Barbarian
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Description
Barbarians are awesome. They're so awesome they're nearly unchanged from base Pathfinder rules. They get Rage, a huge combat buff which turns an already tough and hard-hitting melee character into an utter monster. Plus, Barbarians have attitude to burn. They get rage powers that let you fine-tune what your character is like, they have flat-out the most hit points of anybody, period, they are fast on their feet, although nothing compared to a prowler, or a monk, and they just love themselves some really big, huge, two handed weapons. What's not to love?
Barbarians get a nice bump in combat power from the new weapons rules, and frankly, they were always pretty darn awesome. Try one! With the new rules, they're better than ever!
Alignment: Any non-lawful
Hit Die: d12
Starting Wealth: 3d6 × 10 gp (average: 105 gp)
Class Skills: The barbarian's class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Perception (Wis), Ride (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Table: Barbarian
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Fast movement, rage |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Rage power, uncanny dodge |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Trap sense +1 |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Rage power |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Improved uncanny dodge |
| 6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Rage power, trap sense +2 |
| 7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Damage reduction 1/— |
| 8th | +8/+3 | +6 | +2 | +2 | Rage power |
| 9th | +9/+4 | +6 | +3 | +3 | Trap sense +3 |
| 10th | +10/+5 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Damage reduction 2/—, rage power |
| 11th | +11/+6/+1 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Greater rage |
| 12th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +4 | +4 | Rage power, trap sense +4 |
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +8 | +4 | +4 | Damage reduction 3/— |
| 14th | +14/+9/+4 | +9 | +4 | +4 | Indomitable will, rage power |
| 15th | +15/+10/+5 | +9 | +5 | +5 | Trap sense +5 |
| 16th | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +10 | +5 | +5 | Damage reduction 4/—, rage power |
| 17th | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +5 | Tireless rage |
| 18th | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +11 | +6 | +6 | Rage power, trap sense +6 |
| 19th | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +6 | Damage reduction 5/— |
| 20th | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +6 | Mighty rage, rage power |
Class Features
- Weapon and Armor Proficiency
A barbarian is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, and light and heavy shields.
- Fast Movement (Ex)
A barbarian's land speed is faster than the norm for her race by +10 feet. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor, and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this untyped bonus before modifying the barbarian's speed because of any load carried or armor worn. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the barbarian's land speed.
- Rage (Ex)
During combat, a barbarian can call upon inner reserves of strength and ferocity, granting her additional combat prowess. Starting at 1st level, a barbarian can rage for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + her Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, she can rage for 2 additional rounds. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from rage and spells like bear's endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a barbarian can rage per day. A barbarian can enter rage during combat as a swift action. The total number of rounds of rage per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.
While in rage, a barbarian gains a +4 rage bonus to her Strength and Constitution, as well as a +2 rage bonus on Will saves. In addition, she takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase to Constitution grants the barbarian 2 hit points per Hit Dice, but these disappear when the rage ends and are not lost first like temporary hit points. While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
A barbarian can end her rage as a free action and is fatigued after rage for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the rage. A barbarian cannot enter a new rage while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter rage multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a barbarian falls unconscious, her rage immediately ends, placing her in peril of death.
- Rage Powers (Ex)
As a barbarian gains levels, she learns to use her rage in new ways. Starting at 2nd level, a barbarian gains a rage power. She gains another rage power for every two levels of barbarian attained after 2nd level. A barbarian gains the benefits of rage powers only while raging, and some of these powers require the barbarian to take an action first. Unless otherwise noted, a barbarian cannot select an individual power more than once.
- Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
At 2nd level, a barbarian gains the ability to react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She cannot be caught flat-footed, nor does she lose her Dex bonus to AC if the attacker is invisible. She still loses her Dexterity bonus to Armor Class if immobilized. A barbarian with this ability can still lose her Dexterity bonus to Armor Class if an opponent successfully uses the feint action against her.
If a barbarian already has uncanny dodge from a different class, she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead.
- Trap Sense (Ex)
At 3rd level, a barbarian gains a +1 untyped bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks made by traps. These bonuses increase by +1 every three barbarian levels thereafter (6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 27th, 30th, and 33rd level). Trap sense bonuses gained from multiple classes stack.
- Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
At 5th level and higher, a barbarian can no longer be flanked. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the barbarian by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target has barbarian levels.
If a character already has uncanny dodge (see above) from another class, the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
- Damage Reduction (Ex)
At 7th level, a barbarian gains damage reduction. Subtract 1 from the damage the barbarian takes each time she is dealt damage from a weapon or a natural attack. At 10th level, and every three barbarian levels thereafter (13th, 16th, 19th, 22nd, 25th, 28th, 31st and 34th level), this damage reduction rises by 1 point. Damage reduction can reduce damage to 0 but not below 0.
- Greater Rage (Ex)
At 11th level, when a barbarian enters rage, the rage bonus to her Strength and Constitution increases to +6 and the rage bonus on her Will saves increases to +3.
- Indomitable Will (Ex)
While in rage, a barbarian of 14th level or higher gains an untyped +4 bonus on Will saves to resist enchantment spells. This bonus stacks with all other modifiers, including the rage bonus on Will saves she also receives during her rage.
- Tireless Rage (Ex)
Starting at 17th level, a barbarian no longer becomes fatigued at the end of her rage.
