Build Guide
The Build and what it can do.The Build was created as an attempt to make a pet build viable for Barbarians. It was created on Hardcore, so if you play softcore some aspects can be changed to reduce toughness and gain DPS such as some gear choices and passive choices.
I will simply explain the talent choices and required items along with some of the recommended items to give you some idea how the build works.
With the correct gear it can clear Torment 6 solo easily and quickly, I personally obtained Rank 2 EU with Greater Rift 33 on solo barbarian Non-seasonal Hardcore on 11.09.14, as of 04.11.14 still Rank 2 with Greater Rift 36 in that bracket. If you are looking for the strongest build out there, this is not for you. It is a fun but somewhat limited build.
My Armoury Link http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Socrates-2871/hero/37532319
My Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/socratesd3
The main skills:
- Charge is used as a fury generator, as fury generation is increased due to moving with hexing pants. Bash or any normal generators are inefficient however can be more useful vs Rift guardians, however Charge is acceptable on RG's and far superior on 2+ monsters.
- Whirlwind is simply to keep moving while doing damage to make sure the hexing pants bonus stays up.
- Ancients is self evident.
- Battle rage with marauder is used as it is a good shout and the marauder glyph is the only one that buffs ancient damage. Spamming this ability is your main source of healing (see 1. under Passives)
- War cry gives toughness and is a fury generator.
- Wrath of the Berserker with insanity is simply a good damage tool and massively buffs the ancients.
- Bloodthirst is an incredible healing tool, though its healing does not heal your ancients. Using this passive and gaining Bonus life globe healing on secondary stats on your gear will result in incredibly high self healing.
- Superstition not only helps as a damage reduction, but also is a great fury generator and is required.
- Tough as nails is simply the best passive for toughness, and is really needed on hardcore at high Greater Rift levels.
- Rampage allows for almost as much toughness as nerves of steel and great damage when able to keep the stacks up.
- The Immortal King peace are clearly required for this build so I wont explain them.
- Hexing pants are required as they allow your movement to buff the ancients damage.
- Tusker and Theo's are simply the most powerful gloves in the game for any pet build.
- Royal ring of Grandeur is required for obvious reasons it also allows for the 3set bonus of Aughilds.
- The "Dmg%" as shown under Items and then the sub category shoulders and chest refers to 15% Call of the Ancient damage, while the "Dmg%" under boots refers to 15% whirlwind damage. Diablofans, simply have not added these modifiers yet.
- Hardcore players can opt out of Attack speed on weapons for Vitality like myself.
- Secondary stats are very important for this build when running the passive Bloodthirst, one should always aim for Health from Health Globes.
- Unity as it allows you to take half damage when paired with your follower.
- Stone of Jordan is extremely strong in group play due to its massive element and elite damage modifiers
- Ice Climbers are simply game breaking allowing you to continue to buff your ancients damage during Jailer and frozen.
- Maximus is simply the best two hander in the game at the moment for this spec in solo play, however in group play The Furnace is a great way to massively improve your pack dps at a cost to your white mob AoE. Due to this build having weaker AoE then single target, it is only advisable to use The Furnace in group play, unless it has rolled amazing stats and simple beats your Maximus on rolls.
Gearing for this build is subject to the many potential damage modifiers available, the goal is to utilise as many of them as possible rather then simply stacking one modifier. This is due to every modifier hitting increased scaling diminishing returns past 20% increased damage, and therefore making high single element stacking less effective then diversifying multi modifiers at lower stacking levels. Bellow is a list of the possible damage modifiers and the recommended modifier splits.
- 60%+ Damage increased by Skills when moving with Taeguk at full stacks. (Skill, pants, gem)
- 30% Elite Damage increase (Ring, Set bonus)
- 40% Fire damage (weapon, Wrists)
- 30% Ancient Damage (Shoulders, Chest)
- 20%+ Pet damage (Enforcer Gem)
- 20%+ Increased enemy damage taken (Bane of the Trapped)
- 50% attack speed (Gloves)
If your set on using pets and have high CC, the Pain Enhancer gem will boost your attack speed significantly which will boost the power of your pets. I'd rather have this than more armor since you should already have a ton of that. The barb needs resistance more than anything so I like the choice of Superstition. I'm questioning why you wouldn't take Battle Rage - Bloodshed if you're using Bloodthirst.? You can just spam that for quick but partial instant heals.