- May 12, 2007
- 2,489
- 82
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Patriarch WhyNot, Frenzied Zealbarb
[highlight]Introduction[/highlight]
Ever since I decided to do a unique build for each class I'd felt a little twinge about having a wolfbarb as my “unique†barb build. They're not that uncommon, after all. So I got to thinking and searching around and had a look at zeal barbs. Since they can dual wield, having the Passion offhand can be done, leaving the main hand open, just waiting for something ownage.
[highlight]The Character[/highlight]
Name: WhyNot
Class: Barbarian
Level: 83
Naked/Gear
Strength: 265/292
Dexterity: 20/60
Vitality: 215/215
Energy: 10/10
HP: 1039/1363 (2973)
Mana: 92/132 (304)
FR/W: 42
FHR: 30 (6 frames)
Fire res: 75
Cold res: 61
Light res: 80
Poison res: 61
Skills:
Battle Orders: 20 (33)
Frenzy: 20 (27)
Axe Mastery: 20 (25)
Natural Resistance: 11 (16)
Increased Speed: 9 (14)
Battle Commands: 2 (7)
Berserk: 1 (9)
Battle Cry: 1 (6)
Zeal: 0 (4)
1 in required skills, none saved.
After checking the speed calc, I discovered that I could achieve max zeal speed with a BA (4/4/4/4/9 fpa) if I got Frenzy up to slvl 27. Getting that and level 4 Zeal was a bit of a stretch, but I made it work.
Damage:
Zeal: 1722-6139
Frenzy: 2090-7449/981-3495
Berserk: 2175-7749
Add to that 87% Deadly Strike, 22% Critical Strike, 10% Open Wounds and 65% CB (when hitting with Death).
Gear:
Made the Passion after the Death, and had a good laugh at how good the pointless rolls on the Passion was compared to the highly useful roll on the Death.
Charms:
Leharas, Might Mercenary:
[highlight]Thoughts[/highlight]
I never thought I'd say this about something using zeal, but I really, really enjoyed playing this guy. Boatload of fun from beginning to end. Especially once he got into end game gear (which was early compared to most of my chars) and I saw how well the plan worked - I don't mind telling you I was a little worried when I first started using Frenzy that the duration wouldn't be long enough. That wasn't the case, though, since I found I could normally get at least 3 cycles (I normally hit Frenzy again after the third so I might have had time for another; didn't want to chance it) out of Zeal from one Frenzy cycle.
To help with leveling, I used whirlwind starting at 30 since it's just faster at that point. Also wanted to use my recently found +WW hat to test the WW bug. I found that when using dual Bloodletters he didn't freeze while leveling, but as soon as I swapped over to whirling with the Ribcracker he froze at every levelup. You can't use potions, deal damage or add skill/stat points, but you also seem to be invincible. I leveled up at the start of a pindle run and just let the merc handle the rest while I sat there as the ultimate tank. Awesome. Only leveled up twice with the Ribby, then switched to dual, shaeled Butcher's Pupils. Froze with them, too. If you want to level a barb with a +WW item without hard points, I'd advise leveling on Pindle so you can switch to Conc or something right before you level; Baal runs will be tough until you're a later level and your exp doesn't rocket so much so quick.
As for leveling gear, it was pretty straightforward. Envy setup + Ire jeweled maul -> partial Sigon's -> 1.09 RC + Iratha's + Tread's with maul on switch for when I needed to tank. Swapped maul for Bonesnap at 24. When I finally hit 30 I brought in dual bloodletters, lore made in a +1 IS/+1 WW helm, Spirit Shroud, Mahim Oak, SoE, Nat's boots, mana leech ring and bloodfist. Swapped in Ribcracker at 37 to test the WW bug while running Pindle.
Swapped Arreat's for Lore at 42. 47 brought in Duress, Raven Frost, Gore Riders and Lava Gout, with Crescent Moon coming in at 50.
Level 64 introduced the Passion and the Death. Ownage ensued. Highlord's, Fortitude and BKWB came in at 65, along with the beta CtA and the HotO which I had been too lazy to bring in earlier.
[highlight]Finds[/highlight]:
-NM Forge: Lem
-Hell Forge: Um
-Telling of Beads in NM RoF
-Ko rune from the Countess
-Key of Terror
-Lum rune in Hell AT
-Blood Raven's Charge
-Entrapping skiller
-Trang's Girth
I'm fairly pleased with that. I'm considering the Lem paying for himself since the Death was made with other uses in mind, as well. The Trang's belt was quite the surprise, though.
[highlight]Conclusion[/highlight]
There'll be a short Q&A before I head out.
-Q: So what's the real reason for making this guy?
A: To wield 'Death' with a 'Passion.'
-Q: You could have saved 3 skill points since you were getting Berserk from Passion.
