Newbie's (to 1.10) dilemma...

[NordicBearskin]

Hi all. I'm fairly new to the 1.10 patch and so I decided to make a Barbarian centred around Concentrate since I have so many good memories with that build. However, I've reached a snag in Act one: Should I go one-handed or two? No doubt Barbie buff's will s****** into their hands at this question but I really need some advice; I don't want to get my barb to a point where its impossible for me to raise enough Dex for max blocking if I need it.

In the guides that I have read all have insisted that a one-hander with max blocking is needed to survive Hell. Now far be it from me to contradict them but I've taken a look and it appears that with a one-hander you do a 1/3 of the damage as a two-hander. Plus Barbs who cower behind their shields do not look cool.

So, should I go one-handed or two? :scratch:

[Inuyasha]

2 handed. If you're only going PvM, then you might as well make yourself look cool, and it seems that you're leaning towards that anyways. Max block isn't REQUIRED for hell, but is usefull to have at some times. Mind you, if you ever plan on doing any PvP whatsoever then you absolutely need max block, no excuses. But then again, conc isn't a pvp build anyways, so I assume you aren't aiming for that.

Go 2handed.

Who am I? Why the hell do you care? I'm telling you what you want to hear.

[Halciet]

Two handed isn't bad, per se, it's just that you get so much more out of a weapon and a shield. One-hand weapons have a natural speed boost calculated in with them, making them faster, and a shield adds so much to your character it's ridiculous. 75% of all physical attacks negated, extra defense to capitalize on (awesome for conc builds), another slot for mods and socketing, and it virtually insures you'll have a nice hit chance, since you need so much dex with it.

Granted, they do less damage than two handers, but they're faster and make for a more balanced character. I never make ANY character without them (aside form Assasins and Frenzy barbs). You can easily manage 4-9k damage on a conc barb with a good 1h weapon, which is plenty enough to me.

-Hal

[ebyworx]

what dex is req for max block with a ss?

[Omikron8]

Whoh whoh whoh

4-9k damage on a conc barb with a one handed weapon? I am guessing this setup:

EBoTD weapon
Maxed Conc
Maxed BO
Maxed Mastery
Might Merc
lots of max damage charms/jewels

otherwise there seems something very wrong with that estimate

[Halciet]

Whoh whoh whoh

4-9k damage on a conc barb with a one handed weapon? I am guessing this setup:

EBoTD weapon
Maxed Conc
Maxed BO
Maxed Mastery
Might Merc
lots of max damage charms/jewels

otherwise there seems something very wrong with that estimate

That would bring you closer to the 9k. I had 4k with just max conc, bo, shout, mastery, and a cruel berserker axe, with 37% ed jewels in my helm/shield and two or three damage charms; that stuff is pretty easily obtainable.

-Hal

[NordicBearskin]

Ahhhh, I should have mentioned that I am very item poor, so much so that I don't even know what an EBoTD or ed jewels are... :scared:

[kfowler]

TRUST me!! Go with one hand in a shield. Here's your problem when you get to hell, you won't be able to life leech as qucikly as a ww barb. In fact, on my Conc Barb, ll was just a second thought (along with mana leech). Also since you'll be pounding each monster into oblivion, you'll need the blocking and extra defense to hang in there. Since your new to 1.10, defense is a huge factor now. It really makes a difference. So, IMO, go one handed.

:thumbsup:

[NordicBearskin]

Verily well, I've strapped on a shield. Its slightly humiliating to be doing about half the damage your Merc does... Or that I only 45% blocking... Oh well, I guess its time to click on that Dex button once in a while. :cheesy:

Thanks for all your advice!