Not Invulnerable Rager DR, but just run-of-the-mill, core, 5-points-over-20-levels Barbarian DR.
Have Barb players noticed it making much difference? Is it important, or does it go almost unnoticed?
I've not used it much, but I found it very out of place.
"Okay. You get angry and smash things.*
Here, have some DR."
Seriously, by the time you even get to DR 4-5, if that stops something from damaging you, that monster is doing something wrong.
*I know, differing opinions on this part. Let's just leave it alone :P
It's not about stopping something from damaging you entirely.
But it's essentially +1 (or 2, or 3, etc.) HP per swing. It makes your already stellar HP totals last just that little bit longer.
If a guy deals 20 damage to you a hit, well, at least you shaved a couple points off each blow. It may not sound like much, but it adds up over time. Even with just 2 hits from that guy you've taken 36 instead of 40...which is another 4 HP your Cleric doesn't have to waste resources healing.
It's like free Toughness. It may not be super good, but you're glad you have it.
I recently played a barbarian from 1-14. I found the DR a small but notable addition to my character's ability to survive, largely for the reasons Rynjin noted. It also helped that we had a lot of humanoid opponents with class levels - the DR mattered more as they hit more often for less than some of the traditional "one big slam" monsters.
It's just gravy, not the meal. By and large standard DR will be shaving off about 10% of each hit. That's not much, but it's 10% more than none.
It is nice, but in my opinion you need to push it to about DR 10 to really benefit form it. As a GM I have seen DR make my monsters last longer, and when I hit a certain barbarian(Rynjin) the amount of damage he took at the end of each attack really added up.
Example: If I hit 5 times for about 100 hit points, he only takes 50.
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It is great to have if you have it. Since the barbarian class is kinda designed to soak up HP damage instead of do traditional tanking, it gives even more 'temporary' Hit Points, which can add up a lot. It isn't huge, but its nice, kinda like the +5AC monks get after the Wisdom to AC. The Wisdom is great, but the plus 5 is just a small bit to add on top.
I don't know, I'd say the DR is pretty tech, but I put rage power into improved DR. I've noticed it works best against other humans, especially monks and rogues. Rogues, who don't get flank (no sneak attack) suddenly do their 1d6+4 and then subtract 6 from it. Monks weren't much different, honestly (In Ruby Phoenix).
Over a series of hits, the DR Whatever adds up; more than once I've been able to say, "Because of DR, I'm not going to die if I drop out of rage."
It is nice, but in my opinion you need to push it to about DR 10 to really benefit form it. As a GM I have seen DR make my monsters last longer, and when I hit a certain barbarian(Rynjin) the amount of damage he took at the end of each attack really added up.
Example: If I hit 5 times for about 100 hit points, he only takes 50.
Yeah, Invulnerable Rager DR really has a lot more oomph to it. DR 5/- is nothing to sneeze at.
But how many people actually get to DR 5/-? Considering where most games putter out, you're looking at 2-3 max.
(I asked the question originally because I'm considering altering my games so that the DR is just always half Barb level like it is for IR.)
But how many people actually get to DR 5/-? Considering where most games putter out, you're looking at 2-3 max.
(I asked the question originally because I'm considering altering my games so that the DR is just always half Barb level like it is for IR.)
Well, I was talking about IR there.
improved Stalwart on an invulnerable Rager, Dr 14/- at level 12 or DR 11/- at level 10, in other words, take the majority of the damage out of humanoid blows.
The dr for invulnerable rager is INCREDIBLE.
What do you give up, some trash like uncanny dodge? Who cares, dr from attacks is so much more valuable.
Also, the improved damage reduction is a really really good extra rage power
extra rage power is definitely pretty sweet, though the stalwart line would come first if i wished to optimize DR. i just can't resist DR 25/- at level 20.
What stacks with admantine breastplate?
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From a DM perspective, that DR's a pain in the butt. Which means its helping the barbarian out.
The barbarian as a result takes more damage from one shot 'I doth whallop you thusly' folks as opposed to the rapid attack multiple poke types.
And in the case where individuals lower then his CR manage to squeak past his AC, they tend to not do appreciable damage thanks to the DR.
I've got a polearm barbarian, with the rage powers that give him the 20% concealment against attacks outside of adjacent range. Coupled with the DR, and his nigh 300hp, he's got survivablity coming out his ears.
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DR is great, anything to help with the damage you will be taking due to the low AC is great to have. It won't stop all the damage you take but it sure helps.
Since the OP specifically excludes Invulnerable Rager from the conversation, I'll say that its a nice layer of defense for a class that often lacks in defenses... but its impact is minor and subtle. As someone else on the thread said, its the gravy, not the meal.
Another way of looking at it is, it's something to build upon that can become truly impressive, that most other classes simply do not have as an option.
==Aelryinth
The barbarian’s damage reduction is designed to allow the barbarian to survive the minor fights with lesser foes. It does not, and is not supposed to slow down the BBEG’s attacks very much. It allows the barbarian to survive carving his way through a horde of orcs, or town guards to get at the main villain. When the army of equipped with spears is standing between you and your target even 3 points of damage reduction can make a big difference on how many HP you lose.