i play only hc

75 base vit
then add stats to dex to = 100 - 120 WITH mq gear
every other point in str.
CLUBS only.

my weller has 110dex .. rest into str.
i use str charms + Dex plates..

Alright guys, it's been 24 hours since anyone has written anything here.
If no one else feels compelled to give input I'll be starting a Barb guide tonight based on the information here and from the fighter guide and we'll go from there.

I have played Barb on occasion, but using the same gear as I currently use on my fighters.

For what it's worth, a Barb kicks butt damage-wise with this setup, but his def is poor, and he needs to sit in mid row and be ashamed of his lack of tank capability.

My armor def sucks -- everyone knows that, but the crits more than make up for it

Here is the setup -- max EE on the weapon of your choice, replace every 5 lvls

Main mod on armor//charm = dex, place all stats into str; OR main mod on armor//charm = str, all stats to dex.

You may wish to place your initial stat points into vit, but this should not be necessary later on, if you are able to improve the def on your armor. This is entirely up to you.

Armor -- get plate with EE if you want to go tanking, but try to keep the dex or str mods as well -- if you kill with power, your lack of def//tank power can be forgiven.

This post was edited by Paparick on Aug 2 2009 09:03am

The basic guide I'd give for all heavy armor melee characters is as follows:

Weapons: Enhanced Effect (as high as you can afford at each given level, emphasis on MQ weapon)
Armors: Strength, Dexterity, Enhanced Effect
Charms: Strength, Dexterity

The goal is to find a balance between strength and dexterity throughout the climb and once you have MQ gear on. If that means 100str/80dext by level 55+ that's fine. Ideally I'd aim for 120+str//115+dext.
Weapons should be bought every 5-15 levels. Charms and armors can often be used over a greater span, but anytime a significant upgrade can be made, it should be. Not much more needs be said (though plenty more can be if needed).

This post was edited by mwm_zyxcba on Aug 2 2009 08:49am

its simple geme. since life steel is nerfed, only hybrid build can make full mcc on arena... doesent matter barb or mage http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=29509004&f=272
cata buid is only power. thats @lll...

My concern and question is this;

Is hybrid truly a viable option for a new player on a barbarian?
I am quite certain a person using a traditional set up of dex/str items has no disadvantage to a person using intelligence stats and a heal charm when it comes down to using 50-100 ee weapons, possibly armor and 20-45 dex/str charms and armor. Not to mention the extra expense, planning and "weaker" damage throughout the climb sacrificing strength and dexterity being substituted by intelligence.

This post was edited by przy on Aug 2 2009 09:14am

Barbarian
Starting Stats: str 60, dex 25, int 5, vit 60

Absolutely the worst class to try hybrid - the int gear that is required to make him half-way respectable is out of the reach of many established players, let alone newcomers

Stick with pure melee, and keep tweaking that as you grow in game play savvy

Ok well heres what I think when building a barb.

The first thing you need to look at is, why a barb instead of a fighter?

Fighter


Sword, club, axe



Sword, club, axe

As you can tell weapon and armor choices for barbs and fighters are the same so the only real difference they have is starting points. The main difference I see in the barb is that it has 10 extra vitality, possiblility of 70-80 base vitality at start which, IMO, is better for arena.

It has lower int and dex however which would mean you would need some pretty significiant stat placement into these stats to make it a MORE viable tank then the fighter in catacombs. This said I think if you make a barb you should make it Pure str since thats what it's stats seemed to be designed for. Maybe get a dex charm/ee armor or something or str charm/ee armor.

Personally I think if your going for a 100-120dex rest in str build fighter would be better for that.

As far as hybrid goes, I think barbarian has too much stats invested into vit for it to be worthwhile. Again fighter would be easier to make a hybrid with. Although with ridiculous gear anything is viable.

This post was edited by arxyn on Aug 2 2009 10:02am

I really dont think a hybid is a viable option for a new player. To make them somewhat decent they are going to spend a good amount of fg. I mean I have played with a pure int barb and he healed for about 800ish but only had about 2.5k mana. I think we should stay clear around the hybrid barb, b/c there are other feeder classes that can be a better option for that, but who knows I mean I wanna melee a warlock