Barbarian and Sorceress are usually the two classes that are first introduced to the world of Diablo. If you prefer magic over brute force, then the Diablo 4 Sorceress Guide is for you. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Barbarian: talents, best class builds, unique class mechanics and helpful tips.
How to play as Barbarian in Diablo 4
The Barbarian is the only class in the game that can use four weapons at the same time. And that fact says a lot about the playstyle of this class. The barbarian does not run away from the battle but tries to stack as many opponents as possible in order to attack them and get as much Rage as possible – his class resource. He spends this resource on abilities divided into six groups: Basic, Core, Defensive, Brawling, Weapon Mastery, and Ultimate. All abilities deal physical damage.
Using 4 weapons at once is a unique mechanic for Barbarian; however, this does not mean that Barbarian can use any weapon. Barbarian is at his best with One-/Two-Handed Slashing Weapons, One-/Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapons, and Two-Handed Weapons.
The barbarian has 6 groups of abilities, each group, except for the last two, has 5 abilities. Each of the abilities can be leveled up to 5 times or more with items. We have a build at the bottom, and I’ve marked in green the skills we use in this build so you can get to know them better.
Basic Skills
With these abilities, you generate Fury. In general, this is your auto attack, because these abilities are activated by pressing the left mouse button.
Show Basic Skills
Flay — Flay the enemy dealing (5%) damage. Inflicts (38%) Bleeding damage over 5 seconds.
Bash —Bash the enemy with your Weapon, dealing (31%) damage. After bashing enemies (4) times, your next Bash will Stun for (1.25) seconds, this increases to (2) seconds if using a Two-Handed Weapon.
Lunging Strike — Lunge forward and strike an enemy for (31%) damage.
Frenzy — Unleash a rapid flurry of blows, dealing (21%) damage with each pair of hits. If Frenzy hits an enemy, its Attack Speed is increased by (+20%) for (3) seconds, up to (+60%).
Core Skills
These abilities, on the other hand, consume Fury and deal a huge amount of damage to many opponents.
Show Core Skills
Rend — Cleave enemies in front of you, dealing (13%) damage and inflicting (101%) Bleeding damage over (5) seconds.
Hammer of the Ancients —Slam your hammer down with the fury of the Ancients, dealing (59%) damage to a concentrated area.
Upheaval — Tear into the ground with your Weapon and fling debris forward, dealing (73%) damage.
Whirlwind — Rapidly attack surrounding enemies for (12%) damage.
Double Swing — Sweep your Weapons from opposite directions, dealing (38%) damage with each Weapon. Enemies caught in the center are damaged by both.
Defensive Skills
The risky gameplay of the Barbarian requires a high level of defense ability. In Diablo 4, a whole group is dedicated to them.
Show Defensive Skills
Rallying Cry — Bellow a rallying cry, granting allies (+30%) increased Movement Speed, and (x50%) increased Resource Generation for (6) seconds.
Iron Skin — Steel yourself, gaining a Barrier that absorbs (50%) of your missing Life for (5) seconds.
Challenging Shout — Taunt nearby enemies and gain (x40%) Damage Reduction for (8) seconds.
Ground Stomp — Smash the ground, dealing (10%) damage and Stunning surrounding enemies for (3) seconds.
Defensive Cluster Passives (increase your passive survivable abilities):
Imposing Presence — Gain x5%/x10%/x15% additional Maximum Life.
Martial Vigor — Damage Reduction against Elites is increased by x4%/x8%/x12%. Requires 1 point in Imposing Presence.
Outburst — Gain 2/4/6 Thorns. Also gain 2 Thorns for each 2 bonus Maximum Life you have.
Tough as Nails — Increase your Thorns by +20%/+40%/+60%. Requires 1 point in Outburst.
Brawling Skills
This type of ability usually defines your play style. These are special abilities that have a long countdown and a strong effect.
Show Brawling Skills
War Cry — Bellow a mighty war cry. You and nearby allies deal (x15%) increased damage for (8) seconds.
Kick —Throw a powerful kick that deals (19%) damage and Knocks Back enemies in front of you. Enemies who are Knocked Back into terrain take an additional (57%) damage and are Stunned for (3) seconds.
Leap — Leap forward and then slam down, dealing (34%) damage and Knocking Back surrounding enemies on impact.
Charge — Become Unstoppable and rush forward, pushing enemies with you then swinging through them for (26%) damage and Knocking them Back.
Brawling Cluster Passives (increase your passive abilities):
Swiftness — Movement Speed is increased by +4%/+8%/+12%.
Quick Impulses — Reduce the duration of Control Impairing Effects by x6%/x12%/x18%. Requires 1 point in Swiftness.
Aggressive Resistance — Gain x4%/x8%/x12% Damage Reduction while Berserking.
Prolific Fury — While Berserking, Fury Generation is increased by x6%/x12%/x18. Requires 1 point in Aggressive Resistance.
