Most viable build for 2h weapon barb?

[krawz]

Hello,

I'm new to the barbarian class, and I've been hoping to try a 2hand weapon build all the way through Hell difficulty. I found the IK set maul today on a Baal run, and now I really want to try it out. Only question is, which build is 2h most viable in? I really don't have access to uber gear, unless the IK maul/gloves and Vamps Gaze count. Pretty much all the builds that I saw in the sticky seemed to indicate that a shield was a necessary piece of equipment in Hell mode. Can I get around it, or am I stuck as a wanna-be sword-and-board paladin? I don't want to waste a lot of time getting up to level 75 only to find out I can't hack it without a shield.

Any thoughts from those with experience? WW, Conc, hybrid....other? I'll be playing with a necro friend of mine a lot, if that makes any significant difference in survivability, and I already have a meteorb sorc for farming purposes.


Thanks! :)

[FattyMcGee]

I don't mean to knock you, but

This Guide (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164067)

This Guide (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235929)

And This Guide (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324489)

All are stickied above, and all discuss two-handed barb builds (in fact two of the three mention IK maul specifically).

In case you don't read through those guides, at least remember this: putting in 2x shaels or ias jewels in your IK maul will let you reach the last ww breakpoint.

-f

[krawz]

Thank you FattyMcGee. I was having trouble finding the right guides even with extensive use of search tools and 2-3 hours of digging in the forums. It was getting frustrating. Links to guides are exactly what I've been looking for.

Thanks again!

[krawz]

Hmm, after reviewing the links you posted I discovered that I'd already read through two of them and hadn't found the answers I was looking for. I hadn't seen the WW/Conc hybrid build, so I will look through that. I guess I'm just automatically wary of hybrid classes as I'm used to them being watered down in effectiveness in many games.

Other misgivings..

1) The IK Barb build is built around the assumption of having an entire IK set, which I don't have, and I don't think I have the wealth to aquire.

2) The pure WW Barb build by Razgriz doesn't appear to discuss survival strategy for 2h builds, but does seem to indicate that it is possible. It leads me to believe that uber gear would be needed to compensate for lack of shield, and I don't have a wide assortment of uber gear. The guide doesn't have a very useful Table of Contents for finding what you're looking for, and I find it impractical to read the entire 27 pages of the guide to find out if it addresses my concerns, especially since searching the page for keywords didn't turn up anything enlightening on the subject.

So I guess that's why I asked for advice. I'm hoping to build a 2h barb that can get through Hell, without requiring access to ridiculously expensive/rare gear. If this will be more or less impossible to do with mid-level equipment, then I guess I will just move on to another class/build. It would just be a shame to not use the cool IK maul I found. ;)

[Barloc]

Well, if you can't afford at least something as nearly as good as an IK set, then you may be in for some big trouble when you get to Hell.

Big issue with barb is that you need good weapons. That should be your main search item wise, as you progress. Other classes do not have the same disadvantage since they can rely on damages from pure skills alone. Take time to reseach the low runewords to get you going and some of the cube recipes to possibly create some decent weapons. You also want to make sure to pay close attention to your resistances, as this is what will primarily kill you in the game. Good Res is greater than Good defense any day.

Max your mastery first, along with BO. This will help your damage alot without wasting mana, and protect you from death. Stay away from pts in energy and dex.

Best skill? Hmmm. Berzerk offers huge damage, especially when good weapon choices are slim. You have to trick it out with Howl so you don't get gang-banged with zero defense. Conc is super safe, but slow killing. WW is sweet but you need to keep leeching mana to keep that going. Rare items that you find or gamble for can give you those leech/resist mods you need to keep things moving- my vote is WW.

[krawz]

Thank you for the input, Barloc. Much appreciated. :thumbup: