Quick Barb Question

[Jetman]

I am making a HC WW barb as a MF pindle runner/horker and just general pwnage. I play SP so Meph is not out of the question either.

Since this is HC, I plan on running with SS for protection and I do not have access to any of the ladder hacked runewords....BOTD anyone?

SO, my question is simple...what weapon should I go with in my 1 available hand?

My first choice so far is an OATH CB....I know finding that ETH CB with 4 OS will be a pain, but the runes are not bad (doable with a few HF rushes).

My question is...with OATH have the killing power I need, and will the +50% ias hit the max speed breakpoint for me on WW?

Other swords making the final list are Azurewrath or maybe Grief in a phase blade...but Lo will cost me...

Any thoughts are welcome.

Thanks,

Jet

[Shocker]

azurewrath > oath

I've used both swords before and particularily in hell when the phys resistance goes up, the azurewrath shines more. It's fairly cheap and underrated~

edit ~ i suppose stuff that increase ed would make oath> azure but azure is atleast the most cost effective solution

It also gives you that nice Mr. Sparkle aura :D

[Jetman]

thanks for the reply.

did oath hit the max speed breakpoint for ww tho?

[Shocker]

I think balrog blade would be the way to go as it should be the more optimal weapon to stick an oath in.

I've only used both swords on a frenzy barb and the oath (i forget if it was balrog or cb) was quite slow. You'll have to tack on a lot of ias to reach the final breakpoint if at all possible.

- I should probably add that I only have 4 months of experience with d2 and you oughtta look for input from more senior members as well :)

[Jetman]

cool...ya i have heard of people using bb's...but I played back in 1.09 a ton when the old CCB (cruel collosus blade) was basically the way to go for any barb. (Socketed with a 40/15 of course).

So, I guess I prefer cb's just for old times sake. That said, if a BB is that much better than I'd go with it.

Also, does anyone have any input on using shields vs duel wielding?

I always go for max block on my HC chars (esp melee ones) but in this case with WW, is the dmg from the extra hits from teh weop really outweigh 35% DR, 75% block, and resists?

Not maxing dex also leaves more room for vita, which does add survivability.

edit:

azurewrath > oath


It also gives you that nice Mr. Sparkle aura :D

I will def be using an azure for pindle runs, b/c Mr. Sparkle pwns his a** :)