1st level Barb [Archive] - Wizards Community

1st level Barb [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Derlwyn
09-30-04, 03:53 PM Hello All,

I need a little help in planning my 1st level character for an upcoming session.
Im starting out as a Barbarian and have plans to take Frenzied Berserker. I was thinking of making him a Barbarian6/Fighter4/FB10. Any thoughts, comments, changes for that one?

Also, what feats would anyone recommend for 1st level and so on. I have been planning to be a Human, to get the extra feat, and take fighter at Lvl 3, to get 2 more feats, and fighter again at 6th, to again get 2 feats. So by 6th level, I'll have 6 feats. I want to take a few of the rage feats from Complete warrior, but I'm away from my books so I can't list the particulars. Also, Power Attack is a must at 1st level I know, but as for the second one I was thinking either a rage feat, or weapon focus. So does anyone have any ideas on necessary and/or practical feats that I should take.

And quick question, because Im away from my books, a FB gets the cleave and diehard feats eventually correct?

Okay, thanks in advance!

-Derlwyn
Tenken
09-30-04, 04:23 PM Cleave is a requirement for FB, but he does get Supreme Cleave. Instead of bbn6/ftr4/fb10, I'd go bb2/ftr4/hl4/fb10 (hl = Holy Liberator). This way you get Divine Grace, and you can remove your fatigue. If you don't care about will saves, then your build is fine. I also like to include Iron Will + Cumbrous Will + Blooded in my FB builds, but that's just me. I don't like the thought of the FB killing my party, so I always try to max out my will save.

Other good feats to have: Reckless Offense, Reckless Rage, Improved Toughness, Power Lunge. It just depends on how you want to play him.
Derlwyn
10-01-04, 03:00 AM Thanks Tenken!

Alright, so I do need cleave, cool!

The idea of him lashing out at his party members is totally there, so I don't really want to up his Will saves too much. :devil:

Reckless Offense, Reckless Rage, Power Lunge

Where are these feats from and what do they do?

Anymore feat or build suggestions?

Another nagging question, sorry, should I go for 2 weapons, or just one 2handed? What whould be the pro's and con's of TWF for a FB?

Thanks again!
Grifter0730
10-01-04, 08:16 AM Go 2-handed instead of 2-weapon. You can only use Supreme Power Attack with 2-handed weapon, it's very specific about that in the description. Supreme Power Attack is the sole reason why FB is so powerful. It's no contest, 2-handed would dust 2-weapon in this case.

Reckless Offense (Expanded Psionic HB, this is a general feat, not a psionic one) gives you attack bonus for AC reduction, Reckless Rage (I believe this is in Races of Stone) gives you more strength during rage for AC reduction, and Power Lunge (Sword and Fist) doubles your strength damage while charging. There's also Extend Rage, Extra Rage (which you'll need, since you won't be able to rage as much as you can frenzy), Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative. Like I said, it really depends on your style of play. How do you want to go about taking down your enemies?

Also, those will save feats will save you more than they'll save your teammates. In most games that I've played in, melee characters die from spells, not from melee combat.
EvilDuck
10-01-04, 08:22 AM Extend Rage is Pelor on a stick. Very, very good. Because running out of rage in the middle of an encounter sucks.

Extra Rage can give a first-level barbarian the raging equivalent of an 8th-level barbarian. Take that too.

Oh yeah, and be exalted. That way, you won't be kinning any compadres when raged up on rageahol.
Tenken
10-01-04, 09:55 AM Oh yeah, and be exalted. That way, you won't be kinning any compadres when raged up on rageahol.

Eh, being exalted doesn't do squat when you're in a frenzy. As far as I'm concerned Righteous Wrath specifically states it works for rage only, and not frenzy.
Derlwyn
10-01-04, 10:24 AM Thanks for the input all!

Here's the scoop on my guy. I'm going to roleplay his rages very similar to that of a FB. i.e. He will only rage when he takes damage, and I'm going to work out something with my DM about ending the rages and attacking his friends while raged. The whole idea being his condition gets much worse over time, which leads into the FB. If that makes any sense I'm happy you can understand me :D

First level Im gonna take power attack and I think weapon focus.
Third level Im planning on taking one or two of those rage feats. (Extend, Extra, Destructive, Intimidating)

I hate being on vacation and without my books. I can get the core stuff from the SRD, but I have no way to get the feats from the splat books.

