History
You know that thing where you have an idea and you start trying it out and realize it's pretty good? And you're pretty excited about it so you want to tell people about it, but you haven't really thought it through much and haven't played around with it enough?
Yeah, that's what I did in this thread earlier this year.
Don't get me wrong, that build/setup certainly was good, but I quickly felt a Berserk Barbarian had more potential, especially so after watching Kimppi's video in post #22.
So I talked to Kimppi and a few other people, started playing around with different setups etc, and arrived at a character for the winter MFO who I felt was incredibly strong, described here in the Meet the Olympians thread. That first version used a Grief Berserker Axe, which meant a 11 frame attack. Quickly after the MFO, I realized a Grief Phase Blade meant a 9 frame attack, and my average run time instantly jumped from 76s to 69s. Oops!
Since then, not much has changed. I've played around a bit with the FCR sources, but nothing major. Until I finally got him to level 94 recently, after which I made what I think might be the final major switch in his equipment, leaving me with this beastly monster (monstrous beast?) of a character:
Video
Stats
Berserker, level 94
Strength 184 (266)
Dexterity 134 (136)
Vitality 232 (244)
Energy 10 (12)
5 stat points unspent
Life 2074/2208 (after BO, kill switch/teleswitch)
AR 12356 (~91% chance to hit against most bosses)
FCR 105%
Hork 55%
MF 792 on kill switch, 672 on teleswitch
Skills
Berserk 20 (27)
Sword Mastery 20 (27)
Howl 20 (29)
Find Item 20 (29)
Shout 14 - remaining points will go here
Battle Orders 1 (10)
Increased Speed, Natural Resistance, prereqs 1
1 skill point unspent
Equipment
1.13c Harlequin Crest Cham (50)
Enigma (94)
Crafted Amulet 2 Barb Skills/8 FCR/24 MF (24)
Grief Phase Blade (39/392)
Gemmed Crystal Sword IstIstIstIstIstIst (180)
Switch Dual Suicide Branch Ist (60)
Chance Guards (40)
Nagelring 30/75 (30)
Nagelring 30/72 (30)
Goldwrap Upgraded (30)
War Traveler (50)
Gheed's (40)
33 SCs totaling 224 MF, 35 max damage, 633 AR, 5 all resist, 33 mana (224)
Merc uses 1.07 Insight Thresher, eth Treachery, eth Andariel's Visage Fervor'd
Equipment Readouts
Spoiler
Code:
Grief
Phase Blade
EthTirLoMalRal
One Hand Damage: 31 - 35
Indestructible
Required Level: 59
Required Strength: 25
Required Dexterity: 136
Fingerprint: 0x97005d38
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
35% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+39% Increased Attack Speed
Damage +392
Ignore Target's Defense
-25% Target Defense
+176% Damage to Demons (Based on Character Level)
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
-23% to Enemy Poison Resistance
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 to Mana after each Kill
+11 Life after each Kill 5 Sockets (5 used)
Socketed: Eth Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Lo Rune
Socketed: Mal Rune
Socketed: Ral Rune
Eth Rune
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: -25% Target Defense Armor: Regenerate Mana 15% Shields: Regenerate Mana 15%
Tir Rune
Required Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +2 to Mana after each Kill Armor: +2 to Mana after each Kill Shields: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Lo Rune
Required Level: 59
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Deadly Strike Armor: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist Shields: +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
Mal Rune
Required Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Prevent Monster Heal Armor: Magic Damage Reduced by 7 Shields: Magic Damage Reduced by 7
Ral Rune
Required Level: 19
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage Armor: Fire Resist +30% Shields: Fire Resist +35%
Gemmed Crystal Sword
Crystal Sword
One Hand Damage: 5 - 15
Durability: 20 of 20
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 43
Fingerprint: 0x959a37e3
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
180% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 6 Sockets (6 used)
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Socketed: Ist Rune
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Enigma
Breast Plate
JahIthBer
Defense: 818
Durability: 49 of 50
Required Level: 65
Required Strength: 30
Fingerprint: 0x88b555f
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 to Teleport
+750 Defense
+70 to Strength (Based on Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced by 8%
+14 Life after each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
94% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level) 3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Jah Rune
Socketed: Ith Rune
Socketed: Ber Rune
Jah Rune
Required Level: 65
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Ignore Target's Defense Armor: Increase Maximum Life 5% Shields: +50 to Life
Ith Rune
Required Level: 15
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Maximum Damage Armor: 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana Shields: 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
Ber Rune
Required Level: 63
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 20% Chance of Crushing Blow Armor: Damage Reduced by 8% Shields: Damage Reduced by 8%
Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 137
Durability: 11 of 12
Required Level: 67
Required Strength: 50
Fingerprint: 0x87245564
Item Level: 83
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to All Skills
All Stats +2
+141 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+141 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Damage Reduced by 10%
Cannot Be Frozen
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Cham Rune
Cham Rune
Required Level: 67
