Whirlwind Barbarian, dilemma.

[Azhul]

I have posted this in the Barbarian forum, but the situation is such that someone who never plays HC might just not get it, in that I always carry a shield rather than dual wield... hence voiding a solution of a second weapon with mana leech.

On my level 75 PvM whirlwind barb, I am using rare gloves that give 3% mana leech. I want to switch to Dracul's when I reach 76, but I find that I run out of mana extremely fast without leech mana per hit. What might I do about this?

I have Gore Riders on my feet, but of course more hits are scored in a pass of the WW if the walk speed isn't increased so much. So perhaps Sandstorm Treks is better for this?

My weapon is a Beast berserker axe, and I carry Stormshield.

My rings being Raven Frost and Nagelring, perhaps replacing Nagelring with Manald Heal would benefit me...

[TheDarkSide]

perhaps replacing Nagelring with Manald Heal would benefit me...

That would be a good start as Nagel is worthless for you really .. I find it hard to get sufficient mana leech on a WW barb unless its like 10 - 20 % ..

items that come to mind for mana leech ...
Mavs belt - 5%
Crescent Moon amulet - has up to 15 % mana leech and could solve your issue

Hence I play a Zerker barb that uses the prayer merc with an insight pole and damage to mana items ..

Also as long as you dont have any points in Increased Speed I find the boot speed doesnt make much of a difference with WW really ..

[Baranor]

I'd prefer gore's though because of the CB... so I concur, manald heal is a good start, as is crescent moon.

I have posted this in the Barbarian forum, but the situation is such that someone who never plays HC might just not get it, in that I always carry a shield rather than dual wield... hence voiding a solution of a second weapon with mana leech.

On my level 75 PvM whirlwind barb, I am using rare gloves that give 3% mana leech. I want to switch to Dracul's when I reach 76, but I find that I run out of mana extremely fast without leech mana per hit. What might I do about this?

I have Gore Riders on my feet, but of course more hits are scored in a pass of the WW if the walk speed isn't increased so much. So perhaps Sandstorm Treks is better for this?

My weapon is a Beast berserker axe, and I carry Stormshield.

My rings being Raven Frost and Nagelring, perhaps replacing Nagelring with Manald Heal would benefit me...

[ZappaFan]

I also wouldn't be quite so close minded about requiring a shield. I've played a ton of barbs on HC and you know I've actually never made a build where I had a shield on primary. Frenziers, two-handed zerkers, two-handed conc barbs & my absolute fav WW variety is with poleaxes...

you are using a Beast, so perhaps you can afford a Fortitude armor? Damage goes to mana is really nice.

[Azhul]

A remark worth response.

I'll be back in about 8 hours or so!

[Azhul]

I also wouldn't be quite so close minded about requiring a shield. I've played a ton of barbs on HC and you know I've actually never made a build where I had a shield on primary. Frenziers, two-handed zerkers, two-handed conc barbs & my absolute fav WW variety is with poleaxes...

you are using a Beast, so perhaps you can afford a Fortitude armor? Damage goes to mana is really nice.

Yeah I can get Fortitude. It looks like the amazing, but it damn well better be since I would then have to endure all of the Durance and such things on foot, as I do not necessarily need to do so with my Enigma. Thoughts on that?

If any of your barbarians are still alive, or if your memory is great, do you know about what the Defense was before or after Shout?
My Defense with shield is 5193 before Shout, and 10612 after Shout. Shout's only functioning at Level 15 right now, as I chose to max the other primary WW skills and get a few one pointers before maxing it. It's 4211 and 8605 without my shield, without and with Shout, respectively. Also, I do have 75% Chance to block.

I'm realizing that people may have responded to my Walk question assuming I wasn't wearing Enigma. That may be why I seem too fast, with a total of 75% Faster Run/Walk between the armor and the boots. In that case, perhaps Fortitude does solve both of those issues, albeit leaving me to crawl about wherever I go...

