The TLDR 2H Barb

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schroedinger
Prowler
18 | 3
nazh202 wrote:
schroedinger wrote:I started a poison throw barb and leveled him to 120 without respecting and with nearly zero issues (mana perhaps). Maybe not the fastest killer, but it was smooth. Once you get Raptor and full No runes, it becomes quite powerful

Would you mind sharing a quick look at your items choice, skills plan and stats distribution? Thanks :D

Work is still in progress, right now at level 124: https://tsw.vn.cz/acc/char.php?name=Schauble
nazh202
Bone Archer
75 | 0
schroedinger wrote:
nazh202 wrote:
schroedinger wrote:I started a poison throw barb and leveled him to 120 without respecting and with nearly zero issues (mana perhaps). Maybe not the fastest killer, but it was smooth. Once you get Raptor and full No runes, it becomes quite powerful

Would you mind sharing a quick look at your items choice, skills plan and stats distribution? Thanks :D

Work is still in progress, right now at level 124: https://tsw.vn.cz/acc/char.php?name=Schauble

Thanks a lot, I'll give it a try. Also, are the chest and shield core items or can I use crafted ones instead?
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schroedinger
Prowler
18 | 3
I am using them because I didn't get anything better so far, but I'll probably replace them asap, specially the chest and the helmet. The shield has some useful bonuses though (5% avoid damage, 1% block, high def, % life leech), specially for HC. In SC I guess I would use double wield.
nazh202
Bone Archer
75 | 0
schroedinger wrote:I am using them because I didn't get anything better so far, but I'll probably replace them asap, specially the chest and the helmet. The shield has some useful bonuses though (5% avoid damage, 1% block, high def, % life leech), specially for HC. In SC I guess I would use double wield.

I get you. However I read somewhere saying that the offhand weapon when dual-wielding doesn't work properly. Can anyone tell me if it's true :mrgreen:
Diaco
Mahasattva
904 | 45
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The only things that work from the off-hand weapon are:
* Skill bonuses
* Attribute bonuses
* + to Life/Mana/Maximum Stamina
* Maximum Life/Mana %
* Replenish Life
* Regenerate Mana %
* + to Life/Mana After Each (Demon) Kill
* % Damage Taken Goes to Mana
* Attacker Takes (Lightning) Damage
* % Extra Gold From Monsters
* % Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
* +% to Experience Gained
* Reduce All Vendor Prices %
* + to Light Radius
* % Increased Chance of Blocking
* % Faster Run/Walk /Hit Recovery/Block/Cast Rate
* + Defence (vs Melee/Missile)
* +% Enhanced Defence
* (Magic) Damage Reduced (by %)
* Resist +%
* +% to Maximum Resist
* + Absorb (%)
* Poison Length Reduced by %
* Half Freeze Duration
* Cannot be Frozen
* +% to Skill Damage
* -% to Enemy Resistance
So, pretty much nothing that has to do with applying damage works, except for elemental skill damage and -res
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Demonlord
Cog
201 | 2
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Jo_Jo wrote:Has anyone tried Poison Barb on Labs? I mean levels 10+

I know this is about 2H Barb...but its the most active Barb thread around here, and i figure it would be the best place to ask.


I pushed mine to T12-13 and let me tell you even with 89,89,89,90 Res it gets rough in there you dont want to take many hits at all. And the Damage on Stampede falls off pretty hard as well. (Mostly because of your poison duration getting gimped so hard) You get to a point where you have to use Snake Bite on a lot of the more tougher things. Its doable but your going to have to work for it.

Shield of Hakan as well as the Witchhunter's Hood are almost mandatory (If you are not running them already) Because thats +4 to ALL Max Res which is huge for Lab. Also want a perfect Kabraxis Charm as well. These things with Azmodan Charm should put you at 85 res. (Poison should be 90 at this point) Doing things like taking out runes for +Res Gems also may be nessisary to get to 90 all res or close but thats what you want to aim for in Lab. Thats how i hit my Res Numbers while still keeping Max Block. But, even with all that bring a inv full of potions and your A-Game for kiting. And you may even consider using Edyrem for Meat Shields at times when possible. They can be helpful and really every little bit helps in that place.

