1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character. 
2. Dexterity - Again, only allocate enough Dexterity for your desired gear (often, it will be no points here)
3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat
4. Energy - do not add any points in Energy. It's a complete waste, as you are going to fix mana management via Mana Steal and Mana on Kill affixes on your gear

COMBAT SKILLS

This is the main Skill Tree used in this build where all your core active skills can be found. You are going to use Whirlwind mainly, Berserk is an option skill that can be used to deal with Physical immune enemies (that's primarily recommended if you are playing solo), and Leap can be used for extra mobility, but that's only if you aren't using the Enigma Rune Word

Skills:

1. Bash [1/20] - Prerequisite
2. Stun [1/20] - Prerequisite
3. Concentrate [1/20] - Prerequisite
4. Leap [1/20] - Prerequisite mainly, but can only be used as mobility Skill to leap away from danger (or avoid obstacles and such)
5. Leap Attack [1/20] - Prerequisite
6. Berserk [x/20] - can be used to deal with Physical Immune monsters quickly thanks to its' high Magic Damage. Whether you use it or not (and how many points you end up allocating here) should depend on your personal preferences, and in many cases, if you are a team player, you may skip it entirely
7. Whirlwind [20/20] - the core Ability used in this build (obviously). You are going to max it out as soon as possible. Whirlwind is the spin-to-win type of Attack that will let you obliterate enemies around your character by dealing tons of Physical damage from your equipped weapons

COMBAT MASTERIES

You will find a few important Passives here. You need to allocate 20 Points in the Passive corresponding to the actual weapon you are using - in most cases, you should be using Swords and allocate 20 points in Sword Mastery, but this build may as well used Axes, Maces Pole Arms, and Spears, so which one you pick here is situational

Skills:

1. Sword/Axe/Pole Arm/Mace/Spear Mastery [20/20] - allocate 20 Points in the Mastery corresponding to the weapon that you are currently using. The most basic one is Sword Mastery as dual-wielding Grief is the most popular setup
2. Increased Stamina [1/20]  - a passive skill that increases our Life, Stamina, and Hit Recovery. This passive, including all the following ones, should have just 1 point allocated, and it will be further increased by increases to All Skills/All Barbarian Skills on your equipment
3. Increased Speed [1/20] - increases your walk and run speed - again, just 1 point here
4. Iron Skin [1/20] - Iron Skin increases your defense rating, so again it's a mandatory pick
5. Natural Resistance [1/20] - increases your resistances to Elemental Damage and Poison Damage, making it a must-have pick 

This tree offers all kinds of utility skills that boost your overall stats. You are going to take all the skills from this Tree except for the Grim Ward. Picking up FInd Potion and Find Item is optional as well, if you are not going to bother using it (at least initially you should though), you can skip those two. Make sure to keep up the buffs from your Warcries at all times

Skills:

1. Find Potion [1/20] - Prerequisite
2. Find Item [1/20] - this opens up the possibility for Horking, which can get you extra loot from slain enemies. You should definitely use it initially when Ladder starts and you are farming your initial gear
3. Howl [1/20] - sends nearby monsters scrambling away in fear. Used as a prerequisite only
4. Taunt [1/20] - taunts nearby enemies to attack you, again used only as a prerequisite
5. Shout [X/20] - an AoE buff that boosts the defense rating of yourself and your allies. Just put 1 point here initially, and then all excess points can be put here
6. Battle Orders [20/20] - improves the maximum life, mana, and stamina of you and your party. Should be maxed out because of how valuable the effects are
7. Battle Cry [20/20] - reduces defense rating and life of nearby enemies, allowing you to take them down quicker. Again a mandatory 20 points spent here
8. War Cry [1/20] - an AoE Stun. Just 1 point here
9. Battle Command [1/20] - a very important War Cry that boots the level of all your and your allies' Skills

For this Build, you want to get as much Enhanced Damage as possible, as it's the best way to scale your Whirlwind DPS. As for most builds, increases to All Skills, Combat Skills, and Warcries are all very valuable and offer high all-around bonuses. Other very important stats are Faster Hit Recovery, Attack Rating, Attack Speed, and you also need some reliable sources of Life and Mana Steal 

HELMETS

[BIS] Arreat's Face (Slayer Guard) - This might Helmet can give you +2 to Combat Skills on top of +2 to All Skills (yes, +4 Skills in total!). This makes it the best all-around option for this build. Also, it offers some extra attributes, FHR, Life Leech, and Resistances. 

