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The Barbarian
The Barbarian, a member of any of several tribes on the fringes of civilization, rebuffs the influence of those he sees as soft and weak. Ceaseless clan warfare and the constant struggle to survive in the hostile wilderness are evident in the Barbarian´s sturdy and powerful frame. Though perhaps lacking the sophistication of his civilized contemporaries, the Barbarian has an acute awareness of his surroundings. Because of his shamanistic belief in the animal powers with whom he identifies, the Barbarian is sometimes associated with stories of lycanthropy. In fact, he believes that he can improve his superb battle tactics by calling upon the totemic animal spirits to infuse him with supernormal strengths and abilities.
Legend says that when the world was very young the tribes of the Northern Steppes were given a sacred charge. Somewhere deep within the great mountain, Arreat, lies a source of great power, crucial to the well being of all humanity. The tribes were tasked to act as guardians of this artifact. They have shaped their way of life in observance of this power and fulfilling their sacred duty.
Steeped in mystery and tradition, these people refer to themselves as the " Children of Bul-Kathos," the great and ancient king. To better protect their lands from outside forces, they adopted a nomadic lifestyle, frequently moving within the confines of the Steppes and maintaining few permanent settlements. Isolating themselves from the world outside their territories, they eschew the use of magics and complex machinery, as they believe these things can only weaken their resolve developed over so many years.
The Children of Bul-Kathos have developed a kinship with the land and have learned to harness the primal energies within nature to enhance their own substantial physical prowess. It is because of this, together with their freedom from the trappings of the outside world, that the Western Kingdoms have historically referred to these tribes as " Barbarians," an epithet that belies the rich cultural and spiritual history these people truly possess. Although some trade with these curious bands of nomads, they do so only along the outermost borders of their lands. All intrusions into the territory surrounding Mount Arreat are forbidden, and warriors from the northern tribes are quick to thwart any incursions. Every foreign attempt at conquest has been met with fierce and decisive resistance.
An account of one skirmish recounts how hordes of Barbarian tribesmen silently appeared where none had been but moments before. Their bodies painted in mysterious designs and their faces howling as they charged like the fierce mountain winds, the tribesmen descended on the invaders. Fully half of the trespassing army immediately dropped their weapons and fled, the remainder were set upon by the Northmen with fervor that none of the battle-hardened invaders had ever witnessed. No mercy was asked and none was given, but in the end, when the outlanders sounded a full retreat, no chase was given either… at least none that could be observed.
Since news of Diablo´s re-emergence has spread, a small number of Barbarian warriors have begun roving the lands outside the Steppes, prepared for war and seeking information regarding the recent activities of the Prime Evils.
Traits and Abilities
Renowned for their awesome combat prowess as well as their arrogant demeanor, the Barbarians appear to be perpetually girt for battle. Through harsh conditioning, the Barbarians excel in physical combat and tremendous feats of strength. They derive their power chiefly through intense physical training, but they also tap primal energies from the living world around them. They can manifest these or add to their already considerable catalogue of superhuman feats of strength and power.
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The Barbarian is the strongest class in straightforward melee combat. His weapon mastery skills supplement this method of warfare nicely. His Warcries add strength, as well as aiding his allies, making him an effective member of the party as well. Additionally, his Combat Skills aid his natural proclivity to melee combat, particularly his ability to wield two weapons and his abilities in leaping.
The Barbarians characteristics can be confusing. Certainly adding to his damage by developing his prodigious strength is always a temptation. Energy would seem to be less of a concern. However, he needs enough energy to use the skills he requires, and it is the least developed of his characteristics. Dexterity is necessary for his attack rating, as well as supplementing his defense rating. He has a strong vitality, but developing it further extends his ability to remain in combat and strengthens his stamina.
When looking for items, the Barbarian enjoys a greater flexibility than the other character classes. Starting with a higher strength makes armament less of an immediate problem. As for weaponry, the only weapon he requires is the one for which he has developed skill. Here the only choices are to do more damage with a two handed weapon, retain a shield for magical resistance, or use two weapons.
Defensive Warcries are shared with any friendly party members that are inside the Warcry radius the Warcry is activated. Offensive Warcries will hit monsters within the radius of the Warcry when cast. Generally, Warcries increase in radius with additional skill points.
