General Notes for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide in Vessel of Hatred
Note: This leveling guide is optimized for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred (Season 6).
With the Aspect of Ancestral Force, Hammer of the Ancients is one of the best Barbarian leveling builds in Diablo 4. Without this aspect, however, the build is not yet recommended and there are better alternatives. If you still want to play without the aspect and follow this guide, you should replace HotA with Upheaval until you have found it.
The Aspect of Ancestral Force gives HotA a much wider radius, allowing you to farm large groups of monsters quickly. Killing bosses is also no problem with this build, but it is definitely not one of its strengths.
Until when is this leveling build playable? You can play this and all my other leveling guides on Vitablo.com for as long as you like. Some of them still perform well at Torment difficulty 4, others have their limit at Torment difficulty 3. As soon as your build no longer feels strong enough, you can switch to one of my endgame builds.
Playstyle
Playstyle for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Use Leap as soon as you see a group of monsters. Make sure you hit at least one enemy with it to generate Rage.
Against small groups, just use Hammer of the Ancients. For elite monsters, you should additionally activate your War Cry and Battle Cry beforehand.
You can save your Ultimate Skill Wrath of the Berserker for bosses or particularly large groups of enemies.
Rage problems are mainly solved with Leap and Battle Cry. You should also use Leap constantly against bosses to generate Rage. If both have an active cooldown, you can attack with Frenzy. Once you have found the Aspect of Giant Stridest, you can use Leap almost constantly and should no longer have rage problems.
If you already have the Earthstriker's Aspect and the Aspect of the Expectant, you should use Frenzy between each Hammer of the Ancients and manually assign Leap to your two-handed slashing weapon to switch weapons more often.
Skills
Skills for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Note: Level up all your active skills first and work your way down to your Key Passive as quickly as possible. If you are missing skill points to progress on your way through the skill tree, you can invest them in some passive skills. As soon as you have leveled up all active abilities and your Key Passive Ability, continue with the missing passive skills.
Skill tree notes:
The healing from Raid Leader also counts for yourself and is added to any active Cry.
Specialization
Specialization for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Two-Handed Axe Expertise
X% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies.
The Two-Handed Axe Expertise is a particularly good weapon technique for this build because it multiplies your damage against Vulnerable enemies.
Aspects
Aspects for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Aspect of Ancestral Force
OffensiveBarbarian
Hammer of the Ancients quakes outward for X% increased damage. This bonus is doubled against Bosses.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Very important!
Earthquake Aspect
OffensiveBarbarian
Ground Stomp creates an Earthquake damaging enemies for X Physical damage over X seconds. While standing in Earthquakes, you deal X% increased damage.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
The important thing here is the bonus damage for Earthquake. It is triggered by jumping with the Aspect of Bul-Kathos.
Aspect of the Expectant
OffensiveAll Classes
After attacking enemies with a Basic Skill, increase the damage of your next Core Skill cast within X seconds by X%, up to X%.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Earthstriker's Aspect
OffensiveBarbarian
After swapping weapons X times, your next non-Basic Skill will Overpower and deal X% increased Overpower damage.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Aspect of Might
DefensiveAll Classes
Basic Skills grant X% Damage Reduction for X seconds.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Aspect of Bul-Kathos
DefensiveBarbarian
Leap creates an Earthquake that deals X Physical damage over X seconds. While standing in Earthquakes, you gain X% increased Damage Reduction.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Aspect of Limitless Rage
OffensiveBarbarian
Each point of Fury you generate while at Maximum Fury grants your next Core Skill within X seconds X% increased damage, stacking up to X times.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Undying Aspect
DefensiveAll Classes
When you cast a Skill, you heal for X% Life. Double this bonus while below X% Life.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Relentless Berserker's Aspect
UtilityBarbarian
Lucky Hit: Damaging an enemy with a Core Skill has up to a X% chance to extend the duration of Berserking by X seconds. Double this duration if it was a Critical Strike.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Edgemaster's Aspect
OffensiveAll Classes
Skills deal up to X% increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Aspect of Giant Strides
ResourceBarbarian
Reduces the Cooldown of Leap by X seconds per enemy hit, up to a maximum of X seconds. Hitting a Boss with Leap provides the maximum reduction.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Very important!
Aspect of Berserk Fury
ResourceBarbarian
You gain X Fury per second while Berserking.
Imprint on: 1H Weapon2H Weapon (+100%)OffhandGlovesHelmChest ArmorPantsBootsRingsAmulet (+50%)
Items & Affixes
Items & Affixes for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
General tips about your Gear
Armor: You need a maximum of 1,000 armor. Anything above that is useless and has no effect. If you haven't reached your armor cap yet, adjust your equipment, gems and paragon talents accordingly.
Resistances: You need at least 70% to all resistances. If you have not yet reached these values, adjust your equipment, gems and paragon talents accordingly.
Affixes: Each item type has different properties (affixes) that are useful for this build. Some of these are mandatory, others are optional. Please pay attention to the following symbols:
Movement Speed for X Seconds After Killing an Elite
Mobility Cooldown Reduction
Evade Cooldown Reduction
Berserking Innovation
UtilityBarbarian
Double Swing Size
Whirlwind Size
Berserking Duration
Amulet
Strength
Ranks to Counteroffensive
Ranks to Pit Fighter
Ranks to Heavy Handed
Critical Hit Chance
Movement Speed
Edgemaster's Aspect
Worldly Stability
ResourceAll Classes
Resource Generation
Resource Cost Reduction
Lucky Hit: Chance to Restore X% Primary Resource
Berserking Finesse
OffensiveBarbarian
Damage while Berserking
Damage while Wrath of the Berserker is Active
Damage while War Cry is Active
Dust Devil Damage
Rings
Critical Hit Chance
Strength
Life
Attack Speed
Aspect of Giant Strides
Aspect of Berserk Fury
Worldly Stability
ResourceAll Classes
Resource Generation
Resource Cost Reduction
Lucky Hit: Chance to Restore X% Primary Resource
Berserking Finesse
OffensiveBarbarian
Damage while Berserking
Damage while Wrath of the Berserker is Active
Damage while War Cry is Active
Dust Devil Damage
1H Weapons
Strength
Life
Critical Hit Damage
Aspect of the Expectant
Earthstriker's Aspect
Berserking Finesse
OffensiveBarbarian
Damage while Berserking
Damage while Wrath of the Berserker is Active
Damage while War Cry is Active
Dust Devil Damage
Core Augments: Barbarian
WeaponsBarbarian
Chance for Hammer of the Ancients to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Whirlwind to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Upheaval to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Double Swing to Hit Twice
100% maximum
2H Slashing Weapon
Strength
Life
Critical Hit Damage
Aspect of Ancestral Force
Berserking Finesse
OffensiveBarbarian
Damage while Berserking
Damage while Wrath of the Berserker is Active
Damage while War Cry is Active
Dust Devil Damage
Core Augments: Barbarian
WeaponsBarbarian
Chance for Hammer of the Ancients to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Whirlwind to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Upheaval to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Double Swing to Hit Twice
100% maximum
2H Bludgeoning Weapon
Strength
Life
Critical Hit Damage
Earthquake Aspect
Berserking Finesse
OffensiveBarbarian
Damage while Berserking
Damage while Wrath of the Berserker is Active
Damage while War Cry is Active
Dust Devil Damage
Core Augments: Barbarian
WeaponsBarbarian
Chance for Hammer of the Ancients to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Whirlwind to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Upheaval to Deal Double Damage
Chance for Double Swing to Hit Twice
100% maximum
Note: If you have reached 100% HotA size with only 3 Tempering Affixes, you can instead choose the Weapon Affix Earthquake Duration.
Tuskhelm of Joritz the Mighty
Unique Helm
Maximum Life
Attack Speed while Berserking
Damage while Berserking
Movement Speed while Berserking
When you gain Berserking while already Berserk, you have a X% chance to become more enraged granting X% increased damage, X Fury per second, and X% Cooldown Reduction.
Dropped by
Duriel, Andariel
Class
Barbarian
Harlequin Crest
Mythic Unique Helm
+800 Maximum Life
+18 Maximum Resource
+350 Armor
+20% Cooldown Reduction
Gain 20% Damage Reduction. In addition, gain +4 Ranks to all Skills.
Dropped by
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
Class
All Classes
The Grandfather
Mythic Unique 2h Sword
Damage
+150% Damage
Ignore Durability Loss
+220 All Stats
+1,800 Maximum Life
+20 Maximum Resource
+300% Damage
Increases your Critical Strike Damage by 100%(x). The other properties of this weapon can roll higher than normal.
Dropped by
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
Class
Barbarian, Necromancer
Doombringer
Mythic Unique 1h Sword
+100% Damage
+160 All Stats
+35% Maximum Life
+10% Damage Reduction
Lucky Hit: Up to a 15% Chance to Heal for +530 Life
Lucky Hit: Up to a 25% chance to deal 900 Shadow damage to surrounding enemies and reduce their damage dealt by 20% for 5 seconds.
Dropped by
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
Class
All Classes expect Spiritborn
Tyrael's Might
Mythic Unique Chest Armor
Ignore Durability Loss
+16.5% Movement Speed
+7.5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements
+60% Resistance to All Elements
+20% Damage Reduction
While at full Life, your Skills unleash a divine barrage dealing 195 damage.
Dropped by
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
Class
All Classes
Runewords
Runewords for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Note: If you are missing the required Runes, you can use Gemstones in the meantime.
1st Runeword (2H Weapon)
Tam
Legendary Rune of Ritual
Gain: 25 Offering
Cast a non-Channeled Core Skill.
Lum
Magic Rune of Invocation
Required: 5 Offering
Cooldown: 1 Second
Restore X Primary Resource. (Overflow: Increased Resource Restored)
2nd Runeword (2H Weapon)
Bac
Legendary Rune of Ritual
Gain: 10 Offering
Travel X meters.
Gar
Magic Rune of Invocation
Required: 25 Offering
Cooldown: 1 Second
Gain X% Critical Strike Chance for X seconds, up to X%. (Overflow: Gain Multiple Stacks)
Gemstones
Gemstones for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
WeaponEmerald
Weapons: Critical Strike Damage
Armor: Dexterity
Jewelry: Poison Resistance
ArmorRuby
Weapons: Overpower Damage
Armor: Strength
Jewelry: Fire Resistance
JewelryGems and Skulls
You'll need at least 70% to all resistances. If you haven't reached those numbers yet, change your gems accordingly. If you have too many resistances on your items, you can also use skulls, but you shouldn't exceed the armor cap of 1,000.
Paragon Board
Paragon Board for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Important notice:
Glyph Radius: To increase the radius of your Glyphs, you have to level them in the Pit. The starting radius is 3 boxes. At level 15, it increases to 4 boxes. At level 45, the radius is 5 boxes.
Skill Order: Start with the ESSENTIAL LAYOUT and rebuild it COMPLETELY to quickly access all the important Nodes and Glyphs. Only then switch to the FINAL LAYOUT and add the missing Nodes.
Killing a Bleeding enemy has X% chance to grant Berserking for X seconds. Your damage is increased by X% of your Damage while Berserking bonus, up to a maximum of X%.
Rare Glyph "Undaunted"
Class: Barbarian, Necromancer
For every 5 Willpower purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage while Fortified.
Additional Bonus: You gain up to X% Damage Reduction the more Fortify you have.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage while Healthy by X%.
Each time you make an enemy Vulnerable, your damage is increased by X% for X seconds. Overpowering a Vulnerable enemy grants an additional X% bonus for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Challenger"
Class: Barbarian
Grants X% bonus to all Normal nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage while wielding One-Handed weapons.
Killing a Bleeding enemy has X% chance to grant Berserking for X seconds. Your damage is increased by X% of your Damage while Berserking bonus, up to a maximum of X%.
Rare Glyph "Undaunted"
Class: Barbarian, Necromancer
For every 5 Willpower purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage while Fortified.
Additional Bonus: You gain up to X% Damage Reduction the more Fortify you have.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage while Healthy by X%.
Each time you make an enemy Vulnerable, your damage is increased by X% for X seconds. Overpowering a Vulnerable enemy grants an additional X% bonus for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Challenger"
Class: Barbarian
Grants X% bonus to all Normal nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage while wielding One-Handed weapons.
While Berserking, Critical Strikes increase your Attack Speed by X%, up to X%, for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Ire"
Class: Barbarian
For every 5 Strength purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage while Berserking.
Additional Bonus: While Berserking, you take X% reduced damage from Elites.
Legendary Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Close enemies.
Mercenaries
Mercenaries for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Varyana
Massacre
You and Varyana stack Massacre together on kills. Certain stack thresholds grant Movement Speed. Massacre resets after X seconds of not killing an enemy.
Cleave
Varyana swings two axes in an arc in front of her, dealing X% Physical damage and X% Bleeding damage over X seconds.
Selecting a Mercenary Core Skill alters their wielded Weapon and Basic Attack.
Weapon: Dual Axes
Basic Attack: Double Strike
Varyana slashes enemies with dual axes, dealing X% Physical damage. She has a X% chance to also deal X% Bleeding damage over X seconds.
Hysteria
You gain X% Attack Speed for X seconds whenever Varyana damages an enemy, up to X%.
Recklessness
Varyana's Cleave inflicts Vulnerable on enemies for X seconds.
Shockwave
Varyana slams the ground for a brutal shockwave in front of her, dealing X% Physical damage and Knocking Down enemies for X seconds.
Selecting a Mercenary Core Skill alters their wielded Weapon and Basic Attack.
Weapon: Two-Handed Mace
Basic Attack: Heavy Strike
Varyana batters enemies with a mace, dealing X% Physical damage with X% increased Critical Strike Chance.
Crushing Force
When Varyana deals damage to an enemy, she has a X% chance to Knock them Down for X seconds.
Reprisal
If you become Crowd Controlled, Varyana leaps towards the enemy that inflicted it, dealing X% Physical damage and Knocking Down surrounding enemies for X seconds on impact. This can only occur once every X seconds.
Bloodthirst
Varyana enters Bloodthirst, gaining X% Attack Speed, X% Movement Speed, and Unstoppable for X seconds. Varyana's Bloodthirst grants X% Attack Speed to you for the same duration.
Intimidated
While Varyana has Bloodthirst, enemies around her deal X% reduced damage.
Bloodlust
Varyana's Bloodthirst further increases your Attack Speed by X%.
Whirlwind
Varyana spins violently in a line, repeatedly dealing X% Physical damage and X% Bleeding damage over X seconds.
No Escape
Varyana's Whirlwind Pulls In enemies every X seconds and gains X% Size.
Taste of Flesh
When you or Varyana deal direct damage to an enemy inflicted with any of her Bleeding effects, you Heal for X% of your Maximum Life.
Earth Breaker
Varyana crushes the ground with her mace, leaving a tremor that deals X% Physical damage over X seconds and Knocks enemies Down repeatedly.
Rampage
You deal X% increased damage to enemies afflicted by any of Varyana's Crowd Control effects.
Dismembering
Enemies damaged by Varyana's Earth Breaker are left exposed, causing your next hit against them within X seconds to be a guaranteed Overpower. This may only occur on the same target once every X seconds.
Ancient Harpoons
Varyana launches three harpoons ahead of her, piercing enemies for X% Physical damage. She then rips them back, Pulling In and Stunning enemies for X seconds.
Annihilator
Varyana's Ancient Harpoons additionally Slow enemies by X% for X seconds. During this time, you gain X% Lucky Hit Chance against those targets.
Iron Grip
Varyana's Ancient Harpoons travel X% farther and reduce enemies' Impairment Resistance by X% for X seconds.
Raheir
Reinforcement
Crater
Trigger
Hammer of the Ancients
Video Showcase
Video Showcase for the HotA Barbarian Leveling Guide
Changelog
Changelog
11/21/24 – Final Paragn Board added
10/02/24 – Optimized for Vessel of Hatred (Season 6)