Patch Notes Breakdown for Final Fantasy XIV Druid Builds in Season 7
1. Lightning Bolt Builds: The Power Surge
The most exciting changes are undoubtedly the improvements to lightning bolts. These changes will make this the most powerful build for Druids in Season 7. Let’s go over some of the major updates that are going to make lightning skills pop:
· Rune Worker’s Conduit: Previously, storm skills would trigger occasional lightning bolts, but the scaling was limited. Now, critical hits with storm skills will cause lightning bolts to strike nearby enemies for 3 seconds, with lightning bolt damage increased by 50% for every 100 Willpower. If you're running a typical Druid build with around 2500 Willpower, this is an insane multiplier, making lightning bolts stronger than ever before.
· McK Ring Buff: McK Ring has been buffed to include lightning bolt benefits while Cataclysm is active. This means that both your lightning bolt and your Cataclysm damage will scale together, making this ring a must-have for lightning bolt builds.
· Overflow Rune: A new rune called Overflow costs only 20 offering but can deal 220% weapon damage, triggering multiple lightning bolts to hit nearby enemies every 3 seconds. If you're stacking offering, you can see up to 15 lightning bolts triggered with every attack — each dealing substantial damage. This makes it one of the strongest tools for lightning builds.
· Charged Atmosphere Change: Charged Atmosphere’s lightning bolts now deal a 10% increase in damage, with the potential to stack up to 30%. This is another boost to your lightning bolt damage, making it even more potent.
· Overload Boon Changes: Overload now applies an additional 20% poison damage over 5 seconds, with the potential to summon a lightning bolt on lucky poison hits. While the 1% chance to trigger a lightning bolt seems low, it adds another layer of damage for storm and poison builds.
2. Ultimate Builds: Lacerate and Cataclysm Are Back
Ultimate builds are getting some serious buffs in this patch, including some changes that might bring back your infinite Lacerate build and infinite Cataclysm build.
· Lacerate Buff: Lacerate's damage has increased from 560 to 600, and now, at rank 5, Lacerate’s damage scales by 40% of your Critical Strike damage bonus. This is a huge buff for scaling your damage output and making Lacerate a top-tier ability.
· Ancestral Guidance Change: The Ancestral Guidance passive now gives 1% increase in damage per Spirit spent when casting an Ultimate. This could give you 150% additional damage if you're stacking maximum Spirit, which will turn your Ultimate skills into absolute powerhouses.
· Ultimate Skill Buffs: A few key aspects increase your Ultimate damage by up to 155%, and you can stack this bonus with other buffs. This makes spamming Ultimate abilities, like Lacerate, much more viable for high-end damage builds.
3. Werewolf Builds: Strengthening the Pack
Werewolf builds are also getting massive buffs this season. From increased damage multipliers to more synergy with lightning and poison, here’s what you need to know:
· Tempest Roar Buff: Tempest Roar now scales willpower as a percentage, which will significantly boost the strength of Werewolf builds. This change ties into multiple buffs for lightning and poison damage, allowing Werewolves to benefit from scaling effects.
· New Amulet for Werewolves: The new unique amulet gives increased willpower, critical strike damage, and boosts to Lupine Ferocity. With this amulet, your Werewolf builds can stack insane amounts of critical damage, making it an essential piece for maximizing your werewolf potential.
· Shred & Grizzly Rage Synergy: Werewolves now get a 25% damage increase while in werewolf form and additional buffs from skills like Grizzly Rage, which boosts poison damage. The synergy between Shred, Lacerate, and Grizzly Rage now opens up the possibility of powerful poison damage builds.
4. Companion Builds: Strengthening the Pack
Companion builds are getting some long-awaited improvements, with more synergy between wolves and your other abilities:
· Spirit Wolf Buff: Spirit Wolves now benefit from companion bonuses, including those from Shepherds. This means your wolves are going to get stronger and contribute more to your overall damage output. Expect companion-based builds to be much stronger this season.
· Hurricane Buffs for Wolves: The new aspect for Hurricane now causes it to summon mini hurricanes on your wolves when cast, dealing 15% of the total Hurricane damage for each active wolf. This makes your wolves even more deadly and gives them the potential to deal significant AOE damage alongside your own.
5. Other Notable Changes
· Earth Skills & Bull Work: Earth builds are also getting some love with buffs to skills like Obsidian Slam and Survival Instincts. These changes improve scaling for Earth builds, allowing them to dish out more damage in tougher encounters, especially against bosses.
· Toxic Claw Changes: Toxic Claw now boosts Shred and Lacerate damage, making it a useful addition to poison builds.
· Virent Aspect Buff: The Virent Aspect now increases damage from Rabies by up to 50%, providing a nice synergy with poison builds.
Conclusion: Season 7's Power Surge
Season 7 promises to be one of the most exciting seasons yet for Druids in Final Fantasy 14. Lightning builds will dominate with their massive power scaling, while ultimates, werewolf synergies, and companion buffs will create a versatile and dynamic build. Whether you prefer lightning, poison, or earth damage, the changes in this patch give you the tools to experiment and take your Druid build to the next level. Don’t forget to check out the cheap FFXIV Gil on MMOEXP to help you build the gear that’s right for you! As always, be sure to do some testing on the PTR to fully explore these changes and improve your builds.