New Barbarian Archetype: Knothide Berserker

[Volvogg]

Hi All,

Over the last couple of days I have been checking out barbarian pics for my campaign. In doing so I realized that half of them were almost naked. All they were sporting were kilts, rather intimidating weapons and tattoos! This had me thinking, how could I do that in the current system? I looked around and could not find anything that suited my vision, so I drafted up this little diddy. Its a pretty simple concept, I just wanted to ensure that it wasn't unbalanced. So, without further ado I present to you the Knot hide Berserker

KNOTHIDE BERSERKER wrote:

These warriors carve upon their flesh beautiful mystical tattooes of complex knotwork designs and brilliant azure hue. Once completed these markings bolster and strengthen the flesh of the character allowing them to turn aside weapon attacks as if they were wearing armor.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency
The knothide berserker looses proficiency with all armor.

Knothide Runes
The character begins play with a series of intricate tattooes which usually take the shape of interlocking knots and geometic patterns. These mystical tattooes provide protection equavalent to a chain shirt. Due to the strain of having the mystical markings added to their bodies the tattooes impose a -1 Armor Check Penalty, as well as a 15% Arcane Spell Failure Check. The Maximum Dexterity Bonus the tattooes allow is 4.

Note; the runes can be further enchanted as if they were a normal armor.

Knothide Strike
The magical markings which grace the characters body bolster not only his defense but also the striking power of his natural attacks. The character gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat at first level.

Improved Knothide Runes
The runes upon the character's body have grown more powerful and now offer better protection. The AC bonus granted by the tattooes inscreases by 2, the Armor Check Penalty is reduced to 0, Arcane Spell Failure Check equals 10%, and the Maximum Dexterity Bonus is increased to 6.

This ability replaces the rage power normally received at 8th level.

Greater Knothide Runes
At 16th level the character undergoes another ritual which instills in his eldritch tattooes the ability to thwart devastating attacks that strike the character. This ability functions as per the Moderate Fortification armor enchantment.

This ability replaces the rage power normally recieved at 16th evel.

Any and all comments/suggestions are appreciated.

Cheers
Volf

[rainzax]

i like the idea of the naked berserker as being a viable build.

but the 'tattoos as thick as armor' idea seems... off.

to me this seems as simple as fixing the bonus type from 'natural armor' to another kind, such as 'sacred' or 'profane' or 'luck' or even just an untyped bonus.

two ideas that follow are to go with an Ability Score bonus to AC, such as CON (probably too good), or a flat bonus (such as +4), as a 1st-level value.

maybe to balance this bonus it is only active during a rage?

Naked Berserker

a Naked Berserker gains the Improved Initiative feat for free at 1st level. This replaces proficiency in all armor and with shields.

Rage: a Naked Berserker gains a +4 morale bonus to both her ST and DX ability scores, and an additional +2 dodge bonus to AC. These bonuses are only active so long as she is not wearing any armor or carrying a shield. This replaces the standard bonuses and penalties of rage. She still becomes fatigued afterwards as normal.

Greater Rage: +6 to ST/DX, +3 to AC.

Mighty Rage: +8 to ST/DX, +4 to AC

[MrSin]

Maybe give it a more static growth or at every fourth or fifth gain a special tattoo ability. It doesn't come as very rewarding until 16th, and your behind until 8th. Improved unarmed strike is a rather lackluster bonus if you don't intend to use your fist or go into styles, and I'm not sure if 2 rage powers adds up to 0 ACP breastplate and moderate fortitude.

[Ciaran Barnes]

I love the historically inspired aspect, and a possible replacement for the current naked barbarian, but I find the mechanical support lacking.