Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (D4)

Barbarian HOTA Earthquake Endgame Build (Season 7)

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This is a Barbarian HOTA Earthquake build guide for Season 7 of Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (D4). Read on to learn more about the Barbarian HOTA Earthquake endgame build in the Season of Witchcraft!

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Diablo 4 - Barbarian IconClass Guide Diablo 4 - Best Barbarian BuildsBest Builds Diablo 4 - Barbarian IconArsenal System

Barbarian HOTA Earthquake Leveling Build

HOTA Earthquake Build Summary

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle
Build Summary
Diablo 4 - Barbarian Icon HOTA Earthquake Build
Hammer of the Ancients Bash Rallying Cry Iron Skin War Cry Wrath of the Berserker
Focus: Pit Pushing, Bossing
Diablo 4 Build - ProLarge AoE clearing

Diablo 4 Build - ProHigh Damage with minimal gear

Diablo 4 Build - ConDamage limited by Earthquake generation

Diablo 4 Build - ConLow mobility

This build uses the already strong Earthquake Barbarian archetype with the new Mantle of the Mountain's Fury Unique to detonate Earthquakes for their full damage! Generate large Earthquakes that devastates the battlefield and detonate them with Hammer of the Ancients to clear the whole screen of enemies.

HOTA Earthquake Build Skills and Passives

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle

※ More skills can be seen by scrolling vertically.

Active Skills
Basic Skill TreeBasic Skill Tree

Bash Bash (1/5)
 ┗ Enhanced BashEnhanced Bash
  ┗ Combat BashCombat Bash
Core Skill TreeCore Skill Tree

 ┗ Enhanced Hammer of the AncientsEnhanced Hammer of the Ancients
  ┗ Violent Hammer of the AncientsViolent Hammer of the Ancients
 ┗ Warpath Warpath (3/3)
Defensive Skill TreeDefensive Skill Tree

Rallying Cry Rallying Cry (1/5)
 ┗ Enhanced Rallying CryEnhanced Rallying Cry
  ┗ Tactical Rallying CryTactical Rallying Cry
 ┗ Martial Vigor Martial Vigor (3/3)
Outburst Outburst (1/3)
 ┗ Tough as Nails Tough as Nails (1/3)
Iron Skin Iron Skin (5/5)
 ┗ Enhanced Iron SkinEnhanced Iron Skin
  ┗ Tactical Iron SkinTactical Iron Skin
Brawling Skill TreeBrawling Skill Tree

War Cry War Cry (1/5)
 ┗ Enhanced War CryEnhanced War Cry
  ┗ Power War CryPower War Cry
Booming Voice Booming Voice (3/3)
 ┗ Guttural Yell Guttural Yell (3/3)
Swiftness Swiftness (3/3)
 ┗ Prolific Fury Prolific Fury (3/3)
Weapon Mastery Skill TreeWeapon Mastery Skill Tree

Pit Fighter Pit Fighter (3/3)
 ┗ No Mercy No Mercy (3/3)
Thick Skin Thick Skin (1/3)
 ┗ Counteroffensive Counteroffensive (3/3)
Ultimate Skill TreeUltimate Skill Tree

 ┗ Prime Wrath of the BerserkerPrime Wrath of the Berserker
  ┗ Supreme Wrath of the BerserkerSupreme Wrath of the Berserker
Heavy Handed Heavy Handed (3/3)
Heavy Hitter Heavy Hitter (3/3)
Diablo 4 - Key Passive Skill TreeKey Passive

HOTA Earthquake Build Technique Slot

Weapon Expertise
Diablo 4 - Two-Handed Axe ExpertiseTwo-Handed Axe Expertise
When using any Weapon:
10% increased damage to Vulnerable enemies.

The Two-Handed Axe Expertise is the best offensive expertise, giving another damage multiplier to all hits to Vulnerable enemies. This build uses Witchcraft Powers to apply Vulnerable.

Arsenal System and Techniques Guide

Best Witchcraft Powers

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle
Witchcraft Effect
Rank Up Bonus
Shaken Soul Icon Shaken Soul Eldritch Effects apply Vulnerable to enemies for X seconds.
Rank 10: Damage from Psyche and Growth & Decay Effects will also apply Vulnerable at half the duration.
Doom Orb Icon Doom Orb An ominous orb of pure Eldritch energy circles you, damaging any enemy it touches for 400% Fire damage. Doom Orb may launch itself at distant enemies before returning.
Rank 5: Kills or damage to Bosses empower the orb’s damage by 5%. After 100%, the orb explodes dealing 5,200 damage to nearby enemies before reforming 3 seconds later.
Hex of Shattering Icon Hex of Shattering Damage done by your Witchcraft Effects afflicts enemies with Hex of Shattering causing them to deal X reduced damage for 5 seconds.
Rank 8: When any Hex Effect is applied to Headrotten, all damage will be guaranteed Critical Strikes for 5 seconds.
Twilight Warding Icon Twilight Warding Every X seconds, gain a Barrier for 5 seconds absorbing Y damage.
Rank 12: Twilight Warding reflects enemy projectiles while active.
Aura of Siphoning Icon Aura of Siphoning Conjure an aura of decay that deals 80% Poison damage to enemies every second.
Rank 10: Each time Aura of Siphoning deals damage, you are healed for 1% of Maximum Life.
Breath of the Coven Icon Breath of the Coven Dealing damage or applying a Crowd Control effect with any of your Witchcraft Effects increases your Attack Speed by X for 10 Seconds, stacking once per unique Witchcraft Effect. Witchcraft Effects are Eldritch, Psyche, and Growth & Decay.
Rank 8: Gain 40% Lucky Hit chance while bonuses from Eldritch, Psyche, Growth & Decay are active at once.

This build utilizes a combination of Witchcraft Powers to benefit from the massive Attack Speed boost from the Breath of the Coven power. Doom Orb and Shaken Soul also combos with each other to consistently inflict Vulnerable to all nearby enemies for extra damage.

You can replace Twilight Warding with Soul Harvest if you need more damage in exchange for survivability.

List of All Witchcraft Powers

HOTA Earthquake Build Best Aspects and Affixes

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle

※ More gear Aspects can be seen by scrolling vertically.

Gear Aspect and Affixes
Head
Stats:
・ Ranks to Prolific Fury
・ Wrath of the Berserker Cooldown Reduction ★★★
・ Ranks to Agressive Resistance
・ Lucky Hit: Chance to deal Fire Damage
Chest
Stats:
・ 100% Hammer of the Ancients damage for 5 seconds after an Earthquake explodes
・ Armor
・ Ranks to Hammer of the Ancients
・ Ranks of Defensive Stance
・ Chance for Earthquake to Deal Double Damage ★★★
Gloves
Stats:
Attack Speed
・ Critical Strike Chance ★★★
・ Lucky Hit Chance
・ Lucky Hit: Chance to Apply a Random Crowd Control Effect for 2 Seconds
Pants
・ Strength
・ Maximum Life
・ Any Elemental Resistance
Temper:
・ Defensive - Worldly Endurance
 ┗ % Total Armor
・ Utility - Brute Innovation
 ┗ Earthquake Size ★★★
Boots
・ Movement Speed
・ Fury Per Second
・ Strength
Temper:
・ Mobility - Barbarian Motion
 ┗ Movement Speed
・ Utility - Brute Innovation
 ┗ Earthquake Size ★★★
Amulet
・ Strength
・ Critical Strike Chance
・ Any Elemental Resistance
Temper:
・ Offensive - Berserking Finesse
 ┗ Damage While Berserking
・ Resource - Ultimate Efficiency - Barbarian
 ┗ Wrath of the Berserker Cooldown Reduction
Ring
・ Critical Strike Chance
・ Attack Speed
・ Strength
Temper:
・ Offensive - Berserking Finesse
 ┗ Damage While Berserking
・ Resource - Ultimate Efficiency - Barbarian
 ┗ Wrath of the Berserker Cooldown Reduction
Ring
・ Critical Strike Chance
・ Attack Speed
・ Strength
Temper:
・ Offensive - Berserking Finesse
 ┗ Damage While Berserking
・ Resource - Ultimate Efficiency - Barbarian
 ┗ Wrath of the Berserker Cooldown Reduction
One-Handed Mace
・ Strength
・ Vulnerable Damage / Critical Strike Damage
・ Maximum Life
Temper:
・Weapons - Wasteland Augments
 ┗ Earthquake Duration
・ Offensive - Berserking Finesse
 ┗ Damage While Berserking
One-Handed Mace
・ Strength
・ Vulnerable Damage / Critical Strike Damage
・ Maximum Life
Temper:
・Weapons - Wasteland Augments
 ┗ Earthquake Duration
・Offensive - Natural Finesse
 ┗ Damage to Close Enemies
Two-Handed Mace
・ Strength
・ Vulnerable Damage / Critical Strike Damage
・ Maximum Life
Temper:
・Weapons - Wasteland Augments
 ┗ Earthquake Duration
・Offensive - Natural Finesse
 ┗ Damage to Close Enemies
Two-Handed Sword
・ Strength
・ Vulnerable Damage / Critical Strike Damage
・ Maximum Life
Temper:
・Weapons - Wasteland Augments
 ┗ Earthquake Duration
・Offensive - Natural Finesse
 ┗ Damage to Close Enemies

Gear Stat Break Points

Make sure to get at least 500% Damage to Close Enemies and 450% Damage while Berserking to maximize the damage you get from your Legendary Paragon Nodes. Use Masterworking to increase the Tempering Stats from your Pants and Boots to get 100% Earthquake Size. And of course, always aim for 1000 Armor and 70% to all Resistances to maximize your survivability too.

HOTA Earthquake Build Best Gems and Runewords

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle

HOTA Earthquake Best Gems

Armor Weapons
RubyRuby EmeraldEmerald

Stacking Strength from Rubies are necessary for the damage bonus you get from the Executioner's Aspect. Then, get as much Critical Strike Damage with Emeralds since we don't get much of them from gear.

HOTA Earthquake Best Occult Gems

Amulet Ring Ring
Hungering VoidHungering Void Moonlight WardMoonlight Ward Dust StoneDust Stone

Occult Gems are new Gems you can socket into Jewelry that provides Armor, Resistances, and a special bonus. The Hungering Void Occult Gem periodically pulls in enemies for better clear speed. While Moonlight Ward is the best Occult Gem in general as it brings very powerful and rare defensive stats.

As for the final Occult Gem, you can get Dust Stone for more damage, Cornucopia for more Barrier and better Fortify up time, or use Killing Wind by replacing the Twilight Warding power to another Eldritch one for Movement Speed and Critical Strike Chance.

List of All Occult Gems

HOTA Earthquake Build Best Runewords

Runeword 1 Runeword 2
LithLith TecTec PocPoc GarGar

Lith is a rare Legendary Rune but is definitely the best rune to trigger Earthquakes with the Tec rune as standing for half a second every time we attack generates a powerful Earthquake. The PocGar rune word also allows us to consistently get 25% Critical Strike Chance as we spend Resource to use Hammer of the Ancients.

List of All Runewords

HOTA Earthquake Build Best Mercenaries

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Diablo IV - Notice IconSummary Skill ProgressionSkill Progression Witchcraft IconWitchcraft
AspectsAspects and Affixes GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian IconPlaystyle
Mercenary Reinforcement
VaryanaVaryana RaheirRaheir

Add Varyana as Your Main Mercenary

Get Varyana as your Main Mercenary to get free Overpowers with the Dismembering upgrade. This allows the build to increase the up-time of HOTA's 40% damage buff after an Overpower.

Make sure to grab Varyana's Reprisal passive skill to help with our survivability a bit. Note that having Varyana as our Main Mercenary allows us to gain Movement Speed as we gain Massacre stacks by killing hordes of enemies. You lose this movement speed bonus when you haven't killed an enemy recently

Varyana Mercenary Guide

Choose Raheir as Your Reinforcement

With Raheir as our Reinforcement Mercenary, he can save use from dicey situations with the Bastion skill set to trigger when we are hit with a Control Impairing Effect. This skill gives us Unstoppable and allows Raheir to instead take most of the damage dealt to us.

Raheir Mercenary Guide

HOTA Earthquake Build Paragon Boards

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle
Paragon Boards
1. Starting Board (Rumble)
2. Carnage (Ire)
3. Blood Rage (Territorial)
4. Force of Nature (Marshal)
5. Bone Breaker (Wrath)

HOTA Earthquake Build Playstyle and Rotation

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SummarySummary Skills and PassivesSkills and Passives WitchcraftWitchcraft Aspects and AffixesAspects and Affixes
GemsGems MercenaryMercenary Barbarian ParagonParagon PlaystylePlaystyle

The playstyle for the Hammer of the Ancients Earthquake build is pretty straightforward as we just repeatedly use Bash and Hammer of the Ancients to detonate the Earthquakes surrounding you. The usual rotation is as follows:

  1. Use War Cry and and Rallying Cry before engaging a monster pack. If there's an Elite, you can use Wrath of the Berserker too.
  2. Start attacking with Bash to generate Resource, invoke Earthquakes with the LithTec rune word, and gain stacks of Bash Critical Strikes for a guaranteed Overpower with Hammer of the Ancients.
  3. As you start invoking Earthquakes, most of the smaller mobs will start dying, use Hammer of the Ancients to detonate the Earthquakes surrounding you to deal with the rest of the tankier enemies.
  4. Once you're hit and go below ~50% Life, use Iron Skin to generate a Barrier and heal yourself.

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