Optimizing my offbeat barbarian

[Gnome]

I'm running a human barbarian in Eberron who is actually a university professor - he spent the two skill points to gain literacy, and the Able Learner feat from RoD to but cross-class skill ranks at 1 point per rank. With a 14 INT and being human, he has plenty of skill points, which he has thrown into several knowledge skills as well as survival and the acrobatic skills. I picture him as somewhat similar to Indiana Jones, except more nerdy.

Anyway, other than "wasting" a feat on Able Learner, another thing that makes this character suboptimal is that I've chosen not to go with the standard Power Attack / Cleave / Great Cleave feat chain that most barbarians seem to favor.

Anyway, given those restrictions, how can I still make him as effective as possible in combat? He's first level now, and about to level out. Here's his current stats:

STR: 16
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 14
WIS: 8
CHA: 8

Feats: Able Learner, Combat Expertise

My tenative plan was to take 2 levels of fighter at 2nd and 4th level for the feats, and 2 levels of ranger levels at 3rd and 5th level to make-up for lost skill points (plus having track, favored enemy and a weapon style doesn't hurt). After that, I was going to take 4 levels of the Extreme Explorer prestige class from the ECS book (which means the loss of 1 point of BAB, but grants 6 skill points/level, lots of class skills, and several action point-related abilities). After that, I was going to have him return to the barbarian class.

Here are my tenatively-planned feat choices through level 12 (I'm flexible on these; only level 1 is set in stone so far). Levels 2 and 4 are fighter bonus feats:

1-Able Learner, Combat Expertise
2-Improved Trip
3-Action Boost (needed for Extreme Explorer)
4-Dodge
6-Mobility
9-Spring Attack
12-Whirlwind Attack

So, any suggested prestige classes, feat chains, or other ideas for this oddball character? Allowed sources are all WotC general and Eberron-specific supplements.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[wolfpunk]

I would definitely have the character take the jack of all trades feat. Treated as if having half ranks in all non-class skills or something to that degree (don't have the book right in front of me)

 

[Dracandross]

Im not sure, but at least I would roule that with able learner Literacy would cost only 1 point. (2 points normally because it's not class skill)

Additionally i wouldnt even take it as you get it for free when taking non barbarian level. Another skillpoint saved!

If you really want to get more skillpoints, why not take ranger as first lvl. It would give 24 base skillpoints compared to barbarians 16.

What weapon you're planning to use, whirlwind really makes spiked chain sound more fun. At least when surrounded by loooots of small mobs. Besides its quite usable when tripping. Depending on style, combat reflexes woulda be nice too to get extra AoOs with it.

- Dracandross

 

[Tanuki]

Gnome, what do you think about the kusarigama? A light version of the spiked chain. This weapon would allow you to make use of both two weapon fighting and improved trip than either the spiked chain or the scythe (Gnome's character's current weapon) individually. It's also "whip like" [in that I imagine it looking much like a whip], which goes with Monte's Indiana Jones motif. You could either dual weild two kusarigama (two weapon fighting with reach!) or weild a kusarigama in your off hand and a one handed weapon in the other.

This also has the advantage of making your character different from the three other front line fighters in the party. One of the others is going down the two weapon fighting path, but he is headed down the twf plus oversized-twf path with two Dwarven Waraxes (or at least he will be once I sell him on the idea).

It will cost you an Exotic Weapon Proficiency, which will push your Whirlwind Attack chain down three levels.

 

[Warehouse23]

I'm running a human barbarian in Eberron who is actually a university professor

Conan the Librarian? I love the concept.

 

[Gnome]

Thanks everyone. Level 1 is a done deal, so I can't make any changes to that.

Tanuki: I've always hated the concept of the spiked chain, but now that you've described the one-handed version as whip-like, it sounds a lot cooler. What are the stats on it? I like the idea of a regular one-handed weapon and the kusarigama in his offhand to do stuff like tripping opponents and hitting them from afar.