The Concentrator Barbarian is probably the party favorite in terms of Barbarian Builds. It is a defense oriented build that buffs allies and tanks.
Conc Barbs (referred to as CB from here on), are the safest choice in Hardcore for their entire class and are normally the best received in a party. This is one of the tankiest builds for the class but also one that has low DPS. This build is meant for multiplayer and not solo runs!
Concentrator Build Gameplay
The is a great addition to any party but incredibly weak on his own. Most of the CB’s issues stem from how heavily tanky the build is to begin with. CB’s will build High defense to tank almost everything for his party.
Specializing in different Warcries, the CB will act as the hub or centerpiece of their party’s battle formation. This centralized position allows for the entire party to benefit from the amazing buffs he’s providing.
Just like any other Barb build, players normally keep a couple of points in Berserk to deal with any bosses or PI monsters.
Concentrator Build Skills
As expected, the CB will put 20 points in the Concentrate skill first. This skill is desirable because it cannot be interrupted while it simultaneously raises your defense. If only every skill had this kind of 2-for-1 philosophy!
Skills like Battle Orders and Bash should provide enough life and CC to keep your Barb relevant in a fight. Battle Orders is great for your party because it raises your HP/Mana maximums. Bash is extra CC, which is great for any tank.
For extra damage look no further than Weapon Mastery. This skill is in every Barb build, like Berserk, because of its utility. Speaking of Berserk, guess which skill is recommended for just a few points? Berserk. Again, this skill has excellent synergy for this build. Berserk allows your CB to down monsters with the dreaded PI. It can also shut down a Necro in PvP almost immediately. Did you know that at high levels Berserk applies passively?
This means that at higher levels, the skill no longer has to be the active one to work. This means your Concentrate attacks will have the same Magical Damage modifier as Berserk.
Nice!
Other buff skills should only get 1 point: Howl, Shout, Battle Cry/Command.
Prerequisite skills should also get the same 1-point treatment. Tanky skills like Iron Skin and Natural Resistances are in the same boat due to diminishing returns on investment.
Off-builds are normally customized depending on the amount of points in optional skills like Increased Speed, Stun, or Taunt. Extra CC and mobility are all dependent on your play style.
Concentrator Build Stats
Firstly, the Concentrator Build needs to have enough Strength to carry and use their endgame armor and items.
Secondly, dexterity is useful for block but dependent on the build variant. Normally, players invest in getting Max Block.
Thirdly, vitality gets every leftover point! This is important as it will keep your CB healthy.
Lastly, Energy is left at base, just like most other Barb builds.
Concentrator Build Items
Two-handed
Runeword Breath of the Dying
6 Socket Weapons
Vex + Hel + El + Eld + Zod + Eth
Level Requirement: 69
50% Chance to Cast Level 20 Poison Nova When You Kill An Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+200% Damage to Undead
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating Against Undead
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
12-15% Life Stolen Per hit (varies)
Prevent Monster Heal
+30 to All Attributes
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
Runeword Destruction
5 Socket Weapons
Vex + Lo + Ber + Jah + Ko
23% Chance To Cast Level 12 Volcano On Striking
5% Chance To Cast Level 23 Molten Boulder On Striking
100% Chance To Cast level 45 Meteor When You Die
15% Chance To Cast Level 22 Nova On Attack
+350% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target’s Defense
Adds 100-180 Magic Damage
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
20% Chance Of Crushing Blow
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+10 To Dexterity
Runeword Eternity
5 Socket Melee Weapons
Amn + Ber + Ist + Sol + Sur
Indestructible
+260-310% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Hit Blinds Target
Slows Target By 33%
Regenerate Mana 16%
Replenish Life +16
Cannot Be Frozen
30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items
Level 8 Revive (88 Charges)
Runeword Beast
5 Socket Axes/Scepters/Hammers
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
Runeword Doom
5 Socket Axes/Polearms/Hammers
Hel + Ohm + Um + Lo + Cham
5% Chance To Cast Level 18 Volcano On Striking
Level 12 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+2 To All Skills
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+330-370% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-(40-60)% To Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)
20% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Freezes Target +3
Requirements -20%
Runeword Honor
5 Socket Melee Weapons
Amn + El + Ith + Tir + Sol
+160% Enhanced Damage
+9 To Minimum Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
25% Deadly Strike
+250 To Attack Rating
+1 to All Skills
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
Replenish Life +10
+10 To Strength
+1 To Light Radius
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Runeword Obedience
5 Socket Polearms
Hel + Ko + Thul + Eth + Fal
30% Chance To Cast Level 21 Enchant When You Kill An Enemy
40% Faster Hit Recovery
+370% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
-25% To Enemy Fire Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
+200-300 Defense (varies)
+10 To Strength
+10 To Dexterity
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
Requirements -20%
One-Handed
Runeword Breath of the Dying
6 Socket Weapons
Vex + Hel + El + Eld + Zod + Eth
Level Requirement: 69
50% Chance to Cast Level 20 Poison Nova When You Kill An Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+200% Damage to Undead
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating Against Undead
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
12-15% Life Stolen Per hit (varies)
Prevent Monster Heal
+30 to All Attributes
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
Runeword Doom
5 Socket Axes/Polearms/Hammers
Hel + Ohm + Um + Lo + Cham
5% Chance To Cast Level 18 Volcano On Striking
Level 12 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+2 To All Skills
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+330-370% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-(40-60)% To Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)
20% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Freezes Target +3
Requirements -20%
Runeword Eternity
5 Socket Melee Weapons
Amn + Ber + Ist + Sol + Sur
Indestructible
+260-310% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+9 To Minimum Damage
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
Hit Blinds Target
Slows Target By 33%
Regenerate Mana 16%
Replenish Life +16
Cannot Be Frozen
30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items
Level 8 Revive (88 Charges)
Runeword Destruction
5 Socket Weapons
Vex + Lo + Ber + Jah + Ko
23% Chance To Cast Level 12 Volcano On Striking
5% Chance To Cast Level 23 Molten Boulder On Striking
100% Chance To Cast level 45 Meteor When You Die
15% Chance To Cast Level 22 Nova On Attack
+350% Enhanced Damage
Ignore Target’s Defense
Adds 100-180 Magic Damage
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
20% Chance Of Crushing Blow
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+10 To Dexterity
Runeword Beast
5 Socket Axes/Scepters/Hammers
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
Runeword Honor
5 Socket Melee Weapons
Amn + El + Ith + Tir + Sol
+160% Enhanced Damage
+9 To Minimum Damage
+9 To Maximum Damage
25% Deadly Strike
+250 To Attack Rating
+1 to All Skills
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
Replenish Life +10
+10 To Strength
+1 To Light Radius
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Shield
Runeword Spirit
4 Socket Swords/Shields
Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn
Shields
+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Helms
Arreat’s Face
Slayer Guard
Defense: 302-363
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Durability: 55
(Barbarian Only)
+150-200% Enhanced Defense
30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus To Attack Rating
+2 To Barbarian Skill Levels
3-6% Life Stolen Per Hit
All Resistances +30
+20 To Strength
+20 To Dexterity
+2 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
Guillaume’s Face “Not in the face”
Defense: 217
Minimum Strength: 115
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 34
+120% Enhanced Defense
30% Faster Hit Recovery
15% Deadly Strike
35% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15 to Strength
Crown of Ages
Defense: 349 – 399
Minimum Strength: 174
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 82
+50% Enhanced Defense
+100-150 Defense (varies)
+1 To All Skills
Damage Reduced By 10-15% (varies)
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
Socketed (1-2) (varies)
Indestructible
Vampire Gaze:
Defense: 252
Minimum Strength: 58
Durability: 40
Level Requirement: 41
+100% Enhanced Defense
Adds 6-22 Cold Damage – 4 Second Duration
15% Slower Stamina Drain
6-8% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
6-8% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)
Damage Reduced by 15-20% (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced by 10-15 (varies)
Stealskull:
Defense: 219 – 248
Minimum Strength: 59
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 35
+200-400% Enhanced Defense (varies)
10% Increased Attack Speed
10% Faster Hit Recovery
5% Life Stolen per Hit
5% Mana Stolen per Hit
30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Tal Rasha’s Horadric Crest
Defense: 99 – 131
Minimum Strength: 55
Durability: 20
Level Requirement: 66
10% Life Stolen per Hit
10% Mana Stolen per Hit
All Resistances +15
+45 Defense
+30 to Mana
+60 to Life
Armor
Runeword Fortitude
For 300% enhanced damage.