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Freezes target +3 Armor: Cannot Be Frozen Shields: Cannot Be Frozen
Havoc Wing
Amulet
Required Level: 89
Fingerprint: 0xa7f36f4a
Item Level: 93
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Barbarian Skill Levels
+8% Faster Cast Rate
6% Mana stolen per hit
+13 to Mana
Regenerate Mana 6%
24% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 2 Teleport (25/25 Charges)
Chance Guards
Chain Gloves
Defense: 27
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Level: 15
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x2907f70e
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25 to Attack Rating
+23% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
200% Extra Gold from Monsters
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius
Goldwrap
Battle Belt
Defense: 83
Durability: 16 of 18
Required Level: 30
Required Strength: 88
Fingerprint: 0x67f8557b
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+10% Increased Attack Speed
+54% Enhanced Defense
+25 Defense
67% Extra Gold from Monsters
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to Light Radius
Required Level +5
War Traveler
Battle Boots
Defense: 131
Durability: 44 of 48
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 95
Fingerprint: 0x77aad626
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+25% Faster Run/Walk
Adds 15 - 25 Damage
+173% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Strength
+10 to Vitality
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 6
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+30 Maximum Durability
Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0x745c12d5
Item Level: 87
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+75 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Nagelring
Ring
Required Level: 7
Fingerprint: 0x7d34d67e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+72 to Attack Rating
Magic Damage Reduced by 3
Attacker Takes Damage of 3
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Suicide Branch
Burnt Wand
One Hand Damage: 8 - 18
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0x1e6837b9
Item Level: 49
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+50% Faster Cast Rate
+40 to Life
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
All Resistances +10
Attacker Takes Damage of 25
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ist Rune
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Suicide Branch
Burnt Wand
One Hand Damage: 8 - 18
Durability: 15 of 15
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 25
Fingerprint: 0xd621116e
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to All Skills
+50% Faster Cast Rate
+40 to Life
Increase Maximum Mana 10%
All Resistances +10
Attacker Takes Damage of 25
30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Ist Rune
Ist Rune
Required Level: 51
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Armor: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Shields: 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Insight
Superior Thresher
RalTirTalSol
Two Hand Damage: 80 - 839
Durability: 33 of 33
Required Level: 53
Required Strength: 142
Required Dexterity: 108
Fingerprint: 0x6a6254fe
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion
Level 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped
+35% Faster Cast Rate
298% Enhanced Damage
+9 to Minimum Damage
205% Bonus to Attack Rating
+3 to Attack Rating
Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage
Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames)
+1 to Critical Strike
All Stats +5
+2 to Mana after each Kill
23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Ethereal
4 Sockets (4 used)
Socketed: Ral Rune
Socketed: Tir Rune
Socketed: Tal Rune
Socketed: Sol Rune
Ral Rune
Required Level: 19
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 5 - 30 Fire Damage Armor: Fire Resist +30% Shields: Fire Resist +35%
Tir Rune
Required Level: 13
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +2 to Mana after each Kill Armor: +2 to Mana after each Kill Shields: +2 to Mana after each Kill
Tal Rune
Required Level: 17
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 75 Poison Damage Over 5 Secs (125 Frames) Armor: Poison Resist +30% Shields: Poison Resist +35%
Sol Rune
Required Level: 27
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +9 to Minimum Damage Armor: Damage Reduced by 7 Shields: Damage Reduced by 7
Treachery
Archon Plate
ShaelThulLem
Defense: 1116
Durability: 31 of 31
Required Level: 63
Required Strength: 93
Fingerprint: 0x6cef720f
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
5% Chance to cast level 15 Fade when struck
25% Chance to cast level 15 Venom on striking
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +30%
50% Extra Gold from Monsters Ethereal
3 Sockets (3 used)
Socketed: Shael Rune
Socketed: Thul Rune
Socketed: Lem Rune
Shael Rune
Required Level: 29
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: +20% Increased Attack Speed Armor: +20% Faster Hit Recovery Shields: +20% Faster Block Rate
Thul Rune
Required Level: 23
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: Adds 3 - 14 Cold Damage Over 3 Secs (75 Frames) Armor: Cold Resist +30% Shields: Cold Resist +35%
Lem Rune
Required Level: 43
Version: Expansion 1.10+
Weapons: 75% Extra Gold from Monsters Armor: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters Shields: 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
Andariel's Visage
Demonhead
Defense: 570
Durability: 11 of 11
Required Level: 83
Required Strength: 92
Fingerprint: 0x27b04902
Item Level: 88
Version: Expansion 1.10+
15% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova when struck
+2 to All Skills
+35% Increased Attack Speed
8% Life stolen per hit
+146% Enhanced Defense
+30 to Strength
+10% to Maximum Poison Resist
Cold Resist +5%
Fire Resist -30%
Poison Resist +70%
Level 3 Venom (20/20 Charges) Ethereal
1 Sockets (1 used)
Socketed: Lapis Lazuli Jewel of Fervor
Lapis Lazuli Jewel of Fervor
Jewel
Required Level: 31
Fingerprint: 0x659663f7
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+15% Increased Attack Speed
Cold Resist +5%
Charm Readouts
Spoiler
Code:
Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Required Level: 62
Fingerprint: 0x902dbff3
Item Level: 72
Version: Expansion 1.10+
149% Extra Gold from Monsters
Reduces all Vendor Prices 14%
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xa78d1d2a
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x3b26ac9b
GUID: 0xffffffff 0xdeadbeef 0x0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x8d7964f5
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x14eb537a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xed4f4b3c
Item Level: 86
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+11 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x7a044703
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x29c3fa5
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+17 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x2bae991f
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+12 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xa8c0d8b6
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+1 to Maximum Damage
+12 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x19b72354
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+19 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x8962d097
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+15 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xc83369ab
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+14 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x47596728
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+2 to Maximum Damage
+13 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xe8d0e658
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+36 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x45a89ce6
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+34 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xe336e66a
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+33 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x415d4bee
Item Level: 85
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+32 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x64801f2d
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+31 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0xb1524da7
Item Level: 95
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+30 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Steel Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 49
Fingerprint: 0x117aa9e2
Item Level: 79
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+34 to Attack Rating
6% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x9672e842
Item Level: 99
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x9b0da483
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+24 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x24853ff3
Item Level: 75
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+23 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x1a224b06
Item Level: 69
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+23 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xbe7e7d0a
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+20 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0xe7bcd4e3
Item Level: 61
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+18 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x331edb51
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Iron Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x69455514
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Bronze Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x5867339c
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+11 to Attack Rating
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Shimmering Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 33
Fingerprint: 0x189e6129
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
All Resistances +5
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Serpent's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xd13a99d0
Item Level: 80
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+17 to Mana
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Serpent's Small Charm of Good Luck
Small Charm
Required Level: 40
Fingerprint: 0xcd79443c
Item Level: 68
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+16 to Mana
7% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Fine Small Charm of Fortune
Small Charm
Required Level: 21
Fingerprint: 0x3c743763
Item Level: 81
Version: Expansion 1.10+
+3 to Maximum Damage
+20 to Attack Rating
5% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Equipment Choices
Note that the video above was recorded a couple days ago, before I hit level 94, and before I switched to using a 6Ist Sword on my off-hand. Before that, I've been using an Ist'd Stormshield for 100+ hours with this character, and it's what I would recommend as a "default" setup. The 6Ist Sword is arguably overkill, and arguably provides less of a benefit than what you lose out on from not having Stormshield. That said, Stormshield has the potential to slow you down, because blocking does interrupt your attack/movement and is generally annoying. I felt I won't be leveling with this guy any further than 94, so I didn't mind dying occasionally, which I imagine might happen now with my shieldless setup. The Stormshield does help tremendeously with safety, but I feel I've played the character enough that I could handle it at this point.
