Hardcore & Softcore Builds
Barbarian Top 5 Hardcore Guide
1. Horde of the Ninety Savages Set (Frenzy) Level 112+
The top spot goes to the Horde of the Ninety Savages Frenzy Barbarian which was greatly improved way back in Season 28 which made it first in the rankings for Hardcore Barbarian builds.
Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increases damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gives a 30% slow aura.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health gain 75% increased elemental resistances.
Equipment
Set: Immortal King's Call
(2) Set Bonus:
Call of the Ancients last until they die.
(4) Set Bonus:
Reduces the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients by 3 seconds for every 10 Fury you spend with an attack.
(6) Set Bonus:
While both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients is active, you deal 4000% increased damage.
Seasonal Weapons: Little Rogue & The Slanderer
Set: When using primary resources attack speed, damage, and armor are increased by 6% for 5 seconds.
Weapon: Remorseless
With Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients active, Hammer of the Ancients deals 800% extra damage.
Shield: Stormshield
Melee damage taken is decreased by 30%.
Shoulders: Fury of the Ancients
Call of the Ancients gains the effect of the Ancient's Fury rune and Ancients attack 100% faster.
Bracers: Mortick's Brace
Wrath of the Berserker gains every rune.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
Powers
Weapon: The Gavel of Judgment
Hammer of the Ancients damage is increased by 800% and returns 25 fury when hitting 3 or fewer enemies.
Armor: Bracers of the First Men
Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 500% increased damage.
Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Seasonal: Remorseless
With Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients active, Hammer of the Ancients deals 800% extra damage.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life Percent
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Area Damage > Life Percent
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > Life Per Fury Spent > All Resistance
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Hammer of the Ancients > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Immortal King's Call Tips
1. You can replace the Rampage passive with Sword and Board which provides 30% reduced damage taken and 20% reduced Fury costs on non-seasonal characters for a strong defensive passive.
2. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death can be changed to the Brawler passive which increases your damage by 20% when three enemies are within 12 yards on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Immortal King's Set Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
3. Wrath of the Wastes Set with Aughild's Set (Rend/Whirlwind) Level 105+
The third place spot in the rankings goes to the Wrath of the Wastes Rend and Whirlwind Barbarian which is an excellent build offensively and defensively with excellent mobility.
Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increases damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gives a 30% slow aura.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage increased by 25% against bosses.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health gain 75% increased elemental resistances.
Equipment
Set: Wrath of the Wastes
(2) Set Bonus:
Increase the damage per second of Rend by 500% and its duration to 15 seconds.
(4) Set Bonus:
During Whirlwind and for 3 seconds after, you gain 50% damage reduction and your Rends deal triple damage.
(6) Set Bonus:
Whirlwind gains the effect of the Dust Devils rune and all Whirlwind and Rend damage is increased by 10,000%.
Set: Aughild's Authority
(2) Set Bonus:
Reduces damage taken by 15% and increases damage dealt by 30%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Reduces damage taken from elites and increases damage dealt to elites by 30%.
Weapon: Little Rogue
Set: When using primary resources attack speed, damage, and armor are increased by 6% for 5 seconds.
Weapon: The Slanderer
Set: When using primary resources attack speed, damage, and armor are increased by 6% for 5 seconds.
Belt: Lamentations
Rend stacks up to 2 times and its damage is increased by 150%.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond will provide more uptime on Wrath of the Berserker.
Powers
Weapon: Ambo's Pride
Attacking with Whirlwind applies Rend and the damage of Rend is applied over 1 second.
Armor: Mantle of Channeling
Increase damage by 25% and reduce damage taken by 25% while using a channeled skill.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Seasonal: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
Reduces the cooldown of one of your skills when you hit with a resource spending attack.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Rend
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > % Damage to Rend
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > Life per Fury Spent > Life Percent
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Whirlwind > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Wrath of the Wastes Tips
1. Rend is your main source of damage with this build and it has a one second duration which means you can Whirlwind in wide circles around the mobs and still get the full bleed damage of Rend.
2. The Swords to Ploughshares rune for Battle Rage which is defensive can be changed to the Bloodshed rune for significantly higher damage for higher Greater Rift progression.
3. The Unity ring which effectively provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for four seconds on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Wrath of the Wastes Set Rend/Whirlwind Barbarian is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
4. Barbarian Legacy of Dreams (Hammer of the Ancients) Level 105+
The fourth place spot in the rankings goes to the Legacy of Dreams Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian which had its legendary weapon power buffed back in an earlier season.
Legendary Gems
Legacy of Dreams
Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health gain 75% increased elemental resistances.
Equipment
Weapon: Remorseless
With Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients active, Hammer of the Ancients deals 250% extra damage.
Shield: Stormshield
Reduces damage taken from melee attacks by 30%.
Helm: Leoric's Crown
Doubles the effect of gems socketed in this item.
Chest: Cindercoat
Gain 30% fire resource cost reduction and fire damage is increased by 20%.
Shoulders: Fury of the Ancients
Call of the Ancients gains the effect of the Ancient's Fury rune and ancients attack 100% faster.
Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail
Elemental 20% damage increase.
Bracers: Mortick's Brace
Wrath of the Berserker gains the effect of every rune.
Hands: Magefist
Fire damage increased by 20%.
Belt: Chilanik's Chain
Using War Cry gives increased movement speed for you and your allies by 40% for 10 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to Freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free random passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond will provide more uptime on Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients.
Powers
Weapon: The Gavel of Judgment
The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by 800% and returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies.
Armor: Bracers of the First Men
Hammer of the Ancients attack 50% faster and deals 500% increased damage.
Ring/Amulet: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
Reduces the cooldown of one of your skills by 1 second when hitting with a resource spending attack.
Seasonal: Aquila Cuirass
Take 50% reduced damage whenever you are above 90% resources.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Cooldown Reduction > Strength > Vitality
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > Life Per Fury Spent > All Resistance
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Hammer of the Ancients > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Legacy of Dreams Tips
1. The Hellfire Amulet can be replaced with an Eye of Etlich amulet as a budget defensive option because it provides a strong effect similar to a defensive passive.
2. The Nerves of Steel defensive passive which provides a cheat death can be switched to the Rampage offensive passive on the final push for rankings.
5. The Legacy of Raekor Set With Captain Crimson's Set (Ancient Spear) Level 103+
Fifth place goes to the Raekor's Ancient Spear and Furious Charge Barbarian which was significantly nerfed back in Season 30 but it's still capable of clearing well above 100 Greater Rifts in Hardcore.
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Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increases damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gives a 30% slow aura.
Simplicity's Strength
Increases the damage of your primary skills and causes them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health gain 75% increased elemental resistances.
Equipment
Set: Horde of the Ninety Savages
(2) Set Bonus:
Doubles the effectiveness of all Shouts. Feared, frozen, or stunned enemies take double damage.
(4) Set Bonus:
Each stack of Frenzy reduces damage taken by 6%. Frenzy lasts twice as long.
(6) Set Bonus:
Frenzy deals 2000% increased damage per stack.
Weapon: Oathkeeper
Primary skills attack 50% faster and deal 200% increased damage.
Shield: Stormshield
Melee damage taken is reduced by 30%.
Belt: The Undisputed Champion
Frenzy gains every rune and deals 400% enhanced damage.
Bracers: Vambraces of Sescheron
Primary skills heal you for 6% of your missing health.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: The Compass Rose
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge
Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is recommended to give cooldown reduction for Call of the Ancients and Wrath of the Berserker.
Powers
Weapon: Bastion's Revered
Frenzy now stacks up to 10 times, hits an additional time per stack, and attacks chain to other enemies.
Armor: Depth Diggers
Primary skills deal 100% increased damage.
Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Seasonal: Aquila Cuirass
Reduces damage taken by 50% when you are above 90% resources.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life Percent
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Frenzy
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > % Damage to Frenzy
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Horde of the Ninety Savages Tips
1. Try and focus on killing the larger mobs which give better progress inside Greater Rifts with this high single target damage build.
2. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death can be changed to the Ruthless passive which provides 40% additional damage to enemies below 30% health on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Horde of the Ninety Savages Set Frenzy Barbarian is capable of 112+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
2. Immortal King's Call Set (Hammer of the Ancients) Level 106+
The Immortal King's Call with Hammer of the Ancients had its weapon buffed back in Season 25 and comes in at the second place spot in the rankings.
Legendary Gems
Bane of the Trapped
Increases damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gives a 30% slow aura.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health gain 75% increased elemental resistances.
Equipment
Set: The Legacy of Raekor
(2) Set Bonus:
Furious Charge refunds a charge if it hits only one enemy.
(4) Set Bonus:
Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 1000% increased damage. The damage of Ancient Spear is increased by 2% for every 1% life missing.
(6) Set Bonus:
Hitting enemies with Weapon Throw or Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Ancient Spear by 2500% and causes it to release multiple spears from it's target. This effect stacks.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.
Weapon: The Three Hundredth Spear
Increases the damage of Weapon Throw and Ancient Spear by 200% and increases the attack speed of Weapon Throw by 200%.
Shield: Stormshield
Reduces damage taken from melee attacks by 30%.
Bracers: Ancient Parthan Defenders
Each stunned enemy within 25 yards decreases damage taken by 12%.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free random passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
This life on hit potion heals you and helps you survive.
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond will provide more uptime on Wrath of the Berserker.
Powers
Weapon: Arreat's Law
Weapon Throw and Ancient Spear deal 200% increased damage. Weapon Throw generates more Fury and Ancient Spear refunds Fury based on the distance from the enemy hit.
Armor: Skular's Salvation
If Ancient Spear Boulder Toss hits 5 or fewer enemies the damage is increased by 100%.
Ring/Amulet: Band of Might
Gives 80% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Furious Charge.
Seasonal: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
Reduces the cooldown of one of your skills by 1 second when hitting with a resource spending attack.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life Percent
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Critical Strike Damage > Vitality
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Area Damage > Cooldown Reduction
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life Percent
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Ancient Spear > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Legacy of Raekor Tips
1. You should focus on hitting the larger mobs with Ancient Spear for faster progress in Greater Rifts.
2. The Hellfire Amulet can be switched to an Eye of Etlich amulet for a budget defensive item that provides a strong effect similar to a defensive passive.
3. The Unity ring which effectively provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for four seconds on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Legacy of Raekor Ancient Spear Barbarian is capable of 103+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
Recommended Mercenary
Templar
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Slows enemies' attacks and movement speed.
Templar Relic: Enchanting Favor
Follower cannot die.
Shield: Freeze of Deflection
Blocks have a chance of a 1.5 second Freeze.
Helm: Blind Faith
Chance of Blinding enemies on hit.
Shoulders: Homing Pads (Emanates)
Town portal is uninterruptable and while casting town portal you gain a protective shield.
Gloves: Gloves of Worship (Emanates)
Shrine effects last 10 minutes.
Bracers: Nemesis Bracers (Emanates)
Pylons spawn an enemy champion.
Waist: Cord of the Sherma
Chance to blind and slow enemies for 4 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring 1: Unity
Splits damage taken with the wearer of this ring.
Ring 2: Wyrmward
Lightning damage has a 35% chance to stun.
Amulet: The Flavor of Time (Emanates)
Pylon effects last twice as long.
And that's all for the Barbarian Top 5 Hardcore Guide. Better items await you in Greater Rifts!