The Barbarian's Upheaval Skill is an effective tool for eradicating hordes of demons in Diablo 4. However, players may encounter challenges when attempting to utilize this ability in the later stages of the game, as enemies become increasingly difficult to defeat.
Unlike other skills such as Whirlwind or Hammer of the Ancients, Upheaval may not appear to be as potent. It lacks any exceptional features, with one aspect having been significantly weakened upon Diablo 4's release. Nonetheless, this does not diminish the skill's effectiveness, and players can still derive substantial benefits from it with the proper approach. This guide will showcase how Upheaval can be used to conquer endgame content, including lower-level Nightmare Dungeons.
Diablo 4: Upheaval Barbarian Build (Level 70+)
Skill | Total Points |
Combat Frenzy | 3 |
Furious Upheaval | 7 |
Strategic Ground Stomp | 5 |
Power Charge | 5 |
Warrior's Death Blow | 7 |
Supreme Wrath of the Berserker | 3 |
Although Upheaval's impact has decreased since the beta version, it still remains a formidable option against groups of weaker enemies. However, its effectiveness against single targets is lacking, making Death Blow a crucial component of this particular build.
Enhance the potential of Upheaval's damage by utilizing Frenzy, and utilize it to obliterate any feeble monsters that may be lingering in Sanctuary. Eliminate any remaining foes with the Death Blow ability, which will trigger the Barbarian's Berserk mode. Maintain the momentum of this strategy by following this sequence of attacks.
Rather than relying on the standard combination of Challenging Shout and Rallying Cry, this approach offers a fresh perspective by incorporating Ground Stomp and Charge into the mix. These two abilities can stun opponents, preventing them from inflicting harm while also amplifying the player's damage output through item stats, passives, and Aspects.
Cap the build-off with Wrath of the Berserker for more damage and five whole seconds of the Unstoppable buff.
Passives
Skills | Points |
Swiftness | 3 |
Quick Impulses | 3 |
Hamstring | 1 |
Heavy Handed | 3 |
Tempered Fury | 1 |
Furious Impulse | 3 |
Invigorating Fury | 3 |
Walking Arsenal | 1 |
Consider the Arsenal system when setting up passive skills as players have some flexibility in their choices. It is advised to allocate nodes that benefit either the player's Two-Handed Bludgeoning or Slashing weapon, depending on which one they use with Death Blow. If using large maces, invest in Wallop, otherwise, allocate points to Quick Impulses to reduce the duration of incoming Crowd Control effects.
When selecting the Expertise Technique, players should consider the weapons they are using to trigger their abilities. It is worth noting that the Two-Handed Sword's on-hit bleed is generally the most advantageous as it activates Hamstring, which opens up several additional damage bonus opportunities.
Players have the option of choosing between Walking Arsenal and Unconstrained as their Key Passive. Walking Arsenal provides a greater overall damage boost, whereas Unconstrained offers longer and more powerful Berserk buffs that can be effortlessly sustained by Death Blow's continuous kills. However, it's important to note that Unbridled Rage doesn't impact Death Blow, and in many instances, its bonus isn't sufficient to make Upheaval stand out against individual targets.
Gear and Aspects
Offense | Defense | Utility |
Encroaching Wrath | Might | Umbral |
Edgemaster | Protector | Bear Clan Berserker |
Retribution | ||
Expectant | ||
Inner Calm |
Maximize your damage output by taking advantage of the offensive Aspects. These abilities significantly increase the damage dealt to a stunned target when the player is at full Fury. To make the most out of it, stun a group of monsters with Ground Stomp and unleash the rotation described above for optimal results.
To enhance defense, Combat Frenzy offers a considerable advantage to players by providing up to 24% increased damage reduction when carrying full stacks. The Battle Trance Unique amulet can further boost this percentage up to 40%. However, without Challenging Shout, this build may not survive in the midst of an elite pack for long. Players must tactfully handle the cooldowns of Ground Stomp and Charge to avoid getting stunned and killed. Hence, it is imperative to acquire any item or effect that can reduce the cooldowns of these abilities.
Paragon Boards
For optimal gameplay, start by placing Exploit in the Starting Board. Then, grab the Weapons Master board for its advantageous bonuses in weapon swapping, raw Physical Damage, and damage against elites. In the second board, consider adding a Strength Glyph such as Might.
Players seeking additional Berserking benefits may find Blood Rage and Carnage to be solid Paragon Board alternatives. However, for those looking to maximize Fury effects, Warbringer should remain the go-to option.
Players typically opt for Glyphs that boost the damage of their two-handed weapons. Mortal Draw is an ideal selection for this build, given the frequent switching of weapons. However, to fully capitalize on its benefits, players must incorporate it into a Dexterity-focused board. Diablo 4 can be accessed on a range of platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.