Conc Baba Questions

[w-igor]

I'm making a Conc barb (finally decided).
Please tell me what do you think about 'my' build (based on Hal's guide) and what would you change.

Stats:
max block

Skills:
20 Conc, Mastery
20 BO, Shout
1 Howl, Taunt, BC, WC, Command
1 IS, NR
1 FP, FI
Rest Zerk

Gear:
eBotD BA + SS (1)
Arreat
Gloves (2)
Eni AP (3)
Belt (4)
Goves
Highlord
Raven + Dwarf/BK

Merc:
NM Offensive "Might"


And please answer those few questions:
1. Is Axe a good choice?
2. Which gloves should I use? I don't know how exactly should I calculate ias... I've never had a baba before
3. Is AP a god choice?
4. Which belt? :) Maybe it's a good idea to have a fcr switch to tele safer and faster. Maybe I'd need for example arach to get a good bp?
5. What gear do you suggest do make D-Key runs?
6. Do I need to change gear if I want to fight DC?

big thanks in advance ;)

[BlameGBush]

Seems pretty standard. I'd only put 1 point in berserk though and put some points into WW instead.

[MedctnStn]

i tend to disagree with points in WW, unless you wanted some kind of hybrid.

1. axes are great choice, as they have lesser dex requirements than swords and i'm pretty sure they have higher damage than swords (though IMO it doesn't matter because i find that I keep adding to dex to keep max block)

2. dracul's grasp or even blood crafted gloves here

3. any elite light armor is good (AP is probably best)-great hauberk, etc are other options

4. verdungo's for belt. i would rather go with CoH for armor, but enigma is ok too. just my opinion

5. i don'y key run, so cannot help here

6. i would use berserk as well as crushing blow and open wounds--you should be ok there

PS- what gear for your merc?

[w-igor]

My baba will be for GF also. With baba himself I will change gear ofc, but on marc, if possible, I won't. He's GF gear is CoT 12 ll, eth Passion CV, eth Wealth AP.
Do you think merc like this can handle Nih runs ? Or i should change something?

[BlameGBush]

i tend to disagree with points in WW, unless you wanted some kind of hybrid.

1. axes are great choice, as they have lesser dex requirements than swords and i'm pretty sure they have higher damage than swords (though IMO it doesn't matter because i find that I keep adding to dex to keep max block)

2. dracul's grasp or even blood crafted gloves here

3. any elite light armor is good (AP is probably best)-great hauberk, etc are other options

4. verdungo's for belt. i would rather go with CoH for armor, but enigma is ok too. just my opinion

5. i don'y key run, so cannot help here

6. i would use berserk as well as crushing blow and open wounds--you should be ok there

PS- what gear for your merc?


good advice there, and yes Axes have a slightly higher average damage for their speed. Also a Berserker axe has a range of 3, which is higher than any 1 handed sword.

and just to expand upon why I would choose WW over more points into zerk: WW is great on getting you out of being surrounded and has saved my butt more than once. While Zerk has great damage, its a very poor crowd control skill.

Putting points into zerk will give you a big advantage as long as you don't get swarmed, but I feel that WW is overall a much safer choice.

[MedctnStn]

good advice there, and yes Axes have a slightly higher average damage for their speed. Also a Berserker axe has a range of 3, which is higher than any 1 handed sword.

and just to expand upon why I would choose WW over more points into zerk: WW is great on getting you out of being surrounded and has saved my butt more than once. While Zerk has great damage, its a very poor crowd control skill.

Putting points into zerk will give you a big advantage as long as you don't get swarmed, but I feel that WW is overall a much safer choice.

i'll give you that, but why not just use leap attack to get out of the situation? that's what i do. i use that point or two in WW for other things

[Pidol]

a good combo would be to use sword but at the same time, take advantage with putting points into dex by going max block

[w-igor]

Oh yeah, that's important...
AXE or SWORD if I go max block? Grief or BotD?

but anyway - if I'll go BA-way, I'll invest in str to wear SS.

[Halciet]

Oh yeah, that's important...
AXE or SWORD if I go max block? Grief or BotD?

but anyway - if I'll go BA-way, I'll invest in str to wear SS.

Axes are better 1h weapons than swords.

Grief causes more damage than BotD; I prefer BotD for the leech and indestructible mod, however.

-Hal

[Arkardo]

Why are you guys advising axes? I understand it's more range and a bit more damage, but unless it's about PvP, I see no reason to go for axes while there are Phase Blades.

[MedctnStn]

Oh yeah, that's important...
AXE or SWORD if I go max block? Grief or BotD?

but anyway - if I'll go BA-way, I'll invest in str to wear SS.

if you use hal's BotD choice, don't forget that you get +30 to strength. take into account your other items when deciding how much strength to invest