Maul Druid Guide

The Maul Druid (Werebear) is a powerful shapeshifting melee build that transforms into werebear form and uses the Maul skill to deliver devastating stunning attacks with massive damage potential and crowd control capabilities. Maul provides high single-target damage with stunning effects while Werebear transformation enhances life, defense, and damage significantly. This formidable build excels at boss killing and tank-like survivability, offering a "berserker bear" playstyle with crushing maul attacks, incredible durability, and the raw power of ursine transformation combined with druidic magic.

First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Raven, Summon Spirit Wolf, Dire Wolf, Werewolf, Fury, Feral Rage, Rabies, Fire Claws, Grizzly, Firestorm, 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: Maul, Werebear, Lycanthropy, Shockwave, Heart of Wolverine. With your extra points, max out Oak Sage for massive life bonuses that stack with werebear life and then put remaining points into Grizzly for additional tank support and Hunger for life and mana leech.

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 meet weapon requirements for high damage weapons. Dexterity should be moderate for attack rating in werebear form. Energy is not necessary with proper gear and Hunger leech, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum life which is dramatically amplified by Lycanthropy, Werebear transformation, and Oak Sage bonuses for incredible survivability.

Best Weapon choices include Tomb Reaver unique cryptic axe for extremely high damage and customizable sockets perfect for Maul, or Ribcracker unique quarterstaff that can be upped to Stalagmite for massive damage and 50% Crushing Blow. Windhammer unique ogre maul provides crushing blow and hit blinds target. Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade offers incredible damage bonus though less thematic. Since werebear form uses claw attacks, weapon damage directly determines maul effectiveness and stunning capability. When it comes to your Armor, Fortitude Runeword in a Sacred Armor base is Best in Slot for 300% Enhanced Damage that applies to werebear maul attacks. Duress Runeword is excellent for Enhanced Damage, Crushing Blow, and Open Wounds. Shaftstop unique mesh armor provides 30% Damage Reduction perfect for tank builds. Helmet, Jalal's Mane is Best in Slot for +2 Druid Skills, 30% Faster Hit Recovery, and +5 Mana After Kill specifically designed for shapeshifting druids, or Crown of Ages for damage reduction and faster hit recovery. For Gloves, Laying of Hands provides 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons for faster maul attacks, or Dracul's Grasp for Life Tap proc, 25% Life Leech, and 10 Strength essential for werebear sustainability. For the Belt, String of Ears is excellent for 15% Damage Reduction and 8% Life Leech crucial for werebear melee tanking, or Verdungo's Hearty Cord for 40 Vitality, 15% Damage Reduction, and 10% Faster Hit Recovery. When it comes to Boots, Gore Rider for 15% Crushing Blow and 15% Deadly Strike that enhance maul effectiveness, or Sandstorm Trek for 20% Faster Hit Recovery, poison resist, and strength/vitality bonuses. Rings, Raven Frost is essential for Cannot be Frozen and 150-250 Attack Rating, pair with Carrion Wind for 6-8% Life Leech and poison damage or Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for +1 Skills. Amulet you can opt for Highlord's Wrath for 35% Deadly Strike and 20% Attack Speed perfect for maul attacks, Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, or String of Ears for damage reduction and life leech if not using belt version.

For your inventory, focus on Druid Skill Charms with +Shapeshifting Skills and life bonuses to maximize werebear effectiveness and maul damage. Small Charms with Max Damage/Attack Rating/Life combinations enhance maul attack power significantly. Life Small Charms stack with werebear's massive life bonuses for incredible survivability. Attack Rating Small Charms ensure consistent maul hits and stuns. Damage Reduction Small Charms stack with other sources for ultimate tankiness. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find and reduced vendor prices.

Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura amplifies your werebear maul damage significantly and stacks with Heart of Wolverine for devastating crushing power. For Weapon, Pride Runeword in a Great Poleaxe base provides Concentration Aura for massive damage bonus to maul attacks, or Infinity Runeword for Conviction Aura and Physical Immunity breaking essential for maul builds. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and Strength. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for maximum damage support to complement your shapeshifted werebear combat, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to help mercenary survive while you deliver crushing maul attacks that stun and devastate enemies with the overwhelming power of werebear transformation.