The Best Weapon or the Worst? [ 2.5 Double Throw Barbarian Build ]

The Throwbarb is a build that's been niche for a long time, but with 2.4 it got a major buff through some drastic changes to throwing mastery - in 2.5 there are some additional options (such as physical sunder charms), though overall, it is generally better to run without them.
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[@erick3755]

It is nice how easy to gear throw barb is once you have the weapon. You can fill everything else with such simple gear like twitchthroe, treachery, duress, gface, arreats, wisdom, lava gout, goblin, gore...that aspect is very nice.

[@Alzorath]

yup, if you're willing to cut a couple minor corners, he's one of the most budget friendly martial builds in the game, without sacrificing too much power.

[@notanexpert522]

@@Alzorath Could you put a level by level skill point chart to this? Me and my friends are very casual players doing normal play throughs just trying to follow builds as easy as possible.

[@Itz_KLONOPIN]

Gskull performs better than both Grace & Arreats. Little Veteran tip 4 you foolz

[@erick3755]

@Keep.it_a.hunnit Why skull? If you are just wanting ED jewels in something I would rather run 20fcr/3os or 2 barb big dex rare circlet with 2os.

[@scottmichael7178]

i love my throw barb, tons of fun, but youre right, gotta hit the higher lvls till you really notice the shift in dmg. I use a lacerator and gimmershred, gimmershred works well because it also causes elemental dmg for the physical immunes

[@MapHKid]

eth upped scalper was my go-to besides Lacerator since I have not found warshrike on single play yet. You're right about the flee effect, it does get a bit annoying. Atma's scarab could be a decent alternative for the amp damage since you shoot so many projectiles with pierce

[@Alzorath]

honestly, if the flee didn't override the amp, I wouldn't be as bothered by it on this build :(

[@LiquidFiend]

I just played a throw barb without any rushing and loved it. I also started gambling for throw weapons and you can definitely get some good ones!

[@Alzorath]

yea, you can get some bonkers rare throwing weapons, and people almost never pick them up in multiplayer games - so they're easy to get. (similar situation with crafting javelins and throwing axes)

[@LiquidFiend]

@@Alzorath I didn't realize you could craft axes, I'm definitely going to start doing that!

[@erick3755]

Don't sleep on the normally worthless Charsi imbue also. That is easy way to find some decent play through weapons.

[@Guigzibit]

Just found an ethereal lacerator with quite good ed today ssf.. planning on doing a throw barb with it still

[@blo5980]

Knockback gloves/giant skull helmet seems quite fun equipments to play withXD

[@Alzorath]

it can be - especially since giant skull can get you decent ias with its sockets (and damage boosts too)

[@JsDs1020]

had one of these with ghost glaive and warshrike, used the frenzy for ias and did well on players 5 but not much after that.

[@Alzorath]

yea, sadly the barbarian - outside of specific setups, tends to struggle on higher player counts for a few reasons (mostly just doesn't scale super well) - funnily enough, one of his most popular builds is pointless to use on more than players 1 other than XP.

[@nadpodcast4488]

I'm confusing about IAS and attack rating, so can you explain? TIA. btw how many attack rating you've got for the double throw skill.

[@andrewcooks1]

Somewhat off topic but I was wondering your thoughts on using a lacerator on a summon druid? I'm using heart of wolverine and an act one Merc. Using edge for her starter bow until I upgrade to faith and bramble armor. Also pumping dex for block and attack rating.

[@Alzorath]

I don't like it because of the flee effect on normal monsters - your mileage may vary - but it's honestly at a point where I'd take vile husk over lacerator - even though I'd lose a shield :(

[@kruggers1329]

Lol i use giant skull and lacerator... fear and knockback two things you hate haha. I really like knockback on ranged characters, and the fear effect doesn't bother me so much, i don't chase after them and I'll usually catch up. Most things die pretty quick with the amp too. Also I can never decide between travs and gores on my ranged builds.

[@Alzorath]

I'm fine with knockback on range, about 50/50 on fear when it comes to ranged (depends on the build - bothers me less on a multishot amazon, bothers me more on, say, a throwdin) - the main problem with lacerator for me is that it overrides the amp - heck, I'd settle for them removing the ED% if it would get rid of the flee on it.

[@buybuck]

What about the primary & the secondary weapon? How does that work? I was playing double-throw barb and the character panel displays only the bonuses that the Primary One gives!!! What about the secondary weapon bonuses? Are just not displayed or they don't work?

[@ischju]

How much crushing blow do you guys would go for? I got Gimmer and that Glaive - so no source there

[@Alzorath]

I usually like to get a minimum of 15% (goreriders) - but more is better, even though the range penalty does reduce the effectiveness of it, you'll be attacking fast enough to make up for it.

[@valentinmiculete8863]

still not sure what merc to use faith act 1 or pride and might aura from lvl 2 . Opinion ?

[@sim.frischh9781]

So you DO go out on farming specifically for certain builds you intend to show. Do you hunt aimed for one build or is it a more "i try to get X for build Y, but if i find something i can use for other builds, i do them before"? Also, how to best get good throwing weapons in the early game? I see farming with other characters as the best option, frankly.

[@erick3755]

You can vendor, imbue and gamble some decent throwing weps. Untwinked throw barb can be a bit rough, I always go the lazy route with singer barb if I start with no gear.

[@Alzorath]

most my hunting these days is for bases, runes, and crafting materials - basically need to make 'higher quality' versions of runewords I have and start trying for more gg crafts (still have a few caster amulets I need versions of, and want to dip more into gg rare/crafted weapons - have some that are close, even one that was great for the kodiak until they nerfed bear attack speeds)

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@Alzorath That must be a lot of work, i expected you to at least sometimes use modding to generate specific items. Maybe not for actual use, but for showing in videos.

[@Alzorath]

@@sim.frischh9781 I generally try to avoid generated items, since I find it manipulates the power of builds to an unreasonable level (that and I have years worth of character files and items stored in gomule files) - only exception is the sundered charms, since they are impossible to get in single player currently.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@Alzorath I imagine the whole gomule organisation alone to be quite the work XD

[@securatyyy]

20 ias knockback gloves are great for this. Easy to craft

[@Alzorath]

yup, a solid option as well - better for crowds, a bit worse for bosses, but still solid.

[@Happycamper10]

My fav throw barb uses dream helm dragon armor eth demon arch eth laceration infinity merc and bunch of ele damage scs. So much ele dmg

[@sassymcgees]

Season 1 I leveled as throw barb and it was a ton of fun. Then I got lacerator. Trav farm actually went way up in time and everything was more frustrating and awful. It killed throw barb for me lol. Hate that weapon.

[@Alzorath]

yup, most people don't realize, only some of the council are actually uniques (and as such immune to fear) - I literally only keep one around for boss hunting, I hate using it for any other use.

[@ms.aelanwyr.ilaicos]

Could always put the Lacerator on swap, I suppose... Of course, then you can't maximize Find Item mf on the swap 🤔 Also, I had no idea that throwing axes could become blood weapons! My experience with my throw barb was that rares carried most of the playthrough, so rare+ weapons seem pretty great.

[@Alzorath]

yup, I've been collecting a bunch for a big crafting cycle - though not quite there yet :) (aiming for 500-1000 in gomule for it)

[@dabbindaily24]

I literally mute voices in diablo. Nothing worse then "I can't do that" spamming over and over qhen your horking the shit out of champ pack

[@thebbcjoke]

I pretty much prefer Atma to Highlords on this one. The extra crit chance from Highlords is unnecessary, you'll be crit hitting almost all the time with double Warshriek + throwing mastery anyway. Meanwhile, Atma allows me to cast amplify dmg without switching to Lacerator and its annoying fear effect.

[@Alzorath]

you lose some ias with that though, which can be a bit annoying at times - but it's still a solid amulet if you have one (sadly under-used)

[@miks301]

Now we can use burst of speed lvl 1 to cover the gaps. It was going to be lvl 9 but "they didnt want a prebuff weapon" so they made it a worse prebuff weapon that Im still going to use to prebuff.

[@nadpodcast4488]

I think this builds I'm worried about stack size you have to come back to town fix them too many times did you? I migh build one but not sure 200 to 300 throwing weapons stack size are enough to clear chaos s, nor wsk are they enough?

[@Alzorath]

at high level throwing mastery, you pretty much never have to repair (only works in resurrected though, since it was a change in the remastered patches)

[@FatStackD]

What gave you the firestorm?

[@Alzorath]

hellfire torch

[@dmagick914]

Have you tried using Berserk to kill physical immunes?

[@Alzorath]

Berserk is more effective with higher damage weapons, but yes you can use berserk, I just prefer other options.

[@vampiretattoo5456]

How much Str and dex??

[@nadpodcast4488]

What gear cast poison nova when struck? Tia

[@Alzorath]

Andariel's Visage, though there are a few items that can do it.

[@allysinlombard]

I definitely like quirky builds. I wish more classes could dual-wield.

[@notanexpert522]

Could you put a level by level skill point chart to this? Me and my friends are very casual players doing normal play throughs just trying to follow builds as easy as possible. @alzorath

[@Alzorath]

generally level-by-level guides for loadouts aren't super reliable because needs can vary depending on the gear you find and what levels you complete quests at (with speedrunning guides being the only time you 'know' what levels people will be getting +skill quests at) - that said the "safe path" is generally go 1 point into most of the final skills and their pre-requisites as soon as they become available, using any points that aren't going towards that by putting them into throwing mastery first, when throwing mastery is maxed, spare points go to double throw, and then last of the bunch is double swing for the damage boost. So roughly, if you went the Frenzy Flavor, it would be something like: Level 1: Howl Level 2: Bash Level 3: Find Potion Level 4-5 save points Level 6: Double-swing, Throwing Mastery, Shout Level 7-11: Throwing Mastery (6) Level 12: Double Throw Den Point (it will have been collecting dust): Increase Stamina Level 13: Find Item Level 14-17: Throwing Mastery (10) Level 18: Iron Skin Level 19-23: Throwing Mastery (15) Level 24: Battle Orders Radament: Increased Speed Level 25: Frenzy Level 26-29: Throwing Mastery (19) Level 30: Natural Resistance Level 31: Battle Command Level 32: Throwing Mastery (20) Level 33-49 + Izual: Double Throw (20) Then into Double Swing until 20 Into Find Potion until 20 Some people will sacrifice 2 points on the way to get leap attack for movement tech.

[@notanexpert522]

@@Alzorath @Alzorath fantastic I'm building Fextralife's holy fire paladin from that beginners guide. We are novices to the game so I'm following that video step by step. But your skill breakdowns have been insanely helpful for us as a team!

[@nadpodcast4488]

how he can cast that fire skill when throwing? what is the skill name?

[@Alzorath]

Firestorm from Torch

[@ischju]

Plus never found lacerator.

[@DrEvil-os9dc]

Slap a lastwish and lawbringer on act5 merc 😎 Also upped eth Scalpers are a good choice! Maybe even up eth deathbits

[@Alzorath]

Lawbringer a5 mercs are really slept on, in spite of several videos covering them on youtube - only reason I'd avoid last wish is the overriding curse effect (I'd rather go Lawbringer+Grief for this usecase - even if it doesn't give us the pump, the merc would make up for it)

[@GO-nf5bp]

I wounder if its good in pvp

[@davidhoward496]

Hey Al... Are you under the weather, or auditioning for theatrical trailer voice-overs? 🤪

[@Alzorath]

Allergies lol - nothing serious.

[@davidhoward496]

@@Alzorath I mean it's not a bad thing... glad you're well tho😄

[@phucnguyen0110]

What the hell, your voice sounds different brother :O

[@Alzorath]

allergies lol - that and no pineapple juice to clear it out (I usually drink something with citric acid to clear out my throat before a recording)

[@Happycamper10170]

I made an elemental dmg throw barb dragon arm dream helm demon arch Lacerator duel ele dmg scs infinity merc was so fun

[@LowEnd_tesla]

No demon arch love?

[@Jay7ona]

I had a near perfect eth demon arch in season 1 with an eth warshrike and the combo was way more enjoyable than lacerator

[@Alzorath]

I'd put it right behind gimmershred as the 'elemental alt' personally - kind of how upped deathbits are "next best thing to warshrike" in many cases... sadly not a lot of lacerator alternatives for its use without dipping into rare/crafted

[@LowEnd_tesla]

Fair enough. I had a 305% ed eth throwing spear drop the other day. But when I upped it the quantity dropped to 1. Broke my heart.

[@swampasssapper3643]

Eth upped deathbits 😜

[@zaidalielarabeloco4070]

Throw barb my best barb

[@Alzorath]

they're definitely a lot of fun, and one of the better crowd clearing barbarians out there too once you have your pierce up

[@belazarius727]

Caught a cold ?

[@Alzorath]

allergies lol - and no pineapple juice to clear it out of the voice

[@JackD1615]

Your voice fot deeper all of a sudden

[@muhammadzinc5228]

the throw weapon needs to richochet off each other outside a straight vertical line but sideways like in Project Diablo. Ugh. Meta is unfortunately not shaken up due to purists screaming against any meaningful changes.

[@mhebert350]

duress, gore riders would be way way way better option..way better

[@Alzorath]

not really - while CB is "nice" on ranged, it's penalized so heavily, you're not going to feel it with this build specifically.

[@mhebert350]

@@Alzorath you do when frenzy hybrid. You even see the difference when only throwing but as you say, it's lesser since CB do 1/8 instead of 1/4, but still faster than plain throwing

[@peepopoo4387]

Duress has flat cold damage which ruins your ability to hork.

[@mhebert350]

@@peepopoo4387 not that much, it doesn't freeze for that long

[@BigChump23234]

Omg, I've been stacking for a throw barb so yea or nah!!! OTHERWISE I'VE MADE SEVERAL MULE ACCOUNTS FOR NOTHING!!!! 😠 😡 😤 😣

[@hnevko]

Funny, how all these pokemon videos where ppl (usually with annoying american accent) are showing "builds", or "how it goes" with this and that, discussing the gameplay strategies..... (ofc with tiiiiiny-tiny caveat - they got ALL inventory filled with charms you normally will never find, not mentioning runes like 3x JAH and 10xBER :D :D :D ... after hours of boring [add]RUNS, TAXI, CHEATS, and TRADINGs, when whatever strategy WILL work). The game is ruined, and no one plays it as they should

[@redeyez8288]

What's the magic find at

[@redeyez8288]

Way to slow