This is a guide to the Barbarian class in Diablo 4 (Diablo IV). Read on to learn everything about the Barbarian class including the Barbarian's unique ability, the Barbarian's skills, all the strengths and weaknesses of the Barbarian, the best stats to increase for the Barbarian, and how to play the Barbarian!
All Barbarian Guides | ||
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Class Guide | Best Builds | Arsenal System |
List of Contents
Stats Overview | |||
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Barbarian | |||
Main Stat | Strength | DMG Type
(Primary) |
Physical |
Base STR | Base DEX | Base INT | Base WP |
10 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Core Stat Modifiers | |||
・Skill Damage x+0.1% per point in STR ・Critical Chance x+0.02% per point in DEX ・Resource Generation x0.1% per point in WP |
Tanks Damage Very Well Only Class With Berserk Great Potential in End Game
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The core of Barbarian's gameplay is how well this class can take damage and with Skills such as Challenging Shout and Iron Skin, they can work well in making sure that any Barbarian charging at enemies can handle any damage received.
Berserk is a buff that gives the user 25% increased damage and 30% increased movement speed for a certain duration. This allows for an easier time engaging with enemies while moving around the battlefield. As the only class that can use Berserk, this means that the Barbarian is a solid class that can do free 25% damage to enemies which is a great damage multiplier as opposed to other class that just relies on the usual critical rate and damage buffs.
Since the Arsenal System allows Barbarian users to equip up to 4 different weapons, end game builds can significantly ramp up the power of this class. As you level up and collect more Legendary items, the builds you make can potentially create the most powerful class with the Barbarian.
Starts Slower Than Other Classes Class Is Fury Dependent Long Cooldowns on Abilities
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The Barbarian can feel quite underwhelming compared to the other classes, especially through the early stages of the game. Players will have to collect better Gear and unlock more Skills to start feeling the Barbarian's power.
The Core Skills of Barbarian consume plenty of Fury and will require players to build up this resource. Fury does not regenerate on its own and will decay when no Basic Skills are being used requiring players to always hit Basic Skills to have Fury available.
Many of Barbarian's skills have long cooldowns that can cause fights to drag on longer than they should. Cooldown Reduction can help with this issue but might ultimately hinder your damage capabilities.
The Arsenal System allows Barbarians to choose which weapons a specific skill will use on its attack. This feature is available as early as Level 5 and allows you to switch weapons for a variety of attacks.
Arsenal System Guide and Technique System Explained
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill / Effect | Skill Upgrades | ||
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Flay
Flay the enemy, dealing XX% damage and inflicting YY% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Flay
Flay has a 15% chance to make the enemy Vulnerable for 5 seconds. Double this chance when using Two-Handed weapons. |
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2a |
Battle Flay
When Flay deals direct damage to an enemy, they take 10% increased Bleeeding damage from you for the next 3 seconds. |
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2b |
Combat Flay
When Flay deals direct damage to an enemy, you gain 4% Damage Reduction and 5 Thorns for 6 seconds. This stacks up to 5 times. |
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Frenzy
Unleash a rapid flurry of blows, dealing XX% damage with each pair of hits. If Frenzy hits an enemy, its Attack Speed is increased by 20% for 3 seconds, up to 60%. |
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1 |
Enhanced Frenzy
While Frenzy is granting 60% bonus Attack Speed, it also generates 2 Fury. |
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2a |
Battle Frenzy
While Berserking, your other Skills gain 5% attack speed for each stack of Frenzy you have. |
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2b |
Combat Frenzy
You gain 8% Damage Reduction for each stack of Frenzy you currently have. |
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Bash
Bash the enemy with your weapon, dealing XX% damage. After bashing enemies 4 times, your next Bash will clobber, Stunning enemies for 1.5 seconds. Clobber twice as often while using a Two-Handed weapon. |
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1 |
Enhanced Bash
Clobbering an enemy grants you 20% Maximum Life as Fortify. |
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2a |
Battle Bash
Clobbering an enemy generates an additional 10 Fury |
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2b |
Combat Bash
After Critically Striking 4 times with Bash using a Two-Handed weapon, your next Core or Mastery Skill will Overpower. |
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Lunging Strike
Lunge forward and strike an enemy for XX% damage. |
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1 |
Enhanced Lunging Strike
Lunging Strike deals 30% increased damage and Heals you for 2% Maximum Life when it damages a Healthy enemy. |
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2a |
Battle Lunging Strike
Lunging Strike also inflicts 6 Bleeding Damage over 5 seconds |
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2b |
Combat Lunging Strike
Critical Strikes with Lunging Strike grant you Berseking for 3 seconds. |
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill / Effect | Skill Upgrades | ||
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Upheaval
Tear into the ground with your weapon and fling debris forward, dealing XX% damage. |
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1 |
Enhanced Upheaval
Upheaval has a 45% chance to Stun all enemies it damages for 3 seconds. |
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2a |
Furious Upheaval
Dealing direct damage to an enemy with a Skill that is not Upheaval causes your next cast of Upheaval to deal 20% increased damage. stacking up to 10 times. |
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2b |
Violent Upheaval
If Upheaval damages at least 2 enemies, you gain Berserking for 3 seconds, increased to 5 seconds if it damages at least 4 enemies. |
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Double Swing
Sweep your weapons from opposite directions, dealing XX% damage with each weapon. Enemies caught in the center are damaged by both. |
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1 |
Enhanced Double Swing
If Double Swing damages a Stunned or Knocked Down enemy, gain 25 Fury. |
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2a |
Furious Double Swing
Casting Double Swing while Berserking grants 2 additional seconds of Berserking. |
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2b |
Violent Double Swing
Hitting an enemy with both hits of Double Swing makes them Vulnerable for 2 seconds. |
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Rend
Cleave enemies in front of you, dealing XX% damage and inflicting YY% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Rend
Dealing direct damage with Rend extends the duration of Vulnerable on enemies by 2 seconds. |
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2a |
Furious Rend
Direct damage with Rend grants 5 Fury per enemy hit, up to a max of 25 Fury. |
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2b |
Violent Rend
Rend deals 30% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies. |
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Hammer of the Ancients
Slam your hammer down with the fury of the Ancients, dealing XX% damage to a concentrated area. |
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1 |
Enhanced Hammer of the Ancients
Gain 3% more Fury for 5 seconds for each enemy damaged by Hammer of the Ancients, stacking up to 10 times. |
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2a |
Furious Hammer of the Ancients
Hammer of the Ancients gains 2% Critical Strike Chance for every 10 Fury you had when cast. Its Critical Strikes Knock Down enemies for 1.5 seconds. |
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2b |
Violent Hammer of the Ancients
After Overpowering with Hammer of the Ancients, you deal 40% more damage for 5 seconds. |
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Whirlwind
Rapidly attack surrounding enemies for XX% damage. |
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1 |
Enhanced Whirlwind
Gain 1 Fury each time Whirlwind deals direct damage to an enemy, or 4 Fury against Elite enemies. |
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2a |
Furious Whirlwind
While using a Slashing weapon, Whirlwind also inflicts 40% base damage as Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. |
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2b |
Violent Whirlwind
After using Whirlwind for 2 seconds, Whirlwind deals 30% increased damage until it is cancelled. |
Skill | Effect |
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Warpath | After Overpowering, you deal XX% increased damage for 4 seconds. Pressure Point required |
Endless Fury | Basic Skills generate XX% more Fury. |
Pressure Point | Lucky Hit: Your Core and Weapon Mastery skills have up to a XX% chance to make enemies Vulnerable for 2 seconds. |
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill / Effect | Skill Upgrades | ||
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Ground Stomp
Smash the ground, dealing XX% damage and Stunning surrounding enemies for 3 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Ground Stomp
Increase Ground Stomp's duration by 1 second. |
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2a |
Strategic Ground Stomp
Reduce the cooldown of your Ultimate Skill by 5 seconds for each enemy damaged by Ground Stomp, up to 15 seconds. |
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2b |
Tactical Ground Stomp
Ground Stomp generates 60 Fury. |
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Rallying Cry
Bellow a rallying cry, increasing your Movement Speed by 30% and Resource Generation by XX% for 6 seconds, and Nearby allies for 3 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Rallying Cry
Rallying Cry grants you Unstoppable while active. |
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2a |
Strategic Rallying Cry
Rallying Cry grants you 10% Maximum life as Fortify. While Rallying Cry is active, you gain an additional 2% Maximum life as Fortify each time you take or deal direct damage. |
