Introduction

Welcome to our Disruption Shapeshifter Druid build guide. In this guide, we'll cover everything essential for playing the Disruption Druid, including Skills, Perks, Stat Priorities, and more.

The Disruption Druid plays around two key styles – disruption spells and utilizing Shapeshift Mastery to outplay opponents.

Skills

Shapeshift and Spell Memory are the recommended skills required to run the Disruption Shapeshift Druid build. Spell Memory is essential for using all the disruption spells. Shapeshift is also a vital part of the Druid's kit, allowing you to switch between various animal forms.

Recommended Spells

For this particular Druid build, the recommended spells are:

Thorn Barrier

Summon Treant

Dreamfire

Restore

Entangling Vines

Thorn Barrier, Summon Treant, and Entangling Vines all serve as spells that can heavily disrupt enemy plans and movements. Thorn Barrier summons a wall that deals damage to anything that walks into it and can also be used to block escapes or secure your own. Entangling Vines leaves a root trap on the ground, but be cautious as it can root you and your teammates too. Summon Treant provides a powerful tree spirit to assist in battle, which can also block doors and paths. Dreamfire offers poke damage, and Restore provides an area-of-effect (AoE) healing over time (HoT).

Perks

For this Druid build, we recommend the following perks:

Shapeshift Mastery (A MUST-HAVE)

Dreamwalk

Enhanced Wildness

Thorn Coat

Shapeshift Mastery is crucial for the build's success, allowing you to perform powerful combos and utility shifts throughout the dungeon without a cast time. Dreamwalk phases you when taking damage, making it hard for players to burst you down. Enhanced Wildness and Thorn Coat are passive perks that reflect damage and enhance your movement speed and armor while in animal form.

Stat Priority

Knowledge (enough to use all spells)

Max Health

Vigor

True Magical Damage

Magical Power

Additional Movement Speed

Knowledge and Max Health are the highest priorities in this build. Aim for 120-130+ Max Health. Knowledge has two breakpoints: enough to use all spells and around 32 for casting speed. True Magical Damage is best-in-slot (BIS) but expensive, so initially focus on Magical Power and True Magical Damage less. Movement Speed is vital in Dark and Darker; try to find this stat on boots.

Weapons

Weapons for the Disruption Shapeshift Druid build are straightforward. We recommend a combination of Spellbook & Spear. The Spear offers great damage and range. Alternatively, a Spellbook & Flanged Mace + Lantern combination works well too.

Armor

For the Disruption Shapeshift Druid build, a mixture of leather armor and cloth is preferred:

Leather Cap or Straw Hat (for more HP or Strength)

Oracle Robe

Low Boots (preferably with additional move speed rolled on them)

Rawhide Gloves

Leather Chausses

This loadout provides the best possible resistances without compromising your movement speed. Build your loadout with the above items in mind to yield optimal results. Ensure to find the associated stat priorities required for the build.

How to Play Disruption Shapeshift Druid

PVE & PVP

To navigate PVE, enter most rooms using the Rat Shapeshift form to stay hidden and scout. Clearing mobs is easy with weapons or a couple of magic spells like Dreamfire. Move quickly between rooms using the Panther form to throw off PVP players. Heal yourself and allies between rooms to survive the dungeons, and use Summon Treant to assist with mob clearing and act as a "taunt."

In PVP, focus on trapping and confusing the enemy. Check for potential exits and trappable spaces. Use Thorn Barrier to block exits and Summon Treant to sandwich enemies, causing panic. Pre-use Restore on yourself and teammates before engaging and use Dreamfire for poke damage. Fight in Panther form to deal fast, efficient damage, using the Spear to maintain range while the enemy deals with the Treant.

Movement Tricks

Shapeshifting Movement

This trick uses Shapeshifting to cover large distances quickly. To perform this:

Find a high spot or small object to jump from.

Transform into Panther form and use the Rush pounce skill to jump fast and high.

Immediately transform into Chicken Form and double jump in the air.

Reach your target destination.

Equip the Shapeshift Mastery Perk to transform instantly. This trick is powerful for chasing enemies, moving between rooms, and finding new ambush spots.

Rat Hop

The Rat hop is a game-changing mechanic available to the Druid in the Ice Caverns and Goblin Caves maps. To perform this:

Run towards a door with a grated window on the top half.

Jump into the air and transform into Rat form.

Fly through the grated window, ignoring the need to open the door.

This mechanic is great for fast movement, chasing enemies, escaping danger, or surprising players. Combine the Rat hop and the Panther + Chicken movement tricks to outplay opponents effectively.

Conclusion

The Disruption Shapeshift Druid build is a versatile and powerful choice for both PVE and PVP in Dark and Darker. By mastering the recommended skills, perks, and movement tricks, you'll be able to outplay your opponents and navigate the dungeon with ease. Equip the right armor and weapons, prioritize the correct stats, and you'll be well on your way to mastering the Disruption Shapeshift Druid build.

Obtain powerful Dark and Darker Gold and use this precious Darker gold to strengthen yourself and make your journey through the dark more enjoyable.