Blizt: AKA The Barbarian Protest Build. 12/6/2 (Reference Post)

[BlackSteel]

the build is alot more fun to level up if you get the barb levels out of the way first. I'd probably do Rog/Fighter/Barb and pick up the PL feat, then another barb level or two, then rogue and fighter again, then finish out all six barb levels before doing the rest in fighter.

having the PL feat pretty much means you'll have more rage time than a pure barbarian of the same level, and thats not even counting the fact that you'll have 4+ levels tied up in other classes. But then again, you re able to dual box with a caster, so level progression isnt a real concern.


honestly tho, I cant seem to decide between doing this build again upon hitting 20 in the next few days (which would make fighter life #3), going ahead to my (hopeful) eventual end build of a barb with 18 or more levels, or going monk

I'd like to be finished with this TR business, but I'm still too fed up with the state of barbarians atm to play the character I originally rolled. And while I like this level split, it just feels horribley gimped compared to a prenerf 20 barb (thats with THF atleast). I'm in the process of crafting a few TWF weapon sets for the eventual end TR; and I think that TWF will give more oomph to the build, as recieving zero glancing blows due to active combat has really shortchanged most of my current weapons. Theres only two things I really dislike with this build (formally known as an archon build BTW)

1: signature weapons, less of a problem on a multiclass than a 18+ fighter, but still, I hate feeling subpar just b/c I'm not using a particular weapon type. I'd like to spec both khopesh for bosses and picks for trash and be optimal at both, not just one.
2: haste boosts and power surge, so much of the real DPS of the build is reliant on such short duration effects. Sure when haste boost is going, the build is just rocking. But being so dependent on something so expendable is disheartening. I either burn thru them too fast, or end up not using them at all. I could never find that happy medium with it.

so it'll be a khopesh and pick using barb I think, or a pure monk for the time being. The downside of the monk being that alot of my toys will end up collecting dust in the TR cache

[Erekose]

Reminds me a bit of the Monster build.

As for evasion, your 100% right about a decent reflex save, although I disagree about laziness/noobness.

Granted, evasion with a decent reflex is a more 'forgiving' build for any reason. It's a personal choice.

Evasion is at its best in situations such as tanking Harry with healing lag going on or when lame clerics were healing. Many times the Jus was the last tank standing.

However in saying that, I'm thinking of changing Juslim from 2 rogue to 2 Ftr, for the Epic Maralith, feat, extra str and ftr attk boost. I think I might have graduated from a lazy, noob to try.

What do you think

Erek

[Nick_RC]

This looks like a beast, cant wait to see him in action.

Would you stay WF or go Half Orc in the end?

Hey Bud,

Likely WF. I dont think they will give Half orcs the PA line as well as +4 str(2 base,2 enh) so assuming not missing(and with such a massive too hit this is fairly reasonable) the WF will still do more DPS. IF they give them the PA line...(making them stupidly overpowered as a melee race) then I might have to consider It, but even then I think the WF offers more for what I like to do. Shortman raids, Main boss tanking, no fatigue after rage (altho guild pots remedy this) and immunities FTW.

Reminds me a bit of the Monster build.

As for evasion, your 100% right about a decent reflex save, although I disagree about laziness/noobness.

Granted, evasion with a decent reflex is a more 'forgiving' build for any reason. It's a personal choice.

Evasion is at its best in situations such as tanking Harry with healing lag going on or when lame clerics were healing. Many times the Jus was the last tank standing.

However in saying that, I'm thinking of changing Juslim from 2 rogue to 2 Ftr, for the Epic Maralith, feat, extra str and ftr attk boost. I think I might have graduated from a lazy, noob to try.

What do you think

Erek

Yeah 2 ftr seems to be the best splash on a pure-ish barb now. Just to be able to fit in the feats-I think you wont miss the evasion - Jus has got such a high reflex save he'l shrug off alot of damage.

The evasion thing is mainly personal preference. It makes ME lazy. People can do whatever they want with their toons lol. I've been a stickler for a while on it and I have protested vehemently against buildin for it for so long now I cant really in good conscience advocate it

What levels ur FVS? Just dinged 13 holding 14 on my two and will be playing late night tonight so will catch ya then mate.

the build is alot more fun to level up if you get the barb levels out of the way first. I'd probably do Rog/Fighter/Barb and pick up the PL feat, then another barb level or two, then rogue and fighter again, then finish out all six barb levels before doing the rest in fighter.

Ur possibly right but getting too kensai II and lvl 12 gets the bulk of the feats and alot of the DPS done early. After that I only have a lvl 15 and 18 feat to use which slots nicely into Barb PL and Cleave. I took the final two rog levels by 18 so I can xp sack kobold faster solo (so much easire solo than with group). Il miss sprint boost early on but the first 12 levels are super easy even on a TR2. I wont be dual boxing the caster for that life as I'd like to enjoy playing a melee and my final life for a while.

honestly tho, I cant seem to decide between doing this build again upon hitting 20 in the next few days (which would make fighter life #3), going ahead to my (hopeful) eventual end build of a barb with 18 or more levels, or going monk

Sounds like we are in very similar situations. So far I have Barb, Ftr, Ftr,Monk, monk. Il be doing Pali in about 2 weeks then would like to go to this, accumulate epic gear etc and enjoy endgame. Then eventually when they restore barbs to their former glory and give us a 20% xp weekend that fits nicely with my raid timers Il hit Monk then Barb.

I'd like to be finished with this TR business, but I'm still too fed up with the state of barbarians atm to play the character I originally rolled. /Signed. I flat out refuse to play one at the moment. Pure 2 Handed or an 18/2 2 handed split is just very unappealing to me atm for the reasons you have listed. and teh 18/2 2WF while doing good dps is way to low on the too hit lines to do anything but cause me frustration. And while I like this level split, it just feels horribley gimped compared to a prenerf 20 barb (thats with THF atleast) Yeah 2 Handed just isnt optimal for this set up. Again agree but what can we do? Who knows when they will fix it. My guess is maybe when halforcs come out itwill provide them a good 'dual release' to remedy a barbs situation and maybe relesease the other 2 prestgige lines.... I sure as heck dont want to be sitting at end game for months knowing that I could be doing what im doing but better wit a different set-up. I'm in the process of crafting a few TWF weapon sets for the eventual end TR; and I think that TWF will give more oomph to the build, as recieving zero glancing blows due to active combat has really shortchanged most of my current weapons. Theres only two things I really dislike with this build (formally known as an archon build BTW) Yeah I saw you're reference to archon in another thread so searched it. Level splits the same but it was 2 handed and feat set-ups were quite different due to PL etc. Must have been on a break when he posted it. I kinda like to have a reference post either which way so that when people ask me what I'm doing I can just link it.

1: signature weapons, less of a problem on a multiclass than a 18+ fighter, but still, I hate feeling subpar just b/c I'm not using a particular weapon type. I'd like to spec both khopesh for bosses and picks for trash and be optimal at both, not just one.

Yup agreed. I remember posting in the fighter forums when they were discussing prenerf barb vs ftr DPS exactly the same sentiments. Funnily enough Groan was originally a Heavy pick user (Deathnip days) and I have twin lightning 2's and min 2 heavy picks as well as the same in khopesh (and tri fire and tri ice...).

2: haste boosts and power surge, so much of the real DPS of the build is reliant on such short duration effects. Sure when haste boost is going, the build is just rocking. But being so dependent on something so expendable is disheartening. I either burn thru them too fast, or end up not using them at all. I could never find that happy medium with it.

Personally I never had a problem with this. 8 mins a shrine or thereabouts is just fine for what I'm doing. I must say I do prefer the staying power of A barbs DPS in those Oh **** situations, but their overall realtive DPS is so weak at the moment that '+' barely makes up for it.

so it'll be a khopesh and pick using barb I think, or a pure monk for the time being. The downside of the monk being that alot of my toys will end up collecting dust in the TR cache

Hey Black Responses in red.

N

[ragwa1]

Taking the rog levels later means I can pump em all into umd as its a class skill. Keeping intim maxed apart from those 2 levels I can catch up on the 2 missed intim points with the last 2 barb levels having eaten a +2 tome whilst keeping umd maxed as well.

