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Barbarian 'Unarmored Defense'
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<blockquote data-quote="ruy343" data-source="post: 7184650" data-attributes="member: 6897006"><p><strong>On Barbarians and their hatred for protective clothing...</strong></p><p></p><p>I haven't seen anyone make the following point yet:</p><p></p><p>Constitution -> more HP -> more mileage out of Rage's damage resistance</p><p></p><p>If you're starting out with a standard array for stats (which I quite prefer), you've basically got two attribute build options: a +3 stat in Str, Dex, or Con, with 14s in the other two, or a 12 or 13 into dexterity while having 16s in Strength and Constitution. I highly recommend the second path. Overall, it grants the barbarian the same starting armor class (14 without a shield), but it grants the barbarian more hit points with which they can tank damage while raging, and resist effects that they don't get advantage against (more on this in a moment). </p><p></p><p>In addition to the rage feature, the level 2 abilities really synergize with this recommendation. Reckless attack makes it much easier for enemies to hit you (though you get to swing at them first), so having an armor class 2-3 points higher really isn't all that important (and at higher levels, monsters get +11 or more to hit, so an ultra-high AC still doesn't really help that much). I know that someone's going to come by with lots of math to say that it helps by x amount per y attacks, blah blah blah, but the extra endurance that constitution grants in addition to boosting hit point maximums (i.e. more hp per hit dice during a rest, resistance to poison, etc.) can pay off out of combat too.</p><p></p><p>The other level 2 ability, Danger Sense, lets barbarians overcome the hurdle of a lesser dexterity score by granting advantage on dexterity saving throws that they can see coming, which happens to be most of them (per the description, it applies to traps, spells when they can see the caster, and others). The combination of these two features enable a barbarian to survive without a high dexterity, and they synergize with the idea that a barbarian can increase his strength and constitution at every possible opportunity. In fact, it reduces the MADness of the barbarian, by allowing him to focus on his <em>strengths</em> (get it? <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite6" alt=":cool:" title="Cool :cool:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":cool:" />)</p><p></p><p>Yes, the high-dex build is feasible, and works well if coupled with a rogue multiclass, but Barbarians are renowned for being strong warriors, and their <em>Rage</em> feature does boost their physical strength to allow them to accomplish incredible athletic feats in combat.</p><p></p><p>Besides, with all those muscles, they probably can't scratch that spot on their backs (which is what goblin corpses are for - back scratchers!)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ruy343, post: 7184650, member: 6897006"] [b]On Barbarians and their hatred for protective clothing...[/b] I haven't seen anyone make the following point yet: Constitution -> more HP -> more mileage out of Rage's damage resistance If you're starting out with a standard array for stats (which I quite prefer), you've basically got two attribute build options: a +3 stat in Str, Dex, or Con, with 14s in the other two, or a 12 or 13 into dexterity while having 16s in Strength and Constitution. I highly recommend the second path. Overall, it grants the barbarian the same starting armor class (14 without a shield), but it grants the barbarian more hit points with which they can tank damage while raging, and resist effects that they don't get advantage against (more on this in a moment). In addition to the rage feature, the level 2 abilities really synergize with this recommendation. Reckless attack makes it much easier for enemies to hit you (though you get to swing at them first), so having an armor class 2-3 points higher really isn't all that important (and at higher levels, monsters get +11 or more to hit, so an ultra-high AC still doesn't really help that much). I know that someone's going to come by with lots of math to say that it helps by x amount per y attacks, blah blah blah, but the extra endurance that constitution grants in addition to boosting hit point maximums (i.e. more hp per hit dice during a rest, resistance to poison, etc.) can pay off out of combat too. The other level 2 ability, Danger Sense, lets barbarians overcome the hurdle of a lesser dexterity score by granting advantage on dexterity saving throws that they can see coming, which happens to be most of them (per the description, it applies to traps, spells when they can see the caster, and others). The combination of these two features enable a barbarian to survive without a high dexterity, and they synergize with the idea that a barbarian can increase his strength and constitution at every possible opportunity. In fact, it reduces the MADness of the barbarian, by allowing him to focus on his [I]strengths[/I] (get it? :cool:) Yes, the high-dex build is feasible, and works well if coupled with a rogue multiclass, but Barbarians are renowned for being strong warriors, and their [I]Rage[/I] feature does boost their physical strength to allow them to accomplish incredible athletic feats in combat. Besides, with all those muscles, they probably can't scratch that spot on their backs (which is what goblin corpses are for - back scratchers!) [/QUOTE]
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