The Definitive Guide to Barbarians

[Khanyth]

Enducate? Is that like, Educating on how to End mobs?

-Kernal

To end the miseducation about the barb class?

Dunno..... just a stab in the dark

[Shade]

It's all about teaching the savages how to channel their power towards the best and most effecient ways to destroy their enemies. Be they monsters... or otherwise.

If someone wants to use my guide to learn how to kill the lawful good paladins of the "purge the heretics" quest and roleplay an evil barbarian.. I'm all for it.

Kill everyone, leave no survivors!

[kernal42]

I like it!

[Khanyth]

Especially those quests where you have to keep something alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KILL 'EM ALL!!!!!!

EDIT: I'm not being sarcastic.... it gives the clerics something to do

[Thrudh]

Please quote the part of the guide that says:

Purposely run thru traps even if you got a rogue!

Here you go...

Barbarians also make the best scouts in the game. Due to our incredibly hit points, excellent saves (while raged and with uncanny dodge), Even better saves vs traps thanks to trap sense, and ability to spot hidden enemies through the spot or listen skill (spot recommended) ... Barbarians actually tend to make the best scouts - yes even better then rogues and rangers. Why? Because if you run through that trap - it's fine, you'll most likely live (for any at-level normal, hard traps - elite traps are generally designed to kill you, but if someone has to die it might as well be you).

See if the rogue fails his spot check (and they do, often) and runs through the trap - he could very well die. Leading to a lengthy session of rezzing/rebuffing/waiting out death penalties for the rogue to find and disable the trap. Same for monsters, a big mob might hit the squishy rogue with a hold person spell, then he's toast.. But as Barbarian, you get a excellent will save while raged, making it very unlikely you will succumb to a hold spell, so you can press on and kill that mage before he can cause any trouble.

FYI - most rogues don't fail their spot check, and 95% of the time, they take zero damage, unlike your barbarian who always takes at least 50% damage, and often takes 100%

for some reason I can't remembering writing it. Maybe I was drunk and forget?

Maybe... but you just had a big argument with someone 30 posts up over this very same issue, so I'm not sure how you can claim you "forgot" you wrote that.

[Shade]

Especially those quests where you have to keep something alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KILL 'EM ALL!!!!!!

EDIT: I'm not being sarcastic.... it gives the clerics something to do

I was thinking of a great new idea for a Epic loot while we just ran shroud:

Epic Vorpal Guard Breastplate:

-10 enhancment (lower AC is better!)
+10 Seerker (like epic marilith chain, but better!)
+10 strength (Hell ya, epic barb DPS)
Vorpal Yourself Guard:
Whenever an enemy attempts to attack you but misses you due to your armor class, or he rolls a natural 1, your armor cuts your own head off!

That way you could not only kill all your enemies, but you could kill yourself too! Clerics would have so much fun constant raising you!

And that +10 str would make it so worth it for the uber dps!

[Shade]

Maybe... but you just had a big argument with someone 30 posts up over this very same issue, so I'm not sure how you can claim you "forgot" you wrote that.

Still not seeing it dude.

You must be reading another guide.

[Thrudh]

AC never matters. I'll stand by recommendation to all Barbarians firmly, just a plain and simple fact.

This is incorrect. AC is mostly gear... And Improved Uncanny Dodge, and Barbarian Intimidate equals +8 to AC that most other classes can't get...

It is very easy for a barbarian to achieve a good AC... Like you, I don't recommend it... A barbarian should be 98% of the time raging and in pure DPS mode...

But unlike you, I recognize there are tactical situations where pulling out a shield, dismissing rage, and hitting uncanny dodge can be useful... especially in the lower levels.

Just the other day in an elite Tear, I was with an PUG full of new players... We had a bad moment, and I had to carry everyone's stone to the upcoming shrine... Only had two fights to get through... I could have done it in rage mode, maybe... with a lot of pots, and hope I didn't get critted a couple of times (no 100% fort at that level), but it was a piece of cake to get there in AC mode instead...

Or did you mean, AC doesn't matter at end-game? I might agree with you there... If that's what you mean, you should say so...

But a good barbarian player can easily carry a decent shield, and a few barkskin potions (and why not grab those AC buffs from the ship?) just in case while leveling.

[Shade]

But unlike you, I recognize there are tactical situations where pulling out a shield,

Please stop replying to my guide until you actually READ my guide. All the false accusations are getting really boring. Your like a broken record.

If you did, you'd see I highly recommend carrying a shield on a Barbarians and using it when appropriate.

[Thrudh]

Still not seeing it dude.

You must be reading another guide.

Yep, same old Shade...

Because if you run through that trap - it's fine

See if the rogue fails his spot check (and they do, often) and runs through the trap - he could very well die.

[Shade]

Yep, same old Shade...

Nice quotes there. Neither of them agree with the nonsense you posted earlier tho.

Barbarian playing as the scout and accidently running into the trap because he doesn't see it is a bit different from the nonsense your spewing about encouraging them to run into a known trap.

[Thrudh]

Nice quotes there. Neither of them agree with the nonsense you posted earlier tho.

Barbarian playing as the scout and accidently running into the trap because he doesn't see it is a bit different from the nonsense your spewing about encouraging them to run into a known trap.

You are encouraging new barbarians to run ahead of the rogue and "find" traps with their face...

Believe me, the bad players already do this... And it DOESN'T make the quest go easier.

You are not helping.

[Khanyth]

This is incorrect. AC is mostly gear... And Improved Uncanny Dodge, and Barbarian Intimidate equals +8 to AC that most other classes can't get...

It is very easy for a barbarian to achieve a good AC... Like you, I don't recommend it... A barbarian should be 98% of the time raging and in pure DPS mode...

But unlike you, I recognize there are tactical situations where pulling out a shield, dismissing rage, and hitting uncanny dodge can be useful... especially in the lower levels.

Just the other day in an elite Tear, I was with an PUG full of new players... We had a bad moment, and I had to carry everyone's stone to the upcoming shrine... Only had two fights to get through... I could have done it in rage mode, maybe... with a lot of pots, and hope I didn't get critted a couple of times (no 100% fort at that level), but it was a piece of cake to get there in AC mode instead...

Or did you mean, AC doesn't matter at end-game? I might agree with you there... If that's what you mean, you should say so...

But a good barbarian player can easily carry a decent shield, and a few barkskin potions (and why not grab those AC buffs from the ship?) just in case while leveling.

Three questions:

Question 1: From other sections, I've read that AC one of those things that you either have to max to the teets, or forget about? Since barbs can't really go ballzout on AC, why even bother?

Question 2: Since it's pretty much a given that AC builds can't/don't DPS, and since Barbs are DPS machines, why would a barb put energy into AC?

Question 3: While I do agree that sometimes, a barb can use a shield, wouldn't just grabbing the nearest buffed-to-the-max halfling suffice?

[Thrudh]

Three questions:

Question 1: From other sections, I've read that AC one of those things that you either have to max to the teets, or forget about? Since barbs can't really go ballzout on AC, why even bother?

This is incorrect information. It is possible to achieve a decent AC that helps mitigate damage for many characters...

I agree for barbarians, that AC does not need to be a primary concern... but it's not that hard to achieve a worthwhile AC, even for a barbarian... AC is mostly gear...

Question 2: Since it's pretty much a given that AC builds can't/don't DPS, and since Barbs are DPS machines, why would a barb put energy into AC?

This is also incorrect, TWF ranger/monks can achieve decent-to-high AC AND high DPS... so it's not a given that AC builds can't DPS. But that doesn't apply to a barbarian... I agree that going into AC mode for a barbarian means a huge drop in DPS... I'm just pointing out that it IS possible for a barbarian to have a decent AC...

Question 3: While I do agree that sometimes, a barb can use a shield, wouldn't just grabbing the nearest buffed-to-the-max halfling suffice?

Yes, that is always the best option...

[Wraith_Sarevok]

I recommend clarifying the WF Immunities Pro because there are several that cannot be duplicated by items or spell effects.

Specifically:
- Immunity to Poison (can be duplicated by either Proof Against Poison item or a Neutralize Poison spell)
- Immunity to Disease (can be duplicated by a Disease Immunity item)
- Immunity to Paralysis including Hold Person, Hold Monster (can be duplicated by Freedom of Movement spell or the Kundarak Delving Boots)
- Immunity to Flesh to Stone (cannot be duplicated)(Note Flesh to Stone is different from the Stone Prison effect)
- Immunity to Energy Drain effects (can be duplicated by a Deathward spell)
- Half damage from Negative Energy damage (cannot be duplicated)

The immunity to paralysis, disease, and poison make leveling up a lot easier due to being immune to many debilitating spells used by monsters on Elite. Also, all of these immunities with a Deathblock item, in conjunction with their inherently high Fort save due to high CON and a Fire Resistance guild buff, make a WF a terror to Beholders especially while leveling up.

My two coppers ...

Without going too far off track, there are just a few things wrong with this information:


- First off, what do you mean by half damage from negative energy damage?

Negative energy damage is the icon with the purple-arrow-pointing-downward. I've never seen this feature mentioned anywhere inside or outside of the game. I'm very certain my WF takes full negative energy damage, just like any other race. Deathward (spell) also gives complete immunity to this form of damage. It's almost always carried by healers at mid-level and can easily be gained from the Visor of the Flesh Render Guards clickie that appears as an end reward in the Tangleroot Gorge chain roughly 50% of the time in my estimation. This provides a 7 minute Deathward buff. At endgame, Epic Duskheart acts as a 15 minute Mass Deathward buff clickie.


- The Silver Flame Talisman is not mentioned.

This handy and easy-to-make item gives you complete immunity to 10 shots of level drain effects from either beholder rays or the rare dispelling caster. While it only partially duplicates the immunity, it does allow fleshies to reliably take on a couple of beholders before it runs out of charges. It also benefits WF to some degree, as it absorbs 10 shots of inflict critical wounds. This provides some damage resistance to beholders since you are robbed of Deathward.


- There is no mention made of Immunity to Charm Person, Dominate Person, and Suggestion.

These immunities come in handy against vampires and mind flayers, although Protection From Evil and Holy Aura can also duplicate these.


- The Mantle of the Worldshaper is not mentioned.

I'm fairly certain the 5 charges of spell absorption on this item can negate pretty much anything in the game. I haven't tested it against beholders though. Regardless, it's very easy to get and can, if nothing else, can partially duplicate the Immunity to Flesh to Stone. Purple Ion Stone and Scarab of Spell Absorption are other alternatives, but I won't mention these as a player is highly unlikely to run into them.


- There is no mention made that Warforged cannot drown and do not bleed to death when incapacitated.

Probably a bit off topic, but these are nice features to have in low level quests where a lot of swimming is involved and you can easily be rendered unconscious by a lucky hit from an ogre. I can confirm from the dozens of speed-runs I do to farm favor that WF essentially get the Diehard feat for free.

[Thrudh]

If you did, you'd see I highly recommend carrying a shield on a Barbarians and using it when appropriate.

My apologies, if I missed it... I just did a search for "shield" on the first page. You did mention that the Madstone shield and the Levik's shield are nice, but I don't think you referenced them again or mentioned how or when a barbarian would use them...

[Thrudh]

Sorry I'm slamming you so much Shade on certain parts of your guide...

Much of it is well done, and very informative.

[Wraith_Sarevok]

Three questions...

Here you go:

Originally Posted by sirgog
AC at current endgame:

<50 - near to useless on all difficulties
51-54 - modest reduction in incoming melee damage on normal only
55-58 - modest reduction on hard difficulty, significant reduction on normal
59-62 - Modest reduction on elite, significant on hard, near-invulnerability to all save raid bosses on normal
63-66 - significant reduction in incoming melee damage on elite, near invulnerability to melee damage on all other foes save Hard difficulty raid bosses
67-70 - Excellent damage mitigation on all save Elite Vod, Elite Hound, Elite Shroud
80+ - Near invulnerability to melee damage on all elite content.


i think this is pretty reasonable...
except it needs to be a little bit higher for each tier of raid bosses

For epic, the current consensus seems to be around 95-100+ in order for mobs to start missing you on low rolls.

Also, the initial character build I went with:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...candy+mountain

So it is in fact possible to attain a high AC and still deal respectable DPS.

[Chad28]

I wonder why they made it to where your ac has to be so high. My level 20 Barb only has about 30 ac, though he's definitely not a really good build. On the other hand I didn't build him as a tank either. I have considered working on a Dwarf fighter tank, but never went very far with it. Not really as exciting being a chew toy.

[Shade]

Sorry I'm slamming you so much Shade on certain parts of your guide...

Much of it is well done, and very informative.

Apology Accepted.

Glad to hear you finally read it fully.