How to make this Barbarian strong in magic?

[Ilium]

You could mix levels of barbarian and Battle Sorcerer (UA). Stick to light armor and everything works together.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

One of my favorite builds is a Barbarian/Nentyar hunter/Nar Demonbinder/Eldritch Knight. Might have to throw a ranger level in their for the requisite skill points.

 

[Ibram]

I did experiment with a barbarian/sorcerer at one point. He was never very effective. Enough sorcerer levels to make his magic somewhat effective (beyond being able to cast mage armor on himself) cut deep into his combat effectiveness. Even with more barbarian levels he was still a bit fragile in combat.

Now I've always believed (but never had a chance to test) is that the barbarian / cleric is a potent combination. With cleric you dont sacrifice as many HP or as high a BaB. You also get access (at fairly low level) to some very nice buff spells.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Thanks, fellow ENers.

I'd forgotten about the Battle Sorc, which is not a terrible option, yaeh. At least they can wear some armour by default.

And Cleric/Favoured Soul. . . I think the Divine Feats win out there. How could I have forgotten them?

LoM, there's a place I hadn't even thought of looking either. Nice PrC's, yep.


JRRNeiklot, I had to look up both those PrC's - Unapproachable East, right? Unfortunately, I don't have that book. They sound intriguing though.

 

[Drowbane]

One thing to note about Wilder is that its class ability, Wild Surge, gets steadily worse as you gain more levels -- it's a big boost at level one, but ends up a very minor gain at high levels -- and the lost action really, really hurts at high levels. So, I'd take as few Wilder levels as possible. Level 3 is a good time to quit.

Slayer (SRD version of Illithid Slayer) is a very nice PrC for someone with Survival on his class skill list, since you need Track to qualify. It's full-BAB, 9/10 manifesting, and you end up with a permanent mind blank while psionically focused (at level 9). Pretty sweet.

Another PrC to consider is the Sactified Mind from Lords of Madness. It's a full-BAB, 5/6 manifesting (over 6 levels), and nets you Spell Resistance at 6th level. Plus lots of "smite aberrations" stuff.

There's probably something in Hyperconscious made just for this combo.

-- N

I like Nifft's build...

except I'd go Bbn 3 / Wilder 7 / Flayer-slayer 10 (assuming bbn3/wild7 can make all the prereqs). Wild surge 3 is nice and helps to offset those missing 4 levels of casting. Heck, with practised manifester (complete psi?) you'd hardly notice those missing "caster-levels".

 

[BadMojo]

I like Barbarian/Sorceror going in to Rage Mage PRC with a dash of Practised Spellcaster feat to help out with your casting.

 

[Allandaros]

Er....aren't Barbarians supposed to hate sorcery? Or is that an older-edition thing?

 

[Stormborn]

Er....aren't Barbarians supposed to hate sorcery? Or is that an older-edition thing?

Yes, older edition. But in any case all flavor text is negotiable.