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Like many of you Warwind Barbarians out there, dual Grief has been The Meta for so long. Yes, it's super strong, but versus some high physical damage monsters, it can be a bottleneck for clear speeds. After being harassed in my comments to try this super unique off-hand sword, I tried it and I can't go back. Can you guess what it is by the aura? Azerath. The level 13 Sanctuary Aura is so strong in this build versus Undead, that it's hard not to use. I'll go over the D2R items gear and the Merc setup, the stats, and the skill points used in the build. Then I'll go through P8 Chaos, P8 Cows, and P8 Baal time.

Gear Overview

Main Hand: Grief

A high-roll Grief sword is essential, boasting 399 damage, just one off perfect. The enhanced damage base, though not necessary, provides a slight edge.

Off Hand: Azerath

Azerath shines with its level 13 Sanctuary Aura, which is particularly effective against undead. It also offers +1 to all skills, 30% increased attack speed, and magic and cold damage. This sword is a game-changer for dealing with undead mobs, turning your Barbarian into a wrecking ball against these foes.

Helm: G Face (Guillaume's Face)

Socketed with a Cham rune for "Cannot Be Frozen," this helm provides a crushing blow, a deadly strike, and faster hit recovery.

Amulet: Highlord's Wrath

This amulet grants +1 to all skills, 20% increased attack speed, and a deadly strike, essential for maximizing your damage output.

Armor: Enigma

Using a Mage Plate for its lighter strength requirement, Enigma offers Teleport, +2 to all skills, and a hefty boost to strength.

Boots: Gore Rider

For faster run/walk, crushing blow, deadly strike, and open wounds, Gore Rider boots are the go-to choice.

Rings: Faster Cast Rate Rings

Both rings are optimized with a faster cast rate, mana leech, and resistances. These are crucial for hitting necessary breakpoints and maintaining survivability.

Belt: Arachnid Mesh

Arachnid Mesh provides +1 to all skills, a faster cast rate to reach the 37% breakpoint, and slows the target by 10%.

Gloves: Laying of Hands

These gloves grant increased attack speed, 350% damage to demons, and high fire resistance.

Charms:

    • Annihilus (20/9/10)

    • Hellfire Torch (18/7)

    • Bone Break Sundering Charm

    • Max Damage and Attack Rating Grand Charms with various rolls

    • Small Charms for life, faster run/walk, and resistance

Weapon Swap:

Dual Heart of the Oak (Hoto) for the +3 to all skills and 40% faster cast rate, ensuring you hit the 105% breakpoint for Teleport.

Stats Allocation

    • Strength: Just enough to equip your gear.

    • Dexterity: A few points for a better attack rating.

    • Vitality: All remaining points to maximize health.

With this setup, your Barbarian will have:

    • 10K Attack Rating

    • 10,000 Defense

    • Full resistances

    • 98% Magic Find

    • 45% Faster Hit Recovery (just shy of the next breakpoint)

Skill Points Distribution

    • Combat Skills:

          • Max out Whirlwind for maximum damage output.

          • One point into Frenzy for occasional utility.

    • Combat Masteries:

          • Max out Sword Mastery for increased damage and attack rating.

          • Max out Natural Resistances for better survivability.

          • Remaining points into Iron Skin to further boost defense.

    • Warcries:

          • One point each into Howl, Shout, and Battle Command.

          • Max out Battle Orders to boost health and mana for you and your party.

Mercenary Setup

Using a Might Mercenary for the added damage:

    • Helm: Cure for faster hit recovery and poison resistance.

    • Armor: Chains of Honor for +2 to all skills, life leech, damage reduction, and 65% of all resistances.

    • Weapon: Ethereal Reaper's Toll with a Shael rune for increased attack speed and Decrepify proc to reduce enemy defenses.

Performance in Different Scenarios

Player 8 (P8) Chaos Sanctuary:

The Sanctuary aura from Azerath completely negates the physical resistance of undead enemies, making your Barbarian a force to be reckoned with. The added magic damage from Azerath also helps in dealing with the highly resistant storm casters. With the teleport provided by Enigma, you can move swiftly through the sanctuary, decimating groups of undead with ease.

Player 8 (P8) Cow Level:

For cow runs, switching back to dual Grief is more effective since the Sanctuary aura is unnecessary. The high physical damage from dual Grief cuts through the dense packs of cows. The Decrepify proc from your Mercenary, combined with the crushing blow, ensures that even the toughest cows fall quickly.

Player 8 (P8) Baal Runs:

Teleporting to the Throne of Destruction is efficient with the faster cast rate from Hoto on swap. In the throne room, the Sanctuary aura helps knock back dolls, making it safer to deal with these dangerous enemies. Against Baal, the combination of high physical damage, crushing blow, and Decrepify ensures a swift kill.

Conclusion

This Azerath Whirlwind Barbarian build offers a refreshing and powerful alternative to the traditional dual Grief setup. The Sanctuary aura is a game-changer against undead enemies, significantly increasing your clear speed and survivability in areas like Chaos Sanctuary and Baal runs. While Grief remains king for cow runs, the versatility and power of Azerath make it a must-try for any serious Barbarian player.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Check out more builds and guides at P2Pah or buy Diablo II: Resurrected Gold!