Introduction

Welcome to this comprehensive guide on Metamorphosis D2R. This guide aims to offer you everything you need having a useful guide for novices and veterans alike, for that brand new Metamorphosis Druid build, including gameplay tips, skill, and stat point allocation, in addition to a detailed gear breakdown having a breakpoint table. This druid is predicated around the new runeword Metamorphosis which supplies a powerful pre-buff whichever type of shapeshifter you choose is your primary one (Wolf or Bear). The werewolf is easily the most popular variant and it is the higher DPS of the two, while Werebear provides more tackiness and utility (an incredible option for team play).

Tip: Buy cheap d2 resurrected runes from professional d2r runes shop MMOWTS, with continuous delivery and a safe deal!

Overview

Metamorphosis Druid, often called Shape-Shifting Druid, focuses on transforming into a strong were-form, permitting devastating melee combat. The two primary forms are Werewolf and Werebear, each with unique abilities and playstyles. The werewolf form concentrates on high attack speed and life leech, while the Werebear form emphasizes damage absorption and powerful attacks.

Metamorphosis

(Io + Cham + Fal inside a 3-socket Helmet)

Werewolf strikes grant Mark 180 seconds

Mark from the Wolf:

+30% Bonus to Attack Rating

Increase Maximum Life by 40%

Werebear strikes grant Mark 180 seconds

Mark from the Bear:

+25% Attack Speed

Physical Damage Received was Reduced by 20%

Generic Stats

+5 to Shape Shifting Skills (Druid only)

+25% Chance of Crushing Blow (No longer mounted on Mark from the Bear)

+50-80% Enhanced Defense

+10 to Strength

+10 to Vitality

All Resistances +10

Cannot be Frozen

The Metamorphosis runeword unlocks the strength of either of the forms by giving a huge pre-buff bonus by attacking once in a single form and switching for your main form to activate the 2nd bonus. The bonus can last 180 seconds during the industry-significant period. Both buffs increase both your offense and defensive capabilities vastly helping the power from the shapeshifter generally when both buffs are active.

Skill Point Allocation

Primary Skills

Werewolf or Werebear (20 points) - Choose your chosen form for the playstyle.

Lycanthropy (20 points) - Increases the amount of your were-forms and grants bonus life. Max this no matter the transformation choice.

Fury (Werewolf) or Maul (Werebear) (20 points) - These are the primary attack skills for every form. Max the chosen ability.

Secondary Skills

Feral Rage (Werewolf) or Shockwave (Werebear) (1-20 points) - Feral Rage grants life leech and movement speed, while Shockwave provides crowd control.

Fire Claws (1-20 points) - Provides elemental damage and synergizes well with Fury or Maul. Use all extra skills after maxing primary skills and something of your sage, on these secondary abilities.

Summoning Skills

Spirit Wolf, Dire Wolf, and Grizzly Bear (1 point each) - This summons is now able to be stacked which will make them more useful together like a collective meatshield.

Oak Sage (1-20 points) - Grants a large life boost for you and your party and it is a prerequisite to Heart of Wolverine if you are planning that route.

Heart of Wolverine (0-20 points) - Provides a damage and attack rating boost. Use this when survivability isn't an issue.

Stat Point Allocation

Strength - Enough to equip your desired gear.

Dexterity - Enough to achieve max block (75%) together with your chosen shield or none if you plan to use a two-handed weapon.

Vitality - All remaining points to improve life as well as your sustainability. Remember you are further multiplied by Oak sage and battle orders so a higher base of everyday life is desirable.

Energy - None.

Gear Breakdown

Weapons

Primary: 'Breath from the Dying' Rune Word within an Ethereal Berserker Axe or Ettin Axe for high damage and life leech, along with other desirable defensive mods and stats. Two-handed pole arms or mauls will also be good options where extra survivability and block aren't required. The extra leech you obtain from the additional damage might be able to sustain you depending on the purpose, especially because of the high life post-buff Shapeshifters possess.

Alternative: 'Grief' Rune Word inside a Phase Blade or Ettin Axe for damage and attack speed. A fantastic damage-orientated option that lacks leech along with other mods but deals with the greatest DPS.

Other Alternatives: There are a whole host of options you can consider like a SS druid including rib cracker, Tombreaver, as well as 2-handed swords.

Armor

Primary: Fortitude Rune Word for huge enhanced damage, resistances, and life. The extra blanket enhanced damage on Fort is incomparable from the damage perspective both in PvP and PvM content. This is considered the BiS armor choice.

Alternative: 'Chains of Honor' Rune Word for resistances, skills, and harm to demons/undead. A very solid PvM selection for capping resistances where lacking and providing additional survivability that Fortitude doesn't (including 8% damage reduction).

Helmet

Primary: Metamorphosis, the premise of the build.

Shield

Primary: Stormshield for damage reduction, block, and resistances. The best defensive option as well as an easy shield to max block with minimal dexterity investment.

Alternative: There are no great alternative shields for any shapeshifter, though Spirit might be adequate (don’t attempt to max block about this shield, however). One option that you might consider is a 2-handed weapon, such as an Ebotd Thunder-Maul.

Gloves

Primary: Dracul's Grasp for a lifetime leech, open wounds, and strength. A fantastic option that lacks IAS which might be problematic based on your breakpoint needs. Lifetap is a strong buff that may quickly get you from 1-100% hp inside a few hits, once produced. Consistent procs will depend on high IAS.

Alternative: Laying of Hands for increased harm to demons and IAS. This is low quality and should be simple to trade for or find and fantastic for PvM gameplay.

Boots

Primary: Gore Riders for crushing blows, open wounds, and deadly strikes. An all-rounded damage boot with great attack modifier buffs.

Alternative: Aldur's Advance for a lifetime, fire resistance, and 40 FRW. A survivability and mobility option that's cheaper than Gores.

Belt

Primary: Verdungo's Hearty for damage reduction, vitality, and life. Great for capping your Damage reduction at 50% though not necessary if you are running storm shield (remember your rebuff provides you with damage reduction, and overlapping is wasted).

Alternative: Thundergod's Vigor for lightning absorb, strength, and vitality. A great selection for lightning-intense places where souls can be found.

Rings

Primary: 1x Bul-Kathos Wedding Band for +skills and life and 1x Ravenfrost for Cannot be Frozen and Dexterity.

Alternative: 1x Raven Frost for can't be frozen and dexterity, and 1x Carrion Wind Ring for leech and resistances.

Amulet

Primary: Highlord's Wrath Amulet for +skills, deadly strike, and IAS. The IAS and huge boost to DS get this to the BiS option for the amulet.

Alternative: Mara's Kaleidoscope +skills and resistances. A caster option that doesn’t quite fit, but provides good survivability as resistances.

Charms

Hellfire Torch

Annihilus

Grand Charms with +skills for shape-shifting and life. Alternatively, you should use Max/ar/life charms.

Small Charms with life, resistances, or FHR if you're seeking more defensiveness, otherwise max/ar/few for damage and mobility.

Breakpoints

Here's a table of important FHR breakpoints to achieve for the Metamorphosis Druid, IAS is a more difficult equation, we recommend an IAS calculator to calculate your needs together with your particular weapon, as weapon speed differs:

Faster Hit Recovery (FHR):

Werewolf: 86% (9 frames)

Werebear: 86% (6 frames)

Conclusion

This guide usually supplies you having a solid foundation for building your Metamorphosis Druid. Remember that the skill and stat allocation, along with the gear choices, could be adjusted for your personal preferences and playstyle. Good luck enjoy yourself tearing using your enemies using the newly empowered Shapeshifter.