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You receive a skill point each time you advance a level (plus, you'll receive more from completing particular quests, such as the Den of Evil quest in Act I). It's important to plan your skill choices ahead. Some high-level skills have multiple prerequisites, meaning you must follow two paths down the tree to reach that particularly skill. Further, it can be a tough decision whether or not to add multiple points into a particular skill - and how many should you add? Your skills will reflect your personal playing style. If you prefer to scare off monsters in hopes of facing them in smaller groups, you may opt for the Barbarian's war cries. If you enjoy mace weapons, you may bump up the Barbarian's mace mastery significantly. Then again, you might prefer double swing or even double throw in combination with leap and leap attack. There's no right or wrong - but you do have the potential to be wasteful. Think ahead and don't arbitrarily stick points in skills you may not use. There's one instance where you would place points in a skill you might not use, which is if that skill leads to another more useful skill. Much like a technology tree in a strategy game, Diablo II's skill tree has branches and prerequisites. For instance, double swing requires level 6 and bash. You must have both to put a point in double swing! Plan ahead and remember that each time you reach a specific level (6, 12, 18, 24, 30), additional skills become available as long as you have met other skill prerequisites. Below is a basic guideline (with an emphasis on single-player) for an offensive character with 30 skill points, one received for each level of advancement (keep in mind, you will receive more from solving quests and, potentially, from magical items). NOTE: The plan presented below is one of thousands and thousands of potential combinations. For the most part, the plan is presented to illustrate the reasoning behind skill choices and isn't meant to be the only, the best, or even one of the best ways to spend your points. Everyone will have their personal preference - which was certainly the case around Blizzard's development offices where virtually every member of the QA team had their own personal style! Find potion - 3 skill points Howl - 1 skill point Taunt - 1 skill point Shout - 1 skill point Bash - 3 skill points Stun - 1 skill point Concentrate - 1 skill point Leap - 1 skill point Leap attack - 3 skill points Double swing - 3 skill points Sword mastery - 6 skill points Axe mastery - 1 skill point Pole arm mastery - 1 skill point Iron skin - 1 skill point Increased stamina - 1 skill point Increased speed - 1 skill point Whirlwind - 1 skill point Again, this is only a suggestion and an example of useful offensive and defensive skills. This Barbarian would excel with sword weapons (with the potential to switch to axe and pole arm with effectiveness); have excellent combat power with bash, double swing, leap attack, and whirlwind; and also possess decent defensive tools, such as iron skin, and increased stamina and speed. Bash could be used in the early game as a secondary attack (when mana is available). Find potion will keep the Barbarian healthy (with greater potential late in the game when you're uncovering rejuvenation potions in Act IV) and howl will frighten monsters away keeping the Barbarian from becoming overwhelmed. As you near the middle game, leap and double swing take charge as both a primary and secondary function (left and right mouse button). Switch to shout as you approach tough areas to boost your defenses and wait until late in the game to increase pole arm mastery if desired. Late in the game, you're mixing double swing with leap attack. Further, your increased speed and stamina let you retreat more easily to set up your ranged leap attack. Don't neglect the early skills, though, such as shout, which will continually be used when preparing for difficult fights. Once you reach level 30, your choice should be whirlwind, used in combination with leap attack and double swing. Be prepared to keep your Barbarian's mana levels high to offset these costly attacks.
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