cast Rate by 20%. If you can get one with Sockets, you should fill them with Fire Facets. 

• Damage: 120-141.5 
• Required Level: 43 
• Required Dexterity: - 
• Required Strength: 100 
• Durability: 160  
  • 14% Chance to Cast Level 24 Fissure on Striking 
  • +[3-4] to Elemental Skills (Druid Only) (varies) 
  • +30% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +[180-230]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • Hit Blinds Target 
  • +50% Damage to Undead 
  • +50 Durability 
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 

Heart of the Oak (Runeword) - A solid alternative to the Earthshaker. HotO provides +3 to all Skills and a 30% Faster Cast Rate. You can't go wrong with this one either. 

• 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 
  • +30% 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 +20-30 (varies) 
  • Level 14 Raven (60 Charges) 

Mang Song's Lesson (Archon Staff) - An all-out offensive choice that will work the best in group play where someone always watches your back. By picking it up, you take care of your FCR and Fire pierce needs with a single item, basically. However, your defenses suffer greatly as you can't use a shield with it. 

• Damage: 83 to 99
• Required Level: 82 
• Required Dexterity: - 
• Required Strength: 34 
• Durability: 52 
  • +6 to All Skills 
  • +85% Faster Cast Rate 
  • -[20-30]% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies) 
  • -[20-30]% to Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies) 
  • -[20-30]% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies) 
  • Regenerate Mana [20-30]% (varies) 
  • +50% Damage to Undead 

Stormshield (Monarch) - a BiS defensive option that will allow you to achieve Resistance caps rather easily. This is the best Shield you can pick for pure defense. 

• Defense: 136-519 (Depends on your level)
• Required Level: 73
• Required Strength: 156
• Durability: Indestructible
  • +3-371 Defense (+3.75/level) 
  • 25% Increased Chance of Blocking 
  • 35% Faster Block Rate
  • 20-30% Physical Damage Taken Reduction 
  • +40-50% Cold Resist 
  • +25% Lightning Resist 
  • +20-30 Strength 
  • Indestructible 
  • Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 800-1400 

Phoenix (Runeword) - A definitive top choice for raw damage output, thanks to its -28% to Enemy Fire Resistance. Also, it provides some great elemental resistances boost and high Fire Absorb. 

• Defense: Depends on base Shield 
• Required Level: 65
• Required Strength: Depends on base Shield ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Shield 
  • 20% Chance to Cast Level 22 Fire Ball on Striking 
  • 100% Chance to Cast Level 40 Blaze when you Level-Up 
  • Level [10-15] Redemption Aura when Equipped (varies) 
  • +[300-350]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • -28% to Enemy Fire Resistance 
  • +[350-400] Defense vs. Missile (varies) 
  • +50 to Life 
  • +4% to Maximum Lightning Resist 
  • +8% to Maximum Fire Resist 
  • +[15-21] Fire Absorb (varies) 

Gerke's Sanctuary (Pavise) - This shield offers a solid mix of offensive and defensive bonuses. With it, you'll be able to achieve Max Block while also boosting your damage output by quite a bit. You should try to get one with 2 open sockets and fill them with Fire Facets. 

• Defense: 221-268 
• Required Level: 44
• Required Strength: 133 ​​​​​
• Durability: 172 
  • 30% Increased Chance of Blocking 
  • +[180-240]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • Replenish Life +25 
  • All Resistances +[20-30] (varies) 
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by [14-18] (varies) 
  • Magic Damage Taken Reduced by [14-18] (varies) 
  • +100 Durability 
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • +20% Faster Block Rate 

Call to Arms (Rune Word) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). 

• Defense: Depends on base Weapon 
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage 
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage 
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +2-6 To Battle Command 
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders 
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry 
  • Prevent Monster Heal 
  • Replenish Life +12 
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items 

Lidless Wall (Grim Shield) - A very powerful Shield that grants up to +2 Skills and high FCR. 

• Defense: 271 - 347
• Required Level: 41
• Required Strength: 58
• Durability: 70
  • +80-130% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +1-2 to All Skills (varies) 
  • Increase Maximum Mana 10% 
  • 20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +4-6 to Mana After Each Kill (varies) 
  • +10 to Energy 
  • +1 to Light Radius 

AMULETS

The Rising Sun - The best choice for the build. Rising Sun will boost your Molten Boulder, Fissure, Volcano, and Armageddon by +2, and lower your enemies' Fire Resistance. 

