Introduction to the Diablo 4 Barbarian
A staple in the Diablo series, the Barbarian class returns for Diablo 4 [1]. Its focus is equipping multiple weapons, and close, chaotic brawls with large packs of monsters.
Barbarian highlights
- Weapon Arsenal: ability to equip 4 Weapons at once and seamlessly switch between them
- Berserking mode: a state allowing increased damage and Movement Speed
- Powerful shouts: increasing the damage and defense of the party
- Weapons Expertise: the more the Weapon type is used, the better the bonus
Barbarian stats
Barbarian starting Primary Stats
Class | DEX | INT | STR | WILL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Barbarian | 8 | 7 | 10 | 7 |
Druid | 7 | 8 | 7 | 10 |
Necromancer | 7 | 10 | 7 | 8 |
Rogue | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Sorcerer | 7 | 10 | 7 | 8 |
Barbarian Primary Stat effects
Attribute | Effect |
---|---|
Dexterity | +0.01% Dodge Chance per point 0.02%x Critical Strike Chance per point |
Intelligence | +0.05%(+) All Resistances per point |
Strength | +1 Armor per point 0.1%x Skill Damage per point |
Willpower | +0.1% Healing Received per point +0.25% Overpower Damage per point 0.03x Resource Generation per point |
Barbarian Skills
Barbarian Skill Tree
See our dedicated page on: Barbarian Skills.
Fury resource
Barbarian Skills use Fury, which is generated by using Basic Skills. During lulls in battle, Fury begins to decline, until it reaches nothing.
Barbarian monster executions
The Barbarian class has a handful of visceral ways to kill enemies. Its monster death animations are:
- Break Lower Limbs: the joints of the monster's lower body are shattered
- Crush: the monster is flattened under a heavy object
- Cut in Half: the monster's body is sliced in half
- Decapitate: the monster's head is severed from its body
Barbarian Weapon Expertise mechanic
Automatically unlocked at Level 5, the Weapon Expertise System gives the Barbarian a bonus for using a specific type of Weapon more.
Each Weapon Expertise has 10 ranks, with each rank's bonus becoming more powerful. Achieving the 10th rank of any Weapon Expertise unlocks an additional, powerful bonus. Note that players get Weapon Expertise experience for merely hitting monsters, not killing them, which is important in unfinished Boss fights.
Weapon Expertise bonuses
One-Handed Axe Expertise
When using an Axe: +x% increased Critical Strike Chance against Injured enemies. Double this amount when using two Axes.
Next Rank: Critical Strike Chance against Injured enemies increased to +x%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a x% chance to grant x% increased Attack Speed for x Seconds. Double the Attack Speed bonus when using two Axes.
One-Handed Mace Expertise
When using a Mace: x% increased damage to Stunned enemies. Double this amount when using two Maces
Next Rank: Damge to Stunned enemies increased to x%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to gain Berserking for x seconds when you hit a Stunned enemy. Double this chance when using two Maces.
One-Handed Sword Expertise
When using a Sword: Lucky Hit: Up to a x% chance to gain x Fury when hitting a Crowd Controlled enemy. Double this chance when using two Swords.
Next Rank: Chance to activate Lucky Hit increased to 3%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: Killing a Crowd Controlled enemy grants x%+ increased Attack Speed for x seconds. Double this amount for kills with two Swords.
Two-Handed Axe Expertise
When using a Two-Handed Axe: x% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies.
Next Rank: Damage to Vulnerable enemies increased to x%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: x%+ increased Critical Strike Chance against Vulnerable enemies.
Polearm Expertise
When using a Polearm: x% increased Lucky Hit Chance.
Next Rank: Bonus Lucky Hit Chance increased to x%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: You deal x%+ increased damage while Healthy.
Two-Handed Sword Expertise
When using a Two-Handed Sword: x%+ of direct damage you deal is inflicted as Bleeding damage over x seconds.
Next Rank: Bleeding damage is increased to x%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: You deal x% increased Bleeding damage for x seconds after killing an enemy.
Two-Handed Mace Expertise
When using a Two-Handed Mace: Lucky Hit: Up to x% chance to gain x Fury when hitting an enemy. Double the amount of Fury gained while Berserking.
Next Rank: Chance to activate Lucky Hit increased to x%.
Rank 10 Additional Bonus: You deal x% increased Critical Strike Damage to Stunned and Vulnerable enemies while Berserking.
Weapon Expertise Technique
The Weapon Expertise's Technique feature allows players to choose any of the Weapon's Rank 10 Additional Bonus (assuming they've unlocked it) and benefit from it even if that Weapon type isn't equipped. For example, a player may reach reach Rank 10 for Two-Handed Maces, set their Technique to that, then equip a Two-Handed Sword, and still get the Two-Handed Mace's Rank 10 Additinoal Bonus.
TOPBarbarian items
Weapon Arsenal System
The Barbarian class has a unique mechanic called the Weapon Arsenal System, which allows it to equip 4 weapons at once:
- 1 two-handed Bludgeoning weapon
- 1 two-handed Slashing weapon
- 2 one-handed weapons
When using Skills, the Barbarian automatically switches to the appropriate weapon type for the Skill.
Because the system gives the Barbarian extra armor slots over other classes, this leads to an end-game advantage, when a powerful item (with, say, an important Legendary or Unique attribute) can be utilized in that extra spot.
How to switch a Skill's Weapon type
Players will sometimes use builds that require a certain Weapon type (e.g., Two-handed Slashing), which requires turning off the Weapon Arsenal's auto-switching feature. To do this, players can first press the 'S' keybind to bring up the Skills panel.
Once at the Skill screen, they can then click on the desired Skill. At the bottom of the Skill's description will be the Arsenal Selection section. Here, players can mouse wheel click/press (note: click, not scroll) to cycle through their equipped weapon types. This can be done on a per-Skill basis.
TOPBarbarian Unique items
Name ▲ | Slot | Skills | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
100,000 Steps | Boots | Ground Stomp, Walking Arsenal | ||
Ancient's Oath | Axe - 2H | Steel Grasp | ||
Battle Trance | Amulet | Frenzy | ||
Fields of Crimson | Sword - 2H | Rupture | ||
Gohr's Devastating Grips | Gloves | Whirlwind | ||
Hellhammer | Mace - 2H | Upheaval | ||
Overkill | Mace - 2H | Death Blow | ||
Rage of Harrogath | Chest | Non-Ultimate Skills | ||
Ramaladni's Magnum Opus | Sword - 1H | n/a |
Barbarian Legendary Aspects
See our dedicated sections on:
- Barbarian Defensive Legendary Aspects
- Barbarian Mobility Legendary Aspects
- Barbarian Offensive Legendary Aspects
- Barbarian Resource Legendary Aspects
- Barbarian Utility Legendary Aspects
Barbarian media
Barbarian class screenshots
TOPBarbarian class artwork
All artwork is property of the talented artists at Blizzard.
TOPSources
Article | Source | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Diablo IV Feature Overview | Blizzard |
Changelog
Ver | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Refreshed guide with Release Barbarian information | ||
Beta | Refreshed guide with Open Beta Barbarian information | ||
Alpha | Added higher resolution images to screenshot section | ||
Alpha | Added section on Barbarian monster execution animations | ||
Alpha | Published original |