Hey guys, first time making a DR specialist and I would like some advice! I'm making a 4th level character but we're planning on getting to mythic post 20 levels so I'm trying to figure out a progression to getting the most bang for my buck. I'm an full blooded orc, and I know it's not optimal but I like it thematically. Here's what I have so far after ability modifiers. My character was rolled, so no stat buy.
Str=21
Dex=14
Con=18
Int=10
Wis=11
Cha=8
With a int of 10, combat expertise/Stalwart build is out, so I'm thinking of going Crane Style defensive fighting/Stalwart to get a max of 8/ DR from that. +3 AC from Crane, +1 from three ranks in Acrobatics. So with Improved Stalwart, the +4 AC from defensive fighting turns to 8/.
My feats so far goes as follows, with rage powers afterwards.
1st=Power attack
3rd=Dodge
Rage Powers
2nd=Animal Fury
4th=Intimidating Glare.
As you can see, I'm going for the Dragon totems as well to get 6/ in addition to the Stalwart DR. At 5th level I plan on taking Unbreakable Fighter 1 so I can get Endurance and Diehard for the Stalwart feat as my 5th level feat. How would you guys progress my character to egt the most for the least? Would you dip into Monk 1 as well to get Crane sooner? I appreciate all advice you guys can give me!
Honestly, just being an Invulnerable Rager is usually enough... Good DR + Lots of HP = Awesome! The extra AC from Beast Totem also helps a lot.
dragon totem doesn't increase DR. FAQ
Also extra DR doesn't stack with invulnerable FAQ in case it was something you were considering.
Highest DR is normal unchained barb with 3 increase DR rage powers. lv 1-8 invlunerable DR is higher. 9 and on, assuming extra rage power, U barb is higher DR.
Lemmy - True, I just did our first session and even with 2/ DR I negated a ton of damage from archers plinking me.
Chess Pwn, Dragon Totems do stack with DR though.
"While raging, the barbarian gains resistance to the energy type that is associated with her dragon totem—acid (black, copper, green), cold (silver, white), electricity (blue, bronze), or fire (brass, gold, red). This resistance equals double her current DR/— from her barbarian damage reduction class feature; this DR increases by 2 for each dragon totem rage power she possesses, including this one."
Stalwart/Improved Stalwart also states it stacks with DR granted by the barbarian class feature.
" While using the total defense action, fighting defensively action, or Combat Expertise, you can forgo the dodge bonus to AC you would normally gain to instead gain an equivalent amount of DR, to a maximum of DR 5/—, until the start of your next turn. This damage reduction stacks with DR you gain from class features, such as the barbarian's, but not with DR from any other source. If you are denied your Dexterity bonus to AC, you are also denied this DR."
So the way I see it, at level 20 I can get 10 from Invulnerable rager, 10 from Improved Stalwart, 6 from dragon totems, and 3 from the rage power increases for a total of 29 DR while raging.
I suggest clicking the link Chess Pwn provided. Dragon Totem specifically doesn't increase DR.
Also the improved DR rage power no longer works for Invulnerable ragers.
This was all in Chess Pwn's post, i suggest clicking the links he offered and reading them.
The FAQ is poorly worded and explained. The Dragon Totem power itself says DR, as in Damage Reduction is increased by two. If it meant resistance, it should have said resistance instead as those are two very different things.
As for the Improved DR, in my books we're using, it states in the Invulnerable Rager Archetype that it's suggested. It seems to me that they want to change entire powers in later printings then the original's intentions.
Running these by the DM (my room mate), he's going off the wording presented in the copies we have, so we're going for their original intentions.
" It should say that the energy resistance increases by 2 for each dragon totem rage power. This will be reflected in the next errata "
Seems pretty straightforward.
" The rage power refers to the class feature damage reduction, meaning that it doesn’t help invulnerable ragers’ invulnerability class feature. The suggestion for the archetype to take that rage power in the suggested rage powers is in error and will be removed in the next errata. "
Also very clear.
But if your DM doesn't want to use them, awesome, grab all of it and tank up.
Yea, it's straightforward after you change the wording from the printing. The base printing in the books though state differently as I posted above and since we're using the books... *shrug* We go by what's in them.
If your GM allows the old Dragon Totem, take it.
Here is another feat you could squeeze in: Bolstered Resilience
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/bolstered-resilience
-Cord of Stubborn Resolve, allows you to Rage Cycle without dipping or cheese
-Quick Runner's Shirt, awesome for all martials
Personally, I kind'a like having the Invulnerable Rager's DR over the rage power, even if they don't stack like one would think they should. Then again I try to be conservative in how many rage rounds I use, but DR 4/- that's always on at level 8 means ... well, effectively you 'heal' four points of damage each time someone hits you. (No, that's not the true mechanic, but it's a way to think of it.)
What sort of things would help an invulnerable rager boost that DR, anyway?
Make sure your saves are still good. Blasting spells instantly bypass DR. Luckily if it's attack roll based you probably have a good touch AC, and you can shift the DR to AC.
Bolstered resilience might be worth looking at. It'd take some work to make it infinitely expendable, but you could just pick it up at level 17. You can double your DR against one attack as an immediate action. You become fatigued however.
Edit:13igAl already mentioned the feat. Let's pretend I linkified it for him.
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