The Arsenal System is the unique Barbarian class mechanic in Diablo 4. It allows them to assign a specific equipped weapon for every attack skill and grants additional bonuses. There is also a Technique Slot that unlocks via a questline at Level 15 that allows you to use an additional weapon power of your choice. Let's learn everything we currently know about the Arsenal System to smash our enemies to pieces!
Unlocking the Arsenal System
The Arsenal System is automatically available when you reach Level 5. Opening the Expertise tab (Shift + C) shows all the different weapon types and their bonuses when using them. They all start at Level 1, can be leveled up to 10 through battle, and scale linearly. Here is the complete list of all powers and bonuses:
| Expertise | Rank 10 Power | Rank 10 Additional Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 1H Axe | {+5.0%} increased Critical Strike Chance against injured enemies. Double this amount when using two Axes. | Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a {55%} chance to grant {+0.6%} increased Attack Speed for {2} seconds. Double the Attack Speed bonus when using two Axes. |
| 1H Mace | {x10%} increased damage to Stunned enemies. Double this amount when using two Maces. | Lucky Hit: Up to a {10%} chance to gain Berserking for {1.50} seconds when you hit a Stunned enemy. Double this chance when using two Maces. |
| 1H Sword | Lucky Hit: Up to a {10%} chance to gain {5} Fury when hitting a Crowd Controlled enemy. Double this chance when using two Swords. | Killing a Crowd Controlled enemy grants {+15%} increased Attack Speed for {3} seconds. Double this amount for kills with two Swords. |
| 2H Axe | {x15.0%} increased damage to Vulnerable enemies. | {+10%} increased Critical Strike Chance against Vulnerable enemies. |
| Polearm | {x10%} increased Lucky Hit Chance. | You deal {+10%} increased damage while Healthy. |
| 2H Sword | {+20%} of direct damage you deal is inflicted as Bleeding damage over 5 seconds. | You deal {x30%} increased Bleeding damage for {5} seconds after killing an enemy. |
| 2H Mace | Lucky Hit: Up to a {10%} chance to gain {2} Fury when hitting an enemy. Double the mount of Fury gained while Berserking. | You deal {x15%} increased Critical Strike Damage to Stunned and Vulnerable enemies while Berserking. |
The Technique Slot
The Technique Slot lets you choose an additional weapon power to use at all times. It does not stack with your currently equipped weapon power, so you need to pick a different one. Two of the most common choices are:
1. The Two-Handed Sword Expertise to apply Bleeds to all enemies. This has tremendous synergy with Hamstring.
2. The Two-Handed Axe Expertise to deal more Vulnerable damage.
How to Unlock
At Level 15 you receive a key quest to unlock the Technique Slot in the Dry Steppes. This is extremely easy to complete:
1. Go to the town and accept the quest.
2. Head Northwest and slay the required monsters marked by red dots.
3. Head East and slay the beast in the cave.
4. Return to town and you're done!
How to Use the Arsenal System
The first order of business is to assign the weapon for your main damaging ability. Do this by opening the skills menu (S), hovering over the skill you're using, and pressing down on the middle mouse button. Usually it is more important to pick a weapon based on it's DPS / Attack Speed / Lucky Hit Chance, than the preferred Weapon Bonus you'd receive from the Arsenal System. In simple terms: consider the Arsenal System "a nice bonus" rather than something you're making conscious decisions on. Once the weapons are assigned properly, you receive the corresponding Weapon Bonus. Note: if you primarily use one skill to DPS, all other equipped weapons become stat sticks to boost your main weapons power!
Note: Diablo 4 automatically switches your assigned weapons when it thinks you've acquired a better one. During leveling, for the most part, it does a good job of picking the right one. Pay attention to this as you're playing though in case it makes a mistake!
Leveling the Arsenal System
Leveling up the Arsenal System is a natural process. As you pick up new weapons and battle monsters, the corresponding weapons you're using gain experience. Getting up to Level 10 with all weapons is not very difficult, and can easily be done by casual players. A few things to note:
- Weapons gain XP on hit, not on kill.
- Weapons do not gain XP in PvP.
Video Guide
Summary
- The Arsenal System is the Barbarian's weapons specialization in Diablo 4 that unlocks at Level 5.
- All weapon powers scale linearly, and they max out at Rank 10 with an additional power.
- The Technique Slot allows you to use an additional weapon power of your choice. It unlocks at Level 15 via a simple quest chain in the Dry Steppes. It does not stack with your current Arsenal Power, so pick a different one.
- Assign your preferred Weapon to your skills. Diablo 4 picks them for you as you level up.
- Level up your weapon powers by hitting enemies in battle (does not level up in PvP).
- If you mainly use 1 damaging skill, all other weapon slots become stat sticks to boost your primary weapon.
- Become the General Grievous of Diablo 4 by welding FOUR WEAPONS!
Check out our Barbarian Class Overview to learn all the details about Skills, Items, Legendaries and more.
Credits
Written by Raxxanterax.
Reviewed by Aristotelian.
Changelog
- 8 December 2022
Article Created from the Press Release Version of Diablo 4.