• Required Level: 73
  • 4% Chance to Cast Level 23 Meteor when Struck 
  • +[1-2] to Fire Skills (varies) 
  • Adds [80-124] to [200-248] Fire Damage (varies) 
  • Replenish Life +10 
  • +5 Fire Absorb 
  • +4 to Light Radius 
  • -[6-12]% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies) 

Mara's Kaleidoscope - In a build that wants +All Skills, this amulet is a top choice for the end game. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties. 

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

[Alternative] Rare/Magic Amulets with + Druid/Elemental Skills are great budget choices and solid fillers before you are able to get Mara's Kaleidoscope. Magic Amulet with +3 to Elemental Skills is actually a better offensive choice than Mara's. 

• Required Level: varies. 
• In Magic Amulets, look for:
  • +3 to Elemental Skills
• In Rare Amulets, look for:
  • +2 Druid Skills 
  • Magic Find 
  • Resistances 
  • Attributes 

ARMORS

Skin of the Vipermagi (Serpentskin Armor) - A solid and rather cheap Chest Armor that gives you +1 to all skills, increases your Cast Rate by quite a bit, and provides some nice resistances. If you get this with 2 sockets, it will serve you extremely well with 2 Fire Facets. 

• Defense: 279
• Required Strength: 43
• Durability: 24
• Required Level: 29
  • +120% Defense
  • +1 to All Skills
  • 30% Faster Cast Rate
  • Magic Damaged Reduced by 5-8 
  • All Resistances +20-30 

Enigma (Runeword) - You can't go wrong with Enigma, especially if you want to boost your MF stat. If you pick this up, you can save up some SKill Points you would otherwise have to spend on Gust. 

• 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 
  • +25% Faster Run/Walk 
  • Level 1 Blink* (5/5 Charges)
    Replenish 1 Charge in 3 Seconds
  • +500-775 Defense (varies) 
  • +[0-74] to Strength (+[0.5-0.75] per Character Level) (varies)
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Damage Reduced By 4%
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
  • [0-74]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items ([0.5-0.75]% per Character Level) (varies)

Ormus' Robes (Dusk Shroud) - This Armor works very well with the Fire portion of your Damage, as it boosts elemental Damage dealt. It also gives some FCR and boosts mana regen. 

• Defense: 361-467 
• Required Strength: 77
• Required Level: 75
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +[10-15]% to Fire Skill Damage (varies) 
  • +[10-15]% to Lightning Skill Damage (varies) 
  • +[10-15]% to Cold Skill Damage (varies) 
  • +3 to [Random Sorceress Skill*] (Sorceress Only) 
  • +[10-20] Defense (varies) 
  • Regenerate Mana [10-15]% (varies) 

RINGS

Raven Frost - This ring provides Freeze Immunity which is extremely important to have on every build. If you decide to use Kira's Guardian, you can use +1 Skills Ring instead. 

• Required Level: 76
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies) 
  • 15-45 Cold Damage 
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies) 
  • +40 Mana 
  • Cold Absorb 5-10% (varies) 
  • Cannot be Frozen 

Wisp Projector - The BiS Ring for raw damage and Magic Finding. Also, the Lightning Absorb is a great addition to your defenses. If you have Kira's Guardian or another source of Cannot be Frozen, use two of these. 

• Required Level: 76
  • Lightning Absorb 4-6% (varies)
  • 10-15% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +1-3 to Spirit of Barbs 
  • +1-3 to Heart of the Wolverine 
  • +1 To All Skills 

GLOVES

Magefist (Light Gauntlets) - These gloves give +1 to Fire Skills which automatically makes them extremely powerful. Moreover, they increase your Cast Rate, add Fire Damage, and improve your mana regen. Remember to pick up the Fire version. 

• Defense: 24 - 25 
• Required Level: 23
• Required Strength: 45
• Durability: 18
  • +1 to [Fire, Lightning, Cold, or Poison] Skills 
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Adds 6-36 Fire Damage or Adds 1-45 Lightning Damage or Adds 10-18 Cold Damage or +60 Poison Damage over 3 Seconds
  • +[20-30]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +10 Defense 
  • Regenerate Mana [10-25]% (varies) 

Frostburn (Gauntlets) - These gloves can give you up to -10% to Enemy Fire Resistance and a healthy boost to your mana pool. 

• Defense: 39-59 
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 60
• Durability: 24
  • Adds 14-28 Fire Damage 
  • Adds 6-22 Cold Damage 
  •  +[20-40]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +[20-40] Defense (varies) 
  • Increase Maximum Mana [15-25]% (varies) 
  • -[5-10]% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies) 
  • -[5-10]% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies) 

BOOTS

Waterwalk (Sharkskin Boots) - You can't go wrong with these boots - they are an extremely solid all-around choice; They make you move much faster, increase your Life by quite a bit, and improve your block rate. 

• Defense: 112-124
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: 47
• Kick Damage: 28-50
• Durability: 14  
  • +180-210% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 20% Faster Block Rate 
  • +15 to Dexterity 
  • +5% to Maximum Fire Resist 
  • Heal Stamina Plus 50% 
  • +40 to Maximum Stamina 
  • +45-65 to Life (varies) 

Aldur's Advance (Battle Boots) - This pair of Boots offers a very high bonus to Movement Speed and Life, which is great for survivability. Also, you can run infinitely with them, thanks to high Stamina and Stamina Regen bonuses. 

• Defense: 39-47
• Required Level: 45
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage: 37-64
• Durability: Indestructible  
  • Indestructible 
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk 
  • 10% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • +180 Maximum Stamina 
  • Heal Stamina Plus +32% 
  • +50 To Life 

Itherael's Path (Mirrored Boots) - These versatile boots will not only boost your attributes, defense, and hit recovery, but also increase your running speed and casting rate. A solid option for the build. 

• Defense: 99-128
• Required Level: 85
• Required Strength: 163
• Kick Damage: 59-68
• Durability: 18
  • +20% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • +[40-60] Defense (varies) 
  • +[10-20] to Dexterity (varies) 
  • +[10-20] to Vitality (varies) 

BELTS

Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - This amazing belt grants extra Skills and FCR which makes it the best DPS-wise belt for a lot of builds. It also allows you to slow down enemies, which is useful in terms of survivability. The downside is it's an extremely high price - buy it only if you can afford everything else you might need. 

• 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 
  • +10-20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Maximum Mana 5-10% 
  • Level 3 Venom (31 Charges) 

Verdungo's Hearty Cord (Mithril Coil) - A very solid defensive option that offers a Faster Hit Recovery bonus, an insanely high boost to maximum stamina, and up to 40 (!) Vitality. But most importantly, it Reduces your Damage Taken by up to 15%! 

• Defense: 125-158
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 63
• Required Strength: 106
• Durability: 16
  • +90-140% Enhanced Defense 
  • 10% Faster Hit Recovery  
  • +30-40 To Vitality 
  • Replenish Life +10-13 
  • +100-120 Maximum Stamina 
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15% 

String of Ears (Demonhide Sash) - Another great option if you're after some additional survivability. The String of Ears also provides up to a 15% damage reduction bonus which is almost mandatory for this build's intended purpose. 

• Defense: 102-113
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 20
• Durability: 22
  • +150-180% Enhanced Defense 
  • +15 Defense 
  • 6-8% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15% 
  • Magic Damage Reduced 10-15 

CHARMS

1. Annihilus - This fabled Charm boosts your Skills, Stats, and Resistances. It's the best Unique Small Charm, and it's limited to just 1 in your equipment. 
2. Gheed's Fortune - The secret to Gheed's wealth and prosperity. Pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% better magic find. 
3. Hellfire Torch - The BiS Unique Large Charm that increases your Vitality, Skills, and more. You should, of course, go for one that gives +1 to Druid Skills. 
4. Grand Charms - These should have +Elemental Skills (mandatory) and +Life/+Faster Run/Walk Speed. 
5. Small Charms - With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find - whatever suits your needs, basically. 

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 1 Meditation Mercenary for extra Mana Regen and the ability to use bows with Amp Damage Procs. She should be equipped with: 

1. Witchwild String - An exceptional Short Siege Bow that has a 10% chance to cast level 16 Amplify Damage on Striking. The other option is a Bow with "Wrath" Runeword in it. This greatly increases the physical damage you deal. 
2. Templar's Might - Provides Might Aura for some extra damage. 
3. Steelrend Gloves - For massive damage bonus and Crushing Blow. 
4. Vampire's Gaze - For high Life Leech and damage reduction. 
5. Nosferatu's Coil - For Life Leech and Deadly Strike. 
6. Gore Rider Boots - For Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow greatly boosting the merc's DPS. 

END NOTE

This is our premiere Project Diablo 2 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.