[GUIDE] Diablo II Characters: Barbarian

The Barbarian

​

The Barbarian, a member of any of several tribes on the fringes of civilization, rebuffs the influence of those he sees as soft and weak. Ceaseless clan warfare and the constant struggle to survive in the hostile wilderness are evident in the Barbarian's sturdy and powerful frame. Though perhaps lacking the sophistication of his civilized contemporaries, the Barbarian has an acute awareness of his surroundings. Because of his shamanistic belief in the animal powers with whom he identifies, the Barbarian is sometimes associated with stories of lycanthropy. In fact, he believes that he can improve his superb battle tactics by calling upon the totemic animal spirits to infuse him with supernormal strengths and abilities.


Starting Attributes
Strength: 30
Dexterity: 20
Vitality: 25
Energy: 10

Hit Points: 55
Stamina: 92
Mana: 10
Each Character Level
Life +2
Stamina+1
Mana +1

Attribute Point Effect
1 Vitality point gives 4 Life
1 Vitality point gives 1 Stamina
1 Energy point gives 1 Mana




Strategies


The Barbarian is the strongest class in straightforward melee combat. His weapon mastery skills supplement this method of warfare nicely. His Warcries add strength, as well as aiding his allies, making him an effective member of the party as well. Additionally, his Combat Skills aid his natural proclivity to melee combat, particularly his ability to wield two weapons and his abilities in leaping.
The Barbarians characteristics can be confusing. Certainly adding to his damage by developing his prodigious strength is always a temptation. Energy would seem to be less of a concern. However, he needs enough energy to use the skills he requires, and it is the least developed of his characteristics. Dexterity is necessary for his attack rating, as well as supplementing his defense rating. He has a strong vitality, but developing it further extends his ability to remain in combat and strengthens his stamina.
When looking for items, the Barbarian enjoys a greater flexibility than the other character classes. Starting with a higher strength makes armament less of an immediate problem. As for weaponry, the only weapon he requires is the one for which he has developed skill. Here the only choices are to do more damage with a two handed weapon, retain a shield for magical resistance, or use two weapons.

Warcies


Defensive Warcries are shared with any friendly party members that are inside the Warcry radius when the Warcry is activated. Offensive Warcries will hit monsters within the radius of the Warcry when cast.
Different defensive Warcries can be stacked, but only one offensive Warcry can be used on a monster at a time. If you cast Taunt and Howl, the last one cast will be the one that is active on the monster.
There are three Warcries that can give bonuses to yourself and other members of your Party. Shout increases Defense. Battle Orders, a party favorite, increases the max health, Mana, and stamina of the Barbarian and his party members. Battle Commands increases the Barbarian and party members' skill levels by 1. These three Warcries can also be stacked, or active on yourself and party members at the same time. The animation will rotate among these three Warcries to indicate all three are active.
Once Battle Commands is available, cast it first, before casting Battle Orders or Shout. Battle Commands will raise Shout and Battle Orders by one skill point and will increase their effectiveness and lengthen their duration. By casting Battle Commands first, instead of after these Warcries, characters benefit from a free skill point for Shout and Battle Orders.
Battle Orders is a favorite of Mana-hungry classes such as the Necromancer and Sorceress for the increase in total Mana and all classes for the increase Life and Stamina for running longer distances.
The last Barbarian to cast a party-friendly Warcry will override the others.


Skills



Warcries



Howl
Required Level: 1
Prerequisites: None

A Barbarian warrior in battle is a fearsome enough sight. They cover their bodies with strange markings and the fire in their eyes can be seen from across a battlefield. Early in his training a warrior must learn how to tap the primal energies around him and utter a howl in battle-a bellow so fierce that it will send even the battalions of the Burning Hells running in fear.
Effect: Frightens monsters into retreating.

Player vs Player - This will not work on other Players.



Find Potion
Required Level: 1
Prerequisites: None

When a warrior is injured while out in the field, he must find ways to effectively heal wounds. By picking among the glands and entrails of the recently dead, a Barbarian warrior can sometimes scavenge enough ingredients to make a powerful healing elixir. Some Barbarians are skillful and fortunate enough to find ingredients for a potion that restores not only their health but their spirit as well.
Effect: Grants a chance that a Health, Mana or Rejuvenation potion can be derived from a corpse.