• Defense: 302-363 
• Required Level: 42 
• Required Strength: 118 
• Durability: 55 
  • +150-200% Enhanced Defense 
  • 30% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • 20% Bonus To Attack Rating 
  • +2 To Barbarian Skill Levels 
  • 3-6% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • All Resistances +30 
  • +20 To Strength 
  • +20 To Dexterity 
  • +2 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only) 

Andariel's Visage (Demonhead) - A great helmet that offers a +2 Skills increase. It Also gives quite high Life Leech which can be extremely helpful. 

• Defense: 310-387
• Required Level: 83
• Required Strength: 102
• Durability: 20  
  • +100-150% Enhanced Defense 
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • 8-10% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +25-30 To Strength 
  • +10% To Maximum Poison Resist 
  • Fire Resist -30% 
  • Poison Resist +70% 
  • 15% Chance To Cast Level 15 Poison Nova When Struck 
  • Level 3 Venom (20 charges) 

Immortal King's Will (Avenger Guard) - one of the viable options is to use the entire Immortal King's set. It's not the BiS option, but getting the pieces shouldn't be relatively easy, making it a good cost-effective option with tons of added damage from the full set bonus

Note: use only as a full set!

• Defense: 160-175
• Required Level: 47
• Required Strength: 65
• Durability: 55  
  • +4 To Light Radius
  • +125 Defense
  • 37% Extra Gold From Monsters
  • 25-40% Better Chance Of Finding Magic Items
  • +2 To Warcries Skills (Barbarian Only)
  • Socketed (2)

Immortal King Set bonuses:

Partial Set Bonuses:

• +50 To Attack Rating (2 Items)
• Additional +75 To Attack Rating (3 Items)
• Additional +125 To Attack Rating (4 Items)
• Additional +200 To Attack Rating (5 Items)

Complete Set Bonus:

• +3 To Barbarian Skill Levels
• +450 To Attack Rating
• +150 To Life
• All Resistances +50
• Magic Damage Reduced By 10
• Display Aura

WEAPONS

Grief (Rune Word) - it's the best to dual-wield Grief Rune Words in Phase Blades. This Rune Word consists of 'Eth Tir Lo Mal Ral' Runes and offers up to a whopping 800 Damage bonus. When it comes to raw DPS, there is nothing get even gets close to that setup

• 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 Resist
• 20% Deadly Strike
• Prevent Monster Heal
• +2 To Mana After Each Kill
• +10-15 Life After Each Kill

Last Wish (Rune Word) - magic find option that can be dual-wielded if you feel comfortable with the lack of DPS, or you can use Grief + Last Wish for a decent balance between DPS and MF stat. It requires six sockets and Jah Mal Jah Sur Jah Ber Runes making it a very expensive option

• 6% Chance To Cast Level 11 Fade When Struck
• 10% Chance To Cast Level 18 Life Tap On Striking
• 20% Chance To Cast Level 20 Charged Bolt On Attack
• Level 17 Might Aura When Equipped
• +330-375% Enhanced Damage
• Ignore Target's Defense
• 60-70% Chance of Crushing Blow
• Prevent Monster Heal
• Hit Blinds Target
• +(0.5 per character level) 0.5-49.5% Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)

Death (Runeword) - a very powerful melee Rune Word that should be socketed in a Berserker Axe (make sure to allocate the corresponding Mastery in your Passive Tree) to become one of the deadliest one-handed Weapons. It requires Hel El Vex Ort Gul Runes. It can be dual-wielded or used with a shield for increased defeses

• 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%

Breath of the Dying (Runeword) - another extremely powerful Runeword for Melee weapons. It's arguably the best Melee non-ladder Rune Word in the game that offers simply absurd DPS when socketed in Ethereal War Pike or Colossus Blade and offers amazing Mana recovery completely solving mana-management issues. It requires Vex Hel El Eld Zod Eth Runes

• 50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Poison Nova When You Kill An Enemy
• Indestructible
• +60% Increased Attack Speed
• +350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
• +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%

Immortal King's Stone Crusher (Ogre Maul) - another piece from the IK's Set that offers solid damage and additional Elemental and Magic Damage when you complete the Set. 

