DwayneGAnd
Diabloii.Net Member
Apparently, the Amazon is not the only character who can fight from a distance. The Barbarian can do this too, just not as effectively due to the lack of cool combat skills when all he has is Double Throw.
Due to the fact that the best self-replenishing weapons are uniques that don't come until later difficulties and that it can get costly and repetitive to visit the town blacksmith to replenish your stock, I found it more effective to use him in melee for now, using throwing only for the most dangerous mobs and for picking off foes across obstacles. Only once you get self-replenishing uniques should you switch to throwing full-time. In the beginning, I pumped Double Swing for the cheap mana attack (later mana free at level 9), then switched to Frenzy once it became effective, though I only kept it at level one. I maxed Double Throw next. I plan to max both Shout and Battle Orders as well, getting a point in Battle Command and in each of the combat masteries, except for Throwing Mastery which will be maxed. The point in Frenzy can be used in melee before switching to throwing for increased movement and throwing speed.
Here is the endgame planned hireling and equipment setup:
Act 2 Nightmare Offensive
Andariel's Visage (increased attack speed, skill levels, and life leech)
Treachery (increased attack speed and chance to cast fade)
Obedience Cryptic Axe (crushing blow)
Helmet: Giant Skull (knockback, sockets, and crushing blow)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath (increased attack speed and deadly strike)
Armor: Fortitude Archon Plate (increased damage and resistances)
Weapon 1: Warshrike (piercing, deadly strike, increased attack speed, self replenishing)
Weapon 2: Lacerator (chance to cast amplify damage, prevent monster heal, increased attack speed, self replenishing)
Swap Weapons: 2 Heart of the Oak Flails (increased skill levels for prebuffing)
RIng 1: Raven Frost (cannot be frozen, increased dexterity)
Ring 2: Rare Dual Leech Ring
Belt: Razortail (piercing)
Boots: Sandstorm Trek (increased running speed)
Gloves: Laying of Hands (increased attack speed and damage to demons)
I'll have 26 skill points left according to my notes, though I've already gotten both Taunt and Battle Cry which are mandatory for all Barbarian builds. Shout will also be maxed to increase the duration of Battle Orders and Command. And then there's the point in Frenzy. That won't leave me with any skill points left if I do this. How does my equipment and hireling setup for endgame look? Should anything be changed?
Due to the fact that the best self-replenishing weapons are uniques that don't come until later difficulties and that it can get costly and repetitive to visit the town blacksmith to replenish your stock, I found it more effective to use him in melee for now, using throwing only for the most dangerous mobs and for picking off foes across obstacles. Only once you get self-replenishing uniques should you switch to throwing full-time. In the beginning, I pumped Double Swing for the cheap mana attack (later mana free at level 9), then switched to Frenzy once it became effective, though I only kept it at level one. I maxed Double Throw next. I plan to max both Shout and Battle Orders as well, getting a point in Battle Command and in each of the combat masteries, except for Throwing Mastery which will be maxed. The point in Frenzy can be used in melee before switching to throwing for increased movement and throwing speed.
Here is the endgame planned hireling and equipment setup:
Act 2 Nightmare Offensive
Andariel's Visage (increased attack speed, skill levels, and life leech)
Treachery (increased attack speed and chance to cast fade)
Obedience Cryptic Axe (crushing blow)
Helmet: Giant Skull (knockback, sockets, and crushing blow)
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath (increased attack speed and deadly strike)
Armor: Fortitude Archon Plate (increased damage and resistances)
Weapon 1: Warshrike (piercing, deadly strike, increased attack speed, self replenishing)
Weapon 2: Lacerator (chance to cast amplify damage, prevent monster heal, increased attack speed, self replenishing)
Swap Weapons: 2 Heart of the Oak Flails (increased skill levels for prebuffing)
RIng 1: Raven Frost (cannot be frozen, increased dexterity)
Ring 2: Rare Dual Leech Ring
Belt: Razortail (piercing)
Boots: Sandstorm Trek (increased running speed)
Gloves: Laying of Hands (increased attack speed and damage to demons)
I'll have 26 skill points left according to my notes, though I've already gotten both Taunt and Battle Cry which are mandatory for all Barbarian builds. Shout will also be maxed to increase the duration of Battle Orders and Command. And then there's the point in Frenzy. That won't leave me with any skill points left if I do this. How does my equipment and hireling setup for endgame look? Should anything be changed?