Diablo 4 Barbarian guide

How to play as Barbarian in Diablo 4

The Barbarian stands out as the only class capable of wielding four weapons simultaneously, which greatly influences its combat style. Unlike other classes, the Barbarian thrives in the heat of battle, gathering as many enemies as possible to maximize damage and generate Rage – the class’s primary resource. This Rage is then used to activate powerful abilities, which are categorized into six groups: Basic, Core, Defensive, Brawling, Weapon Mastery, and Ultimate. All of these abilities deal physical damage.

The ability to wield four weapons simultaneously is a distinctive feature of the Barbarian class, but it doesn’t mean the Barbarian can use any type of weapon. This class excels when equipped with One-Handed or Two-Handed Slashing Weapons, One-Handed or Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapons, and Two-Handed Weapons, maximizing its combat effectiveness with these choices.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Very Tanky Huge DPS Easy to learn	Always Alone (can’t invoke pets to DPS or tank) Close combat, hard to kite enemies Weak at the beginning

Diablo 4 Barbarian best skills

The Barbarian class features six ability groups, with all but the last two containing five distinct abilities. Each ability can be upgraded up to five times or more through the use of items. At the end of this guide, we’ve provided a build where we’ve highlighted the selected skills in green, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the abilities used in this setup.

Basic Skills

These abilities are key for generating Fury, functioning as your primary auto-attacks since they’re triggered by pressing the left mouse button.

• Flay — Slash your enemy, dealing (5%) damage and inflicting (38%) Bleeding damage over 5 seconds.
• Bash — Strike with your weapon, dealing (31%) damage. After landing 4 hits, your next Bash will Stun the target for (1.25) seconds, increasing to (2) seconds if using a Two-Handed Weapon.
• Lunging Strike — Lunge forward to hit an enemy, dealing (31%) damage.
• Frenzy — Unleash a rapid series of strikes, dealing (21%) damage with each pair of hits. Each successful Frenzy hit increases Attack Speed by (+20%) for (3) seconds, stacking up to (+60%).

Core Skills

These abilities, in contrast, consume Fury and unleash massive damage against multiple foes.

• Rend — Slash enemies in front of you, dealing (13%) damage and causing (101%) Bleeding damage over (5) seconds.
• Hammer of the Ancients — Summon the power of the Ancients to slam your hammer down, dealing (59%) damage to enemies in a concentrated area.
• Upheaval — Smash the ground with your weapon, sending debris flying forward and dealing (73%) damage to enemies in its path.
• Whirlwind — Spin rapidly, attacking all nearby enemies for (12%) damage.
• Double Swing — Swing your weapons in opposite directions, dealing (38%) damage with each weapon. Enemies in the center are struck by both attacks.

Defensive Skills

The Barbarian’s high-risk playstyle demands a strong defensive capability, which is supported by a dedicated group of defensive abilities in Diablo 4.

• Rallying Cry — Let out a powerful cry, boosting your allies’ Movement Speed by (+30%) and increasing Resource Generation by (50%) for (6) seconds.
• Iron Skin — Strengthen yourself with a Barrier that absorbs (50%) of your missing Life for (5) seconds.
• Challenging Shout — Taunt nearby enemies, drawing their attention, while gaining (40%) Damage Reduction for (8) seconds.
• Ground Stomp — Slam the ground, dealing (10%) damage and Stunning all nearby enemies for (3) seconds.

Defensive Cluster Passives (boost your passive survivability):

• Imposing Presence — Increases your Maximum Life by x5%/x10%/x15%.
• Martial Vigor — Reduces damage taken from Elites by x4%/x8%/x12%. Requires 1 point in Imposing Presence.
• Outburst — Gain 2/4/6 Thorns. Additionally, gain 2 Thorns for every 2 bonus Maximum Life you have.
• Tough as Nails — Increases your Thorns by +20%/+40%/+60%. Requires 1 point in Outburst.

Brawling Skills

These abilities are crucial for defining your playstyle, offering powerful effects with long cooldowns.

• War Cry — Let out a mighty cry, boosting you and nearby allies’ damage by (15%) for (8) seconds.
• Kick — Deliver a forceful kick that inflicts (19%) damage and knocks back enemies in your path. Enemies knocked into terrain take an extra (57%) damage and are stunned for (3) seconds.
• Leap — Jump forward and slam down, dealing (34%) damage and knocking back surrounding enemies upon impact.
• Charge — Become Unstoppable as you rush forward, pushing enemies and dealing (26%) damage while knocking them back.