Note: use only as a full set!

• Damage: 234 To 321
• Required Level: 76
• Required Strength: 225
• Base Weapon Speed: [10]  
  • +200% Enhanced Damage
  • +200% Damage To Demons
  • +250% Damage To Undead
  • 40% Increased Attack Speed
  • Indestructible
  • 35-40% Chance Of Crushing Blow
  • Socketed (2)

Set bonuses:

• Adds 211-397 Fire Damage (2 Items)
• Adds 7-477 Lightning Damage (3 Items)
• Adds 127-364 Cold Damage, 6 sec. Duration (Normal) (4 Items)
• +204 Poison Damage Over 6 Seconds (5 Items)
• Adds 250-361 Magic Damage (Complete Set)

Blade of Ali Baba (Tulwar) - use when you are looking for additional Loot with Find Item, otherwise, just get two +3 Skill Weapons to boost the effectiveness of your Warcries

• One-Hand Damage: (25-35) To (56-77)
• Required Level: 35 
• Required Strength: 70 ​​​​​
• Required Dexterity: 42 
• Durability: 32 
  • +60-120% Enhanced Damage 
  • + (2.5 Per Character Level) 2-247 % Extra Gold From Monsters (Based On Character Level) 
  • + (1 Per Character Level) 1-99 % Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level) 
  • +15 To Mana 
  • +5-15 To Dexterity 
  • Socketed (2) 

Magic Weapon (e.g. Balanced Knife) - you can dual-wield any weapons with +3 to Warcries to boost their effectiveness. You can swap your weapons, cast Warcries, and then swap again to use the regular set with higher DPS

• +3 to Warcries (Barbarian Only)

AMULETS

Highlord's Wrath - one of the best options when it comes to DPS. Offers high IAS and a high Chance for Deadly Strike, making it the most recommended option

• Required Level: 65
  • +1 To All Skills
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed
  • + (0.375 Per Character Level) 0-37 % Deadly Strike (BasedOn Character Level)
  • Lightning Resist +35%
  • Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
  • Attacker Takes Lightning Damage Of 15

Mara's Kaleidoscope - A great combination of offensive (+2 to all Skills) and defense (+20-30 to All Resistances) properties. One of the most popular Amulets in Diablo 2 Resurrected

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
  • +5 To All Attributes 

[Alternative] Blood Crafted Amulet with + Barbarian/Warcries Skills can be an extremely powerful option. You should also look for extra Resistances, Attributes, and other valuable stats 

• Required Level: varies
• In Magic Amulets, look for:
  • +3 to Combat Skills or Warcries
• In Rare Amulets, look for:
  • +2 Barbarian Skills 
  • Magic Find 
  • Resistances 
  • Attributes 

ARMORS

Fortitude (Rune Word) - This Rune Word seems to be tailored for this build specifically; it provides A LOT of enhanced damage, high resistance bonuses, and great overall defenses. You can't go wrong with this one. You will just feel the lack of extra mobility from Enigma missing, but how you want to play this build is entirely up to you

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 59 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• El + Sol + Dol + Lo
  • +25% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +300% Enhanced Damage 
  • +200% Enhanced Defense 
  • +15 Defense 
  • +X To Life (Based on Character Level) (1-1.5 Per Level) 
  • Replenish Life +7 
  • +5% To Maximum Lightning Resist 
  • All Resistances +25-30 
  • Damage Reduced By 7 
  • 12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • +1 To Light Radius 

Enigma (Rune Word) - overall the best option to maximize this build's performance and mobility. The +1 to Teleport is simply one of the most sought-after affixes for almost all non-Sorceress characters. You also get a ton of Magic Find, Strength, and +2 to All Skills

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Jah + Ith + Ber Runes
  • +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)

Tyrael's Might (Sacred Armor) - A very solid choice that grants a lot of Enhanced Damage against Demons, Faster Run/Walk Speed, and renders you immune to Freeze (on top of other valuable stats). Can be used Ethereal for its built-in indestructibility

• Defense: 1322-1502
• Required Strength: None
• Required Level: 84
  • +120-150% Enhanced Defense
  • +50-100% Damage To Demons
  • +20% Faster Run/Walk
  • +20-30 To Strength
  • All Resistances +20-30
  • Cannot Be Frozen
  • Requirements -100%
  • Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
  • Indestructible

Chains of Honor (Rune Word) - A great alternative option. This powerful Runeword offers tons of damage and Resistances. It should be socketed in a chest with the highest defense rating you can afford 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base 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 Strength 
  • Replenish Life +7 
  • All Resistances +40-60 (varies) 
  • Damage reduced by 4% 
  • 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 

Immortal King's Soul Cage (Sacred Armor) - armor from the Immortal King's Set. If you are taking that route you will need all the pieces including it. 

