help with a sorcerer/barbarian build - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

help with a sorcerer/barbarian build

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
sabbattack
Jun 15, 2008 10:54:36 I'm trying to make a decent sorcerer/barbarian build. We are starting the campaign at 8th level, so i was thinking something along the lines of Sorc 4/ Barb 4, in order to get the second rage per day at barbarian 4.

Any ideas about good feat/spells combinations? The build is standard point buy (32) and we're using all the splat books except Tome of Battle. Also all the FR books.
#2
rebel7284
Jun 15, 2008 12:04:07
I'm trying to make a decent sorcerer/barbarian build. We are starting the campaign at 8th level, so i was thinking something along the lines of Sorc 4/ Barb 4, in order to get the second rage per day at barbarian 4.

Any ideas about good feat/spells combinations? The build is standard point buy (32) and we're using all the splat books except Tome of Battle. Also all the FR books.

Splitting your classes 50/50 is generally a horrible idea. Losing 4 caster levels makes your spells weak. Losing 4 levels of barbarian makes you suck at hitting things and lowers your hitpoint.

Possible simple alternative: Barbarian 1 (extra rage feat), sorcerer 7.

Also, exactly why do you want a sorcerer barbarian in the first place? If it's a specific flavor, tell us about it and perhaps someone has an idea of how to accomplish that goal better. Is it a specific party role that you want to fulfill better? Give us more information.
#3
sabbattack
Jun 15, 2008 12:14:44 Well, I wanted to build someone from a barbaric tribe born with innate magic abilities, a "child of the omen" type of character. Hence the barbarian/sorcerer multiclassing. I know that these two classes have a difficult mix, but i like the idea so I'kk make a run for it...
#4
natenate
Jun 15, 2008 12:35:30 Check out the Rage Mage in Complete Warrior. You should also consider using the Battle Sorcerer variant from UA, which can also be found in the SRD.
#5
rebel7284
Jun 15, 2008 12:36:15 Perhaps play a Half Giant barbarian. Naturally psionic + stomp psionic ability fits the mystical magic thing and +2 str, +2 con, powerful build makes you a better barbarian and gives you a bigger weapon. Perhaps a few levels of psychic warrior for expansion and a few other spells.
#6
sabbattack
Jun 15, 2008 12:37:27 very good,very good!!!

Any particular ideas about spells, feats?
#7
meth0dical
Jun 15, 2008 13:08:27 Sorcerer 1 (with precocious apprentice)/Barbarian 4/Rage Mage the rest is a solid, though not spectacular build. You need to take extra rage, though, as you play like a 1/2 barbarian 1/2 sorcerer whenever you're not raging. (that's bad)
#8
natenate
Jun 15, 2008 13:12:56 Half-Giant's favored class is Psychic Warrior, so I wouldn't suggest using that. Human is always a good choice for feats, or anything with good ability score adjustments which doesn't have a level adjustment and won't give you an xp penalty for multiclassing.

Use the PHB2 Sorcerer variant, you'll be better off with that than if you get a familiar considering how few Sorcerer levels you'll end up with.

I'd recommend going Barbarian 1/ Battle Sorcerer 4/ Rage Mage, maybe with some Eldritch Knight later on to finish out the build.

For feats, Rebel already mentioned Extra Rage, which is a great choice. You'll want Power Attack, Leap Attack, and Arcane Strike, as well as Practiced Spellcaster. For spells you'll definitely want Wraithstrike, use a Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend with it, since only spells with a normal casting time of a standard action or longer are affected by the increased casting time for adding metamagic feats to a spontaneously cast spell. Remember that you're better off using melee attacks than spells for offense, so get buffs and utility-type spells with only a few spells for ranged attacks and area effects.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sabbattack Jun 15, 2008 10:54:36	I'm trying to make a decent sorcerer/barbarian build. We are starting the campaign at 8th level, so i was thinking something along the lines of Sorc 4/ Barb 4, in order to get the second rage per day at barbarian 4. Any ideas about good feat/spells combinations? The build is standard point buy (32) and we're using all the splat books except Tome of Battle. Also all the FR books.
#2 rebel7284 Jun 15, 2008 12:04:07	I'm trying to make a decent sorcerer/barbarian build. We are starting the campaign at 8th level, so i was thinking something along the lines of Sorc 4/ Barb 4, in order to get the second rage per day at barbarian 4. Any ideas about good feat/spells combinations? The build is standard point buy (32) and we're using all the splat books except Tome of Battle. Also all the FR books. Splitting your classes 50/50 is generally a horrible idea. Losing 4 caster levels makes your spells weak. Losing 4 levels of barbarian makes you suck at hitting things and lowers your hitpoint. Possible simple alternative: Barbarian 1 (extra rage feat), sorcerer 7. Also, exactly why do you want a sorcerer barbarian in the first place? If it's a specific flavor, tell us about it and perhaps someone has an idea of how to accomplish that goal better. Is it a specific party role that you want to fulfill better? Give us more information.
#3 sabbattack Jun 15, 2008 12:14:44	Well, I wanted to build someone from a barbaric tribe born with innate magic abilities, a "child of the omen" type of character. Hence the barbarian/sorcerer multiclassing. I know that these two classes have a difficult mix, but i like the idea so I'kk make a run for it...
#4 natenate Jun 15, 2008 12:35:30	Check out the Rage Mage in Complete Warrior. You should also consider using the Battle Sorcerer variant from UA, which can also be found in the SRD.
#5 rebel7284 Jun 15, 2008 12:36:15	Perhaps play a Half Giant barbarian. Naturally psionic + stomp psionic ability fits the mystical magic thing and +2 str, +2 con, powerful build makes you a better barbarian and gives you a bigger weapon. Perhaps a few levels of psychic warrior for expansion and a few other spells.
#6 sabbattack Jun 15, 2008 12:37:27	very good,very good!!! Any particular ideas about spells, feats?
#7 meth0dical Jun 15, 2008 13:08:27	Sorcerer 1 (with precocious apprentice)/Barbarian 4/Rage Mage the rest is a solid, though not spectacular build. You need to take extra rage, though, as you play like a 1/2 barbarian 1/2 sorcerer whenever you're not raging. (that's bad)
#8 natenate Jun 15, 2008 13:12:56	Half-Giant's favored class is Psychic Warrior, so I wouldn't suggest using that. Human is always a good choice for feats, or anything with good ability score adjustments which doesn't have a level adjustment and won't give you an xp penalty for multiclassing. Use the PHB2 Sorcerer variant, you'll be better off with that than if you get a familiar considering how few Sorcerer levels you'll end up with. I'd recommend going Barbarian 1/ Battle Sorcerer 4/ Rage Mage, maybe with some Eldritch Knight later on to finish out the build. For feats, Rebel already mentioned Extra Rage, which is a great choice. You'll want Power Attack, Leap Attack, and Arcane Strike, as well as Practiced Spellcaster. For spells you'll definitely want Wraithstrike, use a Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend with it, since only spells with a normal casting time of a standard action or longer are affected by the increased casting time for adding metamagic feats to a spontaneously cast spell. Remember that you're better off using melee attacks than spells for offense, so get buffs and utility-type spells with only a few spells for ranged attacks and area effects.