The Definitive Guide to Barbarians

[Nick_RC]

LOL by the time you complete your spell animation the fireball will sail harmlessly over the heads of your enemies corpses if you've got a decent barb in the party.

Lol not so much.

Welcome back shade. The threads and 'discussions' that ur involved in were always a good read. Lots of misinformation going around atm.

N

[bendover]

This is off-base. The greatest value of a WF DPS/barbarian is that it is the most flexible tank in terms of accommodating group composition. It's the reason I probably won't TR my WF barb into a horc: the ability to run the major raids and tough quests with otherwise non-ideal parties (not waiting around indefinitely for divine healers) is pretty powerful. Also, being able to ignore healing curse in tough situations is also very good.

The fact that it's possible for a WF tank to have over 100% healing amp, means that it's simply the most flexible type of barbarian at tanking, and that's ignoring inherent immunities and potentially more HP.

As for dwarf...yeah, I fail to see any great benefit there anymore. Previously, the biggest draw was in their having a higher to-hit than WF while having a decent DPS boost as well. Horcs have the option to be swinging with the same to-hit and more DPS.

The curse immunity is nice, but when does that matter? When you tank one mob in the game. That shouldn't be a difference maker in the reason as to why you're deciding to go Warforged or not. You don't build your character around 1% of potential of the game.

As far as getting over 100% amp that's alot to give up to do so.
.50 (Warforged) x 1.25 (enhancements) x 1.15 (3 paladin TR's) x 1.3 (item) x 1.2 (item) x 1.1 (item) x 1.1 (finger necklace) = 135% which would take alot of work and investment in gear to want someone to make that happen.

I suppose everyone has their personal reference and for me one is not being able to deal with Warforged tanks.

Edit: There isn't a reason why you couldn't build your non Warforged barbarian to tank anything. There is no problem in being able to hate tank or intimitank why not utilize that.

[Chad28]

You don't build your character around 1% of potential of the game.

That made me chuckle a little, since so many people build their character for the end game only. curse immunity would really help in Vod, at the very least.

I never tried a WF barbarian, and just went with Dwarf for the spell defense and axe enhancements.

[bendover]

That made me chuckle a little, since so many people build their character for the end game only. curse immunity would really help in Vod, at the very least.

I never tried a WF barbarian, and just went with Dwarf for the spell defense and axe enhancements.

Don't just live in the "status quo" just because "normal" groups think a Warforged is required to tank that raid as the easiest means of doing so would be naive. I've tanked sully on a rogue. That raid is a joke. As far as ToD is concerned there is nothing wrong with intimitank tanking sully while the caster is free to stone the orthons so DPS can continue on the bosses.

[Jiipster]

Fireball is much more useful than haste at that level. A wizard that wastes SP on haste is doing it wrong. Get potions!



Fireball has waaay more potential than a barb at low/mid levels. It doesn't even compare.

I disagree. Fireball isn't the best spell for level 5/6 - Acid Blast is (because, sometimes you'll want to use Web, too )

[Fishcatch22]

I don't know why you haven't included a tanking-focused build, as a good Tanking-focused Barbarian build can be a boon for newer players seeking to play a tank, since they don't need AC. All they really need is to max their DR and Hp ehns, and wear a good guard item coupled with Hp boosting items, which are generally pretty easy to obtain, and keep a tower shield around for pure turtling when needed. Their DPS is no worse than a tank Paladin or Fighter in DPS mode, as long as you build it correctly. He won't be at the top of the charts in Epics, but will be an excellent tank in situations where raw HP is all that matters.

[kanbeki]

The curse immunity is nice, but when does that matter? When you tank one mob in the game. That shouldn't be a difference maker in the reason as to why you're deciding to go Warforged or not. You don't build your character around 1% of potential of the game.

As far as getting over 100% amp that's alot to give up to do so.
.50 (Warforged) x 1.25 (enhancements) x 1.15 (3 paladin TR's) x 1.3 (item) x 1.2 (item) x 1.1 (item) x 1.1 (finger necklace) = 135% which would take alot of work and investment in gear to want someone to make that happen.

I suppose everyone has their personal reference and for me one is not being able to deal with Warforged tanks.

Edit: There isn't a reason why you couldn't build your non Warforged barbarian to tank anything. There is no problem in being able to hate tank or intimitank why not utilize that.

uh...all it takes on my barb to get over 100% amp is HF1, 20% on ring, docent of blood and finger necklace, ship buff is cool too...Docent of blood and finger necklace both change your base healing % so its pretty easy on a WF barb to get full amp. Most people are just lazy

[Khellendros13]

Nice guide, and I could see the tongue-in-cheek that so many seem to miss from your other posts too Shade.

As for Half-Orc, I am curious to hear what you think. Personally I can't stand them for THF, the break in the attack animation annoys me to no end, and my gf even decided to reroll her lvl 6 Half Orc Barb.

I have noticed that a lot of Half Orc Barbarians or Fighters shy away from main tanking. I think a lot focus so much on DPS they have not shored up the HP and saves issue.

Half Orc's are +10 dmg a swing (THF) ahead over a WF right? That is less than the difference going from min2 to ESoS on a WF. ESoS is a long way off for lots of people.
Even though I have a WF barb and enjoy playing him, Dwarf is probably the most rounded race for Barbarian. The DPS difference I can't, and have not, seen as an issue. Lots of great Dwarves, and lots of great WF barbarians around on Khyber. Some good Human ones too

Just my thoughts after maintanking every raid and epic boss on my WF Barb, and some of them on a pally with 550hp. Funny how I prefer my pally/monk for tanking the end fight in Epic Chrono - it is just much much easier.

Oh and welcome back...even though I have only eve ran a ToD with you once a while ago.

[bendover]

uh...all it takes on my barb to get over 100% amp is HF1, 20% on ring, docent of blood and finger necklace, ship buff is cool too...Docent of blood and finger necklace both change your base healing % so its pretty easy on a WF barb to get full amp. Most people are just lazy

Uhh no it doesn't. Healing amp multiplies NOT adds. You don't just add up precentages and get your new amp.

.50 x 1.1 (HF 1) x 1.2 (ring) 1.1 (finger necklace) x 1.1 (docent) = 79% amp. Not even close to 100 sorry.

[kanbeki]

Uhh no it doesn't. Healing amp multiplies NOT adds. You don't just add up precentages and get your new amp.

.50 x 1.1 (HF 1) x 1.2 (ring) 1.1 (finger necklace) x 1.1 (docent) = 79% amp. Not even close to 100 sorry.

Explain the bright green numbers then genius, vs the dark green ones i get when i don't have all that stuff on.

[Khellendros13]

Explain the bright green numbers then genius, vs the dark green ones i get when i don't have all that stuff on.

Finger necklace stacks differently if put on before all other heal amp items doesn't it?

[kanbeki]

Finger necklace stacks differently if put on before all other heal amp items doesn't it?

It indeed does, seems like not everyone knows.

[bendover]

It indeed does, seems like not everyone knows.

Dude, don't try calling me out on something you don't know what you're talking about. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but your healing amp is wrong. It doesn't add. You must multiple it. You can take off your gear and rearrange it when you log in manipulating your finger necklace to give you a percentage or two more but that's it. You're at 79% amp.

[kanbeki]

Dude, don't try calling me out on something you don't know what you're talking about. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but your healing amp is wrong. It doesn't add. You must multiple it. You can take off your gear and rearrange it when you log in manipulating your finger necklace to give you a percentage or two more but that's it. You're at 79% amp.

please explain this



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gearset 1: no amp whatsoever healers friend 1
Gearset 2: finger necklace, 20% ring docent of blood
gearset 3: see above but with 30% kama

[sephiroth1084]

Don't just live in the "status quo" just because "normal" groups think a Warforged is required to tank that raid as the easiest means of doing so would be naive. I've tanked sully on a rogue. That raid is a joke. As far as ToD is concerned there is nothing wrong with intimitank tanking sully while the caster is free to stone the orthons so DPS can continue on the bosses.

While I agree, clearly, since I have an AC tank who can either threat tank or intimitank, I maintain my stance that, for a barbarian, WF is definitely still a significant consideration due to their strength in tanking. Is it the only consideration? No, but it is a big one.

I don't know why you haven't included a tanking-focused build, as a good Tanking-focused Barbarian build can be a boon for newer players seeking to play a tank, since they don't need AC. All they really need is to max their DR and Hp ehns, and wear a good guard item coupled with Hp boosting items, which are generally pretty easy to obtain, and keep a tower shield around for pure turtling when needed. Their DPS is no worse than a tank Paladin or Fighter in DPS mode, as long as you build it correctly. He won't be at the top of the charts in Epics, but will be an excellent tank in situations where raw HP is all that matters.

You don't need to do anything special, really, on a barbarian to make it tanking focused. Dropping Toughness would "un-focus" one a bit, but otherwise, barbarians come with a lot of DPS and HP, and that's all that's really needed much of the time. I was tanking ToD on hard on my barbarian as soon as he stepped into the raid, with no greensteel or raid loot.

Finger necklace stacks differently if put on before all other heal amp items doesn't it?

Yes. I believe it adds to your base amp and provides the 10% boost as other amp does:

WF w/ HF 1: 0.65 + Finger for 0.75 base *1.1 Finger * 1.1 Eldritch * 1.1 ship * 1.2 ring/Levik's = 1.089, or full healing. If you can get the epic Claw gloves, you'd be at 1.457 with all that gear. With the gloves, you could also drop both the Finger Necklace whatever you're holding the 20% on and still break 100%.

[sephiroth1084]

Dude, don't try calling me out on something you don't know what you're talking about. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but your healing amp is wrong. It doesn't add. You must multiple it. You can take off your gear and rearrange it when you log in manipulating your finger necklace to give you a percentage or two more but that's it. You're at 79% amp.

You're wrong. And being a **** about it.

[Aaxeyu]

I disagree. Fireball isn't the best spell for level 5/6 - Acid Blast is (because, sometimes you'll want to use Web, too )

But if you spec for acid you will not get as high damage on your scorching ray.
And web is counter productive when most situations where you use fireball anyway, you don't want the mobs to stuck.

[bendover]

please explain this



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gearset 1: no amp whatsoever healers friend 1
Gearset 2: finger necklace, 20% ring docent of blood
gearset 3: see above but with 30% kama

Then you're leaving out valuable information.

(110 x (1 + 2 x .10 (HF1)) /2) = 66 point heal

(110 x (1 + 2 x .10) /2) x 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.2 = 95.83 point heal

(110 x (1 x 2 x .10) /2) x 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.2 x 1.3 = 124.58 point heal

Whoops should be .15 instead of .10. Could be a point off.

[kanbeki]

Then you're leaving out valuable information.

(110 x (1 + 2 x .10 (HF1)) /2) = 66 point heal

(110 x (1 + 2 x .10) /2) x 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.2 = 95.83 point heal

(110 x (1 x 2 x .10) /2) x 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.2 x 1.3 = 124.58 point heal

what is it you're looking to know? items were listed, heals were tossed by soul binder. I might have still had airship buff.

[Fishcatch22]

You don't need to do anything special, really, on a barbarian to make it tanking focused. Dropping Toughness would "un-focus" one a bit, but otherwise, barbarians come with a lot of DPS and HP, and that's all that's really needed much of the time. I was tanking ToD on hard on my barbarian as soon as he stepped into the raid, with no greensteel or raid loot.

This may be true, but a slightly more tanking-focused build can have it uses; mainly just getting full Intim and such by taking SF: intim or maybe the Dragonmark if human.