[Azhul]

That would be a good start as Nagel is worthless for you really .. I find it hard to get sufficient mana leech on a WW barb unless its like 10 - 20 % ..

items that come to mind for mana leech ...
Mavs belt - 5%
Crescent Moon amulet - has up to 15 % mana leech and could solve your issue

Hence I play a Zerker barb that uses the prayer merc with an insight pole and damage to mana items ..


Manald's could provide me as much as 7%, though I'm not sure how easy it is to obtain that quality. For me, it seems that only 3% (from the rare gloves I'm trading out for my Dracul's) serves to maintain my mana at a fair rate, so the ring may be enough. It would almost certainly be enough if I were to dual wield, and especially if I dual wield with a BotD alongside my Beast. Not so sure I'd ever feel safe with so much less defense and bereft my 75% chance to block.
I don't see myself trading out my Verdungo's Cord or Marra's for Mav's belt or Crescent Moon though.
The Insight would probably be excellent to supplement any Mana Leech I acquire, but assuming the equipment I choose does well, do you suppose I may as well seek an Infinity (Conviction aura) for my Merc?

[Azhul]

You know what, a Fort with dual wield is tempting. Especially the Fort part. I mean, it's a melee fighter. That's the spirit of the warrior class in RPGs, to kill everything he comes across. Well, except for physical immunes in this case. And Iron Maiden casters. And... well, just about everything he can fight he should fight as he trounces through. Just who the hell do I think I am, buzzing around on Teleport? But is that really the only way to get through those sticky areas like Durance and Throne? I haven't done it solo on Hell before.

[MYK]

I have posted this in the Barbarian forum, but the situation is such that someone who never plays HC might just not get it, in that I always carry a shield rather than dual wield... hence voiding a solution of a second weapon with mana leech.

On my level 75 PvM whirlwind barb, I am using rare gloves that give 3% mana leech. I want to switch to Dracul's when I reach 76, but I find that I run out of mana extremely fast without leech mana per hit. What might I do about this?

I have Gore Riders on my feet, but of course more hits are scored in a pass of the WW if the walk speed isn't increased so much. So perhaps Sandstorm Treks is better for this?

My weapon is a Beast berserker axe, and I carry Stormshield.

My rings being Raven Frost and Nagelring, perhaps replacing Nagelring with Manald Heal would benefit me...

How about some Soul Drainers? They offer up to 7% Dual Leeching, Weaken CTC and -Enemy Def Per Hit.

Gore Riders are standard Barbarian sneakers.

Whirlwind damage per target is based on weapon range and how long you stay within range of the target(FRW). I really doubt you'd notice any sort of damage difference, unless you're a truly elite Whirlwind Barbarian player; but then, why are you asking questions here? :)
There's no way in Hell mode would I stick Treks on a Barb if I had Gores on hand. Goblin Toe is also a good choice, if you can handle the lack of running speed and you cover Open Wounds somewhere else.

You have access to BoTD and Beast and you're worried about a little damage you take without a shield? Those are two of the uber weapons in the game, one of them is loaded to the hilt with leech. I'd dump SS in a heartbeat for a eBoTD weapon.
That, or dump all three for a eBoTD GPA. :cool:

Defense is generally only useful when you and the monsters are the same level. Tip the level difference either way and the AR/DR thing sort of goes out the window as far as effectiveness per time spent on it goes.

To dip into some more dupewords, Fortitude is a Whirlwind Barbarians best friend, for mostly obvious reasons. Infinity is an option, but remember about AR/DR and level differences.

Myself, I'm a big fan of PDR, as most elite Hardcore players are, so I tend to favor PDR over Defense and Reaper's Toll in is my Barb's mercenary of choice.

Why are you using Verdungo's over String of Ears?

[Azhul]

Thanks for the detailed response MYK. I never understood exactly the great benefit of the polearm WW over a dual wield, except for range, which seems to accompany a sacrifice of many hits.

As for my shield, will my attributes put me at a great disadvantage as compared to other WW barbs who knew from the begginning that they wouldn't be using a shield, since I now have 105 base dexterity?

[Azhul]

Why are you using Verdungo's over String of Ears?

Um... I supposed life was a concern... and in realizing I should be gaining most of my life from leeching, I have no good excuse.