In Diablo 4, the Barbarian class thrives on brute strength and devastating attacks, and the Paragon Board provides a way to enhance these abilities even further. One such enhancement comes from the Rare Node Catalyst, which significantly boosts the Barbarian’s Earthquake and physical damage output.
Catalyst is a Rare Node located on the Barbarian’s Paragon Board that offers a substantial increase in both Earthquake damage and overall physical damage. Earthquake is a powerful AoE (Area of Effect) ability that causes the ground to tremble and shatter beneath enemies, dealing consistent damage over time. The Catalyst node enhances this ability by increasing its damage by an impressive 45%, making Earthquake even more deadly and effective in clearing out groups of enemies.
In addition to the Earthquake damage boost, Catalyst also grants a 10% increase to all physical damage. This broad enhancement benefits not only Earthquake but also other physical damage-based skills in the Barbarian’s arsenal, such as Bash, Frenzy, and Whirlwind. This dual enhancement makes Catalyst a versatile and potent choice for any Barbarian build focused on maximizing damage output.
Catalyst is particularly valuable for Barbarians who rely on Earthquake as a core component of their build. By increasing the damage of Earthquake by 45%, Catalyst ensures that this ability can deliver devastating blows to large groups of enemies, making it easier to control the battlefield and quickly dispatch foes.
The additional 10% boost to physical damage further complements this by enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Barbarian’s melee attacks. Whether you’re using a single-target skill like Bash to deal with tougher enemies or a sweeping AoE like Whirlwind to clear out hordes, the Catalyst node amplifies your damage, making each strike more impactful.
To maximize the benefits of Catalyst, consider pairing it with other nodes and abilities that enhance Earthquake or physical damage. For instance, combining Catalyst with the Force of Nature Legendary Node, which increases Earthquake damage based on your bonus to damage against close enemies, can create a highly synergistic build that takes full advantage of Earthquake’s destructive potential.
Additionally, integrating defensive nodes like Denial or Tenacity into your Paragon Board can help balance out your build. This approach ensures that while your offense is formidable, your Barbarian can also withstand incoming damage, making you more resilient in prolonged battles.
Catalyst is a powerful Rare Node on the Barbarian’s Paragon Board, offering significant boosts to Earthquake and physical damage. It is an excellent choice for Barbarians who want to maximize their AoE capabilities while also enhancing their overall damage output. By strategically incorporating Catalyst into your Paragon Board and combining it with complementary nodes and abilities, you can create a Barbarian build that is both devastating and versatile, capable of dominating any challenge in Diablo 4.