Info for my Barb please!! [Archive] - Diablo 3 & Diablo 2 Forums

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MrMaverick

09-02-2006, 16:31

:wave: Please, please, dnt see the length of this and not read, even if you only skim it... or read the last bit, i need every peice of info i can get. I appreciate ur time.

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Ok...ive got myself a lvl 83 WW barbarian. When i first started I knew very little about the game as far as build types and such go, so I really messed him up early on. The first thing I saw when I started playing was high level barb own cows while dual weilding two wepaons and spinning super-fast! Yes, thats right.. whirlwind. I was amazed so I set to building an uber WW barbarian. :undecided:

At the moment his main damage skills look somewhat like this:
Lvl 28 Whirlwind
Lvl 17 Bash
Lvl 11 Frenzy
Lvl 10 Duoble Swing
Lvl 9 Berserk
Lvl 27 Sword Mastery
Lvl 6 For All Warcrys

I now realise that WW is actually quite bad to be honest. Im sure it is good with the right gear, but otherwise, it pretty much sucks. :cry:

His gear (without jewelry) at the moment looks like this:

Helm: 163%ed Arreats
Armour: 1.4/29 Superior Sacred Armour 'Fortitude' - 1797 Def
Left Weapon: Bul Kathos Sacred Charge
Right Weapon: Bul Kathos Tribal Guardian
Belt: Goldwrap Heavy Belt
Gloves: Chance Guards
Boots: IK Boots

Ive just made the fortitude....Its been my aim for quite a while now, so Im happy to have moved up from my old courpsemourn...however, im quite dissapointed that it ddnt give me as much extra damage as thought it would....(double swing: 759-1867 and 1219-1525) :/ And as for Bul Kathos Kiddies... well they were one of my dreams as a little boy barbarian so im happy with them - however, i do realise that i need a change.

To put it simply, I still get absolutely owned in hell. Im ok until around act 3 where I struggle pretty badly, and onward from there im just so sadly pathetic.

I guess what im looking for here is maybe some tips on what equipment i should look into (keeping in mind that im not exactly high on the rich-list). Runewords for my swords will be great, but things like BOTD and CtA are waaaaay to pricey for me.. expecially if im going to dual wield. As for boots, gloves and a belt..I wouldnt mind haveing some more leech, i have pskulls in each of my swords but that isnt enough to maintain my health and mana lvls in the higher acts.

And also, one last request would be for some tips on whether Im stuck as a WW barb, or whether i should (somehow) go frenzy, berserk.....etc.

.....OR!!! One last choice I have, is to maybe just start a whole new guy, and pour everything into only the relevent skills... ie WW, or frenzy, or whatever is more effective. This option, i will only turn to if there is nothing else i can do...as starting over again is soemthing that doesnt appeal to me an awful lot... lol

Again, thanks for your time, and i apopreciate any help each of you can give me. :thumbsup:

Cheers.

MrMaverick

09-02-2006, 16:42

I just quickly checked out some runewords.. and as far as high damage ones go pheonix, last wish, and grief all look good.. as i should stick to swords... but i guess the only one in my price range is grief.. wasnt planning on even spending that much as i dnt even have close to that much, but i realise that im going to have to....oh well. it'l be worth it. however i dunnno if i shoould dual wield or not... too many damn decisions in this game..! hehe

Dadou

09-02-2006, 16:47

Well, looks like you wasted many skill points... But who haven't, making a new char and not knowing the cookie cutter builds ?

Cocnerning skills, yes, you should max the skill you're about to use, as well as the weapon mastery involved. You MUST max BO, since it's the greatest barbarian skill, and AFTER that, you can dispatch other points.

Unless you want to specialize in it, Concentration and Berserk are 1 point wonders, allowing you to deal rare situations where your main attack isn't effective.

If you go 2 handed, i'd recommend either WW, either Frenzy. Don't Pskull them, Shael them if not fast enough, or use Ed jewels. Use manald heal if you don't leech enough mana, and with Shael'ed weapons you'll spin faster, hit more often and leech way more !