4 Socket Weapons/Body Armor
El + Sol + Dol + Lo
Body Armor
20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+200% Enhanced Defense
+15 Defense
+X To Life (Based on Character Level)*
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
All Resistances +25-30 (varies)
Damage Reduced By 7
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 To Light Radius
Runeword Chains of Honor
4 Socket Body Armor
Dol + Um + Ber + Ist
+2 To All Skills
+200% Damage To Demons
+100% Damage To Undead
8% Life Stolen Per Hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 To Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced By 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Runeword Duress
3 Socket Body Armor
Shael + Um + Thul
+40% Faster Hit Recovery
+10-20% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 37-133 Cold Damage 2 sec. Duration (Normal)
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
33% Chance of Open Wounds
+150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
-20% Slower Stamina Drain
Cold Resist +45%
Lightning Resist +15%
Fire Resist +15%
Poison Resist +15%
Belts
Nosferatu’s Coil
Defense: 56 – 63
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 51
Slows Target By 10%
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
5-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
+15 To Strength
10% Increased Attack Speed
-3 To Light Radius
String of Ears
Defense: 102 – 113
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 20
Durability: 22
Level Requirement: 29
+150-180% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+15 Defense
6-8% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced by 10-15 (varies)
Arachnid Mesh
Defense: 119 – 138
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 12
Level Requirement: 80
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Slows Target By 10%
+1 To All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Increases Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11 Charges)
Gloves
Steelrend
Defense: 232 – 281
Minimum Strength: 185
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 70
+170-210 Defense (varies)
+30-60% Enhanced Damage (varies)
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15-20 To Strength (varies)
Laying of Hands
Defense: 79 – 87
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 12
Level Requirement: 63
+25 Defense
20% Increased Attack Speed
+350% Damage to Demons
Fire Resist +50%
10% Chance to Cast Level 3 Holy Bolt on Striking
Dracul’s Grasp
Defense: 125 – 145
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 76
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies)
25% Chance of Open Wounds
7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap on Striking
Soul Drainer
Defense: 129 – 149
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 74
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
4-7% Mana Stolen Per Hit (varies)
4-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
-50 to Monster Defense per Hit
8% Chance to Cast Level 3 Weaken on Striking
Boots
Gore Rider
Defense: 140 – 162
Kick Damage: 39 – 80
Minimum Strength: 94
Durability: 34
Level Requirement: 47
+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
+20 to Maximum Stamina
War Travelers
Defense: 120 – 139
Kick Damage: 37 – 64
Minimum Strength: 95
Durability: 48
Level Requirement: 42
+150-190% Enhanced Defense (varies)
25% Faster Run/Walk
+10 to Vitality
+10 to Strength
Adds 15-25 Damage
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5-10 (varies)
30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Amulet
Highlord’s Wrath
Level Requirement: 65
+1 to All Skills
20% Increased Attack Speed
+0-37% Deadly Strike (+0.375 per Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Rings
Raven Frost
Level Requirement: 45
+150-250 to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 15-45 Cold Damage – 4 Second Duration
Cannot be Frozen
+15-20 to Dexterity (varies)
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Bul-Kathos’ Wedding Band
Level Requirement: 58
+1 to All Skills
+0-49 to Life (+0.5 per Character Level)
3-5% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+50 to Maximum Stamina