In Action RPGs, classes are often approached in unique ways, either by following popular archetypes or creating something entirely new. Diablo 4's classes offer a cast of characters that harks back to the series' roots, with the classic trio of Warrior, Sorcerer, and Rogue from the franchise's very first entry. While the Barbarian in Diablo 4 differs from its Diablo 2 counterpart in several key ways, it remains a formidable support class that deals raw damage, despite being overshadowed by other classes.
Each Diablo 4 class has its own resource pool that differs in color and name, and while their behavior is similar, the Barbarian stands out for several reasons. The game's skill tree allows players to invest points into Basic Skills, which are essential attacks for any build that generate resources. While every class can generate resources in the same way, the Barbarian is the only one to lose Fury over time and have an additional resource generation method.
Why Diablo 4's Barbarian is at a Disadvantage Compared to Other Classes
Before Diablo 4's early access period, players had already noticed that the Barbarian class seemed to be more frail compared to other classes due to its lack of non-melee skills. Upheaval was the only "ranged" option available to the Barbarian, which was not enough. To address this issue, Blizzard added a built-in damage mitigation of 10% to the Barbarian, which is particularly helpful in the early stages of the game where survivability depends on potions and defensive skills.
While this addition helps to make the Barbarian more on par with other classes, it also has a drawback that sets it apart. The Barbarian's Fury pool depletes over time after being out of combat for a few seconds, unlike other classes with stable or slowly regenerating resource pools. This can be problematic, especially since the Barbarian has no way of stacking Fury before an encounter, except for Rallying Cry.
Dealing with bosses as a Barbarian in Diablo 4 can be a challenging experience. The class relies heavily on spamming Basic Skills to stack Fury before it can use its more impactful abilities, which often involves throwing itself into the thick of battle. While Cooldown skills can provide some relief, the Core Skills are where the real damage comes from, and the Barbarian is unable to access them right away. This is a major drawback for the class.
Adding to the difficulty is the fact that the Barbarian is the only class in Diablo 4 that generates more resources when hit by enemy attacks. This creates a catch-22 situation where investing in gear to avoid attacks can be counterproductive, yet taking damage can be dangerous in the game's endgame. This puts the Barbarian at a disadvantage compared to other classes who can start encounters with full resources. Despite its strengths, playing as a Barbarian can be frustrating for those used to playing other characters.
Diablo 4 launches on June 6 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
