d2jsp
Log InRegister
d2jsp Forums > Diablo II > Diablo 2 Discussion > Strategy & Guides > Mld Barb Guide > D2:R
12Next
Add Reply New Topic New Poll
Views: 786Replies: 14Track Topic
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#1
Jul 25 2024 09:23am


1. Introduction to MLD and the Ruleset

2. Introduction to Barb's and your build

3. Breakpoints

4. Maxroll

5. Items

6. Charms

7. Stash Items

8. Stats

9. Skills

10. PvP Strategy & Videos


This post was edited by ferdia on Jul 25 2024 10:00am
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#2
Jul 25 2024 09:25am


1. Introduction to MLD & the Ruleset


Mid-Level Dueling (MLD) is the Level 49 dueling bracket in Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R). This bracket features time limits, Faster Run/Walk (FRW), and skill/item limitations to ensure balanced competition in both 1v1 and team duels.
Sorceresses and Druids may teleport, while Paladins can passive charge, and other classes run. The format is similar to Euro PvP (early 2000s) and DCL (Polish HLD League in D2R).
The ruleset is designed to avoid hard counters. Instead of focusing on what counters what, players should focus on which class they play best.
While there are difficult match-ups, with practice, skill, and the right gear, any class can win. The best class to use is the one you are most proficient with.

The Core builds (in rough order of strength) are:

1. Light Trapper
2. Bowa
3. WW Barb
4. Windy
5. ESFB
6. Blizz
7. Nec
8. VitaLight
9. V/T
10. Mage



The Bridge Map, or H Map




As with HLD PvP, MLD Duels take place on what is known as a Bridge, or H, Map. This is where there is a bridge at town, and another bridge which splits the Blood Moor in half as outlined in the image above.
As the bracket is FRW orientated, this is the best map available whereby the aggressor can hunt down the slower opponent. Cornering your opponent, especially vs Bowa and Nec, is one of the strategies employed at this bracket.


The transition from D2LOD to D2R

The release of D2R presented an opportunity to address several issues that had existed in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (D2LOD), including:

FRW limit adjustments due to the removal of desync.
Strengthened rules for Druids, who were the weakest MLD class in D2LOD - Windies may now level to 65.
Weakened Amazons, who were the strongest MLD class in D2LOD - Banned Decoy & Valk, Reduced Max Allowed Skill Points in Guided Arrow from 20 to 15.
Redesigned flawed builds, such as ESBlizz, which were too brittle in D2LOD - Reduced global Cold Resistance limits while re-orientated Cold Sorc skill distribution to Warmth.

D2R Patch 2.4 and 2.6 New Additions

The D2R patches also introduced significant changes:

(a) Necromancers and Assassins: Received a massive damage boost.
(b) Assassins: Recast delay on Dragon Flight and Shadow Master removed.
(c) Optimal FHR Breakpoint Limits reduced across the board.
(d) Armor Runeword "Hustle" Revolutionized the bracket by granting 65% FRW, 40% IAS, and +6 Evade in a single item. (virtually every class has a build that can use this armor, its the "Enigma" of MLD.

Time Limits

The Damage to Life ratio at MLD is such that it takes less hits to kill an opponent. i.e. 450% enhanced damage weapons and enough skill points to do serious damage, while only two classes have BO ( Druids and Barbarians ). This is optimal especially when noting the FHR changes. We have also adopted fixed time limits for duels and defined "Attackers" and "Defenders" which, in tandem with a fixed time limit of 3 minutes per round in 1v1 and 5 minutes per round in team duels, results in faster matches without protracted duels as seen in other brackets.

Current State of MLD

More than 30 MLD tournaments have been hosted in D2R, including a combination of 1v1 and team tournaments, with every class winning a tournament. We continue to make minor amendments to the rules, strengthening the weaker classes while weakening the stronger classes, addressing past imbalances, and incorporating new elements to maintain a competitive and enjoyable dueling environment.
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#3
Jul 25 2024 09:28am


2. Introduction to Barb's and your build


There is basically only 1 type of Barbarian at MLD - The WW Barbarian. The only real difference is between the weapons they use. In D2LOD the weapons used were typically Highland Blades or Legend Swords.
In D2R the Meta is either Stygians or Hyperion Javs (But Swords, Axes & Maces can still be used). Javs just enables both WW and Double Throw, which is a great utility to have especially vs Sorc and Druid.

Barbarians at MLD in D2R do more damage, have more life, and can tank more then their D2LOD brethren. How did this happen!?

(a) Whirlwind Damage has been increased per level
(b) The Introduction of a MLD specific rune-word "Hustle". It grants 40ias and Evade - solving alot of IAS-Weapon related issues while that the same time granting a double life boost, first from 65FRW and then from +Evade
(c) The availability of weapons, in particular erep Stygians and Hyperion Javs as a consequence of Cross-Realm trading, has made building GG Barbarians a formality.

As a consequence of all of the above Barbarians are now considered one of the best classes at MLD and the question is not how to buff barbarians, but rather how to nerf them.

Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#4
Jul 25 2024 09:40am


3. Breakpoints


Whirlwind Speed


Highland Blade - 52% IAS needed. Thats 40% from Hustle and 20% from Gloves. Easy.
Legend Sword - 34% IAS needed. Thats 40% from Hustle. Even easier then a Highland.
Note that for Swords at MLD, as a consequence of the IAS boost from Hustle, you do not need IAS on the weapon. So 400%-450%ed Eth Rep and away you go.

Stygian Pilum - 63% IAS needed. Thats 40% from Hustle, 20% from Gloves, and you just have to get either 10% from Weapon, or use an IAS jewel.
(86%IAS for 12FPA Double throw)

Hyperion Javalin - 42% IAS needed. Thats 40% from Hustle and 20% from Gloves. Easy.
(60%IAS for 12FPA Double Throw or 120% IAS for 11FPA Double Throw)

Faster Run Walk

115%FRW - This is attained typically in the following fashion: 65% FRW from Hustle, 25% FRW from War Trav and 25% FRW from Inc FRW (with Battle Command Active).
115%FRW is the limit allowed under the ruleset.

Faster Hit Recovery

We do not care about FHR on a Barbarian
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#5
Jul 25 2024 09:46am


4. Maxroll


The website, Maxroll, should be used to theory craft your character to perfection.

Here is the MAXROLL Link to a MLD Barb : https://maxroll.gg/d2/d2planner/4bi40ugl



This post was edited by ferdia on Jul 25 2024 09:55am
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#6
Jul 25 2024 09:49am


5. 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 Axes or Maces as the range is too low, and swords have very high requirements. Note that While Rep Quantity is desired on Javs, with changes to Barb skills, Rep Quantity 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 - The starter helmet for MLD Barbs. Use Arreats when starting out. Easy, cheap, no brainer.
2. Magic 2Barb (or 3Warcries) 3BO 90-100 life 2soc. Get one of these when you can. It will save you a a lot of life when using Javs instead of swords (Low Requirements of everything). x2 30ed 9str 9dex jewels here.

Armor

1. Hustle in Dusk Armour There is no substitute.

Weapon

1. Oath Swords or Axes - Eth Oath Highland Blade // Eth Oath Small Crescent - The starter Weapons
2. Rare erep Highland Blade or Legend Sword - You are looking for 370-450% ED here
3. Javs - Stygians or Hyperions 350-450%ed erep. You can live without IAS on the Stygians (but you will have to socket a Ias jewel in your helmet). Ideally 10IAS on the Stygians, no IAS required on the Hyperions.

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 Melee 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. IK Gloves + Belt Combo - Starter items
2. 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

1. Raven 20 Dex, 250AR - You are always wearing a Raven.
2. Rare 100-120AR Dual stat 13-15str 13-15dex 80-90 mana ring + adds (Repl Life, Resistances)

Belt

1. String 15/15 - The best belt without a shadow of a doubt
2. Crafted 24fhr 70-80life +OW - For when you dont want to use String
3. Rare 24fhr 60 life 15str + Resistances - As Above, Dual Res can be useful on both Craft and Rare Belts

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)
We banned GoreRiders, remember your build is a monster, we had to nerf it. If gores were allowed they would be the best boots to use.

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.


What a Starter Barb should look like




What an upgraded Barb should look like


Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#7
Jul 25 2024 09:58am


6. 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. x40 20life/36ar - These are now much more affordable then compared to when D2r first came out
4. 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.

7. Stash Items

(a) String Of Ears
(b) Rare Belt 24fhr 60 life 15str + Res ideally Light and Fire Res here
(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 do not have to have a lot of Stash Gear here. Yay!

8. Stats

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

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.


This post was edited by ferdia on Jul 25 2024 09:58am
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#8
Jul 25 2024 10:02am
10. PvP Strategy & Videos


Barb 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 at some point. 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 whirl-winding, 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.




This post was edited by ferdia on Jul 25 2024 10:02am
Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#9
Jul 25 2024 10:04am
10. PvP Strategy & Videos


Barb vs Hammer


For Barb vs Hammer, you want to be patient and not blindly change into a hammerfield, try to catch the paladin out.
Use your double throw if you have Javs and try not to be predictable in your movement


Member
Posts: 56,336
Joined: Jan 19 2007
Gold: 574,509.86
#10
Jul 25 2024 10:05am
10. PvP Strategy & Videos


Barb vs Trapper


For Barb vs Trapper, the trick is to stay on the trapper at all times, and punish him when the traps expire.
You do not want to give the Trapper any space to recast traps, you wan to stay on top of her at all times.


Go Back To Strategy & Guides Topic List
12Next
Add Reply New Topic New Poll

© 2003-2026 d2jsp  Contact