Iron Spiral Barbarian

[Lathron]

Hello there, I'm a returning player who hasn't played median in years and I tried a few frustrating builds before I finally found something that works. First of all, no matter what class/build you're playing it is essential to read the docs. Start with the cube recipes and explore the items and quests sections. An iron spiral barbarian is quite strong and has fantastic damage. The skill hits a large circular area for a melee skill so you'll have no issues with mobs hitting you from behind while you use a frontal/cone attack like some other melee skills. Even though late endgame you want to go gladiator's dominance + dex build for max block, until you have +400 signets of learning eaten and most charms there's no point in trying to achieve a decent block chance and you'll likely just gimp your character trying to do so, I advise you to do this for your early game/midgame/charms:

EARLY GAME:
Go full strength and use a 2-handed sword, no shield for most of normal and nightmare with wolf stance for the movement speed and attack speed, wolf/lion stance with stormblast for boss killing, bear for tough areas. You can max wolf stance for rushing to hell with insane movement speed and respec later. Make 75% resistances and a high defense body armor a priority and you'll have no issues. Use whatever runewords you want along the way but don't count on them at 90+ as you'll be using runemaster and want to maximize the number of runes in your gear. Also, you will likely have mana issues on boss fights but mana on attack mos on your weapon will let you spam your abilities freely. Try to get

The Dao of Xiansai

The Dao of Xiansai
Great Sword (4)
One-Hand Damage: (8 - 9) to (25 - 37)
Two-Hand Damage: (15 - 17) to (31 - 43)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 105
Item Level: 17
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+1 to All Skills
15% Attack Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+(15 to 25) to Maximum Damage
(51 to 75)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
+(101 to 150) Defense
+1% to Experience Gained
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (24 - 27) to (61 - 73)
Two-Hand Damage: (45 - 50) to (79 - 94)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 151
Item Level: 33
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+2 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
(101 to 125)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
+(201 to 250) Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: (59 - 64) to (123 - 149)
Two-Hand Damage: (114 - 123) to (172 - 201)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 291
Item Level: 54
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+3 to All Skills
35% Attack Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+(51 to 70) to Maximum Damage
(151 to 175)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
+(301 to 350) Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: (77 - 83) to (166 - 193)
Two-Hand Damage: (148 - 160) to (228 - 259)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 570
Item Level: 90
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+4 to All Skills
40% Attack Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+(71 to 90) to Maximum Damage
(176 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(351 to 400) Defense
+3% to Experience Gained
Socketed (6)

and some of the tiered uniques listed in the midgame section that you find/you can create.

MID GAME:
Build:

► Show Spoiler

1 Earthquake
6 Iron Spiral
1 Stormblast
1 Windform
max Daedalus
10 wolf companion
Ancient blood-> put only leftovers here and every 4 levels stop and max your other skills before continuing
1 Fortress
10 spirit guide
1 in all stances
1 Mountain King
max Immortal
max Runemaster
1 Thundergod

Since you want to use runes in every socket you'll rely on tiered uniques and crafts to start. Here's a list of equipment that you can use to farm your charms solo (use https://docs.median-xl.com/doc/items/tiereduniques to see the proper sigma stats).

► Show Spoiler

Priority
Helm:

Bonechewer

Bonechewer
Fanged Helm (4)
Defense: (55 - 63) to (83 - 95)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 4
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 7
10% Attack Speed
(10 to 25)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(5 to 10)%
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 30) to Strength
Physical Resist 1%
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (231 - 256) to (300 - 334)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 25
15% Attack Speed
(35 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(20 to 30)%
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 40) to Strength
Physical Resist 2%
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (607 - 659) to (783 - 850)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 39
Required Strength: 175
Item Level: 46
20% Attack Speed
(60 to 75)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(40 to 50)%
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 50) to Strength
Physical Resist 3%
6% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (913 - 985) to (1166 - 1258)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 350
Item Level: 81
25% Attack Speed
(85 to 100)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(60 to 70)%
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 60) to Strength
Physical Resist 4%
8% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