Different defensive Warcries can be stacked, but only one offensive Warcry can be used on a monster at a time. If you cast Taunt and Howl, the last one cast will be the one that is active on the monster.
There are three Warcries that can give bonuses to yourself and other members of your Party. Shout increases Defense. Battle Orders, a party favorite, increases the max health, Mana, and stamina of the Barbarian and his party members. Battle Commands increases the Barbarian and party members´ skill levels by 1. These three Warcries can also be stacked, or active on yourself and party members at the same time. The animation will rotate among these three Warcries to indicate all three are active.
Once Battle Commands is available, cast it first, before casting Battle Orders or Shout. Battle Commands will raise Shout and Battle Orders by one skill point and will increase their effectiveness and lengthen their duration. By casting Battle Commands first, instead of after these Warcries, characters benefit from a free skill point for Shout and Battle Orders.
Battle Orders is a favorite of Mana-hungry classes such as the Necromancer and Sorceress for the increase in total Mana and all classes for the increase Life and Stamina for running longer distances.
The Whirlwind-focused Barbarian uses Whirlwind as his main skill and sometimes uses Leap Attack. Times can be hard until level 30 for the Whirlwinder. Until level 30, find a good weapon and use Bash, Stun, and Leap Attack. Once the first skill point is distributed into Whirlwind at level 30, it will be smooth sailing. Watch out for Horror Mages that cast Iron Maiden. If you´re Cursed with Iron Maiden, stop fighting until it wears off or have it healed. You can touch a shrine to remove the curse. You may want to avoid the Chaos Sanctuary for fear of Iron Maiden at higher levels and difficulty levels. Leap Attack is considered a ranged attack so you can use it without fear even when cursed with Iron Maiden. Also beware of Mana Burn Unique Monsters.
Skills
Suggested skills are Whirlwind ( 20), Weapon Mastery of your Choice ( 20), Howl ( 1), Shout ( 1 or more), Battle Orders ( 5+), Battle Command ( 5+), Find Potion ( 1), Find Item ( 1), Increased Stamina ( 1 or more), Increased Speed ( 1-4 or more), Iron Skin ( 10-20), Natural Resistance ( 3-7), Bash ( 1), Leap ( 1), Leap Attack ( 1), Stun ( 1), Concentrate ( 1). If you have extra points, spend them in Iron Skin, or one of the " or more" skills.
Barbarians have a Critical Hit that is based on the Mastery Skill Level, so it is important to maximize masteries.
Strategies
Build up 170 Strength to wear Ornate Plates. Build up Dexterity to the necessary level to use the best weapon of choice. Place every other point into Vitality. It is not wise to place points in Energy because the Barbarian receives one Mana per Energy point. Find items that give +Mana instead.
Assign Leap Attack on the left Action Button and Whirlwind on the Right Action Button. Try to lead monsters into a tight pack, click beyond them using Whirlwind. Avoid stopping right in the middle of the packs of monsters which can cause instant death. Use Leap Attack on dangerous Uniques, and Shamans or other threats that need to be taken care of right away. Use Leap Attack to move around, jump over Rivers or get where you want to go quickly.
Equipment
Collect enough % Life Steal to keep healed while you fight and enough % Mana Steal so that Mana does not deplete while fighting. Beyond that, try to maximize your Resistances ( especially Lightning, Fire, Cold), and try to increase Defense as much as possible.
Look for at least one item that adds Cold Damage. This will chill monsters and some of them will shatter leaving no corpse for other monsters to raise.
Weapons
The weapons of choice vary from Barbarian to Barbarian, but the War Pike is the best choice for Whirlwinders. War Pikes have the potential to do the most damage and have a range of 5. Some people choose to use two Swords, a Maul, Polearms, or Spears. Keep in mind that Polearms, and Spears offer the best range, so when Whirlwinding, you´ll be able to hit target´s from further away. Try to find Mana/Life Steal on those weapons, +Skills is also nice but Damage is probably the most important stat. You may also find -Monster Defense Per Hit to also be useful on a weapon since it strips away their Defense making them easier to hit. This is highly effective on bosses and other high hit point monsters.
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