Post/Author/DateTime	Post
m o n k 06-30-07, 03:06 PM	Is there a huge difference at levels 12 and up btwn the effectiveness of these two classes in terms of butt kicking ability? I figure that the fighter gets more feats, but the barbarian gets rage, DR, and other goodies. So if you had to play one, and your expected roll in the party would be damage doer/general combat badass, which would you go with? And why?
TheCobra 06-30-07, 03:08 PM	Probably barbarian, if only for the skill points and improved uncanny dodge. It depends. Fighter have more options and more tricks. Barbarians just smash, most of the time.
Krusk 07-01-07, 01:18 AM	If i had to pick solo fighter or barbarian at level 12, with no prestige class. I would pick fighter, because i think the feats really open up more options than the barbarian. If i were planning to do a 2 handed leaping charger build i would do barbarian but other than that fighter.
runestar 07-01-07, 02:22 AM	Multiclass and do both. Barb2 for rage, pounce and uncanny dodge, fighter for the bonus feats.:)
Scott113 07-01-07, 09:22 AM	hahha, I was thinking fighter 2 (just for the feats) then the rest Barb
Bob Loblaw 07-01-07, 10:16 AM	I would go with fighter. There are more options for dealing damage in a variety of situations that the barbarian doesn't have. However, I would hope that the DM and the rest of the players would rather I focus on the concept rather than the class. I would take whatever classes allow me to accomplish that role. Even a 1 or 2 level dip into another class can make all the difference.
Argaud 07-01-07, 10:24 AM	hahha, I was thinking fighter 2 (just for the feats) then the rest Barb Barbarians are more frontloaded than fighters. Consider what a barbarian 10/fighter 2 has over a barbarian 2/fighter 10: More rages (2). But take the Extra Rage feat (1 feat) Trap Sense, nobody cares. Pitiful DR2/-, nobody cares. 8 hp. Out of 100. Who cares? Good Listen skill. Worth a +8 item to listen (6,400 gold) Improved Uncanny dodge (worth 1 feat, maybe). With two levels of barbarian a character already has all the good stuff: Extra move (or pounce, pounce 100% better because the character can use heavy armor) Rages. The barbarian's best feature. Uncanny Dodge. It is okay. Better starting skills and hp. Barbarian 2/fighter 10 gives you 4 more feats to round out a powerful fighting style, like the ubercharger, or do a few tricks (tripmaster, dungeon crasher, or focus/mastery) the barbarian/fighter can be better a pure fighter, and a normal barbarian can't master at all.
Tiverine 07-01-07, 02:42 PM	i think the answer would be... improved critical, power attack, weapon focus, weapon specialisation, dodge, mobility, spring attack, greater weapon focus, greater weapon specialisation, melee weapon fighting, combat expertise, whirlwind attack. As a human 12th fighter you could have them, and at higher levels the difference would dramatically increase overall if you can take the path of the two weapon fighting (with oversized two weapon fighting and monkey grip). I'm also in accord with runestar, a multiclassing fighter 10/barbarian 2 would be a great choice. and as a fighter you have heavy armor and shield proficiency...
Chimaera2000 07-01-07, 02:55 PM	It depends on which books are available. In a core-only game, I'd go with pure barbarian after I took the minimum number of fighter levels I had to to get the feats I wanted (usually two). The reason is pretty simple: without a wide range of feats to choose from, the fighter's power is severely diminished. In this case, you're much better off grabbing the higher Hit Die and skills of the barbarian. However, toss in the PHB II (or Complete Warrior, to a lesser extent) and fighters become a lot more viable.
happyalldaylong 07-01-07, 03:06 PM	I would have chosen fighter. on solo it`s usefull with feats, and... feats to carry your feet. Barbarian if it had been with in a party. i like to think barbarian as a support unit... NIET! a barbarian needs support, and cannot survive alone. IF you ask me, and yet again- who does? :allalone:
Bob Loblaw 07-01-07, 04:45 PM	It depends on which books are available. In a core-only game, I'd go with pure barbarian after I took the minimum number of fighter levels I had to to get the feats I wanted (usually two). The reason is pretty simple: without a wide range of feats to choose from, the fighter's power is severely diminished. In this case, you're much better off grabbing the higher Hit Die and skills of the barbarian. However, toss in the PHB II (or Complete Warrior, to a lesser extent) and fighters become a lot more viable. I'm not convinced of this. I see this constantly on the boards, but I have yet to see anything convincing. While there may not be a lot of variety with core-only fighters, they can hold their own. Personally I think that books outside of core should be allowed anyway. I like having more variety and options.