Barbarian Builds. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian Builds. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
PainTrain
03-18-06, 01:53 PM I'm fairly knew to the Barbarian Class and I'm curious how this guy should be built ability and featwise. Our DM let's us decide our own stats without rolling but our max total of bonus's must be equal to 10. This excludes charisma which we roll a 4d6 drop the lowest to determine.

Right now this is what I've got down on paper for abilities, I'm wondering if it might be better to switch wisdom bonus out for an intelligence bonus, or up my dex bonus.

18str: +4
15dex: +2
17con: +3
11int: +0
13wis: +1
13 char: +1

Pretty much my guy is a big burly lumberjack who rebelled against his druidic upbringing. Worked as a lumberjack ripping down the forest he grew up in with a bunch of other loggers for 8 years and was really talented at it. Eventually they start logging too close for comfort near that same druid community causing the two groups to battle each other for a few months until a treant comes who is eventually taken down but not before killing about 25 loggers. The remainers flee back to a trading post, my character decides he's had enough of the frontiers and decides to go check out the rest of the world that he's been missing out on living in wilderness for all of his life.

Our DM said we were beginning our campaign as level 5 characters giving me three feats to choose and I guess a total of 40 skill points. Now the skills I divied up according to this guys profession for eight years as a big burly lumberjack. Plus some that I figured might have some really use in certain situations like riding.

Now the feats I'm really not sure about, I figured I'd obivously want Weapon Focus Great Axe. I was wondering however later on how comboing Improved Overun with Great Cleave works out. Could you just push your opponent on the ground and then shred the one standing next to you that another member of your party is struggling with? It would take some levels to reach the point where you could use the two feats together, was just wondering if that was a combo that worked out. What three feats would you use to begin with as a level 5 Barb?

What are some solid melee damage/tank barb builds, I think I might be the only straight foward melee class in my group of six so that's where I really need to be focused.

I have read however that some suggest multiclassing a barbarian with a rogue, druid, or ranger. How do these end up working out?
irzg9zh3psgq3m09
03-18-06, 03:30 PM What books are you using?
PainTrain
03-18-06, 05:23 PM I believe we're just using the core 3.5 books for now.
Silverthumb128
03-18-06, 06:32 PM Try multiclassing Barbarian & Fighter. That's going to be a feat-heavy, and very strong build. Even 1 level(Barbarian 4/Fighter 1) is going to be very handy for you, if you're straight tanking. Heavy Armor, while initially bringing your speed down, will make your tanking abilities higher, as you'll take less damage.

Feats, I'd suggest the Power Attack tree, with the occasional dip here and there. Improved Overrun is going to be handy at earlier levels primarily, since you'll be dealing with enemies who aren't really strong yet(and your 18 Strength is gonna shine at the early levels).

Feats like Improved Initiative and Quick Draw are going to be useful throughout the entire game. I'd definitely advise Improved Initiative, because the sooner you enter the fray, the sooner the enemy is going to die. :D
supernerd8916
03-18-06, 07:11 PM hmmm... does heavy armor affect the barbarian? if it does, you might want to get medium or save up for some mithral. i personally prefer the greatsword to the greataxe anyday, but that can get to be a little flavorless (check my sig)

ask your DM to exchange the barbarian with the ultimate barbarian http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=168661
and check out the other ultimates too. my dm has completely exchanged the regulars with the ultimates

and check this out!
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=170446
the bard doesnt suck!
irzg9zh3psgq3m09
03-19-06, 12:03 AM Hmm... three feats...

Power Attack -- Must have for damage dealing. It better at higher levels, when your attack bonuses are high enough so the attack penalties aren't as significant. Also, as Silverthumb128 said, the whole Power Attack branch is always helpful.
Improved Crit -- Greataxes don't have a great crit range.
Weapon Focus -- Always helpful, esp. if you power attack.
Endurance (optional) -- Get this just to get the diehard feat.
Diehard (optional) -- Since you're the main tank, you're probably going to be hurt the most.
Two-weapon fighting (optional) -- I know you're using a greataxe, but if you change your mind, this is a must have for fighting with two weapons/double-weapons. I would actually suggest dual weilding if you're going to be the main damage dealer. Better chance of hitting and deals more damage. An orc double axe or gnome hooked hammer are great options.

I don't think you need quick draw since you can draw a weapon while you move at the same time.

Bbn/Ftr is great for strength and feats. I hear Bbn/Rng is pretty good too, giving a free two-weapon fighting feat plus other bonuses. Don't know too much about Bbn/Drd or /Rog, but I'm sure they're good. Ask the Character Optimization section for help if you need.

Also, you may want to check out the PrC dragon disciple, but to do so you need at least 1 level in sorcerer or bard. Which isn't bad, since with 1 level in sorcerer, you can cast True Strike.
Ruhl-Than Sage
03-19-06, 01:07 AM Diehard is a waste, especially if you are taking another feat just to get it. Endurance can be cool on its own, but thats a matter of Campaign style.

