D&D 5E BARBARIAN: A COMPLETE GUIDE

D&D 5e Barbarian: A Complete Guide

D&D 5e Barbarian: A Complete Guide

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5e BarbarianThe Barbarian class in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is a primal warrior powered by raw rage and physical might. Barbarians are known for their extraordinary toughness, their ability to deal massive damage, and their instinctual connection to the wilds. Whether they channel the spirit of a totem animal or simply let their fury loose in battle, Barbarians are devastating front-line combatants, capable of enduring and dishing out enormous punishment.



Core Features of the Barbarian


1. Rage


The defining feature of a Barbarian is Rage—an explosion of primal fury that enhances their combat abilities. While raging, Barbarians gain:

  • Bonus damage to melee attacks that use Strength.

  • Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

  • Advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws.


Rage lasts for 1 minute and can be used a limited number of times per day, scaling with level. It is vital for boosting a Barbarian's offensive and defensive capabilities in battle.

2. Unarmored Defense


Barbarians rely on their physical toughness and agility instead of heavy armor. When not wearing armor, they calculate their Armor Class (AC) as 10 + Dexterity modifier + Constitution modifier. This makes Constitution and Dexterity key ability scores for increasing defense, especially when coupled with their natural resilience in battle.

3. Reckless Attack


Starting at 2nd level, Barbarians can attack with advantage on their melee weapon attacks by using Reckless Attack. However, this leaves them exposed—giving enemies advantage on attacks against them until the start of the Barbarian's next turn. This feature boosts offensive power at the cost of defense, especially in key combat moments.

4. Danger Sense


Also at 2nd level, Danger Sense grants Barbarians advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects they can see, such as traps or spells. This reflects their heightened, animalistic instincts for avoiding danger, especially in high-risk scenarios.

5. Extra Attack


At 5th level, Barbarians gain the ability to attack twice whenever they take the Attack action on their turn. This significantly increases their damage output and ensures they remain effective as melee warriors throughout the game.

6. Fast Movement


Barbarians are fast and mobile. Starting at 5th level, their movement speed increases by 10 feet, allowing them to close distances quickly and keep up with enemies on the battlefield.

7. Feral Instinct


At 7th level, Barbarians gain advantage on initiative rolls, making them faster to react in combat. Additionally, if they are surprised at the start of combat, they can act on their first turn by entering rage, ensuring they aren't caught off guard.

8. Brutal Critical


Starting at 9th level, Barbarians deal extra damage when they score a critical hit. Initially, they roll one additional weapon damage die, and this increases as they level up, making their critical hits devastating.

9. Relentless Rage


At 11th level, when a Barbarian is reduced to 0 hit points while raging, they can make a Constitution saving throw to drop to 1 hit point instead. This saving throw becomes harder with each use, but it allows Barbarians to stay in the fight longer than almost any other class.

10. Persistent Rage


At 15th level, Barbarians no longer lose rage early due to inactivity. Rage only ends if they are knocked unconscious or choose to stop it, meaning they can maintain their primal fury for the entire fight if necessary.

11. Indomitable Might


At 18th level, Barbarians can substitute their Strength score for any Strength check they make if the roll is lower than their Strength. This guarantees success in physical feats, reinforcing their role as the strongest class.

12. Primal Champion


At 20th level, Barbarians become the embodiment of physical power. Their Strength and Constitution scores increase by 4 each, and their maximum for those scores becomes 24, making them nearly unstoppable in combat.



Primal Paths (Subclasses)


At 3rd level, Barbarians choose a Primal Path, which grants unique abilities that shape their fighting style and role in the party. Here are the most common paths:

1. Path of the Berserker


The Berserker focuses entirely on raw, unrelenting rage.

  • Frenzy: Allows Barbarians to make an extra attack while raging, but at the cost of gaining exhaustion afterward.

  • Mindless Rage: Prevents the Barbarian from being charmed or frightened while raging.

  • Retaliation: At 14th level, Berserkers can use their reaction to make a melee attack against a creature that hits them.


2. Path of the Totem Warrior


Totem Warriors draw strength from nature and animal spirits. Each animal totem grants different abilities:

  • Bear: Resistance to all damage except psychic while raging.

  • Eagle: Enhanced mobility, including flying at higher levels.

  • Wolf: Team-based benefits, such as granting allies advantage on attacks against enemies within 5 feet of the Barbarian.


3. Path of the Ancestral Guardian


Ancestral Guardians summon the spirits of their ancestors to protect their allies.

  • Ancestral Protectors: Spectral ancestors distract enemies attacked by the Barbarian, imposing disadvantage on their attacks against other targets.

  • Spirit Shield: Reduces damage dealt to allies.

  • Vengeful Ancestors: At 14th level, when an ally is hurt, the Barbarian’s ancestral spirits retaliate, dealing force damage to the attacker.


4. Path of the Zealot


Zealots are holy warriors, driven by divine fury.

  • Divine Fury: Adds radiant or necrotic damage to attacks while raging.

  • Warrior of the Gods: Allows the Barbarian to be resurrected without material components.

  • Rage Beyond Death: Barbarians continue fighting even at 0 hit points while raging, only falling when their rage ends.


5. Path of the Storm Herald


Storm Heralds tap into the power of elemental forces.

  • Storm Aura: Creates a magical aura based on the chosen environment (Desert, Sea, or Tundra) that deals damage or provides benefits to allies.

  • Storm Soul: Grants resistance to elemental damage.

  • Raging Storm: Enhances the effects of their storm aura, causing even more damage or applying conditions to enemies.





Key Ability Scores



  • Strength: Primary ability for melee attacks and damage.

  • Constitution: Increases hit points and Unarmored Defense.

  • Dexterity: Helps with AC and initiative.





Recommended Feats



  • Great Weapon Master: Allows Barbarians to deal massive damage in exchange for accuracy, and grants additional attacks on critical hits or kills.

  • Tough: Boosts hit points, making Barbarians even harder to take down.

  • Sentinel: Locks enemies in place by stopping their movement when hit with an opportunity attack.

  • Resilient (Constitution): Grants proficiency in Constitution saving throws, useful for maintaining rage and resisting harmful effects.





Barbarian Playstyle Tips



  1. Utilize Rage Strategically: Rage is the key to survival and damage output. Always activate it in challenging combat situations to take full advantage of its benefits.

  2. Balance Reckless Attack: Use Reckless Attack to land critical hits or ensure attacks connect, but remember that it leaves you vulnerable.

  3. Leverage Movement and Positioning: Use Fast Movement and rage to control the battlefield, closing gaps and pressuring enemies.





Conclusion


Barbarians in D&D 5e are physical powerhouses, excelling in close combat with massive damage output and incredible resilience. Whether choosing the raw fury of the Berserker, the nature-bound power of the Totem Warrior, or any other path, Barbarians are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Their combination of strength, speed, and durability makes them a vital addition to any adventuring party.

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