Druid Unleashed: First Look at Diablo 4 Season 7 Gameplay

ECHO Gaming Staff January 22, 2025 Gaming Diablo 1 month ago

  TL;DR: We're embarking on a brand-new Diablo 4 adventure, testing the Druid class for the first time in Season 7! We explore shapeshifting, unique skills, and offer our initial thoughts on this nature-based warrior. Is the Druid a solid choice? Let's find out together!

A Return to Sanctuary: Embracing the Druid

It has been far too long since we've stepped into the dark world of Sanctuary, and even longer since our last foray into Diablo 4. Season 7 has arrived, beckoning us back with a fresh challenge. Leaving behind the confines of mobile gaming, we're ready to dive into Diablo 4's depth. This time, we're embracing the unknown, creating a new character and exploring the Druid class for the very first time.

Crafting a Demonic Guardian: Customizing Our Druid

Our journey began with the creation of a male Druid, aiming for an intimidating and slightly demonic look. The customization options in Diablo 4 are impressive, allowing for a lot of personalization. Here's how we designed our nature-based warrior:

Eyes: Demonic red to add an imposing stare.
Skin Tone: The default was rugged and fitting.
Hair: A bald head for a primal, untamed feel.
Facial Hair: A style that enhanced the character's strength.
Markings: "Demon's Claw" blood markings for a touch of darkness.

With our unique Druid created, we chose a seasonal, normal playthrough. It was time to see what this class could do!

Controller Chaos and Initial Steps

We decided to use a controller for this playthough, which is not something we usually do. It took us a few minutes to get the hang of it. The differences between this and mobile gaming were immediately apparent. We were drawn into the game, and immediately felt that this would be a good experience. Playing this game reminded us of the simple joy of playing a game just to play it.

Initially, we were just getting used to the controls. The initial gameplay was about familiarizing ourselves with the basic Druid skills, which only included a basic melee attack. We were really hoping to build a range character, but the Druid was too interesting to pass up.

Here are our early impressions:

The gameplay felt smooth and reactive.
Leveling felt nice and quick, making the game engaging.
It's a welcome departure from mobile games that often involve daily routines and battle passes.

Shapeshifting and Skill Discovery

As we explored the skill tree, we discovered the Druid's most defining feature: shapeshifting. The ability to transform into a werewolf or bear was a game-changer. After a bit of trial and error, here's what we found:

The bear form was powerful but slower.
The werewolf form was quicker and more agile.
We learned we could map our primary attack to the bear form, adding versatility to our combat.

We also found we could upgrade skills and refund points. Shifting between forms and adapting to different situations was a lot of fun, and really highlighted the versatility of the Druid.

Venturing into Our First Dungeon and Loot

It was time to put our Druid to the test! We went into a dungeon and were greeted by a series of foes, including some aggressive scorpion-like creatures. It was here we started to experience the loot in the game, and how it can affect your character. Here's what we gathered:

We battled many enemies and learned their attacks.
We found and equipped a legendary piece of gear, along with a new weapon.
We unlocked the Transmog feature and salvaged some older gear.
We discovered the Occultist, a place to imprint legendary aspects to gear.

Skill Upgrades and New Abilities

As we continued to gain levels, we spent more time in the skill tree, looking for ranged abilities. It was time to try and add some versatility to our build. Here's what we selected:

An ability to summon rocks as a defensive barrier.
A wind attack for crowd control.
An electric damage skill that spread to multiple enemies.

The ability to reset skill points, gave us the freedom to experiment, and really dial in our playstyle. This helped us realize how flexible the Druid was.

Combat Flow and the Power of Synergies

As we got used to the game, we began to dial in our combat flow by mapping different skills to different buttons. Here are some things that we discovered:

The werewolf form excelled in single-target encounters with its speed and agility.
The bear form was better for groups of enemies, with its raw power.
The electric damage skill was amazing for clearing out groups of enemies.
The wind attack added crowd control that came in handy in tight spots.

This strategic mix-and-match style, coupled with the freedom to change our skill loadouts, made combat feel dynamic and engaging.

Druid Impressions and a Look Forward

Our first hour with the Druid in Diablo 4 Season 7 was a blast! The class offered a great variety of skills, and the shapeshifting mechanic was very fun. The combat was engaging, and the game was a welcome change from mobile gaming. Here are some final takeaways: