Barbarian Tribes

The Barbarian society is divided into many different tribes. It is unknown what role they play in Barbarian society, they are mostly mentioned in the Diablo II Manual. Each tribe seems to live in a specific part of the world however.

It is unknown how the destruction of Mount Arreat affected the current clans, where they live, and what will become of them.

Bear Tribe

• Mace Mastery

Barbarians who have quested with the mighty Bear Tribe are masters of the Mace. From simple wooden clubs to the contemporary, armor-defeating flanged mace, warrior masters wield these weapons to devastating effect. As the Bear shaman, Koth, said to those who favor the sword and axe, "When you are beset by hordes of the walking dead, do not come weeping to me if you have turned away from the wisdom of Bear."

Crane Tribe

• Polearm Mastery

Members of the Crane Tribe value distance, grace and a single overwhelming blow over the close grappling form advocated by the Bear Tribe. Though the two clans were wary of one another for many generations, recently the nomadic peoples have commingled and now share their powerful techniques with all that would learn. Crane warriors evolved their pole arm technique from dealing with mounted raiders and fighting in the shallow river waters found in the steppe. A master of the pole arm avoids physical contact with his opponent until he can land a single killing blow.

Henknoc Tribe

This tribe lives in the southern parts of the barbarian homeland. The area was a dense jungle at one point, but the destruction of Mount Arreat might well have changed that fact. Korlic, one of the barbarians who stood guard atop Mount Arreat, was the leader of this tribe before answering the call of the Ancients.

Shadow Wolf Tribe

• Axe Mastery

Barbarian warriors of the Shadow Wolf Tribe are masters of the axe. Through the axe, they sought to match the swiping claws and the biting teeth of the wolves with which they lived and fought beside. These first axes were but crude stones mounted on wooden hafts, and after learning the secret of steel and swords from Bul-Kathos, the axe soon fell into disfavor. Recently, however, warriors and smiths from the Steppes have perfected the axe as a weapon equal to or greater than the sword. The Wolf Tribe once again teaches the swift and terrible power of the axe to those who wish to learn how to cull the weak from the herd and to protect their pack from the legions of Hell.

Snake Tribe

• Spear Mastery

Warriors of the Snake Tribe, who favor the spear and are known for their cold eyes and sibilant battle chants. Only seasoned warriors may apply to the spear the techniques of the Snake-a patient teacher that reminds us that all foes can be defeated in time. These are lessons learned from the many dangerous pit vipers that breed among the steppes surrounding Mount Arreat.

Tribe of Thunder

• Whirlwind

Of the Barbarian people, the Tribe of Thunder was the first to draw upon the primal forces of the weather. Tornadoes would ravage their plains as summer turned to the harvest season. The shaman of the tribe would interpret the tornadoes as an omen of evil during times of peace, and as a harbinger of great victory during wartime. Observing the strength of the whirlwind, these Barbarians learned to emulate the swirling melange of the cyclone in their attacks. As time went on and the tribes intermingled, the ability to attack in the manner of the whirlwind was passed down to all of the Barbarian people.