Battle Frenzy — When Brawling Skill damages at least one enemy, gain Berserking for 1/2/3 seconds. Requires 1 point in Aggressive Resistance.
Booming Voice — Shout Skill durations are increased by x10%/x20%/x30%.
Guttural Yell — Your Shout Skills cause enemies to deal x8%/x16%/x24% less damage for 5 seconds. Requires 1 point in Booming Voice.
Raid Leader — Your Shout also Heal allies for 1%/2%/3% of their Maximum Life per second. Requires 1 point in Booming Voice.
Weapon Mastery Skills
These abilities affect your weapon proficiency. Therefore, study only those that affect your favorite weapon.
Show Weapon Mastery Skills
Rupture — Skewer enemies in front of you, dealing (14%) damage, then rip your Weapon out, damaging enemies for their total Bleeding amount and removing all Bleeding damage from them.
Death Blow —Attempt a killing strike, dealing (126%) damage to enemies in front of you. If this kills an enemy the Cooldown is reset.
Steel Grasp — Throw out a trio of chains that deal (24%) damage and Pull In enemies.
Weapon Mastery Passives (increase your passive abilities):
Pit Fighter — You deal x3%/x6%/x9% increased damage to Close enemies and gain 2%/4%/6% Distant Damage Reduction.
No Mercy — You deal x5%/x9%/x13% increased damage against Immobilized, Stunned, or Slowed enemies. Requires 1 point in Pit Fighter.
Slaying Strike — You deal x8%/x15%/x23% increased damage against Injured enemies. Requires 1 point in Pit Fighter.
Expose Vulnerability — Dealing direct damage with Weapon Mastery skill causes your next Core Skill to make enemies Vulnerable for 1.5/3/4.5 seconds. Requires 1 point in No Mercy or Slaying Strike.
Hamstring — Your Bleeding effects Slow enemies by 10%/20%/30%.
Cut to the Bone — Your Bleeding effects deal x6%/x12%/x18% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies. Requires 1 point in Hamstring.
Thick Skin — Each time you take direct damage gain 0.4%/0.7%/1.1% Base Life as Fortify.
Counteroffensive — While Fortified for over 50% of your Maximum Life, you deal x5%/x10%/x15% increased damage. Requires 1 point in Thick Skin.
Defensive Stance — Increase the Damage Reduction gained while you are Fortified by an additional +3%/+6%/+9%. Requires 1 point in Thick Skin.
Ultimate Skills
These are the most powerful abilities in your arsenal with the longest countdown. You can only have one of these abilities in total.
Show Ultimate Skills
Wrath of the Berserker — Gain Berserking and Unstoppable for (5) seconds. For the next (10) seconds dealing direct damage with Basic Skills grants Berserking for (5) seconds.
Iron Maelstrom —Activate to attach a chain to your Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapon and slam the ground, dealing (63%) damage and Stunning them for (2) seconds. Reactivate a second time to attach a chain to your Two-Handed Slashing Weapon and swipe it in front of you, dealing (21%) damage and (126%) Bleeding damage over (5) seconds. Reactivate a final time to attach a chain to your Dual Wield Weapons and swing them around you, dealing (34%) damage per hit.
Call of the Ancients — Call upon 3 Ancients to aid you in battle for (6) seconds. Korlic leaps at enemies, dealing (80.00%) damage and swings his Weapon in a frenzy, dealing (30.00%) damage per hit. Talic spins in whirlwind rapidly attacking enemies for (50.00%) damage. Madawc upheaves the ground dealing (150.00%) damage.
Ultimate Cluster Passives (increase your passive abilities):
Wallop — Your Skills using Bludgeoning Weapons deal x5%x10%/x15% increased damage if the enemy is Stunned or Vulnerable.
Concussion — Lucky Hit: Skills using Bludgeoning Weapons have up to a 10%/20%/30% chance to Stun enemies for (3) seconds, or up to a 15%/30%/45% chance when using a Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapon. Requires 1 point in Wallop.
Heavy Handed — While using Two-Handed Weapons you deal x5%/x10%/x15% increased Critical Strike Damage.
Brute Force — Your Overpower deals x15%/x30%/x45% increased damage when using a Two-Handed Weapon. Requires 1 point in Wallop or Heavy Handed.
Duelist — Attack Speed is increased by +3%/+6%/+9% while using One-Handed Weapons.
Tempered Fury — Increase your Maximum Fury by 3/6/9.
Invigorating Fury — Heals you for 2%/4%/6% of your Maximum Life for each 100 Fury spent. Requires 1 point in Tempered Fury.
Furious Impulse — Each time you swap Weapons, gain 2/4/6 Fury. Requires 1 point in Tempered Fury.
Ultimate Passives
Special passive abilities are allocated to a separate group.
Ultimate Passives
Unconstrained — Increase Berserk’s maximum duration by 5 seconds and increase its damage bonus by x25%.
Walking Arsenal —Dealing direct damage with a Two-Handed Bludgeoning, Two-Handed Slashing or Dual Wielded Weapons grants x10% increased damage for 6 seconds. While all three damage bonuses are active you gain an additional x15% increased damage.
Unbridled Rage — Core Skills deal x135% increased damage, but cost x100% more.
Gushing Wounds — Killing a Bleeding enemy creates an explosion that inflicts 12% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds.
Arsenal System
One of Diablo 4 features is Unique Class Mechanic. Arsenal System is a new mechanic for Barbarian. Arsenal System allows Barbarian to use four different weapons simultaneously. These are their four weapon slots:
Two-Hand Bludgeoning Weapon
Two-Hand Slashing Weapon
Main Hand
Off-Hand
The damage of this weapon, in addition to your skill points, is also affected by your Expertise. Expertise is an addition to the Arsenal System that increases the damage of certain weapons based on their mastery.
Diablo 4 Barbarian Leveling Build
The Barbarian’s Hammer of the Ancients build is a powerful tool for conquering all the available content in Fractured Peaks. In this guide, we will delve into the mechanics, character development, and playstyle of this build.
Hammer of the Ancients build
Frenzy → Enhanced Frenzy → Combat Frenzy
Hammer of the Ancients (5/5) → Enhanced Hammer of the Ancients → Furious Hammer of the Ancients
Death Blow → Enhanced Death Blow → Fighter’s Death Blow
Leap → Enhanced Leap → Power Leap
Thick Skin (3/3)
Wrath of the Berserker → Prime Wrath of the Berserker → Supreme Wrath of the Berserker
Defensive Stance
The Furious Hammer of the Ancients technique deals extra damage equivalent to 1% of the Barbarian’s current Fury. To maximize this effect, players must rapidly generate Fury using multiple sources, then unload it all with the Hammer of the Ancients ability to deliver crushing blows.
This build is an excellent choice for players who prefer conventional generator and spender playstyles.
Diablo 4 Barbarian Best Gear
For a barbarian, his weapon is of paramount importance. There are currently two known unique items for the barbarian. One of them is a weapon; the other is an amulet with excellent characteristics.
The Butcher’s Cleaver — this is axe with (2.0-4.5 )% Attack Speed, + (6.5-11.5 )% Damage to Healthy Enemies, + (4.5-7.5 )% Damage While Healthy, Lucky Hit: 5% Chance to heal (35-57 ). Also, it can Immobilize your target for (1.0-3.0 ) seconds when you Critically Strike.
Melted Heart of Selig — amulet with (4.5-8.0 )% Damage Reduction, + (4.5-8.0 )% Cooldown Reduction, + (3.0-6.0 )% Critical Strike Chance, + (6-10 ) All Stats. Also, it gains +100% bonus maximum resource. In addition, when you take damage, drain (3.0-6.0 ) resources for every 1% of Life you would have lost instead.
In the future, we’ll update information about Barbarian sets in Diablo 4, so stay tuned.
However, it is not always possible to find unique items, but it is very important to know the main characteristics of Barbarian:
Main Stat
Secondary Stat
Strength increases Skill Damage by 0.1% and Armor by 1 for 1 Strength
Willpower increases Resource Generation (0.1% for 1), Healing Received by 0.1% and Overpower Damage (0,25%)
Dexterity increases Critical Strike Chance by 0.02% and the chance to Dodge attacks by 0.025%
Intelligence increases All Resistances by 0.05%
Diablo 4 Barbarian Best Gems
Gems are designed to augment your character’s statistics rather than providing ultimate power. As a result, it’s important to select gems that complement your existing gear and provide the most significant benefits. In the case of the Barbarian, Topaz and Sapphire are the go-to gems.
Topaz is an excellent choice for increasing your Basic Skill Damage, while Sapphire enhances your Damage Reduction when Fortified. Additionally, any gem that boosts your Resistance is a wise pick for the Barbarian.
Best Legendary Aspects for Barbarian
Aspects serve as crucial finishing touches to your build, providing it with unique and powerful abilities. These can be found within dungeons, and once discovered, they will be recorded in the Codex of Power. After that, you may apply them to your equipment for added benefits.
There are a lot of aspects in the game, below we will give the best and most popular aspects for the Barbarian.
Edgemaster — Skills deal up to #%[x] increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource.
Ancestral Force — Hammer of the Ancients quakes outwards, dealing #% of its damage to enemies.
Bul-Kathos — Leap creates an Earthquake that deals # Physical damage over 4 seconds. While standing in Earthquakes, you gain #% Damage Reduction.
Expectant — Attacking enemies with a Basic Skill increases the damage of your next Core Skill cast by #%[x], up to 50%[x].
Now you’ve met Diablo’s most bloodthirsty class. We will update this guide as new information becomes available, and the game will be released on June 6, 2023. Thank you for reading this guide. We hope it helps you.
