Barbarian Feat help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian Feat help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Samurai_Zero
08-17-07, 04:50 AM For as long as ive played D&D ive aways refused to play the barbarian (moral issues) But recently ive taken an interest into the barbarian because of a flavorable backround i came up with and the fact that not all barbarians have to be bumbling idiots who smash heads (no offense to barb lovers). However because ive never played a barbarian before ive no clue as to what feats are considered "good" all i know is power attack and cleave (basics for any fighter type right?) I want him to be the first to charge into battle, dealing lots of damage, and taking it as well (no he doesnt need much life, just the basic amount is good) ive choosen the Berserkers Rage variant in PHBII instead of a rage (backround purposes) can you give help?
runestar
08-17-07, 06:29 AM How often do you wish to be benefiting from your berserker strength?

Here is an interesting build you could consider...
http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-644139
NeueRegel
08-17-07, 10:44 AM Moral Issues? Please define.

Are you a barbarian in real life?

*Fades to the Caveman commercials for Geico*...

hehehehe

Neue
imakuni67
08-17-07, 12:50 PM I know that it's a sort of stereotype that barbarians aren't generally intelligent or charismatic but that doesn't mean it's always the case. The sort of conditions that barbarians grow up in value wisdom, knowledge of the land that kind of thing. That makes a Ranger/Barbarian a good multiclass choice.

As for feats, Power Attack and Cleave are your best choices off the bat. If you want to play an avant garde tanker barbarian and devout your ability boosts and base scores to constitution rather than strength that is a viable choice as well. In that case you could take damage reduction and even fast healing feats later on!
tvar1
08-17-07, 01:07 PM If you have the INT (which you probably do since you don't seem to like the idea of a "dull" barbarian) you could get Combat Expertise and Improved Trip.
Blacksworddragon
08-17-07, 01:10 PM Combat Reflexes might help you tak down the enemies you don't initially fell as they try to surround you, escape from you or assail the other members of you party. I would also tak Run so that with you Fast Movement and possibly some Ranks in Tumble you can be a threat all over the board.
Samurai_Zero
08-19-07, 02:00 PM Seeing as how im going to try to be a tank im not going to worry about lowering my max hp. Ok so far this is what i have:

1: Power Attack: Trade base attack bonus for damage
2: Cleave: make an additional attack after dropping a foe
3: Combat Expertise
4: Improved Trip
5: Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword
6: Combat Reflexes / Endurance
7. Karmic Strike / Diehard

i doubt the game is going to last until i get my 6th and 7th feat, and if it does, the people i play with dont like playing clerics, so he might not last that long. IF he manages its a choice between more AoO, or living longer in battle. Karmic strike is in CW and says i take -4AC to make an AoO against a melee enemy that hit me.

i think i just hit lvl 2 from all of the flies i killed writing this
Templario
08-19-07, 07:45 PM hummm, charger? leap attack. I don't remember if battle jump works with.
bloodtalon
08-19-07, 08:08 PM if you want him to rage more often and longer go to "COMPLETE WARRIOR" and get extra rage and extended rage
Greco
08-19-07, 08:09 PM Well. If you don't like the rage barbarian you can take the Beserker variant and not worry about Rage feats like reckless rage, destructive rage, extended rage, and extra rage.

It will depend on the type of barabarian and Feats allowed.

Non variant Human Barb (keep in mind im doing this off the top of my head)

PHB/ other material

H Power Attack / Extended Rage
1 Bull Rush/ Power Attack
3 Improved Sunder
6 Endurance / Destructive Rage

May look at improved disarm instead, but this feat progression would be good for disarming opponents depending on your strength.
Khadmus
08-19-07, 08:21 PM He has the berserker variant. I would suggest taking the Educated (Education?) feat from Eberron. you can have some utility identifying monsters before your berserker strength kicks in. High intelligence qualifies you for combat techniques such as trip and the like.
RobTzu
08-19-07, 08:38 PM Did you mean Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword and not W. Focus?

I think that it is a mistake to use that weapon. Essentially it is a feat to raise average damage 1 pt. While a fighter has those to spare, a Barb does not. What is your stats? Race? I am assuming human by feats, though you could be a strongheart halfling for all we know.

Of course Monkey Grip is a good one, Imp Crit is nice, Power Critical can be nice. Extend Rage is often wasted, combat just does not last that long usually. Extra Rage is also wasted at higher levels, just not that many fights in a day usually and if there are, they are weak critters you can handle unraged. Do you want to focus on Damage and Defense equally? Saves a concern? Is splashing another class ( I am thinking a few of Ranger) okay with you?
imakuni67
08-20-07, 10:27 AM [QUOTE=RobTzu;13475618]Did you mean Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword and not W. Focus?
QUOTE]

i think he meant weapon focus: great axe, actually! :D
deadkoo
08-20-07, 04:58 PM best barb has 18 str 18 cha and 4 int...

I called him Dragon Bait:)
DocBeard
08-20-07, 05:35 PM If you have access to PHB II feats, pick up Mad Foam Rager at the first possible opportunity. It's saved my (non-stupid, non-bumbling) barbarian more than once.
WHW4
08-20-07, 06:55 PM The best defense is a good offense. You want to do as much damage in the very first round as you can. Fortunately, alot of feats work off of charge and can be used in conjunction with each other...

First let me say I highly suggest not using the Berserker Rage from PH2. If you really ant it to be part of your character, just watch your hitpoint and rage at half. You will seriously regret not being able to control the one ability that sets you apart from a fighter. I tried it. For one session. In the words of my gaming group, "You were a Captain Kirk. Now you're a Captain Picard." Just my two cents.

Level 1
Take the Lion Totem substitution ability from Complete Champion. You give up your Fast Movement, but gain Pounce. If you've ever been on the receiving end of a dire lion, you know how effective it can be once you get a few extra attacks.
Character Feat- Power Attack. Enough said.
Human Feat- Cleave. I highly suggest ending the cleave chain here. Yeah, Great Cleave is fun if it works, but I've managed it once and against orcs it's just not that impressive. One extra attack should you happen to drop a foe is plenty.
Flaw- Ask your DM about this one. Flaws are in Unearthed Arcana, essentially you take one and gain a bonus feat at 1st level. I suggest Shaky as your flaw (-2 with ranged? Bah!) and pick up Mad Foam Rager from PH2. It will give you one more round to do the job should you fall.

Level 3
Pick up the the Spell Sense substitution from Complete Mage which replaces your Trap Sense. Much more useful. You have d12s. You can survive a trap. Spells are much more common, do alot more damage, and can end your career much more quickly.

Character Feat- Improved Bull Rush (for Shock Trooper) or Improved Sunder (for Combat Brute). Another option is Reckless Rage. It's another -2 to AC, but more importantly it's +2 to Str and Con while raging. A good offense, remember?

Level 6
Character Feat- Leap Attack. I'll say it again, Leap Attack! From Complete Adventurer.

Level 9
Character Feat- Shock Trooper (or Combat Brute, depending on your earlier decision). If you grabbed Reckless Rage, look at Powerful Charge.

By this time you should be using a +1 Berserking Weapon (extra 1d8 dmg while raging) at least, and wearing some rhino hide armor (extra 2d6 on a charge). Get a Bear Helm (1/2 damage from a crit 1/day while raging, and you can see the damage before you decide to use it) from the Magic Item Compendium, a Heartseeking Amulet (3/day next melee attack is a touch attack, so you can crank someone with a full Power Attack) and a Ring of Vengeance (3/day 5d6 damage back at a foe who just critted you). Book's not in front of me, so I might be wrong about the last item. Anyone?

If you were a Goliath Barbarian now, then we could have even more fun.

Pump your ability increases into Strength or Constitution.
GimpyRogue15
08-20-07, 08:34 PM mmmmmmmmmmm i dont know about at higher levels but i dipped into one level of barbarian with a ranger and got extend rage and extra rage at the next possible chance

they worked wonders, perhaps they will help (PHB II i think)
runestar
08-20-07, 10:16 PM I would recommend extra rage at 1st lv - this lets you rage once per combat at lower lvs. Ask your DM if you can retrain it later on.:)
Samurai_Zero
09-04-07, 10:47 PM sorry for the long time of no replies, ive been quite busy, and about the bastard sword you only need the ewp if your going to use it one handed phb says so, and im using it for backround flavor. I dont have the complete champion so idk what pounce does, though i imagine its some sort of charge attack? I do however like your idea, and im not much of a star trek fan so i wouldnt understand your analogy. To the most recent guy my DM makes our feats stick, once we choose them we're stuck with them until we're dead or permanently delevel.

