Barbarian's Damage Reduction

[Kai Lord]

In general how do people feel about a high-level Barbarian's damage reduction? Aside from having the tres cool ability to laugh at an oncoming Creeping Doom which does *no* damage, is 2,3, or 4 points of damage reduction against high level foes really that much of a benefit?

 

[Crothian]

In general how do people feel about a high-level Barbarian's damage reduction? Aside from having the tres cool ability to laugh at an oncoming Creeping Doom which does *no* damage, is 2,3, or 4 points of damage reduction against high level foes really that much of a benefit?

It adds up fast. Combine the DR with a lot of hit points. Sure, things that whap you for 25+ damage consistanly, this will be less efective against. But still it helps.

The 20th level NPC Barbarian from the DMG has 175hp. You can bet any PC will have much more. For this example I'm using a CR 18 Balor. Again, right out of the MM with nothing extra. It does 2d6+8 damage. Average of 15. It'll take about 12 hits to reduce a 175hp thing to below 0 for a Balor. With the DR of the barbarian it'll take 16 hits. That would be about an extra few rounds the Barbarian will stay alive.

 

[SableWyvern]

As Crothian stated, it adds up.

DR 4/- is roughly equivalent to having a maximised cure light (caster level 5+) cast on the character after every three hits against him. Or a standard cure light cast after every two hits.

 

[Kai Lord]

Interesting points. Another thing I hadn't thought of, a 17th level Barbarian could damage an iron golem with his bare hands. Not many characters can do that (or would probably want to.)

 

[kreynolds]

Interesting points. Another thing I hadn't thought of, a 17th level Barbarian could damage an iron golem with his bare hands. Not many characters can do that (or would probably want to.)

No, he couldn't. A barbarian's innate damage reduction does not allow him to bypass any other creature's damage reduction, not even another barbarian's.

 

[Kai Lord]

No, he couldn't. A barbarian's innate damage reduction does not allow him to bypass any other creature's damage reduction, not even another barbarian's.

Ah yes. Just reread the damage reduction rules in the DMG. Since the number behind the slash for the barbarian is just "-" then his bare-handed attacks count as nothing against another's DR.

 

[kreynolds]

Ah yes. Just reread the damage reduction rules in the DMG. Since the number behind the slash for the barbarian is just "-" then his bare-handed attacks count as nothing against another's DR.

Hey, it's totally cool, dude. There was quite a thread about this issue a while back.

 

[gfunk]

Hey, it's totally cool, dude. There was quite a thread about this issue a while back.

Yes, and I fully agree with the last poster on the thread. I say give the high-level barbarian the ability to penetrate DR with his bare hands.

He can punch the Great Wyrm if he wants, provoking an attack of opportunity that does 4d8+24 points of damage in exchange for doing 1d3+Str of subdual damage (if he hits).