In your OP you mentioned your Barb does Act 2 with ease, presumably at about the same ease you would like your III/IV farmer to do. With 1.0.4 as close as it is my recommendation for you is to hold your gold, farm Act II when you feel like it and level that Monk. Blizzard indicates so far they are after diversity and skill changes may elevate many more class builds and encourage people to consider alternatives to fotm builds like the WW Barb. Whatever MF direction Blizzard take will also have a bearing on the gear cost post 1.0.4 as well.
It would not surprise me that builds not currently viable shape up to be exactly what you seem to be seeking after the patch. Perhaps even a WD pet gear build may rise out of obscurity, who knows until we actually see more information. Just do what is most fun for you now and build a decent bankroll ready to splurge on whatever seems like it will take you in the direction you want after the patch.
Diablo is dead! But boy did he take a long time to kill. At this point on my AH Barb I think I had 1k more DPS and 3.5k more health and never used a potion. AH-Free barb I used dozens of potions. But Normal Diablo is killable as an AH-Free barb. Talk about patience though.
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It would not surprise me that builds not currently viable shape up to be exactly what you seem to be seeking after the patch. Perhaps even a WD pet gear build may rise out of obscurity, who knows until we actually see more information. Just do what is most fun for you now and build a decent bankroll ready to splurge on whatever seems like it will take you in the direction you want after the patch.
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Gratz on the kill ... on, on to the more difficult ones.
Just another link http://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/xqpg6/i_finally_did_it_i_beat_the_game_hardcore_solo/
That particular player cleared inferno HC Barb with only 3 AH items. Must have gotten tired or no luck at all in those slots but there is obviously a price to pay to do that, you need to farm a lot to get the mitigation and Vitality gear.
It does show what can be done if you are persistent enough all the same. Not for me though as I do not have that degree of patience.