Kraken Stance Barb?

[Faulk]

Rolled a Natashas Legacy to try and make a Kraken Stance Barb, rolled well so gonna try to build it out.

► Show Spoiler

If there are any builds/guides out there for this please link them or PM them to me. Here are my concerns and questions about the build.

My initial thought was to go with the classic deathgaze 2 hander with

Ord Rekar's Testament

Ord Rekar's Testament
Ono (Sacred)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 733
Item Level: 105
Innate Lightning Damage: (80.0% of Strength)
-2% to Enemy Elemental Resistances per Nephalem Spirit Base Level
10% Chance to cast level 50 Spiral Dance on Melee Attack
Adds 400-500 Fire Damage
Adds 250-350 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Cold Damage
+(130 to 180)% Enhanced Damage
+(500 to 2000) Defense
+(50 to 150) to Vitality
Elemental/Magic Damage Reduced by (1 to 50)
+(30 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +50%
Socketed (6)

, since that seems like a cool synergy with the Nephalem Spirit Combo. But will the elemental damage be applied to all the AOE hits from deathgaze? If not is there a better alternative for an axe build?

Would a GG roll trinity crafted labrys out preform the synergy from Ord Rekar and Neph Spirit? I’m planning on hitting 22 skills on Neph Spirit for -44% enemy res with Ord Rekar. Is there a 1 hander/shield build to consider here as well? Duel Weild + Kraken Stance Axes?

“The Elemental Damage From this Skill is Affected by Weapon Damage Multipliers on Attack Skills” - Does this mean I’m only get 55% of my Kraken Stance damage when using Deathgaze since Deathgaze only uses 55% weapon damage?

Is the damage from trinity crafts for helm/gloves enough to be impactful? Or am I better off utilizing abandoned/creepy, for the AR or weapon dmg from STR?

Here is what I am thinking for gear right now:

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Ord Rekar's Testament

Ord Rekar's Testament
Ono (Sacred)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 733
Item Level: 105
Innate Lightning Damage: (80.0% of Strength)
-2% to Enemy Elemental Resistances per Nephalem Spirit Base Level
10% Chance to cast level 50 Spiral Dance on Melee Attack
Adds 400-500 Fire Damage
Adds 250-350 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Cold Damage
+(130 to 180)% Enhanced Damage
+(500 to 2000) Defense
+(50 to 150) to Vitality
Elemental/Magic Damage Reduced by (1 to 50)
+(30 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +50%
Socketed (6)

-Crafted Helm with Kraken Stance/

Warmonger

Warmonger
Fanged Helm (Sacred)
Defense: (4347 - 4785) to (5010 - 5474)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 500
Item Level: 120
Area Effect Attack
Adds 100-200 Fire Damage
Adds 100-200 Lightning Damage
Adds 100-200 Cold Damage
+(160 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(1500 to 2000) Defense
Elemental/Magic Damage Reduced by 40
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
Socketed (4)

(I think warmonger is better here for big elemental dmg + Evasion but Double Trinity Blessed Helm with Kraken Stance might be able to compare?)
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Natasha's Legacy (Xis)

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Blind Anger

Blind Anger
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1179 - 1447) to (1342 - 1647)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 105
8% Chance to cast level 13 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
(1 to 5)% Chance of Crushing Blow
Blinds Attacker +3
+(120 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to All Attributes
Socketed (4)

/

Brawl (Xis)

/Crafted with good +Stats (Crafted feels like the best fit here if I can roll DMG/IAS/Stats)
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Dementia

Dementia
Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3111 - 3348) to (3272 - 3524)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 690
Item Level: 120
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(15 to 25) to Fowl Fight
Slow Target 5%
+(120 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+500 Defense
Maximum Life +2%
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
Physical Resist 5%
Requirements +20%
Socketed (2)

(-enemy res and DR)
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Akarat's Trek

Akarat's Trek
Light Plated Boots (Sacred)
Defense: (1960 - 2352) to (2170 - 2604)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 30 Hammertime on Melee Attack
2% Chance to cast level 30 Thunder Wave on Melee Attack
2% Chance to cast level 30 Thunder Hammer Nova on Melee Attack
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 20) to Charged Strike
Weapon Physical Damage +(60 to 90)%
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
10% to All Attributes
+10 to Light Radius
Socketed (4)

/

Wind Runner

Wind Runner
Boots
'SilElqSilGul'
Runeword Level: 100
+(0 to 1) to All Skills
50% Attack Speed
10% Movement Speed
Adds 25-68 Damage
250% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
+(171 to 200)% Enhanced Defense

