Diablo 2 Barbarian Clone Kill  Guide

How to kill the clone with a Barbarian

This build works extremely well and easily. It was kind of an accident as this barbarian was built up in the high 80's in 1.09 before all the synergies etc. of 1.10. This character has at least 40 clone kills on his resume never once dying.

Note: This build is not recommended if you want a challenge.

Ingredients:

One Level 80 something Barbarian.

Preferred equipment choices in red, alternates in green. The preferred build should dispatch him in 1 minute or less especially if your merc gets a few hits in.

Equipment:

Chains of Honor Archon Plate Armor (200% damage to demons 65% resist all, 8% life steal etc..)
Gladiators Bane, Shaftstop, any other decent melee character armor will work but to give up 200% damage to demons is what you will be sacrificing plus the 65% resist all.

Guillaumes Face helm from the Orphans set as it has 35% chance of crushing blow and 15% deadly strike. Socket with a jewel for more damage to demons for even faster kill or a ber rune for more crushing blow.
Second choice would be Arreats Face. I suspect almost anything would work. Maybe Blackhorns Face Helm (Prevent Monster Heal/Lightning resist/absorb), Vamp Gaze and others.

Main Weapon: Two BOTD swords. I use a Colossus Blade (not even ETH or great stats) and a Phase Blade, mainly because that's what I had and it works.
There's always the set sword Bul Kathos Colossus Blade for crushing blow. Any good sword will work If you don't kill fast enough you will have to get your prevent monster heal somewhere.

Optional but recommended Weapon Switch:  Any + skills swords. Only use to cast your warcries prior to battle.

Gore Rider boots for crushing blow/deadly strike or
Others,  Upgraded Goblin Toe for more crushing blow,  Infernostride, IK, War Travelers etc.

Draculs Gloves for the life tap. It's like having 50% life leech when active. With these you can just about forget about having to drink potions.
Laying of Hands Gloves (350% damage to demons), but I still like Draculs better.  Venom Grip (5% crushing blow), Lava Gout (enchant) would work in a pinch.

Verdungo's Belt: 10-15% damage reduce, 30-40 to vitality
Thundergods, String of Ears, Nosferatus Coil, will all work in a pinch.

Dwar Star ring (15% fire absorb)
Raven Frost (can't be frozen)

Highlords  20% IAS, lightning resist % deadly strike per char level
Atma's Scarab Ammy (5% chance for amplify damage +20% to AR),  Rising Sun

Some 100+ poison damage charms and other miscellaneous charms to fill out resists or whatever you need.

Merc: I have a barbarian merc. It was an experiment way back in 1.09 but he is pretty hearty.
You can vary equipment quite a bit here. Your merc isn't really needed for this kill.
Any good armor, Shaftstop, Gladiators bane, Corpsemourn all work well.
Helm. Lots of choices here too. Guillaume's Face, Arreats, Gaze, Crown of Thieves,Shako, even Tals all work.
As for weapons the flamebellow works good because it has fire absorb for keeping him alive better. Another reason to perhaps use a barbarian merc is he can wield a sword. I.E. the set Bul Kathos Colossus Blade with 35% crushing blow (even better with a Ber rune (55% crushing blow)).
BOTD always an option. Anything with decent damage and leech never hurts.
I'm sure you could use a defiance or might, or even no merc. The drawback to this merc is I get no auras or anything from him, but it usually isn't that tough to keep him alive and he can assist. 

With the equipment in red all resists are maxed plenty enough plus you have some fire absorb.

Skills:  Max Frenzy, Berserk, Sword Mastery, Battle Orders.
Add at least one point to Shout, Battle Command, Increased Speed, Natural Resistances, Iron Skin
and of course any prerequisites. Feel free to boost shout for synergies, or any of these. I.E.
need resists, boost that, etc.


Method: Run down, weapon switch get your +4 or so to war cries then cast battle command/shout/battle orders in that order. You  should be set for the duration of the kill. Then simply switch to your main weapons and stand toe to toe and use frenzy is your main attack on your left mouse button, berserk is on your right. Frenzy like crazy, throw in a berserk if you wish. You can just use frenzy if you want. If you take damage while berserking resume frenzy to leech life back. After a few kills you will get the hang of what works best. As long as you stay toe to toe you won't be affected by the lightning hose attack. On firestorm you may notice taking some damage but should leech any back fast enough. Your merc will likely have more problems with the firestorm and that is when you have to watch him if you want him to stay alive. He isn't necessary but can help.
The other attacks don't seem that worrisome.

Observations..

1) With this setup and smart play you shouldn't need any healing or rejuve potions or have to make any trips to town. You don't really have to even pre-clear the area although if there are certain types of bosses in the area that say use curses you might want to kill them.
2) Total kill time 60 seconds or less using optimum build.
3) Even in multi player game your kill time won't be bad as the crushing blow will still cut him down pretty fast. The last few slivers of life he has may take a bit longer.
 

Here are some general keys.

1) Prevent monster heal. Although with this setup you do damage fairly fast, and with BOTD it is assured.
2) Crushing Blow.. Did I say crushing blow? Get it as high as possible. He falls fast.
3) Max fire resists and some absorb won't hurt.
4) Since all end of act bosses are demons including the clone. Increased damage to demons items will make the kill faster.
5) Enough life/mana leech to avoid needing potions. With draculs you are set for life leech. BOTD takes care of any mana leech you need.

Return to Main Page