Which is more important for Bbn: Dex or Con?

[green slime]

I'd say
Str 15
Dex 13
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8

As a human you have a decent amount of skill points, so you needn't press the Int too high. Wisdom gains you an important Will save boost.

As to Con vs Dex: Dex, if you use armour, tops out its usefulness (chain shirt, max +4 Dex mod), whereas as Con just keeps on going. Later in the game you will probably be able to purchase/wheddle your way to a Dex item.

Entering at Dex 13 although means you can purchase the Dodge series of feats (which leads to that important Spring Attack, if you want to get most use of your increased speed).

 

[Zaruthustran]

For a powergame I'd go with:

Str 15
Dex 13
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8

Pump your str and find a +2 Str item quick. Why? I'm assuming you're going to use a two-handed weapon. Thanks to D&D's rounding rules two-handed weapons are most efficient when your damage bonus is even.

Example:
15 Str = +2 attack/dam, or +3 dam with two-hander.
16 Str = +3 attack/dam, or +3 dam with two-hander.
This isn't too bad, but consider that the difference of +1 to-hit from Str can effectively be applied in a power attack for an extra +2 damage.

Or, raging:
19 Str = +4 attack/dam, or +6 dam with two-hander.
20 Str = +5 attack/dam, or +7 dam with two-hander.

Now we're talking. Put the +1 difference in attack bonus into Power Attack for +2 damage. You attack will be at the same bonus as the 19 Str guy but you'll hit for 3 more points of D.

So pump Str first. Then pump the 13 Dex next for an important +1 bonus to Initiative. For this character the AC, ranged attack, skill boosts, and reflex save is minor icing on the Initiative cake.

For feats I agree with your plan to go with Power Attack and Dodge then pursue the spring attack chain.

-z

 

[Victim]

Definitely Con. My lackies have already explained the reasoning behind this choice in the posts above mine.

 

[Madfox]

Don't underestimate the power of wisdom! One of the greatest weaknesses of a barbarian (besides AC) is their will saves. I have seen the player in my campaign grumble often enough about failing his will save once again Of course, wisdom also helps with those survival related skills as survival and listen/spot.

 

[ruemere]

Constitution (and two handed reach weapon).
Assign 13 to Dexterity to get Spring Attack.

Consider this:
Human
1: Barbarian 1: Power Attack + Cleave (additional attack at low levels with safe reach/AoO from Polearm and easier flanking)
2: Fighter 1: Dodge
3: Barbarian 2: Mobility
4: Fighter 2: Spring Attack

By multiclassing you'll get more feats and better saves.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Li Shenron]

I am alone, but I would prefer a higher Dexterity.

Barbarians already have the biggest HD of all, and on the average they can afford 2 points less in Con. Dexterity compensates well for lack of heavy armor, and you will keep its bonus to AC when flat-footed thanks to Uncanny Dodge. You'll have higher Reflex but lower Fort.

I think the above quite evens out, but then I'd appreciate the Dex bonus to ranged combat, many skills and (in case you need) access to Dex-based feats.

The only thing I'd miss is the increased duration of the Rage, but I think I would still prefer the Dex benfits.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Thanks to everyone who posted. You've certainly given me much to think about. A lot depends upon what kind of barbarian you want to make - power attacking bruiser, tricky combat expertise-user, spring attacker, or something else. Ah, the beauty of choice.

 

[Darklone]

Even for the mobile Spring attacker, I wouldn't go with more dex than necessary... take some levels rogue and hop into Spring attacking with greatsword plus sneak attacks. You're mobile enough to avoid most full attack actions that way and can dish out nice amounts of damage.

 

[Zhure]

"To crush your enemies..." Clearly STR is good here.

"...see them driven before you..." a high WIS, for a better Spot check.

"...and to hear the lamentation of their women." again, a high WIS for a better Listen check (a class skill no less!).

Conan also talks a lot about Crom and His stoicism, so I think CON plays a part in the mythos.


Greg

 

[Al]

It's certainly an interesting question, and one which is much closer than it would seem superficially.

Constitution is easiest to analyse: in essence, it gives you +1 hp/level by putting your 14 in it rather than a 13. This raises your average hit points per level by 1 from 7.5 to 8.5, an increase of some 13.3%. Your also get +1 Fort save as a subsidiary benefit.

In terms purely of defense, Dexterity is likely to not be as good. To reduce your relative chances of being hit by 13.3% or more, the +1 AC from Dex will need to take your AC high enough such that opponents need to hit on a 14 or better- unlikely at the best of times, and almost impossible whilst raging. However, there are two points to be highlighted. The first is the notion of the two-handed Power Attack. Under this circumstance, Dex pays off even if the opponent only needs a 7. Secondly, the subsidiary benefits are much better. +1 Reflex save is probably more useful than a +1 Fort save (due to a. having a good Fort save and b. conspicuous targeting notions). +1 Initiative is not to be sneered at. +1 to hit with ranged weapons is useful (though throwing axes are better than wussy bows ).

On balance, it's a close call, and could come down to a purely RP decision. Powergaming-wise, it's hard to choose between the two.