Barb Build

[Ckern]

Had the urge to start a Barb... so far I've decided to go with a concentrate build with a shield. I plan on hitting at least 50% with my endgame shield and going for huge life.

So, I'll be using one-handed weapons most of the time. I guess my question is: sword, axe, or mace mastery? I've gathered that going swords offers the most versatility and speed... but they tend to do less damage. Just looking for a little incite. Thanks.

[Ckern]

Also, is it worth obtaining a tremendous amount of dex to hit some high block? Or, should I take the route of low dex w/ blessed aim merc and just pump vita forever. With a ton of vita at 4 life per point and BO, that's a lot of life I'm missing out on if I go with the high dex/block. Incite would be appreciated.

[Tai.]

Depends. Untwinked I'd go block every time as you'll still end up with rather high life and the things that will one-shot you at 3k life will get you at 4k most of the time as well.

If you have a solid gear base, you can easily stack DR and go big life and ignore block

[Ckern]

Thirdly, will I be able to deal enough damage wielding a one-handed weapon/shield? Specifically in at the end of NM and throughout hell... I will be using concentrate + high weapon mastery.

[MYK]

Go with 75% block, or no block. In-between numbers are kind of lame.

Find a fast + damaging weapon, whatever it is will determine your mastery. Also, find make sure the weapon is decent or you'll possibly get bored of concentrating your way through Hell mode.

He won't wtfpwn the screen but most barbs don't anyways.

[Arusha]

all depends on the quality of the gear you can find for him, find a weapon before putting any points into mastery keep the str to a minimum and then put as much dex as you need to block and the rest into vit
personally i recommend max block b/c if u dont have enough dex when u get to hell your hit % is going to be really lame

[Ckern]

Thanks for the incite so far!

[STINGER]

Get Cleglaws Set!!!

Dont put in any mastery until you find your end game gear. Clegs set can get you through NM, and you can even carry spare swords to cut down on trips to town for repairs. Clegs also adds a nice amount of AR to help you with not having mastery.

Look for Hsarus belt/Boots also, lots of AR, or Angelics Jools but those are less common.

Go max block or none!

Personally, I still beleive the best 1 handed weapon in the game is an Axe....lower reqs! There are also a few Elite axes that are very common little used drops that you could trade for cheap if you wish to later (not sure if you are staying untwinked).


Butcher's Pupil Cleaver

One-Hand Damage: (55-60) To (132-149) (93.5-104.5 Avg)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 68
Range: 2
Base Weapon Speed: [10]
+150-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 30-50 Damage
35% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds
30% Increased Attack Speed
Indestructible
(Only Spawns In Patch 1.09 or later)

If I found this along my way in NM I would switch to it from Clegs for sure, its ideal for any melee build growing up in NM.


Razor's Edge
Tomahawk

One-Hand Damage: (90-107) To (159-188) (124.5-147.5 Avg)
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 125
Required Dexterity: 67
Durability: 28
Weapon Speed: [0]
+175-225% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+40% Increased Attack Speed
-33% Target Defense
50% Deadly Strike
50% Chance of Open Wounds
(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

There isnt an avid MFer in the game that hasnt got one of these laying around or left laying 2-5 in the last couple weeks. Its a pretty common drop and wiht its range being 1, nobody wants it for a whirler but it is darn fine for up close in their face whacking like a Conc barb when you dont have better!

Then there is also this one....


Rune Master
Ettin Axe

One-Hand Damage: (105-122) To (211-244) (158-183 Avg)
Required Level: 72
Required Strength: 145
Required Dexterity: 45
Durability: 24
Weapon Speed: [10]
+220-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+5% To Maximum Cold Resist
Cannot Be Frozen
Socketed (3-5) (varies)
(Ladder Only)
(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

Slap in some Shaels or 15 IAS jools and whack away. Dont spend alot on one of these, its not worth those 15 IAS/good mod jools! Personally, I would use the Thomohawk above before wasting the shaels on this one but both are doable.

Then work toward making an Oath, or getting a Death Cleaver....

Other option is going with the Knouts.....I would go this over sword 1 handed any day also.

Now, if you end up 2 handed everything changes, but that is what I would do 1 handed.

Also....there are some nice swords to use along the way like the Headstriker, even one of those upped can be an end game weapon if you really want a sword. I had an upped Headstriker Zerker back in S1 1.10 that did just fine, he wasnt Godly by any means but he could club down ole DC jsut fine!

There are many ways to go, this is just the cheap to inexpensive list that you could probably commonly get trading with these guys here that are legit, or find it yourself, or get a good lucky Forge drop...

Use Battle Cry, 1 point is enough! I have NEVER seen a soul in LOD use it that I didnt personally know in Classic. Now, I know a few guys around here believe in it and use it (just havent seen it), but it is a very powerful cry that goes unused a great deal......USE IT and you will love it!


PS

Dont forget the oldskool runewords

Black
Honor
..etc

These can get things done also, but still IMO Clegs is a solid set and why waste runes!

There are also a number of other newer words that will work just fine....

[come back zinc]

Go with 75% block, or no block. In-between numbers are kind of lame.

Find a fast + damaging weapon, whatever it is will determine your mastery. Also, find make sure the weapon is decent or you'll possibly get bored of concentrating your way through Hell mode.

He won't wtfpwn the screen but most barbs don't anyways.

OfT: Is that Snakes on a Plane, Myk?

OT: Don't bother with the block. Pump Vita. With high life, block just slows you down :cool: .

PS. Careful, being too inciteful can get you in a lot of trouble. :smile:

[MYK]

OfT: Is that Snakes on a Plane, Myk?

OT: Don't bother with the block. Pump Vita. With high life, block just slows you down :cool: .

PS. Careful, being too inciteful can get you in a lot of trouble. :smile:

Even with a massive life pool, if everything succeeds in hitting you you'll be hurting.

Block doesn't slow down a concentrate barb. Concentrate isn't interruptible. You'll block, but the animation won't show it, and you'll keep swinging at whatever monster you've targeted.

And yes, Zinc, this is a SOAP avatar. :wink3:

[come back zinc]

Even with a massive life pool, if everything succeeds in hitting you you'll be hurting.

Block doesn't slow down a concentrate barb. Concentrate isn't interruptible. You'll block, but the animation won't show it, and you'll keep swinging at whatever monster you've targeted.

And yes, Zinc, this is a SOAP avatar. :wink3:

Ah. Thanks for the free lesson. Barb talk is all !Kung to me. Anyone down with their diphthongs?

I went to SOAP's opening night; they gave us all free plastic snakes.