As to evasion. Yeah its a personal thing. I got so sick of 'evasion this evasion that' a few mods back that I started an anti evasion campaign. Its probably the most overrated feat in my eyes. Noobs rocking around thinking they are UBER because they have evasion (and a 20 reflex...) got to me. Basically in mty eyes its a crutch that undergeared or underskilled players rely on.

Good catch on the I2wf will switch feats around accordingly!Cheers

N

If thats thecase, and you are talking crutches... Then rage/hasteboost/powersurge are all crutches for you.

Evasion is a crutch? Go on, I like your jokes.

[Hanam]

I think the reason Nick hates evasion comes from a long hatred of rangers.

These "RainJUHZ", have stolen many kills from Nicholas over the past couple years.

As Nick's hatred grew, it spread like an infection to anything related to their fireball dodging, kill stealing, awesome selves. Thus, the anti-evasion campaign began.


True Story.

[Nick_RC]

If thats thecase, and you are talking crutches... Then rage/hasteboost/powersurge are all crutches for you.

Evasion is a crutch? Go on, I like your jokes.

Be gone ****.

Edited for no more points.

[Thrudh]

If thats thecase, and you are talking crutches... Then rage/hasteboost/powersurge are all crutches for you.

Evasion is a crutch? Go on, I like your jokes.

He is semi-right though... Saying evasion is a crutch for unskilled players is pretty silly.

(And then we got someone talking about using a dual-box caster to level faster - THAT is a real crutch)

[Nick_RC]

He is semi-right though... Saying evasion is a crutch for unskilled players is pretty silly.

(And then we got someone talking about using a dual-box caster to level faster - THAT is a real crutch)

Im not saying evasion itself is a crutch - monks, rogs and rgrs cant help it. Im saying BUILDING for it as if its a necessity is a crutch.

As too dual-boxing a caster - hell yeah il be the first one to agree! By dualboxing a caster i get to make my soon to be wifes caster uber as well as shaving off a week on average a TR. Internet is all well and good but when things affect my RL schedule im all over it lol.

N

[Crusad]

STR = 66 [18 + 5(Lvl), 4(Tome), 7(Item) 3(Exc.), 2(enahncement), 8(Power Surge), 2(Rage Spell), 2 (Yugoloth) 12(Rage and Frenzy) 2(Madstone) 1(Guild/Ftr Str III)]
DEX = 26 [15 + 2(Tome), 7(Item) 1(Exc.), 1(enahncement)]
CON = 48 [3 (Tome), 6(Item) 3(Exc.), 2(enhancement), 2(Rage Spell), 2 (Yugoloth) 10(Rage), 4(Madstone)]
INT = 11 [8 + 3 (Tome)]
WIS = 14 [6 + 2 Tome +6 Item]
CHA = 16 [8 +2 Tome + 6 Item]

Great build, i think i will TR my ranger into this, but i have a question. Where do you get 12 to STR from rage? I know Rage is 4, Power Rage II is +2 and Frenzy from FB1 is +2, thats +8...what did i miss?

[Consumer]

Great build, i think i will TR my ranger into this, but i have a question. Where do you get 12 to STR from rage? I know Rage is 4, Power Rage II is +2 and Frenzy from FB1 is +2, thats +8...what did i miss?

18 Base
5 Levels
7 Item
3 Exceptional
4 Tome
3 Fighter Str
8 Power Surge
4 Rage
2 Frenzy
2 Power Rage
2 Rage
2 Madstone
2 Yugo
= 62
+4 Barb past life passive<---- here's your extra +4 rage
=66
+4 mini Rage
+2 double madstone
=72

The Barb past life feat is bugged and provides extra rage duration and a stacking +4 con and str.

[thisgamesull]

Blizzt, would have been a better name......hahaha, no joking
Great build bro,Might have to go to argo and check this beast out

Tell kon hes a n00b for leaving Sarlona, for me

[Crusad]

18 Base
5 Levels
7 Item
3 Exceptional
4 Tome
3 Fighter Str
8 Power Surge
4 Rage
2 Frenzy
2 Power Rage
2 Rage
2 Madstone
2 Yugo
= 62
+4 Barb past life passive<---- here's your extra +4 rage
=66
+4 mini Rage
+2 double madstone
=72

The Barb past life feat is bugged and provides extra rage duration and a stacking +4 con and str.

Ohhh, thanks :-)

[hermespan]

Taking the rog levels later means I can pump em all into umd as its a class skill. Keeping intim maxed apart from those 2 levels I can catch up on the 2 missed intim points with the last 2 barb levels having eaten a +2 tome whilst keeping umd maxed as well.

As to evasion. Yeah its a personal thing. I got so sick of 'evasion this evasion that' a few mods back that I started an anti evasion campaign. Its probably the most overrated feat in my eyes. Noobs rocking around thinking they are UBER because they have evasion (and a 20 reflex...) got to me. Basically in mty eyes its a crutch that undergeared or underskilled players rely on.

Good catch on the I2wf will switch feats around accordingly!Cheers

N

Not to beat a dead horse, but taking rogue at 1st level also gives you the highest possible number of starting skill points which adds a ton of utility. Taking it at higher level means they all go to waste. Whether you put the extra points into DD or Balance, jump, intim whatever, they are good to have. No matter how you slice it, if you are going to take a level of rogue it should be done at first level or you aren't getting the most out of the rogue levels. The only negative is -1 BAB for lower levels but even an exploiter build has no trouble hitting stuff at any level so it's mostly a non-issue.

I just take issue with wasting anything on a character, especially skillpoints that can go into balance, jump, and especially intim(since intim is a goal with this build, and is also a rogue class skill) :-p You could cap out with a few skills 4pts higher by taking rogue at first level as well. That, IMHO, is a good enough reason by itself. As well balance and jump should be 3-4th skills right under Intim and UMD. You can max all easily by starting with rogue.

About evasion...
Even if you are the greatest player ever, evasion will still save you gold because no one is perfect. I wouldn't build for it either, but it's nice to have and helps the party (esp. the healer, whether it's yourself or a divine class). I'd work out the optimal 2nd level point (with regard to skillpoints) and take the 2nd level rog as soon as possible if for no other reason than it makes you easier to party with and saves some self-wanding which is a PITA.

Great build tho. I'll be doing it when I TR, with only a change in level progression :-p. Prolly the best build in here to get a fighter PLF with XD

[Nick_RC]

Well I was able to manage RL time commitments with the xp bonus weeks and finished up the last of my TR's (still missing a monk life but I've had enough for now) and even got this final incarnation (for a while) to level 15 (holding 16) in just over 3 days. And all I can say is that it is by far the most fun melee I have ever levelled (And it had better be seeing as its my 7th melee life lol). For once I havnt missed being a caster at all. Repair pot consumption was actually very low because you could 1-2 shot nearly everything right up to desert. Between haste boost, high too hit, WF PA, boat buffs and the range of a 2 hander healing was never an issue.


Just some little leveling tactics/notes:

1. I used the biggest baddest 2 handers I could find until I hit level 12 got my many crafted khopesh sets and G2WF. 2 Handed fighting is far superior than 2wf at these levels for many different reasons so dont shy away from using them even tho eventually it will be 2Weapon Fighting. I had a ful set of + x acid of reighteousness icy burst greatswords to use at each level so I was well off there.

2. Havnt missed evasion or UMD one bit at level 15. Happy with my decision to hold off on the rog levels to Pump it all into one stat at 17/18

3. The fastest way I found to destroy stuff and zerg quests was pretty much orange/red skull myself collecting everything up pop a displacement clickie, hit pali past life, rage pot, madstone, rage, switch to defiance then hit haste boost 4 and just stand and deliver. I have never seen things just melt as fast as they were. Literal piles of dead were around me at every choke point. I have alot of gear, tomes, boat buffs, and 2 previous ftr past lives so my too hit is humongous even with PA on (with maxed enhancements). If you arnt quite so fortunate id say leave it at yellow skull

4. At level 15 running Through Gianthold I'm low to mid 50s sustained strength.... could boost it into 60s fairly easy with certain pots but its really unnecesary. Nothing saves on my trips and stuns. So much fun. I was lucky enough to be running with mainly guild/channel groups, a wizard rog to handle the traps and pop the odd reco, a pair of halfling monks who kept me companioned through most quests and possibly the best tactics player Ive ever seen leaving things sapped, tripped and stunned for me to obliterate in broken play.