You may also consider getting a good rolled Natasha Chest if you get really serious about pushing to T15 to make up the rest of the Max Res to hit 90 on gear alone. Just make sure it hits good Max Res and Pierce Rolls. +skills would be a plus but the latter two are the most important. This can save you using gems to make up the rest and allow some point from Dex over to Vit possibly. Not been able to get my hands on a chest yet but its an idea anyway. I also need test how much overcapping Res helps in there which im sure it does especially on bosses like Phoboss.
nazh202
Bone Archer
75 | 0
Diaco wrote:The only things that work from the off-hand weapon are:
* Skill bonuses
* Attribute bonuses
* + to Life/Mana/Maximum Stamina
* Maximum Life/Mana %
* Replenish Life
* Regenerate Mana %
* + to Life/Mana After Each (Demon) Kill
* % Damage Taken Goes to Mana
* Attacker Takes (Lightning) Damage
* % Extra Gold From Monsters
* % Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
* +% to Experience Gained
* Reduce All Vendor Prices %
* + to Light Radius
* % Increased Chance of Blocking
* % Faster Run/Walk /Hit Recovery/Block/Cast Rate
* + Defence (vs Melee/Missile)
* +% Enhanced Defence
* (Magic) Damage Reduced (by %)
* Resist +%
* +% to Maximum Resist
* + Absorb (%)
* Poison Length Reduced by %
* Half Freeze Duration
* Cannot be Frozen
* +% to Skill Damage
* -% to Enemy Resistance
So, pretty much nothing that has to do with applying damage works, except for elemental skill damage and -res

Thank you. So maybe a crafted weapon can be viable to increase poison skill damage and pierce
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Demonlord
Cog
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nazh202 wrote:
schroedinger wrote:I am using them because I didn't get anything better so far, but I'll probably replace them asap, specially the chest and the helmet. The shield has some useful bonuses though (5% avoid damage, 1% block, high def, % life leech), specially for HC. In SC I guess I would use double wield.

I get you. However I read somewhere saying that the offhand weapon when dual-wielding doesn't work properly. Can anyone tell me if it's true :mrgreen:


The only time i found Dwing useful leveling Poison Throw Barb was DWing Sterrenvogel to double up on the Pierce for Early game when getting any respectable amount of Block is not possible anyway and the Damage from Pierce is much more helpful in making the leveling process much more smooth. Of course later on you will eventually transition back to a Shield which for me was upon making Raptor. But DW Raptor could also be an option for more Damage from the +Snake Stance for Clear if you still comfortable with kiting alone. But, for me it felt like it was time to start working on some block and i happen to find the Throw Set Shield very early. which makes getting max block very easy.

But yeah as already mentioned think of anything you DW as nothing more than a Stat Stick. You can get Damage from things like Pierce and + skills but it doesnt give double the base damage from running two weapons or anything like that.
nazh202
Bone Archer
75 | 0
Demonlord wrote:
nazh202 wrote:
schroedinger wrote:I am using them because I didn't get anything better so far, but I'll probably replace them asap, specially the chest and the helmet. The shield has some useful bonuses though (5% avoid damage, 1% block, high def, % life leech), specially for HC. In SC I guess I would use double wield.

I get you. However I read somewhere saying that the offhand weapon when dual-wielding doesn't work properly. Can anyone tell me if it's true :mrgreen:


The only time i found Dwing useful leveling Poison Throw Barb was DWing Sterrenvogel to double up on the Pierce for Early game when getting any respectable amount of Block is not possible anyway and the Damage from Pierce is much more helpful in making the leveling process much more smooth. Of course later on you will eventually transition back to a Shield which for me was upon making Raptor. But DW Raptor could also be an option for more Damage from the +Snake Stance for Clear if you still comfortable with kiting alone. But, for me it felt like it was time to start working on some block and i happen to find the Throw Set Shield very early. which makes getting max block very easy.

