Help make my Labrys Barb great again

[shnurr214]

I don't think anything I listed is especially op. If your able to farm t Fauzt for shrines you can gather all the necessary things you need to build all the items I listed in a couple hours tops

[Crash]

► Show Spoiler

yeah I suspect how to get life regen will be your number 1 issue on this char. hymn proc from amulet helps but you'll probably have to use eagle stance

Really need a solution to that problem. That's why I like the low lvl RW weapon. Because it can get a lot of leech and ar (don't have charms, so the more I can get from the weapon, the better. 50% ar per orb is huge, daedalus gives about 200 with smax, that's like 4 orbs lol). What worked in hatred and terr is to put Shower of Rocks for leech, in dest it still works but not nearly as well as it did in the previous difficulties.


Put -light res on it. Seems like a good start. Not sure what else to put, on most other chars I did Thunder Hammer, but don't wanna mess this nice ring up.

If your going hard bear stance and your poor and using rune words runemaster kind of seems like a bad choice of uber skill imo. Rune master is great but synergizes much better with crafted gear and su. When I have played barb I don't use bear stance my build is As follows

craft a kraken/barb skills helm
stormblast/burning veil str crafts
Zomg crafted boots to fill holes in red/Tcd/str/fhr/elr whatever you need
2x -res and supernova proc rings or emp bands
Rare ammy with +skills/banish/doom/light arena w/e useful stuff
Erawan
Deadfall
Crafted labrys with a proc Probably better than most weapon rws

I go runemaster but I don't have damage problems due to kraken if you decide to max bear stance and go full rw maybe experiment with nephalem weapons.


For skills I use stormblast I also think ancients hand can be good and the normal barb stance dancing between eagle snake wolf and kraken depending on situation

Gl

Edit: if there are typos sorry typing on phone

shnurr... that's, like, OP gear.
It's true that Runemaster could be much stronger with different gear, but I don't really have a choice because I rely on the defensive bonus to survive. With gloves and boots it's already 8 runes, helm can have another 4, armor and weapon have 1 each, belt whatever I'm not touching belt. So effectively it's 14/24 = ~50% effectiveness. Still a decent deal considering that the investment to make Nephalem Weapons great again (-100 triple enemy res) is huge and I 100% can't do it because I'm not using Blood Hatred for -50 all and my gear is garb so I need to mo many important stats. Frankly, with that in mind, Neph seems like the even poorer choice staying even more below it's potential than Runemaster, unless there's a way to get that -res easily without losing all those other stats. Still haven't finished Gekko's skill suggestion, but when I have and it still doesn't work I will indeed experiment with Neph Weaps.

Confused where you thought any part of Shnurr's suggestion was considered "op gear"

He didn't list a single SU or rune word requiring a GR. It's very easy gear to obtain/make. If gekko's suggestions don't seem to be working out, perhaps try the easy suggestion from shnurr.

[Seekers]

Here a cheap and simple gear list to kickstart your barb:

Weapon:

Yaggai's Sagaris

Yaggai's Sagaris
Labrys (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: (441 - 471) to (496 - 527)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 796
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
Thunderfury
50% Chance to cast level 16 Stormblast on Melee Attack
50% Attack Speed
Adds 150-200 Damage
-35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
+100 to Strength
+100 to Vitality
Elemental Resists +(10 to 20)%
+250 Life on Melee Attack
Socketed (6)

socketed with x6 Xis runes.
Body:

Natasha's Legacy

Glove:

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)

or

Gulag's Frenzy

, socketed with x4

Atomus

Atomus
Jewel
Required Level: 120
Item Level: 120
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items
+1 to All Skills
+20 to all Attributes
+1% to Experience Gained

Boots:

Steel Terror

or

Knight's Grace

Knight's Grace
Greaves (Sacred)
Defense: (2232 - 2481) to (2519 - 2799)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 780
Item Level: 120
2% Chance to cast level 35 Knife Throw on Striking
+1 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
Adds 10-25 Damage
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+(15 to 25) to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Requirements +20%
Socketed (4)