For WW, remember that only the ias of the weapon is considered, so no need for gloves or helm... it will only count when using conc or berserk. Check the breakpoints for WW speed ;o)
As to Frenzy, i'm afraid I can't be of help because I really love WW. I used to WW with double Lightsaber in 1.09 and it was awesome to handle the so-feared MSLE bosses. I used Bul Khatos on switch (eh eh i like it too), but got insta-riped because of a msle and I forgot to switch... I'm on a IK build right now.

To answer your question, I'd really think about doing a new char.

the boss

09-02-2006, 16:50

I'd say maybe you should look forward to a rebuild. With this char, you're best just stick with WW, but you'll be having some trouble. The main thing I see the problem is the Bulkatho's Sword set, the collossus blade has knock back, which is BAD. I'd suggest trade the swords away and make Eth Oath Runeword in eth one-handed weapons. The Fortitude Sacred Armor is nothing bad about it but you'll need alot of strength to carry it that's whats messing up the stats for Vitality(less strength, more life). You should probably go with a Shield too, namely stormshield and max block with good amount of dexterity investment(only if you want to go WW, Conc, etc build).

If you want to remake a WW barb
Max Whirlwind
Max Battle Orders
Max Weapon mastery
Max Shout
1 point into pre-requiest
1 point to natural resists
1 point to increase speed
and 1 point into battle command

If you want to go frenzy
Max Double swing
Max Frenzy
Max Sword Mastery
Max Battle Orders
rest into Taunt

You might want to switch belt to String of Ears or Verdungos
Chance Guard switch to Dracul's
Seriously...mf is for sorcs, hammerdins....barbs are hard hitters and need defensive equipment.

GOOD LUCK

Dadou

09-02-2006, 16:54

I save 2 points, and invest nothing in increase stamina, nor speed. The slower you run, the more you'll hit the same target when WW-ing. 40 FRW from IK boots are way enough.

Rest in Iron skin

monte cristo

09-02-2006, 16:54

I agree, you wasted a lot of skill points on that build. A few pointers:

- stat wise, get enough strength for your gear, no dexterity and energy, dump everything else into vitality. IMO barbs don't need block in pvm unless they are built around berserk.
- if you don't hit well enough, wear angelic ring + amulet or some grand charms with 100+AR (and maybe other mods)
- skill wise, decide on one attack: frenzy, ww, berserk, conc. If it's neither berserk or conc. then put 1pt in each of them. Berserk is very important when dealing with iron maiden curse.
- get the chosen weapon mastery to 20, get your battle orders 20 points as well, 1pt battle command. With leftover points, start maxing either shout or iron skin.
- remember about 1 point into natural res.
- if you choose WW, make sure your weapon reaches the last attack breakpoint. check a thread somewhere in the barb forum.

Gear-wise, IK set is very good and you certainly can afford it. If it comes to runewords, you should take care of the weapons first, a botd or a grief is much better than a crappy weapon and fortitude.

MrMaverick

09-02-2006, 16:59

Wow... that info helps alot guys. Thx! After reading that, I think im going to go for a new character. I still cant decide on either WW or Frenzy because they are both quite cool. I like WW because it always comes in handy for getting out of tight spots as im sure you would know.. but frenzy is a very very nice skill. increased speed is always good.

Another question though, in regard to your answers. When you say Max DS, Max, Fenzy, Max Sword, etc.. is that like put all first points into Double swing, and dnt touch anything else until that is maxed? Or just up them all evenly..ie 1 lvl at a time? Oh, and this reminds me of another thing that has me thinking... normal stat points ie: strength, dex, vit etc. How do you base what you put points into?

