Barbarian, RTTTOEE [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian, RTTTOEE [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lethian
10-04-05, 11:47 PM Okay, so my group is running a Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign, and I drew the role of party tank. I'm pretty out of my depth, here; I've only played casters before. I'm running a Barbarian with the following stats:

Str: 15
Dex: 13
Con: 16
Int: 13
Wis: 12
Cha: 8

RTTTOEE kicks off at level four. The above are my base stats. I was figuring on running a half-Orc Barb 20 with feats in the Power Attack and Cleave trees, but I figured since I have no real clue what I'm doing with melee classes I'd ask for some help. We have restrictions on multiclassing (Only three different classes, including Core, so I can't just take a few levels from like six different classes. No Frenzied Berserker, no Complete Warrior.) so I was thinking I'd run Barb 20 unless someone has an idea for a build from Forgotten Realms supplements. Note that the module itself ends at fourteenth level. I'm also not really sure what kind of weapon and armor to buy - with Barbarians, is armor or fast movement more important? Okay, use a Greatsword, but what sort of enhancements? Can someone help me out with starting gear? Possible build ideas? Feats, even? I checked out the Barbarian FAQ thread but it wasn't particularly helpful due to the restrictions on multiclassing.

Can someone help me out?
X-Codes
10-05-05, 12:29 AM Ok, breaking the barbarian in 3 classes without CWar...

What books are allowed? You said you don't have complete warrior?
Lethian
10-05-05, 01:06 AM We're only allowed books we have in hardcover. Complete Warrior is banned, as is Frenzied Berserker, because our DM deems them overpowered.

I can't remember all of what we do have, but basically anything from a Forgotten Realms supplement we probably have somewhere. We also have the Incarnum book, the Psionics Handbook, and a few others that escape me at the moment.
X-Codes
10-05-05, 01:46 AM We're only allowed books we have in hardcover. Complete Warrior is banned, as is Frenzied Berserker, because our DM deems them overpowered.

Ludicris. Anyway, here's one option.

Human Druid 4 to Druid 14.
Natural Bond, SF: Conjuration, Augment Summoning, Natural Spell, Power Attack, Improved Toughness. In that order.

Start with a Brown Bear (effective druid level is 7, brown bear applies a -6 modifier to that) and wild shape into similarly strong forms as you increace in level. If the party needs some backup, summon some friends.

Do you have Races of Destiny or Unearthed Arcana?
g23armani
10-05-05, 01:46 AM Well, saving throws are going to be really important. If you can use the book of exalted deeds take the Gwynharnif (or whatever the name is) prestige class...it's basically just a better barbarian that gets CHA to saves. Take Iron Will if possible as well. If that's not an option Barbarian 20 should be fine...it's one of the better core classes.

G23armani
villianousmorality
10-05-05, 04:59 AM I'd suggest some medium armor, a greatsword, cheap magic armor pluses like bracers of armor if you can get them, two weapon fight with power attack, cleave, maybe go up the spring attack tree to take advantage of your fast movement. A buckler, improved buckler defense is nice. There's also the tripping route that'll make spellcasting party members love you, combat expertise, improved trip, exotic weapon spiked chain.
X-Codes
10-05-05, 05:31 AM I'd suggest some medium armor, a greatsword, cheap magic armor pluses like bracers of armor if you can get them, two weapon fight with power attack, cleave, maybe go up the spring attack tree to take advantage of your fast movement. A buckler, improved buckler defense is nice. There's also the tripping route that'll make spellcasting party members love you, combat expertise, improved trip, exotic weapon spiked chain.

Bracers of Armor don't stack with Medium Armor.

I also vote against Spring Attack.

Ask if BoVD is allowed. If so, pick up some Devilweed. It's a super-cheap +2 alchemical bonus to strength, but it is best used sparingly.

Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, and Improved Trip are the basics when it comes to your ability scores and class choice. And I really can't think of anything that would be significantly better than straight barbarian.
nihility
10-05-05, 01:11 PM As was mentioned previously, Champion of Gwynharwyf from BoED is very, very good. From UE, check out the Runescarred Berzerker. Both are good for all 10 levels and add spellcasting tricks to your character.

For a bigger emphasis on defense, you need to get your saves up (as was also mentioned). Hexblade is in CW, sadly, so that's out. Blackguard gives CHA to saves, as well as some other nice abilities.

For improved base saves, there are a number of options in BoVD. Several of the PrCs in there offer all good saves and full BAB.
El_Machinae
10-05-05, 01:23 PM I could swear I posted this ...

I highly recommend the Mineral Warrior template (FR Underdark). That DR/adamantium is gold, and will allow the 'meat shield' to do just that - but a lot more. You still need really good saving throws, but this will allow you to multi-class with good-saving throws classes.
g23armani
10-05-05, 02:06 PM One other thing: although there are some great "Vile" classes/abilities I'd stay away from anything evil. It will be very hard for you to stay in character and hard for the DM to keep your motivation if you are evil in this campaign. Definitely go with the two handed weapon/power attack route...it borders on broken with the 2-1 damage bonus to attack sacrifice in 3.5. And think of alternate characters too...if the DM doesn't pull any punches you probably won't make it to the end =).

G23armani
00_Whupass
10-05-05, 02:14 PM Hmmm, I've never found the Frenzied Berserker terribly unbalenced, the major balencing factor for the Frenzied Berserker is that eventually you WILL cut the party wizard in half with one angry misplaced blow in a frenzy due to a failed will save. But that said, I'll get back on topic.

Your DM is dissallowing Complete Warrior, is he also dissallowing the other complete books? If not he is severely handicapping the martial classes without an equivelent limitation on the other classes.

If you have access you might want to check out the Berserk from Deities and Demigods. This would get you another 10' of movement, a more enraged rage (bigger stat bonus) that stacks with Rage, and a Wildshape like class feature. Its been a long while since I've looked at it closely, but its worth checking out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lethian 10-04-05, 11:47 PM	Okay, so my group is running a Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil campaign, and I drew the role of party tank. I'm pretty out of my depth, here; I've only played casters before. I'm running a Barbarian with the following stats: Str: 15 Dex: 13 Con: 16 Int: 13 Wis: 12 Cha: 8 RTTTOEE kicks off at level four. The above are my base stats. I was figuring on running a half-Orc Barb 20 with feats in the Power Attack and Cleave trees, but I figured since I have no real clue what I'm doing with melee classes I'd ask for some help. We have restrictions on multiclassing (Only three different classes, including Core, so I can't just take a few levels from like six different classes. No Frenzied Berserker, no Complete Warrior.) so I was thinking I'd run Barb 20 unless someone has an idea for a build from Forgotten Realms supplements. Note that the module itself ends at fourteenth level. I'm also not really sure what kind of weapon and armor to buy - with Barbarians, is armor or fast movement more important? Okay, use a Greatsword, but what sort of enhancements? Can someone help me out with starting gear? Possible build ideas? Feats, even? I checked out the Barbarian FAQ thread but it wasn't particularly helpful due to the restrictions on multiclassing. Can someone help me out?
X-Codes 10-05-05, 12:29 AM	Ok, breaking the barbarian in 3 classes without CWar... What books are allowed? You said you don't have complete warrior?
Lethian 10-05-05, 01:06 AM	We're only allowed books we have in hardcover. Complete Warrior is banned, as is Frenzied Berserker, because our DM deems them overpowered. I can't remember all of what we do have, but basically anything from a Forgotten Realms supplement we probably have somewhere. We also have the Incarnum book, the Psionics Handbook, and a few others that escape me at the moment.
X-Codes 10-05-05, 01:46 AM	We're only allowed books we have in hardcover. Complete Warrior is banned, as is Frenzied Berserker, because our DM deems them overpowered. Ludicris. Anyway, here's one option. Human Druid 4 to Druid 14. Natural Bond, SF: Conjuration, Augment Summoning, Natural Spell, Power Attack, Improved Toughness. In that order. Start with a Brown Bear (effective druid level is 7, brown bear applies a -6 modifier to that) and wild shape into similarly strong forms as you increace in level. If the party needs some backup, summon some friends. Do you have Races of Destiny or Unearthed Arcana?
g23armani 10-05-05, 01:46 AM	Well, saving throws are going to be really important. If you can use the book of exalted deeds take the Gwynharnif (or whatever the name is) prestige class...it's basically just a better barbarian that gets CHA to saves. Take Iron Will if possible as well. If that's not an option Barbarian 20 should be fine...it's one of the better core classes. G23armani
villianousmorality 10-05-05, 04:59 AM	I'd suggest some medium armor, a greatsword, cheap magic armor pluses like bracers of armor if you can get them, two weapon fight with power attack, cleave, maybe go up the spring attack tree to take advantage of your fast movement. A buckler, improved buckler defense is nice. There's also the tripping route that'll make spellcasting party members love you, combat expertise, improved trip, exotic weapon spiked chain.
X-Codes 10-05-05, 05:31 AM	I'd suggest some medium armor, a greatsword, cheap magic armor pluses like bracers of armor if you can get them, two weapon fight with power attack, cleave, maybe go up the spring attack tree to take advantage of your fast movement. A buckler, improved buckler defense is nice. There's also the tripping route that'll make spellcasting party members love you, combat expertise, improved trip, exotic weapon spiked chain. Bracers of Armor don't stack with Medium Armor. I also vote against Spring Attack. Ask if BoVD is allowed. If so, pick up some Devilweed. It's a super-cheap +2 alchemical bonus to strength, but it is best used sparingly. Power Attack, Cleave, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, and Improved Trip are the basics when it comes to your ability scores and class choice. And I really can't think of anything that would be significantly better than straight barbarian.
nihility 10-05-05, 01:11 PM	As was mentioned previously, Champion of Gwynharwyf from BoED is very, very good. From UE, check out the Runescarred Berzerker. Both are good for all 10 levels and add spellcasting tricks to your character. For a bigger emphasis on defense, you need to get your saves up (as was also mentioned). Hexblade is in CW, sadly, so that's out. Blackguard gives CHA to saves, as well as some other nice abilities. For improved base saves, there are a number of options in BoVD. Several of the PrCs in there offer all good saves and full BAB.
El_Machinae 10-05-05, 01:23 PM	I could swear I posted this ... I highly recommend the Mineral Warrior template (FR Underdark). That DR/adamantium is gold, and will allow the 'meat shield' to do just that - but a lot more. You still need really good saving throws, but this will allow you to multi-class with good-saving throws classes.
g23armani 10-05-05, 02:06 PM	One other thing: although there are some great "Vile" classes/abilities I'd stay away from anything evil. It will be very hard for you to stay in character and hard for the DM to keep your motivation if you are evil in this campaign. Definitely go with the two handed weapon/power attack route...it borders on broken with the 2-1 damage bonus to attack sacrifice in 3.5. And think of alternate characters too...if the DM doesn't pull any punches you probably won't make it to the end =). G23armani
00_Whupass 10-05-05, 02:14 PM	Hmmm, I've never found the Frenzied Berserker terribly unbalenced, the major balencing factor for the Frenzied Berserker is that eventually you WILL cut the party wizard in half with one angry misplaced blow in a frenzy due to a failed will save. But that said, I'll get back on topic. Your DM is dissallowing Complete Warrior, is he also dissallowing the other complete books? If not he is severely handicapping the martial classes without an equivelent limitation on the other classes. If you have access you might want to check out the Berserk from Deities and Demigods. This would get you another 10' of movement, a more enraged rage (bigger stat bonus) that stacks with Rage, and a Wildshape like class feature. Its been a long while since I've looked at it closely, but its worth checking out.