character concept, what do you think

[punkorange]

I am starting a new character in a campaign a friend is going to pick up. I am starting him at third level, and he is going to level barbarian and sorcerer back and forth. So right now he is human bar2/sorc1. His battle rages aren't the "ooh im pissed, i'll kill you" rage, it is more like he is overcome with arcane energy and unable to properly control it (barbarian). As he levels up, he can guide that energy into spells (sorcerer).

What do you think. Can you recommend any feats or spells for this type of character. Even some good books to check would be helpful.

 

[Thanee]

I thought about playing a barbarian/sorcerer or barbarian/wizard already and will probably do so at some point.

Good idea: Don't go higher with the barbarian levels! Level up the sorcerer and then head for Eldritch Knight (Dungeon Master's Guide)! In fact, it would be even better to leave the barbarian at 1st and only level the sorcerer to 6th from there, and then enter the prestige class.

Good feats: Extra Rage (Complete Warrior), Arcane Strike (Complete Warrior), Practiced Spellcaster (Complete Arcane/Divine). Plus the usual suspects, like Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Trip, and so on.

Good spells: Since you will be fairly decent in melee combat, you don't need many combat spells. Look out for utility and buff spells mostly.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Magonus]

IMO, I think a more workable (but still with the same flavor) would be a barb2/warmage1.

Either way, a few good feats might be Draconic Heritage (Red or Bronze), along with another of the Draconic feats from Complete Arcane. That would follow with the idea that sorcerors have draconic heritage as is, thus accounting for the extra strength (aka uncontrollability) of the arcane force.

Since you'll likely be involved in more melee combat than a normal caster, weapon focus and specialization (touch spell) might not be a bad pair to take.

Also Battle Casting from Races of the Wild, since you're likely to suffer more attacks of opportunity than most casters. And Intimidating Rage from Complete Warrior is always fun and fits with the arcaneness of your rages.


That's all I can think of, hope some of it helped

 

[Rystil Arden]

I am starting a new character in a campaign a friend is going to pick up. I am starting him at third level, and he is going to level barbarian and sorcerer back and forth. So right now he is human bar2/sorc1. His battle rages aren't the "ooh im pissed, i'll kill you" rage, it is more like he is overcome with arcane energy and unable to properly control it (barbarian). As he levels up, he can guide that energy into spells (sorcerer).

What do you think. Can you recommend any feats or spells for this type of character. Even some good books to check would be helpful.

Heh, I know it won't quite work for your system (too powerful, its balanced for my own stronger classes), but you might want to check out the variant Spellfrenzied class in this thread and this post.

Its exactly your concept, in a new base class

 

[blargney the second]

I'd go for spells like Cause Fear and Emotion - he can inflict his lack of emotional control upon his enemies.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Good idea: Don't go higher with the barbarian levels! Level up the sorcerer and then head for Eldritch Knight (Dungeon Master's Guide)! In fact, it would be even better to leave the barbarian at 1st and only level the sorcerer to 6th from there, and then enter the prestige class.

Good feats: Extra Rage (Complete Warrior), Arcane Strike (Complete Warrior), Practiced Spellcaster (Complete Arcane/Divine). Plus the usual suspects, like Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Trip, and so on.

Good spells: Since you will be fairly decent in melee combat, you don't need many combat spells. Look out for utility and buff spells mostly.

I will second most of this, with a couple exceptions-- I'd leave Improved Trip behind. A Barbarian/Sorceror has to focus on a lot of different stats, and I can't see them having any room leftover for a 13+ Int unless you're rolling in ability modifiers.

I'd also recommend Rage Mage over Eldritch Knight-- it's in Complete Warrior, and it's largely focused around the Barbarian/Sorceror.

 

[Thanee]

Right. Rage Mage would also work rather well.

I like Eldritch Knight better (almost full spell progression and full BAB), tho.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Storyteller01]

Stop me ifyou don't want OGL sources...

FFG has a barbarian/sorcerer prc that allows you to gain draconis features as you rage (claws, bite, breath weapon, flight, etc). The higher level in the PrC, the better the ability available. It's similar to the Dragon Disciple without having the obvious features active 24/7.

It also allows you to sacrifice spells to extend your rage.

The catch is that the class doesn't add to the sorcerer's spell casting ability. It only gives you options to allow magic to improve your rage (mainly the extention of said rage). It DOES give the best BaB though.

 

[Quickbeam]

I also like the Rage Mage concept suggested above, and think that your list of spells should focus on allowing you to approach enemies to vent your Barbarian fury in melee. For spells at lower levels I'd suggest things like Web, Color Spray, Blindness, Spider Climb, and Hold Person. As for feats, Extra/Extend Rage are always nice as are Power Attack/Cleave. You might also want to consider Improved Initiative to pounce on opponents with spells before wading into combat, or many of the feats designed around AoO, flanking, and combat defense in Complete Warrior and the Ultimate Book of Feats.

BTW, cool character concept. It's nice to hear a interesting rationale for less common class combinations.

 

[blargney the second]

You might want to consider specializing in spells without somatic components so you can cast them without fear of arcane spell failure. True Strike, Blindness/Deafness, and Blur are all great low-level options, especially for a melee-focussed character!

-blarg

EDIT: Forgot to mention that Dragon Disciple is an odd prestige class, but it might just fit what you're looking for!