There are different types of defensive buffs in Diablo 4, and one of the most potent ways to negate damage is through the use of Barriers. Diablo 4 Barriers are mostly used by Barbarians, Druids, and Sorcerers.
Barriers count as status ailments in Diablo 4, and they can be applied to both players and enemies using skills, talents, runes, and weapon modifiers. In this guide, we will go over how Diablo 4 Barriers work, and which skills can trigger Barriers on your character.
How do Diablo 4 Barriers work?
In Diablo 4, Barriers absorb damage from all sources up to a specified amount. You can refresh or reapply Barriers using skills, runes, talents, and weapon modifiers. The amount of damage you can absorb depends on the class and skills you use.
All Diablo 4 Barrier skills
Here is a rundown of every skill in Diablo 4 that can apply a Barrier effect on players.
Barbarian
Iron Skin - This skill allows you to gain a Barrier that absorbs 50% of your missing Life for five seconds.
Druid
Earthen Bulwark - Rocks surround you for three seconds, granting a Barrier that absorbs 45% of your Base Life in damage. The skill can be upgraded until Rank 5, and increases the barrier absorption up to 63%.
Innate Earthen Bulwark - This is an improved version of Enhanced Earthen Bulwark. Rock shrapnel flies outward when Earthen Bulwark is destroyed or expires, dealing 12 damage to surrounding enemies. This damage is increased by Barrier bonuses.
Sorceress
Ice Armor - Ice Armor is a Sorceress Skill in Diablo 4. Ice Armor grants a barrier of ice to absorb 30% of Base Life in damage for six seconds. 10% of damage dealt is added to Barrier. Ice Armor can be upgraded up to Rank 5, by spending more skill points. Upgrading Ice Armor will further increase its benefits with the base barrier amount going up to 285.
Mystical Ice Armor - Mystical Ice Armor is an Upgraded Sorceress Skill. Mystical Ice Armor increases Barrier from damage against Vulnerable enemies. Damage against Vulnerable enemies contributes 100% more to Ice Armor's Barrier.
Protection - Protection is a Sorceress Skill in Diablo 4. Protection allows you to create a Barrier for five seconds when using a cooldown. You have to spend at least a point in Align the Elements to be able to spend a point in Protection. The base Barrier amount is 10% of your maximum Life, and it can be levelled up to Rank 3, which gives you a barrier equal to 30% of your maximum Life.
Icy Veil - Icy Veil is a Sorceress Skill that increases the duration of barriers by 5%.
Prime Deep Freeze - When Deep Freeze ends, gain 10% of your Base Life as a Barrier for six seconds for each enemy you Froze while it was active.
That is all you need to know about Diablo 4 Barrier skills! For more content, consider checking out our guide on how to reset dungeons in Diablo 4. We also have a shrines and effects guide, which you can use to gain powerful boosts.