The other Barbarian your friends want you to play, the Singer Build. Singers are buffing support specialists that are best played PvM. The build is almost completely worthless solo and especially during solo PvP. However, they make excellent melee support casters, second to none in their role in multiplayer parties.
Singer Build Gameplay
This stellar support is a great fit for any party. The Singer is able to successfully buff and tank for their teammates in Hell mode but he is also one of the only supports to do well in Hardcore mode as well.
It is important to note that this build is designed around your Barbarian having teammates. If you have no teammates you shouldn’t be playing a Singer. This again IS NOT a PvP build. Using this build, solo, on a PvP server will get your Barbarian killed.
Stick with your teammates and you’ll see how quickly a Singer can turn around a fight!
Singer Build Skills
Since your Singer won’t have any damage, overall tankiness and CC are priorities for leveling. War Cry should receive the 20-point treatment first, because it stuns in an AoE. This skill might have a steep Mana cost but don’t worry because you’ll be building your Barb like a support caster.
Suggested Fix: Use Insight on your Mercenary for the Meditation Aura.
Other support skills like Battle Orders and Shout are excellent. Battle Orders increases everyone in the party’s sustainability with large Stamina/HP/Mana bonuses. Shout is normally used right after to give your friends a decent Defense Rating buff.
Players will complete their skills by investing one point in defensive options like Iron Skin and Natural Resistances. Extra tankiness is always a godsend for a Barb.
Buff and Debuff Warcries like Taunt, Howl, and Battle Cry are great fillers for extra points as well. These three skills will make your team more versatile and hefty for taking down different challenges you might encounter.
Resist putting points into any skills that increase damage dealt or skills that attack.
Singer Build Stats
Barbarian builds invest points in Strength until they can equip their endgame items, and the Singer is no different. The Singer will completely ignore Dexterity, saving points for Vitality. Your Singer should be kitted with items to close the Mana sustainability gap because tankiness should always be frontloaded.
Singer Build Equipment
Weapons
2x Spirit Crystal Swords for fast Casting Rates will help your Singer early on.
Helm
Runeword Delirium
3 Socket Helms
Lem + Ist + Io
1% Chance To Cast Level 50 Delirium* (morph) When Struck
6% Chance To Cast Level 14 Mind Blast When Struck
14% Chance To Cast Level 13 Terror When Struck
11% Chance To Cast Level 18 Confuse On Striking
+2 To All Skills
+261 Defense
+10 To Vitality
50% Extra Gold From Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 17 Attract (60 Charges)