D&D 5E What is the perfect Fighter/Barbarian multi-class balance?

[CTurbo]

It's no surprise that these two classes mesh well with each other to kill things. So strictly thinking about a level 20 character, and not taking account of how we got there, what do you think the best balance would be?

Fighter1/Barb19 - Gets you a fighting style, second wind, and heavy armor proficiency. Probably not worth losing the Barb Capstone.
Fighter2/Barb18 - Adds Action Surge. Much better than just the single Fighter dip. Possibly worth losing the Barb Capstone.
Fighter3/Barb17 - Adds Martial Archetype. Both Champion and Battle Master add extra goodness to a mostly Barb build. Probably worth losing the Barb Capstone.
Fighter4/Barb16 - Only if you really want that ASI/feat plus a small boost to your second wind. Otherwise, not any better than just 3/17.

Barb1/Fighter19 - Gets you limited rage + unarmored defense. Probably not worth giving up the Fighter Capstone.
Barb2/Fighter18 - Adds Reckless Attack and Danger Sense. meh probably not worth giving up the Fighter Capstone.
Barb3/Fighter17 - You get a Primal Path. Good synergy with fighting. Possibly worth giving up the Fighter Capstone.
Barb4/Fighter16 - Only if you really want the extra ASI/feat. Hard to recommend.
Barb8/Fighter12 - See below + Only if you REALLY need that extra ASI/feat. But you gave up Brutal Critical and -1 to rage damage to get it.
Barb9/Fighter11 - Probably my vote for best combination. 3 attacks per round plus most of the Barbarian goodness is hard to beat.


I feel like a build of mostly Barbarian levels is typically better with the exception of the 11-12 levels of Fighter. I can't think of any other notable combinations.

What do you think?

 

[Xeviat]

I'd feel terrible about taking level 5 in one if I was going to take level 5 in the other. Picking up that level would be functionally dead. So, if you were playing by the rules and weren't getting permission to let them stack, I'd go with Fighter 4/Barb 16. The extra ASI/Feat would be nice, especially if I'm not going to get my 24 Str/Con.

 

[jgsugden]

Barbarian 8, then fighter 4, then barby to 16. GWM at barb 4, Str at barb 8, str at fighter 4, sentinel at barb 12.

Consider the character as it advances. You do not want to delay multiattack and you do not generally want to delay ASI.

 

[The Hierophant]

I am playing a Barbarian at the moment and have been thinking about this a lot. I think Barb 9/Fighter 11 or Barb 8/ Fighter 12 is the best to level 20. But I am not sure if either are better than Barb 20.

My current Barbarian is level 6 and I am playing Storm Kings Thunder so I am thinking Barb 8 then Fighter 3 but I am still not convinced it is better than Barb 11.

 

[cmad1977]

I don't know. I kept thinking about multiclassing my Barbarian but the sweet sweet features just kept pulling me back.


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[Xeviat]

I don't know. I kept thinking about multiclassing my Barbarian but the sweet sweet features just kept pulling me back.


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I'd miss that capstone and unlimited rages.


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[cmad1977]

I'd miss that capstone and unlimited rages.


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I did it like every level.
Should I take a level of fighter or...
Ooh, extra movement!

Should I take a level of fighter or...
Ooh! Extra attack!

Should I take a level of fighter or...
Ooh ASI!

Should I take a level of fighter or...
Ooh bear strength!
Those aren't necessarily in order but you get the idea.


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[jgsugden]

In terms of optimization:

I would not focus on capstones - many games never get there, and those that do often end soon after arriving (also, Barby's capstone strength bonus is often overshadowed by a Belt of Giant Strength, so sacrificing to get to it can be a huge letdown).

Think about what your PC will experience at each level and how long they'll be there.

Getting to fifth to get multi-attack as quickly as possible is a key, so you won't want to multi-attack before 5th. Then the question is whether you will rely upon ASIs for strength or an item. If you will rely upon a belt of giant strength, then you don't need so many ASIs and might consider multi-classing at any time. I find there to be plenty of feats worth taking, even if I rely upon items for strength, so I elected to go to 8 as a barbarian before multi-classing. I then added 4 levels of fighter for the next ASI, and then returned to barbarian for the remained of the levels. However, I would likely have been better off going 5 as a barbarian, then 4 as a fighter, then the rest of the way as a barbarian. Getting Sentinel one round earlier was not worth the delay in getting Action Surge and Battlemaster (which were superior to the Barbarian level 6 to 7 abilities).

 

[Valetudo]

Wouldnt the third attack from fighter going up to 11th be the best for a lvl 20 buld?

 

[jgsugden]

Wouldnt the third attack from fighter going up to 11th be the best for a lvl 20 buld?

To get to 11 fighter you need to limit to 9 barbarian. That means you miss out on the 10th to 20th level barbarian abilities. Some of those are good, including the extra rages, the persistent rages, and the real gem of the frenzied berserker - retaliation (which partnered with Sentinel is somewhat like getting a 3rd attack).