D&D 5E Are Barbarian’s “Meh”

[pming]

Hiya!

Nope, Barbarians are not "Meh". It's the players that are "Meh".
I've seen players back in the day when we had Fighter, Magic-User, Cleric, Thief, Dwarf, Elf and Halfling. Period. (yes, B/X). In those games we've had a dual-wielding 'Aztec warrior' with two swords made of hardwood with pieces of obsidian resin-glued into it for the edges, full 'battle plumage' along his arm bands, helmet, etc, wearing a leopard skin 'leather armor'. He got ONE attack a round and had AC 5 or 6 (Dexterity bonus). We've had a Halfling "explorer"...complete with round spectacles, a classic '1920's explorer hat', vest, and more mundane equipment than normal so that he could record and document everything he came across. We've had Magic-Users wielding two-handed swords (poorly!), Clerics being 'Druids', and Thieves that did no REAL 'theving' because they were pirates...move silently, hide in shadows and the very rare pick pocket was used (you know, like pirates do).

How as all of this even possible if it's "all the classes fault" for not "letting the player do what they want"? The only conclusion I can see is...those players (and be extension, DM's) are the "Meh", not the classes/rules.

So, to all those players who want to play a barbarian that can just 'berzerk all over the place'...don't look at the books for answers. Look to yourself and your DM...and them make it up as needed.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

There does seem to be a lot of judgmental comments about how people play in this thread.

 

[PsyzhranV2]

There does seem to be a lot of judgmental comments about how people play in this thread. There is no RIGHT way to play D&D.

Judgmental comments about how people play

Yep, one of those topics, one of those days. Move along, ignore all the old men and qomen yelling at clouds.

 

[Wiseblood]

I have often wanted to play a barbarian ever since 3e came out. I am finally playing a barbarian now. It is a lizard man. I felt the mechanics fit and the flavor fit.

The mechanics of the class and it’s flavor were usually what stopped me from playing it. I never felt that it modeled what I envisioned as a barbarian. It certainly didn’t do it better than other classes.

It was something I played in 2e. It was not the class. The class was fighter. Paladins were non-existent and rogues were not combat machines with multiple attacks and round to round high damage. It then fell to fighter (and occasionally the Ranger) to carry the load. They were the best at fighting and it wasn’t even close. Now the low end has picked up and in many ways surpassed in power and utility of both classes inside and outside of combat.

So yeah, I think the class is meh because of unnecessary flavor and stifling mechanics. I may play another barbarian but much like now, I hope I am killed before I get bored.

 

[Todd Roybark]

Folks, making a memorable role played character is not proof that a class may not have a deficiency of pizzaz. If every class can be role played well, then citing examples of said role playing does not really mean much, evidentially.

A Chevy metro can have a wild paint job, but a Ford Futura with a beige paint job is going to stop most people in their tracks.

Mike Mearls wrote a game called Iron Heroes....The Beserker class did not rage, but had a Fury Token pool...get hit get a token which you spent to fuel attacks and powers.

Cool game mechanics can inspire. For myself if two great role players give up on a class, then that indicates to me, like the proverbial Canary in the Coal mine, that there might be an issue.

As for the "only players are meh" crowd, go ahead and breath deep....you even have my permission to go to your garage, close the doors and start your car. /Sarcasm (do not try at home)/

 

[BookBarbarian]

Mike Mearls wrote a game called Iron Heroes....The Beserker class did not rage, but had a Fury Token pool...get hit get a token which you spent to fuel attacks and powers.

I would love an Iron Heroes for 5e.

 

[Morrus]

For some reason I read the thread title as Are Barbarians "Men"? I was like, what does that even mean?

 

[BookBarbarian]

For some reason I read the thread title as Are Barbarians "Men"? I was like, what does that even mean?

Barbarians: Are we not men?
A: We are Devo!

 

[Wiseblood]

Barbarians: Are we not men?
A: We are Devo!

Barbarians don’t use whips! Do they?!?

 

[Oofta]

Why is it an issue if barbarian isn't a good fit for everyone? A lot of times I enjoy playing "simple" PCs with minimal mechanics. I don't get a chance to play often and honestly I just don't want to think too hard when I'm playing the game instead of DMing.

I like that some of the 5E classes are "boring", because that gives me more of my limited game time brain space to focus on characterization and having fun playing. Different strokes for different folks.