**Brawling Cluster Passives** (enhance your passive abilities):

• Swiftness — Increase your Movement Speed by +4%/8%/12%.
• Quick Impulses — Reduce the duration of Control Impairing Effects by 6%/12%/18%. Requires 1 point in Swiftness.
• Aggressive Resistance — Gain 4%/8%/12% Damage Reduction while Berserking.
• Prolific Fury — Increase Fury Generation by 6%/12%/18% while Berserking. Requires 1 point in Aggressive Resistance.
• Battle Frenzy — When a Brawling Skill hits at least one enemy, gain Berserking for 1/2/3 seconds. Requires 1 point in Aggressive Resistance.
• Booming Voice — Increase the duration of Shout Skills by 10%/20%/30%.
• Guttural Yell — Shout Skills cause enemies to deal 8%/16%/24% less damage for 5 seconds. Requires 1 point in Booming Voice.
• Raid Leader — Your Shout also heals allies for 1%/2%/3% of their Maximum Life per second. Requires 1 point in Booming Voice.

Weapon Mastery Skills

These abilities are designed to enhance your weapon proficiency, so focus on the ones that directly benefit your preferred weapon type.

• Rupture — Skewer enemies in front of you, inflicting (14%) damage. Then, tear your weapon out, dealing additional damage based on the total Bleeding effect and removing all Bleeding damage.
• Death Blow — Deliver a powerful strike that deals (126%) damage to enemies in your path. If the attack kills an enemy, its cooldown resets.
• Steel Grasp — Throw a set of chains that deal (24%) damage and pull enemies towards you.

**Weapon Mastery Passives** (enhance your passive abilities):

• Pit Fighter — Increase damage by x3%/x6%/x9% to nearby enemies and gain x2%/x4%/x6% Damage Reduction from distant enemies.
• No Mercy — Increase damage by x5%/x9%/x13% against Immobilized, Stunned, or Slowed enemies. Requires 1 point in Pit Fighter.
• Slaying Strike — Deal x8%/x15%/x23% increased damage against Injured enemies. Requires 1 point in Pit Fighter.
• Expose Vulnerability — Inflicting direct damage with a Weapon Mastery skill causes your next Core Skill to make enemies Vulnerable for 1.5/3/4.5 seconds. Requires 1 point in No Mercy or Slaying Strike.
• Hamstring — Your Bleeding effects cause enemies to be Slowed by 10%/20%/30%.
• Cut to the Bone — Bleeding effects deal x6%/x12%/x18% more damage to Vulnerable enemies. Requires 1 point in Hamstring.
• Thick Skin — Each time you take direct damage, gain 0.4%/0.7%/1.1% of your Base Life as Fortify.
• Counteroffensive — While you are Fortified for over 50% of your Maximum Life, deal x5%/x10%/x15% increased damage. Requires 1 point in Thick Skin.
• Defensive Stance — Increases the Damage Reduction gained while Fortified by +3%/+6%/+9%. Requires 1 point in Thick Skin.

Ultimate Skills

These are the most potent abilities in your arsenal, each with a long cooldown. You can only equip one of these powerful abilities at a time.

• Wrath of the Berserker — Enter Berserking and Unstoppable states for (5) seconds. For the next (10) seconds, dealing direct damage with Basic Skills will activate Berserking for an additional (5) seconds.
• Iron Maelstrom — Activate to summon a chain to your Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapon, slamming the ground for (63%) damage and Stunning enemies for (2) seconds. Reactivate to attach a chain to your Two-Handed Slashing Weapon and perform a swipe, dealing (21%) damage and (126%) Bleeding damage over (5) seconds. A final reactivation attaches a chain to Dual Wield Weapons, swinging them around and dealing (34%) damage per hit.
• Call of the Ancients — Summon 3 powerful Ancients to fight alongside you for (6) seconds. Korlic leaps into battle, dealing (80%) damage and swinging his Weapon for (30%) damage per hit. Talic spins, attacking enemies with a whirlwind for (50%) damage. Madawc causes upheaval, dealing (150%) damage to the area.

**Ultimate Cluster Passives** (enhance your passive abilities):

• Wallop — Increase the damage of your Bludgeoning Weapon Skills by x5%/x10%/x15% when the target is Stunned or Vulnerable.
• Concussion — Lucky Hit: Skills using Bludgeoning Weapons have a x10%/x20%/x30% chance to Stun enemies for (3) seconds, or up to a x15%/x30%/x45% chance when using Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapons. Requires 1 point in Wallop.
• Heavy Handed — While wielding Two-Handed Weapons, increase your Critical Strike Damage by x5%/x10%/x15%.
• Brute Force — Boost the damage of your Overpower by x15%/x30%/x45% when using a Two-Handed Weapon. Requires 1 point in Wallop or Heavy Handed.
• Duelist — Increase Attack Speed by +3%/+6%/+9% while using One-Handed Weapons.
• Tempered Fury — Boost your Maximum Fury by 3/6/9.
• Invigorating Fury — Heal for 2%/4%/6% of your Maximum Life for every 100 Fury spent. Requires 1 point in Tempered Fury.
• Furious Impulse — Gain 2/4/6 Fury every time you swap Weapons. Requires 1 point in Tempered Fury.

Ultimate Passives

Special passive abilities are placed in their own unique category. Here are the key abilities that can significantly enhance your combat performance:

• Unconstrained — Extend the duration of Berserk by 5 seconds and increase its damage boost by x25%.
• Walking Arsenal — When you deal direct damage with a Two-Handed Bludgeoning, Two-Handed Slashing, or Dual Wielded Weapons, gain a x10% damage boost for 6 seconds. If all three weapon bonuses are active simultaneously, your damage increases by an additional x15%.
• Unbridled Rage — Core Skills deal x135% more damage but consume x100% more resources.
• Gushing Wounds — Defeating a Bleeding enemy triggers an explosion, dealing 12% Bleeding damage over 5 seconds.

This unique set of passive abilities can dramatically increase your effectiveness in battle, enhancing both your offensive and defensive capabilities.

Arsenal System

One of the standout features in Diablo 4 is the Unique Class Mechanic, specifically the Arsenal System, which is exclusive to the Barbarian class. This innovative system enables the Barbarian to wield four different weapons at once, each assigned to its own dedicated weapon slot.

• Two-Hand Bludgeoning Weapon
• Two-Hand Slashing Weapon
• Main Hand
• Off-Hand

The damage output of these weapons is influenced not only by your skill points but also by **Expertise**. Expertise is a key component of the Arsenal System that boosts the damage of certain weapons based on your proficiency and mastery with them. This added layer of complexity allows for more strategic gameplay and offers Barbarian players enhanced power and versatility in combat.

Hammer of the Ancients build

Diablo 4 Barbarian Skills and Passive Abilities Build Guide

Frenzy → Enhanced Frenzy → Combat Frenzy
Hammer of the Ancients (5/5) → Enhanced Hammer of the Ancients → Furious Hammer of the Ancients
Rallying Cry → Enhanced Rallying Cry → Tactical Rallying Cry
Death Blow → Enhanced Death Blow → Fighter’s Death Blow
Leap → Enhanced Leap → Power Leap
Thick Skin (3/3)
Wrath of the Berserker → Prime Wrath of the Berserker → Supreme Wrath of the Berserker
Defensive Stance
The Furious Hammer of the Ancients skill delivers a significant boost in damage by adding 1% of your current Fury for each point of damage. To take full advantage of this, players should focus on quickly generating Fury through multiple sources. Once enough Fury has been accumulated, unleash it all with Hammer of the Ancients for devastating damage.

This build is perfect for players who enjoy the traditional “generator and spender” playstyle, combining rapid Fury generation with the explosive power of the Hammer of the Ancients to deal massive damage in combat.

Diablo 4 Barbarian Best Gear

Unique Barbarian Items in Diablo 4: Weapons and Amulets

For Barbarians in Diablo 4, the weapon is crucial to maximizing damage and effectiveness in combat. There are currently two known unique items that stand out for Barbarians: a powerful weapon and a game-changing amulet. Here’s a closer look:

The Butcher’s Cleaver – A powerful axe that increases Attack Speed by (2.0-4.5)%, boosts Damage to Healthy Enemies by (6.5-11.5)%, and grants an additional Damage While Healthy bonus of (4.5-7.5)%. The Lucky Hit effect offers a 5% chance to heal you for (35-57), and when you land a critical strike, it can Immobilize your target for (1.0-3.0) seconds. This makes the Butcher’s Cleaver a versatile weapon ideal for both damage and utility.

Melted Heart of Selig – An amulet that provides various bonuses including Damage Reduction (4.5-8.0)%, Cooldown Reduction (4.5-8.0)%, and an increase in Critical Strike Chance (3.0-6.0%). It also boosts All Stats by (6-10) and offers a unique bonus of +100% Maximum Resource. Furthermore, when you take damage, it drains (3.0-6.0) resources for each 1% of life lost, giving you an advantage in resource management.

While unique items like these can significantly enhance a Barbarian’s power, they are not always easy to find. That’s why it’s also important to understand the core characteristics of the Barbarian class to maximize your effectiveness in combat.

Main Stat	Secondary Stat
Strength increases Skill Damage by 0.1% and Armor by 1 for 1 Strength	Willpower increases Resource Generation (0.1% for 1), Healing Received by 0.1% and Overpower Damage (0.25%) Dexterity increases Critical Strike Chance by 0.02% and the chance to Dodge attacks by 0.025% Intelligence increases  All Resistances by 0.05%

Diablo 4 Barbarian Best Gems

Best Gems for Barbarian in Diablo 4: Topaz, Sapphire, and More

In Diablo 4, gems are a valuable tool for enhancing your Barbarian’s stats, but they don’t directly grant overwhelming power. Instead, they serve to complement your existing gear and maximize the effectiveness of your character’s abilities. To get the most out of your Barbarian, choosing the right gems is essential.

Topaz: This gem is ideal for Barbarians seeking to boost their Basic Skill Damage. By incorporating Topaz into your gear, you can significantly enhance the damage output of your primary abilities, making it a top choice for Barbarian players.

Sapphire: Perfect for damage reduction, Sapphire gems improve your Damage Reduction while Fortified, helping you maintain survivability in tough battles. This gem is a must-have for Barbarians who need to withstand heavy hits while staying in the fight.

Resistance Gems: Gems that increase your Resistance are another great choice for the Barbarian. These gems provide added defense against various elemental and physical damage types, making them a solid option for Barbarians looking to increase their overall durability.

For the Barbarian, choosing gems like Topaz for boosting damage and Sapphire for damage reduction—along with any gem that enhances resistance—will ensure that you maximize both offensive and defensive capabilities.

By carefully selecting gems that match your playstyle and gear, you can create a more robust Barbarian build ready for any challenge in Diablo 4.

Best Legendary Aspects for Barbarian

Top Barbarian Aspects in Diablo 4: Enhance Your Build with These Powerful Traits

In Diablo 4, Aspects are powerful modifiers that can significantly boost your Barbarian’s abilities, providing unique enhancements that complement your playstyle. Once discovered in dungeons, these Aspects are recorded in the Codex of Power, allowing you to apply them to your gear for substantial benefits. With numerous Aspects available, here are some of the best and most popular ones for the Barbarian class:

Edgemaster: This Aspect increases your skill damage based on your available Primary Resource. The more resource you have when casting, the greater the damage increase. When your Primary Resource is full, you receive the maximum damage boost, making it a great choice for Barbarians who manage their resources effectively.

Ancestral Force: When you use Hammer of the Ancients, this Aspect causes a quake to radiate outward, dealing a percentage of its damage to nearby enemies. This adds significant area-of-effect (AoE) damage, perfect for Barbarians who want to clear crowds of enemies while dealing massive blows with this iconic skill.

Bul-Kathos: This Aspect enhances your Leap ability by causing it to trigger an Earthquake upon landing. The Earthquake deals Physical damage over a period of 4 seconds and provides damage reduction while standing within the quake’s radius. It’s a great choice for increasing both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Expectant: When you attack enemies with a Basic Skill, this Aspect boosts the damage of your next Core Skill by a percentage, stacking up to 50%. This effect encourages a combo playstyle, where basic skills set up powerful Core skill casts for massive damage output.

These Barbarian Aspects provide a range of bonuses, from damage amplification to survivability enhancements, that can tailor your build to various playstyles in Diablo 4. Whether you’re looking for increased damage, AoE effects, or improved resource management, these aspects are key to creating a dominant Barbarian build.