10-28-2003, 04:50 PM
The way I'm reading this is that 2 frame Whirlwind may still be one of the best ways to apply crushing blow and enchant fire damage, especially if ITD lessens one's clevel/mlevel concerns. That's a little different than saying it is still a good skill to max.
A single point in double swing might be worthwhile for quick situational triggering of certain effects (static a tough monster to 50% health in hell for example).
For that matter, why not use a one-point wonder Whirlwind on a taunt / frenzy build? That allows you to use the barbarian's second fastest attack when you're low on mana (still applying CB and enchant reasonably fast), and a high damage frenzy gives you quick mana recovery. I could see frenzy's run speed messing up Whirlwind if you used it first, but on the other hand, if you use frenzy to mop up afterwards, you then get the benefit of pumped run/walk speed to reach the next pack of monsters more quickly.
Assuming no +skills items, I would be tempted to try 16 sword mastery (for the 20% critical), 16 frenzy (for the 6 frame breakpoint w/o external IAS), 1 whirlwind (keep mana cost down), and assorted warcries to taste (with quite a few on taunt for the synergy). Not forgetting various passive one-point wonders of course.
Frenzy with whatever swords you can find (cube recepie and runes/jewels perhaps?) might get you to the level required to use crescent moon Legend Swords faster than messing around with daggers/wands, if only due to fewer repair hassles.
A single point in double swing might be worthwhile for quick situational triggering of certain effects (static a tough monster to 50% health in hell for example).
For that matter, why not use a one-point wonder Whirlwind on a taunt / frenzy build? That allows you to use the barbarian's second fastest attack when you're low on mana (still applying CB and enchant reasonably fast), and a high damage frenzy gives you quick mana recovery. I could see frenzy's run speed messing up Whirlwind if you used it first, but on the other hand, if you use frenzy to mop up afterwards, you then get the benefit of pumped run/walk speed to reach the next pack of monsters more quickly.
Assuming no +skills items, I would be tempted to try 16 sword mastery (for the 20% critical), 16 frenzy (for the 6 frame breakpoint w/o external IAS), 1 whirlwind (keep mana cost down), and assorted warcries to taste (with quite a few on taunt for the synergy). Not forgetting various passive one-point wonders of course.
Frenzy with whatever swords you can find (cube recepie and runes/jewels perhaps?) might get you to the level required to use crescent moon Legend Swords faster than messing around with daggers/wands, if only due to fewer repair hassles.