High AC Barbarian

[Erywin]

.....I keep trying to convince someone to play a halfling Rog/Bbn...I think it'd be great fun!

*yoink* might give this a shot for an NPC concept I had How about 6 of these guys running around all over the place? Watch out for your ankles!!

Cheers,
E

 

[The Souljourner]

Dwarves make great barbarians. Extra Con is always good (especially in this build where rage doesn't give con), plus they don't lose movement in medium armor (really the same as if they had 30' and did lose it, but don't pick nits with me). Dwarves get free dwarven war axe proficiency, which is perfect for this build, plus they get a ton of extra abilities - better saves against magic and poison, better resistance to bullrush, darkvision(!)... plus dwarven barbarians are just inherently cool.

So basically it's like you picked a human who loses a skillpoint per level, gains +2 con, darkvision, and a bunch of nifty little extras.

I like the idea of small sized barbarians packing a lot of punch into a small package.

I don't think this particular concept meshes all that well with rogues (since rogues usually want to be sneaky and big heavy armor != sneaky).... but a rogue/barbarian in and of itself is a pretty cool idea.

-Nate

 

[Erywin]

While in a whirling frenzy, the barbarian may make one extra attack in a round at his highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a -2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the barbarian might make before his next action.

From the SRD about Whirling Frenzy

Does this mean that the Barb doesn't have to take a full attack action to get this bonus attack? Say a 5th level Dwarf Barb, can move 30' and then attack twice? Sounds like awesomesauce to me!!

Cheers,
E

 

[The Souljourner]

Certainly looks that way. Probably not what they intended. Actually, according to that wording, you could double move and still make one "extra" attack.

Poorly worded. I'd play it like rapid shot - you have to make a full attack to get the extra attack.

-Nate

 

[hong]

Well, the combat chapter does say that to make more than one attack in a round, you need to take the full attack action. All exceptions to this rule are explicitly stated.

 

[Erywin]

Just realized a Dwarven Barb in Mithril Fullplate could still Tumble at 30' base movement albeit with a hefty penalty due to the armor and shield.

 

[The Souljourner]

Sure, he could tumble, not sure why he'd bother, and he'd look awfully silly. Better not let the other dwarven barbarians see him twirling about like a nancy elf.

-Nate

 

[Old Gumphrey]

I don't think this particular concept meshes all that well with rogues (since rogues usually want to be sneaky and big heavy armor != sneaky).... but a rogue/barbarian in and of itself is a pretty cool idea.

-Nate

+4 size bonus to hide checks, +2 racial bonus to move silent, +2 racial bonus to Dexterity...

I don't understand why when people add rogue levels they suddenly think the character has to skulk around and backstab. Must be hangover from 2e.

But what's this about big, heavy armor? Mithral fullplate only has what, -3 ACP? Same as masterwork breastplate. Big deal. Chances are you're not the party's stealth scout anyway so you are free to ignore it.

This guy would get sneak attacks due to flanking and hideously high initiative rolls, not sneaking up on people. You no longer fear melee due to your ridiculous AC number and at least 50% of the time you should be dealing damage on par with a medium-size barbarian. You do lose out on hit points, but you will gain a lot of useful skills (Tumble!).

 

[hong]

The dwarf ftr/barb (4 ftr levels for Weapon Spec and Melee Weapon Mastery, ya know) in AOW had 10 ranks in Tumble, just for the acrobatics-in-full-plate thing. It was amazing the number of times he'd roll a 3 when he needed a 4 to tumble past a monster. But he never got more than 10 ranks because he considered it cheesy. Funny guy.

 

[Erywin]

Yeah it was more for the hilarity factor rather than anything practical

Re: Barb/Rog, I think it would definately have merit as an awesome support fighter and an awesome character to roleplay!! I am a BIG MEAN Halfling?

Cheers,
E

edit: Weren't there a bunch of feats in I believe Races of the Wild that helped small folk kill the bigger folk easier?