The reason D2 was so hard for you was because you didn't make a "viable build," which is precisely the problem with D2. At times it was barely even fun sticking to a per-determined build, and a well-rounded barb is going to have a hard time past normal. Sometimes it was fun finding new "viable" builds, the bow assassin a cool example, but there really was only so many "godly" builds. It created a sort of inflation on character value, some became godly, and the rest became worthless. (bots and duping and all that nonsense played a role here as well)

In D3, which, by the way, is an entirely new game, this problem is alleviated with the new skill system, a welcome change, in my book, to an already amazing series.

In short, your problem was your build, and that won't be a problem in D3, because you can respec as often as you want. In D3 it seems to come down to player skill and gear, rather than following a strictly planned build.