Barbarian d'Jorasco: PEACH [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian d'Jorasco: PEACH [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fighter_Mage_Thief
01-17-08, 05:47 PM I dreamed this little guy up about a year ago now, for a game that not to shockingly fell to pieces in short order. Well, it seems that I may get to give the little slugger another go. Only this time in the Demon Wastes. Anyways, here is the meaty mechanics of the character, though I do need to rewrite his background story as to why he would leave the rugged life on the plains to go Demon hunting.

Barbarian 1 to 20

Berserker Strength: PHB2 Alt. Class Feature

Feats: 1st Least Mark of Healing, 3rd Dragonmark Rage, 6th Lesser DM, 9th Healing Strike, 12th Greater DM, 15th ?, 18th ?

Ok, so how does this play out? Well whenever the going gets tough (hp<5*barb lvl), he gets a 4-8 Str boost, DR 2-4/-, +2-4 to saves, Fast Healing 1-3, and -2 AC.
He can also burn an action point after hitting someone to heal himself or an adjacent for 1d8+1 or 2d8+3.

My reasons for this character revolved mostly around my desire for something a little out of the ordinary, but that wasn't out of the ball park. Also, I wanted a way of making a more self-sufficient build to try and avoid the ritualistic chugging of potions after every fight like some under-ager at frat party. I know I bent the rules a little bit to stretch DMRage to fit it in with BerzStr, but I feel that it fits pretty well thematically. A tough as nails Talentan Halfling who can get right back up after being knocked down.

Anyways, I'd love to here what thoughts and opinions all of you wizened posters have.

Thanks,
FMT
Kreistor2
01-18-08, 04:25 PM Discuss Healing Strike with your DM. When Raging, there are a lot of things you can't do, and that includes casting spells. Using a spell-like ability is spell-y enough for me to rule that using a dragonmark is not allowed. But that's DM interpretation, and your DM may rule differently. On page 142 it says that using a spell-like ability "requires concentration" and Rage specifically prohibits anything that requires concentration.

Like I said, your DM may see things differently.
ChaoticGood
01-25-08, 01:58 AM Wow... you made a Band-Aid-barian! This build is made of wonderful. :D

Unfortunately, I would have to go with Kreistor's interpretation of the dragonmark; it does require concentration. However, I'm not familiar with Healing Strike, so I wouldn't rule it out without reading that feat closely. What book is it in?

Also, I would suggest taking at least a 3 levels of Rogue in order to get the damage bonus from Sneak Attack. Scout may be a more flavorful choice for this, but it will take more levels to be as effective. Heck, it might even be worth it to dip into Ranger for two levels once you know what the campaign's primary aggressors will be (so that you can choose an effective Favored Enemy). In any case, upping your damage potential in any of these ways will help you keep up with more "traditional" warrior-types, and make up for both your Small-sized weapons and your decision to devote your feat slots to non-combat pursuits.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-02-08, 04:22 PM Cool! I'd personally say that Healing Strike (Dragonmarked) should work, since you're just spending an action point. Unless I'm mistaken (I only know it through the excerpt), it doesn't require you to expend a use of your DMark. But even if it does, it's a feat. Rage doesn't seal off your feats. It may be tenuous ground, but I'd argue you can use Healing Strike while raging. I'm a little uncertain of Beserker Strength, since you have a lot of self-healing, making it harder to make use of Beserker Strength. However, I do know it discourages multiclassing, since multiclassing only further delays when you tap your beserker strength. So I'd have to disagree with ChaoticGood's assessment.
AlHazred
02-08-08, 12:38 AM For additional Eberron flavor, you might check out the "Tribal Halflings" halfling barbarian substitution levels in the Class Acts feature of Dragon Magazine issue 342. Personally, I think your build is better the way it is, but I thought I'd give you more fodder.

I'd also consider adapting the Horselord barbarian variant from the Class Acts feature of Dragon Magazine issue 338.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fighter_Mage_Thief 01-17-08, 05:47 PM	I dreamed this little guy up about a year ago now, for a game that not to shockingly fell to pieces in short order. Well, it seems that I may get to give the little slugger another go. Only this time in the Demon Wastes. Anyways, here is the meaty mechanics of the character, though I do need to rewrite his background story as to why he would leave the rugged life on the plains to go Demon hunting. Barbarian 1 to 20 Berserker Strength: PHB2 Alt. Class Feature Feats: 1st Least Mark of Healing, 3rd Dragonmark Rage, 6th Lesser DM, 9th Healing Strike, 12th Greater DM, 15th ?, 18th ? Ok, so how does this play out? Well whenever the going gets tough (hp<5*barb lvl), he gets a 4-8 Str boost, DR 2-4/-, +2-4 to saves, Fast Healing 1-3, and -2 AC. He can also burn an action point after hitting someone to heal himself or an adjacent for 1d8+1 or 2d8+3. My reasons for this character revolved mostly around my desire for something a little out of the ordinary, but that wasn't out of the ball park. Also, I wanted a way of making a more self-sufficient build to try and avoid the ritualistic chugging of potions after every fight like some under-ager at frat party. I know I bent the rules a little bit to stretch DMRage to fit it in with BerzStr, but I feel that it fits pretty well thematically. A tough as nails Talentan Halfling who can get right back up after being knocked down. Anyways, I'd love to here what thoughts and opinions all of you wizened posters have. Thanks, FMT
Kreistor2 01-18-08, 04:25 PM	Discuss Healing Strike with your DM. When Raging, there are a lot of things you can't do, and that includes casting spells. Using a spell-like ability is spell-y enough for me to rule that using a dragonmark is not allowed. But that's DM interpretation, and your DM may rule differently. On page 142 it says that using a spell-like ability "requires concentration" and Rage specifically prohibits anything that requires concentration. Like I said, your DM may see things differently.
ChaoticGood 01-25-08, 01:58 AM	Wow... you made a Band-Aid-barian! This build is made of wonderful. :D Unfortunately, I would have to go with Kreistor's interpretation of the dragonmark; it does require concentration. However, I'm not familiar with Healing Strike, so I wouldn't rule it out without reading that feat closely. What book is it in? Also, I would suggest taking at least a 3 levels of Rogue in order to get the damage bonus from Sneak Attack. Scout may be a more flavorful choice for this, but it will take more levels to be as effective. Heck, it might even be worth it to dip into Ranger for two levels once you know what the campaign's primary aggressors will be (so that you can choose an effective Favored Enemy). In any case, upping your damage potential in any of these ways will help you keep up with more "traditional" warrior-types, and make up for both your Small-sized weapons and your decision to devote your feat slots to non-combat pursuits.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-02-08, 04:22 PM	Cool! I'd personally say that Healing Strike (Dragonmarked) should work, since you're just spending an action point. Unless I'm mistaken (I only know it through the excerpt), it doesn't require you to expend a use of your DMark. But even if it does, it's a feat. Rage doesn't seal off your feats. It may be tenuous ground, but I'd argue you can use Healing Strike while raging. I'm a little uncertain of Beserker Strength, since you have a lot of self-healing, making it harder to make use of Beserker Strength. However, I do know it discourages multiclassing, since multiclassing only further delays when you tap your beserker strength. So I'd have to disagree with ChaoticGood's assessment.
AlHazred 02-08-08, 12:38 AM	For additional Eberron flavor, you might check out the "Tribal Halflings" halfling barbarian substitution levels in the Class Acts feature of Dragon Magazine issue 342. Personally, I think your build is better the way it is, but I thought I'd give you more fodder. I'd also consider adapting the Horselord barbarian variant from the Class Acts feature of Dragon Magazine issue 338.