Whirlwind Barbarian Guide

The Whirlwind Barbarian (WW Barb) is a classic melee build that spins through enemies dealing devastating physical damage while moving freely around the battlefield. Whirlwind provides excellent mobility and area damage while weapon mastery skills maximize damage output. This versatile build excels at clearing large areas efficiently and offers the iconic "spin-to-win" barbarian experience with high survivability and consistent performance.

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, Leap Attack, Concentrate, Berserk, Iron Skin, Natural Resistance, and Increased Stamina. After this max out the following Skills: Whirlwind, Weapon Mastery (matching your weapon type), Battle Orders, Shout. With your extra points, max out your Natural Resistance for survivability and then Iron Skin for additional defense and life.

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 enough for Max Block if using a shield, otherwise minimal. Energy is not necessary with proper gear and Battle Orders, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum survivability during extended Whirlwind sessions.

Best Weapon choices include Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade for massive damage, Ignore Target Defense, and Venom proc, or Death Runeword in a Berserker Axe for Deadly Strike and Glacial Spike proc. Breath of the Dying Runeword offers the highest damage potential. Last Wish Runeword provides Life Tap proc for incredible sustainability. Shield wise, Stormshield is Best in Slot for the massive Damage Reduction and blocking, or you can dual-wield weapons for maximum damage output. When it comes to your Armor, Enigma Runeword in a Mage Plate base is Best in Slot for the +2 Skills and Teleport utility for positioning. Fortitude Runeword in a Sacred Armor is excellent for pure damage with 300% Enhanced Damage. Duress Runeword is a budget alternative with Enhanced Damage and Crushing Blow. Helmet, Arreat's Face is ideal for +2 Barbarian Skills, Life Leech, and Damage Reduction, or Harlequin Crest for +2 Skills and life/mana. For Gloves, Laying of Hands provides 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons, or Dracul's Grasp for Life Tap proc and life leech. For the Belt, String of Ears is excellent for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Verdungo's Hearty Cord for 40 Vitality and Damage Reduction. When it comes to Boots, Gore Rider for Crushing Blow, Deadly Strike, and Open Wounds, 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 your inventory, focus on Barbarian Skill Charms with +Combat Skills and life bonuses. Small Charms with Max Damage/Attack Rating/Life combinations are excellent for damage output. Attack Rating Small Charms ensure consistent hits during Whirlwind. Life and Resistance Small Charms provide survivability. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find and reduced vendor prices.

Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura amplifies your already high damage output. For Weapon, Infinity Runeword in a Thresher base breaks Physical Immunities with Amplify Damage proc and provides Conviction Aura. Insight Runeword is a budget alternative if mana is an issue. 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, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc.