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The Barbarian’s ability to wield multiple weapons gives the class access to a variety of builds. It might not be the best class for solo play, but you can still fight hordes of enemies with the Hammer of the Ancients build. It’s a combo-based build that can destroy large groups of enemies, changing the combo depending on the situation. The flexibility you gain from switching weapons and having constant Fury allows your Barbarian to fight even in Helltide Events. Here are the skills needed for the Hammer of the Ancients Barbarian build in Diablo 4, along with weapon recommendations.
Hammer of the Ancients Build Skill Distribution
The Walking Arsenal passive is vital to the build’s success, as you will use different weapon types in your combos. It powers up Slashing, Dual-Wielding, and Bludgeoning weapons by 10% for six seconds when the respective weapon type is used. This will help increase the damage from moves such as Lunging Strike and Death Blow, which combo with Hammer of the Ancients. Start your battle with Ground Stomp to stun enemies, then unleash your Lunging Strike-Death Blow-Hammer of the Ancients skills in tandem. Iron Maelstrom is a powerful finisher, while Iron Skin allows you to survive if things don’t go as expected.
Here is the full list of skills you should invest in and the point distribution:
Skill Name | Point Allocation |
Lunging Strike | 1 |
Enhanced Lunging Strike | 1 |
Hammer of the Ancients | 5 |
Enhanced Hammer of the Ancients | 1 |
Furious Hammer of the Ancients | 1 |
Ground Stomp | 1 |
Enhanced Ground Stomp | 1 |
Strategic Ground Stomp | 1 |
Iron Skin | 1 |
Enhanced Iron Skin | 1 |
Tactical Iron Skin | 1 |
Imposing Presence | 3 |
Martial Vigor | 3 |
Swiftness | 3 |
Death Blow | 5 |
Enhanced Death Blow | 1 |
Fighter’s Death Blow | 1 |
Pit Fighter | 3 |
No Mercy | 3 |
Expose Vulnerability | 2 |
Iron Maelstrom | 1 |
Prime Iron Maelstrom | 1 |
Supreme Iron Maelstrom | 1 |
Tempered Fury | 3 |
Furious Impulse | 3 |
Wallop | 3 |
Brute Force | 3 |
Concussion | 3 |
Walking Arsenal | 1 |
For weapon expertise, Two-Handed Axe expertise allows you to inflict the Vulnerable stat on enemies, which makes them take more damage. You can always reset and try again if you make a mistake while investing your skills. It’s also an excellent time to see if you like how the skills work together or if you think you have a better combo.
Hammer of the Ancients Build Aspects
While your equipment will constantly change depending on your luck, Aspects will ensure that the build is constantly working.
- Earthstriker’s Aspect – Guaranteed Overpower attack after swapping weapons 10 times
- Aspect of the Iron Warrior – Helps you survive with Iron Skin
- Aspect of Retribution – More damage against stunned enemies
- Edgemaster’s Aspect – Increased damage based on your Fury
- Aspect of the Protector – Get a barrier that protects you when fighting Elites
- Aspect of Ancestral Force – Provides a larger AoE for Hammer of the Ancients and allows you to inflict Stun
- Weaponmaster’s Aspect – Provides another charge for Death Blow
- Aspect of Limitless Rage – Increases damage of Hammer of the Ancients
- Aspect of Encroaching Wrath – Increase damage after spending 100 Fury
- Luckbringer Aspect – Increases chance of Lucky Hit
Paragon Points For Barbarians
After you reach Level 50, the Paragon Board is your next method of strengthening the build. The Hammer of the Ancients builds benefits from the Brawn rare node and other Strength nodes. The Mortal Draw Glyph should go into an empty Socket, which increases skill damage when you swap weapons.
Practice Using the Hammer of the Ancients Build With Your Barbarian
This build will take some practice as you will use skills one after the other. You must pay attention to your surroundings and retreat if you are overwhelmed. Practice using the skills right after each other and ensure your timing is perfect.
If you aren’t dealing as much damage as expected, check your equipment and that your Aspects are in the right places. Pay attention to the buff bars above your skills to know when to use them. After some time, you will launch devastating attacks on your enemies, leaving nothing in your wake.