2.4 HC Support Barb

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by Aircanada last updated Feb 25, 2016 ( Patch 2.4 )

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Skills

Hammer of the Ancients Birthright
- Hammer of the Ancients
Cost: 20 Fury

Call forth a massive hammer to smash enemies directly in front of you for 535% weapon damage. Hammer of the Ancients has a 1% increased Critical Hit Chance for every 5 Fury that you have.
Birthright

Critical Hits heal you for 3% of your maximum Life.
Furious Charge Cold Rush
- Furious Charge
Cost: 1 Charge
Generate: 15 Fury

Rush forward knocking back and dealing 600% weapon damage to enemies along your path.

You gain a charge every 10 seconds and can have up to 1 charge stored at a time.
Cold Rush

All enemies hit are Frozen for 2.5 seconds.

Furious Charge's damage turns into Cold.
Ancient Spear Rage Flip
- Ancient Spear
Cost: 25 Fury

Throw a spear that pierces enemies and deals 500% weapon damage.
Rage Flip

Add a chain to the spear to throw all enemies hit behind you and Slow them by 60% for 1 second.
Ignore Pain Mob Rule
- Ignore Pain
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Reduce all damage taken by 50% and gain Immunity to all control-impairing effects for 5 seconds.
Mob Rule

Allies within 50 yards also gain 25% damage reduction and Immunity to control-impairing effects for 5 seconds.
Wrath of the Berserker Striding Giant
- Wrath of the Berserker
Cooldown: 120 seconds

Enter a berserker rage which raises several attributes for 20 seconds.

Critical Hit Chance: 10%
Attack Speed: 25%
Dodge Chance: 20%
Movement Speed: 20%
Striding Giant

Reduce all damage taken by 50%.
War Cry Hardened Wrath
- War Cry
Generate: 20 Fury
Cooldown: 20 seconds

Unleash a rallying cry to increase Armor for you and all allies within 100 yards by 20% for 120 seconds.
Hardened Wrath

For the first 5 seconds, gain an additional 60% increased Armor.

Boon of Bul-Kathos
- Boon of Bul-Kathos
Reduce the cooldowns of your:
Earthquake by 15 seconds.
Call of the Ancients by 30 seconds.
Wrath of the Berserker by 30 seconds.
Inspiring Presence
- Inspiring Presence
The duration of your shouts is doubled. After using a shout you and all allies within 100 yards regenerate 3% of maximum Life per second for 120 seconds.

Your shouts are:
Battle Rage
Threatening Shout
War Cry
Nerves of Steel
- Nerves of Steel
Fatal damage instead reduces you to 15% Life. For 3 seconds afterward, you take 95% reduced damage and are immune to all control-impairing effects.

This effect may occur once every 60 seconds.
Superstition
- Superstition
Reduce all non-Physical damage by 20%. When you take damage from a ranged or elemental attack, you have a chance to gain 2 Fury.

Items

Leoric's Crown

Legendary Helm

72 - 89 Armor

Primary Stats

Sockets (1)

Secondary Stats

Increase the effect of any gem socketed into your helm by 100%. This effect does not apply to Legendary Gems.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Raekor's Burden

Set Shoulders

59 - 68 Armor

Primary Stats

+51 - 60 Resistance to All Elements

The Legacy of Raekor
Raekor's Will
Raekor's Burden
Raekor's Heart
Raekor's Breeches
Raekor's Striders
Raekor's Wraps
(2) Set: Furious Charge refunds a charge if it hits only 1 enemy.
(4) Set: Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 1000% increased damage.
(6) Set: Every use of Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Fury-spending attack by 2800%. This effect stacks. Every use of a Fury-spending attack consumes up to 5 stacks.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Hellfire Amulet

Legendary Amulet

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+626–750 Intelligence

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength
Aquila Cuirass

Legendary Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

While above 90–95% primary resource, all damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+49–60 Dexterity

+49–60 Strength

+49–60 Intelligence
Bracers of the First Men

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 1.5–2.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 150–200% increased damage.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
Raekor's Wraps

Set Gloves

Primary Stats

+626–750 Strength
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 8.0–10.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties

The Legacy of Raekor
Raekor's Will
Raekor's Burden
Raekor's Heart
Raekor's Breeches
Raekor's Striders
Raekor's Wraps
(2) Set: Furious Charge refunds a charge if it hits only 1 enemy.
(4) Set: Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 300% increased damage.
(6) Set: Every use of Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Fury-spending attack by 750%. This effect stacks. Every use of a Fury-spending attack consumes up to 5 stacks.
Pride of Cassius

Legendary Mighty Belt

Primary Stats

+85–108 Strength
+11–20 Resistance to All Elements
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Increases the duration of Ignore Pain by 4–6 seconds.
Raekor's Breeches

Set Pants

Primary Stats

+416–500 Strength
+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket

The Legacy of Raekor
Raekor's Will
Raekor's Burden
Raekor's Heart
Raekor's Breeches
Raekor's Striders
Raekor's Wraps
(2) Set: Furious Charge refunds a charge if it hits only 1 enemy.
(4) Set: Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 300% increased damage.
(6) Set: Every use of Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Fury-spending attack by 750%. This effect stacks. Every use of a Fury-spending attack consumes up to 5 stacks.
Illusory Boots

Legendary Boots

Primary Stats

+11–20 Resistance to All Elements
+10–12% Movement Speed
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

You may move unhindered through enemies.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Ignores Durability Loss
Reduces cooldown of all skills by 4 - 7%.
Attack Speed Increased by 5 - 6%
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5 - 6%
Reduces all resource costs by 5 - 7%.

Secondary Stats

Reduce the remaining cooldown of one of your skills by 1 second when you hit with a resource-spending attack.

+ 1 Random Magic Properties
Band of Might

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 3.5%

Secondary Stats

After casting Furious Charge, Ground Stomp, or Leap, take 50 - 60% reduced damage for 8 seconds.

+ 3 Random Magic Properties
Pig Sticker

Legendary Dagger

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

+15–30% Damage to Beasts
+15–30% Damage to Humans
Squeal!
One of 7 Magic Properties (varies)

+(28–34)–(34–43) Arcane Damage

+(28–34)–(34–43) Poison Damage

+(28–34)–(34–43) Lightning Damage

+(28–34)–(34–43) Holy Damage

+(28–34)–(34–43) Cold Damage

+(28–34)–(34–43) Fire Damage

+(28–34)–(34–43) Damage

One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+128–163 Dexterity

+128–163 Strength

+128–163 Intelligence
Solanium

Legendary Mace

Primary Stats

+(32–39)–(39–49) Holy Damage
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Critical Hits have a 3–4% chance to spawn a health globe.
Empty Socket

More Details

Head
- Leoric's Crown
- Stat Priority: Socket CHC Vit Str
Shoulders
- Raekor's Burden
- Stat Priority: Vit Str CDR AR
Amulet
- Hellfire Amulet
- Countess Julia's Cameo
- Overwhelming Desire
- Stat Priority: Socket AS CDR
Torso
- Aquila Cuirass
- Stat Priority: Socket Vit Life Str
Wrists
- Bracers of the First Men
- Stat Priority: CHC Vit Str AR
Hands
- Raekor's Wraps
- Stat Priority: Vit CHC AS CDR
Waist
- Pride of Cassius
- Chilanik's Chain
- Stat Priority: Vit Life Str AR
Legs
- Raekor's Breeches
- Stat Priority: Socket Vit Str AR
Feet
- Illusory Boots
- Stat Priority: Vit Str AR Armor +
Rings
- Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac
- Band of Might
- Ring of Royal Grandeur
- Stat Priority: Socket CHC AS CDR
Weapon
- Pig Sticker
- Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
- Stat Priority: Vit AS CDR Str
Offhand
- Solanium
- Stat Priority: Vit AS CDR Str

Legendary Gems
- Esoteric Alteration
  Esoteric Alteration
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Gain 10.0% non-Physical damage reduction.
  While below 50% Life, your resistances to Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, and Arcane are increased by 75%. (Requires Rank 25)
- Gogok of Swiftness
  Gogok of Swiftness
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Gain Swiftness with every attack, increasing your Attack Speed by 1% and Dodge by 0.5% for 4 seconds. This effect stacks up to 15 times.
- Mutilation Guard
  Mutilation Guard
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Gain 10.0% melee damage reduction.
  While below 50% Life, you may move unhindered through enemies. (Requires Rank 25)

Kanai's Cube

The Gavel of Judgment

Legendary Two-Handed Mighty Weapon

Primary Stats

+(180–220)–(216–274) Holy Damage
+360–404 Strength
Increases Hammer of the Ancients Damage by 75–100% (Barbarian Only)
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Hammer of the Ancients returns 20–25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies.
The Gavel of Judgment
Chilanik's Chain

Legendary Mighty Belt

Primary Stats

+85–108 Strength
+4 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Using War Cry increases the movement speed for you and all allies affected by 30–40% for 10 seconds.
Chilanik's Chain
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 2.0–3.0%
+27–60 Life per Hit
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Reduces the number of items needed for set bonuses by 1 (to a minimum of 2).
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+24–29 Dexterity

+24–29 Strength

+24–29 Intelligence
Ring of Royal Grandeur

Build: These Items are built around survivability, globe production, and pulling mobs to your group's pile. Use the best of the two belts and three rings listed and put the missing one in the cube.

Weapon: Some folks like a TF on someone in the group. Barb or Monk are the best choices and usually the Monk will do this if your group wants it.

Necks: Personal preference here. Hellfire, Overwhelming Desire, and any immunity neck are all viable.

Stat Priorities: CHC, Attack Speed, CDR, and defensive stats. On pieces listed with Resist All if you have a resist as a secondary then roll for percent life or armor. Don't be afraid to mix and match Dex, Str, or even Int pieces. Str and Dex are about the same for support barbs and the Resist All from Int isn't bad either. Overall you'll want Str pieces, but if something with Dex or Int drops and it completes the setup then use it. All that matters is you stay alive and produce globes.

Skils: Personally I like War Cry-Veteran's Warning over Hardened Wrath, but the top barbs run with Hardened Wrath. A few folks like Ancient Spear-Harpoon over the Rage Flip rune, but Rage Flip is standard.

Passives: Not much variance for the top four choices. Your fifth Hellfire passive should be Tough as Nails or Pound of Flesh, though the Tough as Nails is probably a bit better.

Gems: Diamonds in armor pieces. Amethyst in weapons.

Legendary Gems: Esoteric Alteration, Mutilation Guard, and Gogok of Swiftness are mandatory.

Caldesann's Despair: A lot of people save this for their solo GR pushing toon, but if you want it's Vitality.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Vitality
Maximum Resource

Offense

Critical Hit Chance
Attack Speed
Cooldown Reduction
Critical Hit Damage

Defense

Resist All
Armor
Life
Life Regeneration

Utility

Life on Hit
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find
Area Damage

Core: Max movement speed, max fury, and then pump everything into Vit.

Offense: Crit Chance, Attack Speed, CDR, and CHD.

Defense: Resist All, Armor, Life, and Life Regen.

Utility: Life on Hit, Resource Cost Reduction, Gold Find, and lastly do NOT put any points in Area Damage.

Build Guide

This build is built around the support Barb in four man groups. Most groups add supports in this order: Barb, Monk, and lastly WD for four man groups, but your mileage may vary. Your role in this group is to provide defense buffs, pull straggler mobs to your group, and produce health globes.

From gear, skills, and passives you provide the following defensive buffs or debuffs: the stun from your Furious Charge, 50% damage reduction and immunity to CC from Ignore Pain-Mob Rule, 20% armor and another 60% armor for 5 seconds after War Cry-Hardened Wrath, 3% Life per second from the Inspiring Presence passive, and if you have Overwhelming Desire on then you have a chance on hit to charm enemies.

From gear, skills, and passives you provide the following offensive buffs and debuffs: If you have Overwhelming Desire on then charmed enemies take 35% increased damage.

Generally you will stay near your Wizard to provide him Ignore Pain-Mob Rule. Once a spot has been picked for you to take on a group of mobs or an elite pack you'll want to produce globes until the monk has the group in position. After that you'll FC to keep up your Band of Might and replenish your fury. If there are mobs close by that you can reach with a FC and Ancient Spear you'll want to pull them to the group. Once there your Monk's Cyclone Strike will pull them to the pile. You'll want to spam a lot of HotA in order to keep your Ignore Pain and Wrath of the Berserker up via the Zodiac ring. Use War Cry to help your group get from spot to spot and for a defensive boost.

While I'm not the best player by any stretch of the imagination, I was constantly looking for HC guides when my friends would ask. I have made guides for all four positions in a standard HC group. These guides are based on my research from the top HC groups, their videos and streams, and my own personal experience. Questions and comments are welcome! If you like the build hit the +1!

Additionally here are the links/previews to all four builds: