Few builds scream Diablo quite like the HOTA Barbarian. While it might not be the absolute top meta pick in Season 8: Belial's Return, it remains one of the most satisfying, hard-hitting, screen-clearing builds in the game. If you love Overpower damage, earthquakes, and smashing everything in sight with massive critical hits, the HOTA Barbarian is for you.

This guide covers everything from core mechanics and skill choices to Diablo 4 Items, Paragon boards, mercenaries, and rune combos.

How the HOTA Barbarian Build Works

The HOTA Barbarian revolves around:

·Generating Earthquakes

·Using Hammer of the Ancients (HOTA) to detonate those Earthquakes with Mantle of Mountain's Fury

·Overpower hits to wipe out entire packs of enemies

You'll buy Diablo 4 Items to stack cooldown-based triggers to keep Earthquakes active across the battlefield, then time your HOTA slams to maximize damage via AoE destruction.

Core Combo:

·Ground Stomp (with Aspect of Earthquakes) = creates Earthquakes

·Tec + Yul Rune Combo = using cooldown skills, spawns additional Earthquakes

·Mantle of Mountain's Fury = makes HOTA destroy Earthquakes in a line, dealing massive AoE damage

Active Skills Setup

·Hammer of the Ancients: Enhanced, Violent

·Ground Stomp: Enhanced, Strategic

·Rallying Cry: Enhanced, Strategic

·War Cry: Enhanced, Power

·Challenging Shout: Enhanced, Tactical

·Call of the Ancients: Prime, Supreme

This skill rotation sets up Earthquakes, buffs your Fury generation and defense, and lets HOTA detonate the field.

Season 8 Boss Power Setup

To push this build over the top, equip these Belial's Return Season Boss Powers:

·Main Power: Grigoire's Lightning Square- massive AoE synergy with earthquake detonations

Modifiers:

·Harbinger of Hatred's Volley- adds Vulnerable procs

·Sinerat's Flames- increases damage

·Hatred's Embrace's Haste- grants Crit Chance from Shadow Resistance

Arsenal System Setup

·Primary Weapon: Two-Handed Bludgeoning Weapon (Required for HOTA)

·Weapon Technique Slot: Two-Handed Axe- grants Vulnerable to enemies for bonus damage

Talent Tree Overview

Focus most points on passives and damage-enhancing skills, with only Ground Stomp and Call of the Ancients getting full investment:

Key Passives & Skills:

·Wallop, Heavy Hitter, Pit Fighter- core damage nodes

·Unconstrained- capstone passive for Berserking duration and bonuses

·No Mercy, Aggressive Resistance- for CC and Fury uptime

·Martial Vigor, Imposing Presence- for added tankiness

Paragon Board & Glyph Order

Here's the recommended Paragon board progression:

1. Start Board- Slot Exploit Glyph

2. Warbringer Board (North)- Territorial Glyph

3. Decimator Board (East)- Challenger Glyph

4. Force of Nature Board (South)- Marshal Glyph

5. Final Board (North from Decimator)- Rumble Glyph

These glyphs empower Vulnerable, Core Skills, Overpower, and Earthquake synergy, critical to HOTA's success.

Mercenary Loadout (Vessel of Hatred Required)

Primary Mercenary: Raheir

Talents:

·Ground Slam

·Raheir's Aegis

·Bastion

·Inspiration

Support Mercenary: Varyana

Talent:

·Bloodthirst (linked to War Cry)

This pairing boosts survivability and grants great synergy for War Cry-based Fury generation and crit uptime.

Gear, Aspects, and Socketing

Required Uniques:

·Mantle of Mountain's Fury- makes HOTA break Earthquakes

·Fists of Fate- boosts random high-end hit rolls

·Ugly Bastard Helm further empowers Overpower and Control effects

Key Legendary Aspects:

·Aspects of Earthquakes

·Aspect of Incendiary Fissures

·Executioner's Aspect

Socketing Strategy:

·Jewelry → Skulls (Armor)

·Armor → Rubies (Life)

Weapons:

·Emeralds for Crit Damage to Vulnerable

Rune Combos:

§Bac + Tec- triggers an Earthquake after moving 5m

§Tam + Gar- adds Crit Chance for 5s after using non-channeled Core Skill

Gear Tempering:

When available, add:

·Overpower Damage

·Crit Chance

·Cooldown Reduction

·Fury Cost Reduction

·Damage while Berserking

Final Thoughts

The HOTA Barbarian is a fan-favorite for good reason- massive damage spikes, stunning screen-wide AoE, and satisfying crunch with every slam. While it lacks a bit of mobility and resource generation flexibility, the setup is simple and incredibly effective when optimized.

Pros:

·Huge Overpower and AoE burst

·Earthquake synergy is fun and explosive

·Great synergy with Season 8 powers

Cons:

·Lacks mobility

·Needs setup time (Earthquakes > HOTA)

·Resource uptime can be gear-dependent

Whether you're tackling Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, or endgame bosses, HOTA Barbarian remains one of the most rewarding builds to play this season.