Diablo 2 Build Guide – Whirlwind Barbarian Build guide

Introduction

Barbarian is one of the most iconic classes in Diablo II: Resurrected. If you want to revisit Diablo II with a classic build, then make sure to give this Barbarian build a try.

Stat

Level 40

Stats	Points	Notes
Strength	70	Just enough to wear your gears.
Dexterity	60	Similar to Strenght you only need enough Dexterity to wear your gears.
Vitality	120	All your remaining stat should be put into Vitality. Boosting your HP pool is still one of the best options for this build.
Energy	20	No point required, just use mana potions.

Level 99

Stats	Points	Notes
Strength	120	Just enough to wear your gears.
Dexterity	90	Similar to Strenght you only need enough Dexterity to wear your gears.
Vitality	300	Just dump all your remaining points here for maximum Life.
Energy	20	No point required, just use mana potions.

Skills Distribution

Whirlwind is your main skill for this build – 20 points
Battle Orders help increase your Maximum Life & Mana – 20 points
Weapon Mastery – Simply max out the mastery of your weapon of choice – 20 points
Natural Resistance – Boost your defense, 1 point is enough for this build
Both Shout and Leap are optional for this build, but Leap is a great skill for traversal if you don’t have Enigma yet.

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Whirlwind

No synergies

Provides Synergy to:

A whirling dange of death that cuts a path through the legions of your enemies.
Cast Delay: None

Lvl: 1
Mana Cost: 12.5
Bonus Damage: -50%
Bonus Attack: 0%

Lvl: 20
Mana Cost: 22
Bonus Damage: 102%
Bonus Attack: 95%

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Battle Orders

Shout : + 5 Seconds Per Level
Battle Command : + 5 Seconds Per Level

Provides Synergy to:

Improves the maximum Mana, Life and Stamina of you and your party.
Cast Delay: None

Lvl: 1
Duration: 30 sec.
Stamina/Life/Mana Bonus: 35%

Lvl: 25
Duration: 270 sec.
Stamina/Life/Mana Bonus: 107%

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Axe Mastery

No synergies

Provides Synergy to:

Passive Effect: Improves Axe fighting skill. This passively improves the Barbarian’s fighting skills when wielding one-handed or two-handed Axes
Cast Delay: None

Lvl: 1
Damage Bonus: 28%
Attack Bonus: 28%
Critical Strike Chance: 5%

Lvl: 20
Damage Bonus: 123%
Attack Bonus: 180%
Critical Strike Chance: 29%

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Natural Resistance

No synergies

Provides Synergy to:

Passive Effect: Increases Natural Resistances to elemental and poison damage.
Cast Delay: None

Lvl: 1
Increase All Resistances: 12%

Lvl: 20
Increase All Resistances: 67%

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Mace Mastery

No synergies

Provides Synergy to:

Passive Effect: Improves Macefighting skill. This passively improves thefighting skill. This passively improves the Barbarian’sfighting skills when wielding the following groups offighting skills when wielding the following groups of Weapons::

Lvl: 1
Damage: 28%
Attack: 28%
Chance for Critical Strike %: 5%

Lvl: 20
Damage: 123%
Attack: 180%
Chance for Critical Strike %: 29%

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Shout

Battle Orders : + 5 Seconds Per Level
Battle Command : + 5 Seconds Per Level

Provides Synergy to:

Warns of impending danger and improves the defense rating of you and your party.
Cast Delay: None

Lvl: 1
Defense Bonus: 100%
Duration (seconds): 20

Lvl: 20
Defense Bonus: 290%
Duration (seconds): 210

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Leap Attack

Leap : + 10 % Damage Per Level

Provides Synergy to:

Leaps to and attacks target enemy in one swift assault.
Cast Delay: None

Level: 1
Bonus Attack: 50%
Bonus Damage: 100%

Level: 20
Bonus Attack: 335%
Bonus Damage: 670%

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Howl

No synergies

Provides Synergy to:

Sends nearby monsters scrambling away in fear.
Cast Delay: None

Lvl: 1
Fear Radius (yards): 16
Fear Duration: 3 sec.

Lvl: 20
Fear Radius (yards): 79.3
Fear Duration: 22 sec.

Name

Receive Synergy From

Provide Synergy To

Effect

Skill Level Stat

Leap

No synergies

Provides Synergy to:

Leaps away from danger or into the fray.
Cast Delay: None
Leap is great for its low cost in mana. Leap also causes Knockback on all the monsters around the area where the Barbarian lands. This is very handy for getting your body back after dying. Leap is good for getting yourself out of danger when surrounded. It’s quite possible for monsters to surround you making it impossible to get away, but Leap can allow you to escape. Leap can be used to jump over other party members that get in the way in tight dungeon corridors such as the Sewers, and Maggot Lair in Act II. The only similar spells are Leap Attack (scroll down), Assassin Dragon Flight, and Sorceress Teleport, which although is somewhat superior, is much more costly in mana, and is only available at a higher level (Character Level 18). Leap is useful for leading Monsters to obstacles then jumping over them. Leap is great for crossing rivers without a bridge, and jumping whatever things are in the way to make your trip shorter. At only 2 Mana, it’s quite a deal. You’ll find it useful to place a few points into Leap to jump further distances, but there comes a point where it’s a waste to put additional points into Leap.

Lvl: 1
Radius (yards): 4.6

Lvl: 20
Radius (yards): 16.6

Recommended Runewords

Name	Required Level	Runes Orders	Allowed Items	Stats/Mods
Insight	27	Ral Tir Tal Sol	4 Socket Polearms / 4 Socket Staves	Level 12-17 MeditationAura When Equipped +35%Faster Cast Rate +200-260% Enhanced Damage +9 To Minimum Damage 180-250% Bonus toAttack Rating Adds 5-30 Fire Damage +75 Poison DamageOver 5 Seconds +1-6 ToCritical Strike +5 To All Attributes +2 To ManaAfter Each Kill 23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Insight is the best one to use on your Mercenary Weapon. This Runeword provides Mediation Aura which helps with the Mana recovery aspect of this build.
As for yourself, Grief is your best option if you don’t like Uniques or Set weapons. Grief is also pretty easy to farm for during Nightmare and early Hell difficulty.
For your Chest Armor, Fortitude is a great option thanks to it’s beefy defense. Fortitude also required for your Mercenary

Name	Required Level	Runes Orders	Allowed Items	Stats/Mods
Grief	59	Eth Tir Lo Mal Ral	5 Socket Swords / 5 Socket Axes	35% Chance To Cast Level 15 VenomOn Striking +30-40% Increased Attack Speed Damage +340-400 Ignore Target’s Defense -25% Target Defense +(1.875 per character level) 1.875-185.625% Damage To Demons (Based on Character Level) Adds 5-30 Fire Damage -20-25% To Enemy Poison Resistance 20%Deadly Strike Prevent Monster Heal +2 To ManaAfter Each Kill +10-15 Life After Each Kill

Name

Required Level

Runes Orders

Allowed Items

Stats/Mods

Fortitude

4 Socket Weapons / 4 Socket Chest Armor

Weapons

20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armorwhen Struck
+25%Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage

+9 To Minimum Damage
+50 ToAttack Rating
20%Deadly Strike

Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25%
+200% Enhanced Defense
+X ToLife(Based on Character Level)

All Resistances +25-30
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 To Light Radius

Chest Armor

20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armorwhen Struck
+25%Faster Cast Rate

+300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense

+X ToLife(Based on Character Level)
ReplenishLife+7
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resistance

All Resistances +25-30
Damage Reduced By 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana

+1 To Light Radius

Recommended Equipment

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Immortal King’s Detail Set War Belt	Defense: 89(Base Defense: 41-52) Defense: 194(Base Defense: 41-52) Defense: 247(Base Defense 41-52) Required Level: 29 Required Strength: 110 Durability: 24 16 boxes	+105 Defense +25% Faster Hit Recovery +100% Enhanced Defense Damage Reduced By 20% +2 To Masteries( BarbarianOnly) (Complete Set)

Immortal King is your best option for almost all Barbarian builds. This belt provides a huge bonus to Defense.
Verdungo’s Hearty Cord is another good option with bonus to Life and recovery.

