Hammer Time 2.0 Barbarian BUILD for Diablo IV S2 [S Tier Overpower DPS]

(It’s HAMMER TIME! Slam that massive Warhammer into the ground and grind your foes into dust.)

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Diablo IV Season 2 (Season of the Blood) started on October 17th, 2023 for Players on PC (Battle.Net & Steam), XBOX, & PlayStation. After extensive testing, I bring you a Hammer of the Ancients & Overpower Barbarian with S Tier Overpower DPS for the Archetype. The build’s relatively easy to gear up & get things going & requires 0 non-codex aspect. Only 1 out of the 3 Uniques is a Duriel Drop. As usual, I’ll evolve & keep my builds updated. This is one such build for the Barbarian Class called Hammer Time 2.0.

I’ve also made spreadsheets for my 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 a link to a new build calculator/planner (MOBALYTICS) that I’ll be using from now on as well which seems amazing.

This build will be updated when needed.

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 Latest & older Builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (Hammer Time 2.0) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

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

• (active – ONLY put 1 point here) Bash – Bash the enemy with your weapon, dealing 30% (X – Y) damage. After bashing enemies 4 times, your next Bash will Stun for 1.25 seconds, this increases to 2 seconds if using a Two-Handed weapon. Requires bludgeoning weapon. Generate Fury: 13 Lucky Hit Chance: 50% (per hit) Damage: Physical ; Tags: Basic,
  • (1st upgrade) Enhanced Bash – Damaging a Stunned enemy with Bash grants you 20% Maximum Life as Fortify. Double this amount when using a Two-Handed weapon.
  • (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Combat Bash – After Critically Striking 4 times with Bash using a Two-Handed weapon, your next Core or Weapon Mastery Skill will Overpower.

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

• (active) Hammer of the Ancients – Slam your hammer down with the fury of the Ancients, dealing 50% (X – ?) damage to a concentrated area. Requires a two-handed bludgeoning weapon. Fury Cost: 35 Lucky Hit Chance: 40% Damage: Physical ; Tags: Core,
  • (1st upgrade) Enhanced Hammer of the Ancients – Gain 3% (multiplicative) more Fury for 5 seconds for each enemy damaged by Hammer of the Ancients, stacking up to 10 times.
  • (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Furious Hammer of the Ancients – Hammer of the Ancients deals 1% (multiplicative) additional damage for each point of Fury you had when using it.
• (passive – potentially can put the last 1 skill point here) Pressure Point – Lucky Hit: Your Core Skills have up to a 10%/20%/30% to make enemies Vulnerable for 2 seconds.
• (passive) did not pick any other Core passives to save points

Defensive Skills (Required Points: 6 )

• (active – ONLY put 1 point here) Rallying Cry – Bellow a rallying cry, increasing your Movement Speed by +30% and Resource Generation by 50% (multiplicative) for 6 seconds, and Nearby allies for 3 seconds.
  Cooldown: 25 seconds | Tags: Defensive, Shout
  • (1st upgrade) Enhanced Rallying Cry – Rallying Cry grants you Unstoppable while active.
  • (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Tactical Rallying Cry – Rallying Cry generates 25 Fury and grants you an additional 50% (multiplicative) Resource Generation.
• (passive) Imposing Presence – Gain 5%/10%/15% (multiplicative) additional Maximum Life.
  • (upgrade) Martial Vigor – Damage Reduction against Elites, is increased by 4%/8%/12% (multiplicative).
• (passive) did not pick any other Defensive passives to save points

Brawling Skills (Required Points: 11 )

• (active – ONLY put 1 point here) War Cry – Bellow a mighty war cry, increasing your damage dealt by 15% (multiplicative) for 6 seconds, and Nearby allies for 3 seconds. Cooldown: 25 seconds Tags: Brawling, Shout
  Cooldown: 25 seconds | Tags: Defensive, Shout
  • (1st upgrade) Enhanced War Cry War Cry grants you Berserking for 4 seconds.
  • (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2) Power War Cry If at least 6 enemies are Nearby when War Cry is cast, its damage bonus is increased by an additional 10% (multiplicative).

• (active – ONLY put 1 point here) Leap – Leap forward and then slam down, dealing 32.5% (X – ?) damage and Knocking Back surrounding enemies on impact. Cooldown: 17 seconds Lucky Hit Chance: 66% (per hit) Damage: Physical ; Tags: Brawling,
  • (1st upgrade) Enhanced Leap – If Leap doesn’t damage any enemies, its Cooldown is reduced by 4 seconds.
  • (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2)Power Leap – If Leap damages at least one enemy, gain 40 Fury.
• (passive) Booming Voice – Shout Skill effect durations are increased by 10%/20%/30% (multiplicative).
  • (upgrade) Raid Leader – did NOT take this one
  • (upgrade) Guttural Yell – did NOT take this one
• (passive) Swiftness – Movement Speed is increased by +4%/+8%/+12%.
  • (upgrade) Quick Impulses – did NOT take this one
• (passive) did not pick any other Brawling passives to save points

Weapon Mastery Skills (Required Points: 16 ) Not taking an active Weapon Mastery skill

• (active)
  • (1st upgrade)
  • (2nd upgrade – my pick of the 2)
• (passive) Pit Fighter – You deal 3%/6%/9% (multiplicative) increased damage to Close enemies and gain 2%/4%/6% Distant Damage Reduction.
  • (upgrade) No Mercy – did NOT take this one
  • (upgrade) Slaying Strike – You deal 7.5%/15%/22.5% increased damage against Injured enemies.
  • (upgrade) Expose Vulnerability – did NOT take this one
• (passive – ONLY put 1 point here) Thick Skin – Each time you take direct damage gain 0.4%/0.7%/1.1% Maximum Life as Fortify.
  • (upgrade) Defensive Stance – did NOT take this one
  • (upgrade) Counteroffensive – While you have Fortify for over 50% of your Maximum Life, you deal 4%/8%/12% (multiplicative) increased damage.
• (passive) did not pick any other Weapon Mastery passives to save points

Ultimate Skills (Required Points: 23 )

• (active) Wrath of the Berserker – Gain Berserking and Unstoppable for 5 seconds. For the next 10 seconds, dealing direct damage with Basic Skills grants Berserking for 5 seconds Cooldown: 60 seconds Tags: Ultimate,
  • (1st upgrade) Supreme Wrath of the Berserker – While Wrath of the Berserker is active, gain +20% increased Movement Speed and increase Fury Generation by 30% (multiplicative)
  • (2nd upgrade) Prime Wrath of the Berserker – While Wrath of the Berserker is active, every 50 Fury spend increases Berserk’s damage bonus by 25% (multiplicative), up to 100% (multiplicative).
• (passive) Wallop – Your Skills using Bludgeoning weapons deal 5%/10%/15% (multiplicative) increased damage if the enemy is Stunned or Vulnerable.
  • (upgrade) Concussion – did NOT take this one
• (passive ) Heavy Handed – While using Two-Handed weapons you deal 5%/10%/15% (multiplicative) increased Critical Strike Damage.
  • (upgrade) Brute Force – Your Overpower deals 15%/30%/45% (multiplicative) increased damage when using a Two-Handed weapon *NOTE: Unlocking this skill upgrade requires investing into either Wallop OR Heavy Handed (can still get both if you want)
• (passive) Tempered Fury – Increase your Maximum Fury by 3/6/9.
  • (upgrade) Furious Impulse – did NOT take this one
  • (upgrade) Invigorating Fury – did NOT take this one
• (passive) did not pick other Ultimate passives to save points

Specializations (Required Points: 33 )

• (passive) Unbridled Rage – Core Skills deal 135% (multiplicative) increased damage, but cost 100% (multiplicative) more Fury.

Seasonal Mechanic (Vampiric Powers):

In Season 2 (Season of Blood), the seasonal Mechanics involves slotting in up to 5 (out of 22) Vampiric Powers at once. Each power requires a certain number of pacts to be applied to your armor. There are 3 types of Pacts: Ferocity, Divinity, Eternity. Pacts can be applied to Armor as follows: Helmet & Boots up can have to 3, Pants up to 4, while Chest Armor and Gloves can have up to 5 pacts applied to them. That Makes a Total of 20 and is enough for any possible combination of 5 powers. Below you can find Information of the total pacts this build needs + the 5 powers we’ve used.

VAMPIRIC POWERS:
Vampiric Powers Total Pacts Required: ferocity 4, divinity 3, eternity 12

Powers Used:

• Metamorphosis = ferocity 2, divinity 2, eternity 2
  Evading making us unstoppable is great! This helps triggering Tibault’s Will‘s unique special/effect. Also causes Vampiric Curse (read below why it’s needed)
• Blood Boil = eternity 6
  TOP synergy for any Overpower build. Every 20 seconds a guaranteed Overpower
• Prey on the Weak = ferocity 2
  it’s good bit of extra dps but also good synergy with HotA builds so we don’t require Accursed Touch as evading through enemies will keep the curse on them (due to Metamorphosis).
• Sanguine Brace = divinity 1 + eternity 1
  a very good fit for classes that can keep the fortify up (like a Barbarian) for that extra +8% crit chance is great here.
• Hemomancy = eternity 3
  this one helps with trash mobs clear and also heals us a bit every 4 seconds. Very good on Overworld content like Helltide or Blood Harvest.
• Alternative options (instead of Hemomancy):
  • Undying a bit of extra healing with each attack/cast
  • Resilience extra Damage Reduction so you may prefer it over Undying. For lower tier NMDs & overworld content Resilience won’t be needed and neither will it be needed for Uber Bosses (except maybe for Uber Lilith but for her you need well timed evading & keeping your armor high more than anything)

Class Mechanics (Arsenal, Expertise, Technique):

The Barbarian class mechanics are called Arsenal, Weapon Expertise & Weapon Technique and this is how I 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 not rarely count as either for passives & triggers.
• The two slots of Two-Handed Weapons can be occupied by 1 Slashing type weps like 2h Swords, 2h Axes, & Polearms and by 1 Bludgeoning Weapon like 2h Hammer and 2h 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

On top of this, each weapon type has it’s own passive bonus that levels can be leveled up to rank 10 + a weapon technique which gets slotted into a slot that lets you benefit from the passive bonuses of a certain weapon with all attacks, regardless of the weapon they used. Here is how I recommend that you arrange the weapons by skill and also which weapon technique to use:

• Dual Wielded OR 2-handed Slashing will be attached to Leap. I personally prefer Dual Wielded for it as I’m looking for speed when using Leap to escape enemy CCs or initiate a fight rather than dmg with that skill.
• 2-handed Bludgeoning must be on both Bash & Hammer of the Ancients as the build demands it for Bash‘s guaranteed Core Skill Overpower after critically striking 4 times with a 2H Bludgeoning

Unique Items

In Diablo IV 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 Uniques inherited from the Mythical gear they supposedly replaced was scrapped even before the closed beta tests. My top picks will be the following:

Top Pick Uniques for the Build

Banished Lord’s Talisman (Amulet)

+[X]% Resistance to All Elements After you spend 300 of your Primary Resource, your next Core Skill is guaranteed to Overpower. Your Critical Strikes that Overpower deal x[80-120]% increased damage.

+[5 – 12]% Resource Generation
+[21 – 42] Overpower Damage
+[1.8 – 5]% Critical Strike Chance
+1 Ranks of All Core Skills (note: this goes to +2 at max upgrade rank)

“His name has been lost to history, but to have been exiled from a land as cursed as Hawezar, his deeds must have been truly depraved.” – Scholar’s Notes

Ring of Red Furor (Ring)

+X% Resistance to All Elements
+Y% Fire Resistance

After spending 100 Fury within 3 seconds, your next cast of Hammer of the Ancients, Upheaval, or Death Blow is a guaranteed Critical Strike and deals x[10 – 30]% (multiplicative) bonus Critical Strike Damage.

+[5 – 13] Maximum Fury
+[10.5 – 17.5]% Resource Generation
+[4.4 – 10]% Attack Speed
+[28 – 42] Strength

“Anger brings strength but clouds the mind. You must learn to focus your fury, direct it with purpose. Keep our sacred duty at the forefront of your mind, always.” – Talic, to Madawc

The Grandfather (Two-Handed Sword) BEST-IN-SLOT 2N Slashing BUT it’s a uber unique so you may never get it before the season ends.

+[17.5%] Critical Strike Damage

Increases your Critical Strike Damage by x[60 – 100]%.
The other properties on this weapon can roll higher than normal.

+[14 – 28]% Damage
+[XYZ] Maximum Life
+[36] All Stats
Ignores Durability Loss (this affects all durability loss not just for this item)

An unbroken lineage of unwavering strength.

Godslayer Crown (Helm)

When you Stun, Freeze, or Immobilize an Elite enemy, or damage a Boss, it pulls in nearby enemies. You deal x[30-60]% increased damage to them for 3 seconds. This effect can only occur once every 12 seconds.

+[4.2 – 7]% Cooldown Reduction
+[X – Y] Maximum Life
+[10.5 – 17.5]% Damage
+[5 – 12]% Crowd Control Duration

“The Sahptev faithful believe in a thousand and one gods. If it takes me as many lifetimes, I will find and kill them all.” – Gaspar Stilbian, Veradani Outcast

Ideal & best-in-slot Helm Choice: Right now this seems like a very good option for any build and if you’re lucky enough to get I Strongly advise trying it. I personally felt that my DPS fell too much while wearing it so I went back to a Godslayer Crown.
Harlequin Crest (Helm)

Gain [20%] Damage Reduction. In addition, gain +[4] Ranks to All Skills.

+[N] Maximum Life
+X% Cooldown Reduction
+12% Resource Generation
+[28] All Stats

“This headdress was once worn by an assassin disguised as a court mage. Her treachery was unveiled, but not before she used its magic to curse the king’s entire lineage.” – The Fall of House Aston

Alternative Helm Choice 2: This isn’t a direct Synergy for this build but has it’s worth when used. If you’re lucky enough to get I advise trying it and deciding if you like it or not. The attack speed is pretty great and so is having 90 poison resistance on an item, on the other hand the lifesteal is not that great but is still better than none at all.
Andariel’s Visage (Helm)

Lucky Hit: Up to a [15 – 20]% chance to trigger a poison nova that applies X Poisoning damage over 5 seconds to enemies in the area.

+18 All Stats
+10% Attack Speed
+2% Life Steal (fully upgraded goes to +3%)
+60% Poison Resistance (fully upgraded goes to +90%)

The horrific whispers of the Maiden of Anguish flicker through your mind, pushing you ever closer to madness…

Tibault’s Will (Pants) (this one’s very good to use if you don’t feel like your survivability sucks or for overworld and other easier content as well as to swap to for boss fights)

While Injured, Your Potion Also Restores 20% Resource You deal x[20-40]% increased damage while Unstoppable and for 4 seconds after. When you become Unstoppable, gain 50 of your Primary Resource.

+[2 – 3] Potion Capacity
+[7 – 14]% Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
+[10.5 – 17.5]% Damage
+[5 – 13] Maximum Resource

“The younger apprentices think wearing heavy plate in the swamps is foolish. They fail to understand that our armor is our legacy, and without it we are nothing.” – Crusader Pembroke

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. (if you don’t have any use Topaz for a bit)
Armor: Ruby or Saphire/Topaz (dmg reduction can help you If needed in higher tier NM dungeons).
Jewelry: Skull (ideally) OR Diamond if not capped on resists. Unless you need specific resistance more.

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 Latest & Older Builds spreadsheet on this link. This build (Hammer Time 2.0) is one of the builds on that spreadsheet.

• Helm: Exploiter’s Aspect / Harlequin Crest OR Godslayer Crown OR an Alternative Helm Pick (see notes in the Unique Items section)
• Amulet: Rapid Aspect OR Earthstriker’s Aspect / Banished Lord’s Talisman (see notes in the Unique Items section)
• Chest: Relentless Berserker’s Apect
• Pants: Aspect of Disobedience / Tibault’s Will (see notes in the Unique Items section)
• Gloves: Aspect of The Expectant / Until The Grandfather is equipped as a 2h Slashing wep, then put Edgemaster’s Aspect here (see notes in the Unique Items section)
• Boots: Ghostwalker Aspect
• Ring 1: Rapid Aspect OR Earthstriker’s Aspect / Ring of Red Furor (see notes in the Unique Items section)
• Ring 2: Aspect of Echoing Fury
• Main Hand Weapon: Aspect of Ancestral Force
• Off-hand Weapon: Aspect of Inner Calm
• 2-H Weapon 1 (Bludgeoning): Aspect of Limitless Rage
• 2-H Weapon 2 (Slashing): Edgemaster’s Aspect / Until Grandfather is equipped as a 2h Slashing wep (see notes in the Unique Items section)

Paragon Boards:

Use the links below to check the paragon boards selected and the nodes I’ve taken. I’ve made two version: 1 for before the Abattoir of Lord Zir (December 5th) Patch and 1 for after the Abattoir patch. On the link you’ll see what the boards will look like at lvl 100 with ALL paragon points spent and fully min-maxed to get the most out of every board BUT it’s based on my gear’s attributes bonuses (STR, DEX, WIL) so you may need to re-order some of the floating nodes to make sure you get the double bonus requirements of all rare nodes. Leveling in Season 2 is fast so I no longer will provide a version with less points spent.

• MAX LEVEL & MAX Paragon points spent Before Abattoir Patch : Click THIS LINK
• MAX LEVEL & MAX Paragon points spent After Abattoir Patch: Click THIS LINK

Suggested Gear Rolls to look out for (in order of priority):

I’ve shortlisted various 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. NOTE: I’ve added a new “Top Priority per Slot” list but left the old unsorted list below it.

This is the Sorted by Slot list of Top Priority Affixes/Rolls:

• Helm:
  • Priority 1: Damage While Berserking, Total Armor, Cooldown Reduction
    • Priority 2: Maximum Life, Basic Skill Attack Speed
    • Priority 3: Core Stats (Str, Wil, Dex, All Stats)
    • Priority 4: +N% X Resistance(es)
• Chest:
  • Priority 1: Total Armor, Overpower with 2h Bludgeoning, Damage Reduction from Close/Distant Enemies OR Damage Reduction while Fortified,
  • Priority 2: +N% X Resistance(es), Maximum Life
  • Priority 3: Core Stats (Str, Wil, Dex, All Stats), Damage Reduction
  • Priority 4: + X% Damage, +X Ranks to X Skill, Physical Damage
• Gloves:
  • Priority 1: + X Ranks to Hammer of the Ancients, Overpower Damage, Critical Strike Chance
  • Priority 2: Attack Speed, Damage to Injured Enemies
  • Priority 3: +N% X Resistance(es), Core Stats (Str, Wil, Dex, All Stats)
  • Priority 4: Critical Strike Chance Against Injured Enemies
• Pants:
  • Priority 1: Total Armor, Damage Reduction from Close/Distant Enemies, Damage Reduction while Fortified
  • Priority 2: +N% X Resistance(es), Maximum Life, Damage Reduction while Injured
  • Priority 3: Core Stats (Str, Wil, Dex, All Stats)
  • Priority 4: Damage Reduction
• Boots:
  • Priority 1: Movement Speed, Damage Reduction while Injured
  • Priority 2: +N% X Resistance(es)
  • Priority 3: Core Stats (Str, Wil, Dex, All Stats)
  • Priority 4: Barserking Duration, Fortify Generation
• Amulet:
  • Priority 1: Total Armor, Movement Speed, Overpower DMG with 2H Bludgeoning, Cooldown Reduction
  • Priority 2: +X% Strength
  • Priority 3: +X Ranks of a Passive you like, Damage Reduction from Close or Distant Enemies/While Injured/While Fortified
  • Priority 4: Critical Strike Chance Against Injured, +X% Damage,
• Rings:
  • Priority 1: Damage While Berserking, Critical Strike Chance, Overpower Damage, Maximum Fury
  • Priority 2: Critical Strike Damage, Maximum Life
  • Priority 3: Damage to Close/Distant/Injured Enemies, Vulnerable Damage
  • Priority 4: Fortify Generation
• Main Hand 1H-Weapon:
  • Priority 1: Damage While Berserking, Overpower Damage, Critical Strike Damage, (All Stats or Strength)
  • Priority 2: Core Skill Damage, Damage to Close Enemies
  • Priority 3: Vulnerable Damage, Damage to Injured Enemies, Damage to CCed
  • Priority 4: Other Core Stats (Dex, Wil, Int)
• Off-hand Weapon:
  • Same priorities as the Main-Hand 1H Weapon (scroll up a bit and read)
• 2H Weapon 1 & 2H Weapon 2:
  • Same priorities as 1H Main Hand Weapon (scroll up a bit and read)

This is the UNsorted by list of useful Affixes/Rolls:

Useful Links (Spreadsheets & more):

For all of my Diablo IV Latest Season 2 & Older (Post-Launch, RDY-4-Launch) Theorycrafts/Builds: This Spreadsheet

For my Diablo IV 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 Hammer Time 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, Steam)

XBOX

PlayStation

Official Website