/Crafted (Windrunners feel like the best choice for the LL, AR, and IAS)
-2x

Bad Mood

Bad Mood
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
-20% Cast Speed
Adds 50-100 Fire Damage
Adds 50-100 Lightning Damage
Adds 50-100 Cold Damage
-(5 to 20)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(5 to 20)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-(5 to 20)% to Enemy Cold Resistance

(-res and big ele dmg)
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Dyers Eve

Dyers Eve
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
5% Chance to cast level 5 Time Strike on Striking
+2 to All Skills
Adds 15-20 Damage
5% Life stolen per Hit
Elemental Resists +10%
Physical Resist (1 to 10)%

(feel like I will need the DR here)

Should get 31% Phys Res, 900k+ Def, -101 to 121 Enemy Res. Not sure on hitting BPs for FHR and IAS yet without wolf stance. I want to get higher -enemy Res because I read 170 is what you want for ubers, but I don't know where I can fit in more yet.

Any thoughts or input is appreciated.

[ChuckNoRis]

- the crafted helm is way better than warmonger if you aim for the most elemental damage possible + it may spawn with up to +3 barbarian skills and -%enemy resistances regardless of what kind of shrine you are using and up to 25% strength bonus

- you can also make use of blood hatred . this would solve the regen part since you won't be dealing that much physical damage to leech well enough , so this shitload of LoA will go great , besides more -%enemy resist .

- max at least one more stance (or 2 if you wish) for the most extra damage sinergy to Kraken stance (snake + eagle is the classic old option , but nowadays other combos work well too) . i would go for bear and switch/stance dance to it whenever necessary . that would solve all your defense and damage reduction second thoughts. Kraken to deal damage-> bear to stay safe

- you may skip the trinity crafted weapon as it only adds -10% after blessing .

- if you want to go 1h + shield or dual wield you can get a bit better results . (look at

Wizardspike

Wizardspike
Dagger (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 37
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 376
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
-70% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
50% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8) to Trinity Beam
+2 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Maximum Mana +20%
Regenerate Mana +30%
Socketed (2)

or

Vizjerei Fury

Vizjerei Fury
Short Spear (Sacred)
Throw Damage: 69 to 80
One-Hand Damage: 45 to 50
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 1386
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
You may Only use Melee, Summon and Support Skills
25% Chance to cast level 60 Trinity Beam on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
-33% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-33% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-33% to Enemy Cold Resistance
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Physical Resist 10%
+(60 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +200%
Socketed (3)

) . i'd get a wizardspike in my offhand , but the 2h option you thought about is also valid

- you may rethink the amulet too

- the most -%enemy resist you can get out of an armor is by

Lumen Arcana (Xis)

socketed with 4

Farsight Globe

Farsight Globe
Jewel
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 80
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Poison Resistance

, but your natasha's roll is good enough

“The Elemental Damage From this Skill is Affected by Weapon Damage Multipliers on Attack Skills” - Does this mean I’m only get 55% of my Kraken Stance damage when using Deathgaze since Deathgaze only uses 55% weapon damage?

yes . but since you think about the akarat boots , you may also pair them with a charged strike amulet and use that as main attack if you want (or maby you can get your hands on a cotw with something nice) ; blood hatred is 100% weapon damage to use for when you fight single targets


there are no guides for full kraken/elemental damage to weapon , just some that use kraken besides something else . most of them are pre-sigma and used kraken vs physical imunes or for the ubers where there was more elemental damage needed


i've tested something similar to what you are trying to build in the first sigma patch and it went out well

[Faulk]

Thanks for the response, really useful info. A lot to think about now.

- the crafted helm is way better than warmonger if you aim for the most elemental damage possible + it may spawn with up to +3 barbarian skills and -%enemy resistances regardless of what kind of shrine you are using and up to 25% strength bonus

- What shrine would you use for crafting the helmet and maybe gloves? Stick with creepy for Str? Im thinking abandoned since i might need some AR if I drop wind runners. Should I use trinity shrines for the + elemental dmg?

- if you want to go 1h + shield or dual wield you can get a bit better results . (look at

Wizardspike

Wizardspike
Dagger (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 37
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 376
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
-70% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
50% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8) to Trinity Beam
+2 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Maximum Mana +20%
Regenerate Mana +30%
Socketed (2)

or

Vizjerei Fury

Vizjerei Fury
Short Spear (Sacred)
Throw Damage: 69 to 80
One-Hand Damage: 45 to 50
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 1386
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
You may Only use Melee, Summon and Support Skills
25% Chance to cast level 60 Trinity Beam on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
-33% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-33% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-33% to Enemy Cold Resistance
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Physical Resist 10%
+(60 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +200%
Socketed (3)

) . i'd get a wizardspike in my offhand , but the 2h option you thought about is also valid

- Would you go with a crafted axe/

Wizardspike

Wizardspike
Dagger (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 37
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 376
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
-70% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
50% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8) to Trinity Beam
+2 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Maximum Mana +20%
Regenerate Mana +30%
Socketed (2)

? Do you think

Vizjerei Fury

Vizjerei Fury
Short Spear (Sacred)
Throw Damage: 69 to 80
One-Hand Damage: 45 to 50
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 1386
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
You may Only use Melee, Summon and Support Skills
25% Chance to cast level 60 Trinity Beam on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
-33% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-33% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-33% to Enemy Cold Resistance
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Physical Resist 10%
+(60 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +200%
Socketed (3)

/

Wizardspike

Wizardspike
Dagger (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 37
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 376
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
-70% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
50% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8) to Trinity Beam
+2 to Life (Based on Character Level)
Maximum Mana +20%
Regenerate Mana +30%
Socketed (2)

with a charged strike build is something that can work?

I actually did find a pretty cool charged strike ammy so I might start off trying a charged strike build. Im just afraid of going too low with phys res while in kraken stance.

► Show Spoiler

- If i can't hit -170 enemy res should I prioritize

Farsight Globe

Farsight Globe
Jewel
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 80
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
-(2 to 3)% to Enemy Poison Resistance

in sockets? I was also thinking of using some

Demonstone Blood

Demonstone Blood
Jewel
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items
Adds 20-40 Fire Damage
Maximum Life +(0 to 1)%

for the elemental damage and + life, not sure if that's a good idea.

- Also, what would your recommend trying to hit for IAS and FHR breakpoints?

[ChuckNoRis]

i first thought i understand what you are trying to build but now i am starting to have some doubts :

- you can't have the physical damage + the elemental damage/-%enemy resistances both high . you can either have one high while one will suck , or go for split damage 50% physical , 50% elemental . the way you are trying to build this , will lead to high elemental damage and crapy physical damage so you can forget about pushing the physical damage with this setup .

- you can go for abandoned crafts if you consider using

Vizjerei Fury

Vizjerei Fury
Short Spear (Sacred)
Throw Damage: 69 to 80
One-Hand Damage: 45 to 50
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 1386
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
You may Only use Melee, Summon and Support Skills
25% Chance to cast level 60 Trinity Beam on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
-33% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-33% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-33% to Enemy Cold Resistance
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Physical Resist 10%
+(60 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +200%
Socketed (3)

as it needs quite some dexterity to equip (you may also consider socketing 3 ort crafted jewels for this spear) . why would you even consider going for creepy anyway ? to boost what ? unless you want to go abandoned , quiet crafts are the only ones that can provide the most benefits for such a setup , making you more tanky . trinity is worthless btw. i never used them since they exist , they are never worth the trouble imo (they don't provide enough benefits) as there always are better options to go for . trinity does not add enough flat elemental damage and not enough pierce to be taken into consideration imo , unless they will get a boost in a future patch

- why do you insist on using an axe if you consider dual wielding ? if you want a good axe , stick to playing as 2h and use

Ord Rekar's Testament

Ord Rekar's Testament
Ono (Sacred)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 733
Item Level: 105
Innate Lightning Damage: (80.0% of Strength)
-2% to Enemy Elemental Resistances per Nephalem Spirit Base Level
10% Chance to cast level 50 Spiral Dance on Melee Attack
Adds 400-500 Fire Damage
Adds 250-350 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Lightning Damage
Adds 400-500 Cold Damage
+(130 to 180)% Enhanced Damage
+(500 to 2000) Defense
+(50 to 150) to Vitality
Elemental/Magic Damage Reduced by (1 to 50)
+(30 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +50%
Socketed (6)

; it has to be an 1h axe if you are dual wielding (you can't dual wield 2h axes) so you're not going to get much benefits from an 1h axe , unless we talk about the

Headsman

Headsman
Hand Axe (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (316 - 331) to (420 - 435)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 376
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
25% Chance to cast level 13 Shockwave on Melee Attack
25% Attack Speed
Adds 250-350 Damage
150% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(80 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
30% Gold Find
25% Magic Find
+(3 to 5) to Light Radius
Socketed (3)

(best 1h axe available) , but it's not the exact pair for your build . get something that is boosting the elemental setup or your tankyness . it doesn't have to be an axe . (examples:

