Shock Wave Druid Guide
The Shock Wave Druid (Earth Shaker) is a unique elemental build that uses the Shock Wave skill to create traveling earth damage waves that stun enemies and deal area physical damage. Shock Wave provides excellent crowd control through stunning while Fissure and Volcano synergies amplify damage output. This distinctive build excels at battlefield control and safe ranged combat, offering an "earth tremor" playstyle with stunning waves, area damage, and the ability to control enemy movement while maintaining distance through powerful earth-based attacks.
First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Raven, Spirit Wolf, Dire Wolf, Grizzly, Firestorm, Molten Boulder, Fissure, Volcano, Armageddon, Hurricane, Tornado, Cyclone Armor, Twister, Oak Sage, Heart of Wolverine, Spirit of Barbs, Carrion Vine, Solar Creeper, Spirit Vine, and Summon Grizzly. After this max out the following Skills: Shock Wave, Fissure, Volcano, Grizzly. With your extra points, max out Molten Boulder for additional synergy damage and then put remaining points into Oak Sage for life bonuses and Hurricane for additional elemental damage.
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. Dexterity should be minimal unless needed for gear requirements. Energy can be useful for Shock Wave spam and maintaining summons, but gear can compensate. The rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum life and survivability while casting Shock Wave from range.
Best Weapon choices include Heart of the Oak Runeword in a Flail for +3 All Skills, 40% Faster Cast Rate, and resistances to maximize Shock Wave effectiveness, or Spirit Runeword as a budget option with +2 Skills and 35% Faster Cast Rate. White Runeword in a Bone Wand provides +3 Bone Spear and 20% Faster Cast Rate as an early option. Shield wise, Spirit Monarch is Best in Slot for +2 Skills and 35% Faster Cast Rate for optimal Shock Wave casting, or Lidless Wall for +1 Skills and 20% Faster Cast Rate as budget alternative. When it comes to your Armor, Enigma Runeword in a Mage Plate base is Best in Slot for +2 Skills and Teleport utility for positioning Shock Waves. Skin of the Vipermagi is excellent for +1 Skills and 30% Faster Cast Rate. Stealth Runeword provides budget 25% Faster Cast Rate and movement speed. Helmet, Harlequin Crest is ideal for +2 Skills, Life, and Mana for maximum Shock Wave effectiveness, or Lore Runeword as a budget +1 Skills option. For Gloves, Magefist provides +1 Fire Skills and 20% Faster Cast Rate for Shock Wave casting, or Trang-Oul's Claws for 20% Faster Cast Rate and cold resist. For the Belt, Arachnid Mesh is perfect for +1 Skills and 20% Faster Cast Rate to enhance Shock Wave damage, or Goldwrap for 30% Extra Gold and 10% Faster Cast Rate. When it comes to Boots, War Traveler for Magic Find and strength/vitality bonuses, or Sandstorm Trek for Faster Hit Recovery and poison resist that fits the earth theme. Rings, Stone of Jordan provides +1 Skills and mana for Shock Wave spam, pair with Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for +1 Skills and Life Leech. Amulet you can opt for Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, Tal Rasha's Adjudication for +2 Skills and magic find, or a rare amulet with +2 Druid Skills, Faster Cast Rate, and resistances.
For your inventory, focus on Druid Skill Charms with +Elemental Skills and life bonuses to maximize Shock Wave effectiveness. Small Charms with 7% Magic Find and resistances or life and resistances for efficient farming. Max damage Small Charms enhance Shock Wave physical damage component. Faster Cast Rate Small Charms help reach the 99% FCR breakpoint for optimal casting speed. Mana Small Charms support sustained Shock Wave casting. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find, Gold Find, and reduced vendor prices.
Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura can amplify the physical damage component of Shock Wave, or Act 2 Nightmare Prayer mercenary for Prayer Aura life regeneration support. For Weapon, Insight Runeword in a Thresher base is essential for Meditation Aura to support Shock Wave spam and summon maintenance, or Infinity Runeword for Conviction Aura to reduce physical resistance. 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 mercenary survivability and damage, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to keep your mercenary alive while you cast Shock Wave from safe distances with your Grizzly providing front-line protection.