My appologies to the person who suggested education from ebberon, i dont have ebberon so i dont know the full abilities, but from what you describe is worthless to me.
Ecalsneerg
09-05-07, 02:51 AM Survival is a class skill for Barbarians, and they usually have good Wisdom for a better Will save, so... Track?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Samurai_Zero 08-17-07, 04:50 AM	For as long as ive played D&D ive aways refused to play the barbarian (moral issues) But recently ive taken an interest into the barbarian because of a flavorable backround i came up with and the fact that not all barbarians have to be bumbling idiots who smash heads (no offense to barb lovers). However because ive never played a barbarian before ive no clue as to what feats are considered "good" all i know is power attack and cleave (basics for any fighter type right?) I want him to be the first to charge into battle, dealing lots of damage, and taking it as well (no he doesnt need much life, just the basic amount is good) ive choosen the Berserkers Rage variant in PHBII instead of a rage (backround purposes) can you give help?
runestar 08-17-07, 06:29 AM	How often do you wish to be benefiting from your berserker strength? Here is an interesting build you could consider... http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-644139
NeueRegel 08-17-07, 10:44 AM	Moral Issues? Please define. Are you a barbarian in real life? Fades to the Caveman commercials for Geico... hehehehe Neue
imakuni67 08-17-07, 12:50 PM	I know that it's a sort of stereotype that barbarians aren't generally intelligent or charismatic but that doesn't mean it's always the case. The sort of conditions that barbarians grow up in value wisdom, knowledge of the land that kind of thing. That makes a Ranger/Barbarian a good multiclass choice. As for feats, Power Attack and Cleave are your best choices off the bat. If you want to play an avant garde tanker barbarian and devout your ability boosts and base scores to constitution rather than strength that is a viable choice as well. In that case you could take damage reduction and even fast healing feats later on!
tvar1 08-17-07, 01:07 PM	If you have the INT (which you probably do since you don't seem to like the idea of a "dull" barbarian) you could get Combat Expertise and Improved Trip.
Blacksworddragon 08-17-07, 01:10 PM	Combat Reflexes might help you tak down the enemies you don't initially fell as they try to surround you, escape from you or assail the other members of you party. I would also tak Run so that with you Fast Movement and possibly some Ranks in Tumble you can be a threat all over the board.
Samurai_Zero 08-19-07, 02:00 PM	Seeing as how im going to try to be a tank im not going to worry about lowering my max hp. Ok so far this is what i have: 1: Power Attack: Trade base attack bonus for damage 2: Cleave: make an additional attack after dropping a foe 3: Combat Expertise 4: Improved Trip 5: Weapon Focus: Bastard Sword 6: Combat Reflexes / Endurance 7. Karmic Strike / Diehard i doubt the game is going to last until i get my 6th and 7th feat, and if it does, the people i play with dont like playing clerics, so he might not last that long. IF he manages its a choice between more AoO, or living longer in battle. Karmic strike is in CW and says i take -4AC to make an AoO against a melee enemy that hit me. i think i just hit lvl 2 from all of the flies i killed writing this
Templario 08-19-07, 07:45 PM	hummm, charger? leap attack. I don't remember if battle jump works with.
bloodtalon 08-19-07, 08:08 PM	if you want him to rage more often and longer go to "COMPLETE WARRIOR" and get extra rage and extended rage
Greco 08-19-07, 08:09 PM	Well. If you don't like the rage barbarian you can take the Beserker variant and not worry about Rage feats like reckless rage, destructive rage, extended rage, and extra rage. It will depend on the type of barabarian and Feats allowed. Non variant Human Barb (keep in mind im doing this off the top of my head) PHB/ other material H Power Attack / Extended Rage 1 Bull Rush/ Power Attack 3 Improved Sunder 6 Endurance / Destructive Rage May look at improved disarm instead, but this feat progression would be good for disarming opponents depending on your strength.
Khadmus 08-19-07, 08:21 PM	He has the berserker variant. I would suggest taking the Educated (Education?) feat from Eberron. you can have some utility identifying monsters before your berserker strength kicks in. High intelligence qualifies you for combat techniques such as trip and the like.
RobTzu 08-19-07, 08:38 PM	Did you mean Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword and not W. Focus? I think that it is a mistake to use that weapon. Essentially it is a feat to raise average damage 1 pt. While a fighter has those to spare, a Barb does not. What is your stats? Race? I am assuming human by feats, though you could be a strongheart halfling for all we know. Of course Monkey Grip is a good one, Imp Crit is nice, Power Critical can be nice. Extend Rage is often wasted, combat just does not last that long usually. Extra Rage is also wasted at higher levels, just not that many fights in a day usually and if there are, they are weak critters you can handle unraged. Do you want to focus on Damage and Defense equally? Saves a concern? Is splashing another class ( I am thinking a few of Ranger) okay with you?