A: That's not a question. And Berserk is too cool to wait around until level 64 for it.
-Q: Wouldn't 'Grief' have been a better weapon choice?
A: Yes, if I had an indestructible Grief. Zeal wears down durability too quickly for me to want to use my Grief BA. Plus, I really enjoyed the thought of hitting the fastest zeal speed with a weapon with no IAS.
-Q: Would you recommend this build to a friend?
A: I'd command this build to a friend. Frenzy movement speed, four frame uninterrupted attack, lots of crowd control when needed and a built in IM/PI solution? Awesome. And he was ridiculously powerful - I had to turn up the p settings in Hell because p1 was too boring. Took on the waves at p8, and the only issue was with wave 2 - the guardians stay more or less put and Decrepify was really rough on my attack speed.
-Q: Any deaths?
A: One stinking, irritating death, yes. NM Throne, to Iron Maiden. Maybe 3 NDEs, all from being lazy on the potions. Made me wish I hadn't put so many points in Vitality.
I'd like to thank Fabian for the 'Death' base, eth Duress and the HotO, sirpoopsalot for the eth Reaper's, Nagisafurukawa for the better Steel GC of Vita along with 2 of the Shimmerings of Inertia, Paradigmshift for one of the Steel SCs of Vita and, yet again, the Mat/Pat/Guardian thread. And, of course, thanks to everybody who slogs through these writeups.
[highlight]Introduction[/highlight]
Ever since I decided to do a unique build for each class I'd felt a little twinge about having a wolfbarb as my “unique†barb build. They're not that uncommon, after all. So I got to thinking and searching around and had a look at zeal barbs. Since they can dual wield, having the Passion offhand can be done, leaving the main hand open, just waiting for something ownage.
[highlight]The Character[/highlight]
Name: WhyNot
Class: Barbarian
Level: 83
Naked/Gear
Strength: 265/292
Dexterity: 20/60
Vitality: 215/215
Energy: 10/10
HP: 1039/1363 (2973)
Mana: 92/132 (304)
FR/W: 42
FHR: 30 (6 frames)
Fire res: 75
Cold res: 61
Light res: 80
Poison res: 61
Skills:
Battle Orders: 20 (33)
Frenzy: 20 (27)
Axe Mastery: 20 (25)
Natural Resistance: 11 (16)
Increased Speed: 9 (14)
Battle Commands: 2 (7)
Berserk: 1 (9)
Battle Cry: 1 (6)
Zeal: 0 (4)
1 in required skills, none saved.
After checking the speed calc, I discovered that I could achieve max zeal speed with a BA (4/4/4/4/9 fpa) if I got Frenzy up to slvl 27. Getting that and level 4 Zeal was a bit of a stretch, but I made it work.
Damage:
Zeal: 1722-6139
Frenzy: 2090-7449/981-3495
Berserk: 2175-7749
Add to that 87% Deadly Strike, 22% Critical Strike, 10% Open Wounds and 65% CB (when hitting with Death).
Gear:
Code:
Death
Berserker Axe
'HelElVexOrtGul'
One-Hand Damage: 156 to 515
Required Dexterity: 37
Required Strength: 100
Required Level: 64
Axe Class - Normal Attack Speed
Indestructible
Item Version: Expansion
Item Level: 99
Fingerprint: 0x7c2d339f
+336% Enhanced Damage
+50 to Attack Rating
Adds 1-50 lightning damage
7% Mana stolen per hit
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
Indestructible
25% Chance to cast Level 18 Glacial Spike on attack
100% Chance to cast Level 44 Chain Lightning When You Die
Level 22 Blood Golem (15/15 Charges)
41% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Ethereal (Cannot be Repaired), Socketed (5: 5 used)
Passion
Berserker Axe
DolOrtEldLem
One Hand Damage: 71 - 212
Durability: 21 of 26
Required Level: 64
Required Strength: 138
Required Dexterity: 59
Fingerprint: 0x52a16e92
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Increased Attack Speed
199% Enhanced Damage
74% Bonus to Attack Rating
+75% Damage to Undead
+50 to Attack Rating against Undead
Adds 1 - 50 Lightning Damage
+1 to Zeal
+1 to Berserk
Hit Blinds Target +10
Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25%
75% Extra Gold from Monsters
Level 3 Heart of Wolverine (12/12 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)
Arreat's Face
Slayer Guard
Defense: 302
Durability: 51 of 55
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Fingerprint: 0x428b5bdc
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
29% Enhanced Damage
20% Bonus to Attack Rating
6% Life stolen per hit
+150% Enhanced Defense
+27 to Strength
+20 to Dexterity
All Resistances +30
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Realgar Jewel of Virility
Realgar Jewel of Virility
Jewel
Required Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0xa7e7a0fa
Item Level: 58
Version: Expansion
29% Enhanced Damage
+7 to Strength
Highlord's Wrath
Amulet
Required Level: 65
Fingerprint: 0xad8f5971
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 1 - 30 Lightning Damage
31% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Fortitude
Archon Plate
ElSolDolLo
Defense: 1572
Durability: 56 of 60
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 103
Fingerprint: 0x41bc1e52
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
20% Chance to cast level 15 Chilling Armor when struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+93 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Replenish Life +7
+5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25
Damage Reduced by 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 to Light Radius
4 Sockets (4 used)
Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Fingerprint: 0x7672ccb4
Item Level: 60
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+249 to Attack Rating
Adds 15 - 45 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
+20 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Cannot Be Frozen
Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Required Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0xcbf4680
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
3% Life stolen per hit
+41 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+50 Maximum Stamina
String of Ears
Demonhide Sash
Defense: 103
Durability: 20 of 22
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 20
Fingerprint: 0x6a5c3c11
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
7% Life stolen per hit
+154% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
Damage Reduced by 13%
Magic Damage Reduced by 14
+10 Maximum Durability
Gore Rider
War Boots
Defense: 153
Durability: 33 of 34
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 94
Fingerprint: 0xf3d11272
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30% Faster Run/Walk
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
10% Chance of Open Wounds
+185% Enhanced Defense
+20 Maximum Stamina
Requirements -25%
+10 Maximum Durability
Lava Gout
Battle Gauntlets
Defense: 138
Durability: 35 of 38
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0xb8fd40b1
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
2% Chance to cast level 10 Enchant on striking
+20% Increased Attack Speed
Adds 13 - 46 Fire Damage
+189% Enhanced Defense
Fire Resist +24%
Half Freeze Duration
+20 Maximum Durability
Call to Arms
Superior Flail
AmnRalMalIstOhm
One Hand Damage: 3 - 85
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0x5a8e2440
GUID: 0xe9054427 0x98f19e0b 0x0
Item Level: 90
Version: Expansion
+2 to All Skills
+40% Increased Attack Speed
258% Enhanced Damage
+1 to Attack Rating
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
7% Life stolen per hit
Prevent Monster Heal
+11 to Battle Cry
+15 to Battle Orders
+6 to Battle Command
Replenish Life +12
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
5 Sockets (5 used)
Fabian's Heart of the Oak
Flail
KoVexPulThul
One Hand Damage: 1 - 24
Durability: 30 of 30
Required Level: 55
Required Strength: 41
Required Dexterity: 35
Fingerprint: 0xbdb1689a
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage to Demons
+100 to Attack Rating against Demons
+150% Damage to Undead
Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames)
7% Mana stolen per hit
+10 to Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +39
Level 14 Raven (60/60 Charges)
Level 4 Oak Sage (25/25 Charges)
4 Sockets (4 used)Made the Passion after the Death, and had a good laugh at how good the pointless rolls on the Passion was compared to the highly useful roll on the Death.
Charms:
Code:
Steel Grand Charm of Vita
Grand Charm
Required Level: 69
Fingerprint: 0x4c5c68db
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+130 to Attack Rating
+40 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Life
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x41ecf12f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
+5 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x9e37a324
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+29 to Attack Rating
+17 to Life
Steel Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 53
Fingerprint: 0xa1a1be8c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+124 to Attack Rating
+34 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xfd50aaa3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+68 to Attack Rating
+25 to Life
Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xd321b4a2
Item Level: 62
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +5
Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x35a4cae7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +4
Shimmering Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0x41688368
Item Level: 74
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
All Resistances +3
Fine Small Charm of Inertia
Small Charm
Required Level: 27
Fingerprint: 0xce13a645
Item Level: 64
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3% Faster Run/Walk
+2 to Maximum Damage
+18 to Attack Rating
Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x17995e3d
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+73 to Attack Rating
+15 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Life
Grand Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0xc557b5cd
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10 to Maximum Damage
+62 to Attack Rating
+13 to Life
Sharp Grand Charm of Sustenance
Grand Charm
Required Level: 23
Fingerprint: 0xe4b008f2
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+9 to Maximum Damage
+72 to Attack Rating
+24 to Life
Steel Small Charm of Vita
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x4b9eb3b9
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
+17 to LifeLeharas, Might Mercenary:
Code:
Vampire Gaze
Grim Helm
Defense: 378
Durability: 21 of 21
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 48
Fingerprint: 0x9f678bf5
Item Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Adds 6 - 22 Cold Damage Over 4 Secs (100 Frames)
8% Mana stolen per hit
6% Life stolen per hit
+100% Enhanced Defense
15% Slower Stamina Drain
All Resistances +15
Damage Reduced by 17%
Magic Damage Reduced by 12
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Um Rune
Fabian's Duress
Archon Plate
ShaelUmThul
Defense: 2557
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0x29899e45
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
13% Enhanced Damage
Adds 37 - 133 Cold Damage Over 2 Secs (50 Frames)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+225% Enhanced Defense
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +30%
All Resistances +15
Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
The Reaper's Toll
Thresher
Two Hand Damage: 52 - 614
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 75
Required Strength: 107
Required Dexterity: 81
Fingerprint: 0x8447276
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
33% Chance to cast level 1 Decrepify on striking
191% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 4 - 44 Cold Damage Over 1 Secs (18 Frames)
18% Life stolen per hit
33% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Amn Rune[highlight]Thoughts[/highlight]
I never thought I'd say this about something using zeal, but I really, really enjoyed playing this guy. Boatload of fun from beginning to end. Especially once he got into end game gear (which was early compared to most of my chars) and I saw how well the plan worked - I don't mind telling you I was a little worried when I first started using Frenzy that the duration wouldn't be long enough. That wasn't the case, though, since I found I could normally get at least 3 cycles (I normally hit Frenzy again after the third so I might have had time for another; didn't want to chance it) out of Zeal from one Frenzy cycle.