If you want to be able to take more damage, don't bother with diehard, just take Improved Toughness, it'll end up netting you more effective hit points then diehard and you won't be bleeding to death and only taking partial actions!

Two-Weapon Fighting is also pointless if you are going for a Power Attacking Build. Take Weapon Focus (as already suggested) and always fight two-handed.

Iron Will isn't a bad idea to shore up your enevitable weakness, in Will saves.

Cleave is a great idea for any heavy damage dealer!

You don't want to wear heavy armor it will only slow and weigh you down. Part of a Barbarian's strength is his Mobility. With that in Mind, Breast Plate is your best bet, a Mithril one is even better, but in that case Elven Chain will work just as well.

Improved Bull Rush could come in handy, you can use it to push people off of wall and cliffs, or into bodies of water or spiked walls. With a high stength barbarian you'll certainly be good at it.
Mo
03-19-06, 02:02 AM extended rage, extra rage, power attack. I have a ranger/ barabarian that is going towards the dervish PrC lots of fun.
irzg9zh3psgq3m09
03-19-06, 08:59 AM Diehard may not be great compared to improved toughness, but PainTrain doesn't have access to that feat so it's the only other option left. Same goes for extra and extended rage.
supernerd8916
03-19-06, 09:21 AM if you get EWP bastard sword, dualwielding can be fun

TWIN-WEAPON FIGHTING [Fighter, General]
Choose one type of weapon for which you have already selected the Weapon Focus feat. You dual-wield this weapon with extraordinary skill.
. Prerequisites: str 13, Dex 13, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus with selected weapon, base attack bonus +2.
. Benefit: When dual-wielding the selected weapon, it is considered a light weapon for the purpose of determining attack penalties. This means that your two-weapon fighting penalties are reduced to -2/-2.
. Normal: Dual-wielding two weapons of the same size category as the wielder incurs a -4 penalty to all attacks.
. Special: You can gain Twin-Weapon Fighting multiple times. The effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon.

note: this isnt mine, its jaerom darkwinds

this is mine tho

My current weapon
Masterwork Scythe: 318 gp
enchantment: +1
throwing: +1
returning: +1
wounding: +1
chaotic: +2
good: +2
icy burst: +2
total: 200,318 gp

