Frustrated with Barbarian paragon paths. If you MC you are always better off

[Obryn]

I seem to recall that my barbarian was disatisfied with the options and was planning on doing Iron Vanguard, since it looked fun. Apparently I should doublecheck some of these other paths just in case (though I'm not that interested in Kensei intrinsically, since it's not that interesting except maybe the daily, just powerful)

Iron Vanguard could be fun for a Barbarian, but I think Dreadnought is a tad better, especially considering how vulnerable a barbarian can be.

If you're unfamiliar, it does 3 things from the get-go...
(1) +10 HP, free of charge.
(2) As a free action, spend 10 HP to get rid of any condition a save can end.
(3) When you spend an action point, you gain Resist 10 All until the end of your next turn.

You also get a fairly useful encounter power, though the path features are where the real magic is, IMO.

-O

 

[NaturalZero]

I seem to recall that my barbarian was disatisfied with the options and was planning on doing Iron Vanguard, since it looked fun. Apparently I should doublecheck some of these other paths just in case (though I'm not that interested in Kensei intrinsically, since it's not that interesting except maybe the daily, just powerful)

I was thinking Iron Vanguard looked pretty good for Dragonborn con-barians. The multiclass also gives you access to Draconic Arrogance too. If you pick up that rage that gives you a push on every hit and you are using Polearm Momentum, you become a friggin beastly charge machine since you'll be stacking all your extra charge damage on top of x2 Str and x2 Con on each hit. Its only for one encounter (one rage), but you'll out do the Supercharger build on the WotC CharOp boards for at-will charge damage.

But yeah. Im pretty dissatisfied with the barbarian PPs. Im beginning to realize that if you want to damage you really have to be martial since they get all the toys this edition. I can't imagine that WotC is going to design anything that will compete with the ranger at this point, for example.

 

[Kilanith]

I completely agreed that the Barbarian PPs aren't great choices. I specifically hate frenzied berserker as it has a massive drawback for +2 damage. The drawback being most obviously bad when you want to run away or start your turn next to an Eidolon or something else with a powerful aura. I also think the level 20 daily is extra weak because it requires the DM to make poor decisions to get the most out of it. It also is not what I wanted out of a barbarian PP, which is a fourth rage power to get the most out of Deadly Rage and associated rage based feats and powers.

 

[Josep]

I agree that the Barbarian paths are generally weak (Bear Warrior isn't horrible if you want a healing bent to your Barbarian.)

Frenzied Berserker is great flavor, and horrible mechanics.

Fortunately, there are a number of good strength-based PPs. I am hoping that Primal Power brings a few more options to the table.

 

[Orcus Porkus]

A Dwarf Barbarian Dreadnought with Bloodclaw Execution Axe, Cloak of the Walking Wounded, Belt of Blood, and Bloodiron Armor (screw Barbarian Agility) is a truly ugly destruction machine. I highly recommend it. Only problem, with Storm of Blades you want to increase your attack roll modifier as much as possible. I actually prefer Oathsworn (avenger) now, because with Hero of Faith you get 2 attack rolls against one enemy until he is dead, every encounter; you heal when he dies, get +1 to defenses against his attacks, when Action Pointing you get 2 attack rolls (doesn't stack with Oath but that's fine - you now just have another way to make sure Storm of Blades goes all the way!), and you can make your allies roll 2 d20 against your oath target once per day. The 2 Wisdom attacks are not a complete waste. By switching out your level 2 utility to "Refocus Emnity" you can even kind of get 2 oath targets per encounter. Since you can use symbols, get yourself the symbol of victory - free action point on a crit.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Porkus 17 barbarian, level 17
Dwarf, Barbarian, Oathsworn
Build: Rageblood Barbarian
Feral Might: Rageblood Vigor
Background: Chessenta

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 20, Con 21, Dex 14, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 9.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 15, Dex 13, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 8.


AC: 31 Fort: 29 Reflex: 24 Will: 25
HP: 142 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 40

TRAINED SKILLS


UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +9, Arcana +8, Bluff +7, Diplomacy +7, Dungeoneering +13, Endurance +14, Heal +11, History +8, Insight +11, Intimidate +7, Nature +11, Perception +11, Religion +8, Stealth +9, Streetwise +7, Thievery +9, Athletics +12

FEATS
Level 1: Dwarven Weapon Training
Level 2: Toughness
Level 4: Weapon Expertise (Axe)
Level 6: Powerful Charge
Level 8: Armor Proficiency (Chainmail)
Level 10: Deadly Rage
Level 11: Hero of Faith
Level 12: Acolyte Power
Level 14: Charging Rampage
Level 16: Dwarven Durability

POWERS
Barbarian at-will 1: Howling Strike
Barbarian at-will 1: Pressing Strike
Barbarian encounter 1: Avalanche Strike
Barbarian daily 1: Swift Panther Rage
Barbarian utility 2: Combat Sprint (retrained to Refocus Enmity at Acolyte Power)
Barbarian encounter 3: Blade Sweep
Barbarian daily 5: Thunder Hawk Rage
Barbarian utility 6: Laugh it Off
Barbarian encounter 7: Curtain of Steel
Barbarian daily 9: Oak Hammer Rage
Barbarian utility 10: Deny Death
Barbarian encounter 13: Storm of Blades (replaces Blade Sweep)
Barbarian daily 15: Thunderfury Rage (replaces Swift Panther Rage)
Barbarian utility 16: Spur the Cycle
Barbarian encounter 17: Shoulder Slam (replaces Avalanche Strike)

ITEMS
Bloodclaw Execution axe +4, Bloodclaw Execution axe +5, Iron Armbands of Power (heroic tier), Amulet of Protection +4, Horned Helm (heroic tier), Gauntlets of the Ram (heroic tier), Boots of Adept Charging (heroic tier), Belt of Blood (heroic tier), Clearsense Powder (level 16), Potion of Clarity (level 15) (3), Potion of Vitality (paragon tier) (3), Potion of Resistance (paragon tier) (3), Alchemist's Acid (level 11), Antivenom (paragon tier), Elixir of Dragonbreath (paragon tier), Salve of Power (heroic tier), Elixir of Speed (paragon tier), Backlash Tattoo (heroic tier), Symbol of Victory +2, Bloodiron Wyrmscale Armor +4, Divine Retribution Forgemail +4
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

 

[SigmaX0]

Pit Fighter can also be pretty tasty if you have a decent Wisdom. There's one Warden PP that I thought had some decent synergy, the Storm Sentinel I believe. Still i'd rather take Dreadnought/Iron Vanguard/Kensai/Pit Fighter. The trouble with Barbarians is, unless you have a dedicated defender, you're going to go down pretty fast. Dreadnought is so good because it means when you get hit (and you will, a lot) you can take the pain. Also Inexorable advance is fantastic for a lvl 11 encounter.

 

[keterys]

Yeah... I do really like the concept of Vanguard from 16th onwards... but Dreadnought is just gold at 11th. And considering I hit paragon tier after the first fight tomorrow, I'm starting to lean towards Dreadnought.

If not for the encounter attack power on dreadnought, I'd maybe stick with Vanguard, but yeah that's just really really good.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

I won't disagree with any of the points made above, but I am leaning toward the Bear Warrior for my new Barbarian, assuming she ever makes it to paragon level. It's a pretty cool PP. Granted, I was looking seriously at Dreadnought, but you know what? I can take Dreadnought with one of my other characters, some other day. (BTW, don't forget that Primal Power comes out soon.)

It's a funny thing -- in CRPGs, I tend to home in on the one best build for the one best character class/race/etc. combination, and stick with it. Finding that sweet spot is a lot of fun for me.

But in D&D, I would rather experience the many different styles of play. I don't expect ever to try out the Druid, Warlock or Paladin -- classes that are too flavor-constrained for my liking -- but before I'm done, I want to play each of these at least once: Cleric (20 sessions so far), Fighter (4 sessions), Ranger, Rogue, Warlord, Wizard (1 session), Swordmage, Avenger, Barbarian (starting Sunday!), Bard, Invoker, Sorcerer & Warden.

Throw in Paragon Paths, and I expect to be playing 4e for a long, long time, assuming 5e doesn't make me want to move on.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

The trouble with Barbarians is, unless you have a dedicated defender, you're going to go down pretty fast.

Just curious -- is the main problem in your experience that the Barbarian has low defenses, or that the opponents focus fire on him/her?

I have a high-Dex (ergo high-AC) Barbarian ready to roll, and I'm curious whether she will be dropping as often as you suggest.

 

[keterys]

Yep, depends what you're going for - the dreadnought free action save and its encounter attack power will increase my fun, so I'm going for those. I actually don't care about the resist all stuff.

I actually ended up multi-ing fighter cause I wanted Battle Awareness and Come and Get It, though. I'm in an all goliath-group and we compete for number of kills each combat, so Battle Awareness and Come and Get It are very useful for racking up extra attacks