Barbarian!

[PhoenixInferno]

I've started playing a Barbarian in LFR - he's ridiculously fun.  <hack w/ Executioner Axe>, crit, Rampage, <hack>, dead, Swift Charge.

I also get to play him like Thog (of OotS fame) - Grom smash!  He seems to be a bit hit at the table.

[Banor]

Seriously I can't wait for the PHB2. Barbarian, Druid and Invoker seem pretty awesome so far. I can't wait to see the sorcerer (wild magic theme ; preview monday) and the Shaman (Primal Leader with a Spirit companion it seem ; preview Feb 2) I feel it gonna be a great book.

[BowenSilverclaw]

I do hope that when my friends decide to pick up our 4e campaign again, PHB2 is allowed, assuming it's out by then...

Any specifics about the Barbarian concerning certain playstyles, niches, tactics, feat choices etc. you think it fills best?

[PhoenixInferno]

The Barbarian is a Striker, there is NO question about that.  He ought to combo well with Fighters/Warlords, although the Rogue paragon path Daring Acrobat (Martial Power) lets you continue your turn after a charge, which is huge.  You can get that in Epic tier as a feat with Unstoppable Charge (Martial Power), but you have to be a Fighter.  That's not a bad thing, because you can take either Student of the Sword or Battle Awareness (Martial Power) to multiclass into Fighter.  Student of the Sword is a +1 attack, which is always nice, and Battle Awareness is a free attack, which is another chance to activate Rampage.  And while you're multiclassing into Fighter, there's always the "fun-for-shits-and-giggles" Rain of Blows -> Unyielding Avalanche.

I heard he's going to get some incentive to stay in light armor, something like CON or CHA to AC (depending on whether you become Rageblood or Thaneborn), which is nice because AC 15 is pretty poor for such a big fat target.

[PhoenixInferno]

I'll post my LFR Barbarian some time tonight.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Cool, looking forward to it

[PhoenixInferno]

Sorry it took so long:

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
Grom, level 3
Orc, Barbarian
Feral Might: Rageblood Vigor
Student of the Sword: Student of Two-Handed Weapons
Background: Baldur's Gate

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 18, Con 15, Dex 11, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14.

Starting Ability Scores
Str 16, Con 13, Dex 11, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14.


AC: 15 Fort: 18 Reflex: 12 Will: 14
HP: 42 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 10

TRAINED SKILLS
Intimidate, Endurance, Athletics, Streetwise.

FEATS
1: Weapon Proficiency (Execution axe)
2: Student of the Sword

POWERS
1, At-Will: Howling Strike
1, At-Will: Pressing Strike
1, Encounter: Great Cleave
1, Daily: Bloodhunt Rage
2, Utility: Primal Vitality
3, Encounter: Blade Sweep

ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Veteran's Hide Armor +1, Cloak of Resistance +1, Vicious Execution axe +2
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======

[Ieniemienie]

there is probably a good reason, but why the 12 wisdom and 10 int? I'd say make your dex 13 and wis 10, int 8... the 1 Ac, Reflex and Initiative is well worth it imo.

[PhoenixInferno]

Will def and Insight/Perception.  Since this is an RPGA character, Perception is like the most useful skill you can have.  While I don't have training in it (yet...?), I can at least get that +1.

I heard that they're going to do something about Barbarians, light armor, and AC - much like Wardens, Druids, Sorcerers, etc.  I'm thinking CON to AC.

[Ieniemienie]

Will def and Insight/Perception.  Since this is an RPGA character, Perception is like the most useful skill you can have.  While I don't have training in it (yet...?), I can at least get that +1.

I heard that they're going to do something about Barbarians, light armor, and AC - much like Wardens, Druids, Sorcerers, etc.  I'm thinking CON to AC.

You already have Cha for your will defence. And as a barbarian you don't mind getting hit afaik... If they want to change anything, they better give the Wizard more controlling powers...

And perception is really not that usefull for everyone to have: just one party member should be trained in it [suggest the cleric or ranger] and you'll be fine. So I'd reconsider changing your ability scores

PS: I have been playing RPGA for 6 months....

[PhoenixInferno]

I finally found a way to justify the 12 WIS - when I hit 11th, I'll retrain Student of the Sword into Battle Awareness, which requires 13 WIS.

Anyway, it's been a long time since I updated this - Curtain of Steel is N-U-T-S.  Also glad that Primal Power is coming with CON to AC instead of DEX/INT - that AC is just plain pathetic.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Grom, level 7
Orc, Barbarian
Feral Might: Rageblood Vigor
Student of the Sword: Student of Two-Handed Weapons
Background: Baldur's Gate (Baldur's Gate Benefit)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 19, Con 16, Dex 11, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 13, Dex 11, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14.


AC: 18 Fort: 21 Reflex: 16 Will: 17
HP: 67 Surges: 11 Surge Value: 16

TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +10, Athletics +11, Intimidate +10, Streetwise +12

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +2, Arcana +3, Bluff +5, Diplomacy +5, Dungeoneering +4, Heal +4, History +3, Insight +4, Nature +4, Perception +4, Religion +3, Stealth +4, Thievery +2

FEATS
Level 1: Weapon Proficiency (Execution axe)
Level 2: Student of the Sword
Level 4: Improved Rageblood Vigor
Level 6: Weapon Expertise (Axe)

POWERS
Barbarian at-will 1: Pressing Strike
Barbarian at-will 1: Howling Strike
Barbarian encounter 1: Great Cleave
Barbarian daily 1: Bloodhunt Rage
Barbarian utility 2: Combat Sprint
Barbarian encounter 3: Shatterbone Strike
Barbarian daily 5: Silver Phoenix Rage
Barbarian utility 6: Combat Surge
Barbarian encounter 7: Curtain of Steel

ITEMS
Vicious Execution axe +2, Veteran's Hide Armor +1, Iron Armbands of Power (heroic tier), Elven Cloak +2, Strikebacks (heroic tier)
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

[DetectiveJabsco]

The Feat in Primal Power is Hide Armor Expertise, it lets you use Con to AC in Hide Armor.

[PhoenixInferno]

Yep.  Took it @ level 8.  Also retrained Bloodhunt Rage for Thunder Hooves Rage - combos well with Pressing Strike.  2W + 1d6 + STR while Raging is pretty sweet in Heroic.