BARBARIANAMSMASHAPracticalGuideto

BreakingFaces
byTrinam
BARBARIANAMLOOKINGONINTERNETS.AMSEEMANYGUIDESFORMANYCLASSES.NOTSEE
GUIDEFORANYCLASSESTHATAMNOTSQUISHYCASTY.BARBARIANSAYTOSELF:BARBARIAN!AM
NOTMAKEBARBARIANGUIDE?BARBARIANAMSMASHFACESINWITHKNOWLEGEINSTEADOF
LANCE.BARBARIANAMTHENREALIZING7INTNOTGOODFORKNOWLEGE.BARBARIANAM
THREATENMUCHSQUISHY,FINDPOORSAPANDMAKERITEGUIDETOMAKENONCRAPPY
BARBARIANS.HEAMONLYWANTBARBARIANRITEINTRODUCTION.GUIDEAMBEINGBASEDON
TREENTMONKWORK,AMMEANINGTHEREAMCOLORS:
REDAMCRAPPYOPTION.CRAPPYBARBARIANSAMTAKETHIS.
ORANGEAMLESSCRAPPY.AMSOMETIMESUSEFUL,BUTAMNOTGREAT.
GREENAMGOODOPTION.BARBARIANLIKEGREEN.
BLUEAMBESTOPTION.ITAMOPTIONALMOSTASGOODASBARBARIAN.ONLYBARBARIANSTILL
BETTER,BECAUSEBARBARIANAMAWESOME.
GOANDMAKEMANYNONCRAPPYBARBARIANS.AMMAKESAVES,AMSMASHSQUISHYCASTYS.ALL
AMHAILBARBARIAN.BARBARIANAMGONOW,HEADAMHURTINGFROMUSEWORDS,AMGOING
HOMETOLADYBARIAN.LEAVERITINGTOTALKYMANWITHFACE.

AbouttheBarbarian
Withfewexceptions,thepurposeofthePathfinderBarbarianincombatistorage,killpeople,andbreakthings.
Theyhaveahighdamagepotential,andtheirragepowersservetomakethemhitharder,better,faster,and
strongerthananyotherclass.TheBarbarianisalsoversatile,havingseveraldifferentbuildsthatyoucanplay
specializinginanythingfromcontrollingthefieldwithfeareffectstoshruggingoffdamagelikeatrooperto
gettingmoreAttackofOpportunityattemptsthanareachweaponfighterinawindstormfullofTinycreatures.
TheproblemwiththatversatilityisthateachBarbariantypeissodifferentthatitsalmostlikemakinga
completelydifferentcharacter.Anygiventypewillhavedifferentstatpriorities,differentfeatpriorities,different
ragepowerpriorities,andevendifferentracesandmagicitemchoices.Thisguidewillbefocusingontwo
differentbuilds:theMountedBarbarian,andtheComeandGetMeBarbarian.

BARBARIANLEARNINGEVERYTHINGBARBARIANNEEDKNOWFROMTHISGUY.AMGREATTEACHER.
NOTEAWESOMEGLASSES,CLOAKOFRESISTANCE+5,ANDLACKOFSHIRT.AMTHREEPOINTS
REQUIREDFORANYNONCRAPPYBARBARIAN.TATTOOSAMPLUS,BUTOPTIONAL.

TheRoles
Yourpartyrolebasicallyamountstohurtthings,butthestrategybehindhurtingthingsandtheamountof
hurtingyoudodependslargelyonwhatkindofBarbarianyouchoosetomake.
MountedBarbarian
TheMountedBarbarianuseschargelanesandtakesadvantageofalanceinordertodoridiculousamountsof
damageperhit.Theylovelongcharges,openchargelanes,andcankillalmostanysingleenemyoftheirCRor
lowerinasingleroundiftheygettheirchargelane.Theydontliketinychokepoints,andarcherswhocanstay

outoftheirchargerange.Flyingmountsareamust,butarereallyhardtoget.
CAGMBarbarian
CAGM,shortforComeandGetMe,isallaboutupfront,inyourfacemeleecombat.Inachokepoint,theCAGM
Barbarianisabeastthatwilldestroyenemiesleftandright,andtherearepreciousfewmeleecharacterswho
canstanduptooneinstraightmeleecombat.Theylovetinychokepointsandenemieswithalotofiterative
attacks.Theydontlikelongrangedcombatants,girlyfighterswithCombatExpertiseanda80ArmorClass,or
peoplewhocanotherwisehitthemfromoutoftheirreach.

Abilities
YourabilitiesdependlargelyonwhatkindofBarbarianyouregoingtobe.Obviously,bothofthebuildsabove
aregoingtohavedifferentwants.Still,eachbuildsharesafewthingsthattheydontneed.NoBarbarianneeds
acharismastatisticforanything.Youarenotatalker,youaredeath,destroyerofworlds.Intelligenceisalso
unimportant,as4skillpointsperlevelmeansthatevena7intwillnetyou2,whichisasmuchormorethan
80%offightersontheplanet.IfyouwantRagingVitality,youneed15orhigherCON.Finally,DEXisalittle
moreimportantforComeandGetMebuildsthanitisforMountedbuilds.Overall,Idprioritizestatslikethis:
STR>CON>DEX>WIS>INT>CHA

Races
ThereareseveralinterestingracialchoicesforaBarbarian.ThentheresElves.
Human:Humansareamazingforeveryclass.Barbariansarenoexception.Theycangivea+2toanystat,
Skilledcaneitherbekeptforanextraskillpoint,orswitchedforHeartoftheFieldstonegatethefatiguefrom
endingarage1/day.TheirfavoredclassbonustoSuperstitionalsoprovidesamazingsavingthrowsifyoupick
upthisRagePower.
HalfOrc:HalfOrcsgetthehuman+2toanystat,aswellasafavoredclassbonustoyourragerounds,which
isusefulifyoureusingfeatsandoptionsthatburnthroughyourragerounds.Theyalsoaretheonlycorerace
toeasilyhaveaccesstoDestroyersBlessingfromOrcsofGolarion,whichisincrediblyusefulforrestoring
yourragerounds.
HalfElf:Aswithalltheparthumans,HalfElvesareastrongchoiceforaBarbarian.Youcangetthe+2bonus
toanystat,AncestralArmsisagoodvariantforgettinganexoticweaponforyourBarbariantouse,oryoucan
keepAdaptabilitytogiveyourselfSkillFocusinRide,Perception,orsomethingequallyuseful..
Dwarf:Yourbasespeedsuffers,butthe+10fromfastmovementgenerallymakesyoubreakeven.+2
Constitutionisarguablyjustasgoodas+2Strength(ThoughIgenerallypreferStrength),andthe+2Wisdom
willhelpwithPerceptionandWillsaves.Likehalforcs,theycangetbonusrageroundsastheirfavoredclass
bonus,andHardyboostsyouralreadyformidableBarbariansaves.Ifyouareplayingacampaignatlower
levels,notethatDwarves+SteelSoulbeatsoutonaHumansbonustoSuperstitionuntil12thlevel.

Elf:The+2toDexterityand2toConstitutionmakethisanormallyhorriblebuildforaBarbarian,butifyouwant
aDexteritybasedBarbarianthereareworsechoicesyoucouldmake.The+2INTservesthesamepurposeas
theSkilledracialabilityofahuman,andtheElvenImmunitiesarehelpfulforsurvivingagainstseveralrather
nastyspells.
Gnome:TheStrengthpenaltyanduselessCharismabonusnormallymeansIwouldntrecommendthem,but
fortheMountedBarbarianGnomescanbeanunexpectedlygoodchoice.Alargelogisticalproblemwithbeinga
MountedBarbarianisthatyoureonahorse,whichmakesyoualargecreature.Thiscancauseissueswith
chargingandmaneuveringincrampeddungeons.AGnomeonamountiseffectivelyaMediumsizecreature.
Thismeansyoucanmovearoundonyourwolforridingdogasthoughyouwerethesameasanormal
everydaycharacter.The+2Constitutionboostsyourrageandlongevity,andletsyougettheomnipresent
RagingVitalityfaster.Thisscrapesthemanorangerating.
Halfling:Halflingsdonotmakegoodbarbarians.IfyouwantasmallBarbarian,makeagnome.Ifyouwanta
Dexbarbarian,anElfisbetter.ThesepoorlittleguysarejustoutclassedatbeingaBarbarian.

ClassFeatures
TheBarbariansbasicclassfeaturesareoutlinedbelow.SinceArchetypesreplacethesefeatures,itsgoodto
knowwhatitiswellbegivingup(Andwhatwewillhaveifwedonttakeany!)
FastMovement:Oftentimesthisisincrediblyuseful,addingdistanceandflexibilitytohowyoucanposition
yourselfandhowfaryoucanchargefrom.Ifyoureamountedbarbarian,thisiscompletelyuseless90%ofthe
time,butisgoodfortheremaining10%whenyouredismountedforwhateverreason.Atworstitssituational,at
bestitsanawesomepower.
Rage:Yourprimaryclassfeature,andthe#1wayofaddingtoyourdamage.ItboostsyourStrength,your
Constitution,andyourwillsavebesides,andMoralebonusestostatsarerare,meaningtheywilllikelynotbe
overwritinganythingelse.Thisisalsothefeaturethatletsyouuseyourbestclassfeatures:RagePowers.
Rememberthatyoucannotnormallyenteraragewhilefatigued.
UncannyDodge:NotbeingFlatFootedmattersmuchmoreifyouhaveahighdexteritymodifierthatgivesyou
agoodArmorClass.Generally,theBarbarianhasneitherahighenougharmorclassnorahighenough
Dexterityforthistobeparticularlyuseful.Itisgoodforcatchinginvisibleroguesoffguard,butthatissituational
atbest.
TrapSense:IfyourDMdoesntuseverymanytraps,thenthisabilityisawasteofspace.Iftrapsabound,and
youdonthaveanywaytoensureALLofthemgottakencareofthenthispassivebuffcouldbenicetohave,but
thatisalotofIfs.
ImprovedUncannyDodge:Forthemostpart,properpositioningwillkeepthisabilityfromevercomingup.Itis
usefulagainstthingsthattumbleintoasurround,orambushesorconfrontationsfromtwosides,butthisis
somewhatsituational.Again,itisperfectformakingroguescry.

DamageReduction:Anythingthatmakesabarbariantakelessdamageisokbyme.Thedamagereduction
comesslowly,startingat1/andgoingto5/,butrememberthatitisuntypedDRmeaninganynonenergy
attackwillbedealingyoulessdamage.
GreaterRage:Thismakesyourprimaryclassfeaturebetter.Simple.
IndomitableWill:AbonustoyourWillsavesaboveandbeyondthatofraging,butonlyagainstthe
enchantmentschool.Consideringoneofthefavoriteresponsesofspellcasterseverywhereistodominate
frontlinefighters,thisisnicetohave.
TirelessRage:Thisabilitymakesallyour1/ragepowersbecome1/roundpowers.Theabilitytoragecycleisa
beautifulthing,andTirelessRageisaninclassoptionthatgivesyouthatability.
MightyRage:Asfarascapstonesgo,thisissomewhatweak.Itmakesyourbestclassfeaturebetter,but
thatsaboutit.Itsnicetohave,butnotsomethingthatshoulddissuadeyoufrommulticlassingifyouwantto.

Archetypes
AsaBarbarian,archetypesexisttotradeoutyourlessusefulclassfeaturesformoreusefulclassfeatures.
Somearchetypesaregood,others...notsomuch.Iwilloutlinethembelow:
ArmoredHulk:ThisisanokayarchetypeforaCAGMBarbarian.BearinmindthatCAGMgivesyour
opponentsa+4bonusonanyattackordamagerollsagainstyou,sogenerallygettinghitisaforegone
conclusion.Ifyouareusing+5MithralFullplatewithagooddexteritybonus,however,thisforegoneconclusion
shouldbelessforegone.However,betweenthenatural2toAC(AndnoteyoucannotmixthisonewithUrban
Barbariantoavoidthat),andthenegativesyougetfromRecklessAbandon,hittingyouisstillataneffective+10
at12thlevel.IthaspotentialifyouwantamorecontrolbasedBarbarianbuildbasedonfeareffectsand
intimidation,butthatisnotabuilddiscussedhere.
Breaker:SunderisthegreatestcombatmaneuvertohaveonaBarbarian,butyoureallydontneedthebonus
todamageonobjects,andyouREALLYdontneedabonustousingBrokenweapons.Thismightbegoodina
lowtechcampaignwhereallweaponsaremadefromboneandgetthebrokenconditionfrequently,butthatisa
bigmight.
BrutalPugilist:Thiswasdonebetteronthemonk.ItscalledTetori.Ifyouwanttobegoodatgrappling,play
that,asitwillworksomuchbetterthanyourBrutalPugilistBarbarian.
DrunkenBrute:Icannotfindanabilitythatwillmakedrinkingapotionintoafreeaction.Thus,thisragepower
isnotasgoodasitcouldbe.Ifthereisanabilitythatmakesdrinkingafreeaction,gowiththatandsuddenly
thisispumpeduptoGreen.Otherwise,thisisagoodpowerforifyouhaveakegofliquorandnothingtodoand
needtokeepraging..butisotherwisenotverygood.ItgetsOrangeoutofrespectfortheideaofaragingdrunk

breakingthings.
ElementalKin:ThisarchetypeisforifyoutookMountedFurybutdidntwanttogiveupDamageReduction.
Theeffectissituational,butbetterthanTrapSenseincampaignswhereyouhaveatrapspotteroraGMwho
doesntusetraps.
Hurler:Hurlerisgoodforifyouintendtousethrownweapons,whicharealreadysubpar.Ifyouwanttobea
rangedBarbarian,itisbettertouseabowandgowithUrbanBarbarian.
InvulnerableRager:Ilovethisarchetype.YougiveupTrapSenseandUncannyDodge.Forityougetavastly
improvedDR/progressionandresistancetotheelementofyourchoosing(Ifyoureoptimizing,pickfire.Itsthe
mostcommonelementtypeinthegame).Thisisaverysexyarchetypeonitsown,anditisstackablewitha
fewotherfavoritearchetypes.ItsalsothearchetypeofchoiceforaCAGMBarbarian,astheDR/willincrease
yoursurvivabilitymuchmorethanACwillinthelongrun.DidImentionIlovethisarchetype?
MountedFury:IfyouwantaMountedBarbarian,yourGMwontletyoutakeLeadership,andyouwantamount
thatisanystrongerthana6HDanimalyouboughtatthemarket,thisisyourbestoptionforanarchetype.Once
youtakeBoonCompanion(Andyoushould),theACisthesameasadruidofyourlevel,andthatmakesfora
mightyfineanimalcompanion.Alsonotethattheprimaryabilityincreasesanymovementspeedthemounthas
by10feet.Thisisveryhandy.
SavageBarbarian:TheseBarbarianstradeTrapSenseandDamagereductionfortheabilitytogetAC
bonuseswhilenotwearingarmor.By20thlevel,youaregettinga+3Dodgebonusanda+5naturalarmor
bonustoyourACwhilenaked.Thisisactuallylessthanthe+5fullplatewouldgiveyouifyouwentwithArmored
Hulkatthesamelevel(thoughitisfreealwaysaplus).OnourBarbarianbuilds,ACisnevergoingtobea
mainfocusbecauseitisntreallycosteffectivetogetameaningfulACafterRecklessAbandon,Rage,and
ComeandGetMeareputtogether.SinceitcostslessthanArmoredHulk,butgivessimilarbenefits,Iwillrateit
thesame.Maybedecentforacontrolbasedfearbuild,butthatisnotthisguide.
ScarredRager:YouloseFastMovement,UncannyDodge,andTrapSense.Thatsok.Inreturn,yougeta
naturalbonustoIntimidateonmosttargets(Diplomacyontherarebarbarian),andyourfearsaveDCsare
increasedby1(TerrifyingHowl,Imlookingatyou).Then,yougetTolerance,whichgivesyoufreererolls
againstcertaindebuffs,orelsehalvestheeffectofthosethatdontallowsavingthrows.Thereisalsoa
primitiveragecyclingavailablebyraging,usingapower,endingyourturnimmediately,andthenlosingthe
fatiguebeforeyournextturnsstart.(Thisdoesmeanyoureoutofrageandfatiguedduringenemyturns..thisis
oftenilladvised.)Youalsogettheabilitytonegatebleeddamage.Itsanicearchetype,butforlesscostof
admissionyoucangetInvulnerableRager,andasaBarbarianyoualreadygetanastysetofsaves.Itsgood,
butIpreferotherarchetypes.
SeaReaver:Maybeifyoureinapiratecampaign,butalloftheseabilitiesaresituational.Thefogeffectisnice,
buttheonlyfogeffectsyoucomeupagainstfrequentlygivefullconcealmentoutsideof5feetandthusitisnot
particularlyuseful.

Superstitious:ThisarchetypegoeswellalongsideMountedFury,asthetwomeshupperfectly.Yougeta
bonustoinitiative,andaslevelsincreasevariouswayssensingyouropponents.Thesensescometooslowly
formytastes,(IdpersonallylikeScentat7thratherthanLLV),butotherwisethisisasolidarchetype.
TitanMauler:IliketheideaofaBarbarianhittingthingswithagiantsword,buttheonlygoodthingaboutthis
archetypeishonestlyTitanicRage.IfyourewantingtoplayCloudStrife,thenaTitanMaulermaybeforyou,but
youdonthavethefeatresourcestoTWFwithtwogreatswords.Itmightbeworthatwoleveldipforother
classeswithenoughfeatstoTWF.
TotemWarrior:Man,Idontevenknow.Theresdebateoverifthisarchetypeevendoesanythingatall,and
untilwegetsomeclarificationitsprobablybesttoavoiditoraskyourGMforhisopiniononwhatitwilldoinhis
game.
TruePrimitive:Justsayno.YoureeffectivelyaBarbarianwhocannolongerreadandhasamuchworse
weaponselectionwhomustuseboneweaponsandothersuchprimitivethingstogetby.Poorweapon
proficiencyselectionontopofthatreallykillsourprimalBarbarian.Yougetafavoredterrain(andarebetteratit
thanRangers!),andTrophyFetishisprettygoodforincreasingsavesordamage,butitisntenoughtokeep
thisarchetypefrombeingbad.
UrbanBarbarian:YougiveupMediumArmorproficiencyandyourskillproficienciesbecomemoretalkyin
nature,butinexchangeforthatyougetabonusonAttackandACwhenyourenextto2+enemies(AsaCAGM
buildthisissomethingyouwanttodoanyways),andyourragescannowallowforconcentratedactions.On
topofthis,youdonthavetoworryaboutdyingfromyourragerunningoutsinceyourbonusesareonlygoingto
STRorDEX,youdonthavetoworryaboutasuddenlossofRageHPkillingyouwhenyoustopbeingangry.
AlsonotethattheControlledrageisaYoumayeffect,meaningyoucanalsodothenormalrageifyouneedit.
ItalsostackswithInvulnerableRager.Ilikethisarchetype.
WildRager:Rolla7WisdomWildRagerandtakeittoPFS.Standnexttoyourpartymembersandkillan
enemywithyourfirstattack.Usetherestoftheattacksonyourformerpartymemberforoptimumfun!(Note
thatthemakersofthisguidearenotresponsibleforanybodilyinjurywhichmayoccurasaresultofdoingthis.)
Seriouslythough,Icannotrecommendthisarchetypeveryhighly,asafteryourfirstkillthereisaSTRONG
chancethatyouwillbestuckinapermanentconfusedstatusuntilyourpartywastesresourcestotakeyouout
ofit.Itsnotagoodarchetypetotaketoaparty,andthusitsnotgoodatmosttables.WildFightingisstillpretty
darnsweet,though.

ASBARBARIAN,REMEMBERTHAT40%OFDAYAMSPENTLOOKINGAWESOME.OTHER60%AM
SPENTSMASHINGTHINGSANDROCKINGOUT.AGAINNOTETHATTATTOOSAMPLUS,BUTOPTIONAL.

Skills
ARogueyourenot,butBarbariansdohave4skillpointsperlevel.EvenifyoudumpINTcompletelyyoustillget
2,anditsagoodideatoputthemsomewhereuseful.
Acrobatics:GenerallyyoullbewearinglightarmoreitherfromwantingtokeepFastMovementorfrombeingan
UrbanBarbarian.Ifmountedyoudontneedthis,butifyoureonfootandnotusingMedium/Heavyarmor,
AcrobaticsisworthittoavoidAoOsfromyouropponents.
Climb:Maybe1rank,ifyouexpecttomountainclimb.Consideringyourstrengthscore,thisisntneededoften.
HandleAnimal:YouwillwantthisifyouwantamountbutdontwanttheAnimalCompanionfromMounted
Fury.EvenwithMountedFury,thisisworthafewskillpoints.

