Do barbs really need dex?

[HonMan]

I've never really used pure melee characters before so I'm not sure if I should put any points into dex. In the future, I want to make my barb use swords and axes. I will master sword and axe mastery and iron skin for sure. Any tips on where I should put my other skill points in order to make a successful sword+axe wielder?

[acceleration turkey]

barbs only need dex if you use a shield.

[HonMan]

barbs only need dex if you use a shield.

Do you reccommend a barb using a shield?

[Kelba]

Wait - So you don't need Dex to be able to hit enemies?

[GreatStupidPastry]

Do you reccommend a barb using a shield?

Depends what kind of barb.

BvC - of course not
BvB - hell yes

:eek:

BvA.. mmmm.. maybe...

[acceleration turkey]

Wait - So you don't need Dex to be able to hit enemies?

no. the returns from dex are awful. the damage returns from strength are awful too. never use attributes to do anything other than wear equipment and reach max block witha shield. points spent in life are a lot more valuable because you cant get the kind of life from equipment that you can get from stat point expenditure. you can get much better damage and chance to hit from equipment than you can from stats.

i dont recommend using a shield.

[Ash Housewares]

shields are for suckers!

however, I really like phase blades, .....REEEEAAAALLY like them...

[Day]

If the weapon you are using needs dex - you need dex. If you want max block you need dex.

Taking dex to help your "to hit" is very inefficient - use charms, and items to increase your attack rating - put the points in vitality (or maybe strength) instead!

[HonMan]

So I should go for swords that don't require dex? And all my stat points will go in str and vit?

[chubbypuppy]

Taking dex to help your "to hit" is very inefficient - use charms, and items to increase your attack rating - put the points in vitality (or maybe strength) instead!

To elaborate, 1 dex gives 4 ar, so 5 dex gives 20 ar.

Considering a ravenfrost ring can give you ~200 ar easy, that's equivalent to 50 dex which you definitely can not get in a ring. For 50 pts, you can get 200 hp, which with BO equals 400 hps or more. That's why we say the return from dex for AR is poor, and it's better to invest in HP. Use angelic ring/ammy if you are really hurting on AR. If you are an IK barb then you need 0 dex since the set gives you a lot of AR.