Hello Classic Players !

Writing this guide because I've noticed that it does not yet exsist in the "Guide" Section stickied at the top of this page.
This guide is really focused on US EAST CLASSIC SOFTCORE BVB - Europe has some different rules.
There are many approaches and ideas about how to build your barb and what to wear.
Classic Bvb is VERY different from expansion Bvb because of different breakpoints and items. Many people will attempt to make a classic Bvb and may not know how to approach it.
This guide will go over what is CURRENTLY possible on the most up to date diablo2 patch. It will not include mods / tips about pre-expansion items.

What this guide will go over

A-Differences between expansion and classic as it pertains to Bvb
B-What items you will want to aquire for your barbarian
C-What skills/stats to use when building a Bvb
D-What some common builds include/methods of building your Bvb
E-Some common "rules" applied to Classic Bvb and the GM Bvb community

The maximum mods an item on classic can have at any given time is 6. (SIX) . So I am going to provide the best possible 6 modifications that classic BvB items can have, but i will include other bonus mods to mix/match!

A-Differences between expansion and classic as it pertains to Bvb

-Classic bvb has no need for Increased Attack Speed (IAS) on weapons. Unlike expansion, where IAS increases your chance to hit your opponent, on classic it has no added value for whirlwind.
-Faster Hit Recovery also has no added value to high level whirlwind Bvb , as it does not increase your chance to recover during or after whirlwind, nor does it increase your chance to block
-Added Dex does not increase your chance to block , as it does on expansion, if you choose to use a weapon that does not require dex, you do NOT need to add extra dex to your barbarian.
-There are no RUNEWORDS on classic, your best items will be RARE items, I will go over the best possible rare items in the B area below
[B]
Sections B,C,D,E Below![/B]

B-What items you will want to aquire for your Barbarian

I will go over the stats / skills you want to get later, this is a section that will explain WHAT items you want and HOW you want them to be modded.

Body Armor- The best body armor for your BvB is an Ornate Plate. An ornate plate requires 170 Str (136 -20req) (119 -30req). And can have between 400 - 902 Defense based upon Mods
-The Perfect Classic Bvb Ornate will have 100% Enhanced Defense mod. This is the MAXIMUM % of defense that can spawn on a classic item.(902 Defense)
-The maximum number of strength that will spawn on an orante is 15. You want as much strength as possible on your ornate.
-The maximum number of life that will spawn on an ornate is 60. The closer to 60 the better.
-The maximum number of dex that will spawn on an ornate is 9.

In Summary:
902 Ornate Plate
100% Enhanced Defence
+15 Strength
+9 Dex
+60 Life
(P Amethist Socket) = The More Strength The Better.

These are the MAIN stats that make up the BEST possible ornate on classic. Bonus mods to look for would be: -20/-30 Requirements / 15 Attack raiting *Max on classic for Ornate*
As a Bvb you do not need Resistances so they are not required on your ornate

Weapon(s)- The main weapons used on classic to Bvb are the
Battle Hammer (mace class) 1 Handed Weapon (100 Strength to use)
The Executioner's Blade (Sword class) 1 Handed / 2 Handed Weapon (170 Strength / 110 Dex to use)
The Naga (Axe class) 1 Handed Weapon (121 Strength to use)

Why only these weapons? : The top weapons have the best combination of range/damage output/ requirements on classic. Many other item types exsist on classic, but the below mods will apply to each and every one of them. Feel free to use others, but the top 3 will be your BEST choices.

For any weapon you want to get as close as possible to perfect. The perfect Enhanced Damage mod on classic is 200%. And for +Maximum Damage you will be looking at +20 as a maximium. (+10 Min is also a great stat to have on any of the above weapons, when added along with maximum your mod will appear like this (Adds 10-20 Damage). Which is the top possible mod aside from 200% Enhanced Damage.
-The Maximum attack raiting to spawn on classic weapons is +300.
-The Maximum strength to spawn on a classic weapon is +20. This is always a great mod to have on classic. Without charms/runewords, your stats are only added by your items you have equipped.
-The maximum Life to spawn on a classic weapon is +40. The more life the better!
-The maximum skill(s) to spawn on a classic weapon is +2 Barbarian Skills.. Because you do not have charms you will be greatly bonused by +2 skills on your weapon on classic (More attack raiting/ Defense / Damage)

In Summary:
Weapon of Choice
200% Enhanced Damage
Adds 10-20 Damage
+2 Barbarian Skills
+300 Attack Raiting
+20 Strength
(P Amethist) - Adds 150 Attack raiting, best possible option on classic for your weapon.

