Hey buds and babes, quandary time:
Playing Iron Gods, just hit 3rd level. I have a Numerian Liberator/Breaker Barbarian who is a tank in the making.
I have Blighted Physiology as a trait and Improved Natural Armor as a feat, along with Power Attack.
He has 38 HP based on some killer rolls, and with his gear and abilities he is at a 19 AC, so for 3rd level, 38 HP and a 19 AC is very tanky.
We have a 4 person party, pretty standard with Scout Rogue/Tech Wiz/Lunar Oracle (w Big Cat companion) and my Barb.
I am torn with choosing the 3rd lvl Feat...I can maximize the HP and go toughness, get more offensive with Furious Focus or Cleave, or improve my shoddy +2 Initiative with Improved Initiative.
Any thoughts? Should I continue focus on HP and AC? Get a little more Offensive?
|
I think if you're tanking, and your role in the party is to keep the other guys from getting squashed, I would recommend Combat Reflexes.
Also, I would recommend a wand of enlarge person.
I just started the Emerald Spire Super Dungeon with a barbarian, and I took Combat Reflexes as a first level feat. With enlarge person the ability to threaten more squares is a fantastic combination, and only costs one feat and a wand.
My logic was this: The most valuable thing a Barbarian can do is attack. The best way to get more attacks at lower level is with Combat Reflexes.
+2 or +4 damage here and there is already insignificant, at 5th level while enlarged he does 3d6+21 damage. More attacks are way more useful!
I ended a combat with a fleeing boss, as he made the acrobatics to withdraw from my first threatened square, but not the second.
The AoO may not come up every combat, but it does probably 1/2 to 1/3 of the time, and then my barbarian is zoning out threats for the rest of the party.
Raging Vitality is an obvious choice
Extra Rage Talent - Superstitious? It's the basic save booster for all barbs.
After that, get the one that starts pumping your Nat AC.
==Aelryinth