Note:  use only as a full set!    

• Defense: 1001 (Base Defense: 487-600
• Defense: 1301 (Base Defense: 487-600)
• Required Level: 76 
• Required Strength: 232
• Durability: 60 
  • +400 Defense
  • 5% Chance To Cast Level 5 Enchant When Struck
  • Poison Resist +50%
  • +2 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)

Set bonuses:

• 25% Faster Hit Recovery (2 Items)
• Cold Resist +40% (3 Items)
• Fire Resist +40% (4 Items)
• Lightning Resist +40% (5 Items)
• +50% Enhanced Defense (Complete Set)

RINGS

Bul-Kathos Death Band - A great offensive choice. This ring is a part of the "Bul-Kathos' Children" set. It provides a solid Attack Rating and Damage boosts (Enhanced Damage is the BiS stat for Whirlwind Barb and this gives up to 30% of it), and some nice resistance bonuses

• Required Level: 69
  • 15-30% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • 100 to Attack Rating 
  • Lightning Resist +10-20% (varies) 
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by 4-6% (varies) 

The Stone of Jordan - One of the most iconic items in Diablo 2. It increases the level of all your Skills and your max Mana. It's a decent option with a low-level requirement

• Required Level: 29
  • +1 to All Skills
  • Maximum Mana to 25% 
  • Adds 1-12 Lightning Damage 
  • +20 to Mana

Raven Frost - one of the best options. It offers tons of Attack Rating, extra Cold Damage, and what's most important, renders you immune to Freeze

• Required Level: 45
  • +150-250 to Attack Rating
  • +15-45 Cold Damage
  • +15-20 to Dexterity
  • +40 to Mana
  • Cold Absorb 20%
  • Cannot Be Frozen

GLOVES

Steelrend (Ogre Gauntlets) - in terms of raw DPS, this is the pair to go. Offers massive Enhanced Damage bonus (up to 60%) and a high chance of inflicting a Crushing Blow

• Defense: 232 - 281 
• Required Level: 70
• Required Strength: 185
• Durability: 24
  • +170-210 Defense (varies) 
  • 30-60% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • 10% Chance of Crushing Blow
  • +15-20 to Strength (varies) 

Dracul's Grasp (Vampirebone Gloves) - this pair offers great defensive utility from the extra Life Steal and Life Tap on striking. Overall, it's a very solid option. 

• Defense: 125 - 145
• Required Level: 76
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 14
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +10-15 to Strength (varies) 
  • +5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies) 
  • 25% Chance of Open Wounds 
  • 7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies) 
  • 5% Chance To Cast Level 10 Life Tap On Striking 

Immortal King's Forge (War Gauntlet) - the pair from the IK set which is recommended if you plan to use the other pieces. On its' own it offers very mediocre bonuses, so only use them as a full set

• Defense: 108-118 (varies) (Base Defense: 43-53)
• Defense: 228-238 (varies) (Base Defense: 43-53)
• Required Level: 30
• Required Strength: 110
• Durability: 24
  • +65 Defense
  • 12% Chance To Cast Level 4 Charged Bolt When Struck
  • +20 To Dexterity
  • +20 To Strength

Set bonuses:

• +25% Increased Attack Speed (2 Items)
• +120 Defense (3 Items)
• 10% Life Stolen Per Hit (4 Items)
• 10% Mana Stolen Per Hit (5 Items)
• Freezes Target +2 (Complete Set)

BOOTS

Goblin Toe (Light Plated Boots) - these pair of Boots give you Enhanced Damage which automatically makes them one of the Best in Slot options for this build in terms of DPS

