Fighter multi-class into Barbarian - Question

[Chainsaw]

So.. my character started off as a fighter, but the more I develop him, the more I think he ought to shift into a barbarian (orphaned when barbarian family was killed, raised by civilized folk, now exploring his roots). This works fine thematically, I suppose, but am I creating a mechanically disadvantageous character? Any pros/cons of multi-classing a fighter into a barbarian? Anyone got any experience with such a path?

 

[Dice4Hire]

I think it is a strong multi-class as a barbarian's striker damage is in his powers, so a fighter can get a lot of nice damage out of such a shift. Plus a barbarian is strength based, so there is not conflict there. Fighters can get a lot out of multiclassing into other strength and weapon based classes.

 

[Spatula]

I think the only thing to note is that barbarian rages don't give as much benefit without the barbarian at-wills.

 

[Orcus Porkus]

My advice would depend on what you want mechanically and role-wise (striker?), and at which level you are. Please elaborate.

 

[Chainsaw]

Just turned level 3, so plenty of time to plan. The group has a sword/board fighter, warlock, cleric and Shaman - so two leaders, defender and striker. My character was sword/board fighter too, but when the other one joined, I figured I could mix it up a little. Besides, our warlock doesn't do that much damage. My mechanixal concern is that taking the multiclass makes the guy OK at defending and OK and striking, but not that effective either. I guess that's the tradeoff. Whayt I'd like is a good defender with a strikery flare now and again. I can afford to give up some defending b/c we have he other sword/board guy... But.I worry that I'll wind up diluted and ineffective at either.If I multi, I would lose the board and go two-handed.

 

[kaomera]

Just turned level 3, so plenty of time to plan. The group has a sword/board fighter, warlock, cleric and Shaman - so two leaders, defender and striker. My character was sword/board fighter too, but when the other one joined, I figured I could mix it up a little. Besides, our warlock doesn't do that much damage. My mechanixal concern is that taking the multiclass makes the guy OK at defending and OK and striking, but not that effective either. I guess that's the tradeoff. Whayt I'd like is a good defender with a strikery flare now and again. I can afford to give up some defending b/c we have he other sword/board guy... But.I worry that I'll wind up diluted and ineffective at either.If I multi, I would lose the board and go two-handed.

I think, with two leaders and another defender you should be ok if you think about what you're swapping out. Fighters can already put out pretty good damage; two-hander vs. sword & board you lose out on AC and a few nice powers, but there's certainly good stuff still available. Berserker's Fury is a nice damage bump in and of itself, and I'm sure you can find powers to swap out, but you'll probably still want to take a Fighter PP, as IIRC the Barbarian ones all feature multiple abilities / powers that key off of Rages (which you'd have at most one of...).

 

[Dan'L]

If I multi, I would lose the board and go two-handed.

What did you take as your Fighter Weapon Talent? If you took One-handed Weapon Fighting, realize you'll lose that extra +1 to hit unless your DM lets you break the RAW and retrain a class feature.

-Dan'L

 

[Chainsaw]

Good point. I bet he will.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thanks again for everyone's help!

 

[keterys]

There's a pretty cool 9th level barbarian daily that lets them mark everyone within 2 squares as a free action at start of their turn, every turn for the encounter, and +2 against marks. There are also plenty of utilities that might be worth looking at.

And yeah, the multiclass is a solid multiclass. You won't get a paragon path out of it, but there are plenty of reasons to MC barbarian.