To help with leveling, I used whirlwind starting at 30 since it's just faster at that point. Also wanted to use my recently found +WW hat to test the WW bug. I found that when using dual Bloodletters he didn't freeze while leveling, but as soon as I swapped over to whirling with the Ribcracker he froze at every levelup. You can't use potions, deal damage or add skill/stat points, but you also seem to be invincible. I leveled up at the start of a pindle run and just let the merc handle the rest while I sat there as the ultimate tank. Awesome. Only leveled up twice with the Ribby, then switched to dual, shaeled Butcher's Pupils. Froze with them, too. If you want to level a barb with a +WW item without hard points, I'd advise leveling on Pindle so you can switch to Conc or something right before you level; Baal runs will be tough until you're a later level and your exp doesn't rocket so much so quick.
As for leveling gear, it was pretty straightforward. Envy setup + Ire jeweled maul -> partial Sigon's -> 1.09 RC + Iratha's + Tread's with maul on switch for when I needed to tank. Swapped maul for Bonesnap at 24. When I finally hit 30 I brought in dual bloodletters, lore made in a +1 IS/+1 WW helm, Spirit Shroud, Mahim Oak, SoE, Nat's boots, mana leech ring and bloodfist. Swapped in Ribcracker at 37 to test the WW bug while running Pindle.
Swapped Arreat's for Lore at 42. 47 brought in Duress, Raven Frost, Gore Riders and Lava Gout, with Crescent Moon coming in at 50.
Level 64 introduced the Passion and the Death. Ownage ensued. Highlord's, Fortitude and BKWB came in at 65, along with the beta CtA and the HotO which I had been too lazy to bring in earlier.
[highlight]Finds[/highlight]:
-NM Forge: Lem
-Hell Forge: Um
-Telling of Beads in NM RoF
-Ko rune from the Countess
-Key of Terror
-Lum rune in Hell AT
-Blood Raven's Charge
-Entrapping skiller
-Trang's Girth
I'm fairly pleased with that. I'm considering the Lem paying for himself since the Death was made with other uses in mind, as well. The Trang's belt was quite the surprise, though.
[highlight]Conclusion[/highlight]
There'll be a short Q&A before I head out.
-Q: So what's the real reason for making this guy?
A: To wield 'Death' with a 'Passion.'
-Q: You could have saved 3 skill points since you were getting Berserk from Passion.
A: That's not a question. And Berserk is too cool to wait around until level 64 for it.
-Q: Wouldn't 'Grief' have been a better weapon choice?
A: Yes, if I had an indestructible Grief. Zeal wears down durability too quickly for me to want to use my Grief BA. Plus, I really enjoyed the thought of hitting the fastest zeal speed with a weapon with no IAS.
-Q: Would you recommend this build to a friend?
A: I'd command this build to a friend. Frenzy movement speed, four frame uninterrupted attack, lots of crowd control when needed and a built in IM/PI solution? Awesome. And he was ridiculously powerful - I had to turn up the p settings in Hell because p1 was too boring. Took on the waves at p8, and the only issue was with wave 2 - the guardians stay more or less put and Decrepify was really rough on my attack speed.
-Q: Any deaths?
A: One stinking, irritating death, yes. NM Throne, to Iron Maiden. Maybe 3 NDEs, all from being lazy on the potions. Made me wish I hadn't put so many points in Vitality.
I'd like to thank Fabian for the 'Death' base, eth Duress and the HotO, sirpoopsalot for the eth Reaper's, Nagisafurukawa for the better Steel GC of Vita along with 2 of the Shimmerings of Inertia, Paradigmshift for one of the Steel SCs of Vita and, yet again, the Mat/Pat/Guardian thread. And, of course, thanks to everybody who slogs through these writeups.
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