How many chumps can a Lvl 20 Barb take?

[Stalker0]

Inspired by another thread, I was curious...just how many first level chumps could a barb be expected to take out?

Here's the setup: 1st level warriors, all using a longbow, one shot a round.

Mr. Dwarven Barb....full fortification armor with displacement cloak (50% miss chance), +5 str mighty composite + 5 longbow of speed with rapid shot. Con 39 (20 + 5 + 6 amulet + 8 mighty rage). DR 6/-1 (5+ barb feat that gives 1 more DR). I could get fancier with the equipment, but let's just see what he can do with the basics.

Assumptions:
1) Barb gets 6 shots a round (4 + 1 rapid shot + 1 speed)
2) Barb will kill a man with every hit shot (+5 str + 1d8 + 5 magic against 10 + con hp, assuming 10 con), only misses on a 1.
3) Archers only hit on a 20, cannot crit (from above), and miss on the 20 half the time due to displacement.
4) Barb will know to rage when his hp is low.
5) Fight till Barb hits 0 hp.
6) Archers get to fire first (why not
7) Barb's got enough arrows to get it done.
8) HP = 416 hp (max at 1st, 6.5 per level after, rounded up).
With this, I calculate a 20th level barb can completely take out an army of 714 guys. Um...yeah that's pretty epic

 

[TerraDave]

It is and it isn't. From the relevant info in the DMG it isn't that hard to get together 700 warriors and give them longbows. Should be a lot easier then finding a 20th level barbarian.

Of course, he does take them out all at range, that is impressive

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I'd expect him to be able to take more than the number of guys you stated.

 

[Brain]

Why is the barb using a bow? With a melee weapon and great cleave he could do much better, right?

 

[Darmanicus]

I'm sorry but Dwarves with bows is just wrong; Dwarves with longbows is REALLY wrong!

 

[Pinotage]

Why is the barb using a bow? With a melee weapon and great cleave he could do much better, right?

In melee you'd still have to cope with 7 other blokes using Aid Another to help one bloke take him down. Still, it's difficult to judge how it will turn out, but my guess is the barbarian will be going for a long time.

Pinotage

 

[FreeTheSlaves]

Why is a 20th level character dealing with fodder? Seems like a job for the barbarian's army to deal with.

 

[der_kluge]

And why are we doing this with a barbarian? A 20th level sorcerer with immunity to arrows and stoneskin is a far more interesting combatant. Although, he might run out of spells eventually, but not before wreaking all kinds of havoc on such an army.

 

[der_kluge]

If you have 800 archers, all shooting at the barbarian, you're getting 800 attacks a round. If you hit on a 20 half of the time, that's 20 successful attacks a round. At 1d8 damage, the barbarian is taking 90 damage per round.

I think your numbers are WAY off. At best, the barbarian is going to live about 5 rounds, 6 tops.

 

[Jdvn1]

Well, with damage reduction and an item to give him some fast healing, the only thing holding the Barbarian back is the number of arrows he has. Although then he'd just run them down and kill them.

Why is a 20th level character dealing with fodder? Seems like a job for the barbarian's army to deal with.

Because it's fun.