, socketed with x4 Atomus
Belt:

Champion of the Triune

Champion of the Triune
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: 5209 to 6598
Required Level: 115
Required Strength: 665
Item Level: 120
Ethereal
6% Chance to cast level 1 Force Blast on Melee Attack
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
5% Deadly Strike
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(100 to 1000) Defense
Elemental Resists -15%
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (2)

socketed with x4 Atomus.,

Lilith's Temptation

Lilith's Temptation
Plated Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3680 - 4089) to (4031 - 4479)
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 2 Time Strike on Striking
+(170 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
-100 to Life
(60 to 100)% Magic Find
Requirements -100%
Socketed (2)

, socketed with x4

Wishmaster

Wishmaster
Jewel
Item Level: 1
Can be Inserted into Socketed Items
Physical Resist 1%
15% Magic Find

for MFing.
Helmet:

Lilith's Legion

Lilith's Legion
Avenger Guard (Sacred)
Defense: (3691 - 4041) to (4067 - 4455)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
150% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+300 Defense
20% to Strength
10% to Vitality
Physical Resist 10%
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
(30 to 60)% Gold Find
50% Magic Find
Socketed (4)

, socketed with x4 Atomus.
Ammy:

Beads of the Snake King

,

Beads of the Snake Queen

Beads of the Snake Queen
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
4% Chance to cast level 33 Scorpion Blade on Kill
Adds 5-10 Damage
Stun Attack
+(200 to 500) Defense
(20 to 25)% to Strength
(20 to 25)% to Dexterity
+100 Life after each Kill

.
Rings:

Seal of the Nephalem Kings

Seal of the Nephalem Kings
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
(10 to 15)% to Strength
(10 to 15)% to Vitality
(10 to 15)% Bonus to Defense
(10 to 20)% Gold Find

.

Bad Mood Ring

,

Orc Torque Torc

,

Der Nebelring

Der Nebelring
Ring
Required Level: 110
Item Level: 105
+(20 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Life
+15% to Summoned Minion Damage
+1000 Defense
+400 to Life
Physical Resist (4 to 6)%
+(40 to 50) Life after each Kill
+2 to Light Radius

and

Ballantine's 1827

all work I guess.

This build can be assembled as soon as act 1 destruction.

[Fumbles]

Oh look! One of chuck's guides ^

Skarn

- Double orbed w/15x cb and hopefully nice attack rating w/blessed oil. Rare jewels with ar/ias/fhr/res/%life/life etc. Use Sacred Ida (-20 wsm)

Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors
'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense

Blessed oil for at least 1% dr and extra defense. Jewels same as before to cover needs.

Invictus

Invictus
Gilded Shield (4)
Defense: (293 - 346) to (598 - 705)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 10
1% Chance to cast level 3 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(15 to 30)%
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+15 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (1029 - 1169) to (1897 - 2156)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 31
2% Chance to cast level 7 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(60 to 80)%
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+20 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (2644 - 2915) to (4760 - 5247)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 11 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(90 to 110)%
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+25 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (3984 - 4352) to (7140 - 7800)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 77
3% Chance to cast level 15 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(120 to 140)%
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+30 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

The high defense will negate the loss of jewels from the runewords. Also 10% dr, flat attributes and orb space.

Featherclaw

Nice ar/flat dex. Only 33 more ias to cap with these gloves and Ida.

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 19
2% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 36
2% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 85
2% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

10% cb,sor and orb space.
Amulet - Rare with skills,banish - flat life and fire pierce are good too. Aim for 100 fire pierce with orbs
Rings - Plenty of cheap uniques to choose from, otherwise a rare with +1 skills and fire pierce and a proc. Orb with fire pierce to til -100
Crafted barb helm with Ancient's Hand. Find an extra helm to continually upgrade for life/skills/proc. Ancients hand deal 3/4 wdm which is better than IB/SB which are 1/2 wdm. You can roll this helm as a rare with oils/dragons. If you use a sacred helm remember to bless with a shrine.
Boots - Good slot for honorific or craft. Orb resists and fhr (if you're near a break point). Vita craft is good later on. If you plan to farm nil for sigs, make sure to orb an extra 50 all resists to compensate for the res debuff from hellspawn.

Skarn+Erawan+Deadfall+(5 point wolf stance)= 96% crushing blow which is fine. I think wep+shield would be better starting out but switch to labrys when you have more charms/life

Socket shield/helm/belt/gloves with ohm runes
For honorific boots, tal runes are fine and won't increase the base level requirement.

Check the speed calc for break points

For skill plan, max runemaster or get close to 1 mil defense with spirit guide bonus. There are occasional enemies that lower defense so this is a good buffer. At least 1 point in Immortal and 1 in Thunder God if available.
1 point in spirit walk
Enough pts for at least 5 wolves
Ancient Blood as necessary to reach defense goal.
20+ in spirit guide
1 in mountain king,
1 each in stance and 5 in wolf
1 in stormblast
1 pt Daedalus
Leftovers for extra wolves/immortal or where ever.

Strength : Enough for gear
Dex: as necessary for at least 90% chance to hit
Vitality: rest

Use Wolf Stance/Ancients Hand

[void]

Lol, chill about the op comment.

Tried with Fortress, it's pretty good in terror, but in dest the leech on its own isn't enough, can probably make it work somehow, but doesn't feel right with Fortress.

I don't think anything I listed is especially op. If your able to farm t Fauzt for shrines you can gather all the necessary things you need to build all the items I listed in a couple hours tops

I've been using Kali gloves and those rings and amu and boots until destruction. I picked up the jewelry in hatred blood moor and before Shroud Royal was using t6 Gul armor. To be fair, it's not the best you can get, but an immense upgrade.
The stuff is not as hard to get as I thought luckily. The helm for example I don't need to craft, can just gamble a rare tiered one and up it to t6 and hopefully it will be good enough to do the job. Will see about the other items, just trying to avoid farming Fauzt if I can help it cause it's not very fast.

Oh look! One of chuck's guides ^

Skarn

- Double orbed w/15x cb and hopefully nice attack rating w/blessed oil. Rare jewels with ar/ias/fhr/res/%life/life etc. Use Sacred Ida (-20 wsm)

Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors
'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense

Blessed oil for at least 1% dr and extra defense. Jewels same as before to cover needs.

Invictus

Invictus
Gilded Shield (4)
Defense: (293 - 346) to (598 - 705)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 10
1% Chance to cast level 3 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(15 to 30)%
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+15 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (1029 - 1169) to (1897 - 2156)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 31
2% Chance to cast level 7 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(60 to 80)%
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+20 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (2644 - 2915) to (4760 - 5247)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 11 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(90 to 110)%
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+25 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (3984 - 4352) to (7140 - 7800)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 77
3% Chance to cast level 15 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(120 to 140)%
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+30 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

The high defense will negate the loss of jewels from the runewords. Also 10% dr, flat attributes and orb space.

Featherclaw

Nice ar/flat dex. Only 33 more ias to cap with these gloves and Ida.

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 19
2% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 36
2% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 85
2% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

10% cb,sor and orb space.
Amulet - Rare with skills,banish - flat life and fire pierce are good too. Aim for 100 fire pierce with orbs
Rings - Plenty of cheap uniques to choose from, otherwise a rare with +1 skills and fire pierce and a proc. Orb with fire pierce to til -100
Crafted barb helm with Ancient's Hand. Find an extra helm to continually upgrade for life/skills/proc. Ancients hand deal 3/4 wdm which is better than IB/SB which are 1/2 wdm. You can roll this helm as a rare with oils/dragons. If you use a sacred helm remember to bless with a shrine.
Boots - Good slot for honorific or craft. Orb resists and fhr (if you're near a break point). Vita craft is good later on. If you plan to farm nil for sigs, make sure to orb an extra 50 all resists to compensate for the res debuff from hellspawn.

Skarn+Erawan+Deadfall+(5 point wolf stance)= 96% crushing blow which is fine. I think wep+shield would be better starting out but switch to labrys when you have more charms/life

Socket shield/helm/belt/gloves with ohm runes
For honorific boots, tal runes are fine and won't increase the base level requirement.

Check the speed calc for break points

For skill plan, max runemaster or get close to 1 mil defense with spirit guide bonus. There are occasional enemies that lower defense so this is a good buffer. At least 1 point in Immortal and 1 in Thunder God if available.
1 point in spirit walk
Enough pts for at least 5 wolves
Ancient Blood as necessary to reach defense goal.
20+ in spirit guide
1 in mountain king,
1 each in stance and 5 in wolf
1 in stormblast
1 pt Daedalus
Leftovers for extra wolves/immortal or where ever.

Strength : Enough for gear
Dex: as necessary for at least 90% chance to hit
Vitality: rest

Use Wolf Stance/Ancients Hand

Cool, except for the Ohm runes. It's pretty difficult to even reach a nice amount of ar, so vita isn't going to happen. Also how does this char gain life back?

[Seekers]

Lol, chill about the op comment.

Tried with Fortress, it's pretty good in terror, but in dest the leech on its own isn't enough, can probably make it work somehow, but doesn't feel right with Fortress.

I don't think anything I listed is especially op. If your able to farm t Fauzt for shrines you can gather all the necessary things you need to build all the items I listed in a couple hours tops

I've been using Kali gloves and those rings and amu and boots until destruction. I picked up the jewelry in hatred blood moor and before Shroud Royal was using t6 Gul armor. To be fair, it's not the best you can get, but an immense upgrade.
The stuff is not as hard to get as I thought luckily. The helm for example I don't need to craft, can just gamble a rare tiered one and up it to t6 and hopefully it will be good enough to do the job. Will see about the other items, just trying to avoid farming Fauzt if I can help it cause it's not very fast.

Oh look! One of chuck's guides ^

Skarn

- Double orbed w/15x cb and hopefully nice attack rating w/blessed oil. Rare jewels with ar/ias/fhr/res/%life/life etc. Use Sacred Ida (-20 wsm)

Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors
'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense

Blessed oil for at least 1% dr and extra defense. Jewels same as before to cover needs.

Invictus

Invictus
Gilded Shield (4)
Defense: (293 - 346) to (598 - 705)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 14
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 10
1% Chance to cast level 3 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(15 to 30)%
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+15 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (1029 - 1169) to (1897 - 2156)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 31
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 31
2% Chance to cast level 7 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(60 to 80)%
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+20 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (2644 - 2915) to (4760 - 5247)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 11 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(90 to 110)%
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+25 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (3984 - 4352) to (7140 - 7800)
Chance to Block: 1%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 77
3% Chance to cast level 15 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Weapon Physical Damage +(120 to 140)%
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+30 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

The high defense will negate the loss of jewels from the runewords. Also 10% dr, flat attributes and orb space.

Featherclaw

Nice ar/flat dex. Only 33 more ias to cap with these gloves and Ida.

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 19
2% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 36
2% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 85
2% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

10% cb,sor and orb space.
Amulet - Rare with skills,banish - flat life and fire pierce are good too. Aim for 100 fire pierce with orbs
Rings - Plenty of cheap uniques to choose from, otherwise a rare with +1 skills and fire pierce and a proc. Orb with fire pierce to til -100
Crafted barb helm with Ancient's Hand. Find an extra helm to continually upgrade for life/skills/proc. Ancients hand deal 3/4 wdm which is better than IB/SB which are 1/2 wdm. You can roll this helm as a rare with oils/dragons. If you use a sacred helm remember to bless with a shrine.
Boots - Good slot for honorific or craft. Orb resists and fhr (if you're near a break point). Vita craft is good later on. If you plan to farm nil for sigs, make sure to orb an extra 50 all resists to compensate for the res debuff from hellspawn.

