BookBarbarian
Expert Long Rester
Welcome to the lovely world of Barbarians!
Going with Warhammer opens up two paths for you (and closes a few others, but let's gloss over that) Hammer and Shield, or Hammer and Freehand for grappling.
If going the Shield route I say grab Shield Master, and use the advantage from Rage to get the most out of that bonus action shove. For Grappler I'd honestly just ignore feats and max strength pretty quickly(Unless the Brawny feat from UA is available. If available take that).
For sub-classes Totem is powerful, but in my mind not that thematic for a dwarf. Berserker has the great charm and fear immunity while raging, but punishing yourself with exhaustion gets old fast. Battlerager is very thematic for a dwarf, but limits you to one set of armor that is very sub-par. If you can work with your DM to get spiked Half-Plate it gets better. In my game, i just hand wave the armor stuff, and let the Battlerager use it's abilities with any armor, or even a lack thereof. Thre are a bunch of ways to fluff it like say a spiked glove. It also gets a bonus action unarmed strike while raging, and a very slight damage bonus while grappling. the THP is pretty small, and it requires you to be raging and recklessly attacking.
If UA is allowed you have two thematic options in the Zealot and the Ancestral Guardians Barb. The first is good at damage, and takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The Second, is a great party tank, and since dwarves revere their ancestors, calling them to your aid is a pretty good fit in my book.
If looking to maximize damage I say go Zealot. Defense, Ancestral Guardians.
Going with Warhammer opens up two paths for you (and closes a few others, but let's gloss over that) Hammer and Shield, or Hammer and Freehand for grappling.
If going the Shield route I say grab Shield Master, and use the advantage from Rage to get the most out of that bonus action shove. For Grappler I'd honestly just ignore feats and max strength pretty quickly(Unless the Brawny feat from UA is available. If available take that).
For sub-classes Totem is powerful, but in my mind not that thematic for a dwarf. Berserker has the great charm and fear immunity while raging, but punishing yourself with exhaustion gets old fast. Battlerager is very thematic for a dwarf, but limits you to one set of armor that is very sub-par. If you can work with your DM to get spiked Half-Plate it gets better. In my game, i just hand wave the armor stuff, and let the Battlerager use it's abilities with any armor, or even a lack thereof. Thre are a bunch of ways to fluff it like say a spiked glove. It also gets a bonus action unarmed strike while raging, and a very slight damage bonus while grappling. the THP is pretty small, and it requires you to be raging and recklessly attacking.
If UA is allowed you have two thematic options in the Zealot and the Ancestral Guardians Barb. The first is good at damage, and takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The Second, is a great party tank, and since dwarves revere their ancestors, calling them to your aid is a pretty good fit in my book.
If looking to maximize damage I say go Zealot. Defense, Ancestral Guardians.
