Hardcore & Softcore Builds
Barbarian Top 5 Builds Guide
1. Horde of the Ninety Savages Set (Frenzy)
The Horde of the Ninety Savages Frenzy Barbarian was greatly buffed back in Season 28 which made it the top Barbarian build in our rankings.
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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.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.
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Equipment
Set: Immortal King's Call
(2) Set Bonus:
Call of the Ancients lasts until your Ancients 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 using an attack.
(6) Set Bonus:
While both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients are active, you deal 4000% increased damage.
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Season 33 Weapons: Little Rogue & The Slanderer
Set: When using primary resources, attack speed, damage, and armor are increased by 6% for 5 seconds.
Weapon (Non-Seasonal): Remorseless
With Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients active, Hammer of the Ancients deals 800% extra damage.
Weapon (Non-Seasonal): Azurewrath
Gives increased cold damage, a chance to freeze, and occasionally knocks back undead and demon enemies.
Shoulders: Fury of the Ancients
Call of the Ancients gains the effect of the Ancient's Fury rune and your Ancients attack 100% faster.
Bracers: Mortick's Brace
Wrath of the Berserker gains the effect of 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.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst should be used for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: The Gavel of Judgment
Hammer of the Ancients damage is increased by 800% and returns 25 Fury when it hits 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 damage types and gives an occasional 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.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life Percent
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Area Damage > Life Percent
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Life Per Fury Spent > Vitality > All Resistance
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Physical Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Hammer of the Ancients > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Strength > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality
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Immortal King's Call Tips
1. The Little Rogue and The Slanderer weapons should be used on seasonal characters for a large increase to your attack speed, damage, and armor with Remorseless as your seasonal Kanai's Cube power in Season 33.
2. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death should be changed to the Brawler passive which increases your damage when three enemies are within 12 yards on the final push for rankings.
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3. Wrath of the Wastes Set with Aughild's Set (Rend/Whirlwind)
The Wrath of the Wastes Rend and Whirlwind Barbarian takes the third place spot and is an excellent build both offensively and defensively.
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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.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage increased by 25% against bosses.
Taeguk
Gain increased damage while using a channeling skill and 2% increased armor stacking up to 10 times.
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Equipment
Set: Wrath of the Wastes
(2) Set Bonus:
Increases the damage per second of Rend by 500% and increases 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:
Increases your damage dealt by 30% and reduces your damage taken by 15%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Increases your damage dealt against elites by 30% and reduces your damage taken from elites by 30%.
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Weapon: Bul-Kathos's Warrior Blood
Set: Increases your Fury generation by 15 and gives Whirlwind 45% increased attack speed.
Weapon: Bul-Kathos's Solemn Vow
Set: Increases your Fury generation by 15 and gives Whirlwind 45% increased attack speed.
Belt: Lamentations
Rend stacks up to two 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: Convention of Elements
Rotates damage types and gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gives one free passive from the character class that creates the amulet.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is used to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients which is offensive and defensive.
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Powers
Weapon: Ambo's Pride
Attacking with Whirlwind also applies Rend and the damage of Rend is applied over one second.
Armor: Mantle of Channeling
Increases your damage by 25% and reduces your damage taken by 25% when you are channeling a skill.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur
You require 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 by one second when you hit with a resource spending attack.
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Rend
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > % Damage to Rend
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Life Per Fury Spent > Vitality > Life Percent
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Physical Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Strength> Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality​
Wrath of the Wastes Tips​​
1. Rend is your main source of damage and deals damage over a one second duration which means you can Whirlwind in wide circles around enemies and still get the full damage of Rend.
2. The Bul-Kathos's Oath Set makes Whirlwind generate Fury which means you won't need a Fury generator.
3. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death should be changed to the Ruthless passive which provides 40% increased damage to enemies below 30% health on the final push for rankings.
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4. Barbarian Legacy of Dreams (Hammer of the Ancients)
The Legacy of Dreams Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian takes the fourth place spot because its legendary weapon power was significantly buffed in an earlier season.​​​​
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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.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage increased by 25% against bosses.
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Equipment
Weapon: Remorseless
With Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients active, Hammer of the Ancients deals 250% extra damage.
Weapon: Azurewrath
Gives increased cold damage, a chance to freeze, and occasionally knocks back undead and demon enemies.
Helm: Leoric's Crown
Doubles the effect of the gem socketed in this item.
Chest: Cindercoat
Fire skills gain 30% reduced resource costs and your fire skills deal 20% increased damage.
Shoulders: Fury of the Ancients
Call of the Ancients gains the effect of the Ancient's Fury rune and your Ancients attack 100% faster.
Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail
Gives a 20% elemental damage increase.
Bracers: Mortick's Brace
Wrath of the Berserker gains the effect of every rune.
Hands: Magefist
Fire damage skills have 20% increased damage.
Belt: Chilanik's Chain
Using War Cry increases the movement speed of you and your allies by 40% for 10 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Gives immunity 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 damage types and gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is used to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients.
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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 one second when you hit with a resource spending attack.
Seasonal: Aquila Cuirass
You take 50% reduced damage when you are above 90% primary resources.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Cooldown Reduction > Strength > Vitality
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > All Resistance
Waist: Strength > Life Per Fury Spent > Vitality > All Resistance
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Fire Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Hammer of the Ancients > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Strength > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality
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Legacy of Dreams Tips
1. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death should be switched to the offensive Ruthless passive for increased damage once you have enough paragons.
2. The Aquila Cuirass seasonal Kanai's Cube power which is defensive should be changed to The Furnace power which gives 50% increased damage against elites on the final push for rankings.
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5. The Legacy of Raekor Set With Captain Crimson's Set (Ancient Spear)
The fifth place spot goes to the Legacy of Raekor's Ancient Spear Barbarian which was nerfed back in Season 30 but its still capable of clearing well above 100 Greater Rifts in Softcore.
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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.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
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Equipment
Set: Horde of the Ninety Savages
(2) Set Bonus:
Doubles the effectiveness of all Shouts. Feared, frozen, and/or stunned enemies take double damage.
(4) Set Bonus:
Each stack of Frenzy reduces your damage taken by 6% and Frenzy lasts twice as long.
(6) Set Bonus:
Frenzy deals 2000% increased damage per stack.
Set: Aughild's Authority
(2) Set Bonus:
Increases your damage dealt by 30% and reduces your damage taken by 15%.
(3) Set Bonus:
Increases your damage dealt against elites by 30% and reduces your damage taken from elites by 30%.
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Weapon: Oathkeeper
Primary skills attack 50% faster and deal 200% increased damage.
Weapon: Azurewrath
Gives increased cold damage, a chance to freeze, and occasionally knocks back undead and demon enemies.
Belt: The Undisputed Champion
Frenzy gains the effect of every rune and deals 400% increased damage.
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.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is used to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients.
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Powers
Weapon: Bastion's Revered
Frenzy now stacks up to 10 times, hits an additional time per stack, chains to nearby enemies, and splits its damage between nearby enemies.
Armor: Depth Diggers
Your primary skills deal 100% increased damage.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur
You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Seasonal: Aquila Cuirass
When you are above 90% primary resources your damage taken is reduced by 50%.​
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life Percent
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Strength > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Frenzy
Waist: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Frenzy > All Resistance
Bracers: Strength > Vitality > Life Per Hit > Critical Hit Chance
Feet: Strength > Vitality > All Resistance > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Strength> Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality
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Horde of the Ninety Savages Tips
1. You should focus on killing larger mobs for faster progress in Greater Rifts with this build.
2. The defensive Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death can be switched to the offensive Ruthless passive for increased damage at higher paragons.
3. The Aquila Cuirass seasonal Kanai's Cube power can be switched to a Convention of Elements which gives an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
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2. Immortal King's Call Set (Hammer of the Ancients)
The Immortal King's Call with Hammer of the Ancients was greatly improved with a seasonal Kanai's Cube power which gave it new weapons and comes in at the second place spot.​​
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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.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage increased by 25% against bosses.
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Equipment
Set: The Legacy of Raekor
(2) Set Bonus:
Furious Charge refunds a charge if it only hits one enemy.
(4) Set Bonus:
Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 1000% increased damage. The damage of Ancient Spear is also 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 its target. This effect can stack and each spear throw consumes 5 stacks.
Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings
(2) Set Bonus:
Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces your 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.
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Weapon: The Three Hundredth Spear
Increases the damage of Weapon Throw and Ancient Spear by 200% and gives 200% increased attack speed for Weapon Throw.
Weapon: Oathkeeper
Increases the attack speed of your primary skills by 50% and increases their damage by 200%.
Bracers: Ancient Parthan Defenders
Each stunned enemy within 25 yards decreases your damage taken by 12%.
Ring: Convention of Elements
Rotates damage types and gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Ring 2: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gives a free passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Leech
With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond will provide more uptime on Wrath of the Berserker and further increases your damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings set equipped.
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Powers
Weapon: Arreat's Law
Weapon Throw and Ancient Spear deal 200% increased damage. Weapon Throw generates up to 50 additional Fury and the Fury can now go above the maximum Fury cap by 200 Fury. Ancient Spear also now refunds Fury based on the distance from the enemy target that is hit.
Armor: Skular's Salvation
If Ancient Spear with the Boulder Toss rune hits 5 or fewer enemies its damage is increased by 100%.
Ring/Amulet: Band of Might
Gives 80% reduced damage taken for 8 seconds after using Furious Charge.
Seasonal: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
Reduces the cooldown of one of your skills by one second when you hit with a resource spending attack.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Strength > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Strength > Vitality > Life Percent
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Critical Hit 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 Hit Chance > Physical Damage Percent
Feet: Strength > Vitality > % Damage to Ancient Spear > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Strength > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Strength > Vitality
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Legacy of Raekor Tips
1. Focus on hitting the larger mobs for faster Greater Rift progress with the primary hit of your Ancient Spear.
2. Cooldown Reduction and Resource Cost Reduction increase your damage dealt and reduce your damage taken when the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set is equipped.
3. The Nerves of Steel passive which provides a cheat death should be changed to the Ruthless passive which provides 40% increased damage to enemies below 30% health on the final push for rankings.
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Recommended Mercenary
Templar
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Slows enemies attacks and movement speed.
Templar Relic: Enchanting Favor
Your Templar cannot die.
Shield: Freeze of Deflection
Blocks have a chance to freeze enemies for 1.5 second.
Helm: Blind Faith
Chance to blind enemies on hit.
Shoulders: Homing Pads (Emanates)
Town portal is uninterruptable and while casting town portal you gain a protective life shield.
Gloves: Gloves of Worship (Emanates)
Shrine effects last 10 minutes.
Bracers: Nemesis Bracers (Emanates)
Pylons spawn an elite enemy.
Waist: Cord of the Sherma
Chance to create a chaos field that blinds and slows 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.
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Feel free to check out the other sections of the site for more on Diablo III:
Diablo III Advanced Tips and Tricks
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And that's all for the Barbarian Top 5 Builds Guide. Better items await you in Greater Rifts!
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