Is a Ninja/Barbarian possible?

[William Ronald]

Yes they do, but as stated in the PHB, it increases at a very slow rate. The mental cost has to be considered, if they wish to go that route.

And that is the requirement of being a barbarian in the first place, low Wisdom score or actually the Saving throw. Can't get around that.

Wisdom is listed as an ability important for several of a barbarian's skills, although the will save does progress slowly. Perhaps one thing to consider is the impact that this decision will have on those NPCs who know the character. The ninja clan may respect his decision to fight those who attacked his family, or they may feel that the PC has cut his ties to the clan.

I do not think that the ki abilities, which reflect intense mental focus and reflection, can be used while raging. Currently, intelligence, charisma, and dexterity based skills can't be used while raging nor can abilities that require concentration or patience, nor spells, nor items that require a command word. Although ki abilities are wisdom based, they do seem to require concentration on par with using a magic item, or turning undead.

A "civilized" character can go native, as can be seen in the movie "Dances With Wolves," Mind you, the character's previus society and associates may not take a kind view of this.

 

[Sarellion]

Is there something in the rules that says that you may not multiclass as ninja and barbarian? is there some broken combo I miss? Otherwise some of these proposals seem to be really punishing a player because of the classes name. We don´t even know if they have a combat discipline called ninjutsu, also ninja are more inclined to take chaotic alignments (p.6 CAdv).
If people are against it because of the name, call them ghost warriors, ether adepts, ki masters or something like that.

You have to decide if the ki powers are usable in rage. You could say that you need clarity of mind , so that he can´t use them in rage. Another possibility would be to redefine rage as not being mindless berserker mode, which it is not (that´s frenzy) but as a surge of inner physical strength, requiring high concentration, so you can´t use every feat or cast spells. Perhaps the barbarian uses his ninja training to deepen his understanding of his barbarian side and personal enlightenment.

 

[Xombie Master]

Ugh. I have to fully reccomend against trying to force a player to take skills/feats/etc that he doesn't want in order to see if he is powergaming. "Hey, why don't you make your fighter take Bluff? No? Powergamer!!"

Ok, I never force a player to pick skills/feats/etc but the last time I checked it wasn't against the "gamer code" to take an active roll in character creation. Like mentioning that if he wants to be able to use stealth to his advantage he may want to take certain feats or skills to fully realize his intended character. That player may say "Oh yeah, I was focusing on jump and tumble but never realized that bluff could make my battles more interesting. Especially if I plan on using smoke grenades and concealed weapons." I've seen too many players lose their chance to use a skill or feat because they didn't think ahead about taking it.
Oh and last time I checked, proffessions sometimes come with skills that are kind of required to take part in them! You want to be a ranger who tracks and traps animals, you should have to spend a point or two in Knowledge: Nature, to symbolize your at least rudimentary knowledge of the animals you hunt. You may also need a point or two in knowledge local to symbolize your familiarity with the forest you hunt in. These aren't forced by any means, but they go great lengths to show a well rounded, thoughfully created character. It's just common sense! Hey if you want to ignore those skills, that's cool, it doesn't make sense, but it's your choice. It's like saying I want to play a great detective but I don't want to waste my skill points on Knowledge: local, or gather information, because it would detract from my move silently skill! While we're at it why don't we ignore prerequisites for prestige classes, because we're forcing the player to pick certain skills or feats!

 

[Truth Seeker]

We don´t even know if they have a combat discipline called ninjutsu,

It is more a study or art of the premise, not a combat discipline.

And also, before the it goes off topic, the main theme is of just the character who is a ninja, wants to become a barbarian and multi-class in-between both.

No spell casting is involved.

Is it functional?

 

[Sarellion]

Sorry, I read the opening post yesterday and remembered it the other way with barbarian as starting class.
Still, if the DM is willing to allow ki abilities in rage, you could define rage as channeling emotions and ki to improve your physical prowess.

I mentioned spellcasting as an example of an ability that can´t be used in rage and an alternative explanation. It´s definitely a house rule though and would require a little tweaking of the classes background.

 

[Vorput]

Wow.

Thanks everyone, you gave me a lot to think about. I ended up referring my player to this thread, and after we discussed the drawbacks, role-playing aspects, balance issues, etc. Along with advantages, oppurtunities, and such... he decided he was gonna take a level of fighter instead... going with some more formalized (though of a different kind) of training.

Was a good discussion though, both on here- and between him and me.

Anyway, thx to everyone who responded to this.

-Vorput

 

[Truth Seeker]

Wow.

Thanks everyone, you gave me a lot to think about. I ended up referring my player to this thread, and after we discussed the drawbacks, role-playing aspects, balance issues, etc. Along with advantages, oppurtunities, and such... he decided he was gonna take a level of fighter instead... going with some more formalized (though of a different kind) of training.

Was a good discussion though, both on here- and between him and me.

Anyway, thx to everyone who responded to this.

-Vorput

*Several hundreds of hidden ninjas, can breathe a little easier upon hearing the decision*

 

[snarfoogle]

Sorry, I read the opening post yesterday and remembered it the other way with barbarian as starting class.
Still, if the DM is willing to allow ki abilities in rage, you could define rage as channeling emotions and ki to improve your physical prowess.

I mentioned spellcasting as an example of an ability that can´t be used in rage and an alternative explanation. It´s definitely a house rule though and would require a little tweaking of the classes background.

I like this idea. Visualize the ninja/barb's rage as him channeling ki and fury to get REALLY, REALLY pumped.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

"Yes Honored Grandfather."

"One of the chieftains of the steppes has insulted my honor. He must die."

"As you say grandfather."

"But, he msut die in true anguish. I wish you to join his tribe, befriend his family, then one day, years from now; you shall rise up & kill him. Let him see his killer's face. Let him know no one insults the honor the Grandfather of the Killing Lotus Clan."

"As you say, honored one."

Really. If you want to take the Fantasy ninja uber-killer route, what's so wrong with a ninja taking Barbarian levels? What better way to disguise yourself as a barbarian than to take levels in the class?

I have no problem with ANY ninja taking ANY class as a way to better serve his mission/lord/clan/etc. There are all sorts of fantasy stories about ninjas (and other assassins) living alternate lives for YEARS before finally attempting their mission.

The best way to 'Know thy enemy' id to 'Become thy enemy'.

So, a Ninja learing to harness the Rage of a barbarian? Seems pretty easy to me. If any class has the intensity/mindset to subsume one personality to take on another (and flip them on/off, or even combine them), Ninja would be it.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Ok, I never force a player to pick skills/feats/etc but the last time I checked it wasn't against the "gamer code" to take an active roll in character creation. Like mentioning that if he wants to be able to use stealth to his advantage he may want to take certain feats or skills to fully realize his intended character.

You said:

To check for powergaming, observe how the player spends his skill points and make some suggestions. Make sure he puts some in skills that show a character with diverse training.

and

I find that powergamers loathe spending skill points in skills that don't apply to the physical side of DnD. They like bluff for it's combat applications but ignore concentration or Knowledge skills like the plague.

Maybe I'm a powergamer, but I can't see a barbarian taking Concentration... Plus you used the word rollplay seriously. I'm all for helpful suggestions, but there's no reason to pay more attention to how the barbarian/ninja spends his points than the fighter/rogue. There's no reason you should be wanting him to spend points in Gather Information to find out how to multiclass and not everyone else. That seems like a double standard to me.