Top 5 Hardcore Barbarian Guide

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 in Season 28.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Bane of the Stricken

Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

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 5500% and causes it to release multiple spears from it's target.

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 "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Ring of the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

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 is great for survival.

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.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Critical Strike Damage > Strength > Vitality

Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Area Damage > All Resistance

Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %

Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage %

Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Ancient Spear

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Strength

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Critical Strike Damage

The Legacy of Raekor's Tips

1. This build is unusually strong defensively so you can use all offensive passives safely.

2. At the beginning of the rift you should use Furious Charge to gain 100 stacks and then start using Ancient Spear Boulder Toss.

3. The Hellfire Amulet can be changed to the Eye of Etlich amulet which is easier to obtain and provides an effect similar to a defensive passive.

4. The Sword and Board passive can be changed to an offensive passive on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Legacy of Raekor Barbarian is capable of 108+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

3. Barbarian Legacy of Dreams (Hammer of the Ancients) Level 105+

The third place spot goes to the Legacy of Dreams Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian which had its weapon buffed in an earlier season.

Diablo 3 LoD Barbarian Hammer of the Anc

Legendary Gems

Legacy of Dreams

Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.

Gogok of Swiftness

Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

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 Bracers

Wrath of the Berserker gains the effect of every rune.

Hands: Magefist

Fire damage increased by 20%.

Belt: Chilanik's Chain

Using Warcry increases 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 with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Convention of Elements

Occasional 200% elemental damage increase.

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 rate 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.

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 > All Resistance > Life %

Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage %

Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Hammer of the Ancients

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Strength

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Critical Strike Damage

Legacy of Dreams Hammer of the Ancients Tips

1. Use Warcry often to gain the 40% movement speed increase from the Chilanik's Chain belt. Using a mighty belt gives the option of rolling Life per Fury Spent which helps with survival on this build.

2. The Magefist can be replaced by the defensive Stone Gauntlets which greatly increases your character's armor if you need to be stronger defensively or have low paragons. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets.

3. The Hellfire Amulet can be changed to the Eye of Etlich amulet which is easier to obtain and provides an effect similar to a defensive passive.

4. The Sword and Board defensive passive can be changed to Rampage on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Legacy of Dreams Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

4. Wrath of the Wastes Set with Aughild's Set (Rend/Whirlwind) Level 105+

The fourth place spot goes to the Wrath of the Wastes Rend and Whirlwind Barbarian which is an excellent build offensively and defensively.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Bane of the Stricken

Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Wrath of the Wastes

(2) Set Bonus:

Increase the damage per second of Rend by 500% and it's 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 it's damage is increased by 150%.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with 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 Unfettered

With a Bottomless Potion of the Unfettered enemy crowd control effects will not break the damage reduction from the Wrath of the Wastes Set and Mantle of Channeling.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Amethyst

A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.

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 the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

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 %

Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage %

Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Whirlwind

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Strength

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality

Wrath of the Wastes Tips

1. Rend is your main source of damage and is over a one second duration which means you can Whirlwind in wide circles around the mobs and still get Rend's full damage.

2. The Swords to Ploughshares rune for Battle Rage which heals you can be changed to the Bloodshed rune for higher damage on higher Greater Rifts.

3. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death can be changed to the Brawler passive which increases your damage by 20% whenever there are 3 or more enemies within 12 yards.

Note: The Wrath of the Wastes Set Barbarian is capable of 105+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

5. Immortal King's Call Set (Hammer of the Ancients) Level 105+

The Immortal King's Call with Hammer of the Ancients had its weapon buffed in Season 25 and comes in at the number five spot.

Diablo 3 Wrath of the Wastes Barbarian (

Diablo 3 Horde of Ninety Savages Barbari

Diablo 3 Immortal Kings Barbarian (2).pn

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Simplicity's Strength

Increase the damage of your primary skills and cause them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

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 with your follower when they are equipped with 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 rate 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 the Elements

Occasional 200% rotating elemental damage increase.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life %

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 %

Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > All Resistance

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Strength

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality

Horde of the Ninety Savages Tips

1. Focus on larger mobs that give more progress in Greater Rifts with this 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 Barbarian is capable of 112+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

2. The Legacy of Raekor Set With Captain Crimson's Set (Ancient Spear) Level 108+

Second place goes to the Raekor's Ancient Spear and Furious Charge Barbarian which was greatly buffed back in Season 26 and is capable of clearing well above 100 Greater Rifts on Hardcore.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Gogok of Swiftness

Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

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.

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 with your follower when they are equipped with 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 rate 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

Occasional 200% rotating elemental damage increase.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life %

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Area Damage > Life %

Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %

Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Physical Damage %

Feet: Strength > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Hammer of the Ancients

Amulet: Socket > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Strength

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Strength > Vitality

Immortal King's Call Tips

1. You can replace Rampage with Sword and Board which provides 30% damage reduction if you are low on paragon points and you need another 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.

Note: The Immortal King's Set Barbarian is capable of 105+ 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)