Newbie Barbarian question

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Michael Quick - 25 Jun 2008 14:13 GMT

If my barbarian wants to use a javelin which mastery should I put points
into?

Thrown weapons or spear?

I'm not clear which to use having checked several websites.

The javelin btw is a unique (gold) weapon and has many bonuses so it's worth
using.

Mike

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Michael Quick - 25 Jun 2008 14:34 GMT

> If my barbarian wants to use a javelin which mastery should I put points
> into?
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Mike

Whoops, should have said I want to use it as a 'stabbing/melee' type weapon,
not thrown.

Mike

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Shiflet - 25 Jun 2008 15:58 GMT

> Whoops, should have said I want to use it as a 'stabbing/melee' type
> weapon, not thrown.

Then none of the masteries help you. In game terms, javelins are not
considered spears or polearms, throwing mastery only helps when you throw,
and they're quite clearly not axes, maces, or swords, so those don't help
you either. If you want to melee as a barb, get a different weapon.

> Mike

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Shiflet - 25 Jun 2008 15:56 GMT

> If my barbarian wants to use a javelin which mastery should I put points
> into?
>
> Thrown weapons or spear?
>
> I'm not clear which to use having checked several websites.

Throwing Mastery if you throw them, AFAIK none of the masteries help if you
melee with them, and this belief is shared by the posters on the
diabloii.net barbarian forums, which has a lot of people who've pretty
thoroughly tested everything that there is to test about barbs.

> The javelin btw is a unique (gold) weapon and has many bonuses so it's
> worth using.

Keep in mind, "many bonuses" do not necessarily mean good bonuses...would
you mind giving more info?

> Mike

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Michael Quick - 25 Jun 2008 16:14 GMT

>> If my barbarian wants to use a javelin which mastery should I put points
>> into?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Keep in mind, "many bonuses" do not necessarily mean good bonuses...would
> you mind giving more info?

It's a Demon's Arch Balrog Spear, stats:

Throw Damage: (104-124) To (161-192) (132.5-158 Avg)
One-Hand Damage: (85-102) To (163-195) (124-148.5 Avg)
Required Level: 68
Required Strength: 127
Required Dexterity: 95
Base Weapon Speed: [10]
Max Stack (80)
+160-210% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 232-323 Fire Damage
Adds 23-333 Lightning Damage
+30% Increased Attack Speed
6-12% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
Replenishes Quantity [1 in 3 sec.]
(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

This far in excess of the damage I'm getting out of my 'Lawbringer' rune
worded sword. In fact about double the damage. Max about 2500 points
according to the character screen (which I know isn't entirely accurate!)

I appreciate I'm missing out on Critical Strike (which I've invested some
points in) but overall it seems pretty impressive. The 12% life steal is
handy (I got the max)

Mike

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Shiflet - 25 Jun 2008 16:25 GMT

> This far in excess of the damage I'm getting out of my 'Lawbringer' rune
> worded sword. In fact about double the damage. Max about 2500 points
> according to the character screen (which I know isn't entirely accurate!)

That's because Lawbringer doesn't actually have ANY enhanced damage on it,
it only has a little elemental damage. Basically, it's really a junk weapon
except for dealing with physical immunes, hit em with the Lawbringer and use
it's ele damage to hurt them until it's Decrep curse goes off(Decrep can
remove physical immunity from some enemies) then switch to your real weapon
to finish them. It's a specialty runeword for helping meleers deal with
physical immunes, it's not in any way intended for an endgame primary
weapon.

> I appreciate I'm missing out on Critical Strike (which I've invested some
> points in) but overall it seems pretty impressive. The 12% life steal is
> handy (I got the max)

You'd be doing a lot more overall damage with a weapon you have the mastery
for that actually adds damage though. Also, keep in mind, ~250-650 of that
listed damage for Demon's Arch is elemental(which some monsters are
resistant or immune to), and which doesn't actually benefit from life steal
either. It's really another weapon for dealing with PIs, or for throwers,
it's not a real good melee weapon.

> Mike

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Michael Quick - 25 Jun 2008 16:46 GMT

>> This far in excess of the damage I'm getting out of my 'Lawbringer' rune
>> worded sword. In fact about double the damage. Max about 2500 points
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> steal either. It's really another weapon for dealing with PIs, or for
> throwers, it's not a real good melee weapon.

Many thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Luckily I have a Lightsabre (found it myself) and when used in conjunction
with a good shield and lots of points in Concentration works well for me (so
far!)

The Balrog spear was being used together with a good sword whilst using
Frenzy as the alternative weapon switch.

Currently level 72 in Hell.

Mike

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