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the FAQ version of this question: Does an Urban Barbarian under the effects of a controlled rage have the ability to cast spells?
I believe that the most straightforward reading of the archetype is that you cannot cast while raging. However, I think there are two points in favor of it:
1) Without it, it's a very small benefit. Now this certainly isn't proof - many archetypes have abilities that do nothing or next to nothing, either because their intent isn't achieved (looking at you, Titan Mauler), or the idea just isn't mechanically great. But I don't think anyone would argue that the ability to make sense motive checks and knowledge checks to identify enemies is worth losing +2 (or more) to will saves and +4 (or more) to a battle stat. Especially for a class that's generally not going to be good at those skills, anyway.
2) Moment of clarity is not among the recommended rage powers to pair with that archetype. Now this is certainly circumstantial -- but I find it hard to believe that this archetype, which fits that rage power so perfectly, doesn't have that power listed. The only reason I can see is that the archetype makes the rage power obsolete.
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"This ability otherwise follows the normal rules for rage."
Followed by rage's normal text...
"While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration."
You've got your answer.
"This ability otherwise follows the normal rules for rage."
Followed by rage's normal text...
"While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration."
You've got your answer.
I don't have my answer - I have someone completely ignoring my question. I'd think that reading my post would indicate that the obvious reading of the skill was one I had considered. It wouldn't be the first time an archetype was poorly written. My contention (or at least suggestion; I'm not sure I'm 100% behind it) is that the archetype as intended should read that you can use mental skills and abilities.
Given that I'd already outlined that I understood that reading of the ability, quoting it back to me isn't particularly helpful. I appreciate your time, but would you care to actually comment on either of my points?
1) The devs have said that not all archetypes are intended to be equally powerful. If you don't think the explicit flexibility of the alternate class feature is worth the loss in power, that's on you.
2) This is incredibly circumstantial; I'd say most rage powers fit most archetypes pretty well, despite what is actually listed in each archetype.
This is the Rules Questions forum. The RAW on this is 100% clear; while in a Controlled Rage, the urban barbarian still cannot use "any ability that requires patience or concentration." I'll still hit the FAQ button for you on the off chance the devs did intend for the archetype to be able to cast while raging, though I don't think they did.
I agree that the rules as written is 100% clear, but I think that the rules forum can be about RAI vs RAW as well.
It certainly is circumstantial, and quite flimsy. But I think that not many rage powers fit an archetype as closely as moment of clarity fits this one. Notice that even the next rage power in the same line as moment of clarity (perfect clarity) is one of the recommended rage powers. Moment of clarity would be a huge oversight.
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1) Remember that the controlled rage is optional (unless there has been a faq I am unawere of), so you don't loose anything from this class ability, given that you can use the standard rage.
1b) Controlled rage could loose the extra hit points when raging (by dropping the con bonus), but given that these extra hit points is what kills you rather than incapacitate you, some might like it.
1c) Controlled rage allow you to choose between dex, con and strenght, allowing for dex-based barbarians. On top of this they gain a quite nice dodge bonus instead of fast movement.
So the archetype adds a lot of options, which the standard barbarian doesn't have. Without loosing too much.
I merges nicely with invulnerable rager archetype, on top of this.
As far as spellcasting goes, I'd don't think it is intended to allow for spellcasting. Generelly barbarians and their archetypes isn't build to accomodate being spell casters, which they are not.
I think there should be something a lot less circumstantial to suggest otherwise.
1b) Controlled rage could loose the extra hit points when raging (by dropping the con bonus), but given that these extra hit points is what kills you rather than incapacitate you, some might like it.
Nearly all blows that will kill you when in rage will kill you if you hadn't had those hit points anyway.
The issue is that some people over-value the bonus hit points, thinking of them as temporary hit points when their use is more limited.But if you're 5th level with 16 con and 50 hp, you go unconscious when you've taken 51 damage and die when you've taken 66 damage. If you enter rage and get up to 60 hp, you go unconscious when you've taken 61 damage and die when you've taken 66 damage. Barbarian bonus HP adds a layer before you go unconscious, not before you die.
Overconfidence is what kills you, not bonus HP.
