Build Guide
Sup, I'm Uberjager#6563, you may remember me when I told you that you were gearing WW barb wrongly in vanilla D3 in 2013. Or when I changed the DH meta in early RoS 2014 from the 2H bows/xbows to the 4.15 breakpoint.
This guide has been revised after info from 2.4's PTR. Take note once Dfans update the build section with new legs replace the cubed strongarms with Aquila Cuirass. Endless walk set is crap (hopefully they revise it) so its still going to be FnR usage.
Bareknuckle#1182 has come up with his own variation of the build. Here's a link for his setup and show him some support by hopping over and liking his guide if you like his variant. (might have to manually copy paste the URL):
http://www.diablofans.com/builds/62323-istvans-paired-blades-hota-gr71-group
Here's his Bnet profile:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Bareknuckle-1182/hero/66678240
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Just so I don't sound like some random player without any form of credentials, here are two of my previously published guides.
I wrote this in 2013:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/7200300874?page=1
And this is 2014:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/14277647739
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Istvan's paired blades are an extremely underutilized weapon mainly because they're difficult to obtain. You've to roll them with ideal stats as you're ideally going to reroll the IAS on little rogue and the socket on slanderer
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. THIS BUILD IS EXTREMELY HARD TO GEAR.
Can be run on non-seasonal but your pushing ability is hampered by the lack of stricken gem.
With no IAS on weapons and gear, max paragon, WoTB up and 0 PE stacks you will be at the 4.00 APS breakpoint on HoTA which will give you 2 stricken stacks every second. (this is WITHOUT snapshotting.)
The theorcrafting for why dual sword setups > 2 handed might weapon setups is due to 3 reasons:
1. Avg damage rolls on weapons and weapon IAS.
2. The value of CHD on HoTA which caps CC.
3. Breakpoint optimization on HoTA is a paradigm not entertained or thought about by present top tier players *cough* *scrubs*
4. You have stricken, snapshotting it along with your attack speed would allow you to overcome the differential of the loss of 50% Elite damage.
5. Once you're top heavy on strength most barbs start to add AVG damage to rings which benefit faster weapons than slower ones.
6. Istvan's buff now makes this build superior compared to gavel + cubed furnace in all instances.
I won't go in-depth into 1 and 2 but Nubtro has 3 perfectly nailed down:
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Quoted from Nubtro from the D3 barb forums:
7% Istvan swords
4.00000 HPS = no additional ASI needed = 2.519636 aps = 3.779454 aps incl. Men
-> baseline breakpoint for this setup as you already have 80% ASI
4.28571 HPS = 0.2% additional ASI needed = 2.699396 aps = 4.049094 aps incl. Men
-> 1 bleed @ PE
-> or Enchantress
-> or one additional slot (5-7%)
4.61538 HPS = 14% additional ASI needed = 2.90612 aps = 4.35918 aps incl. Men
-> two 7% slots
5.00000 HPS = 30.2% additional ASI needed = 3.148796 aps = 4.723194 aps incl. Men
-> two 7% slots with Gogok + Enchantress/third slot
-> or two 7% slots with 6 bleeds @ PE
-> or four 7% slots with Enchantress
5.45455 HPS = 59.4% additional ASI needed = 3.436412 aps = 5.154618 aps incl. Men
-> for example Slam Dance with 10 bleeds @ PE
6.00000 HPS = 72.2% additional ASI needed = 3.777956 aps = 5.666934 aps incl. Men
non-IAS Istvan swords
4.00000 HPS = no additional ASI needed = 2.52 aps = 3.78 aps incl. Men
-> baseline breakpoint for this Istvan setup as you already have 80% ASI
4.28571 HPS = 12.8% additional ASI needed = 2.6992 aps = 4.0488 aps incl. Men
-> two slots (6% + 7%)
4.61538 HPS = 27.6% additional ASI needed = 2.9064 aps = 4.3596 aps incl. Men
-> four 7% slots
-> ASI slots / PE / Gogok / Enchantress combo that gives 27.6% ASI
5.00000 HPS = 45.0% additonal ASI needed = 3.15 aps = 4.725 aps incl. Men
5.45455 HPS = 65.4% additonal ASI needed = 3.4356 aps = 5.1534 aps incl. Men
6.00000 HPS = 90% additonal ASI needed = 3.78 aps = 5.666934 aps incl. Men
From the looks of it, IAS Istvan swords will usually achieve one faster Hammer breakpoint given similar gearing for the cost of 2 primary stats. As always, PE bleeds are pouring a lot of RNG into our calcs/assumptions.
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This is my current setup.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Uberjager-6563/hero/25307580
Non-seasonal Rank of 70 was achieved by a long time friend and countryman DAKKON#6113 using this build. He's currently at rank 2 on NS. Here's his profile (his gear might change)
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/DAKKON-6113/hero/8428604
Gearing for Istvans will be out of reach for most barbs. If you're unable to run the setup listed above it's probably more ideal that you stick to using the gavel.
I also didn't want to publish this build mainly because I think Istvan's sucks now (its set bonus is so ridiculously underwhelming given its rarity) it's only because of the way HoTA interacts with CHD/ IAS that make it better than Gavel. But I'm publishing this because I believe in free access to information for everyone to make better choices and also because I believe you have the right to make decisions for yourself with all information available.
I'm actually pushing for Istvan's to have the following set bonuses so PLEASE ASK FOR IT when they do PTR testing for 2.4:
(2)
Every time you spend a primary resource you gain 6% increased attack speed for 5 Seconds. This effect stacks up to 5 times.
(2)
Every time you generate a primary resource you gain 10% increased damage for 5 seconds. This effect stacks up to 5 times. (this damage bonus is multiplicative like FnR)
Istvan just got buffed:
Current set bonus:
(2) set: Every time you spend a primary resource, gain 6% attack speed, damage (multiplicative), and armor for 5 seconds. This effects stacks up to 5 times.
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Shoutouts:
Shoutout to mannercookie (even though we had our differences rofl) for running Istvan's as well and reaching to the same conclusion as I did about Istavan's HoTA (although you probably haven't optimized your setup yet) . GL to your IRL stuff. Diablo's a game gotta take a break some time and get things sorted out.
Shoutout to DAKKON who actually believed in the build and was willing to spend the time and effort to push for higher GRifts to show that the buld works.
Shoutout to anyone in OPOG: Men of Mayhem for all the bounty runs during the weekend event that gave me enough mats to roll my little rogue.
Shoutout to suddenzenith who I still talk to regularly and occasionally theorycraft with. Come back to the game whenever your life's in order. More theorycrafting and optimization awaits you. :3
Shoutout to the manliest of barbars Nubtro for your excellent analysis and breakpoint charts. Optimizing this build would have been impossible without you.
Lastly shoutout to Leland. http://www.d3barb.com/ is an invaluable resource, thanks and keep it up man.
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Cheers guys. Happy Barbing.
Questions/ Comments go below. I'm willing to debate with any of you scrubs.
If you're cubing Gavel then what's the main difference between Istavans and Gavel in terms of fury generation? Both require you to hit 3 or less mobs. All Istavans does is hit faster (if the above applies shouldn't you generate faster as well?)
Just an added suggestion because I heard it works for some players.
The point of stricken stacking is that you want to stack your stricken mainly on the mobs with the highest HP in the pack. It could be the yellow champs, or par no elites, golgors or unburieds. A vast majority if your damage on trash is going to be from your splash off bloodshed from these mobs. Since they're sufficiently big enough (Golgors/ unburieds etc.) they're not going to take that much tile space. You shouldn't be hitting more than 3 mobs. Also as an added basis for discussion I'll link your video (Thanks for uploading it. Hope you don't mind the extra views :P)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6crGeeDJRc
Also, with the extra speed off PE and Istavans your IAS is going to be massive. FCing a short distance next to those mobs won't result in a gigantic loss of dps as it takes a fraction of a second. Smash's area is pretty small so... I guess its mainly the method of picking targets that causes you to run into fury issues. In 2 man clears I would suggest you convey to the monk the mob you want to hit so he centres himself on that mob and when that mob dies convey to him which other "big" mob you want to go for.
I have my build right. Gavel cubed and everything. Tried everything. You CANNOT maintain fury in density unless full melee attacking you, which isn't often enough unfortunately due to the high IAS. Without Berserker Rage Passive active, the DPS on gavel is better. IF we could keep 100% fury on this setup, it would absolutely beat gavel. This isn't theory anymore, I have the in game actual play time testing it.
I looked up your profile:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Bareknuckle-1182/hero/66678240
Is this updated? What were you using in your video?
The only way I have found to keep fury up is to use Overpower. It does work. I am running GR68 Speeds right now on my build with OP to help keep berserker rage working. Doing it by hand.... is nearly impossible so you have to get 'creative'. If you get the button pushing fast enough in density it looks like it spikes enough to keep rage proc'd as well as keeping your chc capped as you would want. I am on stream right now if you want to stop in and say hi. http://www.twitch.tv/bareknuckled3
Nice. Will have pop by. Thanks.
You look kinda like Keanu Reeves, ha ha.
I did notice you were running with Weapons Master passive - like the other reply says, Istvan's are swords not mighty weapons, so you're only getting a measly bit of additive damage with that and not 2 fury per hit. I would use Superstition in place of WM, and you shouldn't have trouble keeping your fury up even without OP.
Edit - reason for Superstition:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/18706416391
Yeah I have changed it a couple times just through testing. Aside from spreadsheeting things, I am going back over the video later frame by frame where I have to, to see what things are actually doing. So superstition has been in the mix.
after a good amount of testing, reading comments both sides for and against, good vs lack consistency.
IMO i stand with those who say it lacks consistency.
and i also agree with those saying the fury goes all over the place.
i give props to the author of the build but i feel that theres a bit of bias in terms of defending this build because many points start to contradict one another.
"If you're cubing Gavel then what's the main difference between Istavans and Gavel in terms of fury generation? Both require you to hit 3 or less mobs. All Istavans does is hit faster (if the above applies shouldn't you generate faster as well?)"
"4. You're fighting Ghom. Which benefits off elite damage. The basis of Istavan being better lies with trash clear, the reason why stricken is crucial for seasons is because increased stricken stacking helps to compensate for the lack of elite damage."
yes i agree that the purpose of this build is to kill whites. but usually when you start hitting whites you dont hit 3 whites. and how often do people stop and hit 3 mobs in a GR? ancients help with fury regen. lower attack speed hitting huge packs you dont see a huge dip in fury because the ancients generate VS you spend because of the lower attack speed. so one can say that the attack speed from istavans double edged sword
i do see synergy between this build and a static monk. where this build would definitely beat the gavel is against the rift boss. its basically a balance between gaining stricken stacks to make up for the dmg difference. and a guildie did numerous testing when i discussed with him about how the attack speed increases dps of the ancients. it turns out someone else already said it. the difference is negligible.
this build tries its best to make stricken shine. if stricken's damage increase per stack was lets say double, then there wouldnt be any doubt that this build would be better . i really needed this build to work because im burning out but but as of now... i doubt so. mayb in 2.4 im hopeful because this is the most fun ive had with barb ever.
You may want to take a look at my update of this build: http://www.diablofans.com/builds/62323-istvans-paired-blades-hota-gr71-group . Not trying to hijack this thread by any means so if this link is a problem, let me know, and I will take it off ASAP.
My setup is intended for group play as it stands. If you apply some of whats mentioned above and the basic solo principles used on hota builds it should work just the same. I've cleared gr72 so far in 2 player and will be going after 74 soon in my version of this build.
The inclusion of Overpower and Superstition resolves the fury issues overall and put it back in the drivers seat, so to speak. Yes the fury bounces but it's much easier to maintain top fury and Berserker Rage will be maintained through lower density where fury was an explicit issue before. I have done extensive testing and play over the last week and this is where I am at. It works, it works great. This build is able to edge out gavel on dps output, and at worst stay even, or just slightly behind with bad weapons. I don't think it's going to be a major meta build, but it definitely has it's lace at the least as a niche build that can min/max higher than gavel.
I linked a gr71 and gr72 2player clear on my build if you want to see it in action. I will also be releasing a guide to the build including a comparison and examination of the differences between the two setups.
Thanks Uberjager, Wolf, and everyone else who contributed input or criticism the last couple days in getting this build rocked out!
I'll put your link up in the main post.
Build definitely works. As others said if you are doing groups and got a support barb using war cry pick up overpower momentum zero fury isses.
Cool guide with awful formatting. The categories provided on the gear template are a good place to list stat priorites, not as a prelude to a self-indulgent snooze fest of epeenery and notice-me-senpaism.
You're so vain you think gavel barbs are downvoting, when really its new players like myself who are looking for a guide but instead find this drivel.
I see you're a real pro a congratulating yourself, but that's about it.
Stepping on people's toes is a good way to get people to try to shoot your ideas down. Allows you to get decent critique.
I could reformat it to be more politically correct and will probably do so after a while. Also, downvotes are fine. I've seen this guide get upvoted and downvoted so many times it's a wonder it's still at 29-30.
Hey man, I'm trying your build out just to take a break from the gavel. Here's my profile: http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/G0DL1K3D3V1L-1228/hero/67616664.
It breezed through GR 55 Solo, but when I tried GR 61 it kind of
fizzled. Granted, I was having very bad lag, but in general would you
say this build only shines once you have very high Paragon levels like
1000+? I've cubed Gavel, Strongarm Bracers, and Unity in case my BNET
armory hasn't updated. Any tips for solo play?
Also, you weren't kidding about getting the gear. I lucked out in
having a complete set of Istvan swords for reforging, but I know I can
do better than what I have.