D&D 5E Barbarian Paths

[Pantalaimon]

I play a bear barbarian (currently level 6).

We do a lot of perception checks, negotiations, etc. and frenzy exhaustion disadvantage would have been painful for those.

Also, probably half the time I would have had a bonus attack from frenzy if I was a berserker, I got a bonus attack from GWM anyways. If I had been a berserker, mindless rage would have been useful. Mindless Rage and Retaliation look like the best abilities of the berserker.

On the negative side of things, I've gotten probably zero benefit from the resistance to non-physical damage from being bear.

On the plus side for a totem warrior, I have used "Speak with Animals" in every single game session so far. Commune with Nature at 10th level looks awesome.

I agree with taking GWM to get the -5/+10 and extra attack for your bonus action when you crit or drop an enemy. I'm not a fan of the polearm master feat for barbarians.

Ooh, thanks. Incredibly useful to hear from another Barbarian.
Right, I was wondering about how much the extra resistances would play in a campaign and was going with the assumption that a large majority of damage would be physical. Again, it's mostly up to my DM and what he decide to throw out, but hearing about that would definitely go into my consideration.
I was planning on using GWM as kind of a pseudo-frenzy to help me get through battles without relying on Frenzy too much. Thinking of Frenzy as a nova ability or a panic button is what's keeping me from discounting it, altogether.
As everyone says, exhaustion would stack up quickly and its effects are pretty severe. Still, hearing about social aspects and ability checks is also certainly sobering, as it's the other half of the game and I very much enjoy that, as well.
My failsafe for my character choosing to go down the Totem Warrior path is that she has a mother she never knew(will most likely make the mother a shaman or something like that) and her strongest memory of her mother is of her giving my character five stuffed animals as a small child. My character still carries them around and goes to sleep alternating them around every night.
At Lv 3, if Berserker, all the stuffed animals disappear and she is distraught. When she frenzies, she realizes she takes on their aspects: hair will get a little longer, become white, eyes become permanently golden. Then reverts when calm.
If Totem Warrior, the Polar Bear will disappear and she will be equally distraught. When she rages, her hair will grow/become white. At Lv 6, the next animal disappears, etc.
So I can definitely go either route.
Definitely a lot still to consider.

 

[Endur]

Also don't forget that totem barbarians can take features from multiple animals. I took eyes of the eagle at 6th level.

 

[Pantalaimon]

Definitely. I was planning on doing the same, should I go down that path (her little hawk would disappear).
Still trying to decide, at the moment.

 

[hejtmane]

The other option go bear totem and then go polearm and you get the bonus attack 1d4 and at 5th level you have 2 main attacks and a bonus attack then add gwm later

 

[hejtmane]

On the negative side of things, I've gotten probably zero benefit from the resistance to non-physical damage from being bear.

That could be do your DM and what he throws at your team. I have had lots of non physical attacks in my monsters and NPC thrown hell hounds; Eldtrich Knight NPC and things like that so it all depends on your DM and how he builds your encounter

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[hejtmane]

I was thinking that there should be a enworld drinking game.

Every time someone writes that you should take the polearm feat, you take a drink.

But then again, I'm not sure I'm ready for that "Nic Cage in Leaving Las Vegas"-level imbibing yet.

Between that and GWM you would never be sober

 

[Pantalaimon]

Just read the Berserker Fix topic...
I don't ever want to see the phrase 'Polearm Master' ever again...

 

[Pantalaimon]

It should be noted that -BEAR- is considered stronger than Berzerker, but only when comparing level 3, and not necessarily Wolf, Panther, or Eagle. Levels 6 and 10 are more powerful (combat wise) for the Berzerker, and level 14 is roughly on par (Berzker deals more damage, Bear encourages opponents to attack her). Immunity to charm and being freightened can be pretty huge benefit - that encompasses the overwhelming majority of mind control effects, and prevents a large source of Rage-ending magic from hitting you. And Intimidating Presence is a pretty kick ass social ability.

Which one's Panther?
Also, how would you use Intimidating Presence as a social ability?

 

[Mephista]

I meant Tiger, its from Sword Coast Adventure Guide, along with Elk. You basically use Tiger for all your cat totem needs.

As for Intimidating Presence? It inflicts the Frighten Condition, which has three effects - can't move closer to source of fear, disadvantage on attack rolls, and disadvantage on ability checks. That last one is what's important for socializing - it means that they're too scared to tell if you're lying, to notice your rogue friend sneaking past them, to shrug off your other Intimidate attempts to get them to do something. Hells, challenge somemone to a betting game, and use Intimidating Presence to give your opponents disadvantage. Basically, use it anytime you don't want someone to resist what you're doing.