Flay Barbarian Build Guide

Season 5 - InfernalA-TierArchivedEndgame

Last Updated:October 6, 2024|Change Log|FAQ

Welcome to the Flay Barbarian Specialized Build Guide! This build relies on Flay to apply massive amounts of Bleed on the target, which makes it one of the best choices to conquer high level content. With the addition of Tempered affixes, Flay duration can be extended to last over 20 seconds. Use Rupture to deal all accumulated damage in one deadly blow!

Flay is a single target ability which makes this build most suited for Bossing and high tier Pits. With the use of Fields of Crimson, it is also one of the best speedfarming Barbarians in the current meta. Enhanced Rupture combined with the Rage of Harrogath makes our Leap always ready to find more enemies to slay! Fields of Crimson variant is recommended to start with as it is easier to gear.

Our Specialized Builds are lategame builds with specific requirements and purposes. In order to play them, you are expected to already have specific items and effects available. To get there, we recommend you use one of our existing lvl 50-100 Endgame Build Guides.

Requirements for this build to function:

All listed Aspects from the Gear section with a focus on Moonrise and Adaptability.
At least 2 weapons with "+% Flay Duration"
Shard of Verathiel and Fields of Crimson.
Uber variant requires Obducite and Ingolith to feel good.

Gear, Skill Tree, and Paragon

Fields of Crimson
(Speedfarming)

Mythic Setup
(Uber Bosses / Pit 120+)

This is the fastest setup possible to farm Pits 101 for crafting materials. Perfect for gathering all the required gear and masterworking materials for Uber Farmer variant. Using Two-Handed Weapon with Flay is recommended because of Enhanced Flay.

Flay Barbarian "Crimson" Gear

Flay Barbarian "Crimson" Skill Tree

Gameplay

Use Leap to move towards a group of enemies and generate enough Fury to use Flay.
Whenever we hit 40 Fury, Anger Management grants us Berserking.
Use Rupture to explode the pack of monsters. Enhanced Rupture should be able to apply Bleed powerful enough to kill all enemies.
Optional: Use Flay to defeat the stragglers.
Use Wrath of the Berserker whenever it is off cooldown.
Use Ground Stomp on group of enemies to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker.

Gear

This build can be played with Melted Heart of Selig for extra survivability, but it's not recommended on Softcore due to a loss of a passive skill ranks (e.g. Cut to the Bone). Whenever you want to push build to it's limit you can make following changes:
- Equip Melted Heart of Selig.
- Switch Giant Strides on your ring to Adaptability.
Achieving 100% Rupture Size is not recommended due to the loss of damage caused by switching from Flay Duration. Fields of Crimson grants enough Area of Effect.
Temper Damage while Berserking on your gloves to reach a full bonus from Blood Rage.

Paragon

See below for the selected Paragon Boards, Paragon point allocation, and the correct Glyphs you should use for the Flay Barbarian. Note: The Paragon Boards below are the final setup with no steps.

Level 15 Glyphs required: Ire, Exploit, Might, Revenge, Disembowel

Flay Barbarian "Crimson" Paragon Board

This setup relies on high damage output of Flay to deal devastating amount of single target damage. This variant is optimized for level 200 Tormented Bosses, but is also capable of pushing high tier Pits. Severe nerfs to Gushing Wounds made this build significantly weaker than in Season 4. It also turned out that Crown of Lucion doesn't grant us more damage (just more cost, probably bug lol), so it is not beneficial to use it.

Flay Barbarian Mythic Endgame Gear

Flay Barbarian Mythic Endgame Skill Tree

Gameplay - Bossing

Use War Cry and Wrath of the Berserker.
Use Leap to generate enough Fury to use Flay.
Use Flay to apply bleed for ~10 seconds.
Use Rupture to deal damage and increase attack speed (Warrior's Rupture).
If Boss is not dead, repeat the process. Use Ground Stomp whenever you feel threatened and to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker. Remember that Metamorphosis grants you Unstopabble when you Evade.

Gameplay - Pits

Use Rupture on packs of basic monsters. Enhanced Rupture should do enough damage to kill them.
Use Flay to apply bleed on Elites. Enhanced Flay applies Vulnerable and War Cry grants Berserking.
Use Ground Stomp on large groups of enemies to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker
In Boss fight, use tactics from "Gameplay - Bossing" section.

Gear

If you need more damage Melted Heart of Selig can be changed into a Legendary amulet with Wanton Rupture with stats similar to those shown in the Speedfarm version of this build.

Paragon

Why Warbringer in Basic attack build:
- This build uses Shard of Verathiel which causes our Flay to have a Fury cost. In this case we can use Warbringer to gain Fortify.

Flay Barbarian Mythic Endgame Paragon Board

Season 5 - Infernal Hordes

In Season 5, the Season Theme brings your hero back into the bowels of Hell, in the Infernal Hordes endgame activity. You're first introduced to Hellbreach Dungeons, miniature Horde-like micro-dungeons that teach you the new mechanics and rewards systems. As you slay more powerful Demons and Bosses, you're rewarded with the new Reputation progression that comes with amazing rewards. These include Crafting Materials, unlocking Season's Journey tiers and even the coveted Resplendent Spark, needed to craft a mythic unique.

Follow the seasonal questline until you unlock the Reputation system, check which rewards suit you most and then follow your regular leveling path. To learn more, check out our full Season 5 guide for more information.

Gameplay

Use Leap to activate Berserking and generate enough Fury to use Flay.
Use Wrath of the Berserker and focus on the deadliest foes such as Elites or Bosses. Inflict huge amounts of Bleed using Flay.
Use Rupture to instantly deal stored Bleed damage on the target. The explosion from Enhanced Rupture will defeat nearby stragglers
For crowds, use Ground Stomp to lower the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker.

Gear and Stat Requirements

Flay Barbarian requires specific Aspects, Uniques, Uber Uniques, and Affixes on your gear to perform its primary function. Only deviate from the list below after you have fully learned the intended gameplay style and strategies.

Legendary Aspects:
- Moonrise:
  - Priority for all variants.
- Adaptability
  - Priority for all variants.
- Might
  - Used in all variants.
- Metamorphosis
  - Used in all variants
- Anger Management
  - Used in all variants.
- Edgemaster's
  - Can be used in all variants.
- Weapon Master's
  - Used in "Crimson" variant.
- Giant Strides
  - Used in "Crimson" variant.
- Starlight
  - Used in "Crimson" variant.
- Wanton Rupture
  - Can be used in Mythic variant.
Uniques:
- Shard of Verathiel
  - Used in all variants. Core of the build.
- Rage of Harrogath
  - BiS for Crimson variant, can be used in all variants.
- Fields of Crimson
  - BiS for Crimson variant, can be used in all variants.
- Tuskhelm of Joritz the Mighty
  - Used in Crimson variant, can be used in all variants.
- Tyrael's Might
  - Used in Mythic variant.
- Ring of Starless Skies
  - Used in Mythic variant.
- The Grandfather
  - Used in Mythic variant.
- Harlequin Crest
  - Used in Mythic variant.
- Melted Heart of Selig:
  - Can be used in all variants.
Other:
- Most importantly: this build requires the Bleed Augments Temper Manual in order to temper "Flay Duration" on weapons. It is advised not to play the build without first unlocking this.
- Slayer's Finesse is the best way to temper Vulnerable Damage on Barbarian.

FAQ & Mechanics

Flay + Dual-Wielding?

Why no Rage of Harrogath in Uber setup?

How can I temper Vulnerable Damage on my weapons as a Barbarian?

Which Elixir should I use?

Why no Crown of Lucion?

Video Guide

Credits

Written by Kondyss

Reviewed by Snail