Whirlwind Barbarian Build for Diablo 2 Resurrected

One of the strongest points for using Whirlwind is that it is one of the few Barbarian skills that can deal area of effect damage. This allows for the Barbarian to fight larger masses of monsters at once instead of focusing on isolating targets or fighting off smaller groups. The Whirlwind Barbarian struggles a bit while undergeared but, once decent Attack Rating and damage have been acquired, it quickly becomes a powerful build capable of beating any area in the game.

You can check the viability of this build in PvM by consulting our PvM Tier List.

The following section shows the default skill build for the Whirlwind Barbarian. For a detailed breakdown of all core and optional skills as well as the recommended order for allocating skill points, refer to the Skills page of this guide.

1. 1 point to all prerequisites
2. 20 points to Whirlwind — Main damage skill, required
3. 1 point to Leap Attack — Useful for movement, required
4. 20 points to Weapon Mastery of choice (for instance, Sword Mastery) — Passively increases damage, Attack Rating, and Critical Strike
5. 1 point to Increased Speed — Helps you move faster, required
6. 1 point to Natural Resistance — Massive boost to Resistances, required
7. 1 point to Battle Command — Increases the level of all skills, required
8. 20 points to Battle Orders — Massive Life and Mana increase, required
9. 1+ points to Shout — Increases Defense, required

You can read more details about the Stats and Attribute requirements for this build on our Skills page.

The following section shows some of the most important items for the Whirlwind Barbarian. For a detailed per-slot breakdown of all WW Barb items and alternative builds, refer to the Gear page of this guide.

• Weapon: Grief
• Weapon Offhand: Breath of the Dying, Death, Grief, or Beast
• Weapon Swap: Two +3 Warcries javelins
• Body Armor: Fortitude or Enigma
• Helm: Arreat's Face
• Gloves: Steelrend or Laying of Hands
• Boots: Gore Rider
• Belt: Verdungo's Hearty Cord
• Ring 1: Raven Frost
• Ring 2: Raven Frost or Rare ring with Life, Resistances, and useful stats
• Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
• Charm 1: Barbarian Hellfire Torch
• Charm 2: Annihilus
• Charm 3: Small Charms with Maximum Damage, Attack Rating, and Life (such Charms are commonly known as 3/20/20s)
• Charm 4: Small Charms with Life, Resistances, Mana, or Faster Hit Recovery, depending on needs

We also have a video guide that goes over the build, if you prefer that instead of or in addition to our written guide.

In Diablo 2, stats that affect action speed (known as frames) for attacking, casting, blocking, and recovering from a hit can almost never be taken literally. For example, gaining 10% Increased Attack Speed from an item will not necessarily translate into 10% faster attacks. To achieve faster actions, certain breakpoints must be reached, which vary for every class. The tables below list how much of a given stat is required to actually improve the action speed of the class for the stated action.

An Offensive ( Might) Act 2 Nightmare Mercenary is best to increase your Physical damage. An Offensive ( Blessed Aim) Act 2 Hell Mercenary could also work for increased chance to hit your shots.

• Weapon: Ethereal Insight or The Reaper's Toll
• Body Armor: Ethereal Fortitude
• Helm: Ethereal Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ral Rune

The following section features a generic Barbarian skill point progression meant to make leveling towards becoming a Whirlwind Barbarian smoother.

1. 1 points to Bash
2. 4 points to Mace Mastery
3. 6 points to Double Swing from level 6 to 11
4. 1 point to Double Throw at level 12
5. All remaining points to Mace Mastery (or Weapon Mastery of your choice) until level 24
6. All remaining points to Frenzy until ready to respec into Whirlwind at level 30

For more comprehensive leveling advice, please refer to our Barbarian Fastest Leveling Build.