Carsomyr

Carsomyr
Flamberge (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (244 - 263) to (330 - 350)
Two-Hand Damage: (320 - 350) to (400 - 431)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 600
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
5% Chance to cast level 13 Shower of Rocks on Kill
50% Attack Speed
Adds 125-200 Damage
100% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(160 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
+(40 to 50) to Strength
+(40 to 50) to Vitality
Physical Resist 10%
+250 Life after each Kill
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (6)

,

Shadowsabre

Shadowsabre
Crystal Sword (Sacred)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 510
Item Level: 105
Innate Cold Damage: (45.0% of Dexterity)
Crucify: +14% Magic Damage per Base Level
50% Hit Recovery
Adds 125-250 Fire Damage
Adds 125-250 Lightning Damage
Adds 160-250 Cold Damage
-20% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
+(15 to 25) to Crucify (Assassin Only)
Fire Absorb 5%
Lightning Absorb 5%
Cold Absorb 5%
+4 Life on Striking
Socketed (6)

,

Astral Blade

Astral Blade
Long Sword (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 45 to 48
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 540
Item Level: 120
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Strength)%
+1 Hunting Banshee/Ember Spirit Projectile
8% Chance to cast level 13 Mythal on Melee Attack
15% Chance to cast level 60 Ember Spirit on Melee Attack
15% Chance to cast level 60 Hunting Banshee on Melee Attack
+(100 to 125) Spell Focus
100% Attack Speed
+(20 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Fire Resistance
+(20 to 25)% to Cold Spell Damage
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Cold Resistance
Socketed (6)

,

Vizjerei Fury

Vizjerei Fury
Short Spear (Sacred)
Throw Damage: 69 to 80
One-Hand Damage: 45 to 50
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 1386
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
You may Only use Melee, Summon and Support Skills
25% Chance to cast level 60 Trinity Beam on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
-33% to Enemy Fire Resistance
-33% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
-33% to Enemy Cold Resistance
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
Physical Resist 10%
+(60 to 100) Life after each Kill
Requirements +200%
Socketed (3)

;

Legion

and

Lancea

Lancea
Throwing Spear (Sacred)
Throw Damage: (188 - 279) to (298 - 413)
One-Hand Damage: (136 - 209) to (222 - 311)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 530
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.11 per Dexterity)%
20% Chance to cast level 10 Flurry of Javelins on Melee Attack
40% Attack Speed
40% Hit Recovery
Adds (40 to 80)-(110 to 160) Damage
+(100 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(500 to 1000) Defense
+1 Life on Striking
Socketed (4)

were also fun to test as main hand for spreading the damage)

- yes , the combo of Vizjerei's and Wizardspike + charged strike works nice , i've played it like that a few months ago (even if charged strike was nerfed since then) , but it's not the only valid option (as adviced above) . a 1-pointer shower of rocks or earthquake are also ok to use as main attack vs crowded spots , if you want a decent weapon damage modifier attack . wizardspike offhand is a must have imo , the main hand can be whatever pleases you and fits the build

Im just afraid of going too low with phys res while in kraken stance.

you can reach a decent %DR without using bear stance , so no need to worry + the LoA from BH is quite high, so even if you get a few hits in the face , you will recover the lost HP very fast

I was also thinking of using some

Demonstone Blood

Demonstone Blood
Jewel
Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items
Adds 20-40 Fire Damage
Maximum Life +(0 to 1)%

for the elemental damage and + life, not sure if that's a good idea.

no , it's not a good idea . the amount of flat damage to weapon they add is worthless in end game . a +1 to all skills adds about as much elemental damage to weapon as full socketed demonstones

Also, what would your recommend trying to hit for IAS and FHR breakpoints?

i would not worry so much about that . even as 1-pointer , Immortal adds some nice FHR in end game (from +all skills) and dual wielding can provide fast enough attacks . having maxed breakpoints is not something mandatory , i don't know why so many people out there are trying to push them to the max as most of the times in the process of maxing them they skip boosting other benefits and the trade is not always something good . you are trying to put this togather for a level 100 build or for one that already has most of the charms in the inventory ?

[Faulk]

i first thought i understand what you are trying to build but now i am starting to have some doubts :

Yea, sorry I'm still trying to figure out what I'm building and what will work best. Still trying to understand what all the options are. I want to try and go full elemental.

you are trying to put this togather for a level 100 build or for one that already has most of the charms in the inventory ?

I have a lvl 140 barb with all charms except samuel and labrynth, most of them trophy'd. He was 2hand deathgaze but got bored of it and wanted to try a more interesting build.

why do you insist on using an axe if you consider dual wielding ?

I'm not insisting on using an axe, I was just planning on using them initially, but I'm open to using anything. Are swords a better option for the Oskills on barb?

Still trying to figure out what will/won't work, thanks for all the help.