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I'm considering making a Barbarian with an intelectual bent, maybe a level of wizard (preferably transmuter or diviner), or cleric of Nethys (or one level of each). This would likely be for PFS, and I'd like to keep things core. I don't want the Bloodrager, it doesn't have the thematic focus I want.
Anyway, I'd definitely reserve a skill point for Profession (librarian) on every level, day job can be a good boost in wealth.
Investigator might synergize better with Barb. if you want to multi-class to a "smart class"
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Make sure you learn the Dewey Decimal System
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Conan the Librarian ?
I think the weapon of choice should be a greathammer where the hammerhead is shaped like a book.
Or, you know, and entire bookshelf. Depending on if you want to take Catch Off Guard or not.
Investigator might synergize better with Barb. if you want to multi-class to a "smart class"
I was thinking Alchemist.
Lots of Skills, Mutagens, and Extracts.
5 Levels also allows you to get the Cheesy Tumor Familiar with Protector Archetype. Shield other is an amazing ability to increase your effective health. Add in the Hedgehog bonus of +2 will your looking an ability worth more than 2 feats combined. Out of Combat the Hedgehog can help assist you in the Library.
But sadly if it is core only your ONLY choice is Wizard or Bard and honestly it is not worth the Dip. If you had access to good archetypes maybe. But Core only is extremely limiting. I refuse to play it myself because of that fact.
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Shouldn't you also be an Orangutan?
A level in wizard could give your barbarian several useful things, especially the ability to use wands with wizard spells, without resorting to UMD.
Dot
Beast Shape 1 lasts a minute per level and allows you to become an Orangutan, at 5th level you can have it active for 5 minutes at a time. Once you hit 7th level you can extend the spell as a 4th level spell for 14 minutes at a time.
Sadly you'd need a home game to get it to last permanently. Which is a shame.
Take Knowledge is Power and make a Reach Trip build, Smart people know that there is more than just BARBARIAN SMASH!
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Ugh, forum ate my post.
For flavor, consider checking out a copy of Biblia's Guide to Warrior Librarianship from your local library. Wave it at your enemies and threaten to beat their faces in unless they pay their overdue fines immediately.
In terms of mechanics, perhaps take the Urban Barbarian archetype so you can use your INT based skills while raging? But it seems pretty subpar mechanically compared to regular rage.
I really like the flavor of the Inquisitor Archetype that beats people up with books. Knowledge is Power!
Nothing like getting a crit...with KNOWLEDGE!
Lay down the law with a book on law, possibly throw it at them too (Throw Anything feat, Raging Hurler, Hurling Charge, you get the idea!)
I would give bonus points if you used the fees from overdue books you collect to then get an adamantine book cover for said book of law laying down :)
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Shouldn't you also be an Orangutan?
I don't know what that's supposed to mean.
A level in wizard could give your barbarian several useful things, especially the ability to use wands with wizard spells, without resorting to UMD.
My thinking is the same. Enlarge person and true strike are very tempting first level spells here, and their combination with them being used by a barbarian would be something interesting to see. Plus scrolls.
Clerics also have some stuff that are useful to barbarians, but without the spell fail chance.
Also, Nethys for rage + MAGIC POWEEEER! The idea was to play the character close to the barbarian stereotype, with the exception of a degree of mastery of magic (to be acquired through adventuring).
I'll have to look into the alchemist and investigator options.
I usually play standard universalist wizards.
BTW, yes, Conan the Librarian is the inspiration.
Urban Barbarian might help, but I can't remember why...
I'm considering making a Barbarian with an intelectual bent, maybe a level of wizard (preferably transmuter or diviner), or cleric of Nethys (or one level of each). This would likely be for PFS, and I'd like to keep things core. I don't want the Bloodrager, it doesn't have the thematic focus I want.
Anyway, I'd definitely reserve a skill point for Profession (librarian) on every level, day job can be a good boost in wealth.
Sounds like a plot for an episode of "Son of Zorn". There really isn't much of a synergy between those two classes. Have you considered just taking the Profession skill and maybe some UMD, and staying strictly Barbarian?
Shouldn't you also be an Orangutan?I don't know what that's supposed to mean.
That is a Discworld reference.
You said it's likely to be in PFS, but if it's not you could Variant Multiclass into Barbarian as pretty much any INT-based class you want. Investigator with some Rage rounds could be nasty. Nerd Rage!
Edit: If you really want to keep it core, there's Barbarian 1 / Wizard 5 / Eldritch Knight.
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I'm surprised no one suggested Skald. Rage song Oratory to ramble about achademic minutia or NERD RAGE.
Investigator might synergize better with Barb. if you want to multi-class to a "smart class"I was thinking Alchemist.
Lots of Skills, Mutagens, and Extracts.
5 Levels also allows you to get the Cheesy Tumor Familiar with Protector Archetype. Shield other is an amazing ability to increase your effective health. Add in the Hedgehog bonus of +2 will your looking an ability worth more than 2 feats combined. Out of Combat the Hedgehog can help assist you in the Library.
But sadly if it is core only your ONLY choice is Wizard or Bard and honestly it is not worth the Dip. If you had access to good archetypes maybe. But Core only is extremely limiting. I refuse to play it myself because of that fact.
Hedgies gain no attack. Can't use Bodyguard.
I'm surprised no one suggested Skald. Rage song Oratory to ramble about achademic minutia or NERD RAGE.
Hedgies gain no attack. Can't use Bodyguard.Investigator might synergize better with Barb. if you want to multi-class to a "smart class"I was thinking Alchemist.
Lots of Skills, Mutagens, and Extracts.
5 Levels also allows you to get the Cheesy Tumor Familiar with Protector Archetype. Shield other is an amazing ability to increase your effective health. Add in the Hedgehog bonus of +2 will your looking an ability worth more than 2 feats combined. Out of Combat the Hedgehog can help assist you in the Library.
But sadly if it is core only your ONLY choice is Wizard or Bard and honestly it is not worth the Dip. If you had access to good archetypes maybe. But Core only is extremely limiting. I refuse to play it myself because of that fact.
Huh? It is an SU ability of the Archetype called Shield Master...not the Feat bodyguard....as long as the Familiar and Master are touching they can do the ability...and as a tumor you are full contact with each other.
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True that, but my concern is that you're missing out on the entire other half of the archetype without being able to use Bodyguard on yourself. I mean, "Iron Will that also stacks with Iron Will" is a compelling arguement for the Hedgehog, but there's something wonderful about the mental image of your little vatgrown monstrosity screeching and swiping at things that threaten its host.
True that, but my concern is that you're missing out on the entire other half of the archetype without being able to use Bodyguard on yourself. I mean, "Iron Will that also stacks with Iron Will" is a compelling arguement for the Hedgehog, but there's something wonderful about the mental image of your little vatgrown monstrosity screeching and swiping at things that threaten its host.
Tumor Familiar....It is INSIDE your body and has no reason to come out.
He has Half your HP and Fast Healing 5.
The Shield Master Ability is totally optional on each attack.
But say you take 10 damage and Split it with the Tumor...it takes 5 and you take 5...your turn the Hog fast heals 5...Basically you took 5 damage total.
The fact it gives Untyped +2 will saves is just gravy on top of the effective Health boost from the Familiar.
So as a Alchemist Level 5+ you have a choice. Take Extra Discovery- Tumor Familiar or the Feat Iron will... One gives A LOT more than the other for the feat investment.
I actually use this on my spell eater Aberrant Bloodrager with the feat. So my Bloodrager has fast healing as well...tag on A. Barrier spell to convert 5 damage into non-lethal. Non-lethal damage and Lethal damage are healed in equal amounts. Then add in Stoneskin for DR10. I have had it to where the first 29 damage is just negated, then any iterative attacks the stone skin keeps shaving 10 off.
Basically it is one hell of an ability when you know how to really abuse it.
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I see where your coming from. My 4th level Beastmorph actually retrained Improved Initiative to get Exra Discovery: Tumor Familiar for a Greensting Scorpion. Straight upgrade.
Hedgehog was actually my first idea for the familiar, but I was dead set on something that could actively participate in combat so sadly I had to let it go. (My next idea was a Giant Isopod for the awesome visuals as well as the +1 bonus to natural armor, but Aquatic will be a problem until I can get more extracts per day.)
I don't mind my familiar being at risk. Comes with theterritory. I even make a point to remind my PFS GMs that he familiar will be out and active in combat, so apl bets are off.
But I digress. For barbarian librarians, I'm still voting Skald as one of the best ways to do it. You have tons of Knowledges and the warrior-scholar motif is built directly into the class.