Child of the Avalanche (Barbarian 23 / Champion of Torm 10 / Weapon Master 7) Playable 1-40 PvM Race: Dwarf Alignment: Any non-lawful, non-evil (CG for rp purposes)
Starting
Str 16 Dex 13 Con 18 Wis 8 Int 13 Cha 6
Leveling
1 Barbarian(1) - Dodge 2 Barbarian(2) 3 Barbarian(3) - Armor Proficiency: Heavy 4 Barbarian(4) - +con (19) 5 Barbarian(5) 6 Barbarian(6) - Weapon Focus : Battleaxe 7 Barbarian(7) - 8 Champion of Torm(1) - +con (20) 9 Champion of Torm(2) - Mobility, Expertise 10 Champion of Torm(3) 11 Champion of Torm(4) - Spring Attack 12 Barbarian(8) - +str (17), Whirlwind Attack 13 Weapon Master(1) - Weapon of Choice: Battleaxe 14 Weapon Master(2) 15 Weapon Master(3) - Knockdown 16 Weapon Master(4) - +str (18) 17 Weapon Master(5) 18 Weapon Master(6) - Improved Knockdown 19 Weapon Master(7) 20 Champion of Torm(5) - +con (21) 21 Champion of Torm(6) - Epic Damage Reduction I, Epic Damage Reduction II 22 Champion of Torm(7) 23 Champion of Torm(8) - Epic Damage Reduction III 24 Barbarian(9) - +str (19), Epic Weapon Focus: Battleaxe 25 Barbarian(10) 26 Barbarian(11) 27 Barbarian(12) - Great Constitution I (22) 28 Barbarian(13) - +str (20) 29 Champion of Torm(9) 30 Champion of Torm(10) - Great Strength I (21), Armor Skin 31 Barbarian(14) 32 Barbarian(15) - +str (22) 33 Barbarian(16) - Great Strength II (23) 34 Barbarian(17) 35 Barbarian(18) 36 Barbarian(19) - +str (24), Great Strength III (25) 37 Barbarian(20) 38 Barbarian(21) 39 Barbarian(22) - Mighty Rage 40 Barbarian(23) - +str (26)
My original idea for this build was to make a great AB battleaxe weapon master with mighty rage and EDR III. Following the game booklet's advice I aimed for 15 levels of barbarian to catch mighty rage and then race WM levels to raise with Epic Superior Weapon Focus, grabbing a couple CoT levels along the line for needed bonus feats. I must admit I was surprised that mighty rage did not show up when I hit barbarian 15 in epic levels. A quick search in the forums revealed the need for Epic Barbarian... I scrapped the build and started over. I left behind the idea of a weapon master and decided to put the focus on barbarian and CoT to get the most DR and saves with Mighty Rage, hitting only 7 levels of WM to raise my critical range and multiplier.
The results are satisfying IMO. A meleer with high HP, 14/- DR and the ability to go over the + 12 cap for Strength and Constitution without spells or magic items. He also has a decent damage output with his high critical range (18-20x4) and the ability to use Ki Damage 7X per day, as well as high Fortitude and Reflex saves. With a successful taunt (at + 41), he can also get a net bonus of + 6 to his AB, for a maximum unbuffed AB of + 54.
However, he has his weaknesses. His unbuffed Will save can cause trouble. He'll be very vulnerable against mind-affecting spells if there's no clarity potions available. When raging though, it gets a little better, and there's the racial bonus to take into account too. And his AC with mundane gear isn't that good either, although the damage reduction feats and high HP can make up for it. Against concealed opponents, he'll be in trouble since he doesn't get Blind-Fight. You could get it at the expense of another feat though.
All in all I consider him a good barbarian build that can stand his own without much trouble.
Comments and suggestions are much welcome!
Edited By griphook on 12/02/05 23:03
Suggestion: fit in Terrifying Rage which you can get at Barb level 15. Mucho squat yet scary barbarian >:) but maybe not all that useful _________________ .:\_/:. Only those who have known darkness in (OvO) their hearts will see the shadows in life... (|__|) ..".."..
Edited By Jennalee on 11/15/05 10:50
It is a powerful melee'r, DR and all. Even your saves are quite good to very good. In a low magic world Barbarians truly shine, they can be useful in mid magic, and do something else in high magic world. I like this one, CoT nicely covers up a few Barbarian weaknesses, like saves and feat starvation. Very well, Saosin.
I myself would never, ever play a meleer without Blind-Fight (unless it's impossible to fit in). But I guess if you don't come across any concealed opponents in your environment, it's fine. In my opinion, Bling-Fight is more useful than IKD - IKD is just bonus (small creatures may need it, however).
Nevertheless it's a fine build.
EDIT: oh you mentioned Blind-Fight already Well, I'd suggest dropping IKD ;D _________________ Now is my day's work done; I'll take good breath: Rest, sword; thou hast thy fill of blood and death.