Shield:

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: 16
1% Chance to cast level 3 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01171875%
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(5 to 20)%
+(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: 32
2% Chance to cast level 7 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.015625%
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(40 to 60)%
+(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: 52
2% Chance to cast level 11 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01953125%
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(60 to 80)%
+(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: 88
3% Chance to cast level 15 Gift of the Wild on Kill
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.0234375%
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(80 to 100)%
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+30 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (4)

These two items boost your Lion stance damage immensely and are needed
Weapon:

The Dao of Xiansai

The Dao of Xiansai
Great Sword (4)
One-Hand Damage: (8 - 9) to (25 - 37)
Two-Hand Damage: (15 - 17) to (31 - 43)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 105
Item Level: 17
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+1 to All Skills
15% Attack Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+(15 to 25) to Maximum Damage
(51 to 75)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
+(101 to 150) Defense
+1% to Experience Gained
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (24 - 27) to (61 - 73)
Two-Hand Damage: (45 - 50) to (79 - 94)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 151
Item Level: 33
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+2 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
(101 to 125)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
+(201 to 250) Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: (59 - 64) to (123 - 149)
Two-Hand Damage: (114 - 123) to (172 - 201)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 291
Item Level: 54
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+3 to All Skills
35% Attack Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+(51 to 70) to Maximum Damage
(151 to 175)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
+(301 to 350) Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: (77 - 83) to (166 - 193)
Two-Hand Damage: (148 - 160) to (228 - 259)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 570
Item Level: 90
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+4 to All Skills
40% Attack Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+(71 to 90) to Maximum Damage
(176 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(351 to 400) Defense
+3% to Experience Gained
Socketed (6)

Gloves:

Featherclaw

, later Abandoned craft with high %AR
Body armor:

Jitan's Kamon

Jitan's Kamon
Splint Mail (4)
Defense: (184 - 208) to (370 - 418)
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 10
2% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds 2-4 Fire Damage
Adds 2-4 Lightning Damage
Adds 2-4 Cold Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 2%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (592 - 656) to (1106 - 1225)
Required Level: 23
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 27
4% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds (4 to 8)-(8 to 15) Fire Damage
Adds (4 to 8)-(8 to 15) Lightning Damage
Adds (4 to 8)-(8 to 15) Cold Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 3%
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1466 - 1596) to (2663 - 2898)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 48
6% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds (16 to 30)-(31 to 45) Fire Damage
Adds (16 to 30)-(31 to 45) Lightning Damage
Adds (16 to 30)-(31 to 45) Cold Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 4%
Socketed (5)
Defense: (2175 - 2352) to (3925 - 4244)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 82
8% Chance to cast level 1 Guard Tower on Kill
Adds (31 to 60)-(81 to 120) Fire Damage
Adds (31 to 60)-(81 to 120) Lightning Damage
Adds (31 to 60)-(81 to 120) Cold Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (6)

for damage and %dr but you want to replace it with the highest possible defense armor, either an abandoned craft or

Shroud Royal

Shroud Royal
Full Plate Mail (4)
Defense: (336 - 390) to (676 - 786)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 18
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01171875%
+(1 to 2) to Vanquish
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (7 to 10)
(6 to 8)% Gold Find
(6 to 8)% Magic Find
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1082 - 1213) to (2067 - 2318)
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 33
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.015625%
+(5 to 6) to Vanquish
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (15 to 18)
(10 to 12)% Gold Find
(10 to 12)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2707 - 2983) to (5055 - 5570)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 53
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01953125%
+(9 to 10) to Vanquish
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (23 to 26)
(14 to 16)% Gold Find
(14 to 16)% Magic Find
Socketed (5)
Defense: (4043 - 4401) to (7534 - 8200)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 90
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.0234375%
+(11 to 12) to Vanquish
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (27 to 30)
(18 to 20)% Gold Find
(18 to 20)% Magic Find
Socketed (6)

Belt:

Wormtongue

Wormtongue
Light Belt (4)
Defense: (53 - 58) to (71 - 78)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 26
Item Level: 5
(31 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 5-13 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(2 to 4)% Life stolen per Hit
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
+(11 to 15) to Dexterity
Socketed (1)
Defense: (214 - 231) to (259 - 279)
Required Level: 21
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 24
(71 to 90)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 19-50 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(8 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: (544 - 581) to (649 - 693)
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 192
Item Level: 45
(111 to 130)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 75-150 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(14 to 16)% Life stolen per Hit
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: (801 - 851) to (946 - 1006)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 384
Item Level: 77
(131 to 150)% Bonus to Attack Rating
Adds 100-250 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
(17 to 19)% Life stolen per Hit
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Dexterity
Socketed (2)

you'll be killing enemies fast enough that the small chance proc on

Deadfall

Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)
Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 11
1% 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: 28
1% 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: 48
1% 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: 84
1% 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)

is more or less useless and crushing blow does not work against bosses, also an Abandoned craft works
Boots:

Zealot Rush

Zealot Rush
Light Plated Boots (4)
Defense: (67 - 78) to (102 - 119)
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 31
Item Level: 10
5% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(11 to 25)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(21 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (248 - 281) to (338 - 384)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 27
10% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(41 to 55)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (613 - 685) to (817 - 914)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 48
20% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(71 to 85)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to Dexterity
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (944 - 1044) to (1247 - 1378)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 83
30% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(86 to 100)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to Dexterity
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

or Abandoned craft
Rings: randoms with +1 to skills, moed with defense, resists
Amulet: +3 skills with successful lucky bonus to +4 skills, mo with defense, resists

Nothing in this list is hard to come by. We use a shield for the base defense it provides (you have a lot of %total character defense so the base defense on body armor and shield become very important) and the shield bonus to lion stance more than makes up for not using a 2h sword. Use 15% enhanced defense mos on body armor and shield until 200% enhanced defense and then put full jah runes in them and in your weapon. For the other items use whichever runes you find useful at the time, I used some resists, 5% strength or 3% all attributes. Our gear focuses on high %attack rating (900%+) to make up for going full strength (with the dex you get from charms, gear and mountain king together with the combined %ar on gear you will have 80-90% chance to hit) and runemaster, immortal together with wolves helps us achieve insane def and some avoid (20-30%) in lion stance to counter the -%dr. Some more %lifesteal or life after kill from your crafts is needed but if you don't have it you can use pots from time to time instead.

PLAYSTYLE:
Summon your wolves, buff with Thundergod
Lion Stance + Iron Spiral will stunlock mobs and kill them fast
Lion Stance + Stormblast will melt bosses and other high hp targets
Wolf Stance + Windform to get to a place/skip mobs
Bear stance is needed sometimes, if your hp is dropping you can quickly switch mid-combat, heal up, switch back to doing dmg or kill slower in bear stance if that's what you're comfortable with. For just a few areas you'll need permanent bear stance for the %dr (your chance to be hit is likely 5% in lion stance as well).

CHARMS:
Aeriel's 2h barb guide has a fantastic section on progression through ubers that I followed and you can rely on his knowledge, for some you'll need to stay in bear stance but for others you'll find that killing them faster in lion stance makes the fight that much easier.
Stats of my fresh barb in Lion stance:
http://prntscr.com/mdqheq
http://prntscr.com/mdqum4
http://prntscr.com/mdqvfq

Just try the build out, especially Lion Stance + Stormblast on bosses with 1400% + enhanced weapon dmg is lots of fun, I can assure you that there are very few builds that melt them quicker with tiered uniques and you can farm k3k and tran athula easily. I just wanted to share with you something that works and has an endgame variant (max block) that you can transition into. If any high level gladiator's dominance barbs want to share their side of the story I will add an endgame section with their name

PS: If any active, well-regarded forum member can start a miniguide thread for sigma that would be very nice, I was reluctant to post this as I haven't reached the very endgame (125+) but it is legitimately a very high damage build with decent survivability that just breezed through nightmare and hell and was able to get his charms with no special gear.

