Barbarians have been the poster boy of melee classes in Diablo ever since they replaced the rather unimaginative Warrior from the first game. They also tend to attract newbies to Diablo 2: Resurrected since they seem to have a simple playstyle and look better for beginners; all one has to do is hit things until they break, right?
For the most part, that's true. However, if players do decide to try out the other classes, then they'll realize that playing as a Barbarian is a handicap in Diablo 2: Resurrected. They have poor area damage until level 30 and thus clear enemy packs slower. Those who have stuck with the Barbarian despite that fact will need to put more effort into making their gear better. Thankfully, plenty of Runewords are available for these Dave Bautista lookalikes.
Updated September 17th, 2022, by Sid Natividad: As Diablo 2 Resurrected pushes forward with its ladder seasons, looking back at some of the Runewords worthy of a Barbarian is almost always mandatory for those who main the class. After all, the Barbarian is often considered one of the least powerful classes in melee combat.
That's quite ironic. While the Barbarian does excel in Goldfind builds and Berserk boss killer builds, they still pale in comparison to the might of Hammerdins and Javazons. So every bit of help for the Barbarian is certainly welcome. Thus, some additional D2R Barbarian Runewords are in order for those who prefer to stick to the class.
Grief (Eth + Tir + Lo + Mal + Ral)
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- 35% Chance To Cast Level 15 Venom On Striking
- +30-40% Increased Attack Speed
- Damage +340-400
- Ignore Target's Defense
- -25% Target Defense
- +(1.875 per character level) 1.875-185.625% Damage To Demons (Based on Character Level)
- Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
- -20-25% To Enemy Poison Resistance
- 20% Deadly Strike
- Prevent Monster Heal
- +2 To Mana After Each Kill
- +10-15 Life After Each Kill
For those looking for that one item that gives most Barbarian builds the massive boost they need to compete with other classes, then this is the one. Grief in a Phase Blade or Berserker Axe is by far the best melee weapon in the game with only a few close competitors. It's the flat +340-400 damage that gives it its edge against other melee weapons. This is a huge multiplier.
Breath Of The Dying (Vex + Hel + El + Eld + Zod + Eth)
- 50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Poison Nova When You Kill An Enemy
- Indestructible
- +60% Increased Attack Speed
- +350-400% Enhanced Damage
- +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
- Prevent Monster Heal
- +30 To All Attributes
- +1 To Light Radius
- Requirements -20%
Anyone who prefers going two-handed for the Barbarian, especially Whirlwind Barbarians, will find delight in this weapon. Breath of the Dying is one of the closest competitions to Grief though a good ethereal base for it will be more difficult to find. In any case, it offers a complete offensive suite for the Barbarian, complete with a sustain for Whirlwind through Mana Steal.
Famine (Fal + Ohm + Ort + Jah)
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- +30% Increased Attack Speed
- +320-370% Enhanced Damage
- Ignore Target's Defense
- Adds 180-200 Magic Damage
- Adds 50-200 Fire Damage
- Adds 51-250 Lightning Damage
- Adds 50-200 Cold Damage
- 12% Life Stolen Per Hit
- Prevent Monster Heal
- +10 To Strength
Famine does pale a bit in comparison to the more established and monstrous stats for Grief, but it's not bad on its own. Any Barbarian can't go wrong with it due to the complete elemental damage suite. If players are running Uber Tristram though, they might want to look into other weapons, preferably though with Crushing Blow.
Death (Hel + El + Vex + Ort + Gul)
- 100% Chance To Cast Level 44 Chain Lightning When You Die
- 25% Chance To Cast Level 18 Glacial Spike On Attack
- Indestructible
- +300-385% Enhanced Damage
- 20% Bonus To Attack Rating
- +50 To Attack Rating
- Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
- 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
- 50% Chance of Crushing Blow
- +(0.5 per Character Level) 0.5-49.5% Deadly Strike(Based on Character Level)
- +1 To Light Radius
- Level 22 Blood Golem (15 Charges)
- Requirements -20%
Speaking of Crushing Blow, Death has it in spades. That's 50 percent! Making it one of the highest Crushing Blow weapons in the game. Not only that, but it also comes with Deadly Strike, further increasing damage. The runes also aren't too expensive, making it ideal for the more budget-conscious players out there.
Kingslayer (Mal + Um + Gul + Fal)
- +30% Increased Attack Speed
- +230-270% Enhanced Damage
- -25% Target Defense
- 20% Bonus To Attack Rating
- 33% Chance of Crushing Blow
- 50% Chance of Open Wounds
- +1 To Vengeance
- Prevent Monster Heal
- +10 To Strength
- 40% Extra Gold From Monsters
As an affordable Runeword or even an option among low level Barbarian Runewords, the Kingslayer is a good choice. It has Crushing Blow as well and lots of other bonuses for offensive opportunities. Only, players will want to find a good, high-damage base for it in order to take advantage of that percentage multiplier.
Fury - Melee Weapon (Jah + Gul + Eth)
- +209% Enhanced Damage
- 40% Increased Attack Speed
- Prevent Monster Heal
- 66% Chance Of Open Wounds
- 33% Deadly Strike
- Ignore Target's Defense
- -25% Target Defense
- 20% Bonus To Attack Rating
- 6% Life Stolen Per Hit
- +5 To Frenzy (Barbarian Only)
For a Runeword tailor-made for Frenzy Barbarian builds, Fury ought to be an automatic pick for the weapon. Open Wounds and Deadly Strike combined with the increased Attack Speed will make quick work of enemies or even bosses. That Frenzy bonus is also great as it's often picked as the main damage skill.
