Big Sword and Shield Barb!

This is the original standard pvp barb build. I have modernized it for current gear. It is a very versatile barb with a low starting cost. They are good pub duelers and can really take advantage of the imprecise teleporting on console. they are also sword barbs with max block so they can be equipped with phase blades for pvm

The Sword
The best options for your sword are the grief zweihander and the grief colossus blade.
The zwiehander is faster with less strength requirement.
The cb does more damage. With the colossus blade you will need to reach 75 total ias for max ww speed.
(fyi the 09 options were Grandfather and Fury Balrog blade)
note: you really don't want to use phase blades in pvp with ww barbs. you can reach max ww speed with big swords and its short range will put you at a disadvantage vs other barbs and paladins

Stormshield
ss is your shield. you can use other shields but you need to spec your dex for max block around the stromshield. It is really the only option for BvB.

Armor = fortitude it's the best option for BvB and for double throw. you want to spec your strength around it.
(09=valor.)

rings = 2xravens This is for pvp use the dex to spec max block with ss. for pvm you will want a dual leech ring.

ammy = highlords you need the deadly strike the ias too.

boots = gores

belt=dungo
(09=soe will still work.)

gloves=dracs if sword is zweihander. if cb ias blood gloves.
(09=lavagout)

helm=arreats you are giving up a lot of stat points if you use something else.

(fyi if not mentioned the gear was standard gear for a barb in .09)

stats
strength = enough to use your sword without the stormshield. this is important because you don't want to leave your sword on your corpse in pub duel!
dex = enough to max block with 2x ravens.
vit= rest

skills
max ww
max bo
max blade mastery
max iron skin
1 to nat res
1 to run/walk speed
1 to double throw
1 to throw mastery
1 to taunt
1 to berserk

This leaves some skill points to customize however you want.

why: double throw
javelins were the most common wc weapons in 09. they were also used as a harassment tool in pvp. that works even better now with the damage from fortitude and venom from grief.
2x lacerators are useful in the swap for pvm. Even with only point to double throw and mastery clear hell p1 without using your sword.

why: taunt
because it's funny.
taunt is a useful skill in pvm. it helps to keep your merc alive. it helps to keep your team members alive.
it is also useful to annoy opponents in pvp.

That is how it was taught to me I think I modernized it correctly.

This post was edited by L8knightResurrected on Nov 12 2022 07:11am

Phoenix is cheap. Doesn't mean you should make a BVC, single.bvc ring will cost like 50 phoenix shields... And that's not even the Visio...


Also, I rate the guide 0/5, please include formatting, and additional useful information. This barb looks to be a bad BVA

This post was edited by Yuzu on Nov 12 2022 12:42am

all the gear for this build together cost less than a jah rune. idk what you mean by formatting. the barb is an adequate bvb with tricks a good overall pub dueler and good pvm barb and a bad bva. but you are right the guide sucks. i will edit.

This post was edited by L8knightResurrected on Nov 12 2022 04:52am