Let's face it, the barbarian in AD&D's Unearthed Arcana is a pile of suck.  He's my version of a barbarian class for Labyrinth Lord (and therefore for B/X style D&D).  Any and all feedback is welcome.


Barbarian Class for Labyrinth Lord

Requirements: STR 13, DEX 12, CON 14
Prime Requisites: STR, CON
Hit Dice: 1d12 through 9th level, +3 per level thereafter
Maximum Level: none
Experience Chart: Ranger
Attacks/Saves: Fighter
Weapons/Armor: All swords, axes, spears, daggers, shortbows, and longbows/leather armor, studded leather armor, and shields

Special Abilities:

Barbarians may track as per a ranger of the same level.

Barbarians are surprised only on 1 on 1d6; they may surprise others on 1-3 on 1d6.

Savage Rage—a barbarian can choose to go into a violent rage as many times per day equal to their level.  While in the throes of a rage a barbarian gains a bonus to hit and damage equal to their Constitution modifier +1.  A rage lasts for 1d6 rounds.  However, while in a rage a barbarian can only attack in melee and cannot retreat.  Furthermore, while in a rage a barbarian's Armor Class is worse by two points.

Reaching 6th level: Vulgar Display of Power—when a barbarian kills a foe he or she may choose an opponent that must make an immediate morale check.

I'd drop one of the sneak bonuses - probably the bonus to sneak, rather then the bonus against sneaking.

I'd also suggest that you have the ability to fly in rage that's closer to 3e.

Other then that - no objections. I guess nice class. Liked the "gory death" feature.

Quote from: Rincewind1;523216I'd drop one of the sneak bonuses - probably the bonus to sneak, rather then the bonus against sneaking.

That's just copy/pasted from the ranger.

QuoteI'd also suggest that you have the ability to fly in rage that's closer to 3e.

What would that look like and why would it be better?  Give me more to work with, man!

QuoteOther then that - no objections. I guess nice class. Liked the "gory death" feature.

I stole that from Pseudo's blog.

Quote from: misterguignol;523218That's just copy/pasted from the ranger.

I noticed ;p. Though the Conan - style barbarian would be both harder to sneak upon and a better sneak himself. So maybe let it stay as it is

QuoteWhat would that look like and why would it be better?  Give me more to work with, man!

Rage 1/day on level 1, and additional rage at level 4 and every 4 levels.

Quote from: Rincewind1;523219Rage 1/day on level 1, and additional rage at level 4 and every 4 levels.

How's this look: Savage Rage—a barbarian can choose to go into a violent rage once per day at 1st level and once more per day for every three levels the barbarian attains.  While in the throes of a rage a barbarian gains a +2 bonus to hit and damage.  A rage lasts for 3 rounds + Constitution bonus; however, a barbarian can pre-emptively end a rage.  While in a rage a barbarian can only attack in melee and is immune to fear effects.

Quote from: misterguignol;523223How's this look: Savage Rage—a barbarian can choose to go into a violent rage once per day at 1st level and once more per day for every three levels the barbarian attains.  While in the throes of a rage a barbarian gains a +2 bonus to hit and damage.  A rage lasts for 3 rounds + Constitution bonus; however, a barbarian can pre-emptively end a rage.  While in a rage a barbarian can only attack in melee and is immune to fear effects.

Cool by me.

1) Perhaps 1d6 + Constitution bonus rather then the fixed amount of rounds? I like the occasional roll, y'know.

2) Full immunity to fear? I'd suggest +4 bonus to saves, but both systems work, I guess.

Quote from: Rincewind1;523224Cool by me.

1) Perhaps 1d6 + Constitution bonus rather then the fixed amount of rounds? I like the occasional roll, y'know.

2) Full immunity to fear? I'd suggest +4 bonus to saves, but both systems work, I guess.

I like both of those, thanks!

Quote from: misterguignol;523211Reaching 6th level: Vulgar Display of Power—when a barbarian kills a foe he or she may choose an opponent that must make an immediate morale check.

The wild eyed barbarian Pantera howls with lust as he bites the nose off of a fresh kill!!


I like it!!

Looks good to me. I agree with Rincewind, the variable round rage is more fun and +4 to saves vs. fear, immunity is boring unless high level besides the numeric bonus can leveled up like 3e if you want, it gives you more design space.

Here's another draft:

Barbarians
Requirements: STR 13, DEX 12, CON 14
Prime Requisites: STR, CON
Hit Dice: 1d12 through 9th level, +3 per level thereafter
Maximum Level: none
Experience Chart: Ranger
Attacks/Saves: Fighter
Weapons/Armor: All swords, axes, spears, daggers, shortbows, and longbows/leather armor, studded leather armor, and shields

Barbarians are typically warriors who hail from nomadic or uncivilized cultures.  They are usually found in areas of the world that are still wild.  The barbarian's fighting spirit in imbued with this wildness; they are frenzied berzerkers, warp-spasm-prone marauders, and reavers accustomed to life amidst the wastelands.

Special Abilities:
Barbarians may track as per a ranger of the same level.

Barbarians are surprised only on 1 on 1d6; they may surprise others on 1-3 on 1d6.

Savage Rage—a barbarian can choose to go into a violent rage once per day at 1st level and once more per day for every three levels the barbarian attains.  While in the throes of a rage a barbarian gains a +2 bonus to hit and damage.  A rage lasts for 1d6 rounds + Constitution modifier; however, a barbarian can pre-emptively end a rage.  While in a rage a barbarian can only attack in melee and gains a +4 bonus to Saving Throws vs. fear effects.

Reaching 6th level: Vulgar Display of Power—when a barbarian kills a foe he or she may choose an opponent that must make an immediate morale check.

Reflavoring: Of course, a barbarian character doesn't necessarily have to hail from a barbaric culture.  A barbarian might be a normal soldier who falls into a murderous rage in the heat of battle.  Or perhaps a barbarian might be a normal man or woman who is sometimes possessed by the bloodthirsty spirit of a deceased maniac or murderer.

Looks solid, thanks for letting us girls in the club.  Red Sonja and Zena are among my favorite inspiration for Barbarians.

Quote from: Marleycat;523236Looks solid, thanks for letting us girls in the club.  Red Sonja and Zena are among my favorite inspiration for Barbarians.

Heh, my games are usually about 50% women players, so I gotta keep the ladies happy.

Quote from: misterguignol;523239Heh, my games are usually about 50% women players, so I gotta keep the ladies happy.

Good to know that there are good number of female gamers out there, if Wotc remembers that they would be golden.

Quote from: Marleycat;523253Good to know that there are good number of female gamers out there, if Wotc remembers that they would be golden.

My group is probably a little anomalous though.  There's definitely room for more women in the hobby for sure.

I may be an anomaly also, in that I have never been in a playgroup of Dnd with less than 2 girls in the  group, more commonly it hits your percentage, if not more. We like killing things and taking their stuff just as much as any boy. But truth is, you have to thank White Wolf for the easier entry of women into t
he hobby overall.

White Wolf games have a serious percentage of female gamers because of the different focus on "story" (sorry Ben but it's the truth, good news is they convert easily if they're comfortable with your subject matter in whatever game you run).