D&D 5E Barbarian Multiclass

[Tapkill]

Is there a barbarian variant or anything that allows a Dex barbarian?

 

[DEFCON 1]

I seem to recall on reddit's Unearthed Arcana forum that someone had made a DEX-based barabarian sub-class at one point. Don't recall exactly the name of it unfortunately... but if you head over there and do a search for barbarian sub-classes, you might be able to find one.

 

[Jester David]

I did a two-weapon Dexy barbarian for my giant slayer book:
http://www.dmsguild.com/product/191482/5MWD-Presents-The-Giant-Killers-Companion

If you have a DMsGuild/ DriveThru account PM me your email and I'll send you a review copy. Or you could buy one.

 

[Kobold Stew]

A dex barbarian is already "allowed", it just isn't optimized.

Building a barbarian without Strength has an immediate impact on the way Rages work, since you lose out on the bonus damage (+2 per attack, growing to +4 by level 16) and on Reckless Attack (2) (which is itself a bit of a wash anyways, with the benefits being countered by a penalty). That’s the cost of doing business. Since Dexterity attacks synergize with Unarmored Defense, this is a choice that is still made, and there is nothing especially unconventional about a Dex-based barbarian.

 

[mellored]

Dex barbs do ok. Rage still gives resistance, along with Dex+Con to AC and shields allows them to be super tanky, just not much damage. You just want to grab sentinel or something to help enemies waste their attacks against you.

 

[Jester David]

Nevermind. Misread.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Actually... the rage bonus only applies to Strength attacks. As does Reckless attack.

Yup... and so you lose out on both of them, as I said.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

You don't have to dump Str though and can still reckless attack with two weapons and use strength for the attack and damage roll and you may even be ahead of your dex based attacks. Especially when dual wielding.

You can also use a bow and be extremely flexible. Eagle totem synergizes well with that.

You can add some fighter or rogue into the mix and be super effective.
Only thing I would not do: Str 8.