Sonya Build

From the frozen Dreadlands of the north comes the mighty Barbarian warriors. After surviving the destruction of her home and the death of her tribe, Sonya wanders Sanctuary in search of battle and a better life for her people.

Store Cost: 500 | 4000

Role: Melee Warrior

Difficulty: Medium

Origins

I haven't heard of Sonya before in literature based on the Diablo franchise. Let's assume she is the Diablo III in-game playable female Barbarian. Considering her name and her redish hair, she is definitely a pop culture reference to The Red Sonja (1985).

The Barbarian is one of the classes of Sanctuary in the Diablo franchise. The Barbarian class was introduced for the first time as a playable class in Diablo II (2000).

The Barbarian

The Barbarian, a member of any of several tribes on the fringes of civilization, rebuffs the influence of those he sees as soft and weak. Ceaseless clan warfare and the constant struggle to survive in the hostile wilderness are evident in the Barbarian's sturdy and powerful frame. Though perhaps lacking the sophistication of his civilized contemporaries, the Barbarian has an acute awareness of his surroundings. Because of his shamanistic belief in the animal powers with whom he identifies, the Barbarian is sometimes associated with stories of lycanthropy. In fact, he believes that he can improve his superb battle tactics by calling upon the totemic animal spirits to infuse him with supernormal strengths and abilities.

History

Legend says that when the world was very young the tribes of the Northern Steppes were given a sacred charge. Somewhere deep within the great mountain, Arreat, lies a source of great power, crucial to the well being of all humanity. The tribes were tasked to act as guardians of this artifact. They have shaped their way of life in observance of this power and fulfilling their sacred duty.

Steeped in mystery and tradition, these people refer to themselves as the "Children of Bul-Kathos," the great and ancient king. To better protect their lands from outside forces, they adopted a nomadic lifestyle, frequently moving within the confines of the Steppes and maintaining few permanent settlements. Isolating themselves from the world outside their territories, they eschew the use of magics and complex machinery, as they believe these things can only weaken their resolve developed over so many years.

The Children of Bul-Kathos have developed a kinship with the land and have learned to harness the primal energies within nature to enhance their own substantial physical prowess. It is because of this, together with their freedom from the trappings of the outside world, that the Western Kingdoms have historically referred to these tribes as "Barbarians," an epithet that belies the rich cultural and spiritual history these people truly possess. Although some trade with these curious bands of nomads, they do so only along the outermost borders of their lands. All intrusions into the territory surrounding Mount Arreat are forbidden, and warriors from the northern tribes are quick to thwart any incursions. Every foreign attempt at conquest has been met with fierce and decisive resistance.

An account of one skirmish recounts how hordes of Barbarian tribesmen silently appeared where none had been but moments before. Their bodies painted in mysterious designs and their faces howling as they charged like the fierce mountain winds, the tribesmen descended on the invaders. Fully half of the trespassing army immediately dropped their weapons and fled, the remainder were set upon by the Northmen with fervor that none of the battle-hardened invaders had ever witnessed. No mercy was asked and none was given, but in the end, when the outlanders sounded a full retreat, no chase was given either… at least none that could be observed.

Since news of Diablo's re-emergence has spread, a small number of Barbarian warriors have begun roving the lands outside the Steppes, prepared for war and seeking information regarding the recent activities of the Prime Evils.

Traits and Abilities

Renowned for their awesome combat prowess as well as their arrogant demeanor, the Barbarians appear to be perpetually girt for battle. Through harsh conditioning, the Barbarians excel in physical combat and tremendous feats of strength. They derive their power chiefly through intense physical training, but they also tap primal energies from the living world around them. They can manifest these or add to their already considerable catalogue of superhuman feats of strength and power.

"Why do you bother me?"

"Choose your next words carefully."

"I swear, the next person who names me Barbie on Battle.net gets an axe to the forehead."

"Bul-Kathos, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one will remember why we fight, or why we die. All that matters is that five stood against five. I ask you, grant me one request. Improve my MMR! If you do not listen, then to hell with you!"

"Let's see, crush enemies, done. Drive them before me, of course. Hear the lamentations of their women... let's skip that one."

"You! Death by snu snu!"

"Blondes may have more fun, but redheads are more fun."

"Gingers do have souls, okay?"

"I keep killing, but no loot comes out. This game makes no sense."

"Ever have that nightmare where you're at work in your underwear? That's me, every day."

"If I ever find out who invented the chainmail bikini, I'm going to punch their jaw off their face."

"Once in my many travels, a pig of a man told me to make him a sandwich. So I sliced him nice and thin."

	Shattered Ground	Increase the length of Seismic Slam splash by 66% and increase its splash damage to 75% of its base damage.
	Hurricane	Reduces the cooldown of Whirlwind by 1 sec. Casting Whirlwind removes all slows and roots from Sonya.
	Battle Rage	Activate to instantly restore 10% of Sonya's max Health. Stores up to 3 charges. Passive Sonya deals 25% more damage to Mercenaries. Charge Cooldown: 30 sec.

	Poisoned Spear	Ancient Spear deals an additional 100% damage over 6 sec.
	Life Funnel	Increases the healing of Whirlwind to 35% of damage dealt.
	Shot of Fury	Activate to gain 50 Fury. Usable while Whirlwinding. Passive After casting Seismic Slam, your next Basic Attack deals 40% more damage. Cooldown: 40 sec.

	Leap	Leap into the air, dealing 200 damage to nearby enemies, and stunning them for 1.25 seconds. Cooldown: 70 seconds
	Wrath of the Berserker	Increase damage dealt by 40%. Reduce the duration of stuns, slows, and roots against Sonya by 50%. Lasts 15 sec, and extends by 1 sec for every 10 Fury gained. Cooldown: 60 sec

	Mystical Spear	Reduces the cooldown of Ancient Spear by 3 sec. Ancient Spear always pulls Sonya to the target location even if it doesn't hit an enemy.
	Ruthless	Whirlwind deals an additional 84 damage per sec to Heroes below 33% Health. Does not generate additional healing.
	No Escape	Increases the Movement Speed bonus from using Basic and Heroic Abilities by 20%.

	Giant Slammer	Seismic Slam deals an additional 2% of Heroes' max Health as damage.
	Rampage	Increase Basic Attack damage by 25%. Basic Attacks reduce the cooldown of Ancient Spear by 0.75 sec.
	Nerves of Steel	Activate to gain 25% of your max Health as a Shield for 3 sec. Usable while Whirlwinding. Cooldown: 60 sec

	Arreat Crater	Leap leaves behind an impassable crater for 5 sec. Reduces Leap's cooldown by 20 sec.
	Striding Giant
	Composite Spear	Increases Ancient Spear's range by 50%. Hitting an enemy Hero with Ancient Spear grants 25 Armor for 4 sec.
	Ignore Pain	Activate to gain 60 Armor for 4 sec, taking 60% less damage. Usable while Whirlwinding. Cooldown: 60 sec