Thanks for all the help guys! Its been great already, things are starting to make sense for the first time in a long time.. hehe

godofgods

09-02-2006, 17:04

firstly he is ALL wrong as a ww barb , start again m8 and this time remember u dont have to put skill points into everything...heres a quick guide
forget dual wielding u get no block
get a storm shield , arreats is good but vampire gaze has dual leech on it and is pretty good, fortitude is good. gore rider boots or goblin toes(crushing blow), use ik gauntlets for dex and str or dracs(cool glove) , lots of good belts out there verdungos,thundergods,ik belt etc... use a raven frost ring and another of your choice , highlords amulet is a must for a ww barb. now then ur weapon if u are goin sword(axes are better) barb bk sword is useless - get a lightsabre or a doombringer (cheap swords) , if u can afford it Oath is good sword.
your str shud be just enuff to hold ur equipment, dex shud be for max blockrate with storm and the res goes into vitality, absolutely none into energy.
20 stats into = ww,bo,shout,mastery(sword or axe),
1 stat into = berserk,iron skin,natural resists
the rest into concentrate for a good 2nd attack

MrMaverick

09-02-2006, 17:05

Iron Maiden... aargghh.. THE most pain in the arse curse known to man!!

I save 2 points, and invest nothing in increase stamina, nor speed. The slower you run, the more you'll hit the same target when WW-ing. 40 FRW from IK boots are way enough.

Rest in Iron skin

I never thought about that before... but its soo damn true!

Yes, Ive wasted an absolute ****eload of points, i know :( And as far as weapons go...I like runwords alot.. they are just so damn nice!! haha.. i have my eyes on grief at the momnet. BOTD is damn nice... but so expensive and way beyond my reach. The one thing with eapons im not so sure about is whether to dual wield or go for a sheild.. :/

Dadou

09-02-2006, 17:05

Well, if you don't know which to pick up, why not try both ? A WW IK, and a Frenzy double axe ? ^^

For skill, admit you go WW. Up to lvl 30, only put about 5 points in mace mastery, 1 in every prereq, 1 in BO each lvl above 24, and as soon as you're 30 and +, 1 in WW and 1 in BO... When you have no spare point, max WW first, then Mace Mastery, then BO, then Shout, then rest in Iron skin.

Stats (still for WW): NO dex, NO energy. Enough strength for gear (187 for IK) and reste in life. If you don't know how much to put, try to focus on the best item you have. In case you would find better but with higher strength req. keep around 20-30 statpoints to be able to boost up immediately and equip asap.

For frenzy, once again i'll let specialists talk.

Hope we helped, have fun with your barb !

MrMaverick

09-02-2006, 17:09

MrMaverick

09-02-2006, 17:16

One last question has just come to mind regarding stat points. You say to put just enough points into strength so i can use my equipment...is this taking into account any bonus the equipment will give me? or just base stats?

Well then. Thank you all so much for the response, it was abxolutley phenomenal how quickly you all gave me feedback, and the feedback was all spot on...accyrate, true and very helpful. Thank you all so much!

As for my barb. I think im going to start a fresh one, i would be stupid not to by the sounds of what he should be like. I think i will stick with WW just beacuse thats what i have been, and is quite a good skill..however i might put of starting the new guy, just until I can accumulate all of the gear for him.

Once again. Thank you all for the help!!!!

godofgods

09-02-2006, 17:17

well i made a cool barb check the thread in this barb forum *the best barb

gaze in my opinion is really superb for a ww or a frenzy, i'd stick to ww barbs frenzy is too awkward especially if u are surrounded by physical immunes and gotta switch to berserk for them.
oath is cheap enuff , but if u unable to afford then a doombringer is sweet
axe barbs have better damage but there are only so many axes to choose from unless u are rich

Dadou

09-02-2006, 17:17

They make more dmg and allow you to save points thanks to the dex req.
Some can't get used to the look of axe-barbs, I kinda like them best ^^

the boss

09-02-2006, 17:17

firstly he is ALL wrong as a ww barb,

HEY, you can prove to me some of my info maybe wrong, but that is just offensive to me. I've built my barbs that way so you or he doesn't have to follow me. Right, as some ppl stated as well, some of the stuff ARE OPTIONAL. Basically if you already have fort, you could just make Eth Oath, its cheaper than Botd, Grief(although you could've saved the Lo for it:shocked: )

PvM WW barb
Strength - enough for items
Dex - enough for items (block is for pvp mainly, I hope you guys are happy now...)
Vita - ALL THE WAY
Energy - none