Intimidate:Ifyouretakingthis,youretakingitforeithertheAntagonizefeat(whichwaschangedtobeless
absurd)ortheIntimidatingGlareragepower.Eitherway,withCharismaasadumpstatyoullwanttokeepthis
skillhighifyoutakeit.
Perception:Itsthemostimportantskillinthegame.Itsaclassskill.Youwantit,andyouwantitmaxed.
Profession:Thisbearsspecialmention,asyougetabonustoaprofessioncheckfromHeartoftheFields.
Sinceyoumustbetrainedtouseacheck,youneedatleastonepointintheprofessionskilltogetthisbonus.
MypersonalfavoriteisProfession(engineer)or(architect),asyoucananswerquestionsaboutyourprofession
withacheck.QuestionslikeHowisthetowersweightloaddistributedthroughthesupportbeams?
Ride:Ifyouhaveamount,youwantthis.Ifyoudont,skipit.
Stealth:NotethatthisisunusablewhileragingunlessyoureanUrbanBarbarian,butifyouputenoughfocus
intoStealthyoucanbelikeanangry,bloodragingninja!ExceptthatStealthrulesarecomplicatedandfickle,
andanythingwithsenseswillfindyou.Youshouldprobablyskipitunlessyouhaveawayofhidingconsistently
orareinastealthbasedparty.
Survival:ThehighestDConacheckis15unlessyouretracking.IcantrecommendmakingaBarbarianfor
tracking,sothisisskillreallyonlyneeds2pointsmaximum.
Swim:Muchlikeclimb,youreallyonlyneed1pointofthisduetoyourfocusonstrength.Naturally,youwould
wantmoreifthecampaignislargelywaterbased,butformostpurposes01pointsareenough.
UseMagicDevice:ThisabilityisbeautifulonUrbanBarbarians.AsanUrbanBarbarian,youcannotcast
spells,usespellcompletionitems,oranyothersuchthing.Whatcanyoudo?UseCHAbasedskills.This
allowsyoutozapoffwandsofMirrorImageorwhateverotherbuffspellsyoulikebyyourselfifyoucantgetthe
partyscastytobuffyou.(Orifyouareanallmartialpartyofmanlymensmen).Itsalsousefulonanormal
Barbarian,butlesssoasyoucantuseitduringarage.Ifyoutakethisskill,makesurethatyougrabthetrait
DangerouslyCurious.ItmakesUMDaclassskillandgivesyoua+1ontopofit,whichcanmakeupforalack
ofCharisma.

Feats
AMLIKE,METRICTONOFFEETS.GAMEAMLIKECENTIPEDE,HAVINGSOMANYFEETS.THISAM
SEPARATINGGOODFEETSFROMCRAPPYFEETS.
Inotherwords,WhatfeatsaregoodonaBarbarian?Illbeignoringthingsthathavenodirectapplicationona
Barbarian.SomeofyoumayhavewantedtoseeabigstringofeveryMetamagicFeateverinallred,butthat
wouldtakeupentirelytoomuchroom.IwillbedrawingmostlyfromtheCRB,APG,UM,andUC,howeverthere
areafewhonorablementionsfromotherbooksthatIwilloutlineassuchbelow.
Antagonize:PaizoactuallyupdatedthisfeatinthePRDsincethereleaseofUM.Priortotheupdate,thisfeat

allowedyoutoforceanyonetotryandmakeameleeattackagainstyouwithanintimidatecheck,whichwas
amazing.Now,theenemyhastoattackyouwithamelee,ranged,orspelleffect.Itsgoodforkeepingtheheat
onyou,butyouwillnearlyalwayshavebetterwaystospendyourstandardaction.Asasidenote,the
DiplomacyoptionisuselesstoyouasaBarbarian.
BlindFight:MostBarbarianswillcarrysomeformoftorchorlightsourcewiththemwhengoingintodark
areas,meaningthatmagicaldarknessorfogisthemostlikelyformofconcealmenttheywillface.Ifmagicisin
play,itismorecosteffectivefortheBarbariantoSpellSundertheeffectandthenusetherestoftheirattacksto
murdertheresponsibleparty(Note,SpellSunderisimmunetomagicalbasedmisschances).Thus,theonly
realbenefitsBlindFightgivesareremovingthebonusesinvisiblepeoplegetagainstyouinmelee(Andonlyin
melee),aswellaskeepingyoufromneedinganAcrobaticschecktomoveatfullspeedontheoffchanceyou
areeverinthedark.IfyourBarbariankeptUncannyDodge,thisfeatisalmostcompletelyuselesstoyou.Ifyou
didnt,itsstilltoosituationaltoseeuse.
CatchOffGuard:IfyourGMlikesconstantlybreakingortakingyourstuffandforcingyoutofightwithout
weapons,thismightbeworthwhile.Otherwise,Barbariansareequallycapablewithanyweapontheyare
proficientwithsoyoushouldneveractuallyneedthisfeat.
CombatExpertise:IfhavingtoaddpointsintoINTwasntbadenough,yourealsotryingtospikeupyourACon
aBarbarianwhoisgenerallygoingtobetakingmassivepenaltiestoACinreturnforoverwhelmingpower.
ImprovedTripmayseemlikeagoodwaytojustifyCombatExpertise,butitreallyisnt.Youdontneedthe4AC
formelee,andthewastedattackisbetterputtowardskillingpeople.
CombatReflexes:RequiredtoplayaCAGMBarbarian.StillamazingonaMountedBarbarian.
CornugonSmash:(Cheliax,EmpireofDevils)Hittingyouropponentanddebuffingthematthesametime?A
veryniceabilitytohaveonhand.AlsorememberthatasaBarbarianyouwillnearlyalwaysbeusingPower
Attack.
CriticalFocus:BarbarianshaveanabilitywhichallowsthemtoautomaticallyconfirmCriticalHits,andthe
Criticalfeatsaretoosporadicunlessyoureusingan1820threatweapon.Theresanargumentfora
rapierwieldingBarbarianwithCriticalFocusandtheCriticalfeats,butthatisanothertale,foranotherday.
DeathFromAbove:Notethatthisfeatreplacesthe+1highergroundbonusand+2chargingbonuswitha
single+5bonus.Thatsanet+2toyourattackrolloverastandardmountedcharge,andforonefeatonaclass
knownforhavingabsurdattackrollsanywaysthatsnotworthwhile.
Dodge:BecauseofRage,RecklessAbandon,frequentChargingandpossiblyComeandGetMe,the
BarbariancannotuseACasaprimaryformofdefense.Anextra+1willnotbeabletofixthat.
Mobility:ItrequiresDodgeasaprerequisite,andgivesanadditional+4ACwhenprovokingfrommovement,
whichcanhelpwithyourACagainsttheseattacks.However,itisnotworthtwofeatslots.

CombatPatrol:ThehighfeatcostreallymakesthisnotworthwhileforaBarbarian.YourmainsourceofAoOs
isgoingtobefromCAGM,andanEnlargePersonpotionwillgiveyouthesameeffectwithoutwastingthree
featslots.
SpringAttack:YouhavetotakeDodgeandMobility,justinordertogetasingleattackthatyoucantevenVital
Strikewithsothatyoucanthenrunbackbehindthefrontlinefighter...whoismostoftenyou.No.
Endurance:Youcansleepinheavyarmor,andsurviveinextremeclimates.Thisrarelycomesup,sothisis
onlyagatewayfeattothingsthatrequireitasaprerequisite.
Diehard:YouhavetotakeEndurance,butthispreventsyourBarbarianfrombeinghitbysuddenlydead
syndromewhenknockedbelow0HP.Rememberthatifyouareeverunconsciousyourrageends,which
lowersyourHPandthatwillkillyou,especiallyathigherlevels.Diehardisonewayaroundit,andinCoreits
theonlyway.Itallowsyoutocontinueacting...butBarbarianshavetwobetteroptionsnow,RagingVitalityand
theUrbanBarbarianarchetype.
RagingVitality:Thisfeatdoestwothings.Thefirstthingitdoesisgrantyouanadditional+2CONwhileraging,
whichbothraisesyourFortitudesaveevenhigher,andgivesanadditional+1HPperhitdie.Thatsprettynice.
Niceristhatitallowsyoutocontinueexpendingrageroundswhileyoureunconscioustoavoidtheonsetof
suddenlydeadsyndromeshouldyoubeknockedbelow0HP.ThisisabetterfeatthanDiehardonmost
Barbarians,andtheCON15requirementissomethingmostmeleefighterswouldwanttopickupanyways.
ExoticWeaponProficiency:Therearenoexoticweaponscurrentlyavailablewhicharemoredamagingthan
agoodolGreatsword/GreataxefortheCAGMbarbarian,andMountedBarbariansliveanddiebytheLance.
ExtraRage:AmonoclassBarbarianwillrarelyhavedifficultykeepingenoughRageforhisentirefacewrecking
day,youreallyshouldntneedanyextra.ThismightbeworthwhileifyouareonlydippingBarbarianforafew
levels.
ExtraRagePower:Likeitsays,thisfeatgivesyouanadditionalRagePower.RagePowersasawholeare
morepowerfulthanFeats,sothisfeatisneverabadchoice.
BoonCompanion:TakeonlywiththeMountedFuryarchetype,itbringsyoureffectiveDruidlevelforyour
AnimalCompanionequalyourcharacterlevel.Verynice.
ImprovedCritical:Ifyoudonthaveanybetterfeatstotake,thisisadecentone.WhiletheBarbarianshould
notfocusoncriticals,theabilitytohaveasuddenspikeindamageisalwaysnice.
ImprovedInitiative:Gofirst=Chargefirst=Killthingsdeadfaster/setupCAGMfaster.This+4isalwaysa
welcomebonus.

