barbarian vs boulders?

[rangerjeff]

After my first try with a slinging halfling got frozen by a bug, I tried a Thaloren Barb. Everything was going great, for the most part. Massive damage output. But vs ranged opponents... Sure, rush up. Unless they can blast or kick you back, then it gets tough. Lost my last 4 lives vs boulder throwing giants, in combo vs hordes, but it was mostly the boulder guys that did me in, I'm sure. Any answer to that for the barbarian class?

[Celerity]

More mobility skills, knockback resistance, break line of sight as much as possible.

As far as ranged attackers go the boulder throwers are a fairly low tier threat.

[dukereg]

It's best to wait around corners until they are close if they can do ranged. Even if you can't kill them before they attack, if you are between them and a wall you can't be knocked back far if at all. Corners with only two exits are a double benefit in this way. (But beware the Massive Blow prodigy in the late game if you use this tactic; it does more damage if you hit a wall!)

Regarding the danger level of boulder throwers: they are the 10th biggest killer in the game, on a chart that includes bosses. http://te4.org/game-statistics You have to be cautious when dealing with them.

[Coldbringer]

Having ranged attacks or grabbing & pulling skills helps a lot. If you can blind them or confuse them that works good. Also

Physical Wards
Torques that reduce physical damage
Shield rune
Physical resist
Movement infusion

[rangerjeff]

Yeah, I'm feeling stubborn and will have another go at Barbarian, so I was curious to hear what tactics have been successful vs these guys. Still have to unlock most of the game, so options are somewhat limited. Might go with a human for the extra category. I really wanted the Bloodthirst category so opted for that at 10 instead of another inscription slot. Had the starting physical, a good regen, and a good movement infusion, would've liked one more vs the boulder throwers, which I faced at level 17-18.

I know there are some items you hold in inventory just for certain areas, like resist lightning for tempest. I'll try to find some resist knockback before facing the boulder throwers next time, and play it more cautious and tactical. Kind of like the guide said, the biggest weakness of barbarians is overconfidence, when you get used to 2-swatting everything and even most bosses don't give you much trouble. (There was a Dretch unique with 2000+hp and summoning skeletons that I ran away from in the Labyrinth, nothing other than that made me run away...)

Well thanks for the tips guys!

[Celerity]

The point where I quit dying and started progressing and eventually winning with Barbarian was the point where I raised the charge skill early on and focused on damage/crit/life regen/anti magic. Ranged attackers are still mean but if you can get in their face and 1-2 hit kill them it's pretty manageable.

[SmallTownGuy]

I'm becoming convinced that Bloodthirst is more of a later-game tree, not something to dive into at level 10. Bloodbath is nice, but it only triggers when you crit - which won't happen reliably until you can raise your Cun. Bloody Butcher only triggers if you inflict wounds, which you won't do reliably until you luck into the right items. And of course Unstoppable costs a whopping 120 (+fatigue) stamina.

Maybe you should opt for a tele/movement at level 10?

(But what do I know? I've never gotten a zerker much past mid-game.)