• Defense: 33 to 34 
• Required Level: 22
• Required Strength: 50 
• Kick Damage: 8 to 16 
• Durability: 18  
  • +50-60% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • 25% Chance of Crushing Blow
  • -1 To Light Radius
  • Damage Reduced By 1
  • Magic Damage Reduced By 1
  • +15 Defense

War Traveler's (Battle Boots) - The best pair if you want to increases your Loot by boosting MF stat. They also provide decent Movement Speed and extra STR/VIT, and flat Physical DPS

• Defense: 120-139 
• Required Level: 42
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage: 37-64 
• Durability: 48
  • +150-190% Enhanced Defense
  • 25% Faster Run/Walk
  • +10 To Vitality
  • +10 To Strength
  • Adds 15-25 Damage
  • 40% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10
  • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

• Defense: 118-128 (varies) (Base Defense: 43-53)
• Defense: 278-288 (varies) (Base Defense: 43-53)
• Required Level: 31
• Required Strength: 125
• Durability: 24
• Assassin Kick Damage: 39-80
  • +75 Defense
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk
  • +110 To Attack Rating
  • +44 To Life

Set bonuses:

• 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (2 Items)
• +2 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only) (3 Items)
• +160 Defense (4 Items)
• Half Freeze Duration (5 Items)

BELTS

Verdungo's Hearty Cord (Mithril Coil) - in terms of defensive utility, the BiS option. it offers  very high bonus Vitality, FHR, and Damage Reduction by up to 15%

• Defense: 125-158
• Required Level: 63
• Required Strength: 106
• Durability: 16
• 16 Potion Boxes 
  • +90-140% Enhanced Defense
  • 10% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +30-40 To Vitality
  • Replenish Life +10-13
  • +100-120 Maximum Stamina
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15%

Thundergods's Vigor (War Belt) - grants high bonus Lightning Damage, high Strength and Vitality, and offers very high Lightning Damage mitigation (which is often the deadliest of Elements)

• Defense: 137-159
• Required Level: 47
• Required Strength: 110
• Durability: 24
• 16 Potion Boxes
  • +160-200% Enhanced Defense
  • Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
  • 5% Chance To Cast Level 7 Fist of the
  • Heavens When Struck
  • +20 Lightning Absorb
  • 10% To Maximum Lightning Resist
  • +20 To Strength
  • +20 To Vitality
  • +3 To Lightning Fury (Amazon Only)
  • +3 To Lightning Strike (Amazon Only)

Immortal King's Detail (War Belt) - used to complete the Immortal King's Set and gain all the valuable bonuses

• Defense: 89 (Base Defense: 41-52)
• Defense: 194 (Base Defense: 41-52)
• Defense: 247 (Base Defense: 41-52)
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 110
• Durability: 24
• 16 Boxes
  • +36 Defense
  • Lightning Resist +31%
  • Fire Resist +28%
  • +25 To Strength

Set bonuses:

• +105 Defense (2 Items)
• +25% Faster Hit Recovery (3 Items)
• +100% Enhanced Defense (4 Items)
• Damage Reduced By 20% (5 Items)
• +2 To Masteries (Barbarian Only) (Complete Set)

CHARMS

1. Annihilus - This fabled Charm boosts your Skills, Stats, and Resistances. It's the best Unique Small Charm, and it's limited to just 1 in your equipment
2. Gheed's Fortune - pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% MF stat
3. Hellfire Torch - The BiS Unique Large Charm that increases your Vitality and All Skills
4. Grand Charms - These should have + Combat Skills or Warcries
5. Small Charms - With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find or Faster Hit Recovery

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Mercenary with Might Aura for its high DPS bonus. He should be equipped with: 

1. Reaper's Toll - the best in slot weapon for your Mercenary that gives your Merc a chance to apply Decrepify on striking, increasing Physical damage taken by enemies but also allowing him to break Physical Immunities on monsters
2. Fortitude Rune Word in Armor - This will ensure that your merc doesn't die (it will make him nearly immortal)
3. Andariel's Visage - arguably the best Act 2 Mercenary Helmet that increasing his Attack Speed and offers high Life Steal bonus

ENDNOTE

This is one of our first Diablo 2 Resurrected Build Guides where we tried to include all of the important information on how to set up this character while keeping the guide as compact as possible. If we've missed something of importance, please let us know! 

If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback.