Basically what it says, I like the power thematically, but +1 per barbarian level on CMB is pretty much an auto-trip or disarm isn't it ?
+1 strength checks means the barbarian at lvl 11 functions like a strength of 50, with base strength 18 and a +4 str belt.
CMD boost doesnt bother me much but ok still a huge boost here.
Any experiences on the ingame use of this rage power ?
No in game experience, but it is still once per rage, at low levels this is like once per battle.
Any experiences on the ingame use of this rage power ?
It's limited. You can only use it once per rage and it's for 1 check. A player in my shackled city campaign used it to kick down a door as a room was filling with water. At a later time he used it to break a grapple from a remorahz during a side adventure. Most of it has been flavorful and thematic and has made him feel like a hero. The party thinks it's cool and it hasn't been game breaking. So he does something awesome once a fight. I think it's fine. Most of the time he'd rather power attack or great cleave so he maybe uses it once a day.
My problem is mostly with the bonus on combat maneuvers, an automatic trip attack or disarm on a strong / equal opponent seems weird. Compared to other powers giving a mediocre bonus on attack it seems off the charts.
The strength check would technically allow to win an arm wrestle with a titan, but that is a minor problem.
CMD bonus hardly bothers me at all, since defensive abilities just have much less impact.
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Since a Barbarian can't use '... any ability that requires patience or concentration...' whilst raging, it's unlikely that (even if he'd taken the Feats, which I think would be rare for a Barbarian) he could really use Combat Expertise or those Feats based off of it while raging... although it'd be a DM's call. But generally, that means for trips and disarms he's going to be soaking an AoO to get off that Strength Surge boosted super-maneuver... so the guy's giving up a lot just to try this once per rage. His best bet is to combine it (Strength Surge being an immediate action) with one of the other rage powers which relates to combat maneuvers - Knockback (AKA 'This is SPARTA!') being a personal favourite... and makes for some spectacular 'super-strength' exploits on the Barbarian's part... which is all good stuff, in my book! :)
Since a Barbarian can't use '... any ability that requires patience or concentration...' whilst raging, it's unlikely that (even if he'd taken the Feats, which I think would be rare for a Barbarian) he could really use Combat Expertise or those Feats based off of it while raging... although it'd be a DM's call. But generally, that means for trips and disarms he's going to be soaking an AoO to get off that Strength Surge boosted super-maneuver... so the guy's giving up a lot just to try this once per rage. His best bet is to combine it (Strength Surge being an immediate action) with one of the other rage powers which relates to combat maneuvers - Knockback (AKA 'This is SPARTA!') being a personal favourite... and makes for some spectacular 'super-strength' exploits on the Barbarian's part... which is all good stuff, in my book! :)
Is it fair to have a 12th level barbarian with this power automatically, trip a 12th level fighter ?
I do not think combat maneuvers have anything to do with patience and concentration, it seems that it might be an too easy 'I win' button ?
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Is it fair to have a 12th level barbarian with this power automatically, trip a 12th level fighter ?
I do not think combat maneuvers have anything to do with patience and concentration, it seems that it might be an too easy 'I win' button ?
Well, to try that the Barbarian is going to be soaking an AoO from the Fighter (the Combat Maneuvers are do-able in a rage, but the Int-based Feats to do them without provoking are less do-able, IMHO)... and if the Fighter happens to have Improved Trip, say, he could even trip the Barbarian first!
In any case it's not 'automatic', it's a bonus (any attack roll has a chance to fail, no matter what the bonus). Plus all the Fighter is losing by being tripped (once per fight, at most, with this tactic) is some Armour Class until he stands, and provoking one AoO himself as he does stand - hardly an 'I win button' (a Fighter who can't take being tripped once in a fight isn't going to make it to level 12 in any case... ;) ).
It's swings and roundabouts, really. The Fighter is better at fighting, most of the time, but the Barbarian needs to have some nice toys too.
I think most Barbarians use it to kick down doors... or walls... or to push down stone coloumns... that sort of stuff, rather than just for tripping Fighters...
I do not have a problem with the other uses really, though maybe it is a bit high there too, but it is like giving + level on attack roll as a bonus, well no matter I will allow it in my campaign but I will tell the player I have doubts about that power. Thank you for your responses :)
If it helps any there is a lot of chatter on the boards about the lack of viability at
high levels for Combat Manuevers. They become increasingly difficult to perform and sometimes highly unlikely against some foes. I think that you are seeing it as an auto success when it might not be. Even if it is, this is still no stronger than what a 4th level rogue can do with major magic (True Strike) or a first level magus.
Let the barbarian have his toys! :P
Our barbarians uses it. To avoid a disarm or trip, or to sunder the right thing in the right moment. In our group is just fine.
IMHO, it's a fine example of an ability well made. Thematically is sound, is versatile without being "I win" because is a maneuver and the use is limited, and scales with level. Well. Done.