Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred (Season 6)
Last update: 10/23/2024
General Notes
General Notes for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build in Vessel of Hatred
Note: This leveling guide is optimized for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred (Season 6).
Stone Burst is the new Druid skill in the Vessel of Hatred expansion and is great for leveling. It is a channeling ability that triggers an increasingly large explosion the longer you charge it. Channeling skills cannot deal Overpower Damage, so the focus here is on Critical Hits.
You can play my Stone Burst Druid leveling build from the start and are not dependent on Aspects. However, there is a Unique Totem and a Legendary Aspect that make the build significantly stronger.
Stone Burst's strength is large groups of monsters, but its damage is not high enough against bosses. Therefore, I combined Stone Burst in this build with the Ultimate Skill Cataclysm, which is extremely strong against bosses.
Until when is this leveling build playable? You can play this and all my other leveling guides on Vitablo.com for as long as you like. Some of them still perform well at Torment difficulty 4, others have their limit at Torment difficulty 3. As soon as your build no longer feels strong enough, you can switch to one of my endgame builds.
Playstyle
Playstyle for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
My Stone Burst Druid build is extremely relaxed to play. You mainly use Stone Burst, which allows you to kill almost all monsters with a single shot as soon as you have reached the maximum size. With the Aspect of Anticline Burst, Stone Burst immediately reaches the maximum size if you have sufficient Spirit when you use it.
As long as you fight large groups of enemies, you can permanently use Blood Howl for Spirit. The Paragon board will later even give you Spirit for killing enemies, so you won't have any Spirit problems in dungeons. Likewise, Trample gives you Spirit when used, in addition to high mobility. Against bosses, the Key Passive Skill Earthen Might and the basic attack Earth Spike help generate Spirit.
Cyclone Armor passively increases your damage reduction, but it can also be used actively to make enemies Vulnerable and push them back.
Use the Ultimate Skill Cataclysm against strong elite enemies and bosses to increase your damage and make them Vulnerable for longer.
Skills
Skills for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Note: Level up all your active skills first and work your way down to your Key Passive as quickly as possible. If you are missing skill points to progress on your way through the skill tree, you can invest them in some passive skills. As soon as you have leveled up all active abilities and your Key Passive Ability, continue with the missing passive skills.
Skill tree notes:
- You will continue to receive the damage reduction benefits of Cyclone Armor even while it is deactivated, as long as it remains on your skill bar.
Specialization
Specialization for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Deer → Advantageous Beast
Gain X% Movement Speed and X% Impairment Reduction.
If you want to play more defensively, you can choose Wariness.
Eagle → Iron Feather
Gain X% Maximum Life.
Eagle → Scythe Talons
Gain X% increased Critical Strike Chance.
Wolf → Bolster
Fortify for X% of your Maximum Life when you use a Defensive Skill.
Snake → Calm Before the Storm
Lucky Hit: Nature Magic Skills have up to a X% chance to reduce the Cooldown of your Ultimate Skill by X seconds.
Aspects
Aspects for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Aspect of Cyclonic Force
Cyclone Armor also provides Physical Damage Reduction. In addition, Cyclone Armor will also be applied to all Nearby Allies.
Aspect of Quicksand
Damage from Earth Skills Slow enemies hit by X% for X seconds.
Edgemaster's Aspect
Skills deal up to X% increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource.
Ballistic Aspect
When you have Fortify your Earth Skills gain X Ranks.
Aspect of Metamorphosis
When you Evade you turn into a cloud of bats, becoming Unstoppable for X seconds. Enemies along your path take X Physical damage and are inflicted with Vampiric Curse. Evade's Cooldown is increased by X seconds.
Aspect of Retaliation
Your Core Skills deal up to X% increased damage based on your amount of Fortify.
Crashstone Aspect
Earth Skills deal X% more Critical Strike Damage to Crowd Controlled enemies.
Aspect of Shattered Defenses
Stone Burst causes enemies to take X% increased damage from your other Skills for X seconds. Stone Burst's Spirit cost is reduced by X.
Aspect of Anticline Burst
Stone Burst deals X% increased damage and when Cast at or above X Spirit, it is immediately at its maximum size.
Aspect of Might
Basic Skills grant X% Damage Reduction for X seconds.
If you want to play more defensive.
Items & Affixes
Items & Affixes for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
General tips about your Gear
- Armor: You need a maximum of 1,000 armor. Anything above that is useless and has no effect. If you haven't reached your armor cap yet, adjust your equipment, gems and paragon talents accordingly.
- Resistances: You need at least 70% to all resistances. If you have not yet reached these values, adjust your equipment, gems and paragon talents accordingly.
