New archetype for Unchained Barbarian

[Sqwonk]

I like the idea of the no-armor barbarian. But the Savage Archetype does not quite do it for me.

So this is sort of an archetype.
Loses proficiency in armor and shields.
Loses Danger Sense
Loses Indomitable Will
Loses 2nd level rage power (Replaced with Tough as Nails)

Changes DR progression

1 Fast Move, Rage
2 *Tough as Nails
3 *Uncanny Dodge (moved from 2nd level)
4 Rage Power
5 Imp. Uncanny dodge
6 Rage Power
7 DR/1
8 Rage Power
9 DR/2
10 Rage Power
11 Greater Rage, DR/3
12 Rage Power
13 Dr/4
14 Rage Power,
15 Dr/5
16 Rage Power
17 Tireless Rage
18 Rage Power
19 DR/6
20 Mighty Rage, Rage Power

Tough as Nails (EX)

When not wearing any armor or shield, the barbarian gets a natural armor bonus to AC equal to his Constitution modifier.
(so this would not stack with Amulet of Nat Armor)

[Sqwonk]

Comments? Suggestions?

[Ciaran Barnes]

As written, Tough as Nails DOES stack with an amulet of natural armor or barkskin because they provide an enhancement bonus to natural armor. If you don't allow them to stack then the barbarian will have a terrible AC, unless you have a situation where no one has their equipment.

It seems to me that this archetype is loosing more than it gains. It is more difficult to improve a natural armor bonus than it is to improve an armor bonus. I would add back in shield proficiency. You might also consider have tough as nails improve by +1 every four levels.

[Kazaan]

I don't think you understand how an Amulet of Natural Armor works.

AoNA wrote:

This amulet, usually crafted from bone or beast scales, toughens the wearer's body and flesh, giving him an enhancement bonus to his natural armor from +1 to +5, depending on the kind of amulet.

The amulet gives an enhancement bonus to the natural armor value, not a natural armor bonus to AC.

So a character's AC composite might be as follows:
AC: 10 (+Dex) (+Natural Armor bonus) (+Armor bonus) (+Enhancement bonus)

With an AoNA, it adds a "bonus to the bonus"
AC: 10 (+Dex modifier) (+Natural Armor bonus to AC (+Enhancement bonus to Natural Armor)) (+Armor bonus to AC) (+Enhancement bonus to AC)

If you want the bonus from this archetype to be more of a "built in AoNA", then you must phrase it such that it grants an "enhancement bonus to Natural Armor equal to his Constitution modifier". This would also allow it to stack with most racial sources of natural armor as, the way you phrased it, having a natural armor bonus from some other source (typically your race) would not stack with the bonus provided by the class.

Edit: However, as I see Ciaran mentioned above, this actually results in pretty dismal AC. Monks don't use armor, but they get a Wisdom bonus to armor that does stack with AoNA and they still get issues with AC. What I'd suggest is the following:

Give a scaling bonus to Reflex saves and dodge bonus to AC against creature's attacks (excludes traps) in place of Trap Sense at lvl 3.

Have Tough as Nails give a Natural Armor bonus equal to Con with a clause that if the Barb has Natural Armor from some other source, they can add their Con modifier to that natural armor (a la built-in AoNA). This allows the best of both worlds; a "squishy" race like Human gets Con-based Natural Armor and can further improve it with AoNA while a "tough" race that already has Natural Armor can enhance it and free up their amulet slot.

[Sqwonk]

Thank you for the input. Comparing it to the monk was a good idea - so I basically stole the monk wording.

Ciaran - I get understand the shield suggestion, but that does not quite fit my "envisioning".

I wanted it to be an archetype -so I re-wrote it a bit. But also included the level by level list for reference

Gristly Rager

Tough as Nails (EX)
When unarmored, the barbarian adds his Constitution bonus (if any) to his AC.
In addition, a barbarian gains a +1 bonus to AC 3rd level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four barbarian levels thereafter (7th, 11th, 15th, 19th).

[This replaces Light, Medium armor and shield proficiency, Indomitable Will and Danger Sense.]

Damage Reduction
At 5th level, a barbarian gains damage reduction. Subtract 1 from the damage the barbarian takes each time she is dealt damage from a weapon or a natural attack. At 7th level, and every 2 barbarian levels thereafter, this damage reduction rises by 1 point.

[This replaces “normal” damage reduction.]

1 Fast Move, Rage, *Tough as Nails
2 Rage Power, Uncanny Dodge
3 +1 to AC
4 Rage Power
5 Imp. Uncanny dodge, DR/1
6 Rage Power
7 DR/2, +1 to AC
8 Rage Power
9 DR/3
10 Rage Power
11 Greater Rage, DR/4, +1 to AC
12 Rage Power
13 Dr/5
14 Rage Power,
15 Dr/6, +1 to AC
16 Rage Power
17 Tireless Rage, DR/7
18 Rage Power
19 DR/8, +1 to AC
20 Mighty Rage, Rage Power

[Sqwonk]

I put Tough as Nails in at first level. I was originally worried about dipping, but I don't know what class would want to dip and be unarmored.

Comments, Suggestions?

I just realized that with unchained Barb (which I like better than core) - would not get the +2 Con AC to balance out the -2 AC while raging.

Example:
7th level
Con+3, DEX+2, Ring+1, AoNA+1, Bonus+2 = AC: 19 / 17 while raging -
with DR/2

Not too scary compared to an armored martial.