Whirlwind Barbarian Suggestions

[Nightfire05]

Whirlwind Barbarian Suggestions

I've now made a Barbarian that will use Whirlwind and Polearm-Class weapons throughout the entire game. After looking at some of my options, I have a few questions.

First, what are the Whirlwind breakpoints when using a Cryptic Axe? My end-game weapon will be a 2-socket Tomb Reaver, for reference.

Secondly, what would be the best options for sockets in the Tomb Reaver? It's around middle-range on the major things; 242% ED, +40% All Resistances, 69% MF, and 2 sockets.

Thirdly, does anyone have any suggestions for gear that would work better than what I plan to use right now? My projected list of gear is as follows:

Helm: Arreat's Face Slayer Guard
Amulet: Crescent Moon Amulet (6% LL, 14% ML)
Armor: The Gladiator's Bane Wire Fleece
Weapon: Tomb Reaver Cryptic Axe
Gloves: Dracul's Grasp Vampirebone Gloves (10% LL)
Ring 1: Bul Katho's Wedding Band Ring (5% LL)
Ring 2: Manald Heal Ring (7% ML)
Belt: Verdungo's Hearty Cord Mithril Coil (+33 Vitality, +14% DR)
Boots: Gore Rider War Boots

For reference, I have access to a good variety of mid-level and somewhat high-level runewords, thanks to excessive Countess running and long play time, as well as most all of the items in the game, Unique and Set-wise. Any suggestions and answers would be appreciated.

 

[kabal]

1. Last breakpoint (4 frames) for non-sword two handers is -60. A single Shael or IAS jewel should bring the reaver to the last BP.

2. Don't put anything like too expensive like ED/IAS jewels in it, save those for a better weapon. Shael plus a mid level, plain ED jewel is what I would go with.

3. You really have more leech than you need. Switch the Drac's to Soul Drainer (7/7 dual leech) and replace the Manald with the best dual leech/AR ring you have and that should be more than enough (~20 life leech, ~10 mana leech) so you can use Highlord's for your ammy. The Gladiator's Bane really doesn't do anything for you so switch to something with more resists/MF (Gloom runeword or even Tal's Armor).

 

[Kefir-Tribe1]

1./2. 69% weapon IAS, so one Sheal or IAS-jewel is fine. I would fill the other socket with an ED-jewel, Eth, Amn or a PSkull.

You don't need that much ML. Consider changing the amulet to Highlord's or something else. Or change Manald’s for a Raven Frost. Gladiator's Bane is cool but maybe not the best option. Consider Gloom, Duress, Shaftstop among with many others. Make sure you get maximum resistances and also consider to use Thundergod's Vigor (at least keep it in stash) to counter Willowisps.

The other looks very good.

 

[RedArchon]

I would try to use this for equipment if you have it.

Helm: Arreat's Face
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
Armor: Gloom/Duress
Weapon: Tomb Reaver (Shael/Amn)
Gloves: Steelrends
Ring 1: Ravenfrost
Ring 2: Manald Heal
Belt: Verdungo's/T-Gods
Boots: Gore Riders

You'll have 10-16% life leech (depending on your Arreats) and 7% mana leech. That should be plenty.

 

[Day]

You might want to think about mana when you can't leech and/or get mana burned - its quite frequent. An ITH rune is useful as is Carrionwind Ring (if you have it). In fact I'd suggets Carrionwind for the second ring slot regardless.

Also the gear is really nice but will you get to use it e.g. Gladiators Bane (and Tomb Reaver) for me Baal was dead by then (and the WW Barb is not the best magic find character). Even if you do get the levels eventually most of the game you'll be playing without so you need an alternative - e.g Ravefrost as an interim.

I'd second the Shaftstop (and also suggest Leviathan and Lionheart) and/or Duress and switching to TGods for Glooms.

I'd defintely go High Lords for the critical strike.

On Gloves I'd look to craft some Blood gloves.

Don't forget the Merc - Reapers Toll? and for me Shaftstop and Vampire Gaze.

 

[Rizzo]

You might want to think about mana when you can't leech and/or get mana burned - its quite frequent.

That's what the blue pots are for..

 

[Day]

Even with Blue pots its difficult in places to feed the Whirlwind.

 

[Rizzo]

In my experiences it has never been a problem.

 

[Day]

Each to their own I guess.:smiley: I usually, on melee characters, have two rows of red, one of blue and one of purples. I tend to use the purples for emergencies and for me four blues were not enough for the WW in places where you can't leech.

I also tend to pack my inventory with charms and stuff so don't have room to carry spare pots there.