hello guys, just 99ed a sorc and im gonna lvl a barb now (gonna play BO barb in group most likely) and wanna have a pvp setup to pub here and there...
followed DHA barb guide years ago and im sure it still works... just wanted to ask if anything changed, i heard about new IAS and not needing beast?
or if you can recommend a "good vs anything" setup so i dont need to buy expensive circlets and switch setups alot for pubbing...
friend of mine recommended me gully/coa setup with fcr amulet and arach 63fcr, what u guys think is a good simple setup for pubs?

thanks

This post was edited by KKIINNGG on Oct 31 2023 05:39am

Hey man! I've been a barb player on D2R since season 1 and i can say, there are some good and not-so-good changes to barb in the current state of D2R in terms of PvP.

In terms of whirlwind functionality, since patch 2.4 implemented the FHR/Stun Nerf, you cannot stunlock your opponent anymore with tight tri-whirls so that's considered not-so-good. They removed the "ww bug" that's been happening since the days of LoD, wherein you can be "locked" on an enemy if you accidentally clicked your ww skill directly on the enemy, which is a wonderful and much-appreciated change. As for the ww IAS in current D2R patch, the overall attack speed of ALL your items will now be taken into consideration, including other sources like Fanaticism Aura, as well as hostile -attack speed sources like Decrepify, Clay Golem, Holy Freeze, etc. so you do need to also be ready for any gear adjustments you'll be needing (use this WW IAS calculator to know more - https://warren1001.github.io/IAS_Calculator/). This is also the reason why you still need Beast in your off-hand but i think dual grief is also in a better spot now. Still, you cannot underestimate the stats Beast give you.

For dual-wielding, i believe the weapons' IAS will be averaged (rounded up) and added to the overall attack speed from all your other gears and, whether it is a good thing or not is still up for debate. Short tri-whirls, however, are i think in a better spot now as the first attack of ww now makes an attack with both of your weapons on that first hit, DRASTICALLY increasing DPS.

As D2R PvP matchups are still not that great compared to LoD because of how necros, druids and assassins dominate the moor, barbs can still be competitive in a controlled and tournament setting. Rules for GM maxblock (around 30-50%, depends on the tour) are being implemented across various D2R PvP groups and discords to try and make barbs a playable class. In pubs, however, don't expect to win every single time because barbs are i think the most susceptible to be BMed by others (75% block + clay golem or 75% block + mass druid zoo + holy freeze, etc). I personally still use and follow DHA's 63 FCR pvp barb guide and it still works wonders for me. But if you're going for the 40 FCR breakpoint, you may have to at least have CoA, Gface, Arreats and Kiras versus specific classes. I have circlets that doesnt even have 2os in them (basic 2/20FCR with a bit resists or stats, etc) but can still dominate.

Dha guide still holds its ground after ias changes.

You may have secondary Grief + beast in -10wsm axes to help vs slow.

In cube you should have this:
6bo helm
Demon limb
3wc ammu
2 sojs/bk

U also have space for an arach in cube incase ur currently not using it.

Another helm which is great in cube is:
3bo metamorphosis.
By using ur beast to turn to bear, and hit a monster while in bear shape you will recieve 25% increased EIAS and 20% DR add until you die or leave game.
That will drastic help, espesially if people bm you.

nice thank you @Aiuraaa @gel87

about the setup... would u guys play 2/20 no visio + HL vs gully/arreat + fcr amu??? i doubt i will get my hands on a gg circlet like that in ladder so 2/20 cham with +res +mana is my best bet i think

63 FCR vs your typical casters is a must-have. I mostly don't remove highlords because of the overall DPS it give to barbs with high chance to deadly strike per charlvl. Gully/arreats can still be used in conjunction with highlords, although you might have to settle for 40 FCR bp. If you still need 63 FCR with gully/arreats, i think it's possible with all its defensive stats but HL is still superior in terms of DPS.

Personally, i'd still choose the "budget" 2/20/no visio/mana/@res/1 socket with Cham or Lo + highlords. Again, i can't stress the importance of HL as a BvC.

These are the helms i've been using since i started playing BvC. Still works wonders to this day.

vs. Pure Trappers and other Lightning-based toons - Corpse Casque
vs Other classes (Particularly Necros, Elemental sorcs) - Brimstone Visage

DHA's guide isn't "simple". it isn't for pub duels either. you really don't want to max leap unless it is for team duels. idk if fcr is necessary for pubs either. there are tons of bvb type barbs, smiters, and bow zons in pubs. bvcs usually loose a lot. bva's are pub duelers and simple. if you go bvc though a 50dr set up is a must.