Help with Strength Based Barbarian

[arctic_cold]

Haven't played a strength-based barbarian character in awhile. Would like the build to be playable (solo and group) throughout the PvE leveling process (to level 30) on BGTSCC.

My initial build is http://nwn2db.com/build/?286073.

Any suggestions on the build? (Missing any key feats/abilities? Any feats should be removed?)

[chad878262]

A few notes...

1. I forget if you can take Steadfast the same level when you gain Toughness from AK, you might have to switch feats around to accommodate.

2. What is the point of ICE? I would think you would want either IPA or Northlander Hewing. In case of a Standard Rage Barbarian I think IPA is better most of the time, but due to mobs with DR it's very close, and Simian swears by NH (plus it's only 1 feat instead of 2). You should have enough AC and a shield for when needed, ICE isn't really necessary on a barbarian.

3. Lower INT to 8 (or 10 and lower DEX to 12) and raise CON to 18. You have one spare point to throw away to WIS, INT or CHA. Sacrifice a bit of STR to get CON to 21 and you can get Epic DR 3/6/9 to go up to DR 14/- You only need 21 STR to qualify for Epic Rage and the extra CON will also increase the duration of your rages, addressing your issue where rage doesn't last long enough to be active between rest timer. If your goal is max STR go for it, but you stated your goal is playable 1 to 30... You will still end up with ~26 base STR, 38 with Rage which is plenty, especially since your rages will last longer, you'll have more HP and +9 DR.

4. Barbarians get a bonus feat at 10, 20 and 30. In Epics drop a few GR STR feats to get CON to 21 and Epic DR 1-3 for 9 extra points of DR. Again, 38 STR is plenty and you'll have it more often while soaking more damage.

So basically drop CE, ICE and a few great STR feats. Get either PA/IPA or Northlander Hewing in Pre-Epics and you still have at least one extra feat at Barbarian 10. In Epics you want Epic Prowess, Expose Weakness, 21 CON, Epic Rage, and 3 epic DR feats. You have a total of 8 epic feats. So in order to get all of these, 1 of your stat increases needs to go to CON and the rest can go to STR, so by starting at 20 you end up with 26 STR.

Just some suggestions, but Standard Rage Barbarian really benefits by hitting 21 in both STR and CON. If you don't like your stats being so min/maxed you could stand to start STR at 18 (ending at 24) which gives 6 points to spread out to other stats and you'll still be fine on STR. Could even still afford that 14 INT and use your spare feat on IKD.

[Sun Wukong]

2. What is the point of ICE? I would think you would want either IPA or Northlander Hewing. In case of a Standard Rage Barbarian I think IPA is better most of the time, but due to mobs with DR it's very close, and Simian swears by NH (plus it's only 1 feat instead of 2). You should have enough AC and a shield for when needed, ICE isn't really necessary on a barbarian.

You do not always need to use Northlander Hewing, for example if you go against opponents with low DR and AC. In that case it just makes sense to turn off Northlander Hewing and get as many attacks as possible, but always remember to turn it back on when facing a spellcaster. Now, just because an opponent has low DR and AC, does not mean they also have low AB. Hence you might still need the extra AC, and it is generally something nice to have when tanking bosses.

Personally I have a strength based Half-Elf Barbarian 20/'Anointed Knight 10' with Whirlwind Frenzy rage variant, I have taken some Extend Rage feats, and I am actually considering getting Combat Expertise and Improved Combat Expertise, or Epic Prowess and Expose Weakness with my remaining epic feats.

And yes, I just adore the Northlander Hewing feat. For example my 'Fighter/Blackguard/Frenzied Berserker/Divine Champion' went against some CR 20 enemies with about 10 points of DR... And I could not help but to long for my Northlander Hewing Barbarian builds. Those would have just cleaved through the DR thanks to maximised damage dice. Now, my 'Fighter/Blackguard/Frenzied Berserker/Divine Champion' will do more damage per hit at level 30, but I just prefer Northlander Hewing Barbarians with high strength ability score. It just seems to work better on this server.

3. Lower INT to 8 (or 10 and lower DEX to 12) and raise CON to 18. You have one spare point to throw away to WIS, INT or CHA. Sacrifice a bit of STR to get CON to 21 and you can get Epic DR 3/6/9 to go up to DR 14/- You only need 21 STR to qualify for Epic Rage and the extra CON will also increase the duration of your rages, addressing your issue where rage doesn't last long enough to be active between rest timer. If your goal is max STR go for it, but you stated your goal is playable 1 to 30... You will still end up with ~26 base STR, 38 with Rage which is plenty, especially since your rages will last longer, you'll have more HP and +9 DR.

I would keep the stats as they are.



But yeah, I think you will do fine. I would recommend Whilrwind Frenzy with Northlander Hewing, because the Haste gives extra attacks as you level up... But in the long run Standard Rage will give you really good saves. Thus I think your build is fine as it is. You can even use ICE and NH together thanks to Expose Weakness.

[arctic_cold]

Thanks for the helpful feedback!