Patriarch Stanley - The Wolfbarb

[DeadBob]

For the best part of my Diablo history, i have avoided melee builds. Weapons Mastery has always put me off Barbarians, i didn't like the idea of being effectively restricted to a specific weapon class. Perhaps this is a naive view, reflecting my lacking knowledge of the melee side of the game. I don't know. As for Druids... i've just never been able to find a reason to explore the potential builds.

As a Wolfbarb combines various aspects of the two character classes, it would at least be an interesting experience. It turned out to be one of the most fun builds i have played in a long time. I have included a progress report near the end of this post which provides greater detail of my experience.


Stat/Skill point Distribution:
------------

Patriarch Stanley
Level 83

Str: 130
Dex: 20
Vit: 350
Energy: 10 [base]

Warcries:
1 :: Howl
20 :: Shout
20 :: Battle Orders
1 :: Battle Command

Masteries:
20 :: Mace Mastery
1 :: Increased Stamina
1 :: Increased Speed
20 :: Iron Skin
10 :: Natural Resistances


[B]Gear:
------------

Helm: Wolfhowl (4/5/6/3 - WW/L/FR/WC)
Amulet: The Cats Eye
Armor: 'Duress' Wire Fleece
Weapon: Upped 'shael' Ribcracker
Gloves: Draculs Grasp
Ring 1: BK3
Belt: Verdungo's
Ring 2: Raven Frost
Boots: Goreriders

On Switch: Dual HOTO (40 and 31)*

Additional pre-buff gear: Arachnid Mesh and Sepaphs Hymn

Ribcracker Alternative: Griswold Caduceus and Stormshield*2

* I'd had my two vex runes sitting on my mule since i found them, gathering virtual dust. After much deliberation i decided that this build was worthy of their use.

*2 Both Ribcracker and the Caduceus benefit from Mace Mastery so either is theoretically viable. It is basically powerful/slow vs. weaker/fast, i have thus far favored the former option.

I will include a few ATMA read outs at the end of the post.


Drops:
------------

NM Summoner:

Fungal Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0xa542334b
+1 to Poison and Bone Skills (Necromancer Only)

NM Pindle + Co:

Ruby Jewel of Virility
Required Level: 58
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 66
Fingerprint: 0x21f0275
+7 to Strength
+40% Enhanced Damage

NM Forge: Pul
Hell Forge: Pul


Note on v1.07:
------------

If you happened to catch my last thread, you will have seen that i intended to run a project along side this one. The goal was/is to return to said version in search of a 1.07 Arkaine's Valor, my Wolfbarbs intended end game armor.

As an update, this project is still a work in progress. My 1.07 Sorc is currently at the end of Act 2, Hell.


Progress in Detail:
------------

As some will know, the rlvl of Wolfhowl (the item that makes this build possible) is 79. This means no combat skills for the first 79 levels. The following is an account of his progress through the difficulties:


.: Normal :.

- At clvl 15, he was equipped with Bloodrise. (the only low end unique i had available)
- Progress through Normal was slow but steady. He reached Eldritch at clvl 26.
- Eldritch was leeched for experience until clvl 30, at which point it was time for a weapons upgrade:

Dual (3/4) Bloodletters. Life got a little easier at that point. Whirlwind enabled him to gain experience quicker which made levelling much easier. At some point later down the line, i socketed the Bloodletters with max damage jewels (+22 and +24 IIRC). Elemental charms were also added to his inventory.

- He continued to leech experience from Eldritch until clvl 40, at which point he continued to take on the Ancients.
- At clvl 48 (after some more levelling) he progressed to nightmare.

[Skills] Howl 1 :: Shout 20 :: BO 20 :: BC 1 :: Increased Stamina 1 :: Increased Speed 1 :: Iron Skin 2 :: NR 5


.: Nightmare :.

Nightmare was a lot easier then expected, it was generally a case of picking up where he left off with Whirlwind.

I don't recall having any major problems.

- Hired a Might Merc in Act 2.
- Eldritch reached at clvl 56.
- After leveling to clvl 60, he went on his way to face the Ancients once again.
- After activating the WSK2 way point he returned to use Pindleskin and Eldritch as a source of experience until clvl 71.

At this point, i had already made up my mind that i would not leave NM until the target level had been reached. Getting to lvl 79 in NM was not going to be fun or easy, but i was determined that he would play through the whole of Hell difficulty as a Wolf.

Levels 72 to 78 were achieved with relative ease. The runs were not fast by any means, limited damage meant i had to divide the minions and take them on 3 (or less) at a time. Each run took approximately 15 minutes, that was without killing Baal. The last level was very much a test of will. I can't remember exactly how many runs it entailed, but at 15 minutes a piece it became very monotonous.

Nonetheless, the goal was achieved and he went on to defeat Baal - his last act in human form.

[Skills] Iron Skin maxed :: unused 17 (note: i had not committed to a weapon mastery at this point)


.: Hell :.

I finally decided on Ribcracker as my weapon of choice. All unused skill points were immediately invested in Mace Mastery.

Unfortunately i experienced a bit of an anti-climax at this point. After having spent so long focusing on getting him to clvl 79, that goal had unintentionally over shadowed the main point of the build. Luckily, the novelty value of running around as a wolf eventually got me back on track. :smiley:

There is not much to comment on beyond this point. He didn't experience any difficulties throughout hell, he just provided me with an enjoyable experience much different to that which i have become used to.

He came close to death twice in two separate difficulties (yep, Iron Maiden), but is still living his first life.


ATMA Readouts:
------------

Ribcracker
Stalagmite
'Shael'
Two-Hand Damage: 329 to 491
Durability: 107 of 130
Required Dexterity: 35
Required Strength: 63
Required Level: 56
Staff Class - Fastest Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x43f5688f
+15 to Dexterity
+100% Enhanced Defense
+299% Enhanced Damage
+30 to Minimum Damage
+65 to Maximum Damage
+100 Defense
+100 Maximum Durability
Required Level +7
70% Increased Attack Speed
50% Faster Hit Recovery
150% Damage to Undead
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Duress
Superior Wire Fleece
'ShaelUmThul'
Defense: 1407
Durability: 29 of 36
Required Strength: 111
Required Level: 53
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x1b60e58e
+180% Enhanced Defense
+12% Enhanced Defense
+20% Enhanced Damage
Fire Resist +15%
Lightning Resist +15%
Cold Resist +45%
Poison Resist +15%
Adds 37-133 cold damage over 2 seconds
Increase Maximum Durability 14%
40% Faster Hit Recovery
33% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Socketed (3: 3 used)

Heart of the Oak
Flail
'KoVexPulThul'
One-Hand Damage: 1 to 24
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Dexterity: 35
Required Strength: 41
Required Level: 55
Mace Class - Fast Attack Speed
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 28
Fingerprint: 0x8006fa26
+10 to Dexterity
All Resistances +40
Adds 3-14 cold damage over 3 seconds
7% Mana stolen per hit
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
40% Faster Cast Rate
75% Damage to Demons
150% Damage to Undead
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+3 to All Skill Levels
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
Socketed (4: 4 used)

[Arreat_mercenary]

Congrats on the pat!

I'm always have been a melee man, mostly all my builds have been melee avoiding casters or ranged char since for me it's boring not to be in the heat of the battle.

I have always been interested in the wolf barb, since it can potentially get 5000+ life (easily) and the fact of a barb getting into a wolf it's just a whole lot of style points (:thumbsup:). For leveling purposes, I have seen some people investing some points into WW until clvl 79 arrives (since you have some spare points with this build).

I see you spent 10 points into natural resistance, that's a bit of overkill, 5 should have been enough and then you could have used those 5 points into WW for leveling.

Still, excellent job, congrats! Enjoy the glory of going to the heat of the battle by using a melee char. By the way, nice HOTO! :shocked:

[jjscud]

conrgrats, especially on pushing to 79 in NM. I'm working on a Wolf barb right now too but with the way I level I will probably have to spend extra effort not to Pat him before lvl 79.

Just out of curiosity, what weapon did you use through NM. I'm in roughly the same situation, I haven't commited to a mastery yet and am having trouble killing stuff in late NM. I've finished NM, I mostly just need a way to kill stuff and pick up levels.

[DeadBob]

since for me it's boring not to be in the heat of the battle.

In the days of Diablo I, i shared that same view. I would always play as the warrior back then. I can't remember why this changed when Diablo II came along. Perhaps it was the influence of playing and surviving on battle.net.


I see you spent 10 points into natural resistance, that's a bit of overkill, 5 should have been enough and then you could have used those 5 points into WW for leveling.

It was a cross between the fact that i did have those skill points spare and his gear not contributing much towards resistances. In addition to this, i believe he was already in Wolf form by the time i put those last 5 points in to NR.

At the time his survival skills were sufficient so i didn't consider putting any hard points in to the combat tree.


Just out of curiosity, what weapon did you use through NM. I'm in roughly the same situation, I haven't commited to a mastery yet and am having trouble killing stuff in late NM. I've finished NM, I mostly just need a way to kill stuff and pick up levels.

I stuck with the Bloodletters from clvl 30 right until he switched to wolf form at clvl 79. The lack of damage did make the process slow but it got easier once he broke into the early/mid 70's.

His inventory was packed full of charms, i had a couple of 10 max/AR GC's, the rest were generally elemental SC's. I tried to provide my merc with some lower end items with +skills to boost his might aura (eg. shako). I mentioned before, i socked the Bloodletters with max damage jewels to get as much as i could out of the set up. By the time i left NM my upper damage was around 1.2k IIRC.

Best of luck getting there :thumbsup:

[Vang]

I see you spent 10 points into natural resistance, that's a bit of overkill, 5 should have been enough and then you could have used those 5 points into WW for leveling.


I'm lost on how its overkill? I don't see max resist with his current setup as it as. +1 total skills for 11 is just over 50%. But maybe its just me, I'd max natural resistance I dig max resistances.

But back on topic, congrats and nice for utilizing the WW on dual-bloodletters, only thing that would of made it nicer was upping them :thumbsup: Maybe after this pure-maul bear I'll get the courage to try the slow leveling process of the character.

[FlimFlan]

I'm lost on how its overkill? I don't see max resist with his current setup as it as. +1 total skills for 11 is just over 50%. But maybe its just me, I'd max natural resistance I dig max resistances.

But back on topic, congrats and nice for utilizing the WW on dual-bloodletters, only thing that would of made it nicer was upping them :thumbsup: Maybe after this pure-maul bear I'll get the courage to try the slow leveling process of the character.

The diminishing returns on NR just make it better to go to 5, let +skills items add a bit more and use the skill points in more critical areas.

[DeadBob]

But back on topic, congrats and nice for utilizing the WW on dual-bloodletters, only thing that would of made it nicer was upping them

The extra damage would have been useful, but there is always the possibility that i will need them again some day. That and the fact that this build has already been quite expensive.

I didn't mention it in my original post, the Duress is a second roll. The first roll was very poor so it ended up costing me two um runes... and a hel rune :rolleyes:

Combine that with the two vex's and two pul's from the HOTO's, and the ist i'm considering using for a Delirium helm for my merc... it's made quite a dent in my collection.


The diminishing returns on NR just make it better to go to 5, let +skills items add a bit more and use the skill points in more critical areas.

That's the other thing here, his gear does not provide much in the line of +skills. As far as Masteries go, i currently have +1 from the BK ring and a temporary +1 from Battle Command.

The flip side of the argument is that you can survive fairly easily without the resistances. The high life and life leech makes staying alive a lot easier, i'd just rather not take the risk.

[aman]

What was your total life(didn't see it posted) with bo + shift ?


Congrats on the pat as well :grin: :thumbsup:

edit : im going to make a pure wolf barb , i have it easy don't need to use bloodletters as i got a +3 whirlwind radience barb helm :grin:

[DeadBob]

What was your total life(didn't see it posted) with bo + shift ?

IIRC it was approximately 6.6k.

He is not currently carrying any Warcry skillers so it could be pushed a little higher, inventory space is rather tight. If i find the 1.07 Arkaine's i'm searching for that will add another ~1k to the total.

EDIT:


edit : im going to make a pure wolf barb , i have it easy don't need to use bloodletters as i got a +3 whirlwind radience barb helm :grin:

It's alright for some :rolleyes: :laugh:

[Thirty-Thirty]

Nicely done! Wolfbarb's are by far my favourite characters. I'm surprised NightFish hasn't said so already, but that upp'ed Ribcracker is one devastating weapon (and the armour is a solid choice too). I find my dawg just chews through anything, and the combination of monstrous leech from Feral Rage and over 5k life means he never dies.

If you MP, don't forget this char is a hit, since your warcries should outclass anyone else's, plus you can tank like no other. GG.

[FlimFlan]

That's the other thing here, his gear does not provide much in the line of +skills. As far as Masteries go, i currently have +1 from the BK ring and a temporary +1 from Battle Command.

The flip side of the argument is that you can survive fairly easily without the resistances. The high life and life leech makes staying alive a lot easier, i'd just rather not take the risk.

The diminishing returns still makes it not that great after level 5. You could always go with Battle Cry (I love that skill) for DR or War Cry for stun.

Anyway, that is all just discussions on possibilities or ideas for future Barb builds you might try. Great achievement making Pat, something I have yet to do in 1.11.

[Arreat_mercenary]

@Vang: FlimFlan just exposed my point. Natural Resistance diminishing returns hit hard past slvl 5, so, it makes redundant to waste precious points into something that will only give 3% more resistances (or even less).

Battle cry is your friend (as FlimFlan exposed) at melee but War Cry needs heavy investment to be useful in Hell (because of stun duration being cut in such difficulty), and for ranged chars, and skill I absolutely love is Taunt, I really love seeing that damned archers coming up and close directly to my weapons :wink2: . And if you have enough level, howl is really a massive crowd control.