Variant Barbarian Build

[ZatarRufus]

So, I wonder, why must it be a Barb?!
[o: *LEMMING* :o]

Simple answer from the single minded: It's the first character I played when I bought D2. Even when LoD came out I've stayed with this class and have yet to scratch the surface of the various builds. I'd guess you are asking this question from the standpoint of a variant anyone could play or because it's not the most ideal character for such.

I was playing a "No experience" non-HC Nec last week-ish. He leveled to 2
[o: *LEMMING* :o]

Huh? How can a character be "No experience" and level up? Phase one, for me, is that when I pull up the character screen it indicates: Experience = Zero. I did this as a type of boot camp to see how far he could go. I agree this aspect could/should be called a restriction.

Your 'No experience' sounds like another restriction/variant/(not build) that I've played in which the Rogue did all the killing and I went treasure hunting for everything except a weapon.

So, some things to think about:
--Scope of the variant: How far will you plan it to go?
--Character class: Which and why?
--SC consideration: In nightmare, enforce death to negate exp gain?
[o: *LEMMING* :o]

The second phase is something I'm making up as I go. When I posed my original question, I hadn't considered there would be much interest. I'd only hoped the experts here would suggest things to try. The luring Blood Raven idea was something I hadn't thought of. All the wonderful aspects of the Lounge are becoming more apparent to me the longer I'm around.

I'll work on what my restrictions/variant rules will be. However, before I graduate Nugis_Armatus from boot camp, I'd like to be sure I've attempted all possible things that can be done with experiencelessness.

The general idea was to use the original axe as the only weapon. I took my character up to Diablo, but simply could not hurt him. In that variant the character could not put any points in combat skills and all stats went to vitality. The Rogue did most of the killing, but I was able to thump some as well.

I'll give your questions further consideration and post some general ideas for critique before I start phase two. The short, quick answers are:

1. How far? I'm thinking something that would be challenging to complete Normal.

2. Why a Barb? I know it best.

3. SC? No. I'm hardwired not to consider that option. I played all the softcore I wanted with my first character to enable hardcore option. I doubt that I'd be qualified to make suggestions. (He lost interest in Hell when the freebie Rogue was devoured by a Corpse Spitter and could not be resurected. (I haven't tested it, but supposedly this was fixed in some patch or another.))

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Edit: You know, those dmn typo things.