PvM Frenzy barb
Strength - enough for items
Dex - enough for items
Vita - all the way
Energy - none

godofgods

09-02-2006, 17:22

HEY, you can prove to me some of my info maybe wrong, but that is just offensive to me. I've built my barbs that way so you or he doesn't have to follow me.

i was replying to the origional thread from this maverick guy , not you , i dont even know what u suggested, read it again and you will see this

Halciet

09-02-2006, 17:27

A couple of points of contension with GoG's post:

1. As I have said, time and again, there is NO reason to invest points into two combat skills that do not synergize each other. The build he gave you is correct, up to the point where he mentions the leftovers; do NOT put them into concentrate. They should go either into ironskin (PvM/BvB), or normal leap (BvC). You're going to find yourself using one skill 98% of the time, meaning the extra points in conc would be a waste. With 1 point in conc and 20 bo, you already do more damage than 20 whirlwind, so no need to put more there.

2. While vampire gaze is a very nice helm, it doesn't stand up to Arreat's Face. That is far and away the best generalized barb helm available.

3. Dual wielding is very powerful, as block is only required for BvB. So, you can consider dual wielding if you'd like. I always use shield for PvM just because of all the bonuses they, but I just wanted to point out that if you plan to fight player casters, dual wielding is a must.

Otherwise, things are solid. As he stated, axes are better weapons, with the berserker axe weighing in as the strongest 1h weapon around. It hits the maximum 1h range and has lower base speed than comparable swords, higher average damage, and much lower requirements. Axes can also be used in all of the good runewords, the blood recipe, and there are many good unique axes. Furthermore, they are naturally one-handed, meaning that if you ever get a high-end one like BotD and would like to use it on another class some day you can, and it likewise holds a higher trade value.

-Hal

the boss

09-02-2006, 17:28

i was replying to the origional thread from this maverick guy , not you , i dont even know what u suggested, read it again and you will see this

Excuse my language, looks like we had a little misunderstanding with the pronouns used as referring "he" to whom....sorry about that...

Dadou

09-02-2006, 17:29

For stats, if you need 125 str, and wear IK Gloves, you'll only need to invest up to 105, and rely on the +20 they give ^^

If you put 20 more points than needed, don't consider it a waste and start again, huh !

Sometimes you invest what's needed, and you find a good item that make you have more than req. Well, you'll just deal more dmg ;o)

monte cristo

09-02-2006, 17:29

I also vote that block is for a BvB/BvA pvp character. In pvm you don't need it really. WW is much better with 2 weapons or a 2-hander, frenzy requires 2 weapons. Barbs should leech enough to stay at full life most of the time.

Dadou

09-02-2006, 17:32

Thank you all so much for the response, it was abxolutley phenomenal how quickly you all gave me feedback...

Geez, you're right, this thread is on fire...

toolthegod

09-02-2006, 20:41

I just wanted to throw this out there, but If the MrMaverick has Bul-Katho's swords, and wants to still use them, wouldn't The Disciple set work good on a frenzy build?
It's somthin I have wanted to try myself. It's cheap, and the plus dmg to deamons, and undead is kinda big. You get crushing blow from sword, resis, str and dex from items and full set, you can still use Arreat's face(or vamp),
a bit of AR, plus skills, and more.
I'm NOT saying that this is better than anything you have read so far. You got alot of great info for people. Imho, it's a cheap and affordable choice. ( I got luck and traded an um rune for my disciple set last season. I just never had time to make my barb.)I don't know how good this would be for a WW barb though.
Like I said, just throwing that into the mix as an option.:wave:

the boss

10-02-2006, 04:19

Bulkatho's swords and Disciple set CAN be completely at the same item on a barb, go figure (nice analysis toolthegod)

If they can take out the knockback on the Bulkatho's sword on the next patch, it' be better

toolthegod

10-02-2006, 20:20

THX :girly:
I feel the same way about KB.
ooooo just think, KB on one sword, and a dol rune in the other. (25% flee)
Then use leap, kb, and flee. You couldn't kill anything, but all the mosters would be running scared. :jig: