Diablo 4’s Barbarian class offers a diverse range of powerful builds, making a definitive tier list a bit tricky. The "best" build depends on your preferred playstyle, desired difficulty level, and even specific goals (speed farming, soloing bosses, etc.). However, here’s a general overview of Barbarian build tiers based on current Season 2 performance:
S Tier:
Upheaval Barbarian: This build revolves around the Upheaval skill, providing excellent AoE damage, strong crowd control, and good survivability. It thrives in high-level content like the Abattoir of Zir.
Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian: This iconic skill shines in both single-target and AoE scenarios, delivering massive burst damage with the right gear and Legendary items.
Whirlwind Barbarian: A classic Barbarian playstyle, Whirlwind tears through packs of enemies with ease while maintaining reasonable mobility. Requires good gear scaling for endgame viability.
Double Swing Barbarian: Simple and effective, Double Swing focuses on high attack speed and consistent damage, making it a beginner-friendly and gear-independent build.
A Tier:
Walking Arsenal Barbarian: Reliant on cooldowns like Iron Maelstrom, this build offers burst AoE damage alongside decent defense. It takes some practice to master but can be powerful.
Thorns Barbarian: Utilizing the Thorns mechanic, this build focuses on reflecting enemy damage and boasts great survivability, especially against groups of mobs.
B Tier:
Steel Grasp Rend Barbarian: While Rend can be potent, this specific build struggles with clear speed and might require more investment for endgame content.
Death Blow Barbarian: Focused on single-target burst damage, this build can be challenging to play and lacks AoE clear, making it less versatile than other options.
C Tier:
Leapquake Barbarian: Though fun for its mobility, Leapquake struggles with consistent damage and AoE clear, making it less viable for high-level content.
Remember, these tier placements are not absolute and can vary depending on specific gear setups, player skill, and desired objectives. It’s always recommended to try different builds and experiment to find what works best for you.
Here are some additional resources to help you explore Barbarian builds in Diablo 4: