All About the Barbarian Class Changes in Diablo 4 Season of the Malignant

The Barbarian class in Diablo 4 has undergone some significant changes in the Season of the Malignant. While there are a few nerfs to certain aspects of the class, there are also several buffs that make Barbarians even stronger. If you’re planning to start a new seasonal character as a Barbarian, it’s important to know about these changes.

Note: In the Season of the Malignant, there are seven new Legendary Aspects available in Diablo 4. As a Barbarian, seeking out these Aspects will help you create the perfect build for your playstyle.

Changes and Bug Fixes

Blizzard has addressed various bugs and issues with the Barbarian’s kit in Diablo 4. Unfortunately, this has resulted in significant nerfs to the popular Hammer of the Ancients builds and associated powerful Aspects. Blizzard’s intention is to eliminate reliance on underlying bugs, but it would have been nice to see a minor buff to Hammer of the Ancients to balance it out.

• Fixed an issue where the number of enemies to defeat for the Barbarian Class quest Masters of Battle was not displayed.
• Fixed an issue where Iron Maelstrom could be cast more than 3 times rapidly casting War Cry.
• Fixed an issue where stacking the Berserk Ripping, Skullbreaker, and Anemia aspects would allow the player to deal extreme amounts of damage.
• Fixed an issue where the outer edge of the quakes granted to Hammer of the Ancients via The Aspect of Ancestral Echoes was dealing far more damage than intended.

Buffed Barbarian Skills

The Barbarian class has received numerous buffs in Diablo 4 Season of the Malignant, ensuring that it remains a powerful choice. While some adjustments may alter the best Barbarian builds slightly, the overall class strength has not diminished.

Skills

• Violent Double Swing: Vulnerable duration increased from 1 to 2 seconds.
• Furious Upheaval: Damage bonus per stack increased from 3% to 5%.
• Power Charge: Cooldown reduction is now capped at 3 targets, with a maximum of 9 seconds of Cooldown reduction.
• Tactical Ground Stomp: Fury gain increased from 25 to 40.
• Enhanced Death Blow: Damage bonus to Bosses increased from 100% to 150%.
• Enhanced Steel Grasp: Vulnerable duration increased from 2.5 to 3 seconds.
• Enhanced Rupture: Damage increased from 30% to 45%.
• Warrior’s Rupture: Attack Speed bonus increased from 20% to 30%, and duration increased from 4 to 5 seconds.
• Fighter’s Rupture: Healing increased from 15% to 18% Maximum Life.

Aspects

• Relentless Berserker’s Aspect: Berserking duration increased from 1 to 2 seconds.
• Battle-Mad Aspect: Berserking duration increased from 1-2.5 to 2-3.5 seconds.
• Brawler’s Aspect: Damage increased from 1-1.3 to 1.5-1.8.
• Aspect of Burning Rage: Damage increased from 0.08-0.14 to 0.22-0.28.
• Aspect of the Iron Warrior: Damage Reduction increased from 15-25% to 18-28%.
• Slaking Aspect: Lucky Hit Chance increased from 30-50% to 40-60%.
• Aspect of Ancestral Echoes: Lucky Hit Chance increased from 40-50% to 50-60%.
• Weapon Master’s Aspect: Lucky Hit Chance increased from 32-50% to 37%-55%.

Items

• Fields of Crimson: Bleeding damage bonus increased from 10% to 15%.

Nerfed Barbarian Abilities

Fortunately, there are no nerfs to the Barbarian’s skills or Aspects in Diablo 4 Season of the Malignant. However, there are a few nerfs to Vulnerability damage and certain unique items. Overall, Barbarians have become even better despite the changes. Although the dominant Barbarian builds may have been affected, there are plenty of opportunities to explore new viable builds with the buffs introduced in Diablo 4 Season of the Malignant.

Passives

• Hamstring: Now only Slows Healthy enemies, with a Slow amount increased from 10/20/30% to 20/40/60%.
• Cut to the Bone: Bleeding damage bonus to Vulnerable reduced from 6/12/18% to 5/10/15%.

Paragon

• Wrath Glyph: The bonus now affects all damage instead of just Core Skills.

Items

• Gohr’s Devastating Grips: Now explodes every 2 seconds or after it ends, and its hit cap has been removed.

And there you have it – all the changes coming to Barbarians in Diablo 4 Season of the Malignant. If, after reading this, you’ve decided to try out the Rogue or Sorcerer instead, be sure to check out the buffs and nerfs they have received this season.