The TLDR 2H Barb

[Semigloss]

What do you think would be the best source of whirlpool aerial?

Leather of Aut

Leather of Aut
Hard Leather Armor (4)
Defense: (66 - 75) to (132 - 151)
Required Level: 2
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 1
+(2 to 4) to Whirlpool
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to Strength
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
(3 to 5)% to Vitality
(11 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (2)
Defense: (267 - 297) to (449 - 500)
Required Level: 19
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 31
+(5 to 8) to Whirlpool
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to Strength
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
(9 to 11)% to Vitality
(21 to 30)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
Defense: (701 - 761) to (1131 - 1228)
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 193
Item Level: 51
+(9 to 12) to Whirlpool
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to Strength
(15 to 17)% to Dexterity
(15 to 17)% to Vitality
(31 to 40)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (5)
Defense: (1052 - 1135) to (1691 - 1823)
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 385
Item Level: 77
+(13 to 16) to Whirlpool
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to Strength
(18 to 20)% to Dexterity
(18 to 20)% to Vitality
(41 to 50)% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (6)

is definitely the easiest source, but later it shows up as an O-skill on 1h axes, maces, hammers and boots. Boot slot is probably the easiest to give up other rolls. Increasing skill level only adds more magic damage.

[Jovoman]

a quick, note, wouldnt be a phys based iron spiral barb + screaming eagle debuff also be quite nice? im atm start of hell and damage is more than enough with iron spiral + stormblast using TU 4 great sword + all skills offhand sword


also to go with runrmaster early on and putting some strengh/vita runes in it + bear stance for hard stuff and in general just wolf stance


what u guys think?


later on maybe going with innate element damage + nephalem spirit and SU barb sword for 100% lightning dmg to iron spiral?

[aerial]

youd need main hand throwin axe and offhand shield in order to use sword spiral, it requires sword, and screaming eagle reuires axe, so no shield
it should be playable sure, and decent aoe on sword spiral

[Jampula]

Whirlpool has a pretty hefty mana cost (static 300) for being a beginning skill, of course two sapphires on axe and some mana on attack mo's would help. Just started to play a barb and couldn't decide what skill to use as crowd killer so I just hired a priestess, she carried me to A5 with just Magebane bow (her Spore Shot also deals magic dmg so there is that) with me throwing screaming eagles and icebursting bosses.

Can't wait to get to the stronger ubers.

[Tablith]

I'm now playing this build and Lv 103.
Barb newbie.
In the Hell mode, My chara's defense is too low to survive, Especially boss fights.
Now using TU weapon and armor written in the first page.
Should I change TU to Shrine Craft?
And how to get Defense and Resist?
Please give me advice...

[aerial]

resist: runes in sockets, mystic orb upgrades on rings/amulets and armor pieces
defense: high base armor chest, socket runes in all slots, start maxing runemaster

you have videos of early ubers that show stats, if you copy gear shown in those videos (all gear is cheap) you should get same stats

[Ywinel]

Even if you don't have runes you want, socket gear with any, you can always unsocket and change it.

MO your TU gear with enhanced def (200 is max and don't get it over your level), it changes alot.

[Tablith]

Thank you for a very clear and understandable explanation!
I'll see videos and change gears ASAP.

[sotheru]

first of all thanks for the guide. you helped me a lot cause im a new player.
my question is can i play this build 1h axe + shield ?
i know its a TLDR 2H BARB guide but if you answer my question i will be very happy.
thanks and good luck

[aerial]

sure but you gonna lose lot of damage
going sword + shield is another option, that works better, spiral for clear, and stormblast for single target, and just skip axe tree
you can whilwind in duncraig, clear screens with sword spiral, your defense is going to be massive because you will have shield on
this build was discussed here not long ago as being very competitive to 2h axe variant