Draft Guide - Mld Barb - Topic

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Ferdia's D2R MLD Barb Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to MLD

2. Introduction to Barbs

3. Breakpoints

4. Items

5. Charms

6. Stash Items

7. Stats

8. Skills

9. GM Rules and Limitations

10. 1v1 PvP Strategy & Videos

11. Team Duels PvP Strategy & Videos

This post was edited by ferdia on Jun 20 2024 02:48pm

ferdia

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Jun 20 2024 03:03pm

1. Introduction to MLD

Mid-Level Dueling (MLD) is the level 49 dueling bracket, with Wind Druids allowed to level up to 65 to use Enigma. This bracket emphasizes Faster Run Walk (FRW) and skill/damage limitations similar to those in Euro PvP (EP) in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (D2LOD) and the Polish League (DCL) in Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R). In MLD, only Sorceresses and Wind Druids are permitted to teleport. The ruleset, specifically relating to FRW, was designed around the Match-up Barb vs Necro and has been expanded to ensure that every class has at least one competitive build capable of winning a 1v1 tournament (noting Both Barb and Necro effectively only have 1 Build at this Dueling Bracket). Tournaments and duels typically take place on the Europe Realm.

2. Introduction to Barb's

There are several builds at 49 that are naturally stronger then most other builds. Barbarians are one of these stronger builds. All builds have their strengths and weaknesses, these are adjusted via a balanced ruleset. In D2LOD desync helped barbs. In D2R Hustle has revolutionized virtually every class making it much easier to create a balanced ruleset. Barbarians have gained a massive boost from Both Hustle and WW Base Damage.

3. Breakpoints

FRW: 115FRW (you attain this via Items and Skill, no charm investment required - its actually difficult to have low FRW).
IAS: You need 63% IAS for a Stygian Pilum, 42% IAS for a Hyperion Jav, 34% IAS for a Legend Sword and 52% IAS for a Highland Blade.
(these are the main bases used by a Barbarian)
Throw IAS: The Break Points are 75% IAS and then 120% IAS with a Stygian Pilum (75% is fine) (13 and 12 Frames respectively) or 60% IAS and then 120% IAS with a Hyperion (12 and 11 Frames respectively)
FHR: With the changes made to FHR, We really don't care about FHR on a Barbarian.

ferdia

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Jun 20 2024 04:39pm

4. Items

Swords, Axes or Javs?

When it comes to Weapons, you have multiple choices. i.e. Swords, Axes, Maces and Javs. I recommend Javs (either Stygian Pilums or Hyperion Javs) due to their Low Str Requirements and ability to Throw (a different form of attack is always good). I do not recommend Small Crescents as the range is too low, and swords are just so D2LOD. Note that While ERep is desired on Javs, with changes to Barb skills, Rep is not a hard requirement anymore (with skills they can rep).

What Armor to use?

When it comes to Armors, there is only 1 armor worth mentioning: HUSTLE. It Grants: 65frw, 40ias, 10all res, 20FHR, +6 Evade, 50% slower stamina drain and 10 Dexterity. As MLD is FRW based, this is to MLD what Enigma is to HLD. The +Evade is utterly mental for most builds at MLD and its introduction in D2R has brought so much balance to MLD its crazy.

Helmet

1. Arreats
Use Arreats when starting out. Easy, cheap, no brainer.
2. Magic 3Warcries 3BO 100 life 2soc
Get one of these when you can. It will save you a tonne of life when using Javs instead of swords (Low Requirements of everything). x2 30ed 9str 9dex jewels here. We dont use Rare 2Barb 3BO 2soc helmets here (let the HLD players have their bid wars) as it takes us over the FRW Cap. [ This FRW limit was a conscious decision to ensure people are not priced out of the best items at MLD ]

Armor

1. Hustle
There is no substitute.

Weapon

1. Swords - Highland Blade 400%ed erep (52% IAS required, 40 from Hustle, 20 from Gloves, done. easy. A legend sword only needs 34% IAS.)
2. Axes - Small Crescent 400%ed erep (89% IAS required, 40 from Hustle, 20 from Gloves, so you need + 30, either from jewels or weapon)
3. Maces - Don't bother with these
4. Javs - Stygians 400%ed erep (63% IAS required, so 10IAS on weapon or use a jewel. Hyperions only need 42% IAS)

Shield

1. Artisans Dragon Shield of Deflecting
You want x3 30ed/9str/9dex jewels here
2. ERep Grim shield 30/20 2soc with 150-200% edef
This is useful for those AR driven duels (not many of these, Shields or Duels)

Amulet

1. Rare 1barb 50-60life, 80-90mana + adds (Str/Dex/Res/Repl)
2. 3warcries/100 Life Amulet
3warcries/100 Amulets are cheap and highly effective. Not to be sneezed at. We dont use 3masteries/100 life amulets anymore (we did in D2LOD) as it takes you over the GM FRW Cap.

Gloves

1. 20ias/9Str/15Dex Gloves + adds (Resistances)
As a bonus you can look for Exceptional / Elite base and Edef, but thats just Gravy. 20ias/9str/15dex and some resistances is pretty much "IT".

Ring 1

Raven 20 Dex, 250AR - You are always wearing a Raven.

Ring 2

Rare 100-120AR Dual stat 13-15str 13-15dex 80-90 mana ring + adds (Repl Life, Resistances)
There are alot of rings like this in the market.

Belt

1. String 15/15
2. Crafted 24fhr 70-80life +OW
3. Rare 24fhr 60 life 15str + Resistances

Boots

1. War Trav's
With the FRW limits, again, We have put Gores out of reach (its a Barb Nerf, as Barbs are terrifyingly good at MLD)

Resistance Gear

Any lack of Resistances should be made up via charms until you have gear that gives you 75 all res. 3frw/11single res and 20life 11single res are worth using over having sub optimal resistance gear. Barbs typically dont have resistance issues though.

ferdia

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Jun 20 2024 04:55pm

5. Charms

1. x40 3/20/20
Best of Luck getting all these! You can be modest and go for 15-19ar charms as well
2. x10 10max/76ar/30Life and x10 3/20/20
A much cheaper alternative
3. x10 1Warcries/30Life and x10 3/15/20's
The Entrance Level Charms. Highly Effective in Team Duels and viable.

Combined with Hustle, War Trav's and Inc Speed from Skill, you do not need any FRW charms.

6. Stash Items

(a) String Of Ears
(b) Rare Belt 24fhr 60 life 15str + Res
(c) OW Belt 24fhr 10OW 80LIfe + Str / Res
(d) A 2nd Jav (or Sword / Axe) for when you want to Dual Wield

You will notice how you dont have to have alot of Stash Gear here. Yay!

7. Stats

Enough STR for Gear (Weapons)
Enough Dex for Max Block
All the rest into Vita

8. GM Rules and Limitations

In D2LOD Barbs had desync, it gave them a chance vs casters. The D2R solution is Hustle and a capped time limit for the caster to kill the Barbarian. It works quite well. Barbs have a capped FRW Limit (115) a Limit on WW (Max 1 Point) and some minor restrictions in specific matchups. Because Barbs are amazingly good.

9. Skills

1 Battle Command
20 Battle Orders
20 Weapon Mastery (Sword/Axe/Jav)
1 bash
1 stun
1 concentrate
1 leap
1 leap attack
1 WhirlWind
1 Shout
1 Howl
1 Iron Skin
1 Natural Resistance
1 Increased Stamina
1 Point Double Swing
1 Point Double Throw
x Increased Speed (enough to get to 115 FRW with BO and Items)
All remaining points into Throwing Mastery (if Javs) else where-ever you want.

maGeneSs

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Jun 21 2024 02:52am

yoo, there it is

am i always gonna use a shield, or do i use two weapons against casters?

ferdia

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Jun 21 2024 03:39am

Quote (maGeneSs @ Jun 21 2024 09:52am)

yoo, there it is ;)

am i always gonna use a shield, or do i use two weapons against casters?

in team duels you almost always use a shield
in 1v1 you will dual wield vs casters

there is a MLD tournament tonight if u want to see what its like.

ferdia

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Jun 26 2024 02:50am

ferdia

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Jun 26 2024 11:56pm

10. 1v1 PvP Strategy & Videos

Vs Windy Druid

In the current rules, you can use up to 5 Life Leech against a Druid, though we may ban Life Leech in these matches soon. For this encounter, dual wielding is crucial as it allows you to target both the Druid and their pets effectively.

Be cautious when engaging the Druid directly. It's challenging to stay alive while whirlwinding, so prolonging the duel through strategic clipping is often the best approach. If you have Spears, use double throw to eliminate the Druid's pets. This forces the Druid to constantly recast them, disrupting their strategy and playing into your hands if they fail to do so.

Try to predict the Druid's teleportation patterns and execute medium to long whirlwinds to catch them off guard. This anticipatory approach can give you the upper hand in the duel.

ferdia

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Jun 27 2024 03:19am

11. Team Duels PvP Strategy & Videos

In TvT you are trying to support your allies, that means no solo play that risks you outright dying, Your not God. Use Team Speak / Voice to co-ordinate, figure out what needs protecting and what can be killed efficiently.

Barb + Druid + Pala vs Druid + Pala + Pala

ferdia

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#10

Jun 27 2024 05:51am

Vs Bowa

Barb vs Bowa is currently Barb favored based on FRW limitations. The trick is to stay on them at all times and to either try to cut the Bowa's path off, or to attack at the same time as they attack you, or just after.

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