These are the main mods to look for on classic weapons.REMEMBER, getting the above mods ALL on one item is a near impossibility, you will strive to get AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE to the above mods, remember.. this is a guide!
Some Bonus Mods include:

-Lightning Damage
-Fire Damage
-Cold Damage
-Minus Requirements (Especially nice on Executioner Blades!)
-Posion Damage
-+Health

Rest of B Below!

B - Continued :

Shield - The main shields to use on classic Bvb will be a Pavise (133 Strength to use) and a Grim Shield (58 Strength to use)
The main difference between these two shields are : Block Rate % VS Total Defense. The Pavise has a Maximum Defense potential of 158. The Grim Shield has a maximum Defense potential of 302. But the block rate of the pavise is 69% VS the grim shield's 65%. This may not seem like alot.. but on classic , as stated in A., Dex does NOT add block rate %, so the 4% makes a big difference.
As for mods you want on your shield, the following are the BEST options.

-The top Defense on classic shields is 100% Enhanced Defense
-The top maximum damage to spawn on classic shields is +4
-The top Block/Block Rate to spawn on classic shields is 30/20.
-The top strength to spawn on classic shields is +9

In Summary:
Pavise or Grim Shield
100% Enhanced Defense
30/20 Block/Block Rate
+4 Maximum Damage
+9 Strength
(P Amethist) -Adds +30 Defense, best option on classic for your shield.

Some bonus mods to look for:

-75% Posion Length Reduced(Red Color / Good vs posion socket)
-11% Damage goes to Mana (Blue color / Good to regain Mana)
-Minus Requirements
-Attacker Takes Damage of (1-6) (Orange Color/ A small number of damage is returned to the aggressor when you are attacked)
-20 All Resistances (Pink color/ Same rule applies here as all classic bvb armor)

Helmet - The best classic Bvb Helmet is the Grim Helmet (58 Strength to use).

-The Maximum defense possible on a helmet is 100% Enhanced Defense (252 on the Grim Helmet, top defense possible on a classic helmet)
-The maximum life possible on a helmet is +40.
-The maximum attack raiting possible to spawn on a helmet is +30
-The maximum attack raiting % possible to spawn on a classic helmet is 5%

In Summary:
Grim Helm
100% Enhanced Defense
+30 Attack Raiting OR 5% Attack Raiting (results vary based upon character level , level 90+ , 5% is usually a better option)
+40 Life
(P Amethist) - Best socket for your Bvb Helm! Adds +10 Strength , The more strength the better!

Some bonus mods to look for :

-+10 Energy *adds mana, not helpful but common.
-+Resists , not all too important for bvb , but will help vs elemental weapons being used by other barbarians.

Gloves - War Gauntlets are the best classic gloves (110 Strength required)

-The maximum Defense on classic is 100%. (108 Defense when worn)
-The maximum Strength on classic gloves are +9
-The maximum DEX on classic gloves are +15
-The maximum attack raiting on gloves are +20
-The maximum attack raiting % on gloves are +5%

In Summary:
War Gauntlets
100% Enhanced Defense
+20 Attack Raiting OR 5% Attack raiting (same rule applies here as the Grim Helmet)
+9 Strength
+15 Dex

Some bonus mods to look for:

-Half Freeze Duration (very good against cold damage users, this will get you out of being slowed by cold damage a bit quicker)
-Resistances (Same rule applies on all classic armor above)

Rest of B Below!

B - Continued :

Boots - Because of crushing blow , you are going to want to use the UNIQUE item : Goblin Toes. (60% Enhanced Defense = Perfect Goblin Toes) (50 Strength to use) Light Plated Boots (unique type)

-The maximum Defense for goblin toes is 34 (60% Enhanced Defense)
-All of the other modifications on this UNIQUE type boot remain the same.

The reason you use these instead of 100% Enhanced Defense War Boots is that you NEED the crushing blow on classic. It adds heavy damage to your whirlwinds.

