In the vast and treacherous world of Sanctuary, where demons and undead roam freely, one class stands out for its sheer brutality and efficiency in acquiring loot: the Barbarian. Specifically, we're diving deep into the realm of the "Budget Horker" build, a playstyle that combines raw power with unparalleled item-finding capabilities. This guide will walk you through the intricacies of creating and optimizing a Budget Horker Barbarian in Diablo 2 Resurrected, ensuring you're well-equipped to face the hordes of Hell while maximizing your treasure-hunting potential.
Understanding the Budget Horker Concept
The term "Horker" in Diablo 2 Resurrected parlance refers to a Barbarian build that utilizes the Find Item skill, colloquially known as "horking." This unique ability allows Barbarians to search corpses for additional loot, essentially giving them a second chance at finding valuable items from slain enemies. The "Budget" aspect of this build emphasizes its accessibility, focusing on gear and strategies that don't require extensive wealth or extremely rare items to be effective. This makes the Budget Horker an ideal choice for players starting a new season, those with limited resources, or anyone looking to efficiently farm D2R items without a significant initial investment.
Core Skills and Attributes
To create an effective Budget Horker, you'll need to focus on a specific set of skills that synergize well with the Find Item ability. The primary combat skills for this build typically include:
Find Item (max this out for optimal horking)
Weapon Mastery (choose based on your weapon type)
Battle Orders (for increased life and mana)
Find Potion (synergy for Find Item)
Berserk or Whirlwind (primary damage skill)
Attribute allocation is crucial for the Budget Horker's success. Strength should be just enough to wear your chosen gear, while Dexterity is typically kept at the minimum required for equipment. The lion's share of your attribute points should be poured into Vitality, ensuring you have a robust health pool to survive the dangers of Hell difficulty. Energy can be largely ignored, as mana management is typically handled through equipment and potions.
Gearing Up Your Budget Horker
The beauty of the Budget Horker lies in its ability to perform effectively with relatively inexpensive gear. Here's a rundown of equipment options that balance cost-effectiveness with performance:
Weapon: Oath runeword in an ethereal base (preferably a Balrog Blade or Colossus Blade)
Shield: Rhyme runeword for Magic Find bonus or Spirit runeword for all-around stats
Helmet: Arreat's Face (if available) or a rare/crafted helm with life steal and resistances
Armor: Duress runeword or Lionheart runeword for a balance of offense and defense
Gloves: Laying of Hands for demon damage bonus or rare gloves with IAS and resistances
Boots: War Traveler for Magic Find or rare boots with resistances and FRW
Belt: Goldwrap for Magic Find or a rare belt with life and resistances
Amulet: Highlord's Wrath for IAS or a rare/crafted amulet with +skills and resistances
Rings: Dual Nagel Rings for Magic Find or rare rings with life leech and resistances
For players looking to acquire specific items to complete their Budget Horker setup, platforms like Gamebuygold offer a convenient marketplace for D2R items. However, remember that part of the charm and challenge of the Budget Horker is in gradually improving your gear through your own farming efforts.
Mastering the Art of Horking
The key to success as a Budget Horker lies in mastering the Find Item skill. This ability should be used strategically to maximize your loot potential. Here are some tips to optimize your horking:
Focus on areas with high monster density and valuable drop tables (e.g., Travincal, Chaos Sanctuary)
Use Battle Orders before engaging in combat to increase your survivability
Clear an area of monsters first, then backtrack to hork the corpses
Prioritize horking unique monsters and champions for better loot chances
Remember that Find Item can be used on most corpses, including those of slain bosses
Efficiency is crucial when horking. Aim to develop a rhythm where you quickly move from corpse to corpse, using Find Item and picking up valuable loot in one smooth motion. With practice, you'll be able to clear and hork entire areas with impressive speed.