A few more notes on equipment choices. I would be using a 1.07 Shako over a 1.13c Shako if I had a spare one to Cham, but I don't. The +40% Maximum Life from a 1.07 Shako is the equivalent of putting ~13 skill points in Battle Orders, and while I'd very much like that, I don't think it's a dealbreaker by any means. DR% from 1.13c Shako does help compensate, too.
The weapons on switch could easily be some combination of Wizardspike, Suicide Branch and Heart of the Oak. The key is to hit 105 FCR, and the only equipment slot I can easily fit in FCR is from a crafted amulet. Using two Suicide Branch lets me exactly hit level 29 Find Item with my setup if I max it, so it works out nearly perfectly. Not having any mana is a bit of a problem sometimes, but I'm using a few mana charms to help compensate there. A level 17 Meditation roll is of course mandatory on the Insight the merc wears.
Teleport
A timesaving trick that's not in the video: When you want to teleport a long distance, say from an Outer Cloister WP to a Pit entrance, you typically will hold the Teleport button pressed and have your mouse against the edge of the screen, to cover as much distance as possible on each teleport. When teleporting up/right, I learned a long time ago that you can "trick" the game into letting each teleport cover a greater distance by doing the following:
a) Hold Teleport, while keeping your mouse in the upper right corner of the screen
b) Open your Inventory screen by pressing I
c) At this point, the mouse cursor will move to the middle of the screen, and you can move it back to the upper right corner before closing the Inventory screen again. Now, each Teleport will take you 1� screens instead of one screen.
You can see it demonstrated here in a CS video by Corrupted. I've done this when teleporting into the CS or to Baal, but what I've stupdly never realized until Corrupted pointed it out to me after watching my Pitbarb video, is that the same trick is doable when teleporting down/left by using the Character Screen (hotkey C)! It took a few hours to learn how to execute the maneuver properly, but now I essentially reach the Pit entrance in ~8-9 teleports instead of ~12, saving well over a second right there on an already somewhat short run. I encourage everyone to learn how to use this trick efficiently
Various Thoughts
Having a kill switch and a teleswitch might look complicated and scary, but it really isn't too bad. Essentially, you use four hotkeys for this character (apart from BC and BO at the start of the run); Teleport, Howl, Find Item and Weapon Switch. When you weapon switch, Berserk is the pre-selected skill, as you don't do anything else on your Sword switch. After killing, you Weapon Switch back to the FCR weapons and start horking/teleporting away to the next boss pack. If you watch the video, you'll see it's not really too complicated. I'm strongly in favor of this weapon switch method over just fitting 105 FCR on your main switch and not bothering with a weapon switch, like I've seen other Barbs try on the forum. Of course, you should try that out if you think you'd prefer it, but I see pretty much only downsides.
You'll notice that I've only put one point in Battle Orders, and instead put points in Berserk's synergies. I've done the math, and it turns out using less Strength but more Vitality + fewer skill points in BO but more in Berserk synergies results in a better overall use of your resources, which is something that might not be immediately obvious and intuitive. What I mean is, I could respec and put x points less in Vitality and x points more in Strength, and compensate for the lost life by switching some number of skill points from Berserk synergy to Battle Orders, but the resulting total ED% would be lower for the same amount of life. Something to keep in mind if you plan a similar character, where there's high demand both on skill points and stat points and you must make sacrifices somewhere.
Conclusion
This build is, as far as I know, the most efficient "grail hunter" we have in the SPF. That is, if you wanted to maximize Uniques/Sets found per time unit (like in an MFO type situation), this is the best choice available. He moves quickly, he kills quickly, he horks, and he can carry a lot of MF, even if not going overboard with Ist swords and the like, and using Laying of Hands over Chance Guards or something.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about him, and watching the video of him in action. Any questions, I'd be glad to answer
Thanks for reading!|||Nice char!|||i also believe barbs are best mf'ers and it's a great char. i really love your barb threads so i'm looking forward to see some more 
|||Very nice work there!It was nice to finally see him in action. It looks very ominous TBH, but I'm sure it just takes practice.
