unusual barbarian abilities

[messy]

the barbarian has some skills and abilities that seem more appropriate for a ranger or rogue than a strong, clumsy barbarian. specifically, acrobatics, uncanny dodge, and trap sense.

why does the barbarian get these abilities?

i'm hoping for something other than:

"because that's what the designers decided."

[The Raven Black]

Conan the Barbarian

Was quite the thief while keeping full BAB

[Dragonborn3]

Where exactly are you getting the 'clumsy' bit from? It's definitely not from primal instincts that uncanny dodge and trap sense can represent, or the ability to chase prey/foes almost anywhere by jumping over obstacles with Acrobatics...

[Chess Pwn]

Uncanny dodge is basically saying you're always ready for a fight and never caught off guard.

trap sense is the same thing, you're always ready for something to be jumping out at you.

acrobatics because that's a physical skill and they are fit men that can do physical things like jumping.

[Claxon]

Yeah, barbarians aren't innately clumsy.

Where do you see "dex penalty" built into the class anywhere?

Or any acrobatics penalties? Or anything like that?

I think the problems is your preconceived notions have no notion of representation anywhere in the mechanics of the class.

So the answer is, you have a different idea of "barbarian" than the original designer did.

[Syries]

Just like with any class, the barbarian simply provides a chassis in which you can build a conceptual character. There are plenty of character types that you could call barbarians that are lean and nimble and lie in ambush for their targets (read: dexterity based barbarians)

[RealAlchemy]

Syries wrote:

Just like with any class, the barbarian simply provides a chassis in which you can build a conceptual character. There are plenty of character types that you could call barbarians that are lean and nimble and lie in ambush for their targets (read: dexterity based barbarians)

Exactly. An Ekuji elf who stalks the woods with a bow and an elven branched spear might well be a barbarian, but is almost certainly not clumsy.

[Christopk-K]

I just finished by dex based Barb for an upcoming campaign :-)

[Matthew Downie]

From the class description: "They possess a sixth sense in regard to danger"

Hence uncanny dodge, and trap sense.

[messy]

great replies, everybody. spot on.