- Affixes: Each item type has different properties (affixes) that are useful for this build. Some of these are mandatory, others are optional. Please pay attention to the following symbols:
Helmet
- Cooldown Reduction
- Life
- Willpower
- Spirit per Second
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Aspect of Cyclonic Force
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Until Torment 1 Life, after that Armor.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Chest Armor
- Life
- Willpower
- Spirit per Second
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Aspect of Quicksand
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Until Torment 1 Life, after that Armor.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Gloves
- Ranks to Stone Burst
- Ranks to Core Skills
- Critical Hit Chance
- Willpower
- Life
- Edgemaster's Aspect
Natural Finesse
- Damage
- Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies
- Damage to Close Enemies
- Damage to Distant Enemies
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Pants
- Life
- Strength
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Ballistic Aspect
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Until Torment 1 Life, after that Armor.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Boots
- Movement Speed
- Spirit per Second
- Willpower
- Life
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Aspect of Metamorphosis
Druid Motion
- Movement Speed
- Trample Cooldown Reduction
- Ranks to Digitigrade Gait
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Amulet
- Willpower
- Ranks to Crushing Earth
- Ranks to Nature's Reach
- Ranks to Defiance
- Ranks to Natural Disaster
- Ranks to Wild Impulses
- Critical Hit Chance
- Movement Speed
- Cooldown Reduction
- Aspect of Retaliation
Worldly Stability
- Resource Generation
- Resource Cost Reduction
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Restore X% Primary Resource
Earth Finesse
- Earth Damage
- Earth Lucky Hit Chance
- Earth Critical Strike Chance
Rings
- Critical Hit Chance
- Willpower
- Life
- Resource Cost Reduction
- Crashstone Aspect
- Aspect of Shattered Defenses
Earth Finesse
- Earth Damage
- Earth Lucky Hit Chance
- Earth Critical Strike Chance
Worldly Stability
- Resource Generation
- Resource Cost Reduction
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Restore X% Primary Resource
2H Polearm
- Willpower
- Life
- Resource Cost Reduction
- Vulnerable Damage
- Aspect of Anticline Burst
Earth Augments
- Chance for Earth Spike Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Landslide Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Boulder Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Stone Burst Projectiles to Cast Twice
Earth Finesse
- Earth Damage
- Earth Lucky Hit Chance
- Earth Critical Strike Chance
Tibault's Will
All Stats
Maximum Life
Maximum Resource
Damage Reduction while Unstoppable
You deal X% increased damage while Unstoppable and for X seconds after. When you become Unstoppable, gain X of your Primary Resource.
Duriel, Andariel
All Classes
Stone of Vehemen
Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies
Willpower
Critical Strike Damage
Chance for Stone Burst Projectiles to Cast Twice
Ranks to Stone Burst
While Channeling Stone Burst, and for X seconds afterwards, gain X% Damage Reduction. Stone Burst's final explosion deals X% increased damage, further increased by X% for each size increase.
Beast in the Ice
Druid
Note: When you equip the Unique Totem, you have to switch to one-handed weapons. A sword is the best option for this build.
Mjölnic Ryng
Resistance to All Elements
Shadow Resistance
Willpower
Critical Strike Chance
Movement Speed while Cataclysm is Active
Ranks to Endless Tempest
While Cataclysm is active, you gain unlimited Spirit and deal X% increased damage.
Lord Zir
Druid
Note: When you are using the Mjolnic Ryng, you should use the Ultimate Efficiency: Druid Tempering Manual on your ring and amulet to reduce the cooldown of Cataclysm so that you can use it permanently.
Harlequin Crest
+800 Maximum Life
+18 Maximum Resource
+350 Armor
+20% Cooldown Reduction
Gain 20% Damage Reduction. In addition, gain +4 Ranks to all Skills.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Heir of Perdition
+200% Damage to Angels and Demons
+20% Critical Strike Chance
+20% Lucky Hit Chance
+20% Movement Speed
+2 Ranks to Core Skills
Succumb to hatred and earn Mother’s Favor, increasing your damage dealt by 60%(x). Briefly steal Mother’s Favor from Nearby allies by slaughtering enemies.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Tyrael's Might
Ignore Durability Loss
+16.5% Movement Speed
+7.5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements
+60% Resistance to All Elements
+20% Damage Reduction
While at full Life, your Skills unleash a divine barrage dealing 195 damage.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Runewords
Runewords for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Note: If you are missing the required Runes, you can use Gemstones in the meantime.
1st Runeword (Chest Armor)
Moni
Gain: 35 Offering
Cast a Skill after moving. (Cooldown: 0.25 seconds)
Lum
Required: 5 Offering
Cooldown: 1 Second
Restore X Primary Resource. (Overflow: Increased Resource Restored)
2nd Runeword (2H Weapon)
Poc
Gain: 5 Offering
Spend X% of your Maximum Resource.
Gar
Required: 25 Offering
Cooldown: 1 Second
Gain X% Critical Strike Chance for X seconds, up to X%. (Overflow: Gain Multiple Stacks)
Notes: Against bosses you should move a bit after using Stone Burst. Also, if you are already playing with the Unique Totem, you can socket the 2nd Runeword into your pants.
Gemstones
Gemstones for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
WeaponEmerald
Weapons: Critical Strike Damage
Armor: Dexterity
Jewelry: Poison Resistance
As long as you don't have the required Runes.
ArmorSapphire
Weapons: Vulnerable Damage
Armor: Willpower
Jewelry: Cold Resistance
JewelryGems and Skulls
You'll need at least 70% to all resistances. If you haven't reached those numbers yet, change your gems accordingly. If you have too many resistances on your items, you can also use skulls, but you shouldn't exceed the armor cap of 1,000.