ImprovedUnarmedStrike:WhilebeingaBarbarianmeansthatyouwillalmostneverneedtoattack
somethingunarmed(LesserBeastTotemgivesyouclaws,meaningyouareneverwithoutaweapon),this
warrantsanOrangebecauseyoucouldtheoreticallytakeDragonStyleandchargethroughyourallies.
IntimidatingProwess:Evenifyoudogotheintimidation/fearroute,theaveragecheckyouwillneedtomakeis
10+HD+Wisdommodifier,whichiseasyenoughforaBarbarianofsufficientleveltodowithoutaddingtheir
strengthtotheequation.
IronWill:YouwilleventuallybehitwithaWillsavewhileyourenotraging.Thiswillhelpwiththat,andmake
yourragefueledWillsavesabsurd.
ImprovedIronWill:Whileraging,Barbarianshavebetterwaystogetarerollontheirfailedsaves,andmostof
thetimeWillsavesoccuraBarbarianwillberaging.Asaresult,itislessusefulthanonmostmartial
characters.
LightningReflexes:TheBarbariansDEXisalreadyoneofitsmostimportantstatsforextraAoOs,andwhile
ragingtheirReflexsavegainsaSuperstitionbonusonmostspells.Thisisreallyanearredundantlevelof
protection.Mightbeusefulforifyoufallinapitwithoutlookingoutsideofcombat.
Lunge:CuttingyourACby2topokeatanenemywhowouldotherwisebejustoutofchargereach?Thisis
situationallyuseful,andworksbestifyoutaketheCleavefeatsalongsideit.AsaBarbarian,wegenerallyhave
otherfeatswewantbeforethat.
MountedCombat:AreyouaMountedBarbarian?Doyoulikehavingalivingmount?Thenyouwantthisfeat.It
keepsyourmountalive.
RideByAttack:Thisfeatallowsyoutochargeandsetupforanotherchargeimmediately,bygoingpastthem
andtotheotherside.NotethatunlikeFlybyattack,thisdoesnotprovokeanAoOfromyourtarget.Itsbestfor
ifyoucangetachargelaneopenagainstyourenemies,buttrytoavoidRideByAttackingintoagroupof
enemies.
SpiritedCharge:YourchargeswithaLancenowdealtriplethenormaldamage.Notethatevenifyouhave
Pounce,thisonlyappliesonthefirsthitofacharge,andthathitwillbeusedforSpellSunderonmanyfoes.Still
tripledamageisnothingtosneezeat,especiallywithafullroundofattacksafterit.
TrickRiding:Thisfeatallowsyoutoautomaticallypasseasyridechecks,andremovesthepenaltyforriding
bareback.Thisisprettymehbyitself,butitalsoallowsyoutouseMountedCombattwiceaturn,anditstimed
tocomerightaroundwhenseeingmultipleattacksaroundisathreateveryenemydishesout.Itsalsoa
prerequisiteto...
MountedSkirmisher:Suddenly,evenifyourmountdoesaregularmoveyoucanfullattack!Theabilityto
moveandfullattackisconsideredacapstoneabilityofsomeclasses,anditsavailableat15thtoaMounted

Barbarian.AsaMountedBarbarian,wedonthavethefeatavailabilitytograbboththisandSpiritedCharge,and
becauseoftheversatilitythisadds(andtheerratatoLancesandmultipleattacksonacharge)Ipreferthisfeat
overSpiritedCharge.NotethatSpiritedChargecanbegottenatamuchlowerlevel,andisstillaveryeffective
featbyitsownmerits.
NimbleMoves:Situationalatbest,andourfeatslotsareatapremium.Avoid.
PowerAttack:Doyoulikedoingdamage?DoyoulikedoingMOREdamage?Ifyouansweredyestobothof
thesequestions,takethisfeatimmediately.Ifyoudidnt,thenwhyareyouplayingaBarbarian?
Cleave:Thisisnotabadfeatbyanymeans,butourearlyfeatsgotowardsotheroptions,andbylategame
thishaslostitsluster.
GreatCleave:Muchbetter,especiallywhencombinedwithLunge,butwerunintothesameproblemswedo
withCleave.Wehavetoomanyother,moreimmediatelyusefuloptions.
CleavingFinish:Onpaper,thisisgreat.Downafoe,takeanotherattack.However,thefeatcostistoohighto
workwellalongsidemostBarbarianbuilds.Sadly,thisalsoappliestoImprovedCleavingFinish.
DazingAssault:Thisfeatisavailableatlevel11,rightbeforeCAGMcomesalong.Bytakingapenaltytoall
yourattacks,yourattackscannowDazeopponents,keepingthemfrommakingactions.NotethatCAGMs
attacksareresolvedbeforetheenemysattacks,andthatDazingAssaultappliestoallyourattacksforanentire
round.Cacklemadly,asopponentswhotrytohityouaredazedandsuddenlyforgetwhattheyredoing.
StunningAssault:Ifwecouldretrainfeats,thiswouldbeanamazingupgradetoDazingAssault.Theproblem
isthatwecantaccessthisfeatuntillevel17,andsinceallStunningAssaulthasoverDazingAssaultisa
slightlybetterstatuseffectfortheonerounditlastsitcomestoolate.Itgetsanorangebecauseifyouare
creatinganewcharacteratlevel17forsomereason,thisabilityisstillworthpickingoverDazing.
FuriousFocus:BarbarianshaveRecklessAbandon,whicheffectivelynegatesthepenaltiesofPowerAttack
onallyourattacks,notjustthefirstone.IfyouarestillmissingwithyourfirstattackfromPowerAttackthenyou
shouldnotbetakingthisfeat,youshouldberunningfromanenemywhoseCRis10higherthanyourparty.
ImprovedBullRush:Ifyoucanbullrush,youcanstabitintheface.Youwanttostabthingsintheface.
ImprovedDrag:SeeBullRush,above.
ImprovedOverrun:Iwouldstillratheranenemybedeadthaninconvenienced,butifyouabsolutelymusthave
acombatmaneuverfeatthatisntSunder,thenOverrunisyourbestbet.Ithastheabilitytoknockthetarget
prone,anddoesntrequirethatyouspendpointsonINT.
ImprovedSunder:SpellSunderisthegreatestRagePowerinthegame.ImprovedSunderletsyouuseit

withoutprovokinganAoOfromyourenemies.Italsogivesyoua+2bonustousingthisability.Oh,andIguess
youcanbreakstuffwithit,too.
GreaterSunder:Thisgivesafurther+2bonustoyourSunderchecks,whichisalwaysnicetohaveona
Barbarian.Moreimportantly,itletsyoudestroyanitem,thendealtheremainingdamagethroughtothe
characteritself.NothingruinsaTinyenemywithhighACsdaylikesunderingtheir1HPoutfitwithGreater
Sunder.Iftheyrenakedanditemless,youreonyourown.
SunderingStrike:TheabilitytorandomlySunderonacriticalhitseemsnice,butBarbariansarenotdesigned
tospikewithfrequentcriticalhits,andthemainpurposeofSunderistobreakspells,notitems.Notworthafeat
slot.
Smash:TheSmasherRagePoweristhisbutbetter.
QuickDraw:Ifyougofirstandcharge,youcandrawyourweaponandfullattackthankstoGreaterBeast
Totem.Ifyouareworriedaboutthemgoingfirst,youroptionsareeitherneverputawayyourweaponorthis.It
isusefulonlyifyoucantalwayskeepyourweapondrawnandinhand(I.E,anambushintown),andeventhen
onlyifyoucannotsetupacharge.Thatmakesitabittoosituationalformytastes.
RacialHeritage:IfyouareaHuman,thengrabbingthisandchoosingOrcletsyougettheHumanbonusto
Superstition,andaccesstotheOrc/HalfOrconlyfeats.Thecombinationofthetwoisincrediblypowerful.
DestroyersBlessing:(OrcsofGolarion)Notethewording:Whenyouareragingandyousucceedata
sunderattempt,youregain1roundofrage.Youcouldsunderenemiesitemsmidcombattoregainrage...or
youcouldtossthenearestsquishycastysomethingtoholdforasecond,pullouta+1MercifulDagger,and
spendtwoorthreeroundsfullattackingitbetweencombats,sunderingeachtime.Youevenregainragerounds
everytimeyouSpellSunder.Youonlyhavetosucceedonthesunderattempt,dealingdamageisunrelated.
Congratulations,youarenowaperpetualhatemachine.Theonlycaveatisthatyourenowaworshipperofa
CEdeity,andyourGMmightwanttokillyou.
GoreFiend:(OrcsofGolarion)Goodfeat,wrongarchetype.IfwewereplayingaBarbarianwhorevolved
aroundcrittingearlyandcrittingoften,thiswouldbeagreatwaytorecoverRageroundsincombat.However,
thisisnotthatguide.
Razortusk:Thereisatrait,aRagePower,andnowafeatallforthissamething.Amazingly,noneofthemare
particularlyworthwhile.Ifyoumusthaveone,takeitasaTrait.
KeenScent:Nowthisfeatisinteresting.Scentmakesyouincrediblyhardtosneakupon.Itdoesrequirea13
wisdom,butifyourewillingtoputthatinvestmentin,Scentisoneoftheabilitiesthatarebetterasafeatthana
RagePower.
FerociousTenacity:(OrcsofGolarion)Thisfeatlooksdecentatfirstglance,untilyourealizethatasan

immediateactionitonlyworksonceperturn,youreburninganabsurdamountofrageroundsinordertolower
attackstowheretheydontkillyou,andyouhavetobehithardenoughtodieinordertouseit,meaningyoure
probablyinthesuddenlydeadsyndromeareaofyourHPbeforeiteveractivates.
StepUp:Thisfeatisawonderfulwaytogetthedroponsneakycastystryingtotakea5ftstepawayfromyou
tocastaspell.Theywalkaway,youwalkrightafterthem.Theproblemisboththatitusesanimmediateaction
(Whichinterfereswithsomeragepowers),andthatmostthingsthatwould5footsteparoundyoucanjustcast
defensivelyanyways.Itspowerfulwhenitworksandmakesarcherscry,butitwontalwaysworkandthereare
betterfeatsavailable.
FollowingStep:StepUpnowdoesntuseupmovement,andletsyoufollowa5footstepperoverdifficult
terrain.ThisissubjecttothesameissuesthatStepUphas,butyourespendingasecondfeatonit.
StepUpandStrike:Nowyoucanalsoattackwhentheyrunaway!Fortheinvestmentinvolvedhere,thisfeat
chainissimplynotworthwhileforaBarbarian.StillmakesArcherscrythough,ifyougettheminmelee.
WeaponFocus:Toboosttheirattackscores,Barbarianshave:Rage,RecklessAbandon,andtheFurious
weaponenchantment.Ragegrantsyoua+2tohitthatgetsbetterovertime,Recklesscompletelynegatesthe
PowerAttackpenaltyasyoulevelup,andFuriousisa+1enhancementthatgivesyoua+2bonustohitwhen
raging.Atlevel11,thesetotalbonusescomeoutto+3fromRage,+3froma+1Furiousweapon,and+3from
RecklessAbandon,foranetof~+9fromclassfeatures/specialitems.TheFightergains+4attackwithhis
chosenweaponwhenusingaDuelingGlove,thenhasWeaponFocusandGreaterWeaponFocusanda+2
weapon,totalling~+8.SincewerealreadyaheadoftheFighterinchancetohit,andtheFighteristheclass
whoexiststoalwayshit,IfeelcomfortableinsayingthatBarbariansdontneedtospendafeatonWeapon
Focus.Itsnotabadfeat,justanunnecessaryone.
VitalStrike:VitalStrike,ontheotherhand,isabadfeat.ThemainsourceofdamageforBarbariansisnotthe
weapondice,itsthe+xontheendoftheweapondice.VitalStrikeonlydoublestheweapondice,whichin
optimalconditions(Largesize,usingagreatsword)isworthonlyanextra3d6(~10.5)damage,andonlyifyou
cangiveuptherestofyourturnforit.Bylevel8withan18strength,yourtotalbonustothosediceafterPower
Attackis15withanonmagicalweapon,higheriffacingaSpellcaster.Iftheymadetheentireattackdoubleitd
beworthwhile,butasitstandsitstoolittlebangforasituationalattack.
FuriousFinish:Thismakesabadfeatalmostgood,untilyourealizethatitalsoendsyourrageandmakesyou
fatigued,evenifyouhaveimmunityfromanotherclassfeature.
AbilityFocus:ItsaysMonsterfeat,butifyoucantalkyourGMintoagreeingthatcharactersarealsomonsters
thenthisisagreatfeattotakeat13thtoboostthealreadyformidableDCofDazingAssault.
RagingBrutality:Thisfeatisamazinglypowerful.Ittakesaswiftaction(whichgetsinthewayofsomeRage
Powers)anditdoesrequire3roundsofragetouse,makingitcostlyandnotthebestchoiceatlowerlevels.At
higherlevels(11+),thisisworthactivatingonafullroundattack,sinceitwilladdagoodamountofdamageper

hittoeachattackyoumakeonyourturn.DonotethatthisdoesntworkonanyAoOsyoumake.Thispoweris
especiallygoodifyouhaveDestroyersBlessingbecauseinfinitehatemachine+powerthattakesrage
rounds=win.
Stalwart:Onthesurface,Ilikethisfeat.Itgivesyousomeprettyabsurddamagereductionwheneveryoure
fightingdefensivelyorusingCombatExpertise.WhatIdontlikeaboutthisfeatisthatitrequiresEnduranceand
Diehardtotake,whicharenolongerreallyamazingfeatsforBarbarians.Itisagoodfeat,butBarbariansdonot
havealotoffeatsavailable,andwastingtwotogettothisonehurts.
ImprovedStalwart:Forfourfeatslots,twoofwhicharesubparandoneofwhichisimprovedbythis,thisfeat
wouldhavetomakeyouinvincibletobeworthit.Admittedly,withaRingofFriendShieldandtheInvulnerable
Ragerarchetypeitverynearlydoes,butthisisreallybestonitsownbuild,aswedonothave4sparefeatslots
totossaroundforthisotherwise.

THISEXAMPLEOFLOWLEVELBARBARIAN.NOTELACKOFSUNGLASSESANDCLOAK.NOTE
BARBARIANAMUSINGLONGSWORD.BARBARIANRECOMMENDNOTUSELONGSWORD.D8AMJUST
NOTCUTTINGIT.GETSPOINTSFORLACKOFSHIRT,BUTBARBARIANNEEDMORE
OPTOMITRIZATION.

RagePowers
ALLBARBARIANPOWERCOMEFROMRAGE.POWEROFRAGEAMMIGHTYTHING,BUTBEGOODTO
RAGEORRAGEMIGHTKNEECAPBARBARIAN,LEAVEINVEGASINGUTTERBEHINDBARREL.
THATMAKEFORAWKWARDTWOWEEKS.
RagePowersarethebreadandbutterofanyBarbarianbuild.Onaverage,theyreslightlystrongerthanfeats,
andsomeofthemletyoubendthenormalrulesoveryourkneeandbreakthemintoamillionpieces.Naturally,
welikethat,alot.
AnimalFury:Itsyetanotherpowerthatgivesyoua1d4biteattack.Butwait,thisonehelpsyouinagrapple!
Seriously,justskipit.
AuspiciousMark:Thisabilityisnice,becauseyoucanusetheextra1d6afteryouseetheresultoftheroll,
makingitperfectforwhenyouknowyoumissedbyjust1or2.TheonlyproblemisthattheabilityisaSwift
action,meaningitsuselessformostsavingthrows.Itsstillprettyuseful,butnotquiteworththecostinmost
situations.
LesserBeastTotem:Twobrandnewclawattacks,lettingyouuseareachweaponwithoutfear,oraddonto
yourattack,orjusthaveawaytothreatenwhilenaked.Good,butmostlywantedasaprerequisitefor...
BeastTotem:ThisisascalingnaturalarmorbonusthatequalsexactlytheACpenaltyyoutakefromReckless
Abandon.YourACstillwontbeamazing,butitsnicetooffsetthepenalty.Alsogood,andmostimportantlyof
allitsetsusupforthebestofthetotemabilities.
GreaterBeastTotem:Yougetadamageupgradeforyourclaws,andtheynowdealx3onacritical.More
importantly,youcannowPounce!Thisgivesyoutheabilitytomakeafullattackattheendofanycharge,and
thatletsyoubutcheralmostanyenemyinstantly.
BoastingTaunt:StandardAction,demoralizeafoe,nowtheyhavetoattackyou.NotterriblealongsideCAGM,
buthighlysituationalandyourstandardactionisusuallybetterspentelsewhere.
BodyBludgeon:Thisisacompletelyawesomementalimage,butcompletelyuselessforourpurposesaswe
willonlybeabletomakeoneattackperroundinmostinstances.ItmightworkwellonaGrapplerBarbarian,but
thisisnotaGrapplerBarbarian.
Brawler:LesserBeastTotemgivesclawsthatletyoudothesamething,andthisfeatwontopenupanyofthe
IUSbasedfeats.
GreaterBrawler:YoudhavetotakeBrawlertogetthisRagePower,anditgivesyouthesamebenefitsas
havingtwoclaws.Dontembarrassyourself,leavetheunarmedstrikingtothemonks.

LesserChaosTotem:ThedeflectionbonustoACisnicebutnotusefulforaBarbarian,andtheresistance
bonuswillbeoverwrittenquicklybyaCloakofResistance,astheydonotstack.Notagoodstartforthistotem.
ChaosTotem:ThechancetoavoidCriticalHitsandSneakAttackdamageistherealprizehere,butitsnot
worthgoingthroughtherestofChaosTotemfor.
GreaterChaosTotem:YougetDR/LawfulwithaprogressionthesameastheInvulnerableRagersDR,and
allyourweaponsareconsideredChaoticforovercomingDR.Thisisalacklusterfinalability,andnotreally
worththeprogression.
ClearMind:EaterofMagicisprettymuchthisbutbetterandwithoutusinganaction,andyoudontneedboth.
ComeAndGetMe:Everyattackagainstyougetsa+4bonusonattackanddamagerolls,buteveryattack
madeagainstyouprovokesanAttackofOpportunitythatresolvesbeforetheattackhits.Combinethiswith
DazingAssaultandaBarbariansloadofhitpointsandsomeDamageReduction,andyouhavearecipeforas
manyfullBABattacksinaturnasyouhaveAoOsthatalsostopyourenemiesfromgettingtheirattacksinin
thefirstplace.Alternatively,theenemyjuststartsavoidingyou,inwhichcaseyouhavefreereigntocharge
themandpounce.
LesserElementalRage:Asaswiftaction,add1d6pointsofenergydamagetoyourattack1/rage.Decent,
buttherearemanybetterpowersavailable.
ElementalRage:Allyourattacksdeal1d6pointsofenergydamagewhenraging.YoucanaddonLesser
ElementalRage1/ragetothisaswell,solongastheenergyisofadifferenttype.Again,itsdecentbutthere
arebetteroptions.
GreaterElementalRage:Yourelementalweaponisnowanelementalburstweapon,dealingadditional
damageonacritical.ThisistoosituationaltobeagoodendingforathreeRagePowerchain.
DragonTotem:Theseeffectsarerathernice,givingyouabonustoPerception,andamoralebonusonsaves
vsseveralnastytypesofstatuseffects.HoweveritisnotBeastTotem,andthatmakesitorange.
DragonTotemResilience:YougetresistancetotheelementofyourchoiceequaltotwiceyourDamage
Reduction.ThisworksespeciallywellalongsideInvulnerableRager,whogetsamuchfasterDRprogression
thannormalBarbarians.Still,itdoesntgiveyouPounce.
DragonTotemWings:ThisabilityisthecapstoneoftheDragonTotem,anditisbad.Onthesurfaceitdoesnt
seemhorrible:Yougetflightinexchangeforburning2roundsofrageperroundinsteadof1,andcanburn2
roundsofragetogetthewingsinstantlyinsteadofasastandardaction.However,onceyoucanragecycle,the
Wingsareahorribleweakness.Theydisappearwhenyourrageends,andasaresultyoufallwheneveryou
ragecycleinmidair.FindadifferentmeansofflightasnotonlyisthisnotBeastTotem,itsalsodownright
harmful.

EnergyResistance:GainresistanceequaltohalfyourBarbarianleveltotheenergytypeofyourchoice.Good,
butwehavebetteroptionsatlowlevels.
GreaterEnergyResistance:Halvedamagefromanenergytype,beforeapplyingEnergyResistance.This
makesyouvirtuallyimmunetooneenergytype1/rage.Again,itsgoodasanoption,butnotamazing.
EnergyAbsorption:Negateanelementalattack1/rageandgainHPbackfromit.Ittakestoolongtogetto,and
bythetimespaceopenstopickupthispowerBarbarianshavestartedragecyclingmoreoften,whichlimitsthe
utilityofthetemporaryHPtooneturn.AlsonotethatitmustbethesametypeasyourEnergyResistance,
whichhurtsthisabilitysversatility.
EnergyEruption:ThispoweropensuponelevelawayfromTirelessRage,whichmeansopenaccesstorage
cycling.Thisabilityletsyoublowyourelementonpeopleasalineorconebasedbreathweapon,after
absorbingit1/rage.Theproblemsarethatifyouragecycleyoulosethecharge,therearethreeRagePowers
youhavetotakepriortotakingthisone,andthedamageyouwillbeabsorbingandfiringbackisgenerally
lacklustercomparedtojusthittingthingswithyourweapon(whichdoesntallowaReflexsave).Avoid.
FearlessRage:By12thlevelasaBarbarian,yourSuperstitionbonusiseither+5or+9,dependingonifyoure
usingtheHumanfavoredclassbonusornot.Eitherway,thisbonuswillapplytosavesagainstFeareffects,
includingtheFearAuraandanyfearspells.Thisisanokaylayerofprotectiontohave,butisntactuallyvital.
FerociousMount:Thisallowsyourmounttoragealongsideyou.ItsgoodifyoureaMountedFuryandyour
mountispoweredupforit.Itslessgoodifyoureusingageneric6HDmount.Ifyourmountistheparty
Summoner,thisabilitygetspatentlyabsurd.Notethatyouareburning2rageroundsperroundinsteadof1
whenusingthispower.
GreaterFerociousMount:AllofyourpassiveRagePowersnowgotoyourMountaswell.Mostimportantly,
thisisSuperstitionandEaterofMagic.Botharepassiveanddonotuseactions,andgiveyourMounta
frighteningsetofsaves.
SpiritSteed:Itincreasesyourmountslongevity,butbythetimeyouhaveaccesstoityouhavebetterwaysof
makingyoursteedlivelonger.OvercomingDRisalsoagoodreasontotakethisfeat,butthiscouldbe
accomplishedwithMagicFang,anAmuletofMightyFists,orbyridingthepartySummoner.
FerociousTrample:AssumingthatyoucanuseTramplewhilecharging,thisisaniceboosttodamageand
givesyoutheabilitytosetupaRideByAttackagainstcreaturesyoursizeorsmallerbyjustgoingrightthrough
them.
GreaterFerociousTrample:Thisletsyourmounttramplebiggercreatures,andalsoletsitoverrunthem.
Thisoverruncheckisimportantbecauseitallowsyourmounttoknockthempronefromtramplingthem,should
theyfailtheirsaveortaketheAttackofOpportunity.

LesserFiendTotem:Agoreattack.Itsdamageisnothorribleforaddingontotheendofyourattacks,butit
givesonlyyourStrengthmodifierwhenyouuseitalongsideaweapon.Notthebeststart,anditsalsonot
grantingPounce.
FiendTotem:Ifsomethinghitsyou,ittakes1d6piercingdamage.Thisisalacklusterdamageamount,and
wontevenovercomemostformsofDR.
GreaterFiendTotem:TheabilitytoinstantlyinflictanyNeutralorGoodcharacterwiththeshakenstatusis
greatforaTerrifyingHowlbasedBarbarian,butinmostcampaignsyouregoingtobefightingalotofevil
enemies,whoarecompletelyunaffectedbythisability.Itsreallymuchbetterinanevilcampaign,buteventhen
itsnotasgoodashavingPounce.
FleshWound:Bylevel12,youvegotanatural+8Fortitudesave,andraginggivesanother+3tothis,+4with
RagingVitality.Thisgivesyoua+12,witha+5CloakofResistanceitbecomesa+17.WithanaturalCONof
16(NotunreasonableifyouhaveRagingVitality)anda+2BeltofPhysicalPerfectionyourelookingatatotal
+21toyourFortitudesaveforthisfeat.LowaveragedamageforaCR12is~41.Youwillneedanatural20to
stopanythingequaltoyourCR.Thismakesitmostlyusefulforswarmsofenemieslowerlevelthanyourself,
butitcanonlybeusedonceperrage,andyoucantragecyclewhenitsnotyourturn.Avoid.
GoodForWhatAilsYou:9timesin10,itsbetterifyoucanjustmakethesaveinthefirstplace,and
superstitiontendstoletyoudothat.However,lowrollshappen.Whenthesehappen,youcanuseanyalcoholic
drinkyoucarryasapotionofsaveagaintoshrugthatoffthatcangetaroundyourSuperstition.Thisisa
decentabilitytohaveonhandforacrisissituation.
GroundBreaker:Useyourstandardactionfortheturntomake9squaresofroughterrainandpossiblyknock
peopleprone.Itseemscool,butitalsokillsyourchargelanesandtheReflexsavetoavoidbeingknocked
proneisfairlylow.Notworthchoosingwithsomanyabsurdlygoodoptionsavailabletous.
GreaterGroundBreaker:Eachtimeyoutakethis,youmakemoreandmoreroughterrain,toamaximumof
a20ftradiusaroundyoubeingsmashed.Againitseemsnice,butyourelikelynotgoingtoknockanything
prone,andsincePouncereliesoncharging,itseemsunwisetotakeawayyourabilitytocharge.
GuardedLife:Thisissupposedtohelpalleviatesuddenlydeadsyndromebyconvertingdamagetononlethal
damageandautomaticallystabilizingyou.Inreality,itstartsoffcuttingtheeffectivedamagedropbyhalf,and
fallsoveryourcareerdowntoaquarter,whenyoustartlosing4HPperhitdiewhenyourrageends.Raging
Vitalitydoesthejobbetter.
GreaterGuardedLife:Ifyoutakethesecondragepowerinthistree,youconvert2HPintononlethalperhit
die,whichallowsyoutomakeitatworsta50%overalllossofHP.Still,spendingtworagepowerstodowhat
onefeatcandojustaswellisapoorchoice.

GuardedStance:Byspendingamoveaction,yougainadditionalACforalimitednumberofrounds.However,
thisACprogressesataslowerratethanBeastTotemsAC,thisbonusAConlyappliesonmeleeattacks,and
thenatureofRageCyclinglateronmakesthisapoorinvestmentsinceitwillbedisappearingagaineveryother
roundorso.
HiveTotem:ThebonustoStrengthchecksandCMDisnicebutfairlysituational,theresistanceagainst
swarmsandswarmlikeattacksisalsonicebutsituational,butthisTotemagaincomesupagainstBeast
Totem,andsinceyoucanonlytakeoneTotem,thisfailsincomparison.
HiveTotemResilience:Youarenotthebestatharmingswarms,butontheplussidenowyourealso
immunetothem!TheonlyproblemisthatyoustillwontbeabletogetPounceifyoutakethis,andPounce
reallyisthatgood.
HiveTotemToxicity:ThefinalpowerfromtheHiveTotemisactuallyprettygood.Yourbitenowhasa
ragecyclablepoisonwithaCONbasedDC,makingitboostablefurtherbyRagingVitality.WhiledealingCON
damagetoanenemyisalwaysgood,youstillhavetotakeAnimalFuryandtheothertwoHiveTotempowers
beforethisone,whilealsolosingaccesstoPounce.
LesserHurling:Asafullroundaction,youcandeal2d6+strength+Powerattack(Ifyoucanfindanobject
madeoftherightmaterial!)witha10ftrangeincrement,andtheenemygetsareflexsaveforhalf.Ontheplus
sideyouonlyhavetomakeatouchattack,butforafullroundaction,weneedalittlemorebangforourbuck.A
bowwillworkjustaswellforrangedattacks,anddoesntcostusaRagePower.
Hurling:Yourrangeincrementisnow20ft,oryoucannowdeal3d6damage,iftheressomethingtothrow.
Notethatyoucanonlydooneortheother.
GreaterHurling:Yourrangeincrementisnow30ft,oryoucannowdeal4d6damage.Iftheressomethingto
throw.Notethatyoucanstillonlydooneortheother,andifyourelargesizethisactuallycanbe6d6.Stilltoo
situationalandtoounderwhelmingtobeworththreeragepowers.
HurlingCharge:YoucanuseHurlingonacharge.Thiseffectivelygivesyouanextraattack,butyouhaveto
becarryingthehurledobjectgoingintothecharge,meaningatbestyourelookingatanobjecttwosize
categoriessmallerthanyou,whichdoesnotdealdamageonthefallingobjectscategory.Iflarge,youhavethe
optiontohurlasmallitem,dealing2d6.Thisisntworthspendingyourpowerson.
IncreasedDamageReduction:DRistheCAGMBarbariansprimarymethodofdealingwithdamagehecant
preventwithDazingAssault,soincreasingthatDRisagreatwaytoincreasesurvivability.Sweet,delicious
increasedsurvivability.
InternalFortitude:Asshownabove,itisnotuncommonforaBarbariantohavea+21fortitudesaveatlevel
12whileRaging.Allsickening/nauseatingeffectsarefortitudesaves.TheaverageprimaryabilitysaveDCfora
CR20isa27.Youwill,asarule,neverneedthisfeattoavoidbeingsickenedornauseated.Bumpthisupto

OrangeifyoureaDrunkenBrute,asitkeepsyoufrombeingnauseatedbyyourmainclassability.
IntimidatingGlare:Ifyouarenexttoafoeandhaveamoveactionlefttousethisfea,youarenexttoafoeand
canfullattack.ThisisnotagoodRagePowerforadamagebasedBarbarianbecausefullattackingisalways
thebetteroption.
TerrifyingHowl:ThisabilityiscompletelyawesomeonacontrolbasedBarbarianwhosowsfearanddiscord
acrosshisenemy.However,thisisnotthatbuildandasaresultourstandardactionsarebetterspentbreaking
facesthanhowlinglikeaparagonofawesomeness.(Notethatifyoureallywanttohowllikeaparagonof
awesomeness,talkingisafreeaction.)
Knockback:Or,BullRush,BARBARIANstyle.YoucanBullRushasanattackaction,andshoveyourfoe
backwiththisragepower,usingyourattackbonusandwithoutprovokinganAoO.Thisallowsyoutomovethe
enemyoutofyourrange,possiblyrobbingthemoftheirfullattackifyoushovethemfarenough,anditcombos
withBeastTotemsclawstoletyoupushanenemyintotherangeofareachweaponusingtheclawasa
secondaryweaponattacktoleadoff(thenfreeactiongrabbackontotheweaponandstartstabbingwithit).Its
veryversatile,combosnicelywithCAGM,andworks1/round.
Knockdown:Or,Trip,butslightlybetter.Youcanengageinmuchthesametacticsasyoudowith
Knockback,withthekeydifferencebeingthattheenemystaysnearyou,butontheirback,makingitgreatfor
stoppingmovementwithReachweapons.Thispoweralsoonlyworks1/rageinsteadof1/round,sorage
cyclingisamustifyouwanttoseriouslyusethispower.
LiquidCourage:Yourboozeisnowpotionsofadditionalresistance+1vsmindaffectingeffects.Whileraging,
however,EaterofMagicandSuperstitionprovetobeadequateprotectionagainstspellsbythemselves.
LowLightVision:Itssimplynotworthspendingaragepowerslotonthisability,particularlysinceitonly
activateswhileraging.
NightVision:Likewisenotwortharagepowerslot.Remember,toaBarbarianwithalightsource,theonly
darknessthatisfrighteningismagicaldarkness,andwehaveSpellSunderforthat.Darkvisionisnice,butfar
fromnecessary.
MightySwing:Nice,butgenerallyyourattackrollisgenerallyhighenoughtoconfirmanywaysandthistakes
animmediateactiontoactivate.ItalsocomesatthesamelevelasCAGM,whichputsitupagainstsomestiff
competition.Itendsupbeingsituational,butbetterthansomepowers.
MomentofClarity:Asaswiftaction,youwilfullystopragingfor1round.ThisturnsoffSuperstition,CAGM,
UnexpectedStrike,andanynumberofotherfeatsyouhaveaccessto.Ineffect,thisreadsAsaswiftaction,
stopbeinggoodfor1round.Therestheargumentthatitletsyougetinsomemidbattlehealing,butyoucan
stilldothatunderSuperstition,buttheeffectsarehalved.Thatseemsthebetteroptionthanbecominguseless
forawholeround.

PerfectClarity:PerfectClarityisprettygood,butEaterofMagicallowsasecondsaveagainstANYeffect
insteadofjustIllusions,andSpellSundernegatesmagicalmisschancealready,makingthisonlygoodfor
mundanemisschance.ThismakesitnotworthtakingMomentofClaritytogetto.
NoEscape:1/rageyoucanmoveafterawithdrawingopponentasanimmediateaction.Thismovement
provokesattacksofopportunity,andyouhavetoendupnexttothem.Thiscancauseatrapwhereanenemy
introducesyoutoabunchofAoOs.IfyouhaveCAGM,thiscanworkinyouradvantageasthoseAoOsturninto
attacksforyou.Eitherway,thisfeatissituationalbutcangiveanyoneinmeleewithyouanowinsituation,
especiallywhencombinedwithDazingAssaultandtheStepUpfeats.
OverbearingAdvance:IfyouabsolutelyhadtohaveOverrun,thenthisragepowerletsyoudealdamageto
enemieswhenknockingthemprone.Itsgoodforthat,butitsnotasgoodasKnockdownorKnockback.
OverbearingOnslaught:ThispowerisactuallydecentinthatyoucannowOverrun,damageandpossibly
knockproneseveralenemiesinoneOverrunattempt.Thepenaltiesforadditionalenemiesarentsobadfora
Barbarian,whoalreadygetsnicebooststotheirSTRscoreforraging.However,fortheFeatandRagePower
costitsnotasgoodasotheroptionsBarbarianshave,andtheenemiesbeinglinedupinastraightlineforyou
toOverrunissomewhatrare.
PowerfulBlow:Usingaswiftactiontograntbonusdamageononerollisdecent,butthefactthatitusesyour
swiftactionmakingit1/turnissomewhatpainful.Notethatitis1/rage,meaningyoullhavetoragecycletouse
iteveryturn.AlsonotethatthisandRagingBrutalityusethesameactiontype.
BleedingBlow:AddingBleeddamageequaltothedamageyouddealalongsidePowerfulBlowispretty
awesome.Thisisasolidwaytodealadditionaldamageontopofwhatyounormallydo,thoughbesuretouse
PowerfulBlowonyourfirstattacksoyoucanbesuretohitwithit.
CripplingBlow:Abilitydamageisnice.AbilitydamagethatgivesafortsavewithaDCof~24atlevel12isalso
prettynice.BeingabletodealthatdamagetotheirSTRorDEX,dependingonthemonsterisalsouseful.This
isafairlysolidragepower,butyouonlywanttopickeitheritorBleedingBlow.Betweenthetwo,Islightlyfavor
BleedingBlowbecauseitkillsthingsfaster.
QuickReflexes:IfyourepumpingDexterityyouwillalreadyhavealotofAoOsavailabletoyou,andwhileone
moreisniceyoushouldntsweatitifyoudonthaveroomtotakethis.
RagingClimber:YouwillnowneverfailaClimbcheck.Hooray.
BestialClimber:ThispoweractuallygivesyouaClimbspeed,whichismoderatelycool,butnotworth
spendingtwoRagePowerson.
RagingLeaper:YouwillnowneverfailanAcrobaticschecktojump.Hooray.

BestialLeaper:ThisislikeSpringAttack,onlyyoucanalsoVitalStrikewhileyouSpringAttack.Thisis
situationallydecent,buttherearestillbetterpowersavailablethatyoudonthavetoburnaslotonRaging
Leapertoget.
RagingSwimmer:YouwillnowneverfailaSwimcheck.Hooray.
BeastialSwimmer:ThispowergrantsaSwimspeed,whichletsyouattackunderwaterwithoutissue.Ifyou
areinanaquaticbasedcampaignthisisuseful,butotherwiseitsnotworthtwoRagePowers.
RecklessAbandon:ThisattackboostscalesatthesamerateasyourPowerAttack,effectivelymovingthe
penaltyforPowerAttackingfromyourattackrollstoyourAC.Yourattackswillhit,butyourenemywillhityouas
well.SinceasaBarbarianyouareallaboutkillingthembeforetheykillyou,thistradeisworthit.
InspireFerocity:GiveyourRecklessAbandontoyourfriendsforanumberofroundsequaltoyourCharisma
modifier.ItsfunnyhowthispowertriestomakeCharismaimportanttoaBarbarian.Justavoidit.
RenewedVigor:Thehealingislackluster,anditonlyworks1/daysoitcannotbereliablyusedtogetyouback
infightingshape.
RegenerativeVigor:Nowwhenyouuseyourlacklusterhealingpowers,yougetFastHealinguntiltheendof
therage.Thiscausesaproblem,becauseasaBarbarianyouoftenwanttoragecycle,butthisVigorkeepsyou
fromit.
RenewedVitality:IfyoudidnthavetotakeRenewedVigor,thiswouldbeaworthwhilepower.Asitstands,
whiletheabilityiscoolandworksverywellalongsideragecycling,itsalsosituationalandnotreallyworthtwo
RagePowers.
RenewedLife:IfyoudidnthavetotakeRenewedVigor,thiswouldbeaworthwhilepower.Asitstands,while
theabilityiscoolandworksverywellalongsideragecycling,itsalsosituationalandnotreallyworththreeRage
Powers.
RollingDodge:ThisisGuardedStanceforrangedattacks.ItgetsthesamescoreasGuardedStance,witha
notethatitmighttheoreticallysaveyoufromarayonce.
ReflexiveDodge:YourRollingDodgebonusnowalsoappliestoReflexsaves.Great,youstillwilloftenrage
cycleoutofRollingDodge,anditstillcostsyourMoveActiontosetup.
RousedAnger:Ifyouknowyourgameisntevergettingto17thlevel,thisisworthalook.Itallowsyouto
effectivelyragecyclewithoutdippingintoanyotherclassesonce/daybyragingoutoffatigue.Theonlyproblem
isthatyouareExhaustedafterthatfightisover,soyouwanttomakesureitsthelastfightyoullbeinthatday,
orthatyouhaveawaytoremoveExhaustion.Athigherlevels,youcanusethisalongsideSoothingWord

(ConditionCards)potionstomovefromExhaustedbacktoFatiguedincaseofanemergency,butthiscanbe
avoidedbyjustusingLesserRestorationpotionsinthefirstplace.
Scent:Scentisusefulfortrackinginvisibleenemies,buttrackinginvisibleenemiestakestimeandRagesarent
conducivetousinglotsofroundstofindsomeone.Thisisbettertakenasafeat.
PrimalScent:Thisabilityletsyoumoreeasilytrackthings(Particularlyinvisiblefoes)bysmell,anditgivesa
substantialbonustoSurvivalcheckstodoso.Itsveryniceifyouneedtofindaninvisibleorhidingenemyina
smallarea,butthefactthatitburnsrageroundsoutsideofthatmakesitverysituational.
Smasher:IfyouabsolutelyhavetobreakthroughanAdamantinesomethingorotherinshortorder,thisisyour
ragepower.Itsorangebecauseyousorarelyneedtodothis,butIwilladmitIlikethispowermorethanI
reasonablyshould.
LesserSpiritTotem:ItsummonsspiritsthatattackbasedonCharisma,anditcostsyouBeastTotemtodoit.
ItsfunnyhowthispowertriestomakeCharismaimportanttoaBarbarian.Justavoidit.
SpiritTotem:Thisgivesyoua20%misschanceonanyattackmadebyanenemywhoisnotadjacenttoyou.
Unfortunately,youhavetotakeLesserSpiritTotemtogetitandtakingitvoidsBeastTotem,andthatmakesita
wasteofspace.
GreaterSpiritTotem:YourCharismabasedattacksnowhaveaslightlywiderradius,andyoudealautomatic
damagetoanyonestandingnexttoyou.ItsaverymehcapstoneonanoverallbadTotem.
StaggeringDrunk:Mobilitywasntworthwhile,neitheristhisabilitywhichrequiresatleast1roundtoget
started,upto4roundstogoatmaximumpowerbythetimeyourelevel12.Itsnotworththeroundinvestment
togetrolling.
StrengthSurge:Thisshouldnotbetakenuntilhigherlevels,asthehigheralevelyougrabitatthemoreuseful
itis.Atlevel12,asanimmediateactionthisgivesyoua1/rage+12bonustoaStrengthcheck(BreakDCsare
nothinganymore!),CombatManeuvercheck(Knockback/Knockdown/SpellSunderbeingtheobviouschoices),
oryourCMD(NotevenaTetoricangrappleyou).Thisisanamazinglygoodability,butwaituntilyougetto
higherlevelstograbit.
Superstition:IfyouareanormalBarbarian,thisabilitystartsat+2andgrowsto+5bylevel12,slightlylarger
thanyournormalragebonusestoWillsaves.Notethatthisisalsoamoralebonusanddoesntstackwithyour
rageMoralebonustoWillsaves,butitDOESapplyonallSupernaturalabilities,SpellLikeabilities,and
SpellsalmosteverysavingthrowyourBarbarianwillevermake.Thismakesitgood.IfyouareaHuman,then
bylevel12youhavea+9atlevel12thankstoyourfavoredclassbonus.Thismakesitgreat.Itisalsoa
prerequisiteforSpellSunder.Thismakesitabsolutelyvital.
WitchHunter:Thisabilitygivesyouabase+1ondamagerollsvsthingswithSpellsorSLAsthatscalesas

youlevel.Bylevel12,itis+4bonusdamage,forfree,everyhit.SinceSpellsandSLAsareoneveryimportant
encounteryouwillhitpastlevel6orso,thisisausefulpoweronitsown,butitisalsoaprerequisiteforSpell
Sunder,andthusisworthwhileregardless.
SpellSunder:SpellSunderisthesinglegreatestRagePowerintheentiregame.Itallowsyoutohitany
ongoingspelleffectwithaSundercombatmaneuver,andonasuccesseithersuppressesitordispelsit
completely.Notethat,asitisSunder,youcandothisinplaceofameleeattack,anditusesthesameattack
rollasyourmeleeattackwithanySunderrelatedfeatsontopofit.Itis1/rage,soRagecyclingishighly
recommendedwiththispower.IfyouareaBarbarianyouwantthisRagePower.
SunderEnchantment:This,ontheotherhand,isnotsogood.Itrequiresthatyoueitherbeusingamerciful
weaponandwastinganattackonaSunder,orelsethatyoucommityourselftopossiblybreakingyourloot.It
scrapesanorangeonlybecauseitworkswellwithDestroyersBlessing,andonlyifyouhaveaMerciful
Weaponasyourmainone.
GhostRager:WhatmakesthisreallyniceisthemoralebonusfromyourSuperstitionapplyingtoyourTouch
AC.IfyouhaveaRingofDeflectionandtheDexterityrequiredtouseCombatReflexeseffectively,your
superstitionwilladdagoodamounttothattouchAC,makingyouachallengeformosttouchspellstohiteven
afteryourpenaltiesareputintoplay.Itmaynotmakealltouchattacksagainstyoumiss,butitwillmakethem
haveagoodchance,andthatsbetterthanthealternative.
Disruptive:InordertobeeffectivewithDisruptive,youneedStepUptodealwiththeinevitable5footstep
awayfromyou.Eventhen,thisfeatisnegatedbyCombatCasting.ThisisnotagoodwaytospendyourRage
Powers.
Spellbreaker:YouhavetogetDisruptive,andthenyourenemyhastobewithinDisruptiverangeandfailat
castingaspell.Whilethiscouldeventuallyhappen,yourehonestlybetteroffnotgoingaftereitherofthese
Powers.
EaterofMagic:Thisabilitydoesnottakeanaction,andgivesyouanimmediatesecondchanceatasaving
throwvsanythingyourSuperstitionbonuscovers.Ifyousucceed,youarecompletelyunaffectedbythespell,
andgaintemporaryhitpointsbasedonitspower.TheseHPlastforafullminuteregardlessofifyoureraging
ornot,allowingyoutoimmediatelyragecycleonyournextturnandgetthislayerofprotectionback.Thisishow
aBarbariandoesrerolls,anditisnicelydoneindeed.TheonlycaveatisthatyouhavetowaituntilBarbarian10
totakeit,andthatsthelevelthatGreaterBeastTotem(AndthereforePounce)becomesavailable.
SurpriseAccuracy:Ifyouabsolutelyhavetohit,thisisadecentRagePowertodothat.However,onaverage
yourattackbonusishigherthanafighterofyourlevelsothiswillrarelycomeupasideonaniterativeattack.It
is1/rage,sobeawarethatyoucanRagecyclethis.
SharpenedAccuracy:DuetoSpellSunder,theonlycoverthatwillcomeupinmostsituationsissoftcover,
andthisisntenoughofaworrytospendanentireRagePoweron,particularlyonethatwillonlywork1/rage.

DeadlyAccuracy:Dontbelievetheminifeatblurb.ThissimplydoublesthebonusSurpriseAccuracygives
whenconfirmingcriticalhits.MightySwingisthis,butbetter.
LethalAccuracy:YouneedtoburnthreetotalRagePowerslotstogaintheabilitytoincreaseyourweapons
criticalmodifierby1stageontheoffchanceyouhappentogetacriticalhitontheoneattackyouareusing
SurpriseAccuracy.ItisRageCyclecapable,butitsfartoochancebasedtobegood.
SwiftFoot:ItslikeFleet,onlyyouspendaRagePowerinsteadofaFeatforit!Itsnotworthit.
Sprint:YouhavetotakeFleetforit,andallitdoesisgiveyoutheabilitytochargeslightlyfurther.Notworthtwo
RagePowers.
UnexpectedStrike:1/ragesoyoucanRagecycleit,youcangetanAoOevenifyounormallywouldnt.This
givesyoutheabilitytosetupaDazingStrikebeforetheenemyevengetsanopportunitytoattack,anditsa
nastysurpriseforanyoneclosingintomelee.
WorldSerpentTotem:NotonlydoesitblockaccesstoBeastTotem,itonlygivesyoua+1bonustoAC
againstspecificenemytypes.OutsidersandAberrationsarequitecommon,butnotcommonenoughtomake
thisworthwhile,evenwhenitsgrownto+3.
WorldSerpentSpirit:TheResistancebonustosavesisoverwrittenbyhavingaCloakofResistance,sothe
onlypartworthanythingiscountingashavingagood,evil,chaotic,andlawfulalignedweaponforthe
purposesofDR.ThisisstillunderwhelmingforthesecondtierofaTotemtree.
WorldSerpentTotemUnity:Yougain10ftofmovementfromFastMovement(Ifyoukeptit)andcannotbe
knockedprone,andthendoubletheACbonusfromWorldSerpentTotem,foratotalof+6AC,butonlywhen
theOutsiderorAberrationistryingtoconfirmacriticalhitagainstyou.ThisisyetanotherlacklusterTotem
thatsnotworthourtime.

WEAPONAMLIKESOULOFBARBARIAN.STEELY,LETHALSOULTHATAMABLETOCLEAVEFACESOF
SQUISHYCASTYSANDTALKYPEOPLE.AMLIKEEXTENSIONTHATSHOWHOWBARBARIANLEAVE
MARKONWORLD.THISAMGREATREASONTOENSURESWORDNOTHAVELIPSTICK,ALSONOT
EFFEMINATEYETRATIONALFOILTOINEFFECTUALBARBARIAN.ALSONEVERPRANCE.

Equipment
Thefollowingsectionshallbedonesomewhatinformally,becauseEquipmentisgenerallyamatteroftaste.
Therearesomethingsthateveryoneshouldget,butbearinmindtheopinionsbelowareonlythatmyopinions.
Ifanyportionofthisguideisgoingtogetupdated,itllprobablybethisoneasotheritemsandthingsarebrought
tomyattention,eitheronthetableoraroundtheforums.
Weapons:Asfarasmartialweaponrygoes,theGreatswordistheclearwinnerforaBarbarian,dealingan
averageof7damagebyitselfovertheGreataxes6.5averagedamage.IfyouwantaReachweapon,thenthe
LucerneHammerisyourbestMartialbet,withtheGlaivebeinggoodaswellifyouwantax3criticalovera

straightx2.IfforsomereasonyouareaDwarforactuallytookExoticWeaponProficiency,theDwarven
Longhammerisalsoagoodweapontolookat:AGreatswordwithReach?Yesplease!Eventually,Imafanof
makingmymainweaponoutofAdamantinejustforeasybreakingstuff.IfyoureMounted,youwantaLance.
Noexceptions.
WeaponEnchantments:Afteryougetyour+1,thenextenchantmentyouwantisFurious,fromtheAPG.This
makesyour+2costweaponaneffective+3whileyoureraging.Afterthis,goingstraightto+5Furiousisthe
bestpathforrawattackanddamage,thoughconsidergettinga+1MercifulsomethingifyoutookDestroyers
Blessing.Pastthat,itsallaboutpreferences,thoughHolyandBanearetwogoodenchantmentsforany
weapon.
Armor:By12thlevel,youregoingtoberockinga4ACfromRecklessAbandon,andusuallyanother4AC
fromCAGM.Frequently,youllbehavinga2ACfromcharginganda2ACfromRagingifyoudidntuseUrban
Barbarian.Thisisuptoa12AC.BeastTotemgivesback4ofthis,makingitanetof8ACwhenyouregetting
yourfullwrathon,andourarmorchoiceshavetoreflectthat.Youroptionsaretoeitherspendalargeamountof
resourcesonanAmuletofNaturalArmorandthebestarmoryoucanbuy,ortorelyonyournaturalDRand
highhitdietoseeyouthroughtheday.Abalancebetweenthetwoisprobablybest.YourACwillprobablynot
stopmainattacks,butifaniterativegetsthroughyoumightbeabletostopit.CelestialArmorisalsoalways
nice,butitsexpensivetoget.
Rings:IreallyliketheRingofEvasionforaBarbarian,astheirReflexsavesafterSuperstitionarethroughthe
roof,andtranslatingthatintocompletelynegatingdamageseemslikeagooddeal.TheRingofProtectionis
alsogood,allowingyoutoboostyourtouchACandCMDinadditiontoyournormalAC.Atlatelevels,theRing
ofSpellTurningisanastysurprisetoanyonewhotargetsyouwithaspell.RingofFriendShieldcanalsobe
worthconsideringtoincreaseyourlongevityonthefrontlineswhiletakinghits.
Amulets:Theoldstandby,ofcourse,istheAmuletofNaturalArmor,whichraisesyourACagainstnormal
attacksandwillstackwithBeastTotemjustfine.Ifyoufindyourselfnotbeingattackedoften,thentheScarabof
Protectionisalsoagoodoptiontokeepyoufromgettingnegativelevels,anditsgoodforignoringmost
wandbasedspellswithafreeSR19.
Belt:BeltofPhysicalPerfection+2,+4,andthen+6.DexterityisntimperativeforaBarbarianuntillater,soif
youhavetogocheapearlyon,abeltthatboostsSTRandCONisokay,butyoureallywantallthree.
Cloak:CloakofResistance,thebestyoucanget.Thereisnoothershouldersslotitembetterthanthis,
becauseSavesarevitallyimportant.
Boots:BootsofSpeedaregoodforifyouwantHasteasafreeaction,andWingedBootsareadecentwayto
getflight3/dayifyouneedit.Itsalldowntowhatyouneed.
OtherItems:GogglesofNightisagoodwaytogetDarkvision,thoughitisahighlysituationalpower.ALocked
Gauntletisoftenagoodidea,asitpreventsyoufromeverworryingaboutbeingdisarmed,andyoustillhave

yourotherhandfreeforclawing.Also,neverunderestimatethepowerofanAdamantineDagger.Itscalledthe
AdventurersLockpickforareason.Outsideofthat,justgowithwhateveritemsyouthinkwillbesthelpyour
survivabilityanddamage.

Builds
Bearinmindthattheseareonlysuggestions,asthereisnoonetruebuildtoplayaBarbarian.
STRRangersbuild:
Build:InvulnerableRager20
Race:Human(Heartofthefields1/dayignoresfatigueorexhaustion)
orDwarf
FavoredClass:
Human=FavoredBonus:2toskills,18toSuperstition
Dwarf=HPorRageRoundsasyoulike
2traitsOptimisticGambler(Human)orGloryofOld(Dwarf)
andanotherIlike:
MissingSibling(sensemotiveanddiplomacyareclassskills)
FastMovement,Rage,PowerAttack,HRagingVitality
DR1/,LesserBeastTotem
ExtremeEndurance,ImprovedSunder
DR2/,Power:StrengthSurge
ExtraRagePower:Superstition
DR3/,ColdResist1,BeastTotem
ExtraRagePower:RecklessAbandon
DR4/,Witchunter
ColdResist2,CombatReflexes
DR5/,GtrBeastTotem
GreaterRageDazingAssault
ColdResist3,DR6/,ComeandGetMe
ExtraRagePower:SpellSunder
DR7/,EaterofMagic
ColdResist4,RagingBrutality
DR8/,GhostRager
TirelessRage,ExtraRagePower:Smasher
DR9/,ColdResist5,SurpriseAccuracy
ExtraRagePower:SunderEnchantment
MightyRage,DR10/,GoodforWhatAilsYou

ThingstoKeepInMind

You.Should.Carry.A.Bow.Nomatterwhoyouareorhowawesomeyourattacksmaybe,youwilleventually
comeagainstaflyingenemywhowilltrytