-Don't think exp is shared though. You can always try and check the exp bar manually with and without the follower.

-Sword and board is needed for later levels. I feel that in Hell I need to swap to sword and board. The damage is insane. Belial is kinda tough. Maybe you are underleveled or using the wrong skills. Maybe you can post what skills you are using?

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Added on May 21, 2012, 10:06 am

Just googled this lol.

How to Kill Diablo 3 Belial with Barbarian

The Barbarian, even though is a very stout and tough character class, is still subject to Belial’s ferociousness. Make sure to have an extra emphasis on survival/ vitality.

Make good use of healing skills for extra survivability. Skills such as Revenge, Nerves of Steel, Ignore pain with emphasis on vitality will help keep you alive.
Frenzy is an excellent single target attack for killing Belial.
Threatening Shout and Battle Cry are useful to use as well along with Inspiring Presence for extra heals.

No problem  I'm just guessing on the underlevel thing but I think you shouldnt be. I died to belial on my first run but I was lucky cause I was on a 2-man party and my friend managed to revive me. Call of ancients is not really that good IMO. I feel thats its better than Earthquake but not as good as Wrath of Berserker. 3 hits and you're dead? Better get the armor pumping passives and also check your equipments. Put in more vit gems if possible. Nukes are annoying. But most of them are stationary, you have to move around to avoid it. And pots cooldown are very annoying. Make sure you use them wisely and dire situations only.