Playing Barbarian in S1 with my son is emabrassing

It seems like you’re implying that the game isn’t inherently flawed, but that the success largely depends on the player’s understanding of class-specific strategies, gear choices, and build optimization.

For instance, as a Whirlwind Barbarian, you emphasized the importance of having resource reduction on every possible gear slot and critical hit chance (crit) as key to making your build work. You also highlighted the necessity of a legendary ring effect that generates Fury, which is crucial for maintaining the viability of your build.

I’ve successfully progressed through the game with my Barbarian, advancing from Tier 3 when I was level 44 to Tier 4 when I hit level 60. Currently, I’m at level 73 and I’m capable of swiftly defeating enemies that are 20 levels above me, typically within a timeframe of 2 to 4 seconds.

This certainly illustrates that with the right gear and build, the game is manageable and even enjoyable. However, this might not be the case for every player. Not all players may have the knowledge or patience to find and apply the optimal strategies and gear for their class. And even with the right setup, some players might still find certain game mechanics, like the leveling system, to be lacking or flawed.

The issue at hand could therefore be more about making the game accessible and enjoyable for all types of players, and less about whether it’s possible to perform well under the current system.