Giant Instinct Barbarian with Dual Weapon Warrior and two bastard swords

[WatersLethe]

Last year I was asking about alternatives to Barbarian for recreating a silly dual-greatsword character I used to like to play back in the day. The new changes to Barbarian makes it a whole lot more attractive, so now I'm back to ask for any thoughts on cramming more fun stuff into this style of character! Using Free Archetype.

The main idea is to wield two Large-Sized Two-Hand trait swords (for the aesthetics) and get the most out of dual wielding them with Double Slice.

I was looking into Juggler to open up a hand for maneuvers because all the Two-Hand weapons have few traits, but I think the weapon bulk is a show stopper.

I wasn't sure if Mauler could have any benefit since some of the requirements are "wielding a two handed weapon" and I don't *think* a 1h weapon with the Two-Hand trait counts.

Any good general advice for a two-weapon build that doesn't have any good weapon traits like Agile?

[Guntermench]

Literally just Double Slice. You don't actually need anything else.

[TheFinish]

This is a case where you'll basically need Dual Weapon Warrior and also accept that aesthetics>mechanics, since you won't be able to use the bastard Sword's Two-Hand trait.

For a fun build, at least on paper:

Ancestry and Heritage don't matter TOO much here, so pick whichever you think is best

1st level class - Sudden Charge
2nd level class - Dual Weapon warrior Dedication -> Double Slice
4th level class - Swipe
6th level class - Giant's Stature
8th level class - Follow up Assault or Invulnerable Rager (depending on whether you want a pretty good attack action or heavy armor. Invulnerable is probably the better overall pick)
10th level class - Dual Weapon Blitz, from Dual Weapon Warrior
12th level Class - Giant's Stature
14th level class - Dual Weapon Onslaught from Dual Weapon Warrior or Giant's Lunge, whichever you wish to prioritise.
16th level class - Whichever you didn't pick for 14th.
18th level - Two Weapon Flurry, from Dual Weapon Warrior.
20th level class - Unstoppable Juggernaut.

That's how I'd build one. Seems fun enough, though not super optimised.

Hope it helps!

[Guntermench]

I'd almost want to go Fighter Dedication and wait until 4 for Double Slice so that at 12 you can grab the Advanced training and rip people to shreds with large falcatas. Waiting another 2 levels does kinda suck but you can always start with DWW and retrain. Using FA having the dead 2nd level dedication doesn't hurt much and fatal d12 is just hilarious levels of damage for a Giant Barb.

[WatersLethe]

Ugh that does sound tempting. Even though falcatas are not two-hand, that d12 fatal crit might have more of that big sword feel. Also mechanically way better.

TheFinish, thanks for the build path suggestion! Why did you go for Swipe at 4th? Have you gotten good use out of it before? I thought it looked really niche

[TheFinish]

WatersLethe wrote:

Ugh that does sound tempting. Even though falcatas are not two-hand, that d12 fatal crit might have more of that big sword feel. Also mechanically way better.

TheFinish, thanks for the build path suggestion! Why did you go for Swipe at 4th? Have you gotten good use out of it before? I thought it looked really niche

I've seen Swipe get used a lot in my homegames, but that's mostly because we play with a houserule that essentially gives everyone Gang Up (the rogue feat) by default. So a lot of enemies end up adjacent to each other and in reach, making them prime Swipe targets.

In retrospect I would probably go with either Ragin Athlete or Wounded Rage for more evergreen 4th level choices, or you can pick up Intimidating Strike instead.