Rabies Druid Guide
The Rabies Druid (Poison Wolf) is a unique shapeshifting build that transforms into werewolf form and uses the Rabies skill to spread devastating poison damage that chains from enemy to enemy through biting attacks. Rabies provides poison damage over time that spreads contagiously while Werewolf transformation enhances attack capabilities and survivability. This distinctive build excels at crowd clearing and area denial, offering a "plague wolf" playstyle with spreading poison effects, werewolf mobility, and the ability to contaminate entire groups of enemies with a single bite.
First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Raven, Summon Spirit Wolf, Dire Wolf, Grizzly, Firestorm, Molten Boulder, Fissure, Volcano, Armageddon, Hurricane, Tornado, Cyclone Armor, Twister, Shock Wave, Fury, Feral Rage, Oak Sage, Heart of Wolverine, Spirit of Barbs, Carrion Vine, Solar Creeper, Spirit Vine, and Poison Creeper. After this max out the following Skills: Rabies, Poison Creeper, 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 Carrion Vine for life and mana recovery.
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. Energy is not necessary with proper gear and Carrion Vine support, 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 Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade for massive damage bonus and Ignore Target Defense with excellent attack speed for applying Rabies, or Ribcracker unique quarterstaff that can be upped for higher damage and crushing blow. Tomb Reaver unique cryptic axe provides high damage and sockets for customization. Plague Runeword provides Lower Resist and poison nova that synergizes with poison theme. Since werewolf form uses claw attacks, weapon damage directly affects bite damage and Rabies application. When it comes to your Armor, Bramble Runeword in a Sacred Armor base is Best in Slot for +2 Skills, poison damage, and Thorns aura that complements poison theme perfectly. Fortitude Runeword provides 300% Enhanced Damage for claw attacks. Treachery Runeword offers 45% Attack Speed and Fade proc for survivability. 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 Cerberus' Bite for +2 Shapeshifting Skills and rabies synergy. For Gloves, Laying of Hands provides 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons for faster Rabies application, or Venom Grip for 5% Crushing Blow and poison resist that fits the poison theme. For the Belt, String of Ears is excellent for 15% Damage Reduction and 8% Life Leech for werewolf melee survival, or Nosferatu's Coil for 10% Crushing Blow and life leech. When it comes to Boots, Sandstorm Trek for 20% Faster Hit Recovery, poison resist, and strength/vitality that suits the poison werewolf 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 Nature's Peace for poison damage and slain monsters rest in peace or Carrion Wind for 6-8% Life Leech and poison damage. 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, poison damage, and life leech.
For your inventory, focus on Druid Skill Charms with +Shapeshifting Skills and life bonuses to maximize Rabies poison damage. Small Charms with poison damage and life combinations enhance Rabies effectiveness. Poison damage Small Charms stack with Rabies poison output. Life and Resistance Small Charms provide survivability for werewolf melee combat. Attack Rating Small Charms ensure consistent Rabies application. 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 for faster Rabies application, or Act 1 Rogue mercenary with Harmony Runeword for Vigor aura and faster run/walk. For Weapon, Insight Runeword in a Thresher base provides Meditation Aura for mana support, or Infinity Runeword for Conviction Aura that reduces poison resistance dramatically. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and poison resist. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for mercenary survivability, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to help mercenary survive while you spread Rabies poison through enemy ranks in werewolf form, creating cascading poison effects across the battlefield.