Skarn+Erawan+Deadfall+(5 point wolf stance)= 96% crushing blow which is fine. I think wep+shield would be better starting out but switch to labrys when you have more charms/life

Socket shield/helm/belt/gloves with ohm runes
For honorific boots, tal runes are fine and won't increase the base level requirement.

Check the speed calc for break points

For skill plan, max runemaster or get close to 1 mil defense with spirit guide bonus. There are occasional enemies that lower defense so this is a good buffer. At least 1 point in Immortal and 1 in Thunder God if available.
1 point in spirit walk
Enough pts for at least 5 wolves
Ancient Blood as necessary to reach defense goal.
20+ in spirit guide
1 in mountain king,
1 each in stance and 5 in wolf
1 in stormblast
1 pt Daedalus
Leftovers for extra wolves/immortal or where ever.

Strength : Enough for gear
Dex: as necessary for at least 90% chance to hit
Vitality: rest

Use Wolf Stance/Ancients Hand

Cool, except for the Ohm runes. It's pretty difficult to even reach a nice amount of ar, so vita isn't going to happen. Also how does this char gain life back?

Health pots

[void]

ok

[Fumbles]

With 5% chance to be hit and 35%+ dr, the only dmg that should really bother you is ele/poison. Effective use of Thunderslam makes a huge difference. With +5 points in Wolf Stance, it only takes 73 fhr to hit 3 frame break point. That doesn't include the additional speed from +skills/barb skills from charms/gear. Hitting 2 frames is very reasonable in mid-game. The additional velocity from wolf is another form of defense if used to retreat in bad situations and avoiding missiles. Like Seekers said, pots.

For attack rating, you can get up to 200% from

Featherclaw

. The weapon is trivial since its already annoying to craft double mo without having to worry about the base stats. At least with the orb bonus the blessed oil can add as much as double if the ar affix is successful. One point in Daedalus is good for a little attack rating. The other reliable source(not including charms) is jewels. Up to 50% can be rolled per jewel and there are 10 between the weapon and body armor. If Dex/AA % affixes spawn that helps too, as does flat dex. Don't forget up luck the jewels for a chance at more stats.

Try farming the stat charms asap to improve dex/str so you can get more life. With enough pierce, D Baal shouldn't be an issue and you can then farm bpr for a decent charm. If you don't have Quov charm yet, he can be done easily with honorifics, tus and a respec. This ladder Vizjun is a little more difficult but with any shrine crafted tantrum bow(proc not necessary) and 17k life its manageable. Jday + upgrade are easy with melee but I'd recommend using Eagle to tank and Kraken with SB/IB for more damage.

Edit: Once you have the shrines to craft a weapon, life after each kill is available as an affix. This is at the cost of 10% dr and 20% if you go 2h.

[shnurr214]

Nice tips fumbles how do you feel about eagle/kraken stance as gear improves? I don't play barb a ton but so I have very limited things I have found work well but you seem to be the resident barb expert.

[Fumbles]

Eagle has its uses and can compliment some play-styles but I can't justify dumping points into it for general game play. I prefer damage mitigation through movement and eating pots when necessary while enjoying the speed/damage from Wolf Stance. In Tran Athulua, with some avoid from Immortal, good defense, dr% and life, barb can eat several arrowside procs and not even care. In that situation the stance doesn't matter. But with the same barb in Duncraig, no amount of points in Eagle will stop a barrel. With Wolf stance, one has an improved chance of escaping not only through velocity but improved hit recovery which can make a huge difference when trying to run through mobs while taking a beating.

Kraken stance with melee is fine. I'd still combo it with Wolf though if given the choice. This is just an opinion though, ymmv.