OK here are a couple of random AT Barb runs I recorded yesterday:
Map is nothing special tbh. I'll keep it for now just to better compare run time numbers across different builds/setups. It can have quite good density (had >6 average over 20 runs before), but sometimes it's rather crappy like in this batch, and layout is not great either.
As for the build, short version: Essentially a Berserker that uses Conc only when fighting Plague Bearers. Weird weapon setup: Grief/Wizzy on main switch for 105 FCR + Berserk, and Grief/Azurewrath for Conc switch to kill Plague Bearers.
FWIW, these are the main transformations he went through before arriving at his current state:
Out of those, the fastest options where either Reaper/Conc builds or Gripphon's hybrid Berserk build. Given how the above approaches compared, I figured wanted the QoL from Insight along with hybridizing with Berserk (rather than Conc/Reaper combo).
Problem with that was both used Sanctuary on main switch, but the knockback is quite annoying and I felt run times suffered from it.
At some point I realized that just using Berserk against everything except Plague Bearers worked extremely well, as in same run times as with Conc or even slightly faster at times. This ultimately led to my current build. Because when using Berserk as main skill, I saw an opportunity to get rid of the annoying Sanctuary knockback on Berserk switch. Then I realized there's basically no downside whatsoever from going for 105 FCR on Grief switch... no MF loss, even better survivability with Wizzy (75@ is godsend for AT), faster switching between teleport/hork/attack sequences, tons of life from skilled BO etc... So Wizzy moved alongside Grief on main switch, Azurewrath moved to secondary switch and was paired with another Grief. The rest fell in place naturally.
Now ironically after 4 respecs at this point, I still found it's still best to boost Conc and synergies instead of Berserk synergies, despite Berserk being his main skill. That's because otherwise things like SS or 4 champion Plague Bearer packs slow him down a bit too much. Plus maxing BO as synergy to Conc helps with life ofc. Berserk would benefit from synergies obviously, but interestingly even unsynergized 20p Berserk is similarly strong to synergized Conc, so it does quite well on its own without boosting synergies much. You can see in the vid I get numerous 1-hit or 2-hit Berserk kills. There's surely some optimization to be done with shifting those skill points around though, and ultimately differences between Zerk focus and Conc focus distribution are small either way.
Map is nothing special tbh. I'll keep it for now just to better compare run time numbers across different builds/setups. It can have quite good density (had >6 average over 20 runs before), but sometimes it's rather crappy like in this batch, and layout is not great either.
As for the build, short version: Essentially a Berserker that uses Conc only when fighting Plague Bearers. Weird weapon setup: Grief/Wizzy on main switch for 105 FCR + Berserk, and Grief/Azurewrath for Conc switch to kill Plague Bearers.
FWIW, these are the main transformations he went through before arriving at his current state:
- Typical Conc build with normal Zerker gear (incl. Insight Merc) except swapping MF sword for Azurewrath
- Pure Conc build that uses Reaper's on Merc to help against SS Invaders
- Various gearing choices such as Ghoulhide vs Chancies, HLW vs craft ammy
- Pure Conc build Grief/180 PB main switch and using Lacerator in switch to trigger Amp against PIs (but otherwise just uses Conc without Sanctuary)
- @Gripphon's hybrid build with Berserk (but otherwise like the above, including Grief/Azure main switch)
First entry is with pure Conc build + Reaper's on Merc, otherwise the key info is included in the description:
Out of those, the fastest options where either Reaper/Conc builds or Gripphon's hybrid Berserk build. Given how the above approaches compared, I figured wanted the QoL from Insight along with hybridizing with Berserk (rather than Conc/Reaper combo).
Problem with that was both used Sanctuary on main switch, but the knockback is quite annoying and I felt run times suffered from it.
At some point I realized that just using Berserk against everything except Plague Bearers worked extremely well, as in same run times as with Conc or even slightly faster at times. This ultimately led to my current build. Because when using Berserk as main skill, I saw an opportunity to get rid of the annoying Sanctuary knockback on Berserk switch. Then I realized there's basically no downside whatsoever from going for 105 FCR on Grief switch... no MF loss, even better survivability with Wizzy (75@ is godsend for AT), faster switching between teleport/hork/attack sequences, tons of life from skilled BO etc... So Wizzy moved alongside Grief on main switch, Azurewrath moved to secondary switch and was paired with another Grief. The rest fell in place naturally.
Now ironically after 4 respecs at this point, I still found it's still best to boost Conc and synergies instead of Berserk synergies, despite Berserk being his main skill. That's because otherwise things like SS or 4 champion Plague Bearer packs slow him down a bit too much. Plus maxing BO as synergy to Conc helps with life ofc. Berserk would benefit from synergies obviously, but interestingly even unsynergized 20p Berserk is similarly strong to synergized Conc, so it does quite well on its own without boosting synergies much. You can see in the vid I get numerous 1-hit or 2-hit Berserk kills. There's surely some optimization to be done with shifting those skill points around though, and ultimately differences between Zerk focus and Conc focus distribution are small either way.
Google