In Summary:
Goblin Toes - Unique Light Plated Boots
25% Chance of Crushing Blow - (Key Damage dealer in Bvb on classic)
60% Enhanced Defense (Maximum on this unique boot)
+15 Defense -(same on all pairs)
Damage Reduced by 1 (same)
Magic Damage Reduced by 1 (same)
-1 Light Radious (Same)

Belt - War Belt ( 110 Strength Required to use) Highest possible defense on classic on a belt.

-The top Enhanced Defense possible on a classic belt is 100%.
-The top Strength on a classic belt is +20
-The top Life on a classic belt is +60
-The top Attack Raiting on a classic belt is +15

In Summary:
War Belt
+100% Enhanced Defense
+20 Strength
+60 Life
+15 Attack Raiting

Bonus mods to look for:

-Resistances , same goes for this as any Bvb armor.

Rings + Amulet

A common mistake made by players is they try and find very good RARE rings to use w/ Max/Min/AR/Life/Str/Dex. The idea is nice, but the benefit is a lot less than using angelics.
The Angelic 2 Piece set bonus adds massive attack raiting PER ring(over 900 attack raiting per ring at level 90) (2x Angelic Rings) and +75 Life +10 Dex. (when worn with amulet)

-2x Angelic Rings
-1x Angelic Amulet (This also provides you with the means to gain mana, 50% Damage you recieve is returned to you in mana) Without mana leech in duels, this is essential.

use ww + 2x sharp

10/10

C-What skills/stats to use when building a Bvb

This is a very important step, no matter what items from above you manage to acquire, none of them will matter if you BUILD your barbarian incorrectly or just plain bad.

STATS: - Your stats will depend on the WEAPON type you choose. For AXE / MACE weapons (Naga or Battle Hammer) You will want to use the following build as a guide.

I am going to list every skill you want to max, all skills in betweeen (Required skills to reach next step in tier) are to be left at 1.

-20 Whirlwind
-20 Shout
-20 Battle Orders
-20 Weapon Mastery( Choose 1: Maces/Axes/Swords)
-1 Commanding Shout (+All skills)
-The Remaining leftover points in IRON SKIN untill max (20 at lvl 96!)

Your main purpose is to fight other barbarians. You do not need natural resistance or run/walk to do it. Nor do you need Beserk.

D-What some common builds include/methods of building your Bvb

The top priority for your Bvb :

Attack Raiting w/ Whirlwind
Damage w/ Whirlwind
Overall Life w/ Battle Orders
Overall Defense w/ Shout

The key to a Bvb is balance. You want to have the best possible balance of Attack Raiting/Damage/Life/Defense.

For an Executioner Barbarian - It is always helpful to review the ITEM MOD section (A) to see -Requirements being very helpful to an executioner barb's build.

Why would you want to use a weapon that requires so much strength/dex? -The RANGE of the weapon provides you with a slight upper hand when dueling a Battle Hammer or a Naga Bvb.
You can use this range to hit your opponent without them hitting you. That is a pretty obvious advantage.

As for Stats: Keep the strength / dex as low as possible to still equip our executioner's blade when all of your gear is warn. (170 str/110 dex base is what you need to use an executioners blade - But remember, your items add strength/Dex! make sure to remember that when adding stats to your barb)

Rest of C below!

End of C = D - Continued :

A possible build For Executioner Bvb is:

Ranging : Using your weapon's range to gain an advantage over an enemy who is using a weapon of a lesser range.
You can accomplish this by being patient, timing your whirlwinds and to be quick with the mouse. This is a technique that takes practice, but can be deadly when perfected.

Strength : 130 (You will probably have atleast +40 strength from your bvb equipment , so you can use your executioner's blade)
Dex : 100 (your angelic ring gives you +10 dex, this will give you the extra dex you need to use your blade)
Vit : All remaining points ( You will have MUCH lower strength than that of the battle hammer or naga barb, but you have that range! You will need to practice how to range your opponent yourself, a tip is to TIME your whirlwinds!
Ene: Do not add any points to this. On any Bvb Build.

