Fire Claws Druid Guide
The Fire Claws Druid (Fire Wolf) is a unique shapeshifting melee build that transforms into werewolf form and uses the Fire Claws skill to deliver devastating fire-enhanced claw attacks while maintaining the mobility and ferocity of lupine transformation. Fire Claws adds substantial fire damage to each attack while Firestorm and Molten Boulder synergies amplify fire damage output. This distinctive build excels at melee combat with elemental damage, offering a "flaming werewolf" playstyle with fire-enhanced claw attacks, shapeshifting bonuses, and the ability to burn through enemies with elemental fury combined with werewolf savagery.
First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Raven, Summon Spirit Wolf, Dire Wolf, Fury, Feral Rage, Rabies, Grizzly, Molten Boulder, Fissure, Volcano, Armageddon, Hurricane, Tornado, Cyclone Armor, Twister, Shock Wave, Oak Sage, Heart of Wolverine, Spirit of Barbs, Carrion Vine, Solar Creeper, Spirit Vine, and Poison Creeper. After this max out the following Skills: Fire Claws, Firestorm, Molten Boulder, Fissure, Werewolf, Lycanthropy. With your extra points, max out Heart of Wolverine for damage bonuses and then put remaining points into Oak Sage for life bonuses and Volcano for additional fire synergy.
When it comes to your Attributes, start with acquiring a Hellfire Torch and an Annihilus Charm. Put those in your inventory and then add Strength, enough to wear your gear and weapon requirements. Dexterity should be moderate for attack rating in werewolf form, though Fire Claws has good accuracy. Energy is not necessary with proper gear and leech effects, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum life which is amplified by Lycanthropy and Oak Sage bonuses for werewolf melee survivability.
Best Weapon choices include Ribcracker unique quarterstaff that can be upped to Stalagmite for massive damage and 50% Crushing Blow perfect for Fire Claws, or Tomb Reaver unique cryptic axe for high damage and customizable sockets. Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade provides incredible damage bonus and Ignore Target Defense. Fury Runeword offers open wounds and feral rage synergy. Since werewolf form uses claw attacks, weapon damage directly enhances Fire Claws effectiveness. When it comes to your Armor, Ormus' Robes is Best in Slot for +3 Fire Skills and up to 15% Fire Damage specifically perfect for Fire Claws build. Fortitude Runeword provides 300% Enhanced Damage that applies to claw attacks. Bramble Runeword offers +2 Skills and poison damage with thorns synergy. Helmet, Jalal's Mane is Best in Slot for +2 Druid Skills, 30% Faster Hit Recovery, and +5 Mana After Kill designed for shapeshifting druids, or Cerberus' Bite for +2 Shapeshifting Skills and fire damage. For Gloves, Laying of Hands provides 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons for faster Fire Claw attacks, or Magefist for +1 Fire Skills and 20% Faster Cast Rate for utility spells. For the Belt, String of Ears is excellent for 15% Damage Reduction and 8% Life Leech crucial for werewolf melee survival, or Goldwrap for 30% Extra Gold and useful stats. When it comes to Boots, Infernostride for fire damage and 30% Faster Run/Walk that perfectly synergizes with fire theme, or Gore Rider for 15% Crushing Blow and 15% Deadly Strike. Rings, Raven Frost is essential for Cannot be Frozen and 150-250 Attack Rating, pair with Stone of Jordan for +1 Skills and mana to boost Fire Claws levels. Amulet you can opt for The Cat's Eye for 20% Attack Speed and 30% Faster Run/Walk for werewolf mobility, Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, or a rare amulet with +2 Druid Skills, fire damage, and attack speed.
For your inventory, focus on Druid Skill Charms with +Shapeshifting Skills and life bonuses to maximize Fire Claws effectiveness. Small Charms with fire damage and life combinations enhance Fire Claws output significantly. Fire damage Small Charms stack with Fire Claws fire damage. Life and Resistance Small Charms provide survivability for werewolf melee combat. Attack Rating Small Charms ensure consistent Fire Claw hits. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find and reduced vendor prices.
Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura amplifies your werewolf claw damage and stacks with Heart of Wolverine for maximum Fire Claws effectiveness. For Weapon, Pride Runeword in a Great Poleaxe base provides Concentration Aura for massive damage bonus to Fire Claw attacks, or Infinity Runeword for Conviction Aura that reduces fire resistance dramatically and makes Fire Claws devastating. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and fire resistance. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for maximum damage support to complement your shapeshifted fire-enhanced werewolf combat, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to help mercenary survive while you deliver rapid-fire Fire Claw attacks that combine the savagery of werewolf form with devastating elemental fire damage.