Barbarian Assault: Hard Mode/Strategies

Introduction
First thing's first: start with the right equipment for a successful run of hard mode. Waves 1-9 are fairly similar to normal mode, so refer to the guide for normal mode for that. The differences will be discussed below.

Attacker

 * Helm: Sirenic mask > Pernix cowl/Superior death lotus hood > Death lotus hood > Armadyl helmet > Karil's coif
 * Body: Sirenic hauberk > Pernix body/Superior death lotus chestplate > Death lotus chestplate > Armadyl chestplate > Karil's top
 * Legs: Sirenic chaps > Pernix chaps/Superior death lotus chaps > Death lotus chaps > Armadyl chainskirt > Karil's skirt
 * Cape: Completionist cape/TokHaar-Kal-Xil > Max cape/Ava's alerter > Ardougne cloak 4 > Superior reefwalker's cape > Reefwalker's cape > Skillcape
 * Amulet: Farsight blood necklace > Amulet of souls > Farsight sniper necklace > Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory > Games necklace
 * Ring: Asylum surgeon's ring/Archers' ring (i)/Ring of death > Sixth-Age circuit > Superior leviathan ring > Leviathan ring > Archer ring
 * Gloves: Ascension grips/Deathtouch bracelet > Pernix gloves > Tracking gloves > Swift gloves > Armadyl gloves > Culinaromancer's gloves 10
 * Shield: Elysian spirit shield > Arcane spirit shield/Divine spirit shield > Vengeful kiteshield > Eagle-eye kiteshield > Spectral spirit shield > Armadyl buckler
 * Boots: Pernix boots > Armadyl boots > Spined boots > Silverhawk boots/Ranger boots > Glaiven boots
 * Mainhand weapon: Red chinchompa > Chinchompa > Ascension crossbow/Noxious longbow > Death lotus dart > Chaotic crossbow/Zaryte bow/Attuned crystal bow/Royal crossbow > Sagaie > Armadyl crossbow/Karil's pistol crossbow/Crystal bow/Karil's crossbow/Dark bow
 * Offhand weapon: Off-hand Ascension crossbow > Off-hand death lotus dart > Off-hand chaotic crossbow > Karil's off-hand pistol crossbow
 * Aura: Vampyrism aura > Supreme poison purge aura > Master poison purge aura > Greater poison purge aura > Poison purge aura
 * Scrimshaw: N/A

Healer, Collector, Defender

 * Helm: Superior tetsu helm > Tetsu helm > Torva full helm > Bandos helmet/Guthan's helm/Dharok's helm/Torag's helm/Verac's helm
 * Body: Superior tetsu body > Tetsu body > Torva platebody > Bandos chestplate/Guthan's platebody/Dharok's platebody/Torag's platebody/Verac's brassard
 * Legs: Superior tetsu platelegs > Tetsu platelegs > Torva platelegs > Bandos tassets/Guthan's chainskirt/Dharok's platelegs/Torag's platelegs/Verac's plateskirt
 * Cape: Completionist cape/Superior reefwalker's cape > Max cape/Reefwalker's cape > TokHaar-Kal-Ket > Skillcape
 * Amulet: Blood necklace variant > Amulet of souls > Amulet of fury > Amulet of glory > Games necklace
 * Ring: Superior leviathan ring > Leviathan ring > Your favorite non-degradable ring in the game
 * Gloves: Pneumatic gloves > Razorback gauntlets > Torva gloves/Goliath gloves > Culinaromancer's gloves 10
 * Shield: Anti-poison totem AND Divine spirit shield > Arcane spirit shield/Elysian spirit shield > Malevolent kiteshield > Chaotic kiteshield > Spectral spirit shield > Bandos warshield > Wooden shield
 * Boots: Steadfast boots > Torva boots > Bandos boots > Dragon boots/Silverhawk boots
 * Mainhand weapon: Sagaie > Ascension crossbow > Chaotic crossbow > Armadyl crossbow/Karil's pistol crossbow
 * Offhand weapon: N/A (Anti-poison totem and, later, shield)
 * Aura: Supreme poison purge aura > Master poison purge aura > Greater poison purge aura > Poison purge aura
 * Scrimshaw: N/A

Notes: Death lotus darts are not recommended for non-Attacker roles due to their extremely short range; Sagaie are preferred for their exceptionally long range. It is advised for the Attacker to bring both chinchompas and a high level one-handed ranged weapon to go after stragglers. It is advised for the Healer, Collector, and Defender to bring Ranged armor switches so as not to lose accuracy when the Penance King is around; refer to the recommended Attacker equipment to find the setup right for you.

Inventory
Regardless of role, a few items are key to success.
 * A shield for the King—even a Wooden shield will do, as it is only necessary for the Resonance ability.
 * A one-handed ranged weapon, to attack the King from afar—Sagaie are ideal.
 * Enhanced excalibur can be very helpful to restore health when the Healer is far away.