Which of the following two runewords should i choose?

magicgreig · Post by **magicgreig** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:15 pm

Steel: 20% Enhanced Damage
+3 To Minimum Damage
+3 To Maximum Damage
+50 To Attack Rating
50% Chance Of Open Wounds
25% Increased Attack Speed
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+1 To Light Radius

OR

Strength: 35% Enhanced Damage
25% Chance Of Crushing Blow
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+20 To Strength
+10 To Vitality

I have the Items/Runes required for both. Which would be better for a Frenzy Barbarian?

Any help would be great!

Thanks!

Caden · Post by **Caden** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:49 pm

I would go with the Strength runeword. It adds a lot more damage and has life steal on it. The Steel runeword adds some IAS, but I don't think it is enough to compete with Strength, especially since Frenzy already adds a lot of IAS. Remember, that if you have any weapons with IAS on them, put them in your main-hand. IAS in your off-hand is not counted when you use Frenzy. IAS from any other equipment will count, however.

magicgreig · Post by **magicgreig** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:12 pm

lol, what had is my main hand? The one my Barbarian writes with?!

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:49 pm

Shields normally go on the right weapon/shield slot, meaning that is your off hand. So, the left one, just on the screen, is your main hand.

Also, go with Strength. Mana after each kill is essential when using a mana-costing skill such as Frenzy.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:12 pm

magicgreig wrote:lol, what had is my main hand? The one my Barbarian writes with?!

Yes, the one he writes poems about the cold, windy plains with

Seriously, your "main hand" is the hand that you equipped first. The weapon in your "main hand" is called your primary weapon. However, the game will show your primary weapon in your characters right hand regardless. To keep is simple, I always equip the weapon I want to be primary in my barbs right hand (ie left side of your screen since he is facing you) and then the secondary weapon, in his left hand. If you die, make sure to reequip your weapons in the right order. Your Frenzy speed will be calculated from your primary weapon. Thus, you also want your IAS mainly on the primary weapon.

And Mana after each kill is worthless, you want Mana leach.

Dottie · Post by **Dottie** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:04 pm

You should definitely choose "strength". Crushing blow, life leach and +strength are all excellent mods for you.

When it comes to main hand the reason for placing your main weapon in the right hand slot first is that when you load the game or use the "switch weapon" key the main weapon defaults to what is in the right hand regardless of what you equipped first. So if you put your main weapon in the right hand first then it will always be the same.

@Siberys: Not only is Mana after each kill a uninteresting mod, it also exists on both runewords, so I can't really see why it would be a good reason to choose "strength".