4. The pali chosen past life rocks. Its got a low duration during lower levels, but quests go so fast before u recall and go again i was able to keep it up through most encounters. At level 9 +3 to hit and damage really helped with certain elite bosses when we were skulled. At level 15 I am at an awkward place combining rage and the pali past life. With only two rages (lasting 4 minutes a pop) and 3 1:54 DF clicks. I believe once I have 3+ rages things will become simpler to juggle. I can just dismiss the rage activate the Pali PL and rerage. At cap the DF should last 2:18 and my rages well over 5 minutes. With 4 rages I can keep dismissing them every time DF expires and reraging afterwards. I cant think of many quests between shrines/parts/completions that go over this 7-12 min threshhold.

5. On the subject of Past lives really if you can manage it do both the pali and barb ones. The barb one is just perfect (hope they dont change it) and the pali one is one of the best bang for buck feats in the game.

6. If you have the resources available the protection 5 ioun stone trinket is fantastic at lower leves. I combined this with barkskin pots and shield clickies to get a respectable trash mob ac to save on pot consumption and time hjealing for the low levels. It went in the bank when I had bloodstone available.

7. Flare and Barrage are your friends.

When I get to cap and tweak everything out I'l likely post a recap on everything add a leveling and equipment section etc. For now I'm just having too much fun jsut playing him.

N

[Hithop_Stublo]

I know this would hurt the build (no TR's) but would there be any way to make this a 32 point build?

[Nick_RC]

I know this would hurt the build (no TR's) but would there be any way to make this a 32 point build?

Sure. 18 str 15 dex (ul need a +2 dex tome) 17 con. If you dont have access to a dex tome make it base dex 16 con 16. It will be a few points of damage a hand off and be a couple of points lower in tactics dcs but should still perform very well.

Switch Barb Past life for Oversize and Pali Past life for Toughness.

Enjoy.

[Consumer]

I know this would hurt the build (no TR's) but would there be any way to make this a 32 point build?

edit - Already covered for you

[Hithop_Stublo]

Sure. 18 str 15 dex (ul need a +2 dex tome) 17 con. If you dont have access to a dex tome make it base dex 16 con 16. It will be a few points of damage a hand off and be a couple of points lower in tactics dcs but should still perform very well.

Switch Barb Past life for Oversize and Pali Past life for Toughness.

Enjoy.

Cool. I shall try it

[Gunga]

Nick.

TRing Gunga now...level 6.

I'm going to use Blizt to get my fighter PL, and then run up a Pali.

How many monks did you do? I've never been able to get a monk past 10. I'm kind of dreading that. Do you have a build that you used which made it fun to level?

-Gunga

[Nick_RC]

Nick.

TRing Gunga now...level 6.

I'm going to use Blizt to get my fighter PL, and then run up a Pali.

How many monks did you do? I've never been able to get a monk past 10. I'm kind of dreading that. Do you have a build that you used which made it fun to level?

-Gunga

Done 2 monks so far but honestly I dual boxed a caster for both lives. Have no monk gear and hate the attack range of handwraps. I have been leveling with quite a few monks and honestly they look really fun. Imma collect me a bunch of monk loot so when i eventually do my last monk life I can really give them they're all and see what they cna do from a dps standpoint. For the moment im going to do 20 - 40 raid completions grab as much loot as i can then tr again monk then blitz to get the final monk/ftr past lives.

Look for the 'metaru' in the monk section(Think by Hydro-Ex). It was a great read showed alot of the do's and dont's for us non monk players. I think somewhere on the second page there was discussion about dropping str to 16 and bumping wisdom for stunning fist. Seemed like a good trade off. When I do my monk life it will be based on that but changing some feats up.

N