- Mighty Rage (Ex)
At 20th level, when a barbarian enters rage, the rage bonus to her Strength and Constitution increases to +8 and the rage bonus on her Will saves increases to +4.
- Ex-Barbarians
A barbarian who becomes lawful loses the ability to rage and cannot gain more levels as a barbarian. She retains all other benefits of the class.
Barbarian Example Build
For those who are non-expert in this class, or who are busy, or who simply don't want to spend hours digging around feats, here's an example build. Note: This is not a suggested build. Heck, it's probably even not very good. But what it WILL do is let you play without hours of investment, and it will perform more than adequately. If you want to tweak, feel free!
Human, base stats: Str 20, Dex 13, Con 16, int 10, Wis 10, Chr 8.
Example Feats
1st Level: Exotic Weapon Proficiency:Imperial Axe, Weapon Focus:Imperial Axe. The biggest axe there is.
3rd Level: Power Attack. Oh man, you hit like an anvil!
5th Level: Cleave. You're fast on your feet, find clusters of bad guys and cleave them.
7th Level: Combat Reflexes. You're going to be in the thick of things, and your attacks of opportunity are huge. Get more of them!
9th Level: Extra Rage power:DR . Be tougher!
11th Level: Extra Rage power:DR . Be Even TOUGHER!
13th Level: Extra Rage power:DR . HELL YEAH.
15th Level: Dodge. Some more armor class.
17th Level: Mobility. Let's you wander around the battlefield.
19th Level: Great Cleave. Cleave, and then CLEAVE SOME MORE.
Example Rage powers
2nd Level: Scent. You can smell the fear on'em.
4th Level: Renewed Vigor. You shake off some damage.
6th Level: Regenerative Vigor. You become even tougher to stop.
8th Level: Renewed Life. Ignore that pesky life drain crap.
10th Level: Renewed Vitality. Ability Damage? YOU LAUGH.
12th Level: Come and Get Me. Ahh, here it is. THIS is why you've taken all those defensive abilities all this time.
14th Level: Unexpected Strike. Moar damage! Only once a rage, but hey, it's good for when you want to put in a finisher.
16th Level: Flesh Wound. Getting a little low on hit points? Pick a reasonably sized attack. Make save. IGNORE IT.
18th Level: Fearless Rage. Fear is for lesser killing machines than you, my friend.
20th Level: Good For What Ails You. Drink booze, reroll some saving throws.
This build is a high toughness, moderate defense Barbarian. He'll be doing more than okay damage, but the maxed-out DR and defensive feats means he'll be in the fight a good long time.
Epic Barbarian
Table: Epic Barbarian
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | +21/+16/+11/+6 | 13 | 7 | 7 | Trap sense +7, |
| 22nd | +21/+16/+11/+6 | 13 | 7 | 7 | Epic Rage Power, DR 6/— |
| 23rd | +22/+17/+12/+7 | 14 | 8 | 8 | Epic Bonus Feat |
| 24th | +22/+17/+12/+7 | 14 | 8 | 8 | Epic Rage Power, Trap Sense +8 |
| 25th | +23/+18/+13/+8 | 15 | 9 | 9 | DR 7/— |
| 26th | +23/+18/+13/+8 | 15 | 9 | 9 | Epic Bonus Feat, Epic Rage Power |
| 27th | +24/+19/+14/+9 | 16 | 10 | 10 | Trap sense +9, Mightier Rage |
| 28th | +24/+19/+14/+9 | 16 | 10 | 10 | Epic Rage Power, DR 8/— |
| 29th | +25/+20/+15/+10 | 17 | 11 | 11 | Epic Bonus Feat |
| 30th | +25/+20/+15/+10 | 17 | 11 | 11 | Epic Rage Power, Trap Sense +10 |
| 31st | +26/+21/+16/+11 | 18 | 12 | 12 | DR 9/— |
| 32nd | +26/+21/+16/+11 | 18 | 12 | 12 | Epic Bonus Feat, Epic Rage Power |
| 33rd | +27/+22/+17/+12 | 19 | 13 | 13 | Mightiest Rage, Trap Sense +11 |
| 34th | +27/+22/+17/+12 | 19 | 13 | 13 | DR 10/—, Epic Rage Power |
| 35th | +28/+23/+18/+13 | 20 | 14 | 14 | Epic Bonus Feat |
| 36th | Apotheosis! | ||||
Epic Class Features
- Mightier Rage [Rage]
Beginning at 27th level, when you rage, your rage bonus to Strength and Constitution increases to +10 each and your rage bonus to Will saves increases to +6.
- Mightiest Rage [Rage]
Beginning at 33rd level, when you rage, your rage bonus to Strength and Constitution increases to +12 each and your rage bonus to Will saves increases to +8.
- Rage
A barbarian continues to increase the number of rounds per day they can rage by 2 for every level beyond 20th
- Epic Rage Power
Beginning at 22nd level, and every two levels thereafter, the barbarian may select a rage power from the Epic Rage Powers list or the Rage Powers list.
- Epic Bonus Feat
Beginning at 23rd level, and every three levels thereafter, the barbarian receives a bonus epic feat which may be chosen from the epic feats list, or from any of the heroic feats lists. The barbarian must meet any prerequisites required to select a given feat. A barbarian may also trade their epic bonus feat for a Barbarian Rage Power or an Epic Rage Power.