Is a DS Barb Viable?

[TrinityPower]

I know this question has been asked repeatedly most likely, but I was wondering if a DS Barb can equate a Frenzy Barb in killing speed and general survivibility?

Skillpoints along these lines:

20 Bash
20 BO
9+ DS
20 Mastery
8 in 1 pointers and prereqs
Rest where needed

Undecided on weapon type atm, but thats not an issue really.

[soul killer]

Frenzy owns DS,thats why DS is a synergy to Frenzy.
DS=two fast hits,ed,AR.
Frenzy=two fast hits,ed,AR,IAS and F/RW.
But to answer ur question if its viable or not,yes it is viable for hell.

[TrinityPower]

Frenzy owns DS,thats why DS is a synergy to Frenzy.
DS=two fast hits,ed,AR.
Frenzy=two fast hits,ed,AR,IAS and F/RW.
But to answer ur question if its viable or not,yes it is viable for hell.

Thanks for the reply but I have a quick observation. You mention that Frenzy grants IAS (this is of coarse true) but you didn't mention the inherint IAS of DS. I believe I read on the other DS post on the first page of this board that DS grants like a natural 30%-ish IAS.

The faster r/w of frenzy is cool, but in wide open areas it doesn't seem to be very effective since sometimes you lose it before you even get to another monster pack.

I'd like do do mace mastery I think... maybe go duel shael'd shaffers or stormlashes... seems rather tastey,

Edit: before I forget, DS also means no need for mana leech :)

[tuxor]

Yeah yeah yeah, DS has 30/50 ias(can't remember which) and it actually GIVES you mana.

Frenzy > DS still.
Not only do you get better damage with Frenzy, the R/W is actually really helpful, and it's just a lot more stylish, not to mention you feel like a Frenzytaur all the time :laugh:

[munchkins]

with maxxed frenzy you can keep up with a teleporting sorceress... leap attack becomes a teleport for the duration, and it looks really funny :rolleyes:

[SSoG]

Frenzy owns DS,thats why DS is a synergy to Frenzy.
DS=two fast hits,ed,AR.
Frenzy=two fast hits,ed,AR,IAS and F/RW.
But to answer ur question if its viable or not,yes it is viable for hell.
With 25 points invested, DS will have 200% ED, 35% AR, and 30-50% IAS (I forget how much is built in). Frenzy will have 209% ED, 233% AR, 7-42% IAS (charge-up required), and the run/walk speed. They'll deal comparable damage, but Frenzy provides a lot more AR, DS provides a lot more speed, Frenzy adds the r/w bonus, and DS costs about a sixth as much per swing. With a low skill investment (20-40 points), DS and Frenzy will actually be remarkably similar in terms of effectiveness (with DS actually getting the slight edge because it's free and doesn't require charging up).

However, this isn't taking into account the option of a DS-Barb putting 1-5 points into Frenzy, charging up, and then switching to DS. A Frenzy Barb can't combine the two- because all of his ED is actually tied up in Frenzy- which means that DS Barbs attack a *TON* quicker than Frenzy Barbs, whether they charge up or not. And they're also cheaper skill-point wise.

Now, will a fully synergized Frenzy beat out a fully synergized Double Swing? Absolutely. It should- a fully synergized Frenzy costs 20 more skill points. However, I'm of the opinion that a 70 point Frenzy (Max Frenzy, Max Mastery, 30 in Synergies) is not as effective as a 70 point Double Swing setup (Max Bash, 5 in DS, 5 in Frenzy, max Mastery, max Battle Cry, for example). The DS rig will take about half as much damage and have a MUCH better chance to hit (thanks to Battle Cry), will swing SIGNIFICANTLY faster, and will be mana-burn proof (assuming you have at least +4 all skills)- which more than makes up for the loss of 200% off-weapon ED and the FR/W that DS gives up compared to Frenzy.

In short- yes, Double Swing is every bit as hell-viable as Frenzy. As a matter of fact, it's probably MORE hell-viable than Frenzy, especially in Hardcore. It won't kill as quickly, though- which, unfortunately, is how many people measure hell viability.

[Jackson]

if you decide to go with the frenzy route, DS is still very good for taking out bosses.