When you first start playing Diablo 2, Barbarian looks like the easiest-to-play character0.
Grab a weapon; get some armor and fight up close and personal with the nasties - that's all that seem to be the tactic to you.
Au contraire.
Indeed, playing as Barbarian is not at all easy.
First off, you MUST have high proficiency in a melee weapon.
There are throwing barbs and even the party-buffing war cry builds, but please, don't even think about making these builds the first time you play.
Unless you have someone to guide you (who has the experience of playing through Hell in D2 at least a couple times), you will be crying into your hanky halfway through Normal difficulty.
So, we need a weapon.
What to choose? Well, consider the possibilities.
If you choose a sword, you have a highly customizable hero that can equip one two-handed sword in each hand.
Need some extra protection? Throw one sword away and get a shield.
It's that simple.
First time players - consider taking specialization in swords.
It will help you a lot.
Axes are good in the sense that these will cause good number of critical hits and also provide better attack rating and damage compared to most other weapons.
But (yes, there is a big "but" here), axes are slow.
Besides, you cannot use a two-handed axe and a shield at one time.
So, high damage axe means no shields.
Remember, you have to protect yourself properly if you are to protect your team.
So, get a good sword and a shield and ample points in sword mastery.
Second, go for Bash and Concentrate.
Yes, I am serious.
Don't even think of Whirlwind on your first attempt as a barbarian.
Bash up your enemies when you begin, and as you reach level 18, Concentrate on finishing your enemies (pun intended).
Also, concentrate will provide you with insanely high defense rating at higher levels, thus you can just stand at one place and act as an impenetrable shield wall while your party members happily blast those nasties into oblivion.
Third, don't forget Battle Orders.
This is a must-have for party players.
Use high-level Battle Orders to boost yours and your teammates' hit points and mana reserves.
Fourth, if you are playing for the first time, put some points into Battle Cry.
It will help reduce the damage you take from enemies.
Your melee team members will also thank you for that; remember, you are not the only one taking direct damage from enemies, paladins also suffer a lot at the hands, er, claws of the demons.
Plus if you have a necro in your team, ask him to cast Decrepify.
That way, your Battle Cry will lower the defense of enemies even below zero, i.
e.
negative value.
Have a jolly good time chopping them up.
So, have fun.
Play Diablo 2 happily with your pals.
Grab a weapon; get some armor and fight up close and personal with the nasties - that's all that seem to be the tactic to you.
Au contraire.
Indeed, playing as Barbarian is not at all easy.
First off, you MUST have high proficiency in a melee weapon.
There are throwing barbs and even the party-buffing war cry builds, but please, don't even think about making these builds the first time you play.
Unless you have someone to guide you (who has the experience of playing through Hell in D2 at least a couple times), you will be crying into your hanky halfway through Normal difficulty.
So, we need a weapon.
What to choose? Well, consider the possibilities.
If you choose a sword, you have a highly customizable hero that can equip one two-handed sword in each hand.
Need some extra protection? Throw one sword away and get a shield.
It's that simple.
First time players - consider taking specialization in swords.
It will help you a lot.
Axes are good in the sense that these will cause good number of critical hits and also provide better attack rating and damage compared to most other weapons.
But (yes, there is a big "but" here), axes are slow.
Besides, you cannot use a two-handed axe and a shield at one time.
So, high damage axe means no shields.
Remember, you have to protect yourself properly if you are to protect your team.
So, get a good sword and a shield and ample points in sword mastery.
Second, go for Bash and Concentrate.
Yes, I am serious.
Don't even think of Whirlwind on your first attempt as a barbarian.
Bash up your enemies when you begin, and as you reach level 18, Concentrate on finishing your enemies (pun intended).
Also, concentrate will provide you with insanely high defense rating at higher levels, thus you can just stand at one place and act as an impenetrable shield wall while your party members happily blast those nasties into oblivion.
Third, don't forget Battle Orders.
This is a must-have for party players.
Use high-level Battle Orders to boost yours and your teammates' hit points and mana reserves.
Fourth, if you are playing for the first time, put some points into Battle Cry.
It will help reduce the damage you take from enemies.
Your melee team members will also thank you for that; remember, you are not the only one taking direct damage from enemies, paladins also suffer a lot at the hands, er, claws of the demons.
Plus if you have a necro in your team, ask him to cast Decrepify.
That way, your Battle Cry will lower the defense of enemies even below zero, i.
e.
negative value.
Have a jolly good time chopping them up.
So, have fun.
Play Diablo 2 happily with your pals.
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