But yeah as already mentioned think of anything you DW as nothing more than a Stat Stick. You can get Damage from things like Pierce and + skills but it doesnt give double the base damage from running two weapons or anything like that.


In order to get max block I have to put points into dexterity right? So strength for gear, dex for block and rest in vitality?
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Demonlord
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nazh202 wrote:
Demonlord wrote:
nazh202 wrote:
schroedinger wrote:I am using them because I didn't get anything better so far, but I'll probably replace them asap, specially the chest and the helmet. The shield has some useful bonuses though (5% avoid damage, 1% block, high def, % life leech), specially for HC. In SC I guess I would use double wield.

I get you. However I read somewhere saying that the offhand weapon when dual-wielding doesn't work properly. Can anyone tell me if it's true :mrgreen:


The only time i found Dwing useful leveling Poison Throw Barb was DWing Sterrenvogel to double up on the Pierce for Early game when getting any respectable amount of Block is not possible anyway and the Damage from Pierce is much more helpful in making the leveling process much more smooth. Of course later on you will eventually transition back to a Shield which for me was upon making Raptor. But DW Raptor could also be an option for more Damage from the +Snake Stance for Clear if you still comfortable with kiting alone. But, for me it felt like it was time to start working on some block and i happen to find the Throw Set Shield very early. which makes getting max block very easy.

But yeah as already mentioned think of anything you DW as nothing more than a Stat Stick. You can get Damage from things like Pierce and + skills but it doesnt give double the base damage from running two weapons or anything like that.


In order to get max block I have to put points into dexterity right? So strength for gear, dex for block and rest in vitality?


Correct! Dex gives Block and Attack Rating. Str is for Gear but also gives Defense as well in the case of builds that want to scale it instead for that purpose. (For example builds utilizing Candlewake Chest where Max Block would be near impossible or Casters Scaling Spell Damage via Str Factor or Barbs running Runemaster) Vitality Scales more Life of course and Energy is typically reserved for Casters.

Its also worth mentioning as well that scaling Dex for Max Block can be made much easier with Shield that have +to Max Block as well. These act like Multipliers to your Block and just +1 Block on a shield can mean the difference in having points left over after hitting that 75% cap and barely hitting it even at 400 Sigs. This why i mentioned the Throw Set Shield because it has +1 Block making it much easier to hit that block cap much earlier in Level and Sig progression.

Typically as well in Max Block builds by endgame once you have most endgame charms (especially ones that give more main stats like good roll Quov Tsin or Cow King or Umbaru Tresure/Triune) you will be more capable of maxing out block with Dex and having points left over for some Vit. Especially if you run things like 5% Dex Runes. You also in some cases such as Barbs utilizing Mountain King can run 3% All Stat runes to help scale Everything. These are things you would have judge and test for yourself which fits better for you build based on gear and if you are trying to scale Dex AND Vit as much as possible. (since running 3% All Stats can be a gain for multiple stats over 5% per rune for a single stat.) But, things to keep in mind none the less. These charms also can make it so you dont even need any points in Str depending on gear of course. Which in turn is even more points to distribute into more desirable stats such as Dex or Vit.

Ive been considering making a guide for Poison Throw Barb since ive found so much massive success with the setup but the only things holding me back is time investment vs people actually interested in such a guide. As well as so many people calling for a massive nerf to poison which would kill the build for a lot of the top end things it could be possible for such as Lab and Samael. Which imho if they were to nerf anything besides the Duration of Poison the build would almost make these things that are already going to be still be insanely hard near impossible. Only a handful of lower Uber Boss are actually a complete joke with the build which simply have no extra mitigation like Poison Absorb. Just my personal opinion as someone who has tried to push this build into everything the game has to offer including high Lab. As broken as some may claim this build to be you still wont get easy kills on the top hardest ubers in the game everyone struggles with such as Void, Witch, Laz, and even Yashari without respecs or extremely good play. Even Uldy and all his bosses before him is still a huge time investment with even the very best gear possible.

But, for people interested in more information for the endgame setup i run that give me the best results as well as my endgame notarmory simply send me a private message and i will be more than happy to send that over to you for reference as well as answer any questions you may have.