The Barbarian is getting plenty of attention and looks like it’ll show up with a particularly creative playstyle, sure to put a new twist on the unstoppable bruiser style it’s known for. However, that isn’t all that’s noteworthy about the class. It’s worth acknowledging that no class is a seasoned veteran of the Diablo franchise quite like the Barbarian is – it’s been available at launch in every game since Diablo 2. The Barbarian has proved itself as the tried and true class for the melee weapon master and seems to have a lot of Blizzard’s favor overall compared to other classes.
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A Frontline Staple
Look at just about any RPG that offers a barbarian class and the basic design philosophy will be the same. From MMOs to tabletop games, barbarians are hulking masters of the biggest, strongest weapons, and durable beyond belief. It’s a classic model that has endured for decades, and it shines just as much in Diablo games. Ever since Diablo 2, players have had the opportunity to develop mastery with melee weapons and Diablo 3 leaned into the fantasy of using rage to fuel the Barbarian’s strongest abilities. There’s never been an attempt to replace the Barbarian with something like a Knight that could accomplish something similar.
The class has undergone a little experimentation in the series history. For instance, in the Barbarian’s first incarnation, it had a list of abilities called Warcries. While the other two skill trees offered more straightforward abilities enhancing the Barbarian’s knack for engaging in melee combat and both soaking up and dealing damage, Warcries were a more utilitarian list of abilities. An emphasis on Warcries could make a Barbarian something more of a tactician, strategically enhancing allies’ stats and finding useful items. Abilities similar to Warcries remain in Diablo 3 and 4 Barbarians, showing that the class has found an important place in the games as a strong but strategic tank class.
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Nostalgic But Unique
At a glance, a Barbarian might look like an awfully simple concept for a class. However, Blizzard has proven that there’s a lot more that can be done with a tough warrior with a big weapon than one might think. The Arsenal system that the Diablo 4 Barbarian uses is perfect proof. The class gets to equip up to four weapons at once and quickly switch between them in battle, pulling out the best weapon to fight any given enemy at a moment’s notice. It’s a clever idea that both rewards players for strategic design and offers the kind of customization that Diablo games pride themselves on.
The Arsenal might also show why it is that the Barbarian has such longevity in this franchise. Blizzard keeps finding new ways to expand on the concept rather than making a similar melee class to fill the niche in every game. Barbarians have a lot more options for creative approaches than one might think, and the Diablo team is happy to explore the possibilities of a tried and true character archetype. The class’s strength lies in its ability to blend traditional ideas – classic, simple skills like Leap, Whirlwind, or battle cries – with new ideas like the Arsenal system. Blizzard doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel to make Barbarians work every time, but still have lots of room to let the class shine.
Diablo 4 is in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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