What does a barbarian need?

[Morrus]

Moved this to the promotions forum for you. I guess you sneaked in a week before I noticed.

 

[Weiley31]

Congrats to TPKstudios for getting class changed to Barbarian. At this rate the next class change should happen before Christmas.

 

[jgsugden]

I mean... you're using a Monk, that's a pretty bad comparaison Maybe compare to a heavy armor Fighter instead?

Why? That would be missing the point. And it is not a comparison - it is discussing the interaction with party members.

The heavy armor fighter and the barbarian serve the same roll - defender / meat shield. They're there to take the hits so that others do not. My point above was that focusing on defense as a barbarian - rather than using those resources on more useful offensive, utility or save defense capabilities - is not going to help you do your job. By the time it becomes relevant that you have taken less hits, your allies will already be down and dead and you'll have failed at your role. Instead, you're better off hitting harder, being more mobile, etc... because that will actually help your allies by taking down foes faster, allowing you to do more, etc...

A high AC on a barbarian only is significant for you when your team has already lost the battle.