I think I will take improved grapple though. My DM has hinted that it will be a high magic campaign, and well, wizards and sorcerers are suckers for grappling. My AC is low enough as it is, especially when raging and frenzied (I can do both at the same time right?) Can anyone give me the info on Karmic Strike? I heard that was cool to have.

Keep the info coming please! I psyched to play this guy!
ksbsnowowl
10-01-04, 10:37 AM Eh, being exalted doesn't do squat when you're in a frenzy. As far as I'm concerned Righteous Wrath specifically states it works for rage only, and not frenzy.If I'm not mistaken, it says something to the effect...."when in a rage you can tell friend from foe, can deal subdual damage, and show mercy."

Simply enter a Rage, then Enter Frenzy (or vice versa). The effects stack anyhow, and since you are in a rage you can tell friend from foe, etc, no matter that you are in a frenzy.

Of course, it doesn't sound like the OP wants to control his frenzy, so...
Tenken
10-01-04, 10:45 AM Simply enter a Rage, then Enter Frenzy (or vice versa). The effects stack anyhow, and since you are in a rage you can tell friend from foe, etc, no matter that you are in a frenzy.

I don't really understand how anyone can see it this way, but that's just me I guess. The way I see it:

1. You enter rage.
2. Righteous feat allows you to control rage.
3. You enter frenzy.
4. Frenzy makes you lose total control due to frenzy, not due to rage thus negating Righteous Wrath.

This means that even if you reverse the order, you still have no control:

1. You enter frenzy.
2. You lose total control due to frenzy.
3. You enter rage.
4. You have Righteous Wrath, which can control your rage, but not your frenzy.

I wish wish wish that Righteous Wrath does control frenzy, and I hope the Sage will clarify this and finally tell people that it controls frenzy, but as it stands right now, I can't see how anyone can think it does control frenzy. FB is my favorite prc, so I really hope this will be the case, but again, I just don't think it is.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Derlwyn 09-30-04, 03:53 PM	Hello All, I need a little help in planning my 1st level character for an upcoming session. Im starting out as a Barbarian and have plans to take Frenzied Berserker. I was thinking of making him a Barbarian6/Fighter4/FB10. Any thoughts, comments, changes for that one? Also, what feats would anyone recommend for 1st level and so on. I have been planning to be a Human, to get the extra feat, and take fighter at Lvl 3, to get 2 more feats, and fighter again at 6th, to again get 2 feats. So by 6th level, I'll have 6 feats. I want to take a few of the rage feats from Complete warrior, but I'm away from my books so I can't list the particulars. Also, Power Attack is a must at 1st level I know, but as for the second one I was thinking either a rage feat, or weapon focus. So does anyone have any ideas on necessary and/or practical feats that I should take. And quick question, because Im away from my books, a FB gets the cleave and diehard feats eventually correct? Okay, thanks in advance! -Derlwyn
Tenken 09-30-04, 04:23 PM	Cleave is a requirement for FB, but he does get Supreme Cleave. Instead of bbn6/ftr4/fb10, I'd go bb2/ftr4/hl4/fb10 (hl = Holy Liberator). This way you get Divine Grace, and you can remove your fatigue. If you don't care about will saves, then your build is fine. I also like to include Iron Will + Cumbrous Will + Blooded in my FB builds, but that's just me. I don't like the thought of the FB killing my party, so I always try to max out my will save. Other good feats to have: Reckless Offense, Reckless Rage, Improved Toughness, Power Lunge. It just depends on how you want to play him.
Derlwyn 10-01-04, 03:00 AM	Thanks Tenken! Alright, so I do need cleave, cool! The idea of him lashing out at his party members is totally there, so I don't really want to up his Will saves too much. :devil: Reckless Offense, Reckless Rage, Power Lunge Where are these feats from and what do they do? Anymore feat or build suggestions? Another nagging question, sorry, should I go for 2 weapons, or just one 2handed? What whould be the pro's and con's of TWF for a FB? Thanks again!
Grifter0730 10-01-04, 08:16 AM	Go 2-handed instead of 2-weapon. You can only use Supreme Power Attack with 2-handed weapon, it's very specific about that in the description. Supreme Power Attack is the sole reason why FB is so powerful. It's no contest, 2-handed would dust 2-weapon in this case. Reckless Offense (Expanded Psionic HB, this is a general feat, not a psionic one) gives you attack bonus for AC reduction, Reckless Rage (I believe this is in Races of Stone) gives you more strength during rage for AC reduction, and Power Lunge (Sword and Fist) doubles your strength damage while charging. There's also Extend Rage, Extra Rage (which you'll need, since you won't be able to rage as much as you can frenzy), Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative. Like I said, it really depends on your style of play. How do you want to go about taking down your enemies? Also, those will save feats will save you more than they'll save your teammates. In most games that I've played in, melee characters die from spells, not from melee combat.
EvilDuck 10-01-04, 08:22 AM	Extend Rage is Pelor on a stick. Very, very good. Because running out of rage in the middle of an encounter sucks. Extra Rage can give a first-level barbarian the raging equivalent of an 8th-level barbarian. Take that too. Oh yeah, and be exalted. That way, you won't be kinning any compadres when raged up on rageahol.
Tenken 10-01-04, 09:55 AM	Oh yeah, and be exalted. That way, you won't be kinning any compadres when raged up on rageahol. Eh, being exalted doesn't do squat when you're in a frenzy. As far as I'm concerned Righteous Wrath specifically states it works for rage only, and not frenzy.
Derlwyn 10-01-04, 10:24 AM	Thanks for the input all! Here's the scoop on my guy. I'm going to roleplay his rages very similar to that of a FB. i.e. He will only rage when he takes damage, and I'm going to work out something with my DM about ending the rages and attacking his friends while raged. The whole idea being his condition gets much worse over time, which leads into the FB. If that makes any sense I'm happy you can understand me :D First level Im gonna take power attack and I think weapon focus. Third level Im planning on taking one or two of those rage feats. (Extend, Extra, Destructive, Intimidating) I hate being on vacation and without my books. I can get the core stuff from the SRD, but I have no way to get the feats from the splat books. I think I will take improved grapple though. My DM has hinted that it will be a high magic campaign, and well, wizards and sorcerers are suckers for grappling. My AC is low enough as it is, especially when raging and frenzied (I can do both at the same time right?) Can anyone give me the info on Karmic Strike? I heard that was cool to have. Keep the info coming please! I psyched to play this guy!
ksbsnowowl 10-01-04, 10:37 AM	Eh, being exalted doesn't do squat when you're in a frenzy. As far as I'm concerned Righteous Wrath specifically states it works for rage only, and not frenzy.If I'm not mistaken, it says something to the effect...."when in a rage you can tell friend from foe, can deal subdual damage, and show mercy." Simply enter a Rage, then Enter Frenzy (or vice versa). The effects stack anyhow, and since you are in a rage you can tell friend from foe, etc, no matter that you are in a frenzy. Of course, it doesn't sound like the OP wants to control his frenzy, so...
Tenken 10-01-04, 10:45 AM	Simply enter a Rage, then Enter Frenzy (or vice versa). The effects stack anyhow, and since you are in a rage you can tell friend from foe, etc, no matter that you are in a frenzy. I don't really understand how anyone can see it this way, but that's just me I guess. The way I see it: 1. You enter rage. 2. Righteous feat allows you to control rage. 3. You enter frenzy. 4. Frenzy makes you lose total control due to frenzy, not due to rage thus negating Righteous Wrath. This means that even if you reverse the order, you still have no control: 1. You enter frenzy. 2. You lose total control due to frenzy. 3. You enter rage. 4. You have Righteous Wrath, which can control your rage, but not your frenzy. I wish wish wish that Righteous Wrath does control frenzy, and I hope the Sage will clarify this and finally tell people that it controls frenzy, but as it stands right now, I can't see how anyone can think it does control frenzy. FB is my favorite prc, so I really hope this will be the case, but again, I just don't think it is.