Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ragentx 02-11-08, 08:28 PM	I am trying to build a Barb with the alternate class feature from PH 2. Most PRC for Barb list rage to get in and alot have rage abilities... take Bear Warrior. If I drop into a Berserker Str can I than turn into a bear? Also If I only take 1 level of Barb with thei feature and then go fighter classes...do I only have to take the feat Tiredless (negates fatigue of rage) and do 6 hit points of dmg to my self to have a perm increase in str and DR?
dman11235 02-11-08, 08:39 PM	Do you have rage? No, so you don't even qualify for the class. I'm not even sure what the second question is. I don't know what this feat is that you speak of, and doubt it exists. But if you were to take a single level of barbarian, then you would have to drop below 5 HP in order to activate berserker strength.
ragentx 02-11-08, 08:45 PM	I understand I do not have rage...question implied here... what was the intention of the creators of the Berserker str for a Barb if their are no Prc for him to go into? Second part... if I only take 1 Level of Barb with this feature...and I cause myself 6 points of dmg... then I get free +4 str, DR 2/- and a plus to my ST's permant?
dman11235 02-11-08, 10:42 PM	To be an alternate. There are still some PrCs you can take, just none of the ones requiring rage. No, you need to be below five. Not take 5xlevel, be 5xlevel or lower. And it's barbarian level, not HD. This was another oversight. Also, this is just worse than rage. The variant doesn't perform as well, since the point is not to die. Also, by the time you get to level 20, being at 100 HP or less is lethal. Power Word Kill comes to mind. Remember that with rage you get the same bonuses, but not the bonus to reflex saves. Everything else is the same. The boost to fort saves is included in the con boost. And you don't need to be dying to get the bonuses.
LoneFlame 02-11-08, 10:51 PM	That's the flaw I found with Berserker Strength. If you're at the point where it'll activate, chances are you're pretty much doomed anyway. It's one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time, but in reality was really stupid" type of things. It doesn't matter that you get those buffs if you don't live long enough to use them to achieve anything.
runestar 02-12-08, 05:59 AM	The berserker strength variant seems fairly weak, especially when compared to a normal barb with extra rage (typically, you will just activate rage 1st thing in combat, rather than pray for it to come on when you dip below a certain hp threshold). The only use I can think for it is if you are trying out some gimmicky build which can maintain your hp within the hp limit, so you can benefit from berserker strength 24/7. For example, if a lv20 barb could get a max hp of no more than 100 (as might be the case for say, a human barb with the necropolitan template and a few grafts that drain hp), he gets those bonuses always on.:)
dman11235 02-12-08, 12:05 PM	Even having BS 24/7 is not good, since you are restricted just like normal rage. All the drawbacks. and like I said, BS have the same benefits as regular rage, except for the reflexs saves. And regular rage has a con boost, which I would take over a fort save boost any day (since it is a fort save boost and more).
joshlordofillogic 02-12-08, 01:24 PM	I forget which class/feat it was. but there was a way to deal damage to yourself to get a little boost. coupple that with say a ring of regeneration or some sort of fast healing and you might get a good build out of it. conversely you could go for Roblar's gambit at hight levels and then when you take the damage hit hard back. or you could use the ronin's Banzai charge to ensure you'r opponent gets the first hit, after taking a lot of damage. just suggestions
Silverthumb 02-12-08, 03:22 PM	what was the intention of the creators of the Berserker str for a Barb if their are no Prc for him to go into? Well, as simply as possible, classes aren't built around taking PrCs. They're completely optional. PrCs are built so that classes can take them, rather than classes being built to take PrCs.
Neraagile 02-13-08, 08:46 AM	If you want alternative class features .... get the Complete Champions Spiritual Totems: 1st level. replaces fast movement class feature. best totem in my oppinion is Lion Totem, you gain Pounce ability... (the ability to make a full attack after charging)
teshen 02-13-08, 12:08 PM	I am trying to build a Barb with the alternate class feature from PH 2. Most PRC for Barb list rage to get in and alot have rage abilities... take Bear Warrior. If I drop into a Berserker Str can I than turn into a bear? Also If I only take 1 level of Barb with thei feature and then go fighter classes...do I only have to take the feat Tiredless (negates fatigue of rage) and do 6 hit points of dmg to my self to have a perm increase in str and DR? There may be a Forgotten Realms Regional feat that makes the character immune to fatigue, but I'm not sure. Warforged are as a racial ability. The Horizon Walker PrC has that ability (immune to fatigue) if you choose the... desert environment I think. As to your 'does berserker strength count as rage' question... I'd say Rules As Written, no. However, the statement at the end of the Alternate Class Feature could apply... Any effect that would normally apply only during your rage applies whenever your berserker strength is active.So I'm assuming that the intent was that this is just an alternate rage ability (which it is) and that it should count as rage to feats and prcs that requires rage as a prerequisite (which is debateable). However, I have to agree with everyone else that it's a poor variant, and you should really look into some way to keep your hit points and your rage rather than trade hit points for rage... since at low levels by the time your berserker kicks in you're hosed, and at higher levels by the time your beserker kicks in you're hosed.
Silverthumb 02-13-08, 02:18 PM	There may be a Forgotten Realms Regional feat that makes the character immune to fatigue, but I'm not sure. There is. But regional feats are racist. The same feat was printed in Dragon 318(the OA update) that does the same thing and is open to everyone.
Cartigan 02-13-08, 02:54 PM	If you want alternative class features .... get the Complete Champions Spiritual Totems: 1st level. replaces fast movement class feature. best totem in my oppinion is Lion Totem, you gain Pounce ability... (the ability to make a full attack after charging) The Lion Totem is just imbalanced, even compared to the others in that book and to say nothing of the UA totems. Though a Goliath Barbarian with the racial substitution to become large during a Rage could use the Bear totem for Improved Grab, but that's questionable at best.