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[Guide] How to Win Fights and Intimidate People (Another Barbarian Primer)
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<blockquote data-quote="Frankie1969" data-source="post: 7257153" data-attributes="member: 61252"><p><strong>Barbarian Guide, Part 3</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>Optional Class Features</strong></span><strong> (TCE)</strong>:</p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Tasha has two suggested add-on features for Barbarian. (<em>In testing they were replacements for Danger Sense & Fast Movement</em>.)</p><p><strong>Primal Knowledge</strong>: You get free bonus skills at 3rd & 10th level. Sure.</p><p><strong>Instinctive Pounce</strong>: You get a free half move when you enter rage. Useful.</p><p></p><p>[HR][/HR]<span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>Weapons & Weapon Style Feats</strong></span>:</p><p>As we've said already, Barbarians use Str-based melee weapons, and your ASIs are in short supply. There are four main options:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Great Weapon</strong></span> (Greataxe, Greatsword, or Maul): This is a classic, straightforward path to high damage. Obviously you want <span style="color: #0000FF">Great Weapon Master</span> feat, using the power attack option when you have advantage (which you can get from Reckless Attack). You can also do this with a pole arm if you prefer having reach.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Pole Arm</strong> (Glaive/Halberd): Barbarians usually don't have enough feats for this, but the combination of <span style="color: #0000FF">Polearm Master and Sentinel</span> is a 10' meat grinder aura. And then Great Weapon Master on top?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Sword & Board</strong> (d8 one-hander + shield): Increased AC at a small cost to damage, good for tanking. Shield Master feat is decent, but it costs a bonus action and <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/994993596989300736" target="_blank">only <em>after </em>attacking</a>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Two </strong></span><strong>Weapon Fighting</strong> (various): 2WF is difficult for barbarians because they have many features (entering Rage, numerous Path options) that compete with 2WF for bonus actions, and it can't keep up with great weapon damage once you get Extra Attack.</li> </ul><p>The main reason not to go with a two-handed weapon is if you multiclass Barbarian/Rogue and need a finesse weapon for Sneak Attack.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>Other Feats</strong></span>:</p><p>These options are mainly for Variant Human; most other Barbarians don't have feats to spare.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Alert</strong>: A generally good feat, but Feral Instinct already gives you partial surprise protection.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255)">Fighting Initiate</span></strong> (TCE): pick up a fighting style without multiclassing.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Lucky</strong></span>: Extra rolls in clutch situations make this a useful feat for any character.</li> </ul><p></p><p><em><strong>Feats That Might Work If You Have One Odd-Numbered Ability Score That Matters </strong>(if you have two odd-numbered important stats, use a regular ASI to increase both of them)</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Resilient </strong>- (Dex or Wis) if that save comes up a lot in your game.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Crusher</strong>: (TCE, Str or Con) if you use blunt weapons and like forced movement.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Dragon Fear </strong>(XGE, Str or Con, Dragonborn only) AOE fright that lasts a while isn't completely terrible.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Orcish Fury</strong>- (XGE, Str or Con, Orcish ancestry only) a little bit of extra damage.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Piercer</strong>: (TCE, Str or Dex) if you use pointy weapons and like re-rolling damage.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Skill Expert</strong>: (TCE) Expertise in Athletics might be useful.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 204)">Slasher</span></strong>: (TCE, Str or Dex) if you use edged weapons and like weak slow effects.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Squat Nimbleness</strong>- (XGE, Str or Dex, Dwarf or small race) a little bit of speed and a skill.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><span style="color: #990099">Tavern Brawler</span></strong>- (Str or Con) if you really love improv, maybe. Ask your DM if a grappled enemy can be used as a weapon.</li> </ul><p>The remaining feats are less valuable to you than Ability Score Increase and will not be discussed here. Only take them if you know what you're doing.</p><p></p><p>[HR][/HR]<strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Multiclassing</span></strong>:</p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Like many of the non-caster or half-caster classes, Barbarian is front-loaded and has weak features in the middle levels. As such, multi-class barbarians can become more capable than single class. The best options for level 8-18 are Barbarian/Fighter or Barbarian/Rogue. Or maybe triple-class all three?</p><p></p><p><strong>Barbarian multiclass level </strong>recommendations:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">1 for Rage & Unarmored Defense. Start with barbarian at character creation for the 12+Con HP.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 for Reckless Attack & Danger Sense. Good synergy for many multiclass builds (e.g. Reckless Sneak Attack).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">3 for subclass feature. Good stopping point if your other class gets Extra Attack.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">5 for Extra Attack & Fast Movement.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">8 is the highest level barbarian multiclass should go.</li> </ul><p><strong>Fighter multiclass level </strong>recommendations:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">1 for Fighting style & Second Wind.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">3 for subclass feature.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">11 for Extra Attack 2.</li> </ul><p><strong>Rogue multiclass level </strong>recommendations:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">1 for proficiencies, Expertise, & Sneak Attack. You can still use Strength to attack with a finesse weapon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 for Cunning Action.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">3 for subclass feature & Sneak Attack 2.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">any amount of Rogue features stack pretty well with Barbarian, but the d8 cuts into your hit points.</li> </ul><p>Other possibilities:</p><p></p><p><strong>Ranger</strong>: Wis requirement. Ranger is flavorful and has out-of-combat benefits, but Fighter is a more efficient way to get a Fighting Style, and Rogue Scout is a better way to get hunting skills.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #990099"><strong>Druid</strong></span>: Wis requirement. Less optimized than sticking with single class, but Moon Druid at 2nd level gives you CR1 Wild Shape twice per short rest, which is useful for scouting, worth 37 THP if needed, and lets you say "Bearbearian".</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #990099"><strong>Bard</strong></span>: Cha requirement. Definitely suboptimal, but lets you say "Bardbarian". 3 levels for Lore Bard is a full-fledged skill monkey. Focus on out-of-combat spells, of course.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #990099"><strong>Cleric</strong></span>: Wis requirement, doesn't offer much for you.</p><p><span style="color: #990099"><strong>Monk</strong></span>: Wis requirement, you add either Con <strong>or</strong> Wis to AC, not "and".</p><p><span style="color: #990099"><strong>Paladin</strong></span>: Cha requirement, not as worthwhile as Fighter or Ranger.</p><p><span style="color: #990099"><strong>Sorcerer </strong></span>or<span style="color: #990099"><strong> Warlock</strong></span>: Cha requirement, casting isn't great for you.</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>Artificer</strong></span> </strong></span>or<span style="color: #ff0000"><strong> Wizard</strong></span>: Int requirement & casting, we're done here.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Frankie1969, post: 7257153, member: 61252"] [B]Barbarian Guide, Part 3[/B] [SIZE=5][B]Optional Class Features[/B][/SIZE][B] (TCE)[/B]: [INDENT]Tasha has two suggested add-on features for Barbarian. ([I]In testing they were replacements for Danger Sense & Fast Movement[/I].)[/INDENT] [B]Primal Knowledge[/B]: You get free bonus skills at 3rd & 10th level. Sure. [B]Instinctive Pounce[/B]: You get a free half move when you enter rage. Useful. [HR][/HR][SIZE=5][B]Weapons & Weapon Style Feats[/B][/SIZE]: As we've said already, Barbarians use Str-based melee weapons, and your ASIs are in short supply. There are four main options: [LIST] [*][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Great Weapon[/B][/COLOR] (Greataxe, Greatsword, or Maul): This is a classic, straightforward path to high damage. Obviously you want [COLOR=#0000FF]Great Weapon Master[/COLOR] feat, using the power attack option when you have advantage (which you can get from Reckless Attack). You can also do this with a pole arm if you prefer having reach. [*][B]Pole Arm[/B] (Glaive/Halberd): Barbarians usually don't have enough feats for this, but the combination of [COLOR=#0000FF]Polearm Master and Sentinel[/COLOR] is a 10' meat grinder aura. And then Great Weapon Master on top? [*][B]Sword & Board[/B] (d8 one-hander + shield): Increased AC at a small cost to damage, good for tanking. Shield Master feat is decent, but it costs a bonus action and [URL='https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/994993596989300736']only [I]after [/I]attacking[/URL]. [*][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Two [/B][/COLOR][B]Weapon Fighting[/B] (various): 2WF is difficult for barbarians because they have many features (entering Rage, numerous Path options) that compete with 2WF for bonus actions, and it can't keep up with great weapon damage once you get Extra Attack. [/LIST] The main reason not to go with a two-handed weapon is if you multiclass Barbarian/Rogue and need a finesse weapon for Sneak Attack. [SIZE=5][B]Other Feats[/B][/SIZE]: These options are mainly for Variant Human; most other Barbarians don't have feats to spare. [LIST] [*][B]Alert[/B]: A generally good feat, but Feral Instinct already gives you partial surprise protection. [*][B][COLOR=rgb(0, 0, 255)]Fighting Initiate[/COLOR][/B] (TCE): pick up a fighting style without multiclassing. [*][COLOR=#0000ff][B]Lucky[/B][/COLOR]: Extra rolls in clutch situations make this a useful feat for any character. [/LIST] [I][B]Feats That Might Work If You Have One Odd-Numbered Ability Score That Matters [/B](if you have two odd-numbered important stats, use a regular ASI to increase both of them)[/I] [LIST] [*][B]Resilient [/B]- (Dex or Wis) if that save comes up a lot in your game. [*][B]Crusher[/B]: (TCE, Str or Con) if you use blunt weapons and like forced movement. [*][B]Dragon Fear [/B](XGE, Str or Con, Dragonborn only) AOE fright that lasts a while isn't completely terrible. [*][B]Orcish Fury[/B]- (XGE, Str or Con, Orcish ancestry only) a little bit of extra damage. [*][B]Piercer[/B]: (TCE, Str or Dex) if you use pointy weapons and like re-rolling damage. [*][B]Skill Expert[/B]: (TCE) Expertise in Athletics might be useful. [*][B][COLOR=rgb(153, 0, 204)]Slasher[/COLOR][/B]: (TCE, Str or Dex) if you use edged weapons and like weak slow effects. [*][B]Squat Nimbleness[/B]- (XGE, Str or Dex, Dwarf or small race) a little bit of speed and a skill. [*][B][COLOR=#990099]Tavern Brawler[/COLOR][/B]- (Str or Con) if you really love improv, maybe. Ask your DM if a grappled enemy can be used as a weapon. [/LIST] The remaining feats are less valuable to you than Ability Score Increase and will not be discussed here. Only take them if you know what you're doing. [HR][/HR][B][SIZE=5]Multiclassing[/SIZE][/B]: [INDENT]Like many of the non-caster or half-caster classes, Barbarian is front-loaded and has weak features in the middle levels. As such, multi-class barbarians can become more capable than single class. The best options for level 8-18 are Barbarian/Fighter or Barbarian/Rogue. Or maybe triple-class all three?[/INDENT] [B]Barbarian multiclass level [/B]recommendations: [LIST] [*]1 for Rage & Unarmored Defense. Start with barbarian at character creation for the 12+Con HP. [*]2 for Reckless Attack & Danger Sense. Good synergy for many multiclass builds (e.g. Reckless Sneak Attack). [*]3 for subclass feature. Good stopping point if your other class gets Extra Attack. [*]5 for Extra Attack & Fast Movement. [*]8 is the highest level barbarian multiclass should go. [/LIST] [B]Fighter multiclass level [/B]recommendations: [LIST] [*]1 for Fighting style & Second Wind. [*]3 for subclass feature. [*]11 for Extra Attack 2. [/LIST] [B]Rogue multiclass level [/B]recommendations: [LIST] [*]1 for proficiencies, Expertise, & Sneak Attack. You can still use Strength to attack with a finesse weapon. [*]2 for Cunning Action. [*]3 for subclass feature & Sneak Attack 2. [*]any amount of Rogue features stack pretty well with Barbarian, but the d8 cuts into your hit points. [/LIST] Other possibilities: [B]Ranger[/B]: Wis requirement. Ranger is flavorful and has out-of-combat benefits, but Fighter is a more efficient way to get a Fighting Style, and Rogue Scout is a better way to get hunting skills. [COLOR=#990099][B]Druid[/B][/COLOR]: Wis requirement. Less optimized than sticking with single class, but Moon Druid at 2nd level gives you CR1 Wild Shape twice per short rest, which is useful for scouting, worth 37 THP if needed, and lets you say "Bearbearian". [COLOR=#990099][B]Bard[/B][/COLOR]: Cha requirement. Definitely suboptimal, but lets you say "Bardbarian". 3 levels for Lore Bard is a full-fledged skill monkey. Focus on out-of-combat spells, of course. [COLOR=#990099][B]Cleric[/B][/COLOR]: Wis requirement, doesn't offer much for you. [COLOR=#990099][B]Monk[/B][/COLOR]: Wis requirement, you add either Con [B]or[/B] Wis to AC, not "and". [COLOR=#990099][B]Paladin[/B][/COLOR]: Cha requirement, not as worthwhile as Fighter or Ranger. [COLOR=#990099][B]Sorcerer [/B][/COLOR]or[COLOR=#990099][B] Warlock[/B][/COLOR]: Cha requirement, casting isn't great for you. [COLOR=#ff0000][B][COLOR=#ff0000][B]Artificer[/B][/COLOR] [/B][/COLOR]or[COLOR=#ff0000][B] Wizard[/B][/COLOR]: Int requirement & casting, we're done here. [/QUOTE]
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[Guide] How to Win Fights and Intimidate People (Another Barbarian Primer)
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