Paragon Board
Paragon Board for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Important notice:
- Glyph Radius: To increase the radius of your Glyphs, you have to level them in the Pit. The starting radius is 3 boxes. At level 15, it increases to 4 boxes. At level 45, the radius is 5 boxes.
- Skill Order: Start with the ESSENTIAL LAYOUT and rebuild it COMPLETELY to quickly access all the important Nodes and Glyphs. Only then switch to the FINAL LAYOUT and add the missing Nodes.
Exploit
Rare Glyph "Exploit"
For every 5 Dexterity purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage to Vulnerable targets.
Additional Bonus: When an enemy is damaged by you, they become Vulnerable for X seconds. This cannot happen more than once every X seconds per enemy.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage to Vulnerable targets by X%.
Legendary Node "Ancestral Guidance"
After spending X Spirit, you deal X% increased damage for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Headhunter"
Grants X% bonus to all Normal nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Elites.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Earthen Devastation"
Your Earth Skills deal X% increased Critical Strike Damage, increased by X% of your Damage vs Crowd Controlled bonus, up to X%.
Rare Glyph "Earth and Sky"
Grants X% bonus to all Magic nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: Nature Magic Skills deal X% increased damage to Crowd Controlled or Vulnerable enemies.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Nature Magic skill damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Inner Beast"
After Shapeshifting, your Spirit costs are reduced by X% for X seconds, up to X%. If you reach X stacks, this bonus resets and reduces the Cooldown of your Ultimate Skill by X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Human"
For every 5 Willpower purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage while in Human form.
Additional Bonus: You gain X% Damage Reduction while in Human form.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Nature Magic skill damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Constricting Tendrils"
Lucky Hit: Nature Magic Skills have up to a X% chance to entangle the enemy with vines, Immobilizing them for X seconds and Poisoning them for X% of the Base damage dealt over X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Outmatch"
Grants X% bonus to all Rare nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased Physical damage to Non-Elites and Bosses.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage by X%.
Work in progress.
Mercenaries
Mercenaries for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Raheir
Valiance
When you would be damaged for at least X of your current Life at once, Raheir comes to your aid to negate the damage, Knock Down Close enemies for X seconds, and grant you Unstoppable for X seconds.
Shield Charge
Raheir rushes forward aggressively, dealing X% Physical damage and Taunting nearby enemies for X seconds. Selecting a Mercenary Core Skill alters their wielded Weapon and Basic Attack.
Weapon: Tower Shield
Basic Attack: Shield Bash
Raheir bashes enemies with a tower shield, dealing X% Physical damage and Fortifying you for X% of your Maximum Life.
Raheir's Guard
Raheir grants you X% Armor.
Vanguard
Raheir Slows surrounding enemies by X%.
Ground Slam
Raheir brutalizes the ground, dealing X% Physical damage and Slowing enemies by X% for X seconds. Targets in the center of the slam are Slowed by X% instead.
Raheir's Aegis
Raheir grants you X% Resistance to All Elements.
Draw Fire
When you use a Healing Potion, Raheir Taunts enemies around him for X seconds. Can only occur once every X seconds.
Provoke
Raheir Taunts enemies around you for X seconds. You gain X% Damage Reduction for each target, up to X%.
Mocking Lure
You deal X% increased damage to enemies Taunted by Raheir.
Iron Wolf's Ward
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, he Knocks Back Close enemies and Taunts Distant enemies for X seconds. Raheir's Valiance Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Crater
Raheir strikes the ground 3 times, each burst dealing X% Physical damage and Pulling In enemies. The final burst additionally deals X Physical damage and Stuns enemies for X seconds.
Iron Wolf's Call
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, your next X Core Skills within X seconds deal X% increased damage and cost no Resource. Raheir's Valiance Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Sundering Shield
Raheir's final Crater burst inflicts Vulnerable on enemies for X seconds.
Bastion
Raheir takes a protective position for X seconds, redirecting X% of the damage that would be dealt to surrounding allies to himself for X seconds. Bastion's initial cast also grants surrounding allies Unstoppable for X second.
Inspiration
Enemies affected by Raheir's Ground Slam take X% increased damage. Allies affected by Raheir's Bastion deal X% increased damage.
Iron Wolf's Virtue
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, he Heals you for X% of your Maximum Life. Raheir's Valiance Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Shield Throw
Raheir throws his shield, dealing X% Physical damage and Taunting enemies for X seconds. The shield bounces up to X times and cannot bounce to the same target twice.
Iron Wolf's Arrival
When Raheir's Valiance is triggered, he also casts Ground Slam and Shield Throw. Raheir's Valiance's Cooldown is reduced by X%.
Consecrated Shield
Raheir's Shield Throw Consecrates enemies for X seconds. Directly damaging a Consecrated enemy Heals you for X% of your Maximum Life, once per target.
Varyana
Reinforcement
Earth Breaker
Trigger
Stone Burst
Video Showcase
Video Showcase for the Stone Burst Druid Leveling Build
Changelog
- 10/02/24 – Optimized for Vessel of Hatred (Season 6)