decapitating a sniper at 100 feet: priceless

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PainTrain 03-18-06, 01:53 PM	I'm fairly knew to the Barbarian Class and I'm curious how this guy should be built ability and featwise. Our DM let's us decide our own stats without rolling but our max total of bonus's must be equal to 10. This excludes charisma which we roll a 4d6 drop the lowest to determine. Right now this is what I've got down on paper for abilities, I'm wondering if it might be better to switch wisdom bonus out for an intelligence bonus, or up my dex bonus. 18str: +4 15dex: +2 17con: +3 11int: +0 13wis: +1 13 char: +1 Pretty much my guy is a big burly lumberjack who rebelled against his druidic upbringing. Worked as a lumberjack ripping down the forest he grew up in with a bunch of other loggers for 8 years and was really talented at it. Eventually they start logging too close for comfort near that same druid community causing the two groups to battle each other for a few months until a treant comes who is eventually taken down but not before killing about 25 loggers. The remainers flee back to a trading post, my character decides he's had enough of the frontiers and decides to go check out the rest of the world that he's been missing out on living in wilderness for all of his life. Our DM said we were beginning our campaign as level 5 characters giving me three feats to choose and I guess a total of 40 skill points. Now the skills I divied up according to this guys profession for eight years as a big burly lumberjack. Plus some that I figured might have some really use in certain situations like riding. Now the feats I'm really not sure about, I figured I'd obivously want Weapon Focus Great Axe. I was wondering however later on how comboing Improved Overun with Great Cleave works out. Could you just push your opponent on the ground and then shred the one standing next to you that another member of your party is struggling with? It would take some levels to reach the point where you could use the two feats together, was just wondering if that was a combo that worked out. What three feats would you use to begin with as a level 5 Barb? What are some solid melee damage/tank barb builds, I think I might be the only straight foward melee class in my group of six so that's where I really need to be focused. I have read however that some suggest multiclassing a barbarian with a rogue, druid, or ranger. How do these end up working out?
irzg9zh3psgq3m09 03-18-06, 03:30 PM	What books are you using?
PainTrain 03-18-06, 05:23 PM	I believe we're just using the core 3.5 books for now.
Silverthumb128 03-18-06, 06:32 PM	Try multiclassing Barbarian & Fighter. That's going to be a feat-heavy, and very strong build. Even 1 level(Barbarian 4/Fighter 1) is going to be very handy for you, if you're straight tanking. Heavy Armor, while initially bringing your speed down, will make your tanking abilities higher, as you'll take less damage. Feats, I'd suggest the Power Attack tree, with the occasional dip here and there. Improved Overrun is going to be handy at earlier levels primarily, since you'll be dealing with enemies who aren't really strong yet(and your 18 Strength is gonna shine at the early levels). Feats like Improved Initiative and Quick Draw are going to be useful throughout the entire game. I'd definitely advise Improved Initiative, because the sooner you enter the fray, the sooner the enemy is going to die. :D
supernerd8916 03-18-06, 07:11 PM	hmmm... does heavy armor affect the barbarian? if it does, you might want to get medium or save up for some mithral. i personally prefer the greatsword to the greataxe anyday, but that can get to be a little flavorless (check my sig) ask your DM to exchange the barbarian with the ultimate barbarian http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=168661 and check out the other ultimates too. my dm has completely exchanged the regulars with the ultimates and check this out! http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=170446 the bard doesnt suck!
irzg9zh3psgq3m09 03-19-06, 12:03 AM	Hmm... three feats... Power Attack -- Must have for damage dealing. It better at higher levels, when your attack bonuses are high enough so the attack penalties aren't as significant. Also, as Silverthumb128 said, the whole Power Attack branch is always helpful. Improved Crit -- Greataxes don't have a great crit range. Weapon Focus -- Always helpful, esp. if you power attack. Endurance (optional) -- Get this just to get the diehard feat. Diehard (optional) -- Since you're the main tank, you're probably going to be hurt the most. Two-weapon fighting (optional) -- I know you're using a greataxe, but if you change your mind, this is a must have for fighting with two weapons/double-weapons. I would actually suggest dual weilding if you're going to be the main damage dealer. Better chance of hitting and deals more damage. An orc double axe or gnome hooked hammer are great options. I don't think you need quick draw since you can draw a weapon while you move at the same time. Bbn/Ftr is great for strength and feats. I hear Bbn/Rng is pretty good too, giving a free two-weapon fighting feat plus other bonuses. Don't know too much about Bbn/Drd or /Rog, but I'm sure they're good. Ask the Character Optimization section for help if you need. Also, you may want to check out the PrC dragon disciple, but to do so you need at least 1 level in sorcerer or bard. Which isn't bad, since with 1 level in sorcerer, you can cast True Strike.
Ruhl-Than Sage 03-19-06, 01:07 AM	Diehard is a waste, especially if you are taking another feat just to get it. Endurance can be cool on its own, but thats a matter of Campaign style. If you want to be able to take more damage, don't bother with diehard, just take Improved Toughness, it'll end up netting you more effective hit points then diehard and you won't be bleeding to death and only taking partial actions! Two-Weapon Fighting is also pointless if you are going for a Power Attacking Build. Take Weapon Focus (as already suggested) and always fight two-handed. Iron Will isn't a bad idea to shore up your enevitable weakness, in Will saves. Cleave is a great idea for any heavy damage dealer! You don't want to wear heavy armor it will only slow and weigh you down. Part of a Barbarian's strength is his Mobility. With that in Mind, Breast Plate is your best bet, a Mithril one is even better, but in that case Elven Chain will work just as well. Improved Bull Rush could come in handy, you can use it to push people off of wall and cliffs, or into bodies of water or spiked walls. With a high stength barbarian you'll certainly be good at it.
Mo 03-19-06, 02:02 AM	extended rage, extra rage, power attack. I have a ranger/ barabarian that is going towards the dervish PrC lots of fun.
irzg9zh3psgq3m09 03-19-06, 08:59 AM	Diehard may not be great compared to improved toughness, but PainTrain doesn't have access to that feat so it's the only other option left. Same goes for extra and extended rage.
supernerd8916 03-19-06, 09:21 AM	if you get EWP bastard sword, dualwielding can be fun TWIN-WEAPON FIGHTING [Fighter, General] Choose one type of weapon for which you have already selected the Weapon Focus feat. You dual-wield this weapon with extraordinary skill. . Prerequisites: str 13, Dex 13, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus with selected weapon, base attack bonus +2. . Benefit: When dual-wielding the selected weapon, it is considered a light weapon for the purpose of determining attack penalties. This means that your two-weapon fighting penalties are reduced to -2/-2. . Normal: Dual-wielding two weapons of the same size category as the wielder incurs a -4 penalty to all attacks. . Special: You can gain Twin-Weapon Fighting multiple times. The effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon. note: this isnt mine, its jaerom darkwinds this is mine tho My current weapon Masterwork Scythe: 318 gp enchantment: +1 throwing: +1 returning: +1 wounding: +1 chaotic: +2 good: +2 icy burst: +2 total: 200,318 gp decapitating a sniper at 100 feet: priceless