imakuni67 08-20-07, 10:27 AM	[QUOTE=RobTzu;13475618]Did you mean Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword and not W. Focus? QUOTE] i think he meant weapon focus: great axe, actually! :D
deadkoo 08-20-07, 04:58 PM	best barb has 18 str 18 cha and 4 int... I called him Dragon Bait:)
DocBeard 08-20-07, 05:35 PM	If you have access to PHB II feats, pick up Mad Foam Rager at the first possible opportunity. It's saved my (non-stupid, non-bumbling) barbarian more than once.
WHW4 08-20-07, 06:55 PM	The best defense is a good offense. You want to do as much damage in the very first round as you can. Fortunately, alot of feats work off of charge and can be used in conjunction with each other... First let me say I highly suggest not using the Berserker Rage from PH2. If you really ant it to be part of your character, just watch your hitpoint and rage at half. You will seriously regret not being able to control the one ability that sets you apart from a fighter. I tried it. For one session. In the words of my gaming group, "You were a Captain Kirk. Now you're a Captain Picard." Just my two cents. Level 1 Take the Lion Totem substitution ability from Complete Champion. You give up your Fast Movement, but gain Pounce. If you've ever been on the receiving end of a dire lion, you know how effective it can be once you get a few extra attacks. Character Feat- Power Attack. Enough said. Human Feat- Cleave. I highly suggest ending the cleave chain here. Yeah, Great Cleave is fun if it works, but I've managed it once and against orcs it's just not that impressive. One extra attack should you happen to drop a foe is plenty. Flaw- Ask your DM about this one. Flaws are in Unearthed Arcana, essentially you take one and gain a bonus feat at 1st level. I suggest Shaky as your flaw (-2 with ranged? Bah!) and pick up Mad Foam Rager from PH2. It will give you one more round to do the job should you fall. Level 3 Pick up the the Spell Sense substitution from Complete Mage which replaces your Trap Sense. Much more useful. You have d12s. You can survive a trap. Spells are much more common, do alot more damage, and can end your career much more quickly. Character Feat- Improved Bull Rush (for Shock Trooper) or Improved Sunder (for Combat Brute). Another option is Reckless Rage. It's another -2 to AC, but more importantly it's +2 to Str and Con while raging. A good offense, remember? Level 6 Character Feat- Leap Attack. I'll say it again, Leap Attack! From Complete Adventurer. Level 9 Character Feat- Shock Trooper (or Combat Brute, depending on your earlier decision). If you grabbed Reckless Rage, look at Powerful Charge. By this time you should be using a +1 Berserking Weapon (extra 1d8 dmg while raging) at least, and wearing some rhino hide armor (extra 2d6 on a charge). Get a Bear Helm (1/2 damage from a crit 1/day while raging, and you can see the damage before you decide to use it) from the Magic Item Compendium, a Heartseeking Amulet (3/day next melee attack is a touch attack, so you can crank someone with a full Power Attack) and a Ring of Vengeance (3/day 5d6 damage back at a foe who just critted you). Book's not in front of me, so I might be wrong about the last item. Anyone? If you were a Goliath Barbarian now, then we could have even more fun. Pump your ability increases into Strength or Constitution.
GimpyRogue15 08-20-07, 08:34 PM	mmmmmmmmmmm i dont know about at higher levels but i dipped into one level of barbarian with a ranger and got extend rage and extra rage at the next possible chance they worked wonders, perhaps they will help (PHB II i think)
runestar 08-20-07, 10:16 PM	I would recommend extra rage at 1st lv - this lets you rage once per combat at lower lvs. Ask your DM if you can retrain it later on.:)
Samurai_Zero 09-04-07, 10:47 PM	sorry for the long time of no replies, ive been quite busy, and about the bastard sword you only need the ewp if your going to use it one handed phb says so, and im using it for backround flavor. I dont have the complete champion so idk what pounce does, though i imagine its some sort of charge attack? I do however like your idea, and im not much of a star trek fan so i wouldnt understand your analogy. To the most recent guy my DM makes our feats stick, once we choose them we're stuck with them until we're dead or permanently delevel. My appologies to the person who suggested education from ebberon, i dont have ebberon so i dont know the full abilities, but from what you describe is worthless to me.
Ecalsneerg 09-05-07, 02:51 AM	Survival is a class skill for Barbarians, and they usually have good Wisdom for a better Will save, so... Track?