IK barb damage effectiveness

[Promethius]

I have an IK WW barb and I am looking into ways to increase his damage. I had a masteries GC, but that only made a very small difference, so I was wondering if Combat GCs would be the same way. Am I better off with combat GCs or should I go the max/ar charm route?

Also, I currently have 2x Prubies in the helm sockets, and was wondering how much of a difference it would make to use 2x ed or max jewels instead? Would the difference be small? He has no problems with survivability at the moment, so I doubt I would miss the life that much if it would make any difference.

Any other thoughts on effective ways to increase dmg? I'm not expecting to increase damage by a whole lot, just wondering if any of these are worth the effort.

[Nimbostratus]

The max/AR charms will add more. As for the helm, that depends on how much of each you already have (the more of one you have, the more effective the other becomes).

This calculator will help you figure it out: http://www.diabloii.net/calcs/cdqCalc.html

[mephiztophelez]

first thing i'd do is either 2x shael or 2x ed/ias jewel the Maul. another 30ias (iirc) on it is needed to hit the next ww-bp.

[Promethius]

Already took care of the ias in the maul. Mostly just wondering if any of these methods will actually add much damage or if I should just be content with my barb as he is.

[charlengu]

IK Barbs already do PLENTY of damage. If you REALLY want more damage, you can...

1) Waste 2x ED/IAS jewels in the maul.
2) Use AR/Max charms.

Honestly, I don't see the point though. IK barbs are obviously PvM only, and they have more than enough damage to get the job done there. I suggest replacing the rubies with topazs (and socketing your armor) for more effective MFing.

P.S. ED/Max jewels only function properly in weapons. Don't socket any into your helm!

[mephiztophelez]

Honestly, I don't see the point though. IK barbs are obviously PvM only....

i dunno. ik-barb vs ik-barb duels can be a lot of fun. i'll agree that they're not pvp vs all characters by any stretch of the imagination.

[dokuro]

Before I quit the game for the umpteenth time I had possibly the best pvp IK barb on my server. Double 40/15's in the maul, and yeah poured a decent amount of high runes into him because I had money to burn.

Did I win every duel? No. But the stunned reactions from cookie cutter scrubs every time I beat them again and again in pubbies was more than worth the investment. :prop: