What would you do?

[Calico_Jack73]

In one of my current games I am playing a Half Orc Barbarian and am about to make 2nd level. Obviously a player has to have an idea of what direction he wants his character to go early on so he doesn't waste feats/time/etc. I'm torn between leveling up solely as a Barbarian so I can get the higher level rage abilities and damage resistances and multiclassing as a Fighter for the bonus feats.
What would you do and please provide justifications for each. I've included a brief overview of abilities to aid in your decision (don't laugh, the DM stuck us with 28 point non-standard pt buy).

Str:18 Dex: 14 Con: 14 Int: 8 Wis: 10 Cha: 8
Feat: Weapon Focus Great Sword.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Can't answer that question without knowing anything about the character's background and personality. Which fits him better? Is he the type of person to begin a regimen of more strict training, having recognized the advantages that civilized fighting styles provide? Or is he more likely to continue to rely on instinct, as he's done so far?

(In case you can't tell, I'm one of those who believes that character choices like multiclassing should be based on in-character/RP reasons first, and mechanical advantages second. So I may not be the best person to offer advice. )

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Can't answer that question without knowing anything about the character's background and personality.

Okay, I'll post what I have written up for his background. Don't laugh, the story about his parents is actually from a previous D&D campaign that I played in where one of the people played Hammar. We played through "A Paladin in Hell" as the climax of the campaign which is where my character's background begins.

Appearance, Traits + Disadvantages
Wears a blood red do rag over his shaven head. Eyes glow a smouldering red and have no pupils which is the only sign of his fiendish parent. Skin is very tan from living out on the steppe with his father's tribe. Has tribal tatoos along each arm and scars which are a reminder of his tribe's manhood ritual.

History

Motzog is the child of Hammar and Lilith. Hammar was a great half orc adventurer in his own right and after defeating Azmodeus' plans decided to return to his father's tribe and take it over. After handidly defeating the current tribal chieftan, Hammar turned his tribe away from the worship of Grummush to a shamanistic religion similar to the druids. Lilith was a Succubus who once an adversary of Hammar's felt a uncontrolable desire for the Half Orc and for a short time became his bride. It was in that brief union that Motzog was concieved. Lilith's heart was forever turned. For the first time in her long existence she loved someone more than herself, Hammar and the newly born Motzog. Knowing there was no way she could raise Motzog since her enemies would use the babe to get at her she took the newborn child and gave it to Hammar to raise in the Orkish tradition. After delivering the baby she disappeared into the Abyss and hasn't been seen since. Motzog grew up quickly and while he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed he had all the makings of a great warrior. He grew up listening to the stories told by Hammar of his adventuring days and meeting all of his father's old adventuring comrades when they came to visit. Hammar knew that an adventurers life was for him so as soon as he became recognized in the tribe as an adult he set out into the wide world little knowing of the adventure that was to come.

Goals

Motzog wants nothing more than to become a hero in the legends and tales told by the bards. He also wants to prove himself in the eyes of his father. He has never met his mother and at some point would like to find her.

 

[Painfully]

Well, I always liked taking four levels of fighter for the weapon specialization. The extra fighter bonus feats can make up for the levels taken in fighter, so you don't lose much at all except your highest barbarian class abilities. You can take fighter anytime during your barbarian career, but why not get to read/write a language early on as a nice extra benefit too?

I like ranger as a good alternative if you have a favored enemy in mind. I see tracking as an important barbarian feat too--how else would they survive in the wild if they couldn't hunt? Anyway, the class abilities mesh better with light/medium armor too, but you won't get the bonus feats of a fighter or it's weapon specialization.

Any kind of spellcasting class is just not for you, as your stats couldn't support it. So, don't forget to shore up your WILL save with the Iron Will feat whenever it is convenient for you. Or make sure you rage whenever you see an enemy spellcaster. You'll find yourself vulnerable to spellcasters outside of battle, and without your rage, so don't be shy about keeping your distance from them unless necessary.

*edit*
As a higher level barbarian, you may get more rages per day, but how many fights do you really get into in one single day? If you know there will be several fights during the day, just conserve your last rage for the most important fight. I think more than three rages a day is really pointless.

The additional DR is a nice trait for barbarians, but not really necessary considering barbarians already get d12 HP/level. I'd rather go multiclass with ranger or fighter.

*edit again*
As for ability points, if you don't have your heart set on strength, I would go for increased DEX if you plan to stay with light armors, or a couple points in CON if you decide to choose heavy armor, as it will solidify both your HP and your already impressive FORT save. Those higher level encounters often mean saving throws are just as important if not more so than AC. A fighter's weapon specialization is more economical to increase damage.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Well, after reading the history, it seems clear that you should multi-class as a bard...

hehehe...

Really, though, I'd stick with barbarian levels. Look at the class skills. Survival definitely fits with this guys schtick. It just seems like this guy should ooze power and I think that barbarian levels are your best bet.

***edit***

And I agree with the above post with the track feat. But you don't have to take a level of ranger to get it. Just take it as one of your feats. And you've already got survival as a class skill as a barbarian.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Hmm...

Given the character's background, I'd say sticking with barbarian definitely sounds like it's more in-character. From the way you've described him, I don't see him taking the time to study more advanced--but often less effective--fighting techniques. In other words, I don't see him giving him his instinctual fighting abilities (rage) in order to learn specific techniques (fighter bonus feats).

Now, if he spens a lot more time among more civilized areas, that may change, but given where you are now, I'd definitely stick with barbarian were I in your shoes.

 

[Kemrain]

Purely Mechanically...

I'd go Barbarian 2 at least, if only for Uncanny Dodge. After that, Ranger or Fighter are both great choices, as is More Barbarian. I tend to never take more than 4 levels of Fighter, and more likley 2, with 1 or 2 levels of Ranger as well. Do that, and you won't give up TOO much in the HP department (you'll average a 5.5, instead of a 6.6), you'll have decent skillpoints, some good feats, and great saves.

- Kemrain the Multiclasser!

 

[DanteHayes]

I disagree with some of the above statements on two counts.

First, I disagree that taking some levels of Fighter implies any kind of sophisticated technique. Power Attack? Cleave?

Second, I disagree that being a Barbarian implies a lack of sophisticated fighting techniques. The Mongols were barbarians by many counts and they had developed some very refined combat techniques and strategies.

Whether you want to make this character a dolt or not is up to you but, taking a few levels of Fighter to complement a couple of levels of Barbarian is simply a good idea as it will afford you the extra feats to achieve a nice prestige class (I recommend Frenzied Berserker).

 

[billd91]

So, a second coming is out of the question?

Heh, that's a good one.

As to the question at hand, I'd go with barbarian. While taking fighter levels might not indicate a whole lot of sophistication in all fighting techniques, to me it entails a more sophisticated approach to fighting and building fighting prowess. Hence, the number of bonus feats you get compared to any other fighting class.
As a DM, I'd encourage you to take the barbarian level unless there were specific events or opportunities to learn in a more structured and sophisticated environment. Learning from another party fighter could fit that bill, but I'd expect you to play some of it out. In fact, I generally expect my players to role-play up to any anticipated class changes in my game.

 

[Bihor]

your PC could aim to become a Horde Chieftain (from HoHF:Half-Orcs) combining the fighter and the barbarian.