Bladestorm 2.0 Barbarian BUILD for Diablo IV [RDY-4-Launch]

(SPIN your way to Victory while being a speedy & angry Bladestorm with this spin2win setup)

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Diablo IV launches on June 6th, 2023 for PC (Battle.Net), XBOX, & PlayStation with a 4 days Early Access (no wipe) for pre-orders (so kind of really launching June 2nd).

Diablo IV‘s Launch is getting closer and it’s time to make some Ready-For-Launch full Builds/Theorycrafts that should be good for both ‘fresh-into-endgame’ characters as well as late endgame. I also plan to evolve them further when the game is released & keep them updated when we get rebalance updates. This is one such build for the Barbarian Class called Bladestorm 2.0.

I’ve also made spreadsheets for those builds (see the links below) that have shortlisted the active and passive skills + legendary aspect + unique item + gems & sockets + suggested stat rolls + paragon boards that work well with the build which you can use to tinker. Alternatively, I’ve added build calculator links (mostly needed for the paragons)

This build will be updated post-launch to a new & expanded version when I have more in-game information as reference.

Video Version:

Skill Trees

Below you’ll see ONLY the Active & Passive skills that were selected for this build. For additional skills that can be taken + alternative skill options, you can check my RDY-4-Launch Builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (Bladestorm 2.0) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

Basic Skill (Resource Generator/Builder) (Required Points: 0 )

Core Skill(s) (Resource Spender) (Required Points: 2 )

Defensive Skills (Required Points: 6 )

Brawling Skills (Required Points: 11 )

Weapon Mastery Skills (Required Points: 16 )

Ultimate Skills (Required Points: 23 )

Specializations (Required Points: 33 )

Class Mechanic:

The Barbarian class mechanics is called Arsenal and this is how I believe it works:

The Barbarian class can equip 4 weapons at the same time: a Dual-wielding set of 2x One-Handed weps + two separate Two-Handed weapons (not dual-wielding those). They switch in combat between those based on what weapon is assigned to specific skills via the class unique Arsenal System. So each skill can have its own weapon assigned to it as long as it’s one of the 4 weapons equipped. The weps you don’t actually use work as ‘stat sticks’, even any aspects slotted on them. Here are the types:

• Dual Wielded 1-Handed Weapons on Barbarians can be either Slashing or Bludgeoning such as: Swords, Axes, or Maces. The game seems to clump all 1-Handed weapons together under the “Dual-Wielding” as far as Barbarians and their skill tags are concerned so regardless of Slashing or Bludgeoning type, a 1-Handed weapon will apparently not count as either.
• The two slots of Two-Handed Weapons can be occupied by Slashing type weps like Swords, Axes, & Polearms and/or by Bludgeoning Maces
• Ideally 1x 2h Slashing, 1x 2h Bludgeoning and a Dual-Wield 1h combo for the 4 weps if you go for a swap-centric build

Unique Item

In Diablo IV apparently (I have multiple sources that confirmed this) we can equip more than one unique item at the same time (not so ‘unique’ if we can get decked out in full uniques I guess). It seems that the one unique per build idea that Unique inherited from the Mythical gear they supposedly replaced was scrapped even before the closed beta tests. My top pick will be the following one but check the notes under the Aspects list for some additional picks:

Gohr’s Devastating Grips (Gloves)

Whirlwind explodes after it ends, dealing [50 – 70]% of the total Base damage dealt to surrounding enemies as Fire damage.

+[4 – 10]% Attack Speed
+[7 – 14]% Lucky Hit Chance
[12 – 20] Fury On Kill
+[2 – 4] Ranks of Whirlwind

“The brutish construction of these gloves belies the strength they bestow. Gohr was clearly no craftsman, but it would be foolish to ignore the triumph of his work.” – Barrett’s Book of Implements

Sockets & Gems

There are various possible good/viable choices for the gem slots. I’ve shortlisted what works by slot. I’d recommend picking one of those:

Weps: Emerald, Saphire, Skull, Ruby, or Topaz.
Armor: Skull, Saphire, or Ruby.
Jewelry: Diamond unless you need specific resistance more than all.

Legendary Aspects / Powers

I will only list the Legendary Aspects that have been selected for the build and the slots in which I advise putting those. For in-depth information you can check my RDY-4-Launch Builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (Bladestorm 2.0) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

• Helm: Aspect of Grasping Whirlwind Aspect
• Amulet: Exploiter’s Aspect
• Chest: Weapon Master’s Aspect
• Pants: Steadfast Berserker’s Aspect
• Gloves: Dust Devil’s Aspect Until The Unique goes here (see notes below)
• Boots: Relentless Berserker’s Apect
• Ring 1: Aspect of Giant Strides
• Ring 2: Aspect of Berserk Fury
• 1H Weapon: Rapid Aspect
• Off-hand: Aspect of The Expectant
• 2-H Weapon 1: Aspect of The Dire Whirlwind
• 2-H Weapon 2: Accelerating Aspect

NOTE 1: Dust Devil’s Aspect goes in the Gloves slot ONLY until you get the Gohr's Devastating Grips Unique Gloves. After that discard it from the build. 
There are three other alternative picks for Uniques you could use if you get those first: Battle Trance (Chest Armor) & Harlequin Crest (Helm) & Ancients' Oath (Two-Handed Axe). See the 2nd note below:

NOTE 2: How to re-arrange if using any of the alternative Uniques:
- For Battle Trance (Amulet): Aspect of Grasping Whirlwind gets removed from the Helm and Exploiter’s Aspect replaces it to make room for the Unique Amulet.
- For Harlequin Crest (Helm): Aspect of Grasping Whirlwind gets removed from the Helm slot to make room for the Unique Helm.
- For Ancients' Oath (2-Handed Axe): Aspect of Berserk Fury gets removed from the Ring 2 slot & discarded. Accelerating Aspect goes in the now empty Ring 2 slot to make room for the Unique 2-Handed Axe.

Paragon Boards:

Use the links below to check the paragon boards selected and the nodes I’ve taken. One link is for what the boards will look like at lvl 89 without any paragon points from renown (so more paragon points will be obtained on the way to 100 as well as from renown. The other link will be what the boards will look like when fully maxed out on paragon points.

• LVL 89 & no Points from renown: Click THIS LINK
• MAXed out points: Click THIS LINK

Suggested Gear Rolls to look out for (NOT in order of priority):

I’ve shortlisted 41 different affixes that work well with the build of almost 300 total. I’ll highlight in Orange the ones I think should get higher priority

Bonus to All Damage

Critical Strike Chance/Critical Damage Bonus

Critical Chance / Critical Damage with Physical/Fire/Slashing Skills

Critical Chance/Critical Damage with Core/Basic/Brawling Skills

Damage with Core/Basic/Brawling Skills

Lucky Hit Chance

+ X Ranks to Core/Basic/Brawling/Defensive Skills

+ X Ranks to Whirlwind/Frenzy/Leap/Steel Grasp/Rallying Cry

Lucky Hit Chance with Physical/Fire/Slashing Damage

Physical/Fire/Slashing Damage Bonus

+ % Critical Chance / Critical Damage with Physical/Fire/Slashing Damage

Resistance to All Elements

Overpower Damage

+ % Physical/Fire/Slashing Damage to Elites

+ % Critical Strike Chance with Physical/Fire/Slashing Damage Against Elites

+ % Damage for X Seconds After Killing an Elite

Damage Reduction for X Seconds After Killing an Elite

Damage Reduction from Elites

Damage to Close Enemies

Critical Chance / Critical Damage Against Close Enemies

Critical Chance / Critical Damage Against Crowd Controlled Enemies

Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies

Critical Chance / Critical Damage Against Vulnerable Enemies

Vulnerable Damage

Damage while Healthy

Fortify Generation

Damage while Fortified

Chance When Struck to Fortify for X Life

Overpower Chance

Overpower Damage with Whirlwind/Frenzy/Leap

Overpower Damage with Core/Basic/Brawling Skills

Overpower Damage with Slashing/2-handed/Swords/etc. Weapon

+ All Stats

Damage vs Injured Enemies

Damage vs Healthy Enemies

Weapon Damage (not sure if there are any bonuses to that as rolls)

Fury Generation / Regeneration/ On Kill

Movement Speed

Attack Speed

Strength

Resource Cost Reduction

Useful Links (Spreadsheets & more):

For all of my Diablo IV RDY-4-Launch Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

For my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Class Skill Trees (can be used as mini-calculator): This Spreadsheet

For all of my Diablo IV Pre-Launch Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

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This concludes the Bladestorm 2.0 Barbarian Build for Diablo IV. If you’re interested in the game below are links to the various platforms where one can buy it (you can just click the links to open a new tab):

PC (Battle.Net)

XBOX

PlayStation

Official Website