The Rabies Druid or Rabies Werewolf is a druid build in Diablo 2 that relies on the Rabies skill. It often attacks using the hit-and-run strategy. The Rabies Druid infects a few monsters with Rabies and then he lets the infection spread to other vulnerable targets. Even if the enemy is immune to this attack, it will still carry the curse for its duration, providing a chance to spread to other monsters.

The Rabies skill is the only poisonous attack in the game that can take down another player. In addition, only a town healer can remove the disease. The build has some excess of skill points, so the majority of players prefer to invest these points in the Fury skill.

Rabies Werewolf Build Skills 

The build’s main skill is Rabies, which only synergizes with the Poison Creeper. Thus, there are some skill points to spend as you wish. The Rabies Druid has many variants; however, the most popular choice seems to be the Fury skill.

The main skills of the build that need 20 points are the following:

• Rabies: It’s a deadly skill that applies poison damage over time to affected enemies. Also, this is the only poison skill that is powerful versus other players (PvP). The skill’s greatest advantage is that it can’t be cured (except town healers) until the effect ends. Further, Rabies has the ability to spread among the enemies, making it a powerful attack against large groups of monsters. Obviously, you use this attack only in Werewolf form.

• Poison Creeper: This is the only skill that provides synergy to Rabies (+18% Poison Damage per level), so you should max it out. This summon doesn’t deal high amounts of damage, but it can slow down enemies’ health regeneration or finish off low health monsters.

• Werewolf: You shouldn’t invest more than 5-10 points in this skill as it has diminishing returns on maximum Life and attack speed after level 5.

• Lycanthropy: It increases the life of your character while in Werewolf form. Also, it grants synergy to the Werewolf skill, so it’s better to invest 20 points in it.

• Oak Sage or Heart of the Wolverine: It’s recommended to max out one of your spirits, according to your preference. Oak Sage allows for a more defensive setup because it boosts your Health points. Heart of Wolverine increases your entire’s party damage and attack rating, making it very useful for multiplayer games.

Rabies Werewolf Build Equipment

The Rabies Druid is actually a melee fighter. So, it’s better to consider the poison damage from Rabies as a tool that weakens groups of enemies, rather than depending totally on it for completing Hell mode. In terms of equipment, the basic principle of having a successful Rabies Werewolf is similar to any other melee fighter. You need a decent amount of Crushing Blow and Cannot Be Frozen effects. It’s essential to use items that provide elemental resistances as well.

Weapon

• Death’s Web 
• Grief Rune Word

• Plague Bearer

• Fleshrender 

• Islestrike 
• Ribcracker 
• Aldur’s Rhythm

Shield

• Stormshield

• Spirit Runeword

• Rhyme Runeword

• Ancient’s Pledge

Helm

• Jalal’s Mane 
• Tal Rasha’s Horadric Crest

• Stealskull 
• Guillaume’s Face

• Rockstopper

• CrownOfAges

Gloves

• Trang-Oul’s Claws

• Cleglaw’s Pincers

Armor

• Leviathan 
• Duress Runeword 
• Chains of Honor 
• Duriel’s Shell 
• Enigma Rune Word

Belt

• Verdungo’s Hearty Cord

• Arachnid Mesh

• Nosferatu’s Coil

Boots

• Gore Riders

Rings

• Bul-Kathos’ Wedding Band

• Stone of Jordan

• Raven Frost

Amulet

• Mara’s Kaleidoscope

• Highlord’s Wrath

Rabies Werewolf Build Stats

Strength: You should place enough points here in order to equip your endgame items.

Dexterity: Invest as many points as your best gear requires.

Vitality: Melee fighters need a lot of sustainability. Thus, it’s essential to spend the remaining points in your Life points.

Energy: Don’t waste any of your points in this attribute.