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

[Caliban]

Capstones are only worth considering if you actually Play at level 20. Most campaigns tend to end or peter out before lvl 15.

 

[jaelis]

Well, the OP is asking about going to level 20. In that case (say I was making a level 20 character for a one-off) I'd probably stick with straight fighter or barb. The capstones for both are quite good and how often will you get to experience them?

 

[Caliban]

Well, the OP is asking about going to level 20. In that case (say I was making a level 20 character for a one-off) I'd probably stick with straight fighter or barb. The capstones for both are quite good and how often will you get to experience them?

True, I missed that bit when I was skimming the posts. I mainly saw other people talking about leveling up to 20.

If you are starting at 20, then whether or not the capstone is worth it is the main consideration.

 

[CTurbo]

I think Fighter11/Barb9 is such an awesome sounding character. I especially like the synergy Champion gives you. Two fighting styles, double crit opportunity, and even Remarkable Athlete. You can max str and still have 3 feats. I think GWF and defense(if using armor) or Archery(if no armor) are the obvious choices. But I think a TFW or S&B character would be really fun too for those who are tired of GWM all the time.

Add in 9 levels of Barb and you're in for a good time.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

Capstones are only worth considering if you actually Play at level 20. Most campaigns tend to end or peter out before lvl 15.

That's a matter of opinion.

For some people, it's more about the journey than the destination. Knowing that your PC could, eventually, theoretically become awesome is for some people a large part of the appeal of advancement, even if you never actually get there, or if you retire once the awesomeness is achieved (and everything therefore becomes too easy).

I would have less fun playing a Barb 1/Moon Druid X than a Moon Druid X+1, even though the Barb version is more mechanically powerful, because the Moon Druid has a future and the Barb 1/Moon Druid X does not. If however the DM allows losing existing class levels (so that going from Barb 1/Moon Druid 19 to Moon Druid 19 and thereafter to Moon Druid 20 is an option) then I could happily play either one, because they both have the same future. I just hate the thought of getting permanently locked into something un-fun, because at that point what's the point in even playing a game with XP and class advancement? You might as well just play GURPS or Shadowrun or some other game where your PC's stats are largely static, compared to (A)D&D.

 

[Caliban]

That's a matter of opinion.

Well, yes. I thought that is what I was expressing - my opinion.

 

[CTurbo]

I wouldn't mind playing a high level Haff-Orc Champion/Barb crit fishing build one day maybe in a one shot campaign. I wouldn't want to play such a character in a long term campaign though.

 

[devincutler]

I am playing a barbarian (battlerager) with fighter levels. I will end up Champion 4/Battlerager 16.

I initially chose fighter to be able to afford spiked armour, since I was not sure the campaign would let me buy some once it started, and barbarians do not start with enough gold to purchase it. But, I also appreciated the Second Wind and GWF, the former very useful at very low levels (and much less useful later on).

What I most wanted about the Champion was the improved critical, which I felt meshed very well the barbarian's escalating brutal critical trait. Since barbarians get extra dice on crits, doubling the crit chance was a no-brainer, and taking GWF meshed with wielding a greataxe and taking the GWM feat.

Action surge also doesn't hurt at 2nd level fighter. It is not a full replacement for getting extra attacks, but it does compensate a little bit for it.

The tough decision was whether to take the 4th fighter level or not. In the end, I felt the ASI or feat was worth it. Otherwise, taking 3 levels was extremely inefficient.

 

[BookBarbarian]

What do you think?

Nice analysis!

I do think you a slightly underselling Barb2/Fighter18. To me Barb 2 is the biggest level in the whole class. Compared to Fighter 20 Reckless Attack with 3 fighter attacks (plus potential Reaction, and Bonus action attacks) is worth more than one more extra attack every time.

Still I agree with you that if you're getting 2 levels of Barb you might as well go further.

 

[CTurbo]

How about a level 20 Fighter/Barbarian gestalt build? I'd have to go Half-Orc Frenzy Champion in this case. 6 attacks each round with advantage and a 15% chance of critting on each hit for 5d12+21 damage