Everybody has complained about melee since 1.10 went to beta. Yes, it's harder, yes, you need better weapons, yes, you need strategy. A few myths to dispel before I start discussing the build:

It isn't necessary to max Mastery or Frenzy. It's helpful, but the points you spare can be applied in other areas that are just as useful (if not moreso).

Defense does work in 1.10. Some people think that defense is worthless and that Warcry is necessary for barbarians now. Tell that to Concentrate barbs or Zealots and they'll laugh at you. You just need higher numbers.

Anyway, on to the build:

Str: Enough for gear or more for Damage. I recommend ~200.
Dex: AR has never been more important for barbs than now. Shoot for 8k AR or more. 200 dex is a solid investment, but you can sacrifice some for Vit if you have good equipment.
Vit: Rest. Shoot for 2k or more life w/ BO

Skills
10-20 mastery
10-20 Frenzy
20 Battle Orders
20 Shout
1 Iron Skin
1 Nat Resist
1 Increased Stamina
1 Increased Speed
1 Leap
5+ Berserk
1-20 Battle Cry
1-20 Taunt
1 Battle Command

As you can see, there's a lot of variance. If you're using ebotd weapons, you don't need any damage mods boosted past 10. Focus on soaking after 3k damage per hand.

Equipment
Weapons:
There's a lot to be said here. First, there are 4 types of weapons you can use (Mace, Javelin, Axe, and Sword). Maces are the highest damage, Javelins the most versatile, Axes the most average, and Swords can be converted from 2 to 1 handed. I recommend Axes, personally, and will gear accordingly

Weaps: ebotd zerkers are choice, but up'd Butcher's Pupil work just fine. Death Cleaver (unique Zerker) is another excellent choice and it allows you to remove some points from Mastery because it adds Deadly Strike.
Boots: Gore Riders are best, War Travs aren't bad. Try to get Crushing Blow on at least one piece, so keep this in mind.
Gloves: Draculs (Life Tap), Lava Gout (Enchant on Striking) or Steelrend (CB)
Armor: Obviously, this is going to be very high def. Stone Sacred is a strong choice, but Up'd Duriel's Shell is more than sufficient. Shoot for a minimum of 1200 defense here.
Helm: Arreats or Guillaume's Face (CB)
Rings: Ravenfrost is almost always necessary (AR, CBF, and Dex), and you'll want to take care of any missing leech here, as well. Mana leech rare rings are great. Try to get resists, as well.
Amulet: Atma's Scarab (Amp Dam), rare skills, res, leech ammy or Crescent Moon if you lack leech.
Belt: String, Verdungo's, Wilhelm's, or Nosferatu's

Charms:
Anni if you have it
Resists
AR/Max Dam charms
Life charms
Cold damage (1-2 will be sufficient)

Numbers to shoot for:
3k 1 hand max damage (minimum, aim higher if desired)
8k AR
15k Defense
2k or more life

Obviously, for 15k def, you'll need to upgrade most of your armor pieces. Dracul's is already elite and Arreat's isn't worth upgrading. Defense gets easier with merc.

Merc: Act 2 Defiance
Weap: Doom or Reaper's Toll
Armor: Eth Stone never looked so pretty, up'd eth Shell is good too.
Helm: Gaze, Andariel's Face, or Tal's mask

With this setup, the merc often has 18k or more defense.

Parting shots:

Crushing Blow, Prevent Monster Heal, and Deadly Strike are your best friends. If you don't have them, you will struggle. 2k damage per hand is fine for solo /players 1. Try to get weapons that are indestructible.
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Let's all play the way Blizzard intended: Without cheats, twinking, turbo, and leeching.

Maybe you'd all stop complaining.