[GameSpot] - Diablo 4 - Best Barbarian Builds Guide

[343iBot]

One of the most unexpected aspects of Diablo 4 right out of the gate is just how strong the Barbarian class is. While many players were going to play as a Barbarian due to how long the class has been around in the franchise, few expected their builds to be near the top of the meta in Sanctuary. Now, with more players than ever hopping on the Barbarian hype train, the proper builds for the class are more pertinent than ever.

Whether you are just now trying out a Barbarian or need some help with your build as you continue leveling, we have you covered. Below, you will find three different Barbarian builds in Diablo 4 that can help you during the main story and make you unstoppable in the endgame.

Best Barbarian Builds

If you have been paying attention to any of the early access class tier lists for Diablo 4, then you likely know that the Whirlwind Barbarian build is among the best and most popular thus far. Naturally, we will be going over the best skills and weapons to use for that specific build, but we will also be including two other ones in case players want to switch it up or not follow the meta too strictly.

Barbarian Leveling Build

First up, we have the best leveling build for the Barbarian. This build is designed to get you through the main story and to level 50 in as quick a manner as possible. The skills chosen are meant to deal a ton of damage and make your life easy regardless of what World Tier you are playing on. Personally, I had a blast using the gameplay loop of using my two shouts to start an engagement, mixing Frenzy and Hammer of the Ancients, and then repeatedly killing weakened enemies with Death Blow.

Keeping your health up with barriers and Fortify is highly important for a Barbarian.

Active skills

• Frenzy: Enhanced - Combat
• Hammer of the Ancients: Enhanced - Furious
• Rallying Cry: Enhanced - Strategic
• War Cry: Enhanced - Power
• Death Blow: Enhanced - Warrior's Death Blow
• Call of the Ancients: Prime - Supreme

Passive skills

• Walking Arsenal (Capstone Skill)
• Pressure Point
• Swiftness
• Booming Voice
• Walking Arsenal
• Pit Fighter
• No Mercy
• Expose Vulnerability
• Thick Skin
• Counteroffensive
• Defensive Stance
• Aggressive Resistance
• Prolific Fury

Weapon Expertise

• Frenzy: Dual Wield
• Hammer of the Ancients: Two-Handed Mace
• Death Blow: Two-Handed Slashing
• (All three make use of the Walking Arsenal Capstone skill)

Barbarian Whirlwind Build

Now, we have everyone's favorite Barbarian build thus far in Diablo 4. This build utilizes the Whirlwind skill along with three separate shouts and only one other attacking skill. However, with the right passive skills and gear, that's all you will need to clear out groups of enemies in a matter of seconds. The gameplay loop in use is basically to use all three shouts, start using Lunging Strike to gain extra Fury, and then plow ahead with Whirlwind.

The Whirlwind build offers multiple shouts and high DPS.

Active skills

• Lunging Strike: Enhanced - Combat
• Whirlwind: Enhanced - Violent
• Rallying Cry: Enhanced - Tactical
• Challenging Shout: Enhanced - Tactical
• War Cry: Enhanced - Power
• Wrath of the Berserker: Prime - Supreme

Passive skills

• Unconstrained (Unbridled Rage for endgame) (Capstone Skill)
• Pressure Point
• Endless Fury
• Tempered Fury
• Invigorating Fury
• Imposing Presence
• Martial Vigor
• Booming Voice
• Guttural Yell
• Aggressive Resistance
• Prolific Fury
• Pit Fighter
• Heavy Handed

Weapon Expertise

• Lunging Strike / Whirlwind: Two-Handed Slashing or Two-Handed Bludgeoning (whichever has a higher DPS stat or better affixes)

Barbarian Bleed Build

Finally, we have a more difficult Barbarian build to use in Diablo 4, but it can be the most rewarding. Players will be making use of the bleeding skills (ones marked in red) to deal damage over time to their enemies. Of course, shouts and other skills will also be in play for this build, but players will be relying on bleed damage to finish off most of the opposition. Death Blow was one of the more important skills for me with this build, though, as you can easily chain Death Blows together by killing weakened enemies who are taking bleed damage.

Active skills

• Flay: Enhanced - Battle
• Rend: Enhanced - Violent
• Rallying Cry: Enhanced - Tactical
• Death Blow: Enhanced - Warrior's Death Blow
• Rupture: Enhanced - Fighter's Rupture
• Wrath of the Berserker: Prime - Supreme

Passive skills

• Gushing Wounds (Capstone Skill)
• Imposing Presence
• Martial Vigor
• Outburst
• Tough as Nails
• Aggressive Resistance
• Prolific Fury
• Hamstring
• Cut to the Bone
• Pit Fighter
• Thick Skin
• Defensive Stance
• Tempered Fury
• Invigorating Fury

Weapon Expertise

• Flay: Dual Wield
• Rend / Rupture / Death Blow: Two-Handed Slashing

And that wraps up our best Barbarian builds in Diablo 4. The Whirlwind build is far and away the best of the bunch, but the other two can be surprisingly strong if players equip the right gear to go along with them. For more on Diablo 4, check out our Diablo 4 guides hub featuring dozens more guides spanning all classes and game mechanics.

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