Barbarians... they're really not too fast

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:31 pm

I thought dipping into Barbarian would make my character a lot faster. I don't know why, but he's not moving noticably faster than any of my other characters.

Do they actually move faster?

Claudius · Post by **Claudius** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:04 am

That ability only works for light or medium armor (not heavy). btw not sure if I have the IWD vocabulary right but theres 3 types of armor right? Medium and light aren't that bad if you got high dexterity or cat's grace etc.

Also I think you only go Movement Rate 14 instead of 12 which is a less than 10 percent faster but still definately noticable.

Dabbler

Jedi_Sauraus · Post by **Jedi_Sauraus** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:03 pm

does it stack with the feat "dash" or w/e it's called ??

Aerich · Post by **Aerich** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:58 am

I don't see why it wouldn't, but I've never game-tested it. Dash seems like a waste of a feat for a barbarian, which is already faster than average. Really, the barbarian's must-have feats IMO are Power Attack, Cleave, Heroic Inspiration, and Improved Critical, with the "optional but desirable" feats including ambidexterity + two-weapon fighting, various weapon foci, dodge, dirty fighting, extra rage, and saving throw feats. If adding 4 fighter levels, get weapon specialization and maximized attacks (as those are the only reasons for adding fighter levels).

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:43 am

Ambidexterity + two-weapon fighting + extra rage are useless feats. You can do far more damage with 2-handed weapons and bull's strength makes rage obsolete.

Aerich · Post by **Aerich** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:27 am

I wouldn't say they're useless, but there may be better choices depending on how you want to play the character. In general I don't bother with dual-wielding with barbarians, as I'd rather spend the feats on weapons and saves after I've taken the must-haves, but dual-wielding axes can be surprisingly effective. As for Extra Rage, Bull's Strength does not make Greater Rage obsolete.

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:03 am

But "champion's strength" does.

Dualwielding axes can be effective enough, but using a gretaxe instead will yield a far better damage output.
You can of course still have fun dualwielding or with a raging barbarian for roleplaying reasons.
I didn't call rage useless, only the "extra rage" feat.
At higher levels enabling rage can yield more HP than than drinking a healing potion, but the numbers of rage you get even without extra rage feats should be more than enough.