Decent Barb builds

N

Nibiru-

Member
Decent Barb builds

I have a friend who is starting to play with me, and he wants to play barb. I never played Barb except for about 5 years ago to solo through normal when I first played. I looked through the build guides, but nothing really stuck out to me. What is a good barb build for a newb that simply wants to play through the game, and that doesn't require uber equip.?
 
the barb build that is most likely to succeed untwinked when just starting the game would have to be the Concentrate barb. very safe to play and can still dish out reasonable amounts of damage. he's not much of a MFer, but that's not what you're asking for, now is it. :D

basic build =
20 Concentrate
20 Shout
20 Battle Orders
20 Mastery of Choice -- or one each in mace, axe, and sword if you don't want to limit your options
hit all the one-point-wonders like Natural Resist (maybe more like a 5-pointer), Taunt and Howl, and Berzerk for PIs and IM.
All the rest go into Iron Skin.

Strength = enough for equip (around 180 or more so you can equip the really high defense elite armors)
Dex = enough for max block if you want to use a shield, or if you skip the shield, then just do enough to get a decent chance to hit (the Angelic Ring/Amulet combo is very nice for that)
Vit = all the rest.
NRG = none. zip. zilch. zero. nada. nothing. uh-uh. no way. no how. don't even think about putting any points here.

Get yourself either a Might or a Defiance merc and you're good to go.
 
Thanks, sounds like a fun build, might have to make one myself. My friend's a simple kinda guy, i don't think he'll mind simply bashing stuff.
 
Concentrator is definitely the way to go. I would pick a mastery and stick with it. Swords are good because they are fast and have the most options option. There are just more swords to choose from, plus it is the only weapon type he will be able to wield in one hand even if it is a two-handed weapon.

I highly recommend Sigon's Complete Steel. I usually pump strength up to use the whole set ASAP for melee characters. Isenhart's Lightbrand is an outstanding weapon for early in the game because of the huge minimum damage. If you need some gear I can spare a Sigon's set and that sword. The set bonuses are huge for a low-level character. I typically use that until about level 30 in Normal Act V when other stuff becomes available, e.g. Immortal King boots, gloves, and belt.
 
What would be a good number to shoot for for dex with that build? Sorry don't know anything about barbs :confused:
 
Amount of DEX depends on if you're using a shield or not. If you are, then you want enough to keep the block percentage up near 75%. If you're not using a shield, then just plug enough dex to keep your Barb hitting the enemies.
 
Dexterity is worthless for attack rating. You get a much larger benefit from weapon masteries and bonuses from your equipment. I recommend getting enough to equip your primary weapon. For swords, this would be around 90.

If you are using a shield, then you probably need more dexterity and less vitality. Essentially you are trading life for the ability to avoid taking damage. Whether that is a good tradeoff or not is up to you.

I find that you probably want around 150-200 dexterity including from items. Try to keep your blocking even with what the shield says. I.e. if the shield has 60% blocking, don't try to get 75% out of it. It will require too much extra dexterity.
 
ChubbyHubby said:
Dexterity is worthless for attack rating. You get a much larger benefit from weapon masteries and bonuses from your equipment. I recommend getting enough to equip your primary weapon. For swords, this would be around 90.

If you are using a shield, then you probably need more dexterity and less vitality. Essentially you are trading life for the ability to avoid taking damage. Whether that is a good tradeoff or not is up to you.

I find that you probably want around 150-200 dexterity including from items. Try to keep your blocking even with what the shield says. I.e. if the shield has 60% blocking, don't try to get 75% out of it. It will require too much extra dexterity.
Click to expand...

For some odd reason my paladin can't get the blocking thats listed on the spirit ward. Why oh why I even have spent every point I have recieved for the last 60 clvls on nothing but dex and still behind. [/sarcasm]

the formula for blocking in 1.10 is

Total Blocking % = [Blocking x (Dexterity – 15)] / (Character Level x 2)

So blocking percent is important but Dexterity is important as well.

To get Dexterity needed rearrange the equation for Dexterity

Dexterity = (Total blocking % *Character Level * 2)/blocking + 15

At clvl x and 60% blocking to get 60% blocking you need

60%*X*2/60% +15 = 2X+15

At clvl x and 60% blocking to get 75% blocking you need

75%*X*2/60% + 15 = 1.25*2X+15 = 2.5X+15

So for every clvl you need to place an extra 1/2 point into dexterity to get max blocking. At clvl 70 you have 155 dexerity for 60% whats another 35 dexterity in the scheme of things?? What 17 small charms? 3 Perfect emeralds and an emerald in an armor?

By the way there are a few items other than shields that raise your blocking%, those items will allow you to have less dexterity and still maintain your max blocking.
 
Barbs are very item dependent...

Frenzier
Concentrate
Berseker
WW
Singer :|

If you dont have a nice weapon is hard to kill monsters in hell.
Concentrate is the safer if you dont have a powerfull weapon.

You can find guides here and here.
 
I would also recommend a Concentrate build. I am currently playing one that has 2/3 of his skill points randomized and is somewhat restricted in terms of gear (must use set/unique items) and merc (must use an Iron Wolf) and he STILL is an awesome tank that dishes out quite a bit of damage.

I recommend a couple of points in Battle Cry, and that you use it against almost every enemy. Not only will you tank even better, but you will also hit a lot more.
 
Concentrate barb is a good build. he is safe and can deal enough dmg but for me it is the most boring barb build that exists by far.

I'd choose a WW barb with a polearm. They are fast and there are at least 2 good uniques that are not too hard to find and that you can finish the game with. - Bonehew and The Reaper's Toll

And the fun factor is not to be surpassed by a concentrator who must fight each monster seperately.
 
WW its the most dependent barb build :) you need a powerful and Fast weapon.
Hone Sundan - Yari with 3 shaels is a good WW weapon better if is ethereal :D

33% Chance To Cast Level 1 Decrepify On Striking -> CTC don't work with WW.

Better give The reapers toll to your merc.

I have a spare Bonehew for the price of a PM with your email.
 
There's only one decent barb build and that's the berserker. Everything else is just for girls. :D Charging into battle with foam at the mouth, no defence, no blocking, just giving as good as you get, now that's a barbarian.
 
Nightfish said:
There's only one decent barb build and that's the berserker. Everything else is just for girls. :D Charging into battle with foam at the mouth, no defence, no blocking, just giving as good as you get, now that's a barbarian.
Click to expand...
There goes NF, proving again that everything is hell-able.

crg
 
Nightfish said:
There's only one decent barb build and that's the berserker. Everything else is just for girls. :D Charging into battle with foam at the mouth, no defence, no blocking, just giving as good as you get, now that's a barbarian.
Click to expand...

You got a problem w/ girls?

I personally like Double swing/ frenzy, then you don't have to mess with shields, you can both of your favorite weapons! at the same time!
 
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