Best Frenzy Barb Weapons Out of a Small Stash (Help Me Choose)der=0

**hubb** · 11-07-2012, 15:25

Titanseal's calc is inaccurate for Frenzy right now. The numbers for charged up level 20/21 Frenzy:

Baranar's / Horizon's
0 IAS: 11 frames
49 IAS: 10 frames

GF / Flamebellow
0 IAS: 16 frames
4 IAS: 15 frames
13 IAS: 14 frames
24 IAS: 13 frames
42 IAS: 12 frames
70 IAS: 11 frames
117 IAS: 10 frames

I'm much too lazy to work out the DPS for you, but I suspect when fully charged up GF's +max damage will mean it wins out. You also have to consider the initial speed and how much time you spend charging up: Assuming 20 off-weapon IAS initial speed is 14 frames for the maces, and 20 frames for the swords (all numbers include both swings in the Frenzy sequence). My vote goes to the maces

**RobbyD** · 11-07-2012, 16:26

I don't think range is that big an issue - Baranar's is range 2, Horizon's is range 3, GF and FB are both range 3. Also, we're talking Frenzy, not WW. The Barb will be mano-e-mano most of the time, and moving like a flash.

Yeah, swords look much more BA, but Baranar's and Horizon's both have 50%IAS (and a Scourge is even base speed [-10]), so I honestly think the clubs will perform much better than the swords, especially if the Barb is wearing something with CB.

**HumptyDumpty** · 11-07-2012, 17:31

At the moment, I have nothing on with CB. That's why the fleshripper caught my eye. I know there is no mastery for it. But, I could get the mastery for whatever my other weapon might be. I know it seems like a waste to max out a mastery for just one weapon though. Maybe the GF and Fleshripper might be interesting? Would the CB and other mods on the Fleshripper work on the GF hits too?

The calc I've been using is: http://diablo2.ingame.de/tips/calcs/...p?lang=english
Is that Titanseal's calc?

In any event, I have 45% off weapon IAS.

Level 24 frenzy.

According to the calc above, the swords have 6 FPA and the maces get 5 FPA. Seems like a small difference, 4.1 attacks per second vs. 5 attacks per second. It's factored into my simple DPS math in the OP.

Another thing, I noticed that the calc did not care if the offhander had any IAS on it. So, it would seem the 'best' damage weapon should go there, with something with IAS on the main hand only, but perhaps if the calc is outdated and this has changed?

Thanks for so many replies - keep 'em coming.

Oh, here's my gear:

hat: Andariel's Visage (Ral)
ammy: 72 life, +3 to masteries
body: Myth (could switch to Smoke for needed resists)
hands: IK gloves
rings: random rare with attack rating, resists (but not enough, haha)
waist: Verdungo's Hearty Cord
feet: IK boots
charms: Gheed's
merc: might with kelpie snare, stealskull and vipermagi

High runes (over 30?) I've found: 1x Dol, 1x Io, 2x Lum, 1x Fal, 2x Lem, 1x Mal, and 1x Vex (and most or all of the ones below level 30)

Final note, yes, I've finished Hell act 5 a long time ago, on players 1 anyway. Currently I'm using this guy to farm the pit and ancient tunnels on players 8, which is a good challenge with an SP character using his own drops. I know I need to put on more MF gear, but I have to find some first.

**Krupa** · 12-07-2012, 04:24

i´d make a lionheart if i were you. mass stats, ed, life, plenty res for only hel lum fal.

the calc is wrong regarding off-hand weapon ias. off-hand ias doesn´t matter if your main hand hits, but if it doesn´t it the off-hand ias is used in the calculation.
put a slow weapon in the off-hand and check for yourself how it feels and if you can stand the slower attacks

**HumptyDumpty** · 12-07-2012, 05:58

Originally Posted by Krupa

i´d make a lionheart if i were you. mass stats, ed, life, plenty res for only hel lum fal.

the calc is wrong regarding off-hand weapon ias. off-hand ias doesn´t matter if your main hand hits, but if it doesn´t it the off-hand ias is used in the calculation.
put a slow weapon in the off-hand and check for yourself how it feels and if you can stand the slower attacks

All good advice. Thank you. If I find a Hel, I'll make that armor. Hate to give up the +2 skills on Myth, but probably a good trade.

I'm still torn on the weapon selection. I'll now pay more attention to offhand IAS, so Horizon's > Demon Limb then.

Looks like I could make the "Passion" runeword, but I'm not sure that would be better than the uniques mentioned.

I know someone mentioned earlier in the thread that it would not fit too well into a frenzy build.

Thanks again to all for taking your valuable time to help me.

**HumptyDumpty** · 12-07-2012, 18:22

Funny, I just found a Hel rune and a Pul too in about 10 minutes. Best run I've ever had. However, I think I'll hang onto the Hel as I am just one Ist short of making the "silence" runeword, which would probably be a clear cut upgrade in the weapon department and help end the debate over what's best.

**RobbyD** · 12-07-2012, 18:33

"Silence" is a 1.09 holdover runeword that is way overpriced compared to the 1.10+ runewords - heck, even in 1.09, it was considered much more condusive to a bow than a melee weapon. 200% ED and 20% IAS is lackluster, and the knockback is not a good mod for a Frenzy Barb. Try out an BKSC - that's pretty much what you get with "Silence".

If you want a nice non-RWM weapon in that price range, I'd go with Kingslayer - you probably have the runes for that already.

**HumptyDumpty** · 13-07-2012, 02:58

Originally Posted by RobbyD

"Silence" is a 1.09 holdover runeword that is way overpriced compared to the 1.10+ runewords - heck, even in 1.09, it was considered much more condusive to a bow than a melee weapon. 200% ED and 20% IAS is lackluster, and the knockback is not a good mod for a Frenzy Barb. Try out an BKSC - that's pretty much what you get with "Silence".

If you want a nice non-RWM weapon in that price range, I'd go with Kingslayer - you probably have the runes for that already.

I agree that Kingslayer looks like a nicer weapon, but I don't have the Gul or Um runes which would be much harder to find than one Ist. Well, the Gul would be anyway since the countess does not drop it, as opposed to Ist which just happens to be her top regular drop.

I don't see a knockback on the Silence, but you probably meant 25% Hit Causes Monster to Flee, which is indeed a potential issue. However, if it works like Howl then I can deal with it. If they run a lot faster than Howl though it could be an issue.

I'll start up farming the countess again and see how it goes, might get lucky and find 2x Ist to cube the Gul and an Um within a reasonable time. Never know.

I do like the MF and +skills and resists on the Silence though!

**RobbyD** · 13-07-2012, 14:45

Yes, you're absolutely right - Hit Causes Monsters to Flee - I got my mental wires crossed somehow. What weapon were you thinking of making it in?

**HumptyDumpty** · 14-07-2012, 23:04

Originally Posted by RobbyD

What weapon were you thinking of making it in?

Seems like War Spike, Berserker Axe, Phase Blade or Colossus Blade are the only real choices for a frenzy barb for a six rune word. Now to find one of those with six sockets. I think I might just run a few characters through to act 5 normal for Larzuk's quest if all else fails and hope for a lucky roll of six. Of course, I can't rush them, I only have a barb and a werebear druid. But that's OK, it won't take me *that* long to play through normal with a newbie.

I'm still running countess also looking for an Ist. Best so far is a Hel and a Pul (off of a minion, lol). Well, I might have gotten a couple Dol's and an Io too.