Is my Frenzy Barb Build good?

[MasterBeef]

Hey guys, I'm new to Diablo 2, I've been playing it for a week now and I decided to make a Frenzy Barb as I've heard that they are fun. I read loadsa guides on what skills to choose and I heard all different opinions. I've messed around with skill calculators and I've sort of chosen the skills I want. Can you guys have a look for me and see if my build is good?

Here it is:

Combat Skills 45
Bash 1
Double Swing 20
Double Throw 1
Frenzy 20
Stun 1
Concentrate 1
Berserk 1

Warcries 42
Howl 1
Shout 20
Battle Orders 20
Battle Command 1

Combat Masteries 22-26
Mastery 20
Iron skin Much as pos.
Nature resist Much as pos.

Total points spent 110/110

Could this build solo Hell? Let me know what you guys think. I'm pen to suggestion.

[zarfen]

Yes, frenzy barb is a good build, check out some guide in the stickies, and aren't max skillpoints yo ucan ever get 111?

[Austere]

As a frenzy build you're goal isn't to worry about taking damage. You get by, by dealing a lot of damage and having a lot of life leech. So only one point into natural resist and iron skin is fine.

Taunt is a better skill to have than double swing, and it is also a frenzy synergy. Some people may argue that a level 9 double swing is good for when you run out of mana. So maybe you could put 5 points into double swing and rest into taunt, because even poor gear can get this character +4 to skills items to get that level 9.

Here is a recent frenzy build guide. http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=540653

I assume your build could survive hell... an Iron frenzier. o.O

[oental]

Frenzy is all about physical damage and life leech. The more damage you deal, the more your gonna leech, and the longer your going to stay alive.

Maxing taunt is going to do more for the longevity of your life then shout because of life leech. I have two frenziers (one mf, one for ubers) and the only time either one gets close to dying is when I have to use beserk for physical immunes or because of iron maiden. Shout won't help with this situation.

Don't max shout, max taunt instead, and don't put more then one point in iron skin.

Frenzy is all about hitting fast and hard. Taunt will help you stay alive and kill faster, shout will only help you stay alive. Plus, defense has diminishing returns past a point, damage never does. If you have high ll, high damage, reasonable defense, and high resists, your frenzier won't ever get close to dying when he can deal physical damage.

[zallus]

I agree with oental. just put 1 point into shout and max taunt instead. That will be another 160%ed.

I prefer doing this
Max Frenzy
Max Double Swing
Max Taunt
Max Weapon Mastery
1pt in all the wonders
The rest into Battle Orders.

[MasterBeef]

Ok great thanks for the info guys. By the way when I read this reply I already had 11 in Double Swing, should I just put the other 9 in Taunt?

[Darkflight]

Ok great thanks for the info guys. By the way when I read this reply I already had 11 in Double Swing, should I just put the other 9 in Taunt?

No harm in doing that I think. :wink3:

[MrKaxe]

Yeah dude i went 10-10 Taunt-Double Swing but i like whole numbers (damn obsessive-compulsive disorder!! :tongue: )

[Atomium]

I agree with all the above.
Just one thing: don't make your plans for more than 100-105 points. When you reach lvl 90, it becomes increasingly difficult to gain exp. Only the more dedicated players go above 95, and most of them do that through well organized team baal runs. So your build should be balanced at lvl 90. If you're motivated enough to go higher, the last points will be a bonus.
Oh, and a second thing: many people disagree with that but I like to give 1 point to Leap. It is a very useful skill when you're stuck in a group of opponents and you need to escape. When you're doing MF runs, it is also the best way to go directly to Mephisto without having to manage the crowd around.

[oental]

I agree with atomium about leap but only if your not going to wear enigma. If you are going to use duress, or fortitude, or some other armor as your main armor, then put a point in leap. If your using enigma as your main armor, this is a wasted point because you will just use tele.