This build guide will walk you through the Season 1 HoTA Barber endgame build for Barbarian in Diablo 4 (D4). Utilizing the power of the Barber heart, this build focuses on maximizing the damage output of Hammer of the Ancients to clear large groups of enemies and defeat bosses. Whether you’re a seasoned Barbarian player or just starting out, this build will equip you with all the necessary Gear, Skills, and Aspects to dominate Season 1 (Version 1.1).
HoTA Barber Build Overview
Build Summary
This build is an updated version of Nickadabra’s HoTA build, specifically designed to tackle Tier 100 Nightmare Dungeons and other high-tier endgame content. Before we delve into the details, make sure to check out Nickadabra’s Youtube, Twitch, Discord, and Twitter for more Diablo builds and content!
The main skill in this build is Hammer of the Ancients, a devastating ability that can deal instantaneous damage to large groups of enemies. To maximize its potential, it’s essential to raise your Vulnerable Damage, as this will significantly increase the output of Hammer of the Ancients. Additionally, Unbridled Rage is used to boost the skill’s base damage, albeit at the cost of higher skill costs.
To assist with Fury generation, damage boosts, and survivability, this build incorporates all three shout skills (Rallying Cry, Challenging Shout, and War Cry) along with Call of the Ancients. These skills not only help sustain you in fights but also aid in nightmare dungeon runs.
The passive skills chosen for this build are specifically selected to enhance fury generation, survivability, and grant multiple Lucky Hit effects, such as Vulnerable and Stun, which further increase the damage of Hammer of the Ancients.
HoTA Barber Build Breakdown
Skill Progression
Active Skills
- Flay (1 Point) → Enhanced Flay
- Combat Flay
- Hammer of the Ancients (5 Points) → Enhanced Hammer of the Ancients
- Furious Hammer of the Ancients
- Rallying Cry (1 Point) → Enhanced Rallying Cry
- Tactical Rallying Cry
- Challenging Shout (X Points)
- War Cry (1 Point) → Enhanced War Cry
- Call of the Ancients (1 Point) → Prime Call of the Ancients → Supreme Call of the Ancients
Note: The points allocated for Challenging Shout are taken from the Chest and Amulet Affixes.
Passive Skills
- Endless Fury (3 Points)
- Imposing Presence (3 Points)
- Martial Vigor (3 Points)
- Booming Voice (3 Points)
- Raid Leader (3 Points)
- Guttural Yell (2 Points)
- Swiftness (3 Points)
- Pit Fighter (3 Points)
- Thick Skin (1 Point)
- Counter offensive (3 Points)
- Defensive Stance (3 Points)
- Heavy Handed (3 Points)
- Wallop (3 Points)
- Concussion (3 Points)
- Unbridled Rage (1 Point)
Technique Slot
- Weapon Expertise
- Two-Handed Axe Expertise
- Increased Damage to Vulnerable Enemies
The Two-Handed Axe is the preferred weapon mastery for this build as it adds a consistent damage boost to the Barber Heart. By constantly making enemies Vulnerable, you’ll benefit from the additional bonus provided by the Exploit Glyph.
Aspects and Affixes
Best Weapons
Bludgeoning Weapon
- +X% Overpower Damage
- +X All Stats
- +X Critical Strike Damage
- +X% Vulnerable Damage
- +X Strength
Slashing Weapon
- +X% Damage to Injured Enemies (Inherent)
- +X% Critical Strike Damage
- +X Strength
- +X% Vulnerable Damage
- +X All Stats
1H Sword
- +X% Critical Strike Damage (Inherent)
- +X% Critical Strike Damage
- +X All Stats
- +X% Vulnerable Damage
- +X% Core Skill Damage
1H Sword
- +X% Critical Strike Damage (Inherent)
- +X Critical Strike Damage
- +X Strength
- +X% Vulnerable Damage
- +X% Damage to Close Enemies
Best Armor
Helmet
- +X Maximum Life
- +X Maximum Fury
- +X% Total Armor
- +X% Cooldown Reduction
Chest
- +X Ranks of Challenging Shout
- +X Maximum Life
- +X% Damage Reduction
- +X% Damage Reduction while Fortified
Gloves
- +X% Attack Speed
- +X% Critical Strike Chance
- +X Strength
- +X% Ranks of Hammer of the Ancients
Pants
- +X Maximum Life
- +X% Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
- +X% Damage Reduction from Distant Enemies
- +X% Damage Reduction while Fortified
Boots
- +X% Movement Speed
- +X Dexterity
- +X% Fury Cost Reduction
- +X% Berserking Duration
Best Jewelry
Amulet
- +X% Resistance to All Elements (Inherent)
- +X Ranks of Wallop Passive
- +X Ranks of All Defensive Skills
- +X% Movement Speed
- +X% Cooldown Reduction
Ring
- +X% Lightning Resistance (Inherent)
- +X% Cold Resistance (Inherent)
- +X% Critical Strike Chance
- +X% Critical Strike Damage
- +X% Vulnerable Damage
- +X% Resource Generation
Ring
- +X% Lightning Resistance (Inherent)
- +X% Cold Resistance (Inherent)
- +X% Critical Strike Chance
- +X% Critical Strike Damage
- +X% Vulnerable Damage
- +X% Resource Generation
