In Diablo 2 Resurrected (D2R), the Whirlwind Barbarian, often referred to as the WW Barb, is a powerhouse of destruction renowned for its ability to deal rapid, area-of-effect (AoE) physical damage.
Role in Gameplay
• AoE Damage Dealer: The WW Barb excels at simultaneously dealing damage to multiple enemies, making it ideal for clearing dense groups of monsters.
• Solo and Group Play: This build is versatile and effective in both solo play and as part of a group, where it can act as a front-line damage dealer.
• Boss Fights: With the right gear and strategy, WW Barbs can take on tough bosses, including Uber bosses, due to their high damage output and survivability.
Key Abilities
• Whirlwind: The centerpiece skill that allows the Barbarian to spin through enemies, hitting them multiple times with equipped weapons.
• Battle Orders: A supportive skill significantly increases the Barbarians' and nearby allies' lives and mana pools.
• Shout: Another supportive skill that boosts defense, further enhancing the Barbarian's tackiness. This skill increases survivability and benefits any party members, making the WW Barb a valuable team player.
• Find Item: After defeating the Ubers, the WW Barb can use Find Item on their corpses for a chance at additional high-quality loot.
Build Popularity
• Ease of Use: The straightforward playstyle of spinning into crowds makes it a popular choice for many players.
• Efficiency: It's an efficient farmer for items and experience, capable of tackling various content in the game.
• Ladder Play: The build's effectiveness makes it a go-to choice for players looking to climb the Ladder quickly.
Build Versatility
• Gear Flexibility: While optimal gear choices exist, the WW Barb can be effective with a range of equipment, allowing players to adapt based on their finds.
• Skill Synergies: The build benefits from synergies with other skills, like Sword Mastery, which enhances damage when using swords. The WW skill allows the Barbarian to deal damage to all enemies in its path, which is crucial for quickly dispatching Uber minions.
• Multiple Hits: WW hits multiple times per spin, which is effective against the high health pools of Uber bosses.
Survivability
• Life Leech: With the right gear, WW Barbarians can sustain their health through life leech, which is vital in prolonged Uber fights.
• High Health Pool: Battle Orders significantly increase the Barbarian's health, allowing them to withstand the Ubers' powerful attacks.
Crowd Control
• Stun Lock: The WW skill can stun lock smaller enemies, reducing the incoming damage and making the fight more manageable.
• Taunt: The Barbarian's Taunt skill can be used to control the positioning of the Uber bosses, aiding in strategic combat.
Gear Flexibility
• Crushing Blow and Open Wounds: Gear that provides these effects is crucial for Uber, and the Barbarian can effectively utilize such D2R items to reduce Uber bosses' health quickly.
• Cannot Be Frozen: This affix, often found on gear like Raven Frost, ensures that the Barbarian's mobility isn't hindered, which is essential for dodging deadly attacks.
Gear Selection
• Weapon: Breath of the Dying in an Ethereal Colossus Blade for damage.
• Shield: Stormshield for damage reduction and block chance.
• Armor: Fortitude for damage and resistances.
• Helm: Arreat's Face for skills and stats.
• Gloves: Dracul's Grasp for Life Tap proc.
• Boots: Gore Rider for Crushing Blow.
• Belt: Verdungo's Hearty Cord for vitality and damage reduction.
• Amulet: Highlord's Wrath for skills and Deadly Strike.
• Rings: Raven Frost for Cannot Be Frozen and Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for life and skills.
Charms
• Annihilus and Hellfire Torch for the obvious boosts.
• Combat skilled with life or FHR (Faster Hit Recovery).
• Small charms with resistances, life, and FHR.
Stat Allocation
• Strength: Enough to wear gear.
• Dexterity: Enough for max block with Stormshield.
• Vitality: Everything else goes here.
• Energy: None.
Skill Distribution
• Whirlwind: Max out for main damage.
• Sword Mastery: Max out to increase damage with swords.
• Battle Orders: Max out for increased life and mana.
• Shout: Max out for a defense D2R boost.
• Iron Skin and Natural Resistance: Enough for survivability.
Mercenary
• Might Aura: An Act 2 Nightmare Offensive Mercenary with Might aura can significantly increase the WW Barb's damage output.
• Reaper's Toll: A mercenary equipped with Reaper's Toll can apply Decrepify, which slows and weakens enemies, further enhancing the Barbarian's effectiveness.
Gameplay Strategy
• Pre-buff with Battle Command and Battle Orders.
• Engage Ubers with a hit-and-run tactic. The WW Barb can engage in hit-and-run tactics to avoid damage, especially from Uber Mephisto's Conviction aura.
• Use Life Tap from Dracul's Grasp for sustain.
• Focus on Lilith first due to her high damage. The ability to quickly move through groups allows the WW Barb to focus on priority targets, like Uber Mephisto, to reduce the overall threat level.
In summary, the Whirlwind Barbarian is a classic D2R build that combines great damage, good survivability, and ease of play, making it a solid choice for tackling the challenges of Ladder Season 6, especially in Uber runs. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to D2R, the WW Barb is a build that can carry you through the game's toughest battles.