Barbarian Build For a New Campaign


3.5/d20/OGL


Me and my friends have been playing 3.5 for years now, we just recently heard about Pathfinder and we're looking to start a new campaign next week. We've been pouring over the rule books trying to make some new characters and looking for interesting ways to play them.

Right now... My character is a 19 year old Barbarian by the name of Markus Danderlilly, born of noble birth he ran away from his home and left his life behind in order to become a "mighty barbarian". The character is supposed to be a bit of a joke, squeamish around blood and he tries his best to act "tough", despite the fact that he has a familiarly feminine voice and gold curly locks.

Human
Barbarian 1st level

STR 20
CON 14
DEX 16
WIS 10
INT 10
CHA 13

Feats
Combat Reflexes
Quick Draw

the idea is battle field control through sundering, disarming, and using attacks of opportunity as opposed to massive damage. I've got the build mapped out for the most part and I've taken him on a level 1 test run of him vs 3 goblins. He ended up doing very well, I was just wondering if the community here had any advice on this sort of character build?


Ok, question? Do you want to break the game? If not, then your build will be fine. If you do want some mechanical "umpf", then let me suggest a few things for you.

First, let me say that I'm using pretty much ALL of v3.5 for this so no sources book goes unturned, so if there are requirments that DM has placed (such as NO Tome of Battle, NO alternate class features, No blah-blah) then you can pretty much ignore this. I'll get to a more conservative build later....

1.) You're going to want to swap your Rage ability at 1st level. Rage is......OK but the Bonus to Con is rather "meh" AND it goes away when your rage stops. So if your only at 2 or 3 HP when your rage ends, your dropping into the negatives and dying. Instead, you want This --->

Rage Variant: Whirling Frenzy:

A barbarian with this variant form of rage doesn't gain the normal bonuses when he enters a rage. Instead, when a barbarian with whirling frenzy enters a rage, he temporarily gains a +4 bonus to Strength and a +2 dodge bonus to Armor Class and on Reflex saves. While in a whirling frenzy, the barbarian may make one extra attack in a round at his highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a -2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the barbarian might make before his next action.

Whirling frenzy is otherwise identical to the standard barbarian rage in all other ways. At 11th level (when a standard barbarian gains greater rage), the Strength bonus increases to +6, and the dodge bonus to Armor Class and on Reflex saves increases to +3. At 20th level (when a standard barbarian gains mighty rage), the Strength bonus increases to +8, and the dodge bonus to Armor Class and on Reflex saves increases to +4.

A barbarian using this variant doesn't gain indomitable will at 14th level. Instead, he gains evasion, but only while in a whirling frenzy.

A character can't use whirling frenzy at the same time that he uses any other form of rage (or similar ability).

With the Whirling Rage benefit, you can now attack more times than normal, get a decent buff to AC/Reflex AND attack/damage.

Next your going to want to swap out your Fast Movement ability for the Lion-Spirit ability from Complete Champion. This grants you the Pounce special ability. Basically when you charge, you can make a Full-Attack. Add that into your Whirling Rage feature, and it stacks up REAL quick.

Finally, you'll want to beef up with some Feats. At 1st level as a human, I'd recommend Power Attack and Extra Rage (1st level + Human). Then Barbarian 2, then Fighter 1 (take Improved Bull Rush [Fighter feat]) and Extend Rage (3rd level). Then Fighter 2 (take Cleave, Weapon Focus, Improved Disarm, etc...). From there (at Barbarian 2/ Fighter 2) you can really do anything you want, but you should grab Shock Trooper (Complete Warrior) for the ability to reduce your AC when charging and using Power Attack instead of your Attack Bonus. So you'll be attacking at Full power attack with a two-handed weapon with no real penalty.

If your not allowed to do any of this, then stick with the few Rage feats in Complete Warrior, perhaps Iron Will for Frenzied Berserker Prestige Class.

Silver Crusade

Destructive rage from the Complete Warrior is great especially if you are looking at sundering weapons. As was mentioned earlier check out the rage feats in the Complete Warrior.

I do like the idea of this character and I think it will make a very interesting game. I hope all goes well.

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