As a result of a tragic loss in Hardcore mode, I've switched gears to an off-meta Barbarian build, Abattoir of Zir Earthquake Double Swing, which has proven to be highly effective.

 

• The Build Overview
• Key Skill Synergies
• Banish Lords Talisman and Attack Speed
• Gear Focus: Armor and Resistances
• Paragon Board and Skills
• Playstyle Tips
• Final Thoughts

 

↖ The Build Overview

For players without Uber unique and those preferring a hit-and-run playstyle, this Barbarian build combines Ground Stomp, God Slayer, and Earthquake to deal powerful crowd control and damage.

 

Build Planner: http://tinyurl.com/4hefcaxk

 

↖ Key Skill Synergies

God Slayer and Ground Stomp: God Slayer sucks enemies in upon stunning an elite or boss, setting them up perfectly for your Double Swing. Combine this with Ground Stomp to gather enemies and trigger the Earthquake aspect, which provides a 25% damage buff.

Bathos Aspect: This grants 25% damage reduction while standing in the earthquake zone, allowing you to tank and deliver massive damage.

 

↖ Banish Lords Talisman and Attack Speed

A critical element is exploiting the attack speed bonus.

We're using Accelerating, Ravenous, and Carnage to ramp up Double Swing's speed, achieving the required 300 Fury for overpowering attacks.

Even with gear at about 80% optimization, you can expect substantial crits in the range of 40-50 million.

 

↖ Gear Focus: Armor and Resistances

Aim for around 12.5k total armor in town. With an Iron Skin Elixir, you'll be armor-capped for AOC.

We've also focused on resistances, particularly fire, poison, and shadow, while picking up the rest through the Paragon board.

This strategy also frees up damage reduction slots on your armor.

 

↖ Paragon Board and Skills

Skills: Key skills include Furious Double Swing, Strategic Ground Stomp, and Enhanced Double Swing, which helps in Fury regeneration.

Paragon Board: Focus on defensive nodes, maximizing armor and resistances. The Tears of Blood glyph should be a priority for further enhancement.

 

↖ Playstyle Tips

This build is all about the hit-and-run tactic. Engage with shouts and Wrath of the Berserker before using Ground Stomp.

Your aim is to stun, gather, and annihilate enemies quickly before moving to the next group.

It's crucial to keep mobility in mind and not get bogged down in prolonged fights.

 

↖ Final Thoughts

The Double Swing Barbarian offers a refreshing alternative for those looking to approach AOC in a unique way. While it may not rank as high as its counterparts, it is still a viable and fun option for many players due to its tankiness, agility, and high damage output.