Vit build vs refining equipment

CaitlinDan - Heavens Tear
CaitlinDan - Heavens Tear Posts: 187 Arc User
edited May 2011 in Barbarian
Hi everyone

I recently rolled a barb and was following the vit build and intend to go for demon skills if I decided to level it to that particular level range. However, I was just checking out forum replies to a thread I posted about whether "barbs are worthless because of the focus on APS" - the full thread is here:

http://pwi-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?p=13018591#post13018591

In that post, a lot of players were commenting that, you should not follow the vit build - that you should instead, pump everything into str, follow min dex requirements, and just refine your equipment.

My question is: is refinement that strong, that vitality suddenly loses its value?

Secondly, is it true that you should follow the vit build first, then consider refinement as an add on to HP boost as you start preparing your end game gear?

Your views and clarifications on this matter is greatly appreciated. (:
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Post edited by CaitlinDan - Heavens Tear on

Comments

  • MAClNTOSH - Dreamweaver
    MAClNTOSH - Dreamweaver Posts: 26 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Full Vit, +5 refines w/ G9 citrines

    Full Str, +10 refines w/ vit stones

    Full Vit, +10 refines w/ vit stones


    It all really depends on what's more important to you. If you like to PK, the Str build might be best (though you might want to take a little out of that and add to dex). If you like being the meatshield, then use the vit build. And if you like to kill bosses fast, use the ever-so-popular twitchy 5.0aps Clarb build.
  • Rawrgh - Raging Tide
    Rawrgh - Raging Tide Posts: 6,790 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Those last two links are the exact same lol.


    With high refines, rank 9, vit stones, etc. Vit loses it's significance. 150 dex is like, the difference between +10 and full R9 +11.
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  • Fistol - Raging Tide
    Fistol - Raging Tide Posts: 260 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    the people who reply there will probably reply here b:laughb:laughb:laugh

    Vit build will be important all the way till you are level 99-101.
    When you actually switch over to aps build or rank 9 build

    unless you intend to refine your low level gears.
    i suggest stick to vit build till you are on your end game gear.
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  • MAClNTOSH - Dreamweaver
    MAClNTOSH - Dreamweaver Posts: 26 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    Those last two links are the exact same lol.


    With high refines, rank 9, vit stones, etc. Vit loses it's significance. 150 dex is like, the difference between +10 and full R9 +11.

    Whoops, fixed now. o-o
  • fuzzywuzz
    fuzzywuzz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    My question is: is refinement that strong, that vitality suddenly loses its value?

    Refinement is indeed extremely powerful. Is it able to negate the importance of stating vit? That depends on what your plans are for your barb. You will more than likely get mixed responses on this as there are now two schools of thought on builds.

    If you want to end up as a claw barb with high dex stats (which must come at the cost of vit stats) then it is essential to refine as high as possible as quick as possible. It is the only thing that will keep the rest of the party from needing a sponge to wipe you up off the floor with after the boss is finished. It isn't advisable to attempt making the switch to claws until end-game and by then you should already have fairly high grade gear. The grade of the gear, combined with the refines is what will give you the significant hp returns to allow for the depletion of your vit pool.

    If planning to be a vit or hybrid build, the grade of gear + refines fact still plays a large part, however, Fuzzy believes it does give you a bit more flexibility to be able to rely on the hp gained from vit stats when it does come time to improve your end-game armour. Additions to your gear in the way of JoSD shards for damage reduction are extremely important if you intend to pull a catapult and they also don't come cheap. Having the survivability that comes with a deep HP pool will give you the choice of spending your hard earned coins in different areas than simply being forced to refine quickly.

    At the end of the day, no matter what, you are going to want to refine as high as possible. The questions isn't if refining is important, rather how quickly do you want to be forced to need it.
    Secondly, is it true that you should follow the vit build first, then consider refinement as an add on to HP boost as you start preparing your end game gear?

    Following the vit build is always a safe plan Fuzzy would recommend until around level 70/80. The only exception being perhaps you may want to stat dex heavy to around 60ish points quickly then make up the vit. At the lower levels when questing accuracy can be a real hassle for barbarians. Once you have reached 80ish Fuzzy would think you have a good idea of what build you want to be at end-game and have the understanding to know where to manipulate your stats to achieve it.

    Many people will tell you refining on lower than end-game gear is a waste, however, it is extremely easy to achieve +3/+4 using only mirage stones. Complete your quests and you will soon have a nice stock pile of mirages to use and the difference between unrefined and +3 on any piece of gear is obvious. Maybe wait until you have your Solar Flash, or Lionheart or Rank chest (whichever path you choose) to start pumping it up to +7 and beyond, however Fuzzy would think it foolish to ignore refining completely untill end-game.
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  • RoidAbuse - Sanctuary
    RoidAbuse - Sanctuary Posts: 1,066 Arc User
    edited April 2011
    I'm a claw barb but I still prefer dumping all excess points into Vit.

    ATM, I'm at 50 defense level and close to 20k hp in human form with 8.7kish magic defense with cleric buff. If I want to, I can go 5.0 with a swap of ornaments and cape. Best of both worlds if you ask me.

    All my r9 armor pieces are at +10 so I'm pretty well refined.
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  • vitocorleone
    vitocorleone Posts: 15 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    if you want a vit build go pure vit.
    use a pangu with citrines gems on it and use a wing of cloud charger as cape.
    i only have one nirvana piece and all are tt99 and am close to 35 k
  • Sarrafeline - Sanctuary
    Sarrafeline - Sanctuary Posts: 4,661 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Well... You CAN go nuts.

    There's two barbs on Sanctuary that have full vit builds with R9 refined to +12. One barb has every socket in ALL of his gear filled with +10 vit gems. Drakeflames in his R9 axes.

    He's got 47k HP buffed in tiger form.

    He's one of the few barbs that Psys cannot oneshot in TW.

    His wife is a cleric, with R9, highly refined as well.
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