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I'm considering, as I have been for some time, making my first Barbarian - specifically, one of the smart, agile, Elven variety. My question for the here and now is, can whomever drops by my humble thread make suggestions on good Factions, traits, and Rage Powers outside of Spirit Totem (which I know I'm keen on taking) for such a character?
Good traits for an atypical Barbarian
Atypical barbarian traits? How about Literacy, Courtly Manners, Good Hygiene, or Lawful Alignment. HA!
Seriously though, make an elven warrior of the wilds type. Think of any one man/woman army from your favorite action movie (Alice: Resident Evil, Selene: Underworld, etc.). They are definitely smart, agile, and chaotically violent when need be. Barbaric?
Since your on board with Spirit Totem, why not make her rage (I see an elven woman, for whatever reason) more of a battle trance than a foaming-at-the-mouth ordeal- communing with said spirits, as it were. Ever read The Sword of Truth series? Anyway, think on agility and dodge powers (i.e. Rolling/Reflexive Dodge, Raging Leaper, etc.)
I can also see (thematically) taking the Witch Hunter/Spell Breaker style feats if the spirits of her totem were slain by enemy magic, or nature spirits that just oppose unnatural magic. Maybe human magic users have disrupted nature with their boundless curiosity to the point that they are an affront to the elder elven spirits?
I could also see the Furious Mount power tree up to Spirit Mount, depending on your barbarian's style, as I'm sure this would be a rarer build.
Agile? Go with Urban Barbarian for one, so you can add Rage to your Dex instead of Str.
You haven't given us a whole lot to go on though.
What kind of fighting style? Any set personality? What kind of things do you think fit your concept?
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Thanks - how about traits and Faction? Keep in mind this would be an Organized Play character (I'm vacillating on sex, but it might well be a woman).
I don't dig the "magic-hater" bit, though, personally - that's more for low-Intelligence Dwarf or Half-Orc Barbarians. I've always had a strong leaning toward arcane magicians, and even my rogues and warriors have *some* magical potential (i.e. I have an Order of the Tome Cavalier, a Sanctified Rogue/Swashbuckler, a Hungry Ghost Qigong Monk, and a dual-classed Gunslinger/Inquisitor), and that's the primary reason I was interested in the Spirit Totem. Come to think of it, I might wait until this new "hybrid classes a-go-go" sourcebook comes out and try one of those barbarian-sorcerers it mentions. I'm still interested in what input people can give me on Barbarians in the meantime, though.
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Agile? Go with Urban Barbarian for one, so you can add Rage to your Dex instead of Str.
I considered that, but one thing I do know is that I don't want an "Urban" Barbarian. Controlled Rage might be nice, but the other features of the archetype make it inappropriate for this character - also, I've learned some things since originally posting this that would steer me toward wanting more Strength anyways (not that her Dexterity wouldn't still be quite high).
You haven't given us a whole lot to go on though.What kind of fighting style? Any set personality? What kind of things do you think fit your concept?
I'm a little fuzzy on a lot of that as of yet, unfortunately. Her fighting style would doubtless be oriented toward "hit hard and don't get hit more than necessary," however. "Jungle guerilla warrior" would probably not be a bad description - neither sufficient nor perfect, but not bad. A way to make Stealth a class skill (preferably without multiclassing) would be nice.
There's traits for that.
Highlander is one.
And Coherent Rage may be a good one if you don't want to be an Urban Barbarian.
Also keep in mind, Controlled Rage doesn't replace Rage, it's in addition to it, so you still have the option for the usual +4 Str/Con Rage when you have need of it.
And it's not particularly Urban. The only thing it changes is it loses Fast movement for a bonus to attack rolls and AC vs multiple targets, with being able to move through crowds easily as an after thought, and adds Controlled Rage.
I really do think it fits your character best if you're gonna be a Barbarian like this.
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Also keep in mind, Controlled Rage doesn't replace Rage, it's in addition to it, so you still have the option for the usual +4 Str/Con Rage when you have need of it.
I see. It looks to me like you're right about that.
And it's not particularly Urban. The only thing it changes is it loses Fast movement for a bonus to attack rolls and AC vs multiple targets, with being able to move through crowds easily as an after thought, and adds Controlled Rage.
Unfortunately, that is incorrect - it also messes with your class skills in ways I do not want.
Ah. Any particular skill? Or was it multiple? That is a biggy I usually overlook.
And if you're not going Urban, I DEFINITELY suggest taking that Coherent Rage trait. You can sneak around with all your Rage Powers active.
I'd suggest taking Superstitious if nothing else, by the by. Fluff it how you want (perhaps your superior mental abilities make sit easier to analyze and nullify enemy spells, but it's sort of a reflex so you can't avoid doing it to friendlies too?), but it's super duper good.
I like fencer it is giving you +1 to hit with AoOs and have a nice flavor for a Barb that is more than ANGER.
Also take one of the elf alternatives that gives a spell like and take arcane strike feat pehaps?
I suggest you stay with a str build but use the curved blade and max out acrobatics. that way you can be wardancer like without sacrifising damage.
have you thought of building a Barbarian/oracle/rage prophet?
you said you like magic and most of your characters seem to have some magic ability.
I'm seeing an elven female with the tongues curse who speaks Aklo in battle.
She fights with a curved blade and probably uses a bow when not raging.
You could go barbarian 7/ Oracle 1/ Rage Prophet 4.
Between Barb rage powers, Oracle revelations (using feats for extra revelations) and Rage Prophet class abilities there are tons of kooky magical/spirit warrior things to play with.
I'd take the nature mystery.
the spin is your rage isn't anger, it's a spirit trance from the elven warrior ancestors in your blood line, that rush into you all at once. Which leaves you tired and taxed afterwards (hence the rage mechanic)
Edit:
What you be even cooler is if you are allowed to use ARG, make a DROW, and take things like surface infiltrator and Darklands stalker, you could pick up those free feats like acrobatics steps and stuff...using fast move from barbarian you could be moving around all over the place unhindered.
just. Plain. good. Stuff!
have you considered dipping or multiclassing? urban barbarian would be great for an elf- use a curve blade (since it counts as martial for you) and take weapon finesse, with controlled rage you can choose whether to up dex for hit and AC or Str for extra damage; 2handed fighting isn't feat intensive, so you should be able to pick up a couple archery feats and be a decent switch-hitter. taking 1-3 levels of ranger will fix the issue with the skill changes and get you a bunch of other benefits (favored enemy, or the Guide replacement; free combat feat; favored terrain...). it also removes the need to spend a trait on something like stealth. should be a fun build thats well suited to elves' natural strengths.
also, the playtest for Advanced Class Guide starts on tuesday (11/19) and is being immediately included in society play (as part of the test), so you might want to hold off til then.