A possible build for battle hammer or naga Bvb is:

All stats are prior to equipping items (Base stats)

Strength: 100-120 (Depending on the quality of your belt/gloves/shield/ornate, you may want to adjust your base strength between 100 and 120, your main goal is to be able to use the 170 strength ORNATE PLATE after all of your gear is equipped.
Dex:] For both naga and battle hammer barbarians you DO NOT NEED added dex. Remember, it does nothing on classic for your block rate. It does add a small bit of defense and attack raiting, but LIFE and STRENGTH are more important
Vit: For classic Bvb, life is key, add ALL remaining points into vitality after you customize your barb to use his 170 strength ornate. (385-430) are key numbers to shoot for, if your barbarian is leveled 90-95.
Energy: You dont need more mana to bvb, leave this one alone.

**It is a common mistake to just add 170 Base strength. The idea is that you will still have high life and you will also have very high damage. You want to avoid adding needless strength or dex. As I've said , more life the better. You are maximizing strength on GEAR not on character creation. You want your gear to provide the strength you need to have the BALANCE that is required to have a top notch bvb.**
Remember, Balance is everything! It simply comes down to it that a barb with 1000 damage and 3500 life will lose to a barb with 900 damage and 4200 life. You do not leech in duels on classic or expansion, so having high life is very important.
E-Some common "rules" applied to Classic Bvb and the GM Bvb community

-Europe and East vary here-

US East : You are allowed to use Battle Orders gear
On Europe : It is not good manner to pre-buff your barbarian with Battle Orders gear

Battle Orders Gear on Classic:
These are the items that give you extra skills. You use them to maximize your battle orders/shout, this will give you the maximum # of health/defense on classic.
(+31 Battle Orders / +31 Shout is MAX.) That is +20 Base +11 All Skills

How to get +11 All Skills on classic? :

-Tarn Helm (+1 All Skills Helm Slot)
-Silks Of the Victor (+1 All skills Body Armor Slot) Or Beserkers Armor (+1 Barbarian Skills)
-Stone Ring of Jorden 2x (SOJ - 1 x in Each Ring Slot)+2 All Skills
-Beserker's Amulet (+2 Barbarian Skills) This can be magic or Rare . (+2 Barbarian skills)
-+2 Barbarian Skills Weapon 2X (Usually a one handed weapon with LOW Strength/No dex requirements) +4 Barbarian Skills
**On classic a CLUB/Gladus/CUDGLE/MACE (3 slot) weapon are favorites, but you can use what ever your build allows**
-Commanding Shout (You will have 1 point in this Barbarian ability, it is your 11th Point)

By Pre-buffing yourself , using the above gear, it will give you the best chance to win a duel.

GM BVB Dueling Rules:

These really depend on who you are dueling.
It is widely accepted to type "G" or "g" or "GO" PRIOR to dueling. This is mandatory in all Bvb tournaments on classic east.
If you wish to duel someone, also mention it to them in chat prior to attacking them.
DO NOT USE HEALTH POTIONS - Obviously this is against the rules.
You are allowed to use mana potions.
To determine a true winner, duels are fought 5 times, the first to reach 5 wins is the true victor. (often seen as FT5). Ties are counted but not as wins or losses , they have their own separate stat

Strength glitching : GM or BM?
Strength glitching is when you use every means possible to obtain the strength required to use an item.
For Bvb : you will want to use every piece of gear possible to meet the minimum requirements to wear an item,
HOWEVER: By using RINGS that you normally would NOT use in a bvb duel to equip an item( such as 2x +15 strength rings) to "Strength glitch" on your ornate or executioner's blade, this is considered BM.

Strength glitching can be BOTH GM and BM:

**GM Str Glitching: Using your Bvb Grim Helm / War Gauntlets/ Shield/ War Belt's added str/dex to equip your ornate/weapon. (This does not include the use of RINGS or Amulets!)
**BM Str Glitching: Using All of your Bvb Grim Helm / War Gauntlets/ Shield/ War Belt's added str/dex to equip your ornate/weapon AND Rings AND Amulet AND BO STICKS.

You will not use your Bo sticks/rings/amulet to duel with ,so you cannot use them prior to the duel to glitch on your equipment, that would be BM.

Well everyone - This is your guide to classic useast softcore Bvb - If you apply the tips/tricks/rules to this you can begin your search for the items you need to jump right into the classic bvb community!

Thank you all for reading ! I am looking forward to seeing your feedback.

Please forward this guide to this mod for it to be sticked in the "Classic Guide" Section = http://forums.d2jsp.org/user.php?i=110138

Thank you !