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2b |
Tactical Rallying Cry
Rallying Cry generates 20 Fury and grants you an additional 20% Resource Generation. |
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Iron Skin
Steel yourself, gaining a Barrier that absorbs XX% of your missing Life for 5 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Iron Skin
Iron Skin grants Unhindered for 5 seconds and its Barrier absorbs 30% more of your Maximum Life. |
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2a |
Strategic Iron Skin
Iron Skin also grants 30% Maximum life as Fortify. Double this amount if cast while below 50% Life. |
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2b |
Tactical Iron Skin
While Iron Skin is active, Heal for 25% of the Barrier's original amount as Life per second. |
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Challenging Shout
Taunt Nearby enemies and gain XX% Damage Reduction for 6 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Challenging Shout
While Challenging Shout is active, gain 20% bonus Maximum Life. |
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2a |
Strategic Challenging Shout
While Challenging Shout is active, gain Thorns equal to 30% of your Maxmimum Life. |
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2b |
Tactical Challenging Shout
While Challenging Shout is active, you gain 6 Fury each time you take damage. |
Skill | Effect |
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Belligerence | Damaging an enemy with a Basic Skill increases your damage by XX% for 4 seconds. |
Imposing Presence | Gain XX% additional Maximum Life. |
Martial Vigor | Damage Reduction against Elites is increased by XX%. Imposing Presence required |
Outburst | Gain XX Thorns. Also gain 4 Thorns for each 20 bonus Maximum Life you have. |
Tough as Nails | Increase your Thorns by XX%. When enemies hit you, they take an additional 15% of your Thorns as Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. Outburst, Iron Skin, or Challenging Shout required |
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill / Effect | Skill Upgrades | ||
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Kick
Throw a powerful kick that deals 60% damage and Knocks Back enemies in front of you. Enemies who are Knocked Back into terrain take an additional 105% damage and are Stunned for 3 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Kick
Damaging enemies with Kick makes them Vulnerable for 4 seconds. |
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2a |
Power Kick
If Kick damages an enemy, it consumes all of your Fury and deals an additional 5-7 damage per 10 Fury spent. Kick no longer Knocks Back enemies. |
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2b |
Mighty Kick
Kicked enemies deal 15-19 damage to enemies they collide with while being Knocked Back. Enemies damaged this way are Knocked Down for 2 seconds. |
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War Cry
Bellow a mighty war cry, increasing your damage dealt by XX% for 6.0 seconds, and Nearby allies for 3.0 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced War Cry
War Cry grants you Berserking for 4 seconds. |
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2a |
Power War Cry
If at least 6 enemies are Nearby when you cast War Cry, your damage bonus is increased by an additional 10%. |
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2b |
Mighty War Cry
War Cry grants you 15% Maximum life as Fortify. |
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Charge
Become Unstoppable and rush forward, pushing enemies with you then swinging through them for XX% damage and Knocking them Back. |
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1 |
Enhanced Charge
Enemies who are Knocked Back into terrain by Charge take 30% damage and are Stunned for 3 seconds. |
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2a |
Power Charge
Reduce Charge's Cooldown by 3 seconds if it Knocks Back an enemy into terrain, up to a maximum of 9 seconds. |
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2b |
Mighty Charge
Damaging enemies with Charge makes them Vulnerable for 2 seconds. |
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Leap
Leap forward and then slam down, dealing XX% damage and Knocking Back surrounding enemies on impact. |
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1 |
Enhanced Leap
If Leap doesn't damage any enemies its Cooldown is reduced by 4 seconds. |
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2a |
Power Leap
If Leap damages at least one enemy, gain 40 Fury. |
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2b |
Mighty Leap
Enemies damaged by Leap are Slowed by 70% for 5 seconds. |
Skill | Effect |
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Swiftness | Movement Speed is increased by XX%. |
Quick Impulses | Reduce the duration of Control Impairing Effects by XX%. Swiftness required |
Booming Voice | Your Shout Skill effect durations are increased by XX%. |
Guttural Yell | Your Shout Skills cause enemies to deal XX% less damage for 5 seconds. Raid Leader or Booming Voice required |
Raid Leader | Your Shouts also Heal allies for XX% of their Maximum Life per second. War Cry or Booming Voice required |
Aggressive Resistance | Gain XX% Damage Reduction while Berserking. |
Prolific Fury | While Berserking, Fury Generation is increased by X%. Aggressive Resistance required |
Battle Fervor | When a Brawling Skill damages at least one enemy, gain Berserking for XX seconds. Aggressive Resistance required |
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill / Effect | Skill Upgrades | ||
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Rupture
Skewer enemies in front of you, dealing (XX%) damage which is guaranteed to Overpower. Then rip your weapon out, damaging enemies for their total Bleeding amount and removing all Bleeding damage from them. |
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1 |
Enhanced Rupture
Ripping your weapon out of enemies during Rupture causes an explosion that deals 45% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. This damage is increased by 35% for each 50 Strength you have. |
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2a |
Warrior's Rupture
Hitting enemies with Rupture increases your Attack Speed by 40% for 5 seconds. |
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2b |
Fighter's Rupture
Hitting at least 1 enemy with Rupture Heals you for 22% of your Maximum Life. |
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Steel Grasp
Throw out a trio of chains that deal XX% damage and Pull In enemies. |
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1 |
Enhanced Steel Grasp
Steel Grasp also makes enemies Vulnerable for 3 seconds. |
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2a |
Warrior's Steel Grasp
Steel Grasp gains 1 additional Charge. |
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2b |
Fighter's Steel Grasp
If Steel Grasp damages an enemy, gain Berserking for 2 seconds. |
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Death Blow
Attempt a killing strike, dealing XX% damage to enemies in front of you. If this kills an enemy, its Cooldown is reset. |
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1 |
Enhanced Death Blow
Death Blow deals 150% increased damage to Bosses. |
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2a |
Warrior's Death Blow
If Death Blow damages at least one enemy, gain Berserking for 3 seconds. |
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2b |
Fighter's Death Blow
If Death Blow damages at least one enemy, gain 20 Fury. |
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Mighty Throw
Hurl your weapon, dealing XX% Weapon damage upon impact and sticking in the ground. While in the ground, your weapon pulses and deals YY% Weapon damage every second for 4 seconds. |
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1 |
Enhanced Mighty Throw
While a thrown weapon is out, gain 25% increased Attack Speed. |
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2a |
Fighter's Mighty Throw
Swapping weapons near any of your thrown weapons creates an additional pulse. Each extra pulse generates 3% of your Maximum Life as a Barrier for 5 seconds. |
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2b |
Warrior's Mighty Throw
Mighty Throw's impact deals 200% increased damage and Stuns enemies for 2 seconds. |
Skill | Effect |
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Irrepressible | Casting a Weapon Mastery Skill Fortifies you for XX% of your Maximum Life. Thick Skin required |
Pit Fighter | You deal XX% increased damage to Close enemies and gain YY% Damage Reduction. |
No Mercy | You have XX% increased Critical Strike chance. Pit Fighter required |
Slaying Strike | You deal XX% increased damage against Injured enemies. Pit Fighter required |
Expose Vulnerability | Dealing direct damage with a Weapon Mastery skill causes your next Core Skill to make enemies Vulnerable for XX seconds. Pit Fighter required |
Hamstring | Your Bleeding effects have a XX% chance to Slow Healthy and Injured enemies by 70% each time they deal damage. |
Cut to the Bone | Your Bleeding effects deal XX% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies. Rupture or Hamstring required |
Thick Skin | Each time you take direct damage gain XX% Maximum life as Fortify. |
Counteroffensive | While you have Fortify for over 50% of your Maximum Life, you deal XX% increased damage. Thick Skin required |
Defensive Stance | Increase the Damage Reduction gained while you are Fortified by an additional XX%. Thick Skin required |
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill / Effect | Skill Upgrades | ||
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Call of the Ancients
Call upon 3 Ancients to aid you in battle for 6 seconds. Korlic leaps at enemies, dealing 110% damage and swings his weapons in a frenzy, dealing 40% damage per hit. Talic spins in a whirlwind rapidly attacking enemies for 80% damage. Madawc upheaves the ground, dealing 200% damage. |
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1 |
Prime Call of the Ancients
While Call of the Ancients is active, gain 20% bonus Attack Speed and 10% increased damage. |
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2 |
Supreme Call of the Ancients
Each of the Ancients gains additional power: Korlic: You gain 10 Fury each time Korlic damages an enemy with his Frenzy. Talic: Enemies are Slowed by 50% for 1 second when damaged by his Whirlwind. Madawc: 30% chance to Stun enemies for 3 seconds when using his Upheaval. |
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Iron Maelstrom
