Leap Attack Barbarian Guide

The Leap Attack Barbarian (Leaper) is a unique mobility-focused build that uses the Leap Attack skill to jump across the battlefield while dealing area damage upon landing. Leap Attack provides excellent positioning, crowd control through knockback, and area physical damage while weapon mastery skills maximize damage output. This distinctive build excels at hit-and-run tactics and battlefield control, offering a "jumping berserker" playstyle with high mobility and the ability to bypass enemy lines while dealing devastating area damage.

First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Bash, Sword Mastery, Axe Mastery, Mace Mastery, Polearm Mastery, Throwing Mastery, Spear Mastery, Howl, Taunt, Shout, Battle Cry, Battle Orders, Grim Ward, War Cry, Battle Command, Find Potion, Find Item, Leap, Concentrate, Berserk, Whirlwind, Iron Skin, Natural Resistance, Increased Stamina, and Double Swing. After this max out the following Skills: Leap Attack, Weapon Mastery (matching your weapon type), Battle Orders, Shout, Leap. With your extra points, max out Natural Resistance for survivability and then Iron Skin for additional defense and life to survive landing in enemy groups.

When it comes to your Attributes, start with acquiring a Hellfire Torch and an Annihilus Charm. Put those in your inventory and then add Strength, enough to wear your gear and meet weapon requirements. Dexterity should be moderate for attack rating since Leap Attack has inherent accuracy bonuses. Energy is not necessary with Battle Orders and proper gear, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum survivability when landing among enemies with Leap Attack.

Best Weapon choices include Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade for massive damage and Ignore Target Defense which synergizes with Leap Attack, or Death Runeword in a Berserker Axe for Deadly Strike and Glacial Spike proc. Breath of the Dying Runeword offers the highest damage potential for devastating leap attacks. Two-Handed weapons like The Grandfather or Windforce can be used for maximum area damage. Shield wise, Stormshield is Best in Slot for Damage Reduction and blocking to survive after landing, or you can use two-handed weapons for maximum leap damage. When it comes to your Armor, Fortitude Runeword in a Sacred Armor base is Best in Slot for the 300% Enhanced Damage bonus to Leap Attack damage. Duress Runeword is excellent for Enhanced Damage, Crushing Blow, and Open Wounds on landing. Enigma Runeword provides +2 Skills and Teleport for additional mobility options. Helmet, Arreat's Face is ideal for +2 Barbarian Skills, Life Leech, Damage Reduction, and stats, or Harlequin Crest for +2 Skills, Life, and Mana. For Gloves, Laying of Hands provides 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons for leap attacks, or Dracul's Grasp for Life Tap proc and Life Leech sustainability. For the Belt, String of Ears is excellent for Damage Reduction and Life Leech for surviving in enemy groups, or Verdungo's Hearty Cord for Vitality and Damage Reduction. When it comes to Boots, Gore Rider for Crushing Blow and Deadly Strike on leap attacks, or War Traveler for Magic Find and strength/vitality bonuses. Rings, Raven Frost is essential for Cannot be Frozen and Attack Rating, pair with Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for +1 Skills and Life Leech. Amulet you can opt for Highlord's Wrath for Deadly Strike and Attack Speed, Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, or The Cat's Eye for Attack Speed and Faster Run/Walk for positioning between leaps.

For your inventory, focus on Barbarian Skill Charms with +Combat Skills and life bonuses. Small Charms with Max Damage/Attack Rating/Life combinations enhance leap attack damage. Attack Rating Small Charms ensure consistent hits with Leap Attack. Life and Resistance Small Charms provide survivability for landing in enemy groups. Faster Hit Recovery Small Charms help with recovery after landing among enemies. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find and reduced vendor prices.

Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura amplifies your Leap Attack damage significantly. For Weapon, Pride Runeword in a Great Poleaxe base provides Concentration Aura for massive damage bonus to leap attacks, or Infinity Runeword for Conviction Aura and Physical Immunity breaking. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and Strength. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for maximum damage support to your leap attacks, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to help the mercenary survive while you leap around the battlefield.