basic barb questions

[Fupasaurus]

whats up guys? i havent played this game in probably about 3 years, so clearly a lot of stuff has changed. i used to have a barb at about lvl 86, using a pike and ww--a pretty basic setup back then. it seems like barbs have become much more scarce and now theres all these new weapons, mercenaries that actually do things, and tweaked skills.

im not asking for a review of all thats happened over the years, im just a bit disoriented. im trying to make a regular meat-n-potatos barb, one that dishes out and takes a lot of damage. im not really concerned about pvp. i guess what im looking for is what exactly should i avoid doing with my new barb? im only lvl 6 right now, base dex and energy, 40 str and vit, and i havent used any skill points. is there a weapon mastery i should avoid? is axe or mace a good option? is WW any good any more?

thanks for the help guys.

[kayin]

Axe is a good choice because any combat skill can make great use of Axes, specifically eth Berserker Breath of the Dying, Grief Berserker, Beast Berserker (see the pattern?), and so on. Those are expensive, but eh, barbs are barbs.

[churinga]

Depends on your budget :smiley: To be a good start, I suggest IK set, which is not high-end, but yet viable, besides it looks super cool! :cool:

[Fupasaurus]

thanks for the replies guys. right now im broke, so im looking to make a character that can operate without some of the really pricey stuff. i used to be a WW barb, is a pike still a good idea? is a shield useful at all as a barb?

[churinga]

thanks for the replies guys. right now im broke, so im looking to make a character that can operate without some of the really pricey stuff. i used to be a WW barb, is a pike still a good idea? is a shield useful at all as a barb?

IK set is really not that pricey -- all parts except armor can be obtained for free or for 1 or 2 pgems tops. Only the armor may cost something -- 1 Pul to 1 Um (on USWest) depending on your negotiation skill. If you are lucky, you can easily get a Rune the can buy you the IK armor from Hell Forge. Then, that's it! You got all parts except for Ammy and Rings, which can be obtained from completing quests, or by doing MF. This brings you a good start -- a Barb that can solo in Hell. BTW, IK set weapon is Mace class, and the best skill to suite it would be WW! :thumbsup:

[Fupasaurus]

IK barb sounds relatively easy to make, and like a decent build. i'll probably go that route then, then make a more unique barb some time in the future. thanks for hte help guys. whatre the chances the IK barb will get nerfed you think?

[Fupasaurus]

IK set is really not that pricey -- all parts except armor can be obtained for free or for 1 or 2 pgems tops. Only the armor may cost something -- 1 Pul to 1 Um (on USWest) depending on your negotiation skill. If you are lucky, you can easily get a Rune the can buy you the IK armor from Hell Forge. Then, that's it! You got all parts except for Ammy and Rings, which can be obtained from completing quests, or by doing MF. This brings you a good start -- a Barb that can solo in Hell. BTW, IK set weapon is Mace class, and the best skill to suite it would be WW! :thumbsup:

btw, what's a "Pul" or "Um"?

[Sghost]

Pul and Um are runes, middle value ones.

Don't think IK will be nerfed, make one and have fun^^

[churinga]

IK barb sounds relatively easy to make, and like a decent build. i'll probably go that route then, then make a more unique barb some time in the future. thanks for hte help guys. whatre the chances the IK barb will get nerfed you think?

You can find some guides on how to build an IK Barb from the Guides in this Forum (look at the sticky posted at the top). He won't get nerfed easily :thumbsup: I recently made one myself, and he is just so great!