Barbarian with Mobile and GWM Feats: as cool as it seems?

[Guest 6801328]

I need to make up a 7th level character to drop in on an existing campaign. I'm sure this has been thought of, discussed, commented upon, critiqued, etc., but the following occurred to me:

With the Mobile feat, I can use Reckless Attack, run in and get Advantage on my attacks, which makes the -5/+10 a good trade-off, then (assuming I hit) dance away again, avoiding the downside to Reckless Attacks. Against a single target, with two attacks and Advantage on both I'm pretty unlikely to miss completely. (For example, against AC 15 I'm only 18% likely to miss completely, assuming no bonuses.)

Oh, and I'll have 50' movement, giving me a ton of flexibility.

Am I missing something or is that an awesome deal? Sure, it works less well against more than one target, especially groups, but I don't have to use it in those situations.

 

[Les Moore]

One old trick I use is to save all my old PC sheets. If I have to drop a 5th level fighter in somewhere, for instance, I can use an old
sheet for reference information on developed feats, etc, without trying to build that character from scratch.

That does sound good, BTW.

 

[DEFCON 1]

The only thing it seems you are missing is that with 50' of movement, you'll dance in, attack, and then move probably only up to 25' away (if your movement is split in half). The monster would then just move it's 30' and attack you anyway.

The only way your thing kinda works is if you only Reckless half the time. Move in to the monster and stay there for the round and don't Reckless when you attack. Next round (when you are already engage in melee), attack with Reckless and then move 50' away. Round after that (assuming the monster did not chase after you), move the 50' back into melee and don't Reckless. Rinse and Repeat.

 

[jaelis]

Are there other characters in your party that can tank in melee and keep the monster from just chasing after you (or the wizard)? The idea makes sense, but often part of a barbarian's job is to soak some damage, in addition to dishing it out.

 

[Guest 6801328]

Are there other characters in your party that can tank in melee and keep the monster from just chasing after you (or the wizard)? The idea makes sense, but often part of a barbarian's job is to soak some damage, in addition to dishing it out.

Yeah it's a big party, although with a somewhat shifting week-to-week cast. I was told, "We've got everything covered so play whatever you want."

 

[Mr. Wilson]

The idea works well for 2 out of every 3 rounds, but I'd personally rather put that mobility feat into either a ASI (Str or Con) or Resilient (Wis).

I mean, you have d12 hit points and if you go bear you take half damage from everything. Just tank with your face. You'll be fine.

 

[Guest 6801328]

The only thing it seems you are missing is that with 50' of movement, you'll dance in, attack, and then move probably only up to 25' away (if your movement is split in half). The monster would then just move it's 30' and attack you anyway.

The only way your thing kinda works is if you only Reckless half the time. Move in to the monster and stay there for the round and don't Reckless when you attack. Next round (when you are already engage in melee), attack with Reckless and then move 50' away. Round after that (assuming the monster did not chase after you), move the 50' back into melee and don't Reckless. Rinse and Repeat.

Great point/idea.

Since it's a large-ish party, if I do things right then if the monster chases me the others will get AoO.

It also occurs to me that if my first attack misses, on my next attack I could not use GWM to greatly increase odds of hitting. That would reduce my overall miss chance vs. AC 15 from 18% down to 10%.

 

[Gwarok]

Yea, that is a great idea. I did something similar with a Barbarian, but also gave him 5 levels rogue. The combo is really sick, especially with expertise in Athletics, and the Tavern Brawler feat and grappling. Not only does he have 50ft movement, but can dash as a bonus action. He is FAST. And with 18 STR at level 10 he has +12 to the grapple, autograpple on a hit, gets advantage on subsequent attacks when doing so, which let him get his sneak attacks in. Presumably head butting, dirty infighting stuff. No weapon, no armor, he's dangerous. Uncanny dodge is sweet too.

 

[Gwarok]

The only thing it seems you are missing is that with 50' of movement, you'll dance in, attack, and then move probably only up to 25' away (if your movement is split in half). The monster would then just move it's 30' and attack you anyway.

The only way your thing kinda works is if you only Reckless half the time. Move in to the monster and stay there for the round and don't Reckless when you attack. Next round (when you are already engage in melee), attack with Reckless and then move 50' away. Round after that (assuming the monster did not chase after you), move the 50' back into melee and don't Reckless. Rinse and Repeat.

Or make him Barbarian 5/Rogue 2. He'll get Cunning Action and can dash as a bonus action, doubling his movement. Give him a reach weapon spear with Polearm Mastery and make it even more annoying

 

[Blue]

With the idea that you're attacking foes engaged with other party members it's great for you ... but not so good for the party. With barbarian HPs and especially with resistance during rages, part of what you contribute in a combat is spreading the damage around. Mobile leaves it all on others. Now, if you have a primarily melee party then this isn't a big deal. But if you have just one "dedicated tank" who will be taking the brunt of it while you use Mobile I'd be worried about them going down.

Also, two feats at 7th means Variant Human and your 4th ASI. So if you are using point buy / standard array you'e got a +3 STR mod at most. Hurts hit chance, which means less GWM delivery, as well as damage for all attacks.