[CLASS BUILD] The Trashman (3.03 Single Axe Barbarian)

[Loren Tyr]

That's mainly in relation to DR though. The +X% damage modifiers end up as a combined multiplier to the base damage, which is (all else being equal) the same regardless of weapon type. Doesn't matter whether you do a lot of small hits or one big one, it's still a linear function; so you could do five hits of 2 damage or one hit of 10 damage, apply a x1.5 multiplier to each hit and you end up with 15 damage either way. But of course spreading that damage over multiple hits incurs multiple DR deductions, and thus affects fast DW more than normal DW and normal DW more than 1H and 2H.

 

But math is fun regardless  

[Loren Tyr]

 

 considerazione

Hu? That's what I wanna have for supper!

 

 

Nah, I'd have some overweging instead   .

Edited July 21, 2016 by Loren Tyr

[Dr <3]

damn autocorrect

[Dr <3]

damn autocorrect

[Elric Galad]

Autorrect, that thing created to avoid typo, and that actually creates more typo.

 

Looks like a trick designed by the typo demon.

Aj ah ah

[QuiteGoneJin]

 

PotD, Full party. Not fully tested yet.

 

The Trashman is pretty much...for clearing "trash mobs". Cleaving through groups of the various run of the mill monsters and bad guys that are in no short supply. He does this in particularly barbarian-like fashion - with an Axe!

 

Named after Frank's wrestling pseudonym in 'Always Sunny in Philadelphia'. Short, hairy, ornery... kind of like an Orlan Barbarian?

 

 

This character takes advantage of several changes in the 3.03 beta, which I've noted in bold below.

 

 

This is not the most durable character to have on the front line, but it's an interesting alternative to the usual Tall Grass/Tidefall/Forgemaster's barbarian that I've stuck to. Luckily there are some items to take good advantage of a lower deflection frontliner. I also like the concept of a one handed weapon w/no shield, and axes in particular, it's just never been particularly appealing as a weapon choice in Pillars... until now.

 

The damage output is actually pretty high due to annihilation, and as a crit-build, it doesn't actually rely too much on high accuracy. I considered a Rogue We Toki build in light of these changes but this just felt like the better way to go and takes advantage of more new stuff. I'm really enjoy Heart of Fury as Per-Encounter with this build, I must say - with We Toki it's almost like your Barbarian has Slicken Spell Mastery.

 

 

Relative to a two hander build, this is less flexible and lower survivability. I can't sell it as some kind of new amazing build. Knight / One Handed simply doesn't cover as many great weapons(and no reach weapon to hide behind tankier melee), and We Toki is accessed in Act III vs. Act II. Edge of Reason gives you an almost-Tidefall option but is also acquired later. But it gets points for style, I think, combines disables with damage a bit better than anything else(although...Hours of Saint Rumbalt has prone and annihilation too...dammit), and I enjoy the animation far more than watching my barbarian prod things with a pike for carnage.

 

 

 

 

Anyway, here's the build -

 

 

 

Barbarian

 

Race: Hearth Orlan - Highly recommend over anything else.

Attributes:

• 15 Might
• 10 Constitution
• 10 Dexterity
• 20 Perception
• 15 Intellect
• 8 Resolve

~You can min/max further, to taste. Perception doesn't necessarily have to be this high, you're turning many hits into crits anyway - the +interrupt is still nice though.

 

Abilities(Odd numbers) and Talents(Even numbers):

 

1. Barbaric Yell
2. One Handed Style - Now converts 15% of hits to crits as of 3.03
3. Savage Defiance
4. Apprentice's Sneak Attack
5. One Stands Alone - Now only requires nearby enemies, as opposed to engaged enemies
6. Savage Attack
7. Frenzy
8. Accurate Carnage
9. Threatening Presence
10. Weapon Focus: Knight
11. Heart of Fury - Now Per Encounter
12. Stalwart Defiance
13. Dragon Leap
14. Interrupting Blows
15. Echoing Shout - Now foe-only
16. Beast Slayer, or Bloody Slaughter

 

 

Skills: Survival 12 is great for rank II of accuracy/flank damage

 

Gear:

 

• Weapon Set 1: We Toki
• Weapon Set 2: Edge of Reason

• Armor: Aloth's Leather Armor

• Belt: Binding Rope
• Gloves: Gauntlets of Swift Action (or Pilferer's Grip if you don't have it)
• Boots: Shod-In-Faith
• Rings: Ring of Protection, Ring of Thorns
• Neck: Swaddling Sheet
• Head: Garodh's Chorus (or Maegfolc Skull)

 

Surprisingly one of my fav builds, my only annoyance with barbs is Frenzy and Shout isn't instant; hard to feel like a front liner when you're pausing twice as you run in.

[Boeroer]

True. But at least shouts have no recovery anymore.