Tips on playing a Barbarian for the first time

[mooby]

I'm leaning towards playing a 1/2 Orc Barbarian, who will eventually take levels in another class, probably fighter or ranger.

I'm starting at 1st level, and I've never played a Barbarian before.

Any tips or pointers out there? Would I be better off with a Human? A Dwarf? A Gnome (Following Terry Brooks' style)?

 

[Eternalknight]

Half-orc barbarian is good.

Tips: Ruthless agression! Rage, and rage often!

 

[arwink]

Make nice with the party cleric, and nab all the healing you can. Odds are, you just nominated to be the party damage sink

 

[Capellan]

Gnomes make surprisingly decent Barbarians (it's the Con bonus) but Half-Orcs, Humans and Dwarves are probably the best three choices.

I tend to think that Barbarians work better without multi-classing, due to the extra rages and the damage resistance, but if you do intend to multiclass, consider Cleric of Kord (assuming you use PH gods - pick something similar if not). 4 levels of that gives you a much improved Will Save and a decent selection of low level spells - including Bulls Strength and the other 2nd level buffing spells.

 

[Eternalknight]

Make nice with the party cleric, and nab all the healing you can. Odds are, you just nominated to be the party damage sink

So true. Get the biggest, baddest weapon you can find, because you are going to have to dish out damage quickly.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

I'm leaning towards playing a 1/2 Orc Barbarian, who will eventually take levels in another class, probably fighter or ranger.

I'm starting at 1st level, and I've never played a Barbarian before.

Any tips or pointers out there? Would I be better off with a Human? A Dwarf? A Gnome (Following Terry Brooks' style)?

Oh, man... Let me get my hands on this barbarian virgin!

Email me at ben@badaxegames.com and I will send you a PDF of the Dire Stalker, a Barbarian-Ranger prestige class from my book. (Nothing like planning early for the grim feast of your foe's heart.)

I'll also send you the short barbarian advice section, which includes such tasty tidbits as "All Power Attack, All the Time."

Gruumsh favors the bold!


Wulf

 

[Dingleberry]

I'll also send you the short barbarian advice section, which includes such tasty tidbits as "All Power Attack, All the Time."

Wulf, when I saw the title to the thread, I was planning to direct him to that advice section of HoHF:H-O. I adopted the "three qualities" for my then 1st-level barbarian character, which I'm having a blast with.

 

[Endur]

As a Barbarian, put your highest stat in strength.

two-handed weapon + high strength + Rage + Bull's Strength from a friendly cleric + weapon bonus (if any) = lots of damage to a foe.

Add in power attack when you charge. I power attack for maximum damage when I charge or can only get one attack; I don't power attack when I can get multiple attacks on the enemy.

Best Weapons
Great Sword, Great Axe

Best Feats
Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Power Critical (hit harder)
Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave (kill more enemies)
Iron Will (defense against mind control)
Improved Initiative (kill the enemy first)

Tom

 

[mooby]

Re: Re: Tips on playing a Barbarian for the first time

Wulf Ratbane, I can't tell you how helpful that was! Thanks so much!

Anybody else got any pointers?

Anybody got any good stories?

I'm really looking forward to playing this character. I've been considering a few levels of Ranger and/or fighter, even before reading what you sent me. Is that a good or bad idea?

 

[Danzilla]

That pile of colorful things on the table in front of you isn't a new snack...they're dice...try not to eat them...

good progression for a Barbarian is going to ranger next and then eventually hitting Animal Lord...makes for an interesting character who can be taken in various directions RPwise...though being the tank is what it's usually all about...

DanZilla