Myth - Body Armor (Hel + Amn + Nef)
- 3% Chance To Cast Level 1 Howl When Struck
- 10% Chance To Cast Level 1 Taunt On Striking
- +2 To Barbarian Skill Levels
- +30 Defense Vs. Missile
- Replenish Life +10
- Attacker Takes Damage of 14
- Requirements -15%
Another Runeword that makes Barbarians shine in any combat situation is Myth. It gives a skill bonus to Barbarians only and gives Barbarians a few tricks up their sleeve such as the Howl and Taunt. Apart from the skill bonus, and the free skills, the other main attraction here is the Missile Defense. It's handy since Barbarians are easy picking for ranged enemies.
Lore - Helm (Ort + Sol)
- +1 To All Skill Levels
- +10 To Energy
- +2 To Mana After Each Kill
- Lightning Resist +30%
- Damage Reduced By 7
- +2 To Light Radius
In the early game phase, players usually don't have many choices apart from the standard cheap Runewords. Lore is one of those choices, and it still works well for Barbarians. One really can't ask for more with the skill level bonus and the Lightning Resist that makes it safer to farm Mephisto. +2 Mana After Each Kill is also beneficial for Whirlwind Barbarians.
Stealth - Body Armor (Tal - Eth)
- Magic Damage Reduced By 3
- +6 To Dexterity
- +15 To Maximum Stamina
- Poison Resist +30%
- Regenerate Mana 15%
- 25% Faster Run/Walk
- 25% Faster Cast Rate
- 25% Faster Hit Recovery
Due to how easy it is to procure, the Stealth Runeword or armor is universally accepted as one of the best. It gives a boost to early game players and the Barbarian is no exception. The Faster Run/Walk coupled with increased Hit Recovery is an underrated buff that might even serve as clutch moves against boss fights.
Steel - Ax/Mace/Sword (Tir + El)
- + 20% Enhanced Damage
- +3 To Minimum Damage
- +3 To Maximum Damage
- +50 To Attack Rating
- 50% Chance Of Open Wounds
- 25% Increased Attack Speed
- +2 To Mana After Each Kill
- +1 To Light Radius
It might not seem like much but this low-level or early game Runeword works wonders for Whirlwind Barbarians just starting out. More hits mean more chances of triggering the Open Wound status, making the enemies bleed. The +2 Mana per kill is also good for keeping the Whirlwind skill going as it tends to be Mana-hungry at low levels.
Wind - Melee Weapon (Sur + El)
- 10% Chance To Cast Level 9 Tornado On Striking
- +20% Faster Run/Walk
- +40% Increased Attack Speed
- +15% Faster Hit Recovery
- +120-160% Enhanced Damage
- -50% Target Defense
- +50 To Attack Rating
- Hit Blinds Target
- +1 To Light Radius
- Level 13 Twister (127 Charges)
For anyone wanting to graduate from the early game Runewords such as Steel, etc. Wind might be a good option, especially for Whirlwind Barbarians. Again, more hits with two weapons mean that Level 9 Tornado will be firing off frequently. It can also double as a defensive weapon thanks to the Hit Blinds Target ability.
Chains Of Honor - 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
Chains of Honor is all about staying tough as well as dealing the most damage to anything evil. That makes it amazing for doing some farming runs in Hell or Mount Arreat. It's generally a great body armor too as it gives a bit of everything. The main attraction is the skill level bonus as well as the huge Resistances increase which can free up accessory slots.
Honor - Melee Weapon (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
There are Barbarians who prefer the more "manly" setup of having a two-handed weapon instead of the less-intimidating two-popsicle stick swagger of dual-wielding. In such cases, the Honor Runeword will be more apt. Two-handed weapons are slower, so the Attack Rating addition is well-appreciated here. All in all, it can compete well with the two or three-Runeword one-handed weapons.
Call To Arms - Weapon (Amn + Ral + Mal + Ist + Ohm)
- +1 To All Skills
- +40% Increased Attack Speed
- +250-290% Enhanced Damage
- Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
- 7% Life Stolen Per Hit
- +2-6 To Battle Command
- +1-6 To Battle Orders
- +1-4 To Battle Cry
- Prevent Monster Heal
- Replenish Life +12
- 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
One alternative to Honor would be Call to Arms which also uses the Amn Rune. Think of it as a Magic Find variant of Honor weapons. Bonus-wise, it's quite a match thanks to the encompassing Barbarian buff increase. Everything else just makes it a good choice depending on Rune availability.
Enigma - Body Armor (Jah + Ith + Ber)
- +2 To All Skills
- +45% Faster Run/Walk
- +1 To Teleport
- +750-775 Defense
- + (0.75 Per Character Level) +0-74 To Strength (Based On Character Level)
- Increase Maximum Life 5%
- Damage Reduced By 8%
- +14 Life After Each Kill
- 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
- + (1 Per Character Level) +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)
Did someone say Magic Find? Well, Enigma has that covered and then some. What makes it more expensive, however, is that it turns any Barbarian or class into a teleporting menace around the battlefield. Whether you're playing Whirlwind, Frenzy, or Shout Barbarian, that Teleport is priceless. The other bonuses also don't hurt and even manages to make a Barbarian tankier.
Diablo 2: Resurrected was released on September 23, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.