What is the mastery bug and why is Deadly Strike useless?
This was proven in an earlier version of 1.09. Basically, when a barbarian has points into a specific mastery, then uses a corresponding weapon, he will automatically do double damage each time he hits. We believe this is an automatic critical hit of 100%, so regardless of what the skill description says, your barb will do double damage each time. This might be considered a bug, but it’s effect’s aren’t that severe. The thing it affects most is deadly strike items. Deadly Strike = Chance to do double damage as well, just like critical hits. In D2X, critical strike and double strike WILL NOT STACK (regardless of what some sources state, this will never actually happen. No Quad Damage for you !). Since barbarians are automatically doing double damage, DS items will never get a chance to activate, so on barbs they are effectively useless.
