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<blockquote data-quote="MerricB" data-source="post: 6366346" data-attributes="member: 3586">Characters are balanced in their capability against monsters, not each other.Also note that their bonus damage when raging requires them to use a Strength-based weapon. Reckless Attack? Strength-based weapon. A Dex-based Barbarian? You sort of lose out on the major barbarian abilities!The trouble with the Barbarian's AC is it is very hard to get better past first level. It's reliant on increasing Con or Dex, and (for the most part) you'll want to increase Str. (And Barbarians also rather like having two-handed weapons). The fighter just needs more money to increase their AC. Platemail and shield is AC 20 and costs 1,500 gp. To get that AC, the barbarian needs 18 Dex and 18 Con and a shield - and the fighter doesn't need Dex at all and can put those points into another ability score.Honestly, if I were playing a barbarian, I'd have at most a 14 Dexterity and then go for half-plate later in the campaign - that allows a AC of 19 with a shield or AC 17 without. The way Brutal Critical works, using a Greataxe maximises its potential. Incidentally, the barbarian needs to be very wary of hold spells, as they'll stop his rage early!Cheers!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MerricB, post: 6366346, member: 3586"] Characters are balanced in their capability against monsters, [b]not[/b] each other. Also note that their bonus damage when raging requires them to use a Strength-based weapon. Reckless Attack? Strength-based weapon. A Dex-based Barbarian? You sort of lose out on the major barbarian abilities! The trouble with the Barbarian's AC is it is very hard to get better past first level. It's reliant on increasing Con or Dex, and (for the most part) you'll want to increase Str. (And Barbarians also rather like having two-handed weapons). The fighter just needs more money to increase their AC. Platemail and shield is AC 20 and costs 1,500 gp. To get that AC, the barbarian needs 18 Dex and 18 Con and a shield - and the fighter doesn't need Dex at all and can put those points into another ability score. Honestly, if I were playing a barbarian, I'd have at most a 14 Dexterity and then go for half-plate later in the campaign - that allows a AC of 19 with a shield or AC 17 without. The way Brutal Critical works, using a Greataxe maximises its potential. Incidentally, the barbarian needs to be very wary of hold spells, as they'll stop his rage early! Cheers! [/QUOTE]

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