Drop Trap Sense from the Barbarian in exchange for...?

[Gregor]

further to a thread I have running over here: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=194328 I am trying to figure out something to add to the Barbarian.

In my setting, Barbarians are Berzerkers and, asides from some fluff changes, operate exactly like Barbarians in the PHB. However, I want to remove the Trap Sense ability because I dont think it really fits the class.

I want something that reflects the idea of a Berzerker, someone who gives themselves over to their red thirst, stopping only when their enemies have been slain.

Would it be too much to give them Toughness for free? Or how about Die Hard?

Is that over-the-top?

 

[Ltheb Silverfrond]

Perhaps a class feature that can give them further bonuses while in rage? Or, if you take both ideas - They get virtual feats, ala Ranger, while raging. But only while raging. I would make any feats you give them non-standard choices. Giving a class free feat X hurts them if they could normally take that feat before you give it to them.

 

[Emirikol]

Why DO barbarians have "trap sense?"

There's no sense in bbn's having "Trap Sense." Only Rogues should have anything to do with traps.

jh

 

[Gregor]

Why DO barbarians have "trap sense?"

There's no sense in bbn's having "Trap Sense." Only Rogues should have anything to do with traps.

jh

I agree ... now help me replace it with something

 

[Storyteller01]

My two cents:

Get a hold of HoHF: Half Orcs. There are many rage feats that you migh be interested in. I'd replace the trap sense progression with a free rage feat progression, with the barbarian gaining a rage feat when they would have gained trap sense +2, +4, and +6. It might seem powerful, but the extra abilities would be balanced by the fewer rages per day available if you used them all the time. If it's too powerful, you can exchange the trap sense series for one feat.

A basic description of some of these rage feats (note: all require you to spend an extra rage to activate):
- Adrenal Healing: you gain fast healing one while you rage
- Berserk Rage: You have the power attack, cleave, and great cleave feats while you rage. However, you must attack the closest target, be it friend or foe.
- Boar's Hide: You increase your DR by 1. Note: expending multiple rages allows you to increase your DR by one each time. Example: expending three of your daily rages increases your DR by 3 while you rage. This is in addition to your intial rage.
- Focused Rage: You gain the Improved Critical feat while you rage, regardless of weapon used.
- Stag's Heart: You gain an additional move action while raging.
- Bull's Health: You can re-roll a failed poison or disease save. You don't have to be raging to use it.


Some examples that don't require expending extra rages:
- Mersiless Rage: while raging you can commit a CdG as a standard action.
- Wolf's Cunning: if your flanking someone while raging, you do not suffer the usual -2 to AC from raging against that opponent.


Hope this helps.

 

[Storyteller01]

Another option is the tribal/totem focus in the same book. In effect, you get a +1 to one skill in a given list at first level. Every time you take certain feats (depends on your focus) you gain another +1 bonus. This is an unnamed bonus that stackes with itself.

Some examples:
Tribal skill list: Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Sense Motive, and Survival

Totem skill list: Handle Animal, Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Survival

Sample Tribe: The Horse Lords feat list: Leadership, Mounited Combat, Refined Skill Focus (Ride) (feat introduced in the book), and Trample

Sample Totem: Wolf: Dodge, Spring Attack, Track, Wolf's Cunning

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Trapsense is generally a pretty weak ability IME. I guess it depends on how trap happy your DM is and weather or not your party is any good at finding them.

That said it should be replaced with a weak ability because trapsense is a weak ability.

 

[Brain]

Trapsense is generally a pretty weak ability IME. I guess it depends on how trap happy your DM is and weather or not your party is any good at finding them.

That said it should be replaced with a weak ability because trapsense is a weak ability.

I concur.

My idea:

Let them use Strength instead of Charisma for intimidate skill rolls, and also give a bonus to intimidate mirroring the trap sense progression.

 

[monboesen]

Exchange it for the ability mentioned above and literacy.


Thats plenty compensation for such a meager and situational ability.

 

[Gregor]

I concur.

My idea:

Let them use Strength instead of Charisma for intimidate skill rolls, and also give a bonus to intimidate mirroring the trap sense progression.

Thats really awesome. I like that alot.