The first expansion for Diablo 4, Vessel of Hatred, has introduced exciting updates to gameplay and Diablo IV Items build diversity. Among the most notable changes is the proper adjustment of the Upheaval skill, transforming it into one of the strongest core skills for the Barbarian class. This shift has made the Upheaval Barbarian build a top choice for players seeking devastating attacks with a balance of single-target and multi-target effectiveness.
This guide dives deep into the Upheaval Barbarian build, covering skills, legendary aspects, and mercenary combinations to help you maximize its potential.
Skills Overview
By level 60, with renown bonuses included in the Vessel of Hatred DLC, you’ll have 72 skill points to allocate. Here’s a breakdown of the best skill allocation for this build, emphasizing damage output, survivability, and synergy:
Active Skills
Bash (1 Point): Primarily used to generate Fury and trigger bonuses. Combine with Furious Upheaval to amplify core skill damage.
Upheaval (5 Points): The cornerstone of this build. This powerful core skill deals massive damage to enemies in a cone in front of you.
Rallying Cry (1 Point): Boosts Fury generation and movement speed, keeping you agile and offensive.
Challenging Shout (1 Point): Increases survivability by enhancing armor and taunting enemies.
War Cry (1 Point): Provides an offensive boost by increasing attack speed and damage.
Call of the Ancients (5 Points): Summon powerful allies to aid you in battle. Though their direct damage is modest, their passive buffs greatly enhance your efficiency during difficult encounters.
Passive Skills
Warpath (3 Points): Increases damage and Fury generation while moving.
Pressure Point (1 Point): Grants a chance to make enemies vulnerable with core skills.
Endless Fury (2 Points): Enhances Fury generation.
Martial Vigour (3 Points): Reduces damage taken from elite enemies.
Imposing Presence (3 Points): Increases maximum health for better survivability.
Belligerence (3 Points): Boosts damage dealt to crowd-controlled enemies.
Raid Leader (3 Points): Provides healing to allies affected by your shouts.
Booming Voice (3 Points): Extends the duration of all shout skills.
Guttural Voice (1 Point): Reduces damage taken from taunted enemies.
Aggressive Resistance (3 Points): Enhances survivability during Berserk mode.
Prolific Fury (1 Point): Increases Fury generation when Berserk.
Pit Fighter (3 Points): Amplifies damage against close enemies.
Slaying Strike (3 Points): Increases damage against injured enemies.
Thick Skin (1 Point): Provides a slight defensive boost.
Counteroffensive (3 Points): Enhances damage when you have a Barrier.
Heavy Handed (3 Points): Boosts critical strike damage with two-handed weapons.
Brute Force (3 Points): Increases Overpower damage.
Wallop (3 Points): Boosts damage of core skills against stunned or knocked-down enemies.
Key Passive
Unbridled Rage: Significantly increases the damage of core skills while consuming more Fury. This passive transforms Upheaval into a devastating ability, especially when Fury management is optimized.
Skill Rotation
Skill rotation is critical for maximizing the potential of the Upheaval Barbarian build. Here’s a recommended sequence:
Initiate with Shouts: Activate Challenging Shout, Rallying Cry, and War Cry to boost offensive and defensive capabilities.
Use Bold Chieftain’s Aspect to reduce cooldowns of these shouts, ensuring they’re ready for subsequent engagements.
Generate Fury with Bash: Use Bash to build Fury. Aim for 10 consecutive hits to trigger a 120% damage bonus for your next core skill.
Execute with Upheaval: Once Fury is full and buffs are active, unleash Upheaval to deal massive damage. With Unbridled Rage, this attack becomes even more potent.
Summon Ancients for Tough Battles: Use Call of the Ancients against challenging enemies. While their direct damage is minimal, their passive buffs improve your overall effectiveness in prolonged encounters.
Legendary Aspects
Legendary Aspects play a crucial role in amplifying the effectiveness of the Upheaval Barbarian build. Below are the best choices:
Core Aspects
Edgemaster’s Aspect: Increases damage based on available Fury, with the greatest effect when Fury is full.
Accelerating Aspect: Boosts attack speed after critical strikes from core skills, increasing Upheaval’s utility.
Aspect of Limitless Rage: Enhances core skill damage with Fury generation while Fury is at maximum capacity.
Aspect of Anger Management: Grants Berserk mode when Fury exceeds a specific threshold, increasing damage and speed.
Bold Chieftain’s Aspect: Reduces cooldowns of shout skills for each nearby enemy, ensuring buffs are readily available.
Gear and Itemization
Weapon Choices
Use a high-damage two-handed weapon to maximize Upheaval’s effectiveness. Pair it with Legendary Aspects to amplify Fury generation and critical strike damage.
Armor Recommendations
Prioritize gear that increases maximum health, damage reduction, and Fury generation. Look for additional bonuses that enhance core skill damage.
Accessories
Equip rings and amulets with bonuses to critical strike chance, critical damage, and cooldown reduction. Legendary Aspects that enhance resource generation or Berserk mode are also ideal.
Mercenary System
The Vessel of Hatred DLC introduces a new Mercenary mechanic, allowing players to recruit allies to aid in combat. For the Upheaval Barbarian build, the following mercenary combination is optimal:
Raheir
Role: Tank/Support
Skills:
Valiance and Bastion provide high survivability and defensive support.
Ground Slam adds crowd control and attack buffs.
Provides the Unstoppable buff during emergencies, improving survivability.
Varyana
Role: Reinforcement/Utility
Skills:
Combines effectively with Bash and Ancient Harpoons to attract enemies.
Reduces skill cooldowns, allowing more frequent use of shouts and Upheaval.
Provides tactical support, giving you time to heal or reposition.
Tips for Success
Fury Management: Maintain a balance between generating and spending Fury. Use shouts and Bash to build Fury efficiently before executing Upheaval.
Positioning: Utilize the cone-shaped range of Upheaval to hit multiple enemies simultaneously. Always aim to maximize damage output with each cast.
Hot Zones: Grind content to unlock hot zones for improved damage efficiency across the battlefield.
Cooldown Management: Bold Chieftain’s Aspect is critical for reducing shout cooldowns. Use it strategically in mob-heavy encounters.
Synergy: Combine shouts and mercenary skills to maintain buffs and debuffs on enemies, creating a cycle of dominance.
Final Thoughts
The Upheaval Barbarian build in Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion offers a thrilling and powerful playstyle for those who enjoy dynamic, high-damage combat. With the proper allocation of skills, strategic use of legendary aspects, and the addition of mercenaries, this build provides both massive offensive potential and robust survivability.
Experiment with the guide’s recommendations, adapt to your playstyle, and dominate Sanctuary with the Diablo 4 Items unparalleled power of the Upheaval Barbarian. Happy hunting!