Mad Dog Barbarian - Rage Power Qualification?

[Sharkles]

I was looking over the mad dog barbarian introduced in Animal Archive (an awesome archetype concept, in my opinion), but I as a little unclear on what exactly this meant with regards to rage powers.

Spoiler:

Quote:

Rage (Ex): A mad dog gains this ability at 4th level, except that her effective barbarian level for the ability is equal to her barbarian level – 3.

I took it to mean that the Barbarian just gets 6 fewer rounds of rage overall, but does this apply to when the Barbarian qualifies for rage powers? The only thing that would make me think it doesn't affect prerequisite levels is that one of the new rage powers for it says you must be an 8th level barbarian to qualify—and even that's a little unclear!

Obviously you can't take rage powers before you get rage, but that would seem a little disappointing that you'd have to push back qualifying for certain rage powers. I guess it is worth it, though, as unlike rangers you can get *any* animal for a companion. Oh, the possibilities.

[Drakkiel]

Quote:

Rage (Ex)

A mad dog gains this ability at 4th level, except that her effective barbarian level for the ability is equal to her barbarian level – 3.

I would say the the bold should have been worded "this ability"...meaning that it only applies to Rage(Ex) itself and not any of the rage powers

As I read it your level being -3 for "the ability" would not conflict with your actual Barbarian level to get Rage Powers...you are already traded getting it late and gaining less rounds for an AC...I don't think you should be penalized further

[MagnusPrime]

I just saw this too. im chr is a Lion-folk barbarian 2 ranger(beast master) 3..
to be just a barbarian with an animal companion sounds much better to me1
im confused on the rage power as well
also it lists rage powers that complement the mad dog....but war beast at lv 1 replaces your rage powers...do you get rage powers at all then?

[blackbloodtroll]

MagnusPrime wrote:

I just saw this too. im chr is a Lion-folk barbarian 2 ranger(beast master) 3..

to be just a barbarian with an animal companion sounds much better to me1
im confused on the rage power as well
also it lists rage powers that complement the mad dog....but war beast at lv 1 replaces your rage powers...do you get rage powers at all then?

I don't understand any of what you have written.

[MagnusPrime]

im sorry.
the war beast feature replaces rage powers you would normally get at lv 2, 6, 10, 14, 18.
you gain the rage ability at lv4. not that I fully understand what the barbarian lv -3 means...
But
it lists rage powers that compliment this build...but do you even get any rage powers?

[MagnusPrime]

my current chr, is a lion-folk barbarian2/ranger (beast master) 3. his story is his kindom, ( a jungle treetop city) was destroyed and he lost his 2 lion pet/companions he raised from kittens. but is surprisingly reunited with them later( when I reached lv4 or 5 beastmaster ranger).

and was just saying that this mad dog build might work better but don't fully understand its rules.

[Booksy]

@ Sharkles - Drakkiel got this one. Your Barbarian level is only adjusted in regards to your Rage (including Greater, Mighty and Tireless) class feature. Since there's no mention of it in the Archetype, I'd assume you still get Greater at level 11. So despite a slower start you catch up to morale bonus goodness.

@MagnusPrime - You still gain rage powers at levels 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20.

This looks overall like a solid Archtype. Trading 3 rounds of rage, half your rage powers, and uncanny dodge for an animal companion and abilities that support said AnCom in combat seem balanced and flavourful.

[MagnusPrime]

my mad dog barbarian at lv 5 has a con score of 14 (mod of 2)
so at 4th lv when I get rage I get 6 rages per day . 4+con(2)
so would you still get 2 more rages at 6th level?