Activate three times to attach chains to each of your weapons and perform an attack: First, your Two-Handed Bludgeoning weapon slams into the ground, dealing 60% damage and Stunning enemies for 2 seconds. Next, your Two-Handed Slashing weapon swipes in front of you, dealing 20% damage and inflicting 120% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. Finally, your Dual Wield weapons swing around you, dealing 33% damage per hit. |
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1 |
Prime Iron Maelstrom
Iron Maelstrom gains 30% increased Critical Strike Chance and deals 40% increased Critical Strike Damage. |
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2 |
Supreme Iron Maelstrom
Dealing direct damage to an enemy after swapping weapons reduces Iron Maelstrom's Cooldown by 1 second. |
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Wrath of the Berserker
Explode into rage, Knocking Back surrounding enemies and gaining Berserking and Unstoppable for 5 seconds. For the next 10 seconds, dealing direct damage with Basic Skills grants Berserking for 5 seconds. |
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1 |
Prime Wrath of the Berserker
While Wrath of the Berserker is active, gain 20% increased Movement Speed and increase Fury Generation by 30%. |
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2 |
Supreme Wrath of the Berserker
While Wrath of the Berserker is active, every 50 Fury you spend increases Berserk's damage bonus by 100%. |
Skill | Effect |
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Heavy Hitter | Your Ultimate Skill deal XX% more damage. |
Heavy Handed | While using Two-Handed weapons you deal XX% increased Critical Strike Damage. |
Wallop | Your Skills using Bludgeoning weapons deal XX% increased damage if the enemy is Stunned or Vulnerable. |
Brute Force | Your Overpowers deal XX% increased damage when using a Two-Handed weapon. Heavy Handed or Wallop required |
Concussion | Lucky Hit: Skills using Bludgeoning weapons have up to a XX% chance to Stun enemies for 2 seconds, or up to a YY% chance when using a Two-Handed Bludgeoning weapon. Brute Force or Wallop required |
Duelist | Attack Speed is increased by XX% while using One-Handed weapons. |
Tempered Fury | Increase your Maximum Fury by XX. |
Furious Impulse | Each time you swap weapons, gain XX Fury. |
Invigorating Fury | Heal for XX% of your Maximum Life for each 100 Fury spent. |
Barbarian Skill Types | |||
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Basic | Core | Defensive | Brawling |
Weapon Mastery | Ultimate | Key Passives |
Skill | Effect |
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Barbed Carapace | For every 25 Fury you spend, you gain 10% Thorns for 8 seconds, up to 120%. Casting a Skill with a Cooldown grants you Unhindered for 5 seconds. During this time, you deal 100% of your Thorns as Physical damage to Close enemies every second. |
Unconstrained | Berserking's damage bonus is increased to 60%. While below 65% Life, you are always Berserk and gain a 25% Physical Damage Reduction bonus. |
Walking Arsenal | Dealing direct damage with a Two- Handed Bludgeoning, Two-Handed Slashing, or Dual Wielded weapons grants 8% increased damage for 10 seconds. While all three damage bonuses are active, you gain an additional 10% increased Damage and Attack Speed. |
Unbridled Rage | Core Skills deal 45% increased damage, but cost 100% more Fury. |
Gushing Wounds | When causing an enemy to Bleed, you have a chance equal to your Critical Strike Chance to increase the Bleed amount by 70%, then by 100% of your Critical Strike Damage. Overpowering a Bleeding enemy creates an explosion that inflicts 120% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. |
Equip Different Weapons Group Up Enemies to Maximize Damage Rank Up Your Weapon Expertise
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The Arsenal System allows you to assign a specific weapon to a specific skill giving you a variety of attacks and effects. Take the time to learn which weapon is best for a build to efficiently take down enemies.
You'll want to clear enemies more efficiently as a Barbarian. Grouping up enemies allows you to maximize your damage whether it be applying Bleeding effects with Rend or dealing damage in an area as you spin with Whirlwind due to the Barbarian's strong melee AoE attacks.
With the many weapons you can equip, players can receive additional bonuses for their weapons as you rank up your Weapon Expertise. The bonuses received get stronger as you rank up and allow you to personalize your build according to your weapon of choice.
Barbarian Stat Priority | |
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Strength ▶ Dexterity ▶ Willpower ▶ Intelligence | |
Strength | Strength will be the main stat Barbarians want to focus on as increasing this directly raises your Skill Damage and Armor. |
Dexterity | Dexterity is the next stat to prioritize as you receive an increased Critical Strike Chance from this. |
Willpower | Willpower can be decent as your Healing and Overpower Damage gets a boost. |
Intelligence | Intelligence can be prioritized last since this only increases your Resistance to All Elements and you would be better off increasing your armor and life stats. Completely neglecting Intelligence is fine even as you can get elemental resistances from Jewelry equipment as well. |
Best Class Tier List and How to Play All Classes
All Classes | |||||
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Barbarian | Druid | Sorcerer | |||
Rogue | Necromancer | Spiritborn |