Im still planning on doing a 2h Axe Bear druid,
why?
1) I like bear style over wolf
2) Druid has ias-bonus on Axes
3) 2h axes > 1h axes
Which axes would you prefer?
(Str aim is above 200str, lowest Dex possible)

Beast Runewords:

+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)

Axes: (all range 3)

Silver-edged Axe
62-110 Dmg
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed: Fast: D/P/S

base speed: 9 frames, 5ias 8frames(max)

Decapitator
49-137 Dmg
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed: Fast: D

base speed: 10 frames, 20ias 9frames(max)

Champion Axe
59-94 Dmg
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed: Very Fast: D

base speed: 7(max)

base
Glorious Axe
60-124 Dmg
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed: Fast: D

base speed: 10 frames, 20ias 9frames(max)

7frames = 3,57 a/s
8frames = 3,12 a/s
9frames = 2,77 a/s

This post was edited by DEngineer on Aug 22 2018 04:43pm

I don't really find the idea of Beast in a two handed axe all that compelling, because the damage is going to be mediocre at best. But if you decide to go that route anyway, I think the fastest axe will also end up being the one dealing the most damage due to crushing blow.

Not sure why you would use beast yourself, unless it's some gimmick character. There's at least a dozen weapons that are better.

meh, reread and saw you said axe druid.. still a lot of better weapons

This post was edited by RichmanPuppies on Aug 22 2018 08:54pm

the main advantage of beast is the fanatism aura, and optionally the bear form
you're already a bear and fana doesnt increase your attack speed. unless maybe youre doing some hybrid bear with summons there are much better weapons for a bear build 2h

This post was edited by Melatonina on Aug 23 2018 01:54am

@Spammers, read the topic, im doing a beast bear druid, theres no discussion about that. Otherwise I wouldnt post in pvm...

Go ribby

I’d go with the champion axe. Faster attack is just better.. faster leeching/charge-ups/cb. Not to mention melee is just more enjoyable when you attack faster.

best reply, ty.

This build:
Im going on as low dex as possible with this build, Im getting good AR% from Jalals+Fana+Maul
I dont want a shield, cause I dont want block animation at all! --> Im aiming for that 5 frames fhr breakpoint(4frames is unreachable)
I compared Ribcracker(upped) with a Beast Champions axe, and Axe >>>>> Ribcracker
Ribcracker(Shael) = 8 frames(max 7)
is just a slight bit stronger than Beast Champion axe, BUT Beast has fanatism and 7 frames, so I dont need any off wep ias, which gives me more room of chosing my other gear. like verdungos instead of nosferatus, or Um instead of ias juwel on jalals and so on.



Though I dont need the IAS from fana with the Champion's axe, its still a strong boost with +3/+3, strength, crushing blow, AR%(since I go low dex)


But NOW the question is:
IF I would use a tresher/giant tresher, I would
+Have WAY more damage
+7 frames a/s aswell
+more AR cause invest more in Dex
-have to invest more in dex

My aim is that 5frames fhr breakpoint, and 7 frames(realizing 7 frames with a slower weapon is harder) So my only weaps of choice would be:
Beast tresher/Giant tresher or Beast CHampions Axe
My armor choice:
Stone:
+60% fhr, Str, Vita
-low res, compared to Prudence for exmample.
If I want to aim for that 5 frames, I need Stone.
Remember: Its all selffound. I dont intend to buy items, or use items from mule, or get free.
Lionheart sucks, cause no FHR
Duress is a possibility too,
+40% fhr(-20 to stone)
+%ed
+OW, CB
-less def than stone
+-same 15@ from Um,

Prudence:
+high @
-lower def than other 2
-lower fhr
-nothing else

Gloom:
+high @
-lower def
-low fhr

so gloom and prudence are out of race when I aim for 5frames fhr breakpoint with that 2h weapon.
->Question is Stone or Duress? I would go with Stone
I aim for 200str +, lowest Dex possible and Rest vita ofc
Max Lykant, max Bear, max maul, max Dire Wolf, 1 into Grizzly,
Rest in any of the spirits. Actually I dont like them cause they die too often.

Beast cannot be made into a Thresher or Giant Thresher. That is no problem though, because Champion Axe has the same average damage as Thresher (76.5), and only very slightly lower than GT (77), but with much much less dexterity reqs.

I know you want to make a Beast 2H bear and that is cool, which is why I didn't mention anything in my previous post... But since you made a comparison in your last post, I'll mention that I agree with the others that Ribcracker is a better option. It should certainly be easier to self-find than the Ber rune you'd need for a Beast.

I see that you want to reach 5 frame FHR (Ribcracker has 50 FHR btw). I find that FHR is less important on bear druids, because you go into FHR animation once you lose a certain percentage of your HP in one hit. Bear druids have innately high life so naturally go into FHR animations less often. Especially if you are using Shockwave, which I guess any melee bear druid should, FHR becomes even less important. FHR is still nice, but I wouldn't eschew a nicer armor just to obtain an armor with higher FHR for a Werebear. I'd guess that Fortitude is the best if you can find the Lo (which I guess you would if you are hunting for a Ber for Beast). If you do not have access to ladder runewords, Chains of Honor is a great armor but it would require a 2nd Ber Upgraded Shaftstop or Duress are both fine options as well. You might even look at Treachery, even though the 45% IAS isn't too great for a Werebear, you'll still get 20% FHR along with a level 15 Fade proc which applies 15% DR and 60% resist all - arguably better than Shaftstop from the Fade proc alone.

This post was edited by Belarathon on Aug 24 2018 09:49pm

Sorry for the double-post, I can no longer edit my original post. I didn't notice your skills setup the first time I posted and I wanted to comment on it a bit, if you'll have it.

If you're only maxing one of the Summons, make it the Grizzly. Maxed Dire Wolves with no synergies will not be very strong in Hell, certainly not worth 20 points. If you want Dire Wolves, you'd need to max both Dire Wolves and Summon Grizzly. As a melee druid, I'd sooner max HoW than either of those summons though. You don't need the extra tanks, Shockwave is simply overpowered in terms of defense. Shockwave really gives melee bears the chance to focus purely on offense. I think maxing Werebear, Lycan, Maul, HoW, 10 second duration Shockwave (level 15 after items) is the best choice - the rest can go to Summon Grizzly. If you really wanted to max one of the summons, you could simply put 1 to Shockwave (and be forced to recast it more often) and use those points towards the Grizzly.