Help me build a barbarian

[LGodamus]

Ok I am in a 28 point buy game..and I am gonna play a barbarian, and I gotta be the group tank..so I need some help making him be able to survive, since my forte is building spellcasters......and I am used to DMing not playing.

 

[Endur]

Str and Con and and Dex and Two Handed Sword and make friends with clerics (buff spells).

Feats? Power Attack, Cleave, Weapon Focus, maybe Great Cleave

 

[LGodamus]

well I have decided on a weapon...I am using an upsized war hammer called great hammer..2 handed....and I have my personality and background just no build yet

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Have you picked a race yet? Half-orc is an obvious choice, but dwarf and human shouldn't be overlooked (dwarf for CON for HP's since your AC is going to suck anyways and human for the extra feat since barbarians don't get too many of those).

28 point buy... hmmm

STR 16 (10)
DEX 14 (6)
CON 16 (10)
INT 8 (0)
WIS 10 (2)
CHA 8 (0)

I made a dwarven fighter, and I think I'm going to like having the Knockdown feat (prereq Improved Trip, Expertise, Int 13, from S&F). Basically, every time I hit someone for 10 points of damage or more, I get a free trip attempt. Taking away my enemies attacks will go a long way towards making me survive longer.

In 3.5, this is an even better tactic, since you'll get AoO's when your fallen foes try to stand up. For this build, I'd go

Dwarven Barbarian

STR 16 (10)
DEX 10 (2)
CON 16 (10) +2
INT 13 (5)
WIS 9 (1)
CHA 8 (0) -2

Feat1: Expertise
Feat3: Improved Trip
Feat6: Knockdown

hmmm... what level do you start at? I'm thinking mixing Barbarian with Fighter might be a good idea to get those feats faster. If you do get that, don't forget Iron Will.

Hope this helps.

AR

 

[LGodamus]

I have picked human..sorry forgot to mention that..

and I have to start at level 1

I am planning to multi between fighter and barb....somewhat close to evenly I guess, at least for the first while

 

[Uruush]

Ok I am in a 28 point buy game..and I am gonna play a barbarian, and I gotta be the group tank..so I need some help making him be able to survive, since my forte is building spellcasters......and I am used to DMing not playing.

Most will recommend half-orc with high STR with low INT, WIS, and CHA with Power Attack and Cleave, but if survivability is key, I'd recommend a human with

STR 14
DEX 14
CON 16
INT 12
WIS 10
CHA 8

Start with Combat Reflexes and Dodge. The relatively high Int is to go to Int 13 at level 4 and do the whole Expertise (very defensive) thing moving towards Spring Attack (good with Barb movement) and eventually Whirlwind.

At 1st level, get in between enemies and the rest of the party and fight defensively most of the time, making additional AoO on any that try to get past. With your high HP, your job is to mostly keep the baddies occupied and protect the party spell casters and archers.

You could substitute Combat Reflexes with Mobility to get to Spring Attack earlier, depending on whether you are planning on taking Fighter levels later.

That's how I'd do it, but I'm sure you'll get other good ideas.

 

[nikolai]

well I have decided on a weapon...I am using an upsized war hammer called great hammer..2 handed....and I have my personality and background just no build yet

Some ideas on feats, I think the most aggressive choices are:

Power Attack and Cleave: a lethal combination at low levels. With a big weapon and a strength bonus, you'll pretty much automatically take down any standard critters (kobolds, goblins, orcs) and get a free attack.

Improved Initiative and Weapon Focus: If you can hit them first they won't always get a chance to hit second.

A two-handed warhammer is one of the first weapons I stated in my Weapon-a-Week thread. You might want to look at it, the link is below.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Regarding the 2-handed warhammer, are we talking about a FR-introduced maul here?

I agree with nikolai that you should hit first, and hit hard. You'll want to avoid as much as possible retaliation attacks (ie kill them before they have time to kill you).

AR

 

[LGodamus]

no the maul in comlete warrior can be handled in one hand with a feat ..kinda like a bastard sword of the hammer world ,..so I just up sized a warhammer to 2 handed for the great hammer....2d6 damage and x3 crit martial weapon

 

[Endur]

If you are doing pure-barbarian, here are my feat selections.

level 1: Power Attack, Cleave. Cleave is awesome at low levels.

level 3: Weapon Focus

level 6: Improved Initiative

level 9: Improved Critical

level 12: Improved Bull Rush

level 15: Shock Warrior (Complete Warrior)

level 18: Great Cleave

level 21: Overwhelming Critical (epic)

level 24: Combat Reflexes, Devestating Critical (epic)

level 27: Dire Charge (epic)

level 30: Spellcasting Harrier (epic), Terrifying Rage (epic)

This progression assumes Barbarian for levels 1-25, Legendary Dreadnought (epic prc) for levels 26+