EDIT: Apologies for the lack of activity, real life got in the way, this mini-guide was intended as a "get me to 120 smoothly" build, I'm happy other (better) players took the early-mid game variant and made endgame builds

I followed this build until I hit about 120 and then made my own changes.
I'm currently lvl 138 and can comfortably solo Duncraig, Fauztiville, and Bremmtown in 8-player games.
Very viable and very fun.
I have 1.2 Million def in Bear Stance and 600k in Wolf Stance.
I hit 11k max on Iron Spiral and have 19k life.


My recommendations:
Wolf Stance instead of Lion Stance
Put 10 points into Bear Stance for the phys res
Put 15 into Wolf Companion so you can have a few around to tank for you and in case one gets lost
Don't focus on lightning spell dmg or lowering enemy res
Defense, FHR, Attack Speed, Life on Attack, and Life After Each Kill are what allow you to slice right through crowded areas

My gear:
Weapon:

Qarak's Will

Qarak's Will
Giant Sword (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: (150 - 163) to (233 - 246)
Two-Hand Damage: (206 - 225) to (285 - 305)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 480
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 34 Spike Nova on Melee Attack
6% Chance to cast level 40 Pentagram on Melee Attack
10% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Kill
+(30 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
Adds 50-125 Damage
Adds 84-167 Fire Damage
+(26 to 38)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(100 to 250) Life after each Kill
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

(Jah runes)
Shield:

The Ancients' Legacy

The Ancients' Legacy
Gilded Shield (Sacred)
Defense: (15050 - 16085) to (17457 - 18740)
Chance to Block: 3%
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 2450
Item Level: 120
+4 to Barbarian Skill Levels
2% Base Block Chance
40% Block Speed
Enhanced Weapon Damage +90%
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+5000 Defense
30% Bonus to Defense
Requirements +250%
Socketed (4)

(2x -14% req jewels and 2x Jah runes)
Helm:

Metalhead

Metalhead
Great Helm (Sacred)
Defense: 2420 to 3551
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 1250
Item Level: 105
3% Chance to cast level 10 Stormblast on Melee Attack
3% Chance to cast level 10 Shower of Rocks on Melee Attack
Ignore Target's Defense
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
+(1000 to 2000) Defense
+2 Life on Striking
25% Bonus to Defense
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
-5 to Light Radius
Requirements +100%
Socketed (4)

(Lah runes)
Armor:

Strength Beyond Strength

Strength Beyond Strength
Gothic Plate (Sacred)
Defense: (8339 - 9198) to (10115 - 11157)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 675
Item Level: 120
1% Chance to cast level 36 Pyroblast on Striking
Adds 25-38 Damage
150% Bonus to Attack Rating
+90% Damage to Demons
25% Life stolen per Hit
10% Deadly Strike
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
-5 to Light Radius
Socketed (6)

(Lah runes)
Amulet:

Klaatu Barada Nikto

Klaatu Barada Nikto
Amulet
Required Level: 110
Item Level: 105
30% Enhanced Damage vs. Necrobots
10% Chance to cast level 40 Nova Bomb on Melee Attack
+2 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
Adds 1-188 Lightning Damage
+650 Poison Damage over 2 seconds
Stun Attack
+(11 to 16) to Hive
Lightning Resist +(40 to 50)%
Poison Resist +(40 to 50)%

Belt:

Black Void

Black Void
Heavy Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3060 - 3442) to (3304 - 3717)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
20% Attack Speed
Adds 10-15 Damage
(10 to 15)% Life stolen per Hit
Slow Target 10%
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
10% to Strength
10% to Dexterity
Target Takes Additional Damage of (25 to 50)
30% Magic Find
Socketed (2)

(Lah runes)
Ring 1:

Giant's Knuckle

Giant's Knuckle
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
20% Attack Speed
Adds 10-15 Damage
(5 to 10)% Life stolen per Hit
5% Deadly Strike
+25 Life Regenerated per Second
Physical Resist 5%

Ring 2:

Adrenaline Rush

Adrenaline Rush
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 120
+1 to All Skills
40% Combat Speeds
40% Movement Speed
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%

Gloves: Abandoned Craft Sacred Gauntlets w/ all stats and res (Lah runes)
Boots:

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

On switch: A CotW crafted barb axe and a great sword, both full of Nih runes.


