Hoskarul — guide

In short

Hoskarul is an Epic Barbarian Defense champion built around Stun: an AoE Stun, a passive immunity to Stun and a team-wide Stun cleanse with DEF and RES buffs. He only really performs in Faction Wars, where his +30% DEF aura does the work. Build priority is Accuracy and Speed, not damage.

Strengths

• His A2 hits all enemies with a 50% (75% after books) chance to place a 1-turn Stun and drops the Turn Meter of Stunned enemies by 15%.
• The passive gives full Stun immunity plus 15% extra damage from allies against Stunned enemies — a quiet boost for the whole team.
• The A3 removes Stun from all allies and places a 60% DEF buff and a 25% RES buff for 2 turns — a solid answer to control-heavy dungeons.
• His aura gives +30% DEF in Faction Crypts, which is one of the few reasons to gear him at all.

Weaknesses

• Only 1,321 base DEF for a Defense role — he will not tank anything without serious gear.
• Long cooldowns: without books his A3 barely functions.
• No damage scaling and no offensive buffs, so he brings almost nothing to Clan Boss, Hydra or Chimera.
• Stun is close to useless against Hydra and most bosses, hence the 2.0–2.5 ratings there.

Where to use

His home is Faction Wars (4/5): a DEF aura, Stun control and a team Stun cleanse all matter there. In Dungeons, Hard mode and Arena (3/5) he is a solid average pick — usable, but there are better options. In Clan Boss and Chimera (2.5/5), Doom Tower (2.5/5) and especially Hydra (2.0/5) he contributes little. The author does not recommend him for PvP.

Stats and gear

Accuracy first — around 200–250, otherwise his Stuns simply will not land in higher content. Then Speed at 180–220 so the A2 and A3 keep cycling. Ignore Crit entirely, he has no damage. Everything else goes into DEF (2,500+) and HP (40,000+) so he survives to take his turn.

• Accuracy or Perception — to finish off ACC and SPD.
• Reflex — insurance against control in PvP and dungeons.
• Regeneration — sustain in long fights.
• Relentless — extra turns for his Stun skills.
• Stoneskin — if he keeps getting focused.

Masteries and blessings

The author's pick is: In For The Kill, Invigorated, Targetfinder, Expeditious Exploitation, Gathering Momentum. If you use him purely as a Stun bot, add the standard Accuracy and Speed masteries from the Support tree. Blessings: Chainbreaker and Cruelty. Relics: Molten Deathbell, Orb of Transfixion, Perched Shadow.

Tombs

Book the A2 first: it gives +25% debuff chance (75% total) and −1 cooldown, which is his single biggest upgrade. Then the A3 for its two −1 cooldown steps. Leave the A1 for last, only if you have spare books.

Verdict

The author's verdict is fodder. He is a narrow Faction Wars specialist — do not sink books or good gear into him outside of FW.