Barbarian Rage + Specialization Query

[orphias]

I have a query concerning the mechanics of Rage / Instincts & specialization
I assume to gain the specialization bonuses you need to be raging...
Also, does the INSTINCT replace the base ability, or do they add together?

Weapon Specialization LEVEL 7
Your rage helps you hit harder. You deal an additional 2 damage with weapons and unarmed attacks in which you have expert proficiency. This damage increases to 3 if you’re a master, and 4 if you’re legendary. You gain your instinct’s specialization ability.

INSTINCTS
Specialization Ability LEVEL 7
When using spirit rage, increase the damage from Rage from 3 to 7. If you have greater weapon specialization, instead increase the damage when using spirit rage to 13.

Also...
Spirit Instinct
You resist negative damage, as well as damage dealt by the attacks and abilities of undead creatures, regardless of the damage type.

Query- Would an arcane, divine..etc.. spell cast by an undead also be included in the resistance?

[Blave]

Weapon specialization and the instict are two seperate abilities. You just happen to get them at the same time.

You get Weapon Specilization at all times. You oly get the Instict bonus while raging and it stacks with the Specilization.

And yes, as long as the source is an undead creature, a spirit Barbarian reists ALL damage. This includes spells or effects that come form undead creatures.

[Lightning Raven]

orphias wrote:

Also...

Spirit Instinct
You resist negative damage, as well as damage dealt by the attacks and abilities of undead creatures, regardless of the damage type.

Query- Would an arcane, divine..etc.. spell cast by an undead also be included in the resistance?

The negative damage resistance is from any source, but if the enemy is an undead, you resist any kind of damage it throws at you. Given the phrase "Regardless of the damage type" I would even include Force Damage coming from an Undead, which is a pretty rare occurrence.

[Aw3som3-117]

Blave got it. Btw, one additional thing to keep in mind: The resistance, although it works on any source of damage from an undead, is still limited by the ability itself, which gives you

Raging Resistance wrote:

resistance equal to 3 + your Constitution modifier to damage types based on your instinct.