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Early access for Path of Exile 2 dropped over a year ago, and I've clocked a staggering number of hours experimenting across classes. But this league-The Last of the Druids, running on patch 0.4.0 from mid-December 2025-hooked me harder than any other release so far. With the full Druid rollout, new ascendancies, and shapeshifting reworks, Grinding Gear Games finally delivered the Path of Exile 2 Currency class they'd been teasing for years. The promise wasn't just fulfilled-it exceeded expectations.



From day one, I rolled a Druid, fully committing to experiencing the class through to endgame content. Fast forward 200 hours, and I've primarily focused on a Wyvern-centric Shapeshifter, with occasional detours into Bear tank builds. The journey has been thrilling, occasionally punishing, and full of surprises. For players curious about what it feels like to truly live as a Druid in the current 0.4 meta, here's an in-depth breakdown of my experience.



The Druid Class: More Than Just Shapeshifting



The Druid's appeal lies in versatility. Early previews hinted at shapeshifting, summoning, and nature-themed elemental damage, but the 0.4 patch cemented these mechanics with meaningful depth. Shapeshifting isn't merely cosmetic-it changes your skill pool, passive interactions, and combat rhythm.



Wyvern Form, my main focus, turned out to be the most mechanically satisfying. Its aerial agility allows for hit-and-run tactics, devastating AoE breath attacks, and mobility that makes dodging boss mechanics a breeze. Every skill interacts with the Druid's natural scaling and passive tree in a way that rewards planning and synergy.



Bear Form, by contrast, emphasizes durability. My excursions into Bear tanking were enlightening. The build trades mobility for brute survivability, allowing me to wade into packs that would vaporize squishier forms. In group content, Bear Druids shine as off-tanks, absorbing hits while allies focus fire on priority targets.



Both forms highlight an overarching truth about Druids in 0.4: the class is built for choice and experimentation. You're not just picking a skill; you're picking a playstyle, a rhythm, and a way to interact with the game world.



The Shapeshifter Experience: Wyvern Focus



My Wyvern-focused Shapeshifter build is designed around high burst AoE, mobility, and elemental scaling. The core mechanics revolve around rapid strikes and breath attacks, enhanced by passive synergies that increase elemental damage and attack speed.



The thrill of Wyvern play comes from its pacing. You dive in, unleash a flurry of attacks, then reposition before enemy counterattacks can punish you. Red maps, temples, and the new Vaal oversouls all feel manageable with careful timing and skill rotation. The build also scales surprisingly well into late game. Even after hundreds of hours, finding new ways to optimize gear or tweak passives continues to be rewarding.



Wyvern's weaknesses lie in single-target boss damage and extreme vulnerability if caught out of position. A stray hit from a telegraphed boss attack can spell disaster. That said, mastering movement and skill rotation drastically reduces these risks.



Bear Tanking: Endurance and Group Play



Bear form plays differently. Where Wyvern is about precision and burst, Bear is about control and sustainability. My Bear build focused on high life, resistances, and crowd control. Abilities that stagger or taunt enemies proved invaluable in both solo and group settings.



In red maps and long temple runs, Bear's ability to absorb consistent damage while applying steady pressure allowed me to experiment with riskier strategies, like deliberately pulling multiple elite packs at once. It also unlocked a new dimension of party play. Allies could unleash their damage while I maintained threat, creating a satisfying synergy.



Bear form isn't flashy-it lacks the aerial swoop and explosion of Wyvern-but the sense of security it provides is unparalleled. It's a lesson in patience and resource management, rewarding careful play rather than frantic motion.



Passive Trees, Ascendancies, and Build Depth



Patch 0.4 also introduced meaningful adjustments to the Druid passive trees and ascendancies. Shapeshifting mechanics now interact with nodes in a more nuanced way. Attack speed, elemental scaling, and form-specific bonuses have a tangible impact on gameplay.



I experimented extensively with hybrid approaches, occasionally blending Bear endurance with Wyvern mobility for short bursts. While this hybrid style isn't optimized for pure speed or boss damage, it highlights the freedom of the Druid class-choices feel impactful rather than cosmetic.



Ascendancy selections also matter significantly. Early in the league, I leaned heavily into Shapeshifter-specific passives, emphasizing elemental damage and speed. Later, I experimented with nodes that enhanced health and crowd control, particularly for Bear play. Each decision felt meaningful, and the meta allows multiple viable routes rather than funneling players into a single optimal setup.



Reflections After 200 Hours



Reaching 200 hours in The Last of the Druids league has reinforced a few key takeaways:



Druids are versatile. Whether you favor aerial strikes or tanking, the class accommodates multiple styles.



Shapeshifting mechanics are deeply rewarding. Each form feels distinct and requires mastery to exploit fully.



Meta relevance is strong. Druids in patch 0.4 are neither overpowered nor underwhelming-they occupy a satisfying middle ground.



Experimentation is encouraged. With multiple ascendancies, passive nodes, and gear interactions, trial and error remains a core part of the experience.



For players on the fence about trying a Druid, now is the perfect time. The class is engaging, mechanically rich, and capable of handling endgame content without relying on cookie-cutter builds. Whether you want the aerial dominance of a Wyvern or the steadfast resilience of a Bear, Druids offer a journey that's equal parts challenge and satisfaction.



Conclusion



After 200 hours, the Druid class in Path of Exile 2 feels fully realized. The Last of the Druids league, combined with 0.4's shapeshifting reworks, new ascendancies, and refined passive trees, delivers an experience that's both mechanically deep and endlessly engaging. Wyvern and Bear builds showcase the class's flexibility, while the passive trees and ascendancy choices reward thoughtful experimentation.



Path of Exile 2 has always been about iteration and growth, and Druids exemplify that philosophy. Whether you're an experienced player seeking a new challenge or
buy Path of Exile 2 Orbs] a newcomer drawn to the fantasy of shapeshifting power, there's never been a better time to embrace the wild.