You also have a VERY nice map, which I know you have mentioned a few times. And a very nice amulet as well.
That's a neat trick with the far tele thing, never seen that before, my pit entrance is much further down, so it could help quite a bit.
I feel like some of the things in the 'Various Thoughts' section are directed at me
I still love my barb, no matter what you say
and I am never turning over to your dark side! I won't debate any further why mine is better than yours, because I don't have much of an argument. I am about 40 seconds slower average, but kill maybe 1-3 more packs on average, and with 30 more MF on kills/horks. So in the end, I don't think I am that far behind you. It would be interesting to see how we compared on the same map though, as yours I believe is far superior. But watching your video does make me realize how much safer I am, and that is something I like a lot.
I do like how you managed to capture the dreaded might/fana level 2
Also, you left a JMoD on the ground in run #2...
also...
On the merc gear. I use 1.07 Insight as well, but use Fort and shako(ptopaz). I rely more heavily on my merc to kill things, so thats the reason for the fort. But what do you think about that? should I change the helm out to hit a faster IAS point for him? the 74 MF is nice since he is getting a majority of the kills on bosses, but not sure if its really worth it to slow us down. I assume you picked yours mostly for the survivability and to proc his aura faster?|||Dude, you can't just say you average 3 more packs than me without proof
I'm going to have to call that completely impossible and absolutely not happening, until you show me otherwise I really don't think that's true to be honest, or you have some kind of sick mutant map no one else has ever come close to. More than 12 boss packs on average, really?|||What is your average then? Maybe it is more than I realize, because its a bit hard to count when your not playing. And I said 1-3, not 3. I believe mine to be around 10. I haven't counted in a while, and I don't have any notes to go off of anymore. I changed my map since I made my thread, which I stated as 8 per run. I know for a fact that I have counted more than 12 packs before, but I have also counted as few as 5 before.
I usually hit 7-8 on level 1 and 2-3 on level 2
here's my old thread just fyi: http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/s...d.php?t=799105|||The average in the video is 9.2 (9,9,10,8,10). I would expect my long-term average to be something like 8-8.2, but I haven't measured it for long periods of time.
I didn't realize about the fana/might thing until it was pointed out to me by people watching the video, I never pay attention to that
I was surprised to see the merc die though, as he basically never does, but I figured it was because I just left him in there instead of teleporting like I would 90+% of the time Oh well, I can live with the 50k resurrection fee.You're right about the merc gear choice, I mostly care about his Might aura triggering. He kills really fast as it is though, I quite like the quick swings. It's not like the p1 monsters have that much hp anyway, he tends to get quite a few kills in even with Treachery over Fortitude. I'm sure he'd work pretty much just as well with Fortitude instead.
A map where you average 10 boss packs sounds pretty cool, certainly not anything I've seen. I think that's 40 seconds slower on average though, right?
|||Yes you are right, I just edited that in to my last post I will have to crunch the numbers to see how an increase in IAS will stack up against what I use now. I'll also try to get some runs in to see how good my average really is. Still, 8 packs average in that amount of space is very nice.|||A fantastic character, just showing what kind of efficency at the end game is possible with practice and good character crafting. I have massive amounts of jealousy for that ridiculous charmset.
How damaging do you think it would be to introduce cold damage by using a ravenfrost/isted shako vs your set up. The rest of the items (or at least slightly worse rolls) are actually pretty obtainable but i am unlikely to cham a shako anytime soon. I assume this was the reasoning behind the gear set up.
Also i think you forgot to change the read out of your mastery, either that or i really think you should respec to swords
|||@ Ojimijam: for budget just put 15IAS/MF jewel in Shako to retain 9 fpa zerk and use Trang's belt instead for CBF. You loose some MF (~45) when comparing with fabian's setup, but you don't want RF cause cold dmg shatters corpses. Offhand weapon/shield is your choice ofc. [/pretending to be smart]You have hax charms Fabian. but I told you that before
Nice character and probably best MFer around, but I'm still biased towards Pit poison necros and AT blizzard sorcs. Good luck to anyone in MFO against this thingie, I know we won't meet 
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