Good idea or not? Uber conc barb.

[chikit]

I like the way conc barb are built. They are maximising all synergies and to a very effective way because of BO and Shout. Thus I want to get the most of it. Is it possible to use a GriefZ on a conc barb? I like the damage a lot, I just switched from a EBOTD CB. However, what is tempting me is trying to reach the 9fps conc breakpoint. Question: is it possible to socket shields with 40ed/15ias jewels to reach that bp? cuz i currently have a 4os Monarch Shield lying around, and I'd like to reach 9fps bp with an good grief weapon.

My current gear:
Arreats Face 6ll/190ed (40ed/15ias)
Enigma AP
GriefZ (35ias/397)
Stormshield (Ber'd)
Highlords Wrath
Steelrends
Gore Riders
Verdungos
Ravenfrost
Rare ml/fcr ring

Now I know GriefZ can be used for other builds like ww etc.. but i really like how the conc build is balanced with all synergies efficient.

So all i really need to do is swap out my SS for a 40/15 4socket Monarch shield and i would have 130ias total, 125 is 9fps bp.

Thanks for any help.


-edit also, the Grief dmg isnt shown on the char screen.. so.. all the ED from the jewels and steelrends, is it also put towards end dmg? or only to the crappy dmg it shows on char screen.

[Barloc]

Conc is known to be an effective yet slower killing uber build. I think your set up looks very weak resistance-wise, which will be a big issue against mephisto and his aura. The difference between 75% ias and 125% is not so different like walking vs running. Cover your butt! My buddy likes to uber and calls me in for assitance often to rescue him and help finish, and thats with 1 point into conc.
I'd say consider fort or coh<--:thumbsup: with drac's so you can have some leach. LoH is sweet too for ias/fire res/350% damage to demons.
I'd also suggest a prebuff with a demon limb since the added ar helps and it lasts for awhile.

[chikit]

sorry i might clarify myself, uber i meant.. kind of a 'good' pvm barb. handle anything from hell to ubers. i have actually done ubers with my barb, the howl technique is what i find most valuable. But my resistance is actually alright seeing as i have all res charms. im just wondering if socketing a shield with damage and ias is worth it or not. will the enchanced damage work on the total damage or the damage on the screen.. cuz the damage on the screen only says 1.2k but i know that it kills faster than when i had my ebotd cb when i was up to near 6k one hand. Also, i'm aware that enigma isnt the best dmg armor, however i just like the tele =) i hate running around.

[sirwhere]

Hum.. isn't uber meph's most dangerous weapon the cold ball? If so, I think you could just slap on dual ravens by the time you meet him and not worry more about resists in tristam.

[kingdryland]

Mephisto has dangerous lightning and cold attacks. Charged bolt is the biggest killer in uber tristram although I have seen him casting blizzard and frost nova.

[sirwhere]

Well, under u-meph's aura my cold resist is around 35%. I noticed he would do considerably less damage if I slapped on a raven. That's why I asked :)

[Barloc]

sorry i might clarify myself, uber i meant.. kind of a 'good' pvm barb. handle anything from hell to ubers. i have actually done ubers with my barb, the howl technique is what i find most valuable. But my resistance is actually alright seeing as i have all res charms. im just wondering if socketing a shield with damage and ias is worth it or not. will the enchanced damage work on the total damage or the damage on the screen.. cuz the damage on the screen only says 1.2k but i know that it kills faster than when i had my ebotd cb when i was up to near 6k one hand. Also, i'm aware that enigma isnt the best dmg armor, however i just like the tele =) i hate running around.

%ed jewels do add to damage dealt,but It doesn't seem like the monarch with 4x40/15's is worth it overall to me.(also expensive?any trade value?)

I still think you'd be better off focusing on the next bp at the very least, which you dont have at the moment. your at 70% and you should be at 75%.
Dump the Ber in your SS and put a 40/15 in that. Your over max on damage reduce which is 50% total.

Alternatively, why not use the monarch and make a Pheonix, and add the laying of hands gloves. That would be up too 400% ed to everything, some decent mods, up to 750% damage to demons and all at next to the last bp with the added ias from the gloves. Or if you like, some ias crafted blood gloves (crushing blow).

[batuchka]

Well i did some tests and i would say 10-9 fpa is the slowest you can go for an ubering concentrate barb IMO I went for max %dr/block with SS and with that and life tap it was really hard to see barb dying. The key is an enchant prebuff from demonlimb (good call from Barloc) to ensure barb has good AR vs uber target and if you want, prebuff with treachery armor for fade. As for socket jobs - maybe settle for a base weapon type for endgame and decide on which bp you want to hit i guess. For axes, consider Beast in zerker - it needs just 4ias with that fanaticism aura to hit 9fpa concentrate and it has cb as well

[chikit]

%ed jewels do add to damage dealt,but It doesn't seem like the monarch with 4x40/15's is worth it overall to me.(also expensive?any trade value?)

I still think you'd be better off focusing on the next bp at the very least, which you dont have at the moment. your at 70% and you should be at 75%.
Dump the Ber in your SS and put a 40/15 in that. Your over max on damage reduce which is 50% total.

Alternatively, why not use the monarch and make a Pheonix, and add the laying of hands gloves. That would be up too 400% ed to everything, some decent mods, up to 750% damage to demons and all at next to the last bp with the added ias from the gloves. Or if you like, some ias crafted blood gloves (crushing blow).

Yea I understand I'm past the Max DR, kind of silly realy. but i didnt plan on keeping the SS cuz i heard if you Ber it, it will increase in value.

I'm currently at 10fps conc bp. still have a long way to go for 9fps. The GriefZ is closer to 9fps which is why i'm tempted to reach there. Anyway, last minute pointers? should i keep the griefZ on a Conc barb or shud i use a EBOTD CB.

[Barloc]

Yea I understand I'm past the Max DR, kind of silly realy. but i didnt plan on keeping the SS cuz i heard if you Ber it, it will increase in value.

I'm currently at 10fps conc bp. still have a long way to go for 9fps. The GriefZ is closer to 9fps which is why i'm tempted to reach there. Anyway, last minute pointers? should i keep the griefZ on a Conc barb or shud i use a EBOTD CB.

not sure on ber'd value there, but you might have gotten steered wrong there with that info.

Also, check your math with this
http://diablo2.ingame.de/tips/calcs/weaponspeed.php?lang=english
regarding breakpoints, your at 11fps with griefz + your gear above.

generally if your mastery is axe, use axes (griefz, ebotdZ)
if sword then use sword.
I use ebotdZ for PvM, the speed/damage/leech and no-repairs needed is nice.

[chikit]

okay i realise there are a lot of flaws in my gear. I see things clearly now.

Here is what I aim for:
9fps conc bp
High dmg (in combination with 9fps would be awesome)
Maintaining stable character i.e not sacrificising too much for 9fps.

My intended gear:
Arreats Face (40ed/15ias)
EBOTDZ
Phoenix Monarch Shield (the 400ed dmg is really tempting, tho would it make a big impact?)
Enigma AP (%8 DR, tele)
Verdungo's (%15DR, 38 Vit)
Gore Riders
Highlords Wrath (%20ias)
Two ravens, or one raven and ll/ml ring of some sort.
That leaves me with gloves, i'd very much like laying of hands for the %20ias and 350% Dmg to Undead.

However this setup leaves me with a problem. I'm missing %10ias to reach 9fps last bp. Is there a glove out there that has %30ias?
Currently, I feel I'm pretty stable, I have %23 DR, decent. Good resists (however I can make up in charms). High Dmg.

What can I do to gain 10 more ias :sad2:
I really want 9fps bp with good damage.

I could alternatively, clean SS and socket 40ed/15ias in it... to reach 9fps. but i lose phoenix shield 400ed! :sad2:

Thanks for all the help so far.

[Barloc]

Nosferatu's Coil or Goldwrap adds 10% ias.

I believe Sigon's gloves + 2nd piece adds 30% ias but that's a compromise, not worth it.

A 2 socket Crown of Ages with 2 x 40/15ias might not be a bad choice. Nice bonuses, but lacks str/dex.


edit: Have you looked at Gulliams face with a 40/15 ias ?