Season 9 of Diablo 4 brings not just class balance changes but also a brand-new power system-Horadric Spells. For Barbarian players, this opens the door to even more rage-fueled destruction. One build that benefits heavily from these updates is the Double Swing Barbarian-a fast-paced, fury-efficient setup that's perfect for leveling.
Here's everything you need to know to level quickly and efficiently as a Double Swing Barbarian in Diablo 4 Season 9.
Why Choose Double Swing Barbarian?
Double Swing has always been a potent skill for aggressive Barbarians who love staying in the thick of combat. But with the Horadric Spell system, this build is even more viable thanks to powerful new synergies:
· Easy Berserker uptime
· Consistent Unstoppable status
· High Fury generation and spending
· Ability to make enemies Vulnerable on demand
These factors come together to make Double Swing one of the smoothest and most efficient leveling builds for Barbarians in the season.
Core Skill Setup
Here's the ideal early- and mid-game skill tree for a Double Swing leveling Barbarian:
Primary Damage
Double Swing
· Enhanced Double Swing - Gain Fury if it hits a Stunned enemy.
· Furious Double Swing - Deals bonus damage to Vulnerable enemies.
Shouts and Support
Rallying Cry
· Enhanced Rallying Cry - Increases Fury generation.
· Tactical Rallying Cry - Generates Fury instantly.
War Cry
· Enhanced War Cry - Grants Berserking on cast.
Ground Stomp
· Enhanced Ground Stomp - Stuns enemies.
· Tactical Ground Stomp - Generates Fury on use.
Leap
· Enhanced Leap - Slows enemies on landing.
· Power Leap - Restores Fury when you hit enemies.
Key Passives
· Unconstrained - Increases Berserking duration and damage.
· Later in the leveling journey, replace War Cry once Unconstrained makes Berserking easy to sustain.
· Aggressive Resistance, Battle Fervor, and Thick Skin - Boost Fury generation and survivability.
Horadric Spell Setup
The big new feature of Season 9-Horadric Spells-lets you inject extra power into your Double Swing. Here's the recommended spell setup:
Catalyst
Cosmic Anomaly
· Creates an anomaly every 5 seconds. When five anomalies are present, you become Unstoppable, which is crucial for survivability and Berserker uptime.
Infusions
· Smoldering Ember - Increases damage dealt after using a Core Skill.
· Nebulous Extract - Reduces cooldowns, helping you rotate through skills more efficiently.
Arcana
· Reactive Ooze - Boosts Fury regen when spending Fury (perfect for Double Swing).
· Shifting Powder - Grants Movement Speed to help you clear faster.
· Bottled Wind - Generates a barrier, which gives you added protection during fights.
Slot your Horadric Spell directly into Double Swing for maximum synergy and uptime.
Recommended Gear Stats
You can buy Diablo IV gold & items can help; this build shines even with just solid rare and legendary gear. Here are the stat priorities for each slot:
· Helmet: Armor, Fury Per Second
· Chest: Armor, Fury Per Second
· Gloves: +Double Swing Rank, Max Life
· Pants: Strength, Resistance
· Boots: Movement Speed, Strength
· Weapon: Strength, Max Life
· Amulet: Armor, Critical Strike Chance
· Rings: Attack Speed, Critical Strike Chance
Other helpful stats include Damage to Stunned/Vulnerable Enemies, Basic/Core Skill Damage, and Damage While Berserking.
Playstyle and Rotation
This build thrives in dense enemy clusters. Here's how to approach combat:
1. Leap into a group of enemies to gain Fury.
2. Activate Rallying Cry to gain Unstoppable and boost Fury generation.
3. Hit Ground Stomp to Stun enemies-making them Vulnerable if you've got the right passive or gear.
4. Double Swing into the stunned/Vulnerable targets for massive damage.
5. Keep an eye on your Cosmic Anomaly stacks-Unstoppable triggers once you hit five.
6. Use War Cry for extra damage and Berserking, but feel free to replace it once you unlock Unconstrained for passive Berserk uptime.
Optional Legendary Aspects
While you can level efficiently without any Uniques, the following Legendary Aspects will significantly boost your power:
· Berserk Ripping - Causes Bleed while Berserking.
· Iron Blood Aspect - Adds Damage Reduction based on the number of bleeding enemies nearby.
· Bul-Kathos' Aspect - Enhances Leap utility and synergy with Fury regen.
· Aspect of the Iron Warrior - Grants Unstoppable and Armor when activating a defensive skill.
Final Tips
· You don't need Uniques to make this build work, but Twin Strikes and Yen's Blessing add extra flavor if you get them.
· Stay aggressive. This build rewards momentum and quick kills.
· Farm Horadric Strongrooms' early Spell upgrades help tremendously.
· Don't be afraid to experiment with different Arcanas or Infusions depending on what Diablo 4 Items drop for you.
Conclusion
The Double Swing Barbarian is a powerhouse in Diablo 4 Season 9-especially now that Horadric Spells allow deep customization of your core skills. With high Fury uptime, strong Vulnerability applications, and consistent Unstoppable status, this build is one of the best for a smooth and satisfying leveling experience.