Concentrate Barb Question...

[ToGgi]

Hello. I've always played LoD single player and recently converted to Classic.

I've read numerous Barb builds in this forum, but I've noticed that there is not a single build using Concentrate.

Of course, maybe it is possible Concentrate is only viable in LoD with uber items and merc, but I wanted to try out Concentrate Barb in Classic.

Skill wise...
1 bash
1 stun
20 Concentrate
1 berserk (23)

1 howl
20 Shout
20 Bo
1 Battle Command (42)

x Weapon Mastery
1 fast run/walk
1 increased stamina
20 iron skin
1 natural resist (23 + x)

Total 88 + x Weapon Mastery

Now my questions are...

a. Does Concentrate have different FPA in Classic compared to LoD? -- like how Classic WW disregards weapon speed..?

b. Is 20 points in Weapon Mastery an absolute necessity?
Would I be able to get enough AR through items, when I have little to no points in Dex and non-max Weapon Mastery?

c. Any suggestions for weapon type?
I plan to use 1h-weapon + shield - since this build focuses on def. Concerning the Concentrate FPA and average dmg, which type of weapon would be best suitable for this build?

Thanks in advance. =D

-- ToGgi.

[sirwhere]

Forget concentrate builds. They're just too boring to play. Swings are slow and damage doesn't make up. Even more if you use 1h weapons.

It's not that they're not viable - this game is so easy that anything except 1-tree sosos is viable - it's that they're boring. Even frenzy gets boring because you don't get all those nice LOD chance-to-cast effects.

Still, if you want to try a conc barb, your build seems fine. Use a big martel, slap an ornate and some resists stuff and you're ready to go.

Just don't fall asleep

[Krupa]

the max u can get is 40 ias on weapon and 50 ias from rest of equip. the breakpoints are the same. the highest one hand dmg has the battle hammer, but for a singe target attack skill iŽd rather use something that hurts more when it hits, so 2-hander might be the better idea.

the only chance to get ds, cleglaws set left aside, is ur mastery. more is better imo

get goblins and put 1 pt into ww to wear down the groups with cb

[ToGgi]

@ sirwhere : People have different opinions on what's boring and what's not. =P I just personally find pursuing the exact same build that everyone else is doing, boring. haha but true, single target builds tend to be less visibly entertaining... especially without the CtC as in LoD. anywho... Thanks for ur comment. =D

@ Krupa : Ah. Sweet. Thanks. Seems I can get around 12 FPA Concentrate with decent gear... according to the calc. I've also posted this in SPF thread and I was suggested to use War Cry. Now I gotta decide between WW/WarCry/None... ww with crushing blow at a set 4 fpa will definitely prove useful... but I'm scared that I will convert all the way to a full WW build... *I don't trust myself... rofl*

Thanks for both ur inputs. Just cleared out Den of Evil =P. Just another decade or so before i clear Normal... (_ _ )a

-- ToGgi.

[zrk]

Classic WW seems to be a 1 frame attack, not 4 frame. Given that, pretty much all other barbarian combat skills are comparatively useless

[Lorg]

the max u can get is 40 ias on weapon and 50 ias from rest of equip. the breakpoints are the same.

U can get 60 ias from gear = sigs gloves and helm (30), twich (20) and goldwrap (10).

Anyway, he should just make ww barb in classic.

[sirwhere]

Classic WW seems to be a 1 frame attack, not 4 frame.

Where did you get that info from? All info I get points to 4 frames, regardless of weapon speed.

It was 2 frames in patches up to 1.02, though.

[sirwhere]

Anyway, he should just make ww barb in classic.

I tired a frenzier and at some stage just gave up because it was soooo boring. I respeced to ww and yay

Perhaps you can make a berserker work with a big martel. But even that risks boredom because you don't get the insane (but cool) swing speeds of LOD weapons. Perhaps max warcry instead of fully synergize zerk?

[zrk]

Where did you get that info from? All info I get points to 4 frames, regardless of weapon speed.

It was 2 frames in patches up to 1.02, though.

Pay close attention to the sound. Listen to a barb ww-ing in classic, the thumping sounds are practucally cutting into each other, theyre so continuous. COmpared to expansion. Also, i did durability test, classic wwer lost dura 4 times as fast as expansion one, cant find thred at the moment(god damn wi fi )

[sirwhere]

I never checked durability, but the ww noises sure don't sound like 25/sec. The 4-frame 6/sec is more like it.

Well, maybe I'm wrong but I find this 1-frame attack story rather implausible.