barbarian build ideas

Theone0581

First Post
Alright so what I want to do is massive amount of damage with my Barbarian. We are all at level 2 right now, and for my 1 feat I took Power attack. Since all we are only able to use core classes, I am very limited when it comes to multi-classing. I am working on getting a Full blade from the Arms and Equipment guide and taking Weapon Proficiency "Full blade" for my next feat.

My question is this. What core classes might I want to consider multi-classing when I start leveling to boost my DPS on my barbarian, or should I just go full barbarian all the way through?
 

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Is the restriction only for classes though? or does it apply to feats and other stuff as well?

If you can take feats from outside of core, Leap Attack from complete adventurer IIRC is a great damage booster. Using a 2-handed weapon to power attack with it gets you a X4 return on your damage instead of X2
 


Options:
Straight Barbarian
Barbarian/Fighter, possibly going for Mounted Combat and Spirited Charge with a Lance
Barbarian/Ranger/Horizon Walker for immunity to fatigue
 
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My experience with playing Barbarians with "big mofo weapons" is that you want to Power Attack every round to a point where your second-last attack hits on a 3, or thereabouts (obviously relates to higher levels and tougher monsters). Against hard to hit, low-HP creatures (armoured humans!) Power Attack is a liability, so use it with care. I found going anywhere but top of the initiative order helpful, so I could gauge how tough the enemy was before leaping into battle. As such, I studiously avoided Improved Initiative.

Anything that gives you a bonus to hit means an extra point into Power Attack, which is an extra 2 damage per hit. Once you hit level 6, the full attack option is nearly twice as good as a standard attack. Until then, Cleave is your best friend for ploughing through hordes of mooks.

Bonuses to hit inclues extra strength bonuses. I would say straight Barbarian works well, and is simple to play into the bargain. The Greater Rage and Mighty Rage abilities are far better than standard Rage (gain of 3HP/level over 11 levels = 33HP), though many players don't realise this until they actually get to use the abilities. Stay as close to possible to the straight Barbarian path as you can. When you stray, keep to full-BAB classes. After level 6 I wouldn't Rage until you can make a full attack, unless you need the HP or last-gasp extra damage hit.

Now, you're taking an exotic weapon and you need the damage dealing feats as well (sounds also like you're a demihuman?). I would take Fighter at level 3, using your Fighter feat to pick up the weapon proficiency. Your other level 3 feat should be either cleave or weapon focus. Take a second level of fighter at level 4 (taking the choice you didn't take at level 3). Then stay Barbarian (Damage Resistance is awesome).

It's a simple setup and isn't optimised to the last iota. It is, however, versatile (doesn't need a horse/outdoor space), effective and easy to play. Specific weaknesses are terrain preventing a charge, flying enemies and Will saves. It combines well with other character's abilities (Clerics love casting Bull Strength on a guy with a strength of 20 already, just to see what happens).
 

I would suggest mad foam rager, it is in the PHB2, allows to you ignore any damage and effect inflicted for one round while raging so your healer has a chance to back you up. This next suggestion may not be considered core but it is in a standard book, the Complete Warrior. It also may be a little feat heavy but awesome for any strength based character, see if you can scrap the swords, get a one handed hammer of some type, and an axe, weapon focuses in both, improved sunder, two-weapon fighting, ambidexterity, and anvil of thunder. This will allow you if one of those weapons is a light weapon to not only strike twice at the highest BAB free of attack penalties but the enemy then needs to make a fort. save(10+1/2 level+STR modifier) or they will be dazed for one round. In other words offensively and tactically out of commision.
 

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