Registered Member #800
Joined: 2:26:38 am GMT 06/19/06
Posts: 2065
barbarians never imo was one off the strongest classes, but one with a special flavor they do excel when having someone buffing them as they got highest BAB and HP
Registered Member #924
Joined: 10:11:28 pm GMT 11/25/06
Posts: 168
Barbs rule... IMO.. but some hints on how to make him better..
Exoctic Weapon feat: 1d10 weapons Toughness: I believe in this feat for all classes... just makes barbs harder to kill though:) KD and IMP KD: Again afeat I believe everyone should have. ((They can't sneak attack or cast if they'er on the ground *Wink wink*)) Two handed weapons: More damage faster, use hast potions to make up for the loss of AC ((Also makes you hit more then:) )) Bulls str potions: Need I say more? Go pure barb: Get the max damage reduction, end up with more HP than a fighter, Greater rage is beautiful. Constitution: The more you have, the longer it takes for them to kill you and the more time you have to kill them.
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
I <3 Barbarian Rage. Byran with 28 Str gets a boost up to about 31 Str (when he's angry). He usually gives more damage then what he receives so therefore usually in the end Byran wins.
I never really have had a problem with output damage with him.
Have you taken any weapon specialization skills for the great axe? It might help with the output damage.
and improved critical is nice too
[ Edited 03:29:03 AM 06/21/07 ]
Registered Member #778
Joined: 10:01:06 am GMT 05/17/06
Posts: 236
In my opinion a place like Thain is the ideal spot for a barbarian to be successful. Your rage will always count for something as it stacks with spells and magic items while the amount of magic is low enough that not everyone is running around with max bonus strength.
I'm not sure of your exact situation but if you frequently travel on your own expect to die a lot. There were fewer folks playing on the server when I started and the place was a ghost town when I got off work (usually around 3 am Eastern U.S.). So Thorvald played to an empty server many nights, and I got frustrated and made a thief, as I like a good thief as well. Trust me, playing a thief with no one around is just as bad, though a bit richer. And until I killed Danius off his damage potential was outrageous, a monk would be jealous of his open hand attack...for one round, anyway. But overall Thorvald at the same level can do it round after round so the thief isn't close when it comes to total damage.
Thorvald is loosely based on a viking model and as such uses chainmail and a large shield (I felt the tower shied was out of character for him as well) and fights with a battleaxe. There are lots of characters that do more damage per round, and the selection of magic battleaxes is fairly poor so I'm not equipped with the best weapon around, though it's pretty good, if hard to get.
I've concentrated on strength and constitution but have a fair dex and just over average intelligence. He won't win many popularity contests unless they involve ogres and trolls, that gives him a 50-50 chance. He also isn't the type to be able to learn from his mistakes and if he fails his answer is usually just hit harder rather than, maybe, make a new plan. That also means if a cleric tells him it's a good idea to stand still while his friends beat on Thorvald, he's liable to do so. But that is the character I wanted, he definately could use more AC, and his damage could be higher but his survival rate is currently very good.
Mostly, I think you're getting to a level where magic items start to really come into play. Get into a party where you will survive longer and remember you can run away. Clarity and invisibility potions can be your friend to help with fear effects or get you away from a bad situation. Then in a couple levels with the right magic items to suit your character he'll be pretty equal to any other warrior class with whatever magic they might have. As the damage resistance comes and you get greater rage you'll forget about the nifty great cleave that the fighter has to kill 20 kobolds in one round because it doesn't matter on tougher creatures.
Well, enough rambling...if you like barbarians stick with it. You'll be able to have a lot of fun. I can't really say on multi-class as I rarely do it, but it isn't necessary if you don't want. Thorvald is pure barbarian and I'd put him up against any warrior on the server. I wouldn't always win but I'd have confidence that he could show well. I didn't build him for power but as I envisioned him and I don't have any regrets I could have or should have made him more powerful, he can go pretty much anywhere he wants.
Just have fun with it. (I think they're coming out with a cliff note version if you don't have time to read my whole post)
Edited for the spelling errors I caught
[ Edited 05:16:13 AM 06/21/07 ]
Squawk! Registered Member #648
Joined: 1:50:32 am GMT 11/20/05
Posts: 1484
Taunt is very useful on Thain, especially in a group. Max it out, use it on high hit point or AC foes and watch everyone in the group nail the enemy even if they have low AB's. Taunt is also useful in combination with knockdown or power attack to offset the attack penalty. You can lower the opponents AC by up to 6 points, making even a wizard with a crossbow a damage dealer.
! Registered Member #20
Joined: 8:30:40 am GMT 02/25/04
Posts: 7123
The other handy thing about Taunt is the way it forces the enemy to attack the Taunter. This is great if you're in a party with heavy Sneak Attack characters, since you can guarantee that they'll be getting some incredible DPS.
Registered Member #1050
Joined: 7:35:50 am GMT 05/11/07
Posts: 409
Thanks one and all for your advice/ insight, as IO want to RP the character I will perservere with Rodgr and his trusty axe as I believe he would be in an RP world even if he does get the regular kicking. One last thing though, do you think he should eat kobolds or goblins? See you all IG
[ The Island of Thain ]
Barbarian rage - more of a whimper
Edited for the spelling errors I caught