Cheap Alternatives for the expensive pieces:
Armor:

Marchosias' Might

Marchosias' Might
Full Plate Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (8595 - 9436) to (10308 - 11338)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 1400
Item Level: 1
5% Chance to cast level 3 Bladestorm on Melee Attack
+50 to Maximum Damage
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+1000 Defense
+(151 to 200) to Strength
(6 to 10)% to Strength
Requirements +100%
Socketed (6)

Marchosias' Essence
(Druid Werewolf Set)

Belt:

Marchosias' Hatred

Marchosias' Hatred
Heavy Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (3111 - 3455) to (3359 - 3731)
Required Level: 90
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 1
5% Chance to cast level 3 Bladestorm on Melee Attack
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
Enhanced Weapon Damage +(55 to 60)%
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(6 to 10)% to Strength
Socketed (2)

Marchosias' Essence
(Druid Werewolf Set)

(for the 40% strength set bonus) or

The Endless Loop

The Endless Loop
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: 1101 to 1143
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 105
40% Combat Speeds
+(10 to 19) to Charged Strike
Slow Target 10%
+50 to all Attributes
+50 Life Regenerated per Second
+(0 to 1) Mana on Striking
Socketed (2)

Shield:

Kodo

Rings:

Ripstar

Ripstar
Ring
Required Level: 60
Item Level: 60
+0.5625 to Maximum Damage (Based on Character Level)
+20 Life on Melee Attack

Boots:

Zealot Rush

Zealot Rush
Light Plated Boots (4)
Defense: (67 - 78) to (102 - 119)
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 31
Item Level: 10
5% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(11 to 25)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(21 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (1)
Defense: (248 - 281) to (338 - 384)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 27
10% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(41 to 55)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (2)
Defense: (613 - 685) to (817 - 914)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 48
20% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(71 to 85)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to Dexterity
3% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)
Defense: (944 - 1044) to (1247 - 1378)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 83
30% Attack Speed
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
(86 to 100)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(81 to 100)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to Dexterity
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)

I'm happy to answer any questions.

[ATLien]

Can you rush through Duncraig, Triune, etc. with optimized Mid-Gear?

[PaintedDots]

I'm currently working on a similar Iron Spiral, what merc did you decide to go with? Currently I'm using A5 barbarian but he feels kind of useless (note, I severely lack in Median knowledge)

[Lathron]

Can you rush through Duncraig, Triune, etc. with optimized Mid-Gear?

With this setup you're dealing heavy physical and lightning dmg with some magic dmg sprinkled on top. What you can do to optimize your midgame is get -enemy lightning resistance which affects both your 30% dmg conversion from iron spiral and your passive daedalus, this will increase your damage considerably if you have items/find ways to do it but it is not necessary because there are few mobs that will not get hit locked by your iron spiral in the 105-120 range. Duncraig is doable at a comfortable speed by using Windform to dodge the barrels, but if we talk about rushing places this guide is mostly intended for getting people to 120 smooth and fast and being able to farm everything up to that point, you can't run with tiered uniques forever, once you're there you either keep the build and use better gear from what you're farming (tu helm and shield can stay, besides they're good items, helm has attack speed, %attack rating, reanimates, %phys res, shield has 11k def after mos and jahs, attributes and %dr) or you switch to gladiator's dominance with a max dex build.