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Immortal King’s Pillar Set War Boots	Defense: 118-128(varies) (Base Defense: 43-53) Defense: 278-288(varies) (Base Defense: 43-53) Required Level: 31 Required Strength: 125 Durability: 24 Assassin Kick Damage: 39-80	25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items +2 To Combat Skills( BarbarianOnly) +160 Defense Half Freeze Duration

Just the boot alone give you +2 to Combat Skills and a nice bonus to Magic Find

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Immortal King’s Soul Cage Set Sacred Armor	Defense: 1001(Base Defense: 487-600) Defense: 1301(Base Defense: 487-600) Required Level: 76 Required Strength: 232 Durability: 60	+400 Defense 5% Chance To Cast Level 5 EnchantWhen Struck Poison Resistance+50% +2 To Combat Skills ( BarbarianOnly) +25% Faster Hit Recovery Cold Resistance+40% Fire Resistance+40% Lightning Resistance+40% +50% Enhanced Defense

The main chest armor of the Immortal King set provides a huge boost to Resistance with + All skills (Combat)
Fortitude is also a great mid-tier option for your Chest Armor
Finally, Enigma should be your end-game goal for this slot. This is the universal pick for almost all D2R Builds.

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Immortal King’s Forge Set War Gauntlets	Defense: 108-118(varies)(Base Defense: 43-53) Defense: 228-238(varies)(Base Defense: 43-53) Required Level: 30 Required Strength: 110 Durability: 24	+25% Increased Attack Speed +120 Defense 10% Life Stolen Per Hit 10% ManaStolen Per Hit Freezes Target +2

Immortal King’s Forge helps with your Attack Speed and provides nice Stolen for both Life and Mana.
Steelrend is another good option for this gear slot,

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Immortal King’s Will Set Avenger Guard	Defense: 160-175 (varies) (Base Defense: 35-50) Required Level: 47 Required Strength: 65 Durability:55 ( BarbarianOnly)	+4 To Light Radius +125 Defense 37% Extra Gold From Monsters 25-40% Better Chance Of Finding Magic Items +2 To WarcriesSkills ( BarbarianOnly) Socketed (2)

For the helm, you get increment to Warcries skill and 2 Sockets. If you prefer a magic find twist, put 2 Lem rune here.
Another option for this slot is Arreat’s Face – which provides All skills bonus and a huge amount of Defense bonuses
Finally, remember to equip your Mercenary with Andariel’s Visage.

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
El Sol Dol Lo Fortitude	Depends on base model	20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armorwhen Struck +25% Faster Cast Rate +300% Enhanced Damage +200% Enhanced Defense +15 Defense +X To Life(Based on Character Level)* Replenish Life+7 +5% To Maximum Lightning Resistance All Resistances +25-30 Damage Reduced By 7 12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana +1 To Light Radius

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Jah Ith Ber Enigma	Depends on base model	+2 To All Skills +45% Faster Run Walk +1 To Teleport +750-775 Defense + (0.75 Per Character Level) +0-74 To Strength(Based On Character Level) Increase Maximum Life5% Damage Reduced By 8% +14 LifeAfter Each Kill 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana + (1 Per Character Level) +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Arreat’s Face Unique Slayer Guard	Defense: 302-363 Required Level: 42 Required Strength: 118 Durability: 54	+150-200% Enhanced Defense 30% Faster Hit Recovery +20% Bonus to Attack Rating +2 To BarbarianSkill Levels 3-6% Life Stolen per Hit All Resistances +30 +20 To Strength +20 To Dexterity +2 To Combat Skills ( Barbarianonly)

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Steelrend Unique Ogre Gauntlets	Defense: 232-281(varies)(Base Defense: 62-71) Required Level: 70 Required Strength: 185 Durability: 24	+170-210 Defense +30-60% Enhanced Damage 10% Chance of Crushing Blow +15-20 To Strength

Immortal King’s Forge helps with your Attack Speed and provides nice Stolen for both Life and Mana.
Steelrend is another good option for this gear slot,

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Gore Rider Unique War Boots	Defense: 140-162(varies)(Base Defense: 43-53) Required Level: 47 Required Strength: 94 Durability: 34 Assassin Kick Damage: 39-80	+160-200% Enhanced Defense 30% Faster Run Walk 10% Chance Of Open Wounds 15% Chance Of Crushing Blow 15% Deadly Strike Requirements -25% +20 Maximum Stamina

Just the boot alone give you +2 to Combat Skills and a nice bonus to Magic Find

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Verdungo’s Hearty Cord Unique Mithril Coil	Defense: 125-158 (varies)(Defense: 58-65) Required Level: 63 Required Strength: 106 Durability: 16 16 Boxes	+90-140% Enhanced Defense 10% Faster Hit Recovery +30-40 To Vitality Replenish Life+10-13 +100-120 Maximum Stamina Damage Reduced By 10-15%

Immortal King is your best option for almost all Barbarian builds. This belt provides a huge bonus to Defense.
Verdungo’s Hearty Cord is another good option with bonus to Life and recovery.

Name	Base Stats	Modifiers
Andariel’s Visage Unique Demonhead	Defense: 310-387 (Base Defense: 101-154) Required Level: 83 Required Strength: 102 Durability: 20	+100-150% Enhanced Defense +2 To All Skills 20% Increased Attack Speed 8-10% Life Stolen Per Hit +25-30 To Strength +10% To Maximum Poison Resist Fire Resistance-30% Poison Resistance+70% 15% Chance To Cast Level 15 Poison Nova When Struck Level 3 Venom (20 charges) (Ladder Only)

Rings & Amulet

Raven Frost provides increment to Mana, which will help you a little during your grinding. Angelic Halo provides a straight increase to Magic Find and Life, which makes it also a good option for this build. If you don’t have any of these, simply equip a rare ring with a bonus to resistance or Mana.
For Amulet, Highlord’s Wrath provides +1 to All Skill and bonus to Attack Speed

Name	Required Level	Modifiers
Raven Frost	45	+150-250 To Attack Rating Adds 15-45 Cold Damage, 4 sec. Duration (Normal) Cannot Be Frozen +15-20 To Dexterity +40 To Mana Cold Absorb 20%

Name	Required Level	Modifiers
Angelic Halo Angelic Raiment Set	12	Replenish Life+6 +20 To Life +144-1188 Attack Rating(+12 Per Character Level) +50% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items

Name	Required Level	Modifiers
Highlord’s Wrath	65	+1 To All Skills +20% Increased Attack Speed + (0.375 Per Character Level) 0-37 % Deadly Strike(Based On Character Level) Lightning Resistance+35% Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage Attacker Takes Lightning DamageOf 15

Name	Required Level	Modifiers
Angelic Wings Angelic Raiment Set	12	+75 Life +1 To All Skills

Name	Required Level	Modifiers
Highlord’s Wrath	65	+1 To All Skills +20% Increased Attack Speed + (0.375 Per Character Level) 0-37 % Deadly Strike(Based On Character Level) Lightning Resistance+35% Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage Attacker Takes Lightning DamageOf 15

Jewels & Gems

Just use anything you like or prefer, this build does not rely heavily on gems. Lem can be used occasionally if you want to increase your Magic Find. Below is a list of all Perfect Gem & Jewels for your picks.

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Ruby	18	15-20 Fire Damage	40% Resist Fire	+38 to Life

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Diamond	18	+68% Damage vs. Undead	All Resistances +19%	+100 to Attack Rating

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Emerald	18	+100 Poison Damageover 7 Seconds	40% Resist Poison	+10 to Dexterity

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Topaz	18	1-40 Lightning Damage	40% Resist Lightning	+24% Chance to Find Magic Items

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Sapphire	18	10-14 Cold Damage- 3.0 sec Duration	40% Resist Cold	+38 Max Mana

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Amethyst	18	+150 to Attack Rating	+30 Defense	+10 to Strength

Name	Required Level	Weapon Modifiers	Shields Modifiers	Helm and Armor Modifiers
Perfect Skull	18	Steals 4% Life, 3% Mana	Attacker Takes Damage of 20	Replenish Life+5, Regenerate Mana19%

Name	Skill	Modifiers
Rainbow Facet Chain Lightning	Chain Lightning	100% Chance To Cast Level 47 Chain LightningWhen You Die Adds 1-74 Lightning Damage +3-5% To Lightning Skill Damage -(3-5)% To Enemy Lightning Resistance

Name	Skill	Modifiers
Rainbow Facet Blaze	Blaze	100% Chance To Cast Level 29 BlazeWhen You Level-Up Adds 17-45 Fire Damage +3-5% To Fire Skill Damage -(3-5)% To Enemy Fire Resistance

Recommended Weapons

Name	Stats	Modifiers
Immortal King’s Stone Crusher Set Ogre Maul	Damage: 231 To 318 Required Level: 76 RequiredStrength: 225 Base Weapon Speed: [10]	+200% Enhanced Damage +200% Damage To Demons +250% Damage To Undead 40% Increased 35-40% Chance Of Crushing Blow Socketed (2) Adds 211-397 Fire Damage (2 items) Adds 7-477 Lightning Damage (3 Items) Adds 127-364 Cold Damage, 6 sec. Duration (Normal) (4 Items) +204 Poison DamageOver 6 Seconds (5 Items) Adds 250-361 Magic Damage (Complete Set)

Immortal King’s Stone Crusher is a no-brainer pick for this build, although it is pretty hard to come by
Before you got your hand on this weapon you can use Grief runeword
Breath of the Dying is another good option for this Barbarian build with a bonus to Damage and weaken the enemy’s defense

Name	Stats	Modifiers
Eth Tir Lo Mal Ral Grief	Depends on base model weapon	35% Chance To Cast Level 15 VenomOn Striking +30-40% Increased Attack Speed Damage +340-400 Ignore Target’s Defense -25% Target Defense +(1.875 per character level) 1.875-185.625% Damage To Demons (Based on Character Level) Adds 5-30 Fire Damage -20-25% To Enemy Poison Resistance 20% Deadly Strike Prevent Monster Heal +2 To ManaAfter Each Kill +10-15 LifeAfter Each Kill

Name	Stats	Modifiers
Vex Hel El Eld Zod Eth Breath of the Dying	Depends on base model weapon	50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Poison NovaWhen You Kill An Enemy Indestructible +60% Increased Attack Speed +350-400% Enhanced Damage +200% Damage To Undead -25% Target Defense +50 To Attack Rating +50 To Attack RatingAgainst Undead 7% ManaStolen Per Hit 12-15% LifeStolen Per Hit Prevent Monster Heal +30 To All Attributes +1 To Light Radius Requirements -20%

Name	Stats	Modifiers
Hel El Vex Ort Gul Death	Depends on base model Weapon	100% Chance To Cast Level 44 Chain LightningWhen You Die 25% Chance To Cast Level 18 Glacial SpikeOn Attack Indestructible +300-385% Enhanced Damage 20% Bonus To Attack Rating +50 To Attack Rating Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit 50% Chance of Crushing Blow +(0.5 per Character Level) 0.5-49.5% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level) +1 To Light Radius Level 22 Blood Golem(15 Charges) Requirements -20%

Name	Stats	Modifiers
Ber Tir Um Mal Lum Beast	Depends on base model weapon	Level 9 FanaticismAura When Equipped +40% Increased Attack Speed +240-270% Enhanced Damage 20% Chance of Crushing Blow 25% Chance of Open Wounds +3 To Werebear +3 To Lycanthropy Prevent Monster Heal +25-40 To Strength +10 To Energy +2 To ManaAfter Each Kill Level 13 Summon Grizzly(5 Charges)

Mercenary Guide

Pick the Might Aura Mercenary in Act II and equip him with Fortitude + Insight and you are good to go for the rest of the game.

Gameplay and Tip

Gameplay Guide & Tips
During your early leveling, use Bash, Double Swing & Frenzy, and then respect to Whirlwind on Nightmare difficulty (Or saving the respect point until level 30)
Remember to put points to the Mastery skill of your choice to increase DPS. As soon as you reach Nightmare difficulty, try farming for the Runewords like Grief and Breath of the Dying, these will help you to progress to Hell Difficulty.

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Diablo II: Resurrected, Diablo II: Resurrected Barbarian Builds, Diablo II: Resurrected Builds
December 4, 2021