Dear Exiles, the Last of the Druids Event will launch at the end of March. And I will share details with you.
1. What This Event Is
The Last of the Druids Race Event is a competitive PoE 2 race where players start fresh and compete to be the first to kill Tavakai in Act 4. It uses a Solo Self‑Found (SSF), Fate of the Vaal fixed‑layout environment. Although not Hardcore, death immobilizes you for 2.5 minutes, which is a massive penalty in a timed race.
This race is also the first to include the new Druid class and the Fate of the Vaal league content, making it a unique learning opportunity for new players.
2. Event Dates
Race 1: March 29th, 12 PM PDT
Race 2: April 5th, 1 PM PDT
Race 3: April 12th, 1 PM PDT
3. Event Structure & Rules
Core Rules
Solo Self‑Found: No trading, no partying. Your progression depends entirely on your own drops and crafting.
Fixed Layout: Zones do not randomize, allowing you to practice routes.
Death Penalty: You cannot move for 2.5 minutes after dying. This is effectively a soft‑hardcore penalty.
Goal: Kill Tavakai in Act 4 as fast as possible.
How to Join
From the Character Select screen, click Join on the race banner.
You will be locked in place until the race begins.
Prizes
Each race awards a Demigod’s Virtue to the top finisher of each class, including the new Druid.
4. What’s New in Patch 0.4 (Why This Matters for Racers)
Patch 0.4 introduces:
New Class: Druid with four shapeshift forms (Human, Bear, Wolf, Wyvern)
21 new skills and 30+ new support gems
New League: Fate of the Vaal, including temple‑building and Vaal Ruins access
Major balance changes to 90+ skills and many ascendancies
For racers, this means:
The meta is fresh.
The Druid is strong early and designed for fast leveling.
Fate of the Vaal content may offer power spikes if routed efficiently.
5. Choosing a Class as a Beginner
Although all classes can compete, beginners should strongly consider:
Recommended: Druid (Patch 0.4’s Star Class)
The Druid is designed for smooth leveling, high damage, and flexible forms.
Why Druid is Beginner‑Friendly
Instant shapeshifting with no cooldowns.
Human spells persist while in animal form, enabling layered damage.
Wolf form offers speed and mobility.
Bear form offers tankiness and big slams.
Wyvern form offers ranged breath attacks and elemental utility.
This flexibility makes Druid extremely forgiving for new racers.
Other Beginner‑Friendly Options
Ranger – consistent ranged damage, safe playstyle.
Warrior – tanky, straightforward melee.
But Druid is the clear standout for Patch 0.4.
6. Beginner Race Strategy: Step‑by‑Step
This section gives you a practical plan from level 1 to Tavakai.
Act 1: Establishing Momentum
Goals:
Get a fast movement skill.
Acquire your first shapeshift form (if Druid).
Avoid deaths at all costs.
Tips:
Kill only dense packs; skip stragglers.
Vendor for early boots with movement speed.
If Druid, use Human Form spells like Volcano or Entangle to soften packs before shifting.
Act 2: Power Spike & Routing
Goals:
Unlock your second form.
Start using support gems.
Maintain high uptime on movement.
Tips:
Wolf Form is excellent for racing due to mobility.
Use Human Form spells to pre‑cast damage before diving into packs.
Don’t over‑loot; pick up only:
3‑links
Life/resist gear
Talismans (if Druid)
Act 3: Preparing for the Race’s Final Stretch
Goals:
Acquire your main damage setup.
Avoid deaths (2.5 minutes lost is devastating).
Start thinking about bossing.
Tips:
Wyvern Form offers strong ranged breath attacks for bosses.
If you find Fate of the Vaal beacons, consider doing them only if:
You are ahead of time
You need gear
You know the layout
Otherwise, skip them.
Act 4: The Push to Tavakai
This is where most racers lose time.
Goals:
Enter Tavakai with:
1–2 defensive layers (life, resist, armor/evasion)
A 3‑link or 4‑link main skill
A reliable movement skill
Tips:
Pre‑cast Human Form spells before shifting into your combat form.
Wolf Form is best for clearing.
Wyvern Form is best for bossing.
Bear Form is best if you need safety.
7. Beginner Druid Build Template
Here’s a simple, reliable setup for new racers.
Human Form (Pre‑Cast Layer)
Volcano – persistent fire damage.
Thunderstorm – lightning strikes that make enemies “wet,” boosting cold/shock setups.
Entangle – root enemies.
Wolf Form (Clear Speed)
Fast melee attacks with cold damage.
Wolf Minions for extra DPS.
Wyvern Form (Bossing)
Fire + lightning breath attacks.
Synergizes with Human Form spells.
Bear Form (Safety)
Rage generation.
Slam abilities for burst damage.
Support Gems
Patch 0.4 adds 30+ new supports; for beginners:
Added Cold/Fire/Lightning
Increased Duration
Area Damage
Attack Speed
8. Fate of the Vaal: Should Beginners Engage?
The new league mechanic lets you:
Build your own Vaal Temple
Place rooms that upgrade nearby rooms
Fight Atziri in her prime (endgame)
In a race, beginners should:
Skip most Vaal content unless you know the layout.
Only engage if you need gear or feel behind.
The time investment is rarely worth it for new racers.
9. Avoiding the Biggest Beginner Mistakes
1. Dying
A single death costs 2.5 minutes. That’s catastrophic.
2. Over‑looting
Pick up only:
Life/resist gear
3‑links
Talismans (Druid)
3. Not Using Human Form Spells
These persist after shifting and massively increase DPS.
4. Not Practicing the Fixed Layout
Because the layout is fixed, practicing routes gives huge advantages.
10. Practice Checklist Before Race Day
Run Acts 1–4 at least twice.
Practice Druid form‑swapping.
Learn boss mechanics for Tavakai.
Practice skipping low‑value content.
Set up your loot filter for SSF racing.
11. Final Beginner Tips
Stay calm—races reward consistency over risk.
Use movement skills constantly.
Shift forms intelligently:
Wolf for speed
Wyvern for bosses
Bear for safety
Human for pre‑casting
Avoid deaths at all costs.
Don’t chase perfect PoE 2 gear—good enough is good enough.
Conclusion
The “Last of the Druids” race is one of the most beginner‑friendly PoE2 events thanks to the powerful new Druid class, fixed layouts, and a clear objective. By focusing on safe routing, efficient form‑swapping, and avoiding deaths, even new players can achieve competitive times.
