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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rowport" data-source="post: 4540748" data-attributes="member: 9729">I thought I would throw out my playtest observations, but will do it as a quick summary since it really echoes lots of posts already here.I am playing in the Forgotten Realms RPGA, with all chargen following those rules.  My character is Durg Heavyheft, a Dwarf Barbarian that uses a Rage technique he learned from Pwent's Gutbusters.  (I mention that because I found it very easy to ignore the fluff that assumes a "primal" background; my party did not even realize that he was a Barbarian until well into a combat since he looked and acted like a Fighter.)Stats: STR 16 CON 16 DEX 11 INT 8 WIS 16 CHA 12Feats: Chain proficiencySkills: Athletics, Endurance, PerceptionEquipment: greatsword, throwing hammers, chainmailPowers:  At-Will: Howling Strike, Recuperating Strike  Encounter: Avalanche Strike  Daily: Bloodhunt RagePlaytest:* Barbarians do tremendous damage, but are very sqwishy.  Even with the chainmail proficiency, my AC is only 16 and my other defenses are also very low (Ref 10!).  The tricky part about this is that unlike defenders who can root in place and wait for healing, to make the most of his abilities a Barbarian charges frequently.  I got into hit point trouble frequently.* I absolutely love Rampage.  Getting excited about having a critical is fun enough, but then another Free Action basic attack is just icing on the cake.  I found myself wondering whether there is a 4e version of a wider critical threat range like the 3e falchion or scimitar-- that would be really great for a Barbarian.* Using Howling Strike with a charge was my default attack.  It rocks.  Great damage, and great "Hulk Smash!" visuals.* Avalanche Strike is tricky.  It does huge damage-- I one-hitted a homunculi with it-- but you only want to use it far away from other enemies or risk being a pin cushion with your lower AC.* Only having one Rage per day makes the class a bit more tactical than it first seems.  Because of all the other powers that get better with Rage you do not want to waste it on a lesser-battle, you really need it with BBEG.  Even just the difference of temp hit points from 3 to 8 is really significant.* I like the Skill choices, but kind of regret the reduction to only three trained Skills.  I preferred the 3e model here.  But, I like Skills.That's it!  I will update again after playing more.  I plan to take the full series of armor proficiency feats, chainmail, scale, and plate.  It seems boring to do that, but the higher AC should help quite a bit, more than extra hit points in my opinion.</blockquote>

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