I'm currently working on a similar Iron Spiral, what merc did you decide to go with? Currently I'm using A5 barbarian but he feels kind of useless (note, I severely lack in Median knowledge)

Stick with your barbarian merc for his awesome Thunder Slam and give him your hand me downs like he's your little brother I've done most of the game without a mercenary because they are often unreliable, I only revive him when I farm high density places, I use reanimates as distractions (helm). When you see people's mercs owning or soloing something those mercenaries often have sacred uniques on them that are much better than anything mentioned here, with gear they do become useful. That being said, here are some sample items to improve your merc's utility:

Void

Void
Weapons
'Sur'
Runeword Level: 75
Adds 7-13 Damage
+(58 to 72)% Enhanced Damage
Slow Target 20%
Regenerate Mana +15%
Cold Resist +40%
Physical Damage Reduced by (11 to 15)
+(3 to 5) Mana on Striking
2% Reanimate as: Random Monster

Slows target by 33% (screen-wide on Thunder Slam)

Toorc's Gift

Toorc's Gift
Chain Gloves (4)
Defense: (26 - 30) to (47 - 54)
Required Level: 5
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 8
2% Chance to cast level 1 Glacial Nova on Melee Attack
5% Attack Speed
Stun Attack
+(12 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (155 - 172) to (211 - 234)
Required Level: 22
Required Strength: 57
Item Level: 26
3% Chance to cast level 2 Glacial Nova on Melee Attack
15% Attack Speed
Adds (11 to 15)-(16 to 25) Cold Damage
Stun Attack
+(47 to 63)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (434 - 472) to (573 - 624)
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 201
Item Level: 46
4% Chance to cast level 3 Glacial Nova on Melee Attack
25% Attack Speed
Adds (36 to 45)-(46 to 63) Cold Damage
Stun Attack
+(81 to 97)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (657 - 710) to (859 - 928)
Required Level: 48
Required Strength: 402
Item Level: 80
5% Chance to cast level 3 Glacial Nova on Melee Attack
30% Attack Speed
Adds (81 to 100)-(101 to 125) Cold Damage
Stun Attack
+(98 to 114)% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (4)

Glacial nova on attack

Also, if anybody wants to contribute/considers that something that I've said is not right/has better ideas feel free to use the thread to do so, I am still experimenting but after trying 2-3 classes at 115+ this is one build that can do well solo with good survivability and satisfying dps while not using sets/sacred uniques that starting players do not have.

[PaintedDots]

Interesting, I will definitely try those 2 items on him. Mind posting or PMing your full current setup so I can compare?

[antonius]

at the moment, I'm using the old guide and I'm not having problems except with the speed of movement, the lion stance will definitely give me a hand. Evaluate in game, thanks for the advice

[Lathron]

So I have put all of my points where you suggested (I am 115) and have 46 skill points remaining, what should I max?

Ancient Blood raises the max level of your skills by 1 with every 4 levels so you put points in there, begin with 16 in Ancient Blood, then you max Daedalus, Immortal and Runemaster, if you still have points left go to 20 Ancient Blood, leave a few points unskilled for your new charms that will increase your maximum skill levels. Ancients Blood gives you %life while Daedalus gives you max life so they synergize well, this way you will have 9-10k life with no specific vit/+life items with 115 charms.

Example for level 115 (4 free points saved for future charms):

► Show Spoiler

SKILLS

1 Earthquake
6 Iron Spiral
1 Stormblast
1 Windform
29 Daedalus

10 Wolf Companion
20 Ancient Blood
1 Fortress
10 Spirit Guide
1 Mountain King

1 Lion Stance
1 Snake Stance
1 Bear Stance
1 Eagle Stance
1 Wolf Stance

18 Immortal
18 Runemaster
1 Thundergod

[Moonbeast495]

There is a build in 1.3 small guide compilation by ChuckNoris called "die hard"(number 26). I wanted to ask how to play it in Sigma? Build seems similar but not updated. Currently using mid-game equipment(crane stance) and still do not have the proper shield. Using bear stance while farming k3k. Seems like not having enough damage so clear speed is not very high. What should i improve in tree/items? My current gear is all tu4.

[Moonbeast495]

Or can somebody just look at die hard build and update it to Sigma,please?

[velislav87]

Hey how do you manage resists , you have helm gloves boots belt for runes with resists aand you enchant them for all res ?

P.S. Where do you farm Jah runes . So far i only found 2 and we do need alot of them ..