Let’s be honest, levelling a Barbarian in Diablo 4’s Season of Blood can feel like pushing uphill at times. Compared to a Necro, you don’t get that instant “press button, wipe screen” vibe early on. Still, the upside is you’ve got choices. Some players swear by Rend for those deep bleeds, others fall back on Hammer of the Ancients as the endgame darling. But for the climb through the campaign to around level 60, I’ve always leaned on Whirlwind. It’s got pace, flow, and with the right setup, it feels better than anything else when you’re smashing through mobs and looting Diablo 4 Items along the way.

Whirlwind works because it keeps you moving. You’re not stopping to line up big hits or waiting for fury to recover – you’re constantly chewing through packs. Managing fury is still the Barb’s eternal headache, but that’s where skills like Lunging Strike come in. The dash helps you stick to enemies and keeps your fury ticking over, so you’re not left standing there swinging at air. Make sure to grab shouts early – Rallying Cry for speed and fury generation, War Cry for a handy damage bump and a bit of Fortify. These not only keep you alive but ensure your spin doesn’t slow to a crawl.

In terms of pacing, Whirlwind shines when you’re clearing dungeons or running Whispers. While a HOTA build might wreck single targets, the Barb that’s spinning can wipe out everything in sight in one continuous sweep. That’s a big plus when you’re farming or pushing through campaign zones. And later on, once you’ve got Aspects like Dire Whirlwind, the build really starts cooking – spin speed ramps up, enemies melt faster, and you get that satisfying momentum where nothing can get close.

Of course, you’re not married to Whirlwind forever. By the time you hit level 50, jump into World Tier 3, and start hunting for the core HOTA Aspects or some juicy Uniques, swapping is easy enough. You’ve already built a tough, mobile Barb that can transition without pain. But until then – when speed, clearing power, and fun matter most – “spin to win” just clicks. And if your thing is bleeding enemies down with Rend or somehow making HOTA sing earlier than most, that’s cool too. Play the build you enjoy, and don’t forget it’s all about finding ways to keep the grind exciting. For me, nothing beats carving a path through Season of Blood while I farm and buy Diablo 4 Items.