Hey everyone
I will do my first barb playthrough.

I have not decided on a build path, never really played a bard (every other class though)

Skills?
For the playthrough, I would of course like it to be fun and not too slow, from what I grasped double swing/frenzy would be the best way?

Equipment?
Options regarding equipment are that I will be playing online and have already some stuff found (all basic sets and runewords are available, nothing expensive/high cost).

Merc?
Which merc should I use, what would come in handy?


Finally
It would be amazing if someone could give some suggestions or link posts of people who already broke this stuff down. Since I am not experienced with barb at all, it would be amazing to know what combination of skills and equipment would be great. (Like which base item to make a runeword in, which sets are particularly good and what stats to look out for e.g. AR/Max dmg/IAS...)

Yo go throwbarb. Fun, effective.

From level 6 i suggest you use death gloves and belt.
Sigons boots, helm and possible armor.
Some ammu.
Whatever rings.
Manald ring from lvl 15 if i remember correct.
Armor can be whatever though, stealth is nice but lvl 19 or smt.

This should comfortable bring you true normal.
Use whatever javs or throwing knives you find.

From level 34 u can use guillaume and strings.

Throw is safer, meanwhile 2 x fully ral’ed sword might have higher dps.
5ctc amp jav will speed up things more.

Leech is covered etc, there are cheap throwables which are unicue.

Mid - late:
Strings
Duress - Forti/eni
Gores
Cats - Hl
20ias/adds - loh
Unicue throwables

Lvl 1 frenzy can boost ias

Yeah either double throw or whirlwind

Double swing until lvl24
Or double swing until lvl30 then respect

Sigon / death / angelic are very useful to get yourself started

Tal tal tal swords for normal
When you hit 27 you use dual honor naga or zweihander

Must have some crushing blow
Low level might be uniques like crushflange or rattlecage armor or goblin toe

At lvl 30+ you got string of ears and gface
Twitchthroe armor then rattlecage then hustle then Enigma
Gloves aim for laying of hands
Death gloves + upgraded belt (requires lvl29) can work until hell and even further

Weapons upgraded:
Basically anything up to lvl17 then
Dual tal tal tal weapons (flails are good)
Dual honor (naga / zweihander are good)
Then play with
Hustle / lawbringer / oath / unbending will
Until you got: Dual grief

Ideally at lvl60+ you got smthg like

Gface cham'ed
Enigma
Highlord
Dual grief phase blade
Dual leech rings
Loh + gore + arach or soe (depends if you want tele fast or safety)

20 into whirlwind
1 into zerk for physical immunes
20 into sword or axe mastery (only one depending on your weapons ofc but always use twice the same type)
Then whatever
20 bo?
20 find potions + 5 find items? Got a good % to find item this way
2-5 natural res

Have fun mate

This post was edited by Fonzy69 on Dec 9 2025 05:06pm

try frenzy

death in eth berserker axe

ebotd in berserker axe

arreats

string

hilord

raven/dwarf

LOH or crafted 20 ias 10 cb

upped toes

armor whatever you like treachery is cheap and usefull

can do ubbers

20 fenzy
20 bo
1 each hability and so

This post was edited by SusanaCordoba on Dec 10 2025 02:20pm

Wow... barb is going to be a little tough mid levels without gear etc.

From level 1... definitely use white javs and throw, even if one handed, you can also double throw without the skill (PC and Mouse, left click & right click). and also have them on switch, because you run out fast. Lowest skill would be Double Strike, so when low on javs, run in and use that skill.

Get to level 15, easiest is to clear all monsters in Act1 to Tristram (Saving Cain) ... re run Cain for drops (Normal) you may get some decent items for low level. From level 15, work on getting to Andy, also, get to level 24 in Act 2 before being rushed (if you are lucky).

Anyway, the best set/unique items you could use is;

Angelic Amulet, 2x Rings and Armor.
Ravenclaw bow (you don't need to be Melee all the time)
Sigons Helm and Gloves for the +2 Set items IAS and life leech
... I don't really use the sigon partial set personally, just added it in

I played Hardcore, so I pumped my Vitality to a base of 75 and saved all other points for gear later in levels... to used to the "no respec" items that now exist etc.

You need an End goal build in your mind and what items will fit with it.

You like frenzy ... this was one of the best builds in 1.09 PvM, and now that Iron Maiden doesn't really exist, it is a ton safer to build. It is an old MF build (or Gold)... however I went with Berserker barb.

In the early stages... Large charms with +3 stats (str/dex) will help you with equipping items, other charms are up to your discretion.

Could try to give you more advice, however I haven't played for a long time now. Oh.. the rogue actually comes in handy early levels even to act 1 Hell... depending on your build and items for the Rogue.

Everything was more fun with wsm bug