Poll for people making 1st level human barbarians... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Poll for people making 1st level human barbarians... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jay_Ibero_911
02-16-07, 01:26 PM How many of you would consider taking Monkey Grip and Exotic Weapon Proficiency(Sugliin) at 1st level to do 3d8 base damage, even if it is a full round action, and then retraining later (or perhaps hope for access to the Sugliin Mastery feat)? Of course you could retrain later...The Sugliin is from Frostburn btw...
solbergb
02-16-07, 01:39 PM Human barbarians. That means maybe 16 starting strength.

Monkey grip is -2 to hit. 3+1-2, so you are

+2 3d8+4 (17.5 damage? if you hit 20.5 once fight/day)

Lets see. 18 str half orc or wood-elf barbarian with extra rage and greatsword is doing (4+2+1) +7 2d6+9 or 16 damage if you hit, and you're a lot more likely to hit.

Human 16 str with extra rage and power attack is doing:

+5 2d6+9, 16 damage if you hit.

Nope...I think the killer app for L1 barbarians now is extra rage. More strength beats bigger weapons, especially in APL2 where the difference between 16 and 20 damage is academic vs most opponents.
bhale187
02-16-07, 02:17 PM I'd have to say extra or extended rage seems the best way to go at L1 babarian and if human I would take both at L1.

3d8 dmg is impressive, but burning 2 feats and -2 to hit is a tough sell at low levels IMO.

With most things having low HP pre APL 4 anyway I would think it would make more sense to take those as a retrain later if you were to do it.
jstorrie
02-16-07, 02:22 PM I would much rather start with Extra Rage and Reckless Rage, or Extra Rage and Power Attack.

If you just wanted to monkey grip something, large goliath greathammers do 3d6 and don't have an action restriction...
cycloptic_squirrel
02-16-07, 02:26 PM I'd do it. Then again I'm easily distracted by shiny objects. Such as 3d8s damage. With a wizard buddy. Who memorized enlarge person. 4d8s *drool*
Heck, if duskblade ever became open, I might do it there, just to throw in the true strike. Optimal? No. Pretty frikin' cool? Oh yeah.
Jay_Ibero_911
02-16-07, 04:09 PM I'd do it. Then again I'm easily distracted by shiny objects. Such as 3d8s damage. With a wizard buddy. Who memorized enlarge person. 4d8s *drool*
Heck, if duskblade ever became open, I might do it there, just to throw in the true strike. Optimal? No. Pretty frikin' cool? Oh yeah.

See? You know what I'm talking about here. Swinging around a VERY big pointy stick...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jay_Ibero_911 02-16-07, 01:26 PM	How many of you would consider taking Monkey Grip and Exotic Weapon Proficiency(Sugliin) at 1st level to do 3d8 base damage, even if it is a full round action, and then retraining later (or perhaps hope for access to the Sugliin Mastery feat)? Of course you could retrain later...The Sugliin is from Frostburn btw...
solbergb 02-16-07, 01:39 PM	Human barbarians. That means maybe 16 starting strength. Monkey grip is -2 to hit. 3+1-2, so you are +2 3d8+4 (17.5 damage? if you hit 20.5 once fight/day) Lets see. 18 str half orc or wood-elf barbarian with extra rage and greatsword is doing (4+2+1) +7 2d6+9 or 16 damage if you hit, and you're a lot more likely to hit. Human 16 str with extra rage and power attack is doing: +5 2d6+9, 16 damage if you hit. Nope...I think the killer app for L1 barbarians now is extra rage. More strength beats bigger weapons, especially in APL2 where the difference between 16 and 20 damage is academic vs most opponents.
bhale187 02-16-07, 02:17 PM	I'd have to say extra or extended rage seems the best way to go at L1 babarian and if human I would take both at L1. 3d8 dmg is impressive, but burning 2 feats and -2 to hit is a tough sell at low levels IMO. With most things having low HP pre APL 4 anyway I would think it would make more sense to take those as a retrain later if you were to do it.
jstorrie 02-16-07, 02:22 PM	I would much rather start with Extra Rage and Reckless Rage, or Extra Rage and Power Attack. If you just wanted to monkey grip something, large goliath greathammers do 3d6 and don't have an action restriction...
cycloptic_squirrel 02-16-07, 02:26 PM	I'd do it. Then again I'm easily distracted by shiny objects. Such as 3d8s damage. With a wizard buddy. Who memorized enlarge person. 4d8s drool Heck, if duskblade ever became open, I might do it there, just to throw in the true strike. Optimal? No. Pretty frikin' cool? Oh yeah.
Jay_Ibero_911 02-16-07, 04:09 PM	I'd do it. Then again I'm easily distracted by shiny objects. Such as 3d8s damage. With a wizard buddy. Who memorized enlarge person. 4d8s drool Heck, if duskblade ever became open, I might do it there, just to throw in the true strike. Optimal? No. Pretty frikin' cool? Oh yeah. See? You know what I'm talking about here. Swinging around a VERY big pointy stick...