Barbarians, the whisper in the wilderness has become a roar—basic skills on the PTR are rewriting the rules of Season 9, and at the vanguard stands the Frenzy Barbarian. After exhaustive tests of Flechette (Fle), Bash, and now Frenzy, it’s clear that Frenzy is the most potent and reliable of the lot, capable of clearing Pit 80 content on unperfected gear. This article walks you through the build’s evolution on the PTR, the key mechanics that make Frenzy shine, community discoveries (including the surprise treasure goblin rooms), and why this setup will be a must-play when Season 9 launches.
The Rise of Basic Skills in Season 9
Season 9’s PTR has placed basic skills under the microscope, and players have been eager to see which one will stand the test of high-tier content. While Bash once dominated speed-clear lists thanks to a now-nerfed infinite interaction, and Fle proved capable of one-shotting Pit 150 bosses, Frenzy has emerged as the true all-rounder. Its advantages are simple yet profound: rapid attack speed scaling, built-in Fury regeneration, and seamless synergy with new aspects and paragon glyphs. Unlike the broken Bash loop that trivialized higher tiers, this Frenzy build uses only legitimate interactions, delivering stellar results without exploitation.
Build Overview: Frenzy Meets Earthquake
At the core of this setup is the Frenzy skill, enhanced by the recently buffed Earthquake Aspect. Every successive Frenzy hit accelerates attack rate and boosts damage, while Earthquake splinters the ground into devastating shockwaves. In practice, you’ll whirlwind through mobs with Frenzy stacks, then trigger Earthquake for massive burst AoE whenever the aspect cooldown resets. Key gear pieces—like Fist of Fate for extra Fury on kill and the resilient chest piece rolled for damage reduction—ensure you stay in the fray, even against punishing boss telegraphs.
Pit 80 Showcase: Strength Without Exploits
In a livestreamed PTR demonstration, the Frenzy Barbarian cleared Pit 80 with surprising ease, clocking substantially faster times than previous iterations. Unlike PTR runs that leaned on Bash exploits to one-shot bosses up to Pit 150, this was an honest test: no broken loops, masterworks still imperfect due to PTR roll issues, and minimal use of temporary buffs. The result? A consistent five-billion-damage ceiling on elite packs, lightning-fast Rift Guardian takedowns, and survivability thanks to smart paragon choices. It’s proof positive that Frenzy can carry you deep into the endgame.
Paragon and Glyph Synergies
One of the most lauded discoveries from PTR testers was the impact of the new Paragon glyphs. By anchoring on Tactician for raw damage, then branching into Burning Instinct and Flamefeeder, players unlocked upwards of 90% bonus DPS—unheard of in past seasons. Glyphs like Rare Node Booster and Damage Reduction fill crucial gaps, turning glass-cannon Barbarians into juggernauts that shrug off spike damage. The recommendations are clear: focus early Paragon nodes on damage multipliers, then pivot to defensive glyphs once you can reliably sustain high Frenzy stacks.
Community Discoveries: Treasures in the Dark
Beyond raw numbers, Season 9 PTR introduced novel dungeon events—most notably, the Treasure Goblin invasion. Throughout Nightmare Escalation Sigils, players reported waves of goblins dropping loot-rich treasure bags, ancestral items, and seasonal currency. Frenzy’s agility allowed Barbarians to chase these elusive foes down corridors, turning every dungeon run into a thrilling treasure hunt. Though Sigil design still needs polish (many testers felt the “escalation” lacked meaningful progression), the treasure goblin mechanic was universally praised, injecting fun and unpredictability into otherwise rote clear speeds.
Boss Fights and the Elias Challenge
A memorable highlight came against the new Infernal Hordes boss, Elias the Ember-tongued. Streamers noted that Frenzy’s high mobility and damage reduction glyphs made dodging his flame waves manageable—especially the neat trick of running over his fire orbs to “eat” the blast for reduced damage. The fight itself, while deceptively simple, showcased Frenzy’s adaptability: alternating between spinning cleave on polarized adds and ramping up Frenzy stacks on single-target phases, the Barbarian emerged unscathed, even without top-tier resist rolls.
Looking Ahead: From PTR to Live
As the PTR transitions to the live Season 9 launch, expect further polish—masterwork fixes, tuning of Escalation Sigils, and fine-tuning of basic-skill interactions. Yet the core takeaway is already clear: Frenzy Barbarian, bolstered by Earthquake, innovative paragon glyphs, and agile treasure hunts, is the season’s defining barbarian build. Whether you’re a seasoned pit runner or a newcomer seeking a straightforward yet exhilarating playstyle, this Frenzy setup promises to deliver speed, strength, and a tsunami of fun.
