Wondering if using HoTo as an offhand for Zerk Barb is viable option or does the cold damage on HoTo ruin the Hork / Item Find?

Assuming I don’t care about more MF. HoTo offhand seems to allow hitting FCR breakpoint, resists and all skills (better than Wizzy) which would be nice to not have to swap weapons to tele or hork every time.

I would hoto swap and wear Phoenix or SS. Tbh

Does anyone know if HoTo would work as an offhand for Zerk Barb? Or does the cold damage on HoTo take effect even if its on offhand?

you know this sounds like a great idea actually.

+20 life rep as well.

Berserk only uses main hand to attack so cold damage on offhand wont matter unless you get hit with mana burn and end up normal attacking because oom, in which case the cold damage will apply because you'll start whacking away with the Hoto.


Side note: Don't use eth for style points like I did either for the same reason.

This post was edited by Swirl on Apr 2 2026 08:51am

Interesting. Do you know what IAS is needed to hit max frames for Grief Phase Blade + HoTo Flail?

Not particularly, but iirc 42% is the goal, so 32+ Grief PB and Goldwrap/LoH/IAS Jewel somewhere.

Thanks. Will give this a try. Not sure why people don't recommend HoTo offhand as much then (typically SS, Wizzy, Gull, etc.)

sb

Better barbs than me probably know but my guess:

SS - Block
Wizzy - 10% more fcr, more resists, mana
Gull - budget 6 Ist cs
6 Lem - gold find
Ali - combo mf/gold find

Hoto is a great general use but if you're after what it does then Wizzy does it all better at the cost of +3 skills, which is an easy trade especially if you hork on swap.