Rage stacking

[thorin001]

If you have levels in multiple classes that grant the Rage ability do they stack for purposes of what rage powers you have access to?

For example if you have a Barbarian 3 and Fighter (Viking) 4 does he qualify for rage powers that require Barbarian 4?

BERSERKER
At 4th level, a viking gains the rage ability as the barbarian class feature, but her barbarian level is considered to be her fighter level –3.

This ability replaces weapon training 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[Slacker2010]

I would say yes.

[Claxon]

Well, let me state that it will not count towards getting the improved versions of rage that grant higher bonuses. The ability is only intended to ever grant you a +4 to strength and con that does not grow like the barbarian class feature.

But for consideration of what rage powers the character has access to, I believe the answer is yes. Also number of rounds of rage.

So, a barbarian 3/viking 4 would count as a 4th level barbarian for determining the number of rounds of rage and what rage powers you can select.

[KainPen]

This is untouched ground, raw it does not stack at all because it does not state it, but I think intent and official ruling would be is the way Claxon put it. It should be FAQ. There of example of class ability stacking and not stacking all over the place, uncanny dodge not only stacks it grants the greater version, while evasion does not stack at all, Sneak attack stacks So on and so forth. looks like it should be case by case bases.

[LuniasM]

RAW I'd say no because Rage Powers require you to have a certain number of levels in the Barbarian class. The Viking's Berserker ability grants the Rage class feature at a delayed progression (Level -3), but it doesn't say it stacks with Barbarian levels for determining what rage powers are available.

I'd consider houseruling it if one of my players had a particularly good character concept, but the rules as written don't allow it.

[Imbicatus]

I FAQ'd it. Since you are counted as a Barbarian -3, I would say those effect levels stack for the purposes of rage rounds and powers, but not for greater rage. Still would be nice to have something to squash table variation.

[wraithstrike]

RAW, abilities don't stack unless the book says they stack. Otherwise you just have the same ability twice.

[Edward Sobel]

already addressed in a similar situation with Channel.

Orcale/Cleric. each class has a seperate tracking for thier channel ability.

I believe that the channel was put out in a FAQ also.

[Jay the Madman]

Strict RAW I would say they don't stack. At best the rules are ambiguous. Some similar abilities stack (like sneak attack) while others don't (like channeling), while still others can, but don't always stack, like Animal Companions.

Personally, when the rules are ambiguous, I would tend to let the player do whatever benefits them, unless that would be too unbalanced or game breaking. This doesn't seem like it would break the game, so I would allow it. Just my opinion.

[waiph]

If say that it works like ranger or cavalier AC if you took levels in druid. But greater rage is a sperate feature that happens at barbarian x not ta a certain rage level. I would count it for rage powers tho

[thorin001]

Edward Sobel wrote:

already addressed in a similar situation with Channel.

Orcale/Cleric. each class has a seperate tracking for thier channel ability.

I believe that the channel was put out in a FAQ also.

But with channel you get lots of low effect channels. A Cleric 3/Life Oracle 3 gets 6+2X Cha bonus 2d6 channels rather than a smaller number of 3d6 channels. The Barbarian/Viking gets nothing.