Build me an ulfen viking

[Lastoth]

I've rehashed my barbarian build over and over but I can't help but feel I'm building a barbarian vs an ulfen raider. He's going to be on the skull and shackles AP. So here I am asking you to build my viking. Nothing too OP or redonkulous. I have a whole party who will also want some kills.

[CountMRVHS]

I know what you mean about barbarian vs. viking. Not all 'vikings' were berserkers. (If you want to go that route, though, barbarian obviously makes a lot of sense.)

Fighter seems like the obvious alternative. Especially in the later centuries, Norsemen were known for travelling vast distances and taking up arms as sort of mercenaries serving under the kings and emperors of different cultures. You could certainly justify the flavor of a fighter to match that well-travelled mercenary kind of experience - that's why the character gets so many feats, etc.

Axe and board, or sword and board, would probably be a thematic choice. Personally I'd go with axe and board; toss the shield over your shoulder and wield the battleaxe with both hands for those times you want to do more damage and feel like more of a viking.

As for feats, you might try to play around with TWF and shield bashing, which is pretty feat intensive I hear but hey, you're a fighter.

[FireberdGNOME]

Ranger could work, too. Some survival/seafaring skills wouldn't hurt! :-=D

Look at sword and board or great weapon, or even archery styles =)

GNOME

[Tigersage]

I also agree with going fighter. Ranger could work, especially if you look at it from the seafaring/scout perspective. I watch 13th Warrior when I want quick inspiration for variety of viking warriors, and there is totally a ranger viking in that movie.

I'm a fan of axe & board, possibly going the TWF route, but maybe you should take a look at the 2-handed weapon archetype in the APG? You can do some pretty ridiculous damage using the overhand chop ability from what I've seen. And you can sorta come off berserker like without being a barbarian.

The Thunderstriker archetype in UC maybe something to read as well, since its supposed to combine 2-handed weapon and buckler. But I'm not too familiar with that one.

How are you building stats? Using dice rolls or point buy?

[Lastoth]

20 point buy.

I think I really like barbarian but the problem is he's not going to do axe and board very well (if at all) and it just seems a little clunky to try and go that route. I'm just concerned if I go Barbarian I will frustrate the DM with high damage and hitpoints.

[ThatEvilGuy]

Barbarian. Sea Reaver archetype.

Insta-Viking. Also, a nice fit thematically for S&S

[Lastoth]

ThatEvilGuy wrote:

Barbarian. Sea Reaver archetype.

Insta-Viking. Also, a nice fit thematically for S&S

Agreed, but I am worried about losing uncanny dodge in a pirate (rogue) themed campaign, do you think it will be an issue? Also what feats/rage powers would you suggest?