Surprising SWF dps

[Sydril]

So I decided to test out a SWF pure Barb and it's remarkably effective at current level (18).

Race human, feats:

SWF, ISWF, GSWF, Khopesh, IC Slash, Stunning Blow, Magical Training (for orb proficiency) and Improved Shield Bash (for frenzy orb bash procs).

Enhancement are 41 Occult Slayer, 31 Frenzied Berserker and 8 vistani.

[drunkbarbarian]

I have a swf barb at cap and it has been a lot of fun. I use almost the same enhancement split except for Aasimar tree for self healing instead of Vistani. I have knight's training for more weapon options.

I didn't even think about magical training for orb use offhand, or shield mastery. So a few questions.

Are you getting the double strike bonus from imp shield mastery?

What orbs would you suggest? After looking through them all, I was thinking TF would be the best option for a barb.

Although Dreadnaught is the best melee destiny, I have been enjoying running in Fury for boss damage. Boss attack rotation is Action Boost (Prowess), Driving Force, Cracking attack (+2w), Adrenaline (400% damage and +16 crit range on next attack), Seekers Strike (+7w and +1/+1 crit and multi).

Thanks

[Sydril]

I have a swf barb at cap and it has been a lot of fun. I use almost the same enhancement split except for Aasimar tree for self healing instead of Vistani. I have knight's training for more weapon options.

I didn't even think about magical training for orb use offhand, or shield mastery. So a few questions.

Are you getting the double strike bonus from imp shield mastery?

What orbs would you suggest? After looking through them all, I was thinking TF would be the best option for a barb.

Although Dreadnaught is the best melee destiny, I have been enjoying running in Fury for boss damage. Boss attack rotation is Action Boost (Prowess), Driving Force, Cracking attack (+2w), Adrenaline (400% damage and +16 crit range on next attack), Seekers Strike (+7w and +1/+1 crit and multi).

Thanks

Shield mastery does not work with orbs, but shield bashing does, so you can get shield bash procs while single weapon fighting.

I have been using a Cannith crafted orb with a red slot, shield bashing (to improve % chance to proc), parry and combat mastery but I was also thinking thunderforged would be the way to go for a higher level crafted orb.

I just hit 23 and have been motoring through reaper epics in dreadnaught. I was almost thinking of taking precision and not using rage at this point for the crit options, still on the fence though. Twists are currently Sense Weakness, Grim Precision and Cocoon.

I'll have to take a look at Fury, that would open a nice tier 4 twist option.

[jskinner937]

Sounds like fun. May have to try.

[jskinner937]

Shield mastery does not work with orbs, but shield bashing does, so you can get shield bash procs while single weapon fighting.

I have been using a Cannith crafted orb with a red slot, shield bashing (to improve % chance to proc), parry and combat mastery but I was also thinking thunderforged would be the way to go for a higher level crafted orb.

I just hit 23 and have been motoring through reaper epics in dreadnaught. I was almost thinking of taking precision and not using rage at this point for the crit options, still on the fence though. Twists are currently Sense Weakness, Grim Precision and Cocoon.

I'll have to take a look at Fury, that would open a nice tier 4 twist option.

Don't most orbs have INT for to hit and CHA for to dmg?

[Sydril]

Don't most orbs have INT for to hit and CHA for to dmg?

This is correct, I'm currently running with 30 int and 36 cha at level 23 but keeping these stats manageable on a barb can be challenging for some.

I think it's worth it for the x6 crit on a 19-20 and additional damage from frenzy and greater frenzy.

Also it's worth noting that orbs deal force damage.

What I think is really important is to make sure you keep a good accuracy item loaded

[jskinner937]

This is correct, I'm currently running with 30 int and 36 cha at level 23 but keeping these stats manageable on a barb can be challenging for some.

I think it's worth it for the x6 crit on a 19-20 and additional damage from frenzy and greater frenzy.

Also it's worth noting that orbs deal force damage.

What I think is really important is to make sure you keep a good accuracy item loaded

Understand. I can definitely see accuracy, deadly and seeker being even more important on this build. I figured the crits were the difference maker.

[drunkbarbarian]

Another point with Fury is that pswf gives vorpal on a 19 or 20. That coupled with attack speed recharges adrenaline pretty quick.

[adrian69]

So I decided to test out a SWF pure Barb and it's remarkably effective at current level (18).

Race human, feats:

SWF, ISWF, GSWF, Khopesh, IC Slash, Stunning Blow, Magical Training (for orb proficiency) and Improved Shield Bash (for frenzy orb bash procs).

Enhancement are 41 Occult Slayer, 31 Frenzied Berserker and 8 vistani.

I just did a Pure SWF Barb and was cruising through R4s like a breeze. Finally got my first 8 skull solo in Grim and Bare It. My tactics were dire charge, Cracking Attack, Strike Down, barb cleave, great cleave, cleave, barb cleave, and if 3 or more of anything was still standing, Strike Down and Confront Any Foe, and move on. It really spoiled me.

I went GSWF, Knight's Training, PA, Great Cleave, IC: Slashing, PTWF, Epic DR, PSWF, Dire Charge, Scion of Water (20 MRR really helped+Forge Wraiths seem vuln), Epic Reflexes. I plan on returning to this build once Epic Destiny pass happens to sit for a while while I do competition PvP elsewhere. At level 20, I had about 150 MP, and 230 with Prowess+Melee Power. I ended up running Fate Singer at first, just to finish capping out my 6 million for the upcoming pass, but then it was actually fairly solid DPS until I got to around level 26 content. I then swapped over to DC then except for a few raids. I ran them in LD. For weapons I was swapping between Soulrazor and base Whelm (undead/constructs). I did the old cookie cutter as far as enhancements.

Aasimar nets 10 MP, 60 HAMP, 3 Str, and Healing Hands (which I used a whole lot less than I thought I would), and sustainable vuln after building it up with another source weapon.

Anyway, lots of potential with Barbarian play these days. They're not so cut and dry anymore.

[Hobgoblin]

I just did a Pure SWF Barb and was cruising through R4s like a breeze. Finally got my first 8 skull solo in Grim and Bare It. My tactics were dire charge, Cracking Attack, Strike Down, barb cleave, great cleave, cleave, barb cleave, and if 3 or more of anything was still standing, Strike Down and Confront Any Foe, and move on. It really spoiled me.

I went GSWF, Knight's Training, PA, Great Cleave, IC: Slashing, PTWF, Epic DR, PSWF, Dire Charge, Scion of Water (20 MRR really helped+Forge Wraiths seem vuln), Epic Reflexes. I plan on returning to this build once Epic Destiny pass happens to sit for a while while I do competition PvP elsewhere. At level 20, I had about 150 MP, and 230 with Prowess+Melee Power. I ended up running Fate Singer at first, just to finish capping out my 6 million for the upcoming pass, but then it was actually fairly solid DPS until I got to around level 26 content. I then swapped over to DC then except for a few raids. I ran them in LD. For weapons I was swapping between Soulrazor and base Whelm (undead/constructs). I did the old cookie cutter as far as enhancements.

Aasimar nets 10 MP, 60 HAMP, 3 Str, and Healing Hands (which I used a whole lot less than I thought I would), and sustainable vuln after building it up with another source weapon.

Anyway, lots of potential with Barbarian play these days. They're not so cut and dry anymore.

fb cap and t5 ravager?

[Wanker]

I just did a Pure SWF Barb and was cruising through R4s like a breeze. Finally got my first 8 skull solo in Grim and Bare It. My tactics were dire charge, Cracking Attack, Strike Down, barb cleave, great cleave, cleave, barb cleave, and if 3 or more of anything was still standing, Strike Down and Confront Any Foe, and move on. It really spoiled me.

I went GSWF, Knight's Training, PA, Great Cleave, IC: Slashing, PTWF, Epic DR, PSWF, Dire Charge, Scion of Water (20 MRR really helped+Forge Wraiths seem vuln), Epic Reflexes. I plan on returning to this build once Epic Destiny pass happens to sit for a while while I do competition PvP elsewhere. At level 20, I had about 150 MP, and 230 with Prowess+Melee Power. I ended up running Fate Singer at first, just to finish capping out my 6 million for the upcoming pass, but then it was actually fairly solid DPS until I got to around level 26 content. I then swapped over to DC then except for a few raids. I ran them in LD. For weapons I was swapping between Soulrazor and base Whelm (undead/constructs). I did the old cookie cutter as far as enhancements.

Aasimar nets 10 MP, 60 HAMP, 3 Str, and Healing Hands (which I used a whole lot less than I thought I would), and sustainable vuln after building it up with another source weapon.

Anyway, lots of potential with Barbarian play these days. They're not so cut and dry anymore.

What weapon did you use and did you have a similar enhancement break-out with Occult Slayer and FB?

[adrian69]

fb cap and t5 ravager?

Yes. I have like 96(?) AP though. Maybe 95. Whatever max is.

What weapon did you use and did you have a similar enhancement break-out with Occult Slayer and FB?

I was swapping between Soulrazor and whelm. No reason not to be 2HF atm though other than the animation speed is boring...

Yeah, I tried OS and FB, and while it's slightly higher DPS, the survival seemed lacking