Player vs Player - You cannot cast this on other player Corpses.
Find Potion will find all levels of Healing and Mana and Rejuvenation potions. The level of potion received depends on the act. Higher level acts will give more powerful potions.

Chance of Potions:
Healing: 60%
Mana: 30%
Rejuvenation: 10%

Life and Mana
Act 1Normal) Light Healing/Mana
Act 1 (Night): Greater Healing/Mana
Act 1 (Hell): Super Healing/Mana
Act 2: (Normal) Healing/Mana
Act 2: (Night) Greater Healing/Super Mana
Act 2: (Hell) Super Healing/Mana
Act 3: (Norm) Greater Healing/Mana
Act 3: (Night) Super Healing/Mana
Act 3: (Hell) Super Healing/Mana
Act 4 (Norm): Greater Healing/Mana
Act 4 (Night): Super Healing/Mana
Act 4: (Hell) Super Healing/Mana
Act 5: (Norm) Greater Healing/Mana
Act 5 (Night): Super Healing/Mana
Act 5: (Hell) Super Healing/Mana Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation Potions
Act 1: (Night/Hell) Full Rejuvenation Potions
Act 2: (Norm) Rejuvenation Potions
Act 2: (Night/Hell) Full Rejuvenation Potions
Act 3: (Norm/Night/Hell) Full Rejuvenation Potions
Act 4 (Norm/Night/Hell): Full Rejuvenation Potions
Act 5: (Norm/Night/Hell) Full Rejuvenation Potions

Use Find Potion on a corpse to prevent it from being raised by monsters such as Shamans.



Shout
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: Howl [1]

Barbarian warriors are born to command in battle. When a warrior learns this skill he can raise his voice above the din of combat to shout warnings of impending blows to his comrades in arms. This will alert them in time to allow them to guard against the incoming attack.
Effect: Increases the defense of friendly units.


Shout Receives Bonuses From
Battle Orders: +5 Seconds Per Level
Battle Command: +5 Seconds Per Level



Taunt
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: Howl

Pinpointing an opponent's physical weakness is not the only talent a warrior of the Steppes possesses. He can often ascertain what emotional weakness might allow the barbarian to goad an opponent into a fight. A Barbarian taunting an opponent into a blind rage hopes to capitalize on the mistakes enemies may make while so angered. It is this ability that causes Barbarians to have a poor reputation as drinking partners.
Effect: Taunts a monster to walk to you and engage in melee range combat with you. Useful against spell casters and archer types.

Player vs Player - This will not work on other Players.
- Taunt will not work on Berserk, Posessed, Fanatic, or other creatures immune to Terror or Confuse, nor Super Unique Monsters, Champions, and Bosses.
- Taunt is useful against Monsters that run away from you.




Battle Cry
Required Level: 18
Prerequisites: Howl [1], Taunt [6]


Gifted Barbarian warriors can benefit from their connection to their totem animals to exploit the primal fears of their opponents. Once a Barbarian unleashes the Battle Cry, even the legions of the dead will become so distracted that they falter in their quest for victory. This permits the warrior an easy kill.
Effect: Frightens nearby enemies, lowers their defense, and damage.



Find Item
Required Level: 12
Prerequisites: Find Potion [1]

To most people, searching the bodies of the recently slain is a distasteful chore. Quite happy with procuring whatever items are readily visible and moving on, most people often miss useful items. The Barbarian people have never had the luxury of abundance, and their harsh existence has taught them to scavenge every part of the dead for the items they need to survive. What use do the dead have of gold?
Effect: Grants a chance that an item can be found on a corpse.
- Find item is pretty much a second chance at looting the same monster.
- Find Item will not work on some monsters.
- When Find Item is used on a corpse, it gives an X% chance of doing a drop as if you had killed the monster normally. The same treasure classes will be used, but the chance of a successful drop is determined by the level of Find Item, not by the number of players in game.
- Using Find Item on Superunique monsters that have corpses gives a good chance of getting rare, set or unique items again.
- Once a corpse has been used (like with Find Potion), Find Item will not work on it. This can also be said about find potion and grim ward.
Use Find Item on a corpse to prevent it from being raised by monsters such as Shamans.



Battle Orders
Required Level: 24
Prerequisites: Howl [1], Shout [6]

Although skillful in single combat, the Barbarian warrior also has a talent for group tactics. It is this ability that makes him a natural leader in combat. An experienced warrior can use this skill to better array his forces in battle, enhancing their ability to overcome the enemy.

Effect: Increases Mana, Life, and Stamina of party members.

Battle Orders Receives Bonuses From:
Shout: +5 Seconds Per Level
Battle Command: +5 Seconds Per Level



Grim Ward
Required Level: 24
Prerequisites: Find Potion [1], Find Item [12]

This skill allows the Barbarian to fashion a totem out of the carcass of his slain enemies. The resulting talisman serves as a grave warning to all of the minions of the Prime Evils. The mere sight of the Totem causes monsters to flee in terror. With additional training the warrior can increase the potency of the ward.
Effect: Turns a corpse into a fetish that will frighten monsters away.
Player vs Player - This will not work on other Players.
Grim Ward is a more strategic spell, used to permanently block off areas so that monsters will not attack you from that side. They can also be used to channel monsters into specific areas so that the Barbarian can deal with them in an easier fashion. Basically, it has a specific use that is effective and different from any other spell.
Grim Ward will not work against Super Unique Monsters and Bosses, or some monsters like Ghosts.




War Cry
Required Level: 30
Prerequisites: Howl [1], Taunt [6], Shout [6], Battle Cry [18], Battle Orders [24]

Summoning the ancient powers known to his people, a Barbarian warrior can call on his spirit animal and lash out at his enemies with a cry that halts them in their tracks-a powerful anguish rising to burn the depths of their being. It is this skill that gives rise to the legends of Barbarians being able to sap the life from a creature with a single word.
Effect: Damages and stuns your enemies.

War Cry Receives Bonuses From
Howl: +6% Damage Per Level
Taunt: +6% Damage Per Level
Battle Cry: +6% Damage Per Level




Battle Command
Required Level: 30
Prerequisites: Howl [1], Shout [6], Battle Orders [24]

Using this skill a Barbarian can examine the abilities of his companions and, during battle, determine how best the group should apply their various skills. It is this skill as well as their natural abilities as leaders that are gradually shedding the long held stereotype that the Barbarian people are merely ignorant savages.
Passive Effect: Temporarily increases the skills of party members by 1.

Battle Commands increases all of your skills and the skills of party members by one. Placing additional points into Battle Commands will lengthen its duration. Battle Commands will make you a party favorite, so offer this skill to your party members whenever possible. This will increase the effectiveness of your whole party in most situations.

Battle Command Receives Bonuses From:
Shout: +5 Seconds Per Level
Battle Orders: +5 Seconds Per Level





Combat Masteries




Sword Mastery
Required Level: 1
Prerequisites: None
Although there are many gifts from the Great and Ancient King Bul-Kathos, the greatest of these is the secret of steel. Raw iron is hardened and made resilient, forged into weapons of honor and power. Most mortal swords are patterned after the blade first wielded by Bul-Kathos himself. Balancing offense with defense, it is the perfect weapon for the defense of Mount Arreat in the coming apocalypse. All Barbarian warriors learn the secrets of steel at an early age, yet few truly master the deadly elegance of the sword. Those few who do often disdain all other weapons.
Passive Effect: Increased damage and Attack Rating when using swords.



Axe Mastery
Required Level: 1
Prerequisites: None
Barbarian warriors of the Shadow Wolf Tribe are masters of the axe. Through the axe, they sought to match the swiping claws and the biting teeth of the wolves with which they lived and fought beside. These first axes were but crude stones mounted on wooden hafts, and after learning the secret of steel and swords from Bul-Kathos, the axe soon fell into disfavor. Recently, however, warriors and smiths from the Steppes have perfected the axe as a weapon equal to or greater than the sword. The Wolf Tribe once again teaches the swift and terrible power of the axe to those who wish to learn how to cull the weak from the herd and to protect their pack from the legions of Hell.
Passive Effect: Increased damage and Attack Rating when using axes.



Mace Mastery
Required Level: 1
Prerequisites: None
Barbarians who have quested with the mighty Bear Tribe are masters of the Mace. From simple wooden clubs to the contemporary, armor-defeating flanged mace, warrior masters wield these weapons to devastating effect. As the Bear shaman, Koth, said to those who favor the sword and axe, "When you are beset by hordes of the walking dead, do not come weeping to me if you have turned away from the wisdom of Bear."
Passive Effect: Increased damage and Attack Rating when using maces.



Polearm Mastery
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: None
Members of the Crane Tribe value distance, grace and a single overwhelming blow over the close grappling form advocated by the Bear Tribe. Though the two clans were wary of one another for many generations, recently the nomadic peoples have commingled and now share their powerful techniques with all that would learn. Crane warriors evolved their pole arm technique from dealing with mounted raiders and fighting in the shallow river waters found in the steppe. A master of the pole arm avoids physical contact with his opponent until he can land a single killing blow.
Passive Effect: Increased damage and Attack Rating when using pole arms.



Throwing Mastery
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: None
Although not as well known for their use of bows and other such ranged weapons, hunters from the Steppes have practiced the use of thrown weapons since earliest times. The open grasslands of their native soil are well suited for taking down game with swift and accurate blows from a hurled blade. It seems a natural evolution and a simple matter for them to have transferred this skill to combat.
Passive Effect: Increased damage and Attack Rating when throwing a weapon.



Spear Mastery
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: None
Warriors of the Snake Tribe, who favor the spear and are known for their cold eyes and sibilant battle chants. Only seasoned warriors may apply to the spear the techniques of the Snake-a patient teacher that reminds us that all foes can be defeated in time. These are lessons learned from the many dangerous pit vipers that breed among the steppes surrounding Mount Arreat.
Passive Effect: Increased damage and Attack Rating when using spears.



Increased Stamina
Required Level: 12
Prerequisites: None
The tribes of the northern Barbarians are a nomadic people, roaming the vast open plains of the Northern Steppes. Being raised in this environment has strengthened the Barbarian people. Simply by looking at a member of the northern clans, you can tell that they are more hale and hearty than the average person. Such is their vigor! Through strict conditioning, the Barbarian warriors can train their bodies to endure tremendous physical exertions, and at a moments notice can be ready for battle.
Passive Effect: Increases stamina, and stamina recovery rate.



Iron Skin
Required Level: 18
Prerequisites: None
The harsh grasslands of their homeland offer the Barbarian people little refuge from the elements. Constant prolonged exposure to the sun, wind, rain and other elements has toughened their skin to the resilience of natural leather.
Passive Effect: Improves overall defense.




Increased Speed
Required Level: 24
Prerequisites: Increased Stamina [12]

It is a fatal assumption that the Barbarian warrior is slow and ponderous. His great bulk belies a very agile individual. A lifetime of patrolling the vast plains of his native soil, where it is often necessary to cover great distances in very little time, has empowered the Barbarian warriors with the ability to walk and run at surprising rates of speed.
Passive Effect: Increases your walk and run speeds.




Natural Resistance
Required Level: 30
Prerequisites: Iron Skin [18]

In order to survive the unforgiving lands of the north, the people of the Barbarian tribes have developed hardy resistances to the common elements. Heat and cold alike are something they endure often. Since food is scarce while foraging, they have learned to consume species of plants that would slay normal men. Through additional training, a warrior can further fortify himself against these dangers, allowing him to better survive while traveling to unfamiliar lands and battling unknown foes.
Passive Effect: Increases resistances to elemental damage.

Natural Resistance gives Resistances to Lightning, Fire, Cold, and Poison but does not include Magic Resistance.




Combat Skills



Bash
Required Level: 1
Prerequisites: None
The immense physical strength of the Barbarian people is widely known, so it should come as no surprise that this is one of the first skills that they develop as a warrior. Summoning up their renowned brute strength a Barbarian can deliver a powerful and painful blow that staggers an enemy from its feet, knocking them back.
Effect: A powerful smashing blow that knocks the target back.

Bash Receives Bonuses From
Stun: +5% Damage Per Level
Concentrate: +5% Attack Rating Per Level




Double Swing
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: Bash [1]

A Barbarian warrior learns to fight with a weapon in each hand, for after all, are not two weapons better than one? A young Barbarian learns to use both hands independently of each other, striking simultaneous blows at separate targets. As his talent grows in this skill, he attacks with increasing control and accuracy.
Effect: A quick double attack that can damage two nearby enemies.

Double Swing Receives Bonuses From
Bash: +10% Damage Per Level



Leap
Required Level: 6
Prerequisites: None
Because of his great strength, a trained barbarian warrior is able to perform great leaps. These jumps are noteworthy, enabling the Barbarian to spring free of dangerous swarms of enemies, and landing with an impact that sends them reeling.
Effect: Barbarian jumps and knocks back enemies where he lands.
Leap is great for it's low cost in mana. Leap also causes Knockback on all the monsters around the area where the Barbarian lands. This is very handy for getting your body back after dying. Leap is good for getting yourself out of danger when surrounded. It's quite possible for monsters to surround you making it impossible to get away, but Leap can allow you to escape. Leap can be used to jump over other party members that get in the way in tight dungeon corridors such as the Sewers, and Maggot Lair in Act II. The only similar spells are Leap Attack (scroll down), Assassin Dragon Flight, and Sorceress Teleport, which although is somewhat superior, is much more costly in mana, and is only available at a higher level (Character Level 18). Leap is useful for leading Monsters to obstacles then jumping over them. Leap is great for crossing rivers without a bridge, and jumping whatever things are in the way to make your trip shorter. At only 2 Mana, it's quite a deal. You'll find it useful to place a few points into Leap to jump further distances but there comes a point where it's a waste to put additional points into Leap.
Hidden Knockback Radius
Leap has a hidden radius in which the knockback-effect is caused. It has a base of 2.6 (actually 2.64) yards, and gains 0.66 yards per level. For Example, a level 10 Leap will have a knockback radius of ( 1.98 + ( 10 * 0.66) ) = 8.5 yards. This is an approximation. As is obvious, high levels of Leap can cause knockback to almost an entire screen of monsters, just like a NEF rune would do to a single monster.





Double Throw
Required Level: 12
Prerequisites: Bash [1], Double Swing [6]

To a Barbarian, fighting with two weapons is considered a fairly simple feat. Not so simple is mastering the art of throwing two weapons simultaneously and accurately. Many young Barbarians are eager to learn this skill, for they will tell you it is concrete proof that they have risen to greatness as a warrior. In truth, they use this skill in tavern games almost as often as they do in battle, winning wagers from unsuspecting drunkards.
Effect: Throws two weapons.
Only the Barbarian can throw two weapons at once using this skill.

Double Throw Receives Bonuses From
Double Swing: +8% Damage Per Level




Stun
Required Level: 12
Prerequisites: Bash [1]

An experienced Barbarian can learn to strike an opponent in areas that promote the maximum effect. By putting enough strength behind a well-placed blow, he can leave an opponent dazed and unable to strike back or flee.
Effect: A successful attack briefly stuns the enemy.

Stun Receives Bonuses From
Bash: +8% Damage Per Level
Concentrate: +5% Attack Rating Per Level
War Cry: +5% Duration Per Level





Leap Attack
Required Level: 18
Prerequisites: Leap [6]

A young treasure hunter once sought his fortune in a raid for Barbarian gold on Mount Arreat. Hearing tales of the Barbarian people's expertise in close combat, he hired a phalanx of mercenary spearmen to accompany him, thinking their long spears would force the Barbarian warriors to fight from a distance. He soon learned his mistake as a single Barbarian warrior was enough to slaughter his entire party. Ambushing the raiding party from a patch of scrub grass, the Barbarian leapt over them, slaying one whilst airborne, and skewering two more as he landed. Before the would-be thief could draw a single breath, all of his hired lancers had been dispatched. It was a long walk home.
Effect: Leaps onto a target and attacks when landing.
Leap Attack is a great skill for picking off targets one by one. It's particularly useful against those pesky Sand Leapers and unique bosses with the ability to Teleport. For those targets, just highlight your target and hold down the mouse button that Leap Attack is assigned to.
Once you get Leap Attack, you will no longer need to use the regular Leap skill. Also, Leap Attack has an extremely long range from the very first point that you put into it so by using it, you're able to get out of sticky situations just as well, if not better, than with the normal Leap skill.
Leap Attack combined with Whirlwind can be an extremely deadly combination for your foes. Leap Attack can be used to get you into a good starting position for Whirlwind and it can also be used to help you escape quickly if Whirlwind is interrupted or if you run out of mana.
Hidden Knockback Radius
Leap and Leap Attack both have a hidden knockback radius associated with them. With leap, it has a base of 2.6 (actually 2.64) yards, and gains 0.66 yards per level. Example, a level 10 leap will have a knockback radius of ( 1.98 + ( 10 * 0.66) ) = 8.5 yards. This is an approximation. With Leap Attack, the base knockback is 2.6 yards, and gains 1.32 yards per level. Example, a level 15 Leap Attack will have a knockback radius of (1.28 + ( 15 * 1.32 ) ) = 21.08 yards. Leapattack causes knockback to a monster, just like a NEF rune would do.

Leap Attack Receives Bonuses From:
Leap: +10% Damage Per Level




Concentrate
Required Level: 18
Prerequisites: Bash [1], Stun [12]

Sometimes a series of blows is not nearly as effective as a single, concentrated strike. A Barbarian trained in this skill learns how to focus his strength into a single blow that cuts through the guard of an enemy and slices through their armor. This technique also puts the warrior in a superior defensive position.
Effect: An uninterruptible attack that also temporarily improves your defense.

The main benefit of this attack is that you can swing uninterrupted, giving you the best chance to get your attack off, even in a crowd or against a faster foe. This one is actually a good deal at a cost of 2 Mana, especially if you have a good weapon.


Concentrate Receives Bonuses From
Bash: +5% Damage Per Level
Battle Orders: +10% Damage Per Level
Berserk: +1% Magic Damage Per Level





Frenzy
Required Level: 24
Prerequisites: Bash [1], Double Swing [6], Double Throw [12]

Although a Barbarian is capable of calculated blows and tactical fighting techniques, it is his fierce passion for battle that distinguishes him in battle. While using this skill, a Barbarian drives more and more force into each successive blow as his anger and bloodlust mounts.
Effect: Every successful hit increases your velocity and attack speed.
Select Frenzy, equip two weapons and hit the enemy. When the Barbarian makes a successful hit on the enemy, he will go into a Frenzy. The Barbarian can now in his Frenzy state, move much quicker and swing much faster. You can even combine this skill with other skills, after going into a Frenzy, quickly change to another skill and use it in combination with Frenzy.
Frenzy increases in attack speed as more monsters are hit.

Frenzy Receives Bonuses From
Double Swing: +8% Damage Per Level
Taunt: +8% Damage Per Level
Berserk: +1% Magic Damage Per Level





Whirlwind
Required Level: 30
Prerequisites: Bash [1], Leap [6], Stun [12], Concentrate [18], Leap Attack [18]

Of the Barbarian people, the Tribe of Thunder was the first to draw upon the primal forces of the weather. Tornadoes would ravage their plains as summer turned to the harvest season. The shaman of the tribe would interpret the tornadoes as an omen of evil during times of peace, and as a harbinger of great victory during wartime. Observing the strength of the whirlwind, these Barbarians learned to emulate the swirling melange of the cyclone in their attacks. As time went on and the tribes intermingled, the ability to attack in the manner of the whirlwind was passed down to all of the Barbarian people.
Effect: A fierce spinning attack.
- Many high level Barbarians choose Whirlwind as their main skill.
- To best use Whirlwind, lead a group of monsters into a tight pack, then click past to the other side of the monsters. The Barbarian will fly through them damaging and destroying them very quickly.
- Long Weapons such as Spears, and Polearms make Whirlwind even more effective as it will hit monsters in a wider radius.
- Whirlwind consumes a lot of mana and puts you in close contact with monsters, so mana and life stealing weapons or items are necessary to use Whirlwind constantly, especially in Nightmare and Hell difficulties.
- Watch out for Undead Horrors that cast Iron Maiden. If an Oblivion Knight casts Iron Maiden while you're in the middle of a Whirlwind, it can be instant death. Another danger to watch out for is Mana Burn monsters. Keep some Mana Potions handy to recover from lost Mana.
- You cannot use potions or any inventory items while using Whirlwind.
- Whirlwind does not work with: "On Attack", "On Striking", or "When You Kill an Enemy" item properties.
- In Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, Whirlwind is affected by weapon speed as follows. After you click to start your Whirlwind attack, the game checks for a hit on a target in range at the 4th and 8th animation frames (recall that the game runs at 25 frames per second). After the first two "free" hit-checks, the frames elapsed in-between subsequent hit-checks will depend on your weapon speed. Note: increased attack speed from items outside your weapon DOES NOT affect whirlwind - only the speed of the weapon itself counts. The dependence on weapon speed is obtained by subtracting your weapon's increased attack speed (IAS) to its base weapon speed (the number between square brackets listed in the weapons section of the Arreat Summit) and checking where the number you obtain fits in the following table:
One-handed weapons
Breakpoints: 15, 10, -10, -34.
Number of frames in-between hit-checks after frame 8: 12, 10, 8, 6, 4
Two-handed weapons
Breakpoints: 15, 0, -10, -30, -60.
Number of frames in-between hit-checks after frame 8: 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4

Examples:
#1 War pike of quickness (two-handed weapon)
Base weapon speed: 20
Weapon increased attack speed: 40
Whirlwind speed: 20 - 40 = -20
Breakpoint reached: -10
Number of frames in-between checks: 8
Hit-checks at frames 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, etc.

#2 Falchion (one-handed weapon)
Base weapon speed: 20
Weapon increased attack speed: 0
Whirlwind speed: 20 - 0 = 20
Breakpoint reached: none
Number of frames in-between checks: 12
Hit-checks at frames: 4, 8, 20, 32, 44, etc.

#3 Grandfather colossus blade with 'Shael' (one-handed weapon)
Base weapon speed: 5
Weapon increased attack speed: 20
Whirlwind speed: 5 - 20 = -15
Breakpoint reached: -10
Number of frames in-between checks: 6
Hit-checks at frames: 4, 8, 14, 20, 26, etc.

Note: two-handed swords are treated as one-handed weapons for Whirlwind purposes, regardless of the sword being held in one-handed or two-handed mode. The above calculation for Grandfather therefore holds for any way the sword is held.
- Barbarians wielding weapons with slow Whirlwind speeds should try and keep their whirls very short, so as to take full advantage of the 4th and 8th frame "free" hits. Hold down the Whirlwind button and hover the cursor just right after the place where the Whirlwind starts. The free hits are taken and almost immediately after it, the Whirlwind stops. Then, since the Whirlwind button is still being pressed, a new Whirlwind starts and we get back the free hits of frames 4 and 8. Keep doing this in a triangular pattern. By using this technique you minimize the time under which your weapon slows down whirlwinds. This tactic is used by many Barbarians online and is nicknamed "The Dance of Death". This is because you keep spinning close to the target, not zig-zagging in long lines back-and-forth.
- When dual-wielding, both weapons try to score a hit against the target. In other words, the game does a hit-check for each weapon. Since both weapons are given the chance to score a hit, the damage done over time is roughly the sum of the damage of both weapons, which is comparable to the damage done whirling with a two-handed weapon. The effect of weapon speed in dual-wielding Whirlwind is as follows. While a target is in range, one of the weapons' speed is constantly used to calculate the next hit-check frame. If there's no target in range, the game will alternate between weapon speeds to calculate the next hit-check frame. The best way to make sure you have maximum Whirlwind speed when dual-wielding is to use weapons that both reach the final breakpoint, like for instance a Lightsabre phase blade and a colossus blade with 40% IAS.
- Whirlwind will not stop until you reached your destination (ground or a monster). If you clicked on a monster that flees, Whirlwind will not stop until you reached the monster, or the path becomes blocked by obstacles. It is possible to become stuck in Whirlwind over many screens. This is an issue, especially in hell difficulty, because it can lead you to unexplored areas with monsters. So try clicking on the ground but not on the monsters. Again, Whirlwind will not stop even in occasions that normally stop you. Stun attacks will have no effect, and knockback will not knock you back, even if your weapon breaks, it will be broken after Whirlwind ends. Whirlwind will not stop even if you take damage enough to kill you. You WILL die after the Whirlwind state ends. So it is possible to avoid death by a quick save and exit.



Berserk
Required Level: 30
Prerequisites: Bash [1], Stun [12], Concentrate [18]

There is a fine line between passion and rage, something the Barbarian warrior knows well. A Barbarian must learn to tread this line while separating one from the other and drawing strength from both. One of the most powerful combat skills a Barbarian can learn is to cross that line into rage, expending the sum of his energy and slaying everything without regard for consequences. When you have slain all of your enemies, what is left to fear?
Effect: A powerful attack that leaves the Barbarian more vulnerable.
- Berserk completely converts damage to magic damage so you cannot steal life/mana with Berserk, even with life tap.
- You don't take damage from Iron Maiden and Thorns if you just go "Berserk". Because they only reflect physical damage, not magical.
- For the stated duration afterwards your defense is zero. You also do not receive the Iron Skin or Dexterity bonus. You can still block as if you are using a shield, however. A defense of 0 will let you block all the time, thus quite often hinder you from doing anything else. Consider not wearing a shield.

Berserk Receives Bonuses From
Howl: +10% Magic Damage Per Level
Shout: +10% Magic Damage Per Level

 

Nice guide StoneCold