Need help on AC and DR Wf Barb

[baylensman]

so i'm about to hit lvl 20 i will have a 19 barb 1 sorc build, sorc was taken to get some umd for self healing with wands a mistake in retrospect. So I will resurrect after the new mod, haven;t quite made up my mind on which level to take yet.

So i want to stay barb or barb splash ( PRE doen'st mean that much yet in end game)

My current build unbuffed sits at 540 hp (no rage no bounus or buffs) and 35 AC with a DR of 6.

What is the best way to get a higher AC and or DR and still hit hard and have enough HP to take some damage and still survive?

My thoughts are either ranger or rogue at level 1 then barb through 19.
Some are fans of the 2 monk splash for feat and AC.
Others have said 20 barb is the best way to go.

this is a 32 pt build with several tomes in play and stat items either worn or in bank

[TFPAQ]

While playstyle is one of the defining factors, ultimately I think that you should look at some of Shades posts/builds.

My opinion is pretty much along his views, but to summarize forget about AC/(and DR to a certain extent), max HP/DPS through Frenzy Berserker III, stay pure and kill things faster than they can damage you.

My WF Barb isn't near 20 yet, but I have a WF Fighter Kensei III build with adamant and dr reductions as well as all the power attacks, etc, etc and he kills things so fast that ac isn't an issue.

Shade's build, having run with him in high end content makes my guy look like Mr Rodgers (sans sweater).

So my two cents is maximize on your str and con, every ability upgrade into str, pound out the power attacks, etc to push your dps. For the damage you dish compared to the vicious you take (especially after the last change), I think that a straight Barb FB III is the way to go.

Also hireling healing is much cheaper than pots or wands these days anyway.

[Dylos_Moon]

you're saying you're going to reincarnate to make up a splash, that will require a true reincarnation, starting the character over at level 1, with a steeper XP curve.

If you want AC and DR, I suggest Reincarnating as a pure Fighter, taking Improved Damage Reduction when you can get away with it.

[Lorien_the_First_One]

I think worrying about AC on a barb is counter productive. Things that make a good barb and things that make AC are often at odds. For example, splashing 1 level of anything costs you the L20 mighty rage and thus hp and dps.

If you go barb, go for destruction, forget AC. If you want AC, there are plenty of non barb WF AC tank builds out there that will work great and contribute some DPS.

[KoboldKiller]

I think worrying about AC on a barb is counter productive. Things that make a good barb and things that make AC are often at odds. For example, splashing 1 level of anything costs you the L20 mighty rage and thus hp and dps.

If you go barb, go for destruction, forget AC. If you want AC, there are plenty of non barb WF AC tank builds out there that will work great and contribute some DPS.

Agreed.

[Nyvn]

I think worrying about AC on a barb is counter productive. Things that make a good barb and things that make AC are often at odds. For example, splashing 1 level of anything costs you the L20 mighty rage and thus hp and dps.

If you go barb, go for destruction, forget AC. If you want AC, there are plenty of non barb WF AC tank builds out there that will work great and contribute some DPS.

I'll carry the motion.

A barbarian's way of mitigating damage is to kill stuff before it can kill you. Not that you can't reach high ac, just that you'll sacrifice significantly to do so. A shield? Lowers your DPS, and you don't want to be that barbarian in shroud pt 1,4,5 with a shield. What afraid the portals hit back?!?

[dormetheus]

The only thing I could possibly see splashing a multi barb with is tempest.

The build is pretty simple. Take Power Attack. Take THF line to GTHF. Take Cleave for Frenzy. Take toughness. That should cover everything.

Skills: I like Intim, Balance, Jump

Get a big effing two-hander. Mow down some mobs. (Let the cleric cry =p

[baylensman]

Okay that's it then if/when i resurect i will go straight barb.
I wasn't really worried about the DPS with proper weapons selection I hit pretty hard now with out effects propigating. with effects its devestating. In shroud against harry in part 4 at least once a round it all comes together and i hit for over 300 in red numbers with my tier III great ax. the plain of battle explorers are easily soloable if i have a little time between melees to swig a few pots/ I was just wondering about increasing DR or AC to mitiagte some damage so as to save the caster a little mana and save a few plat on pots. I guess in summation it would be counterproductive because battles would last longer due to a drop in DPS, so i would have more chances to be hit!

So i save my resurrection for my original build. fully gimped 28 pt WF pally/ftr/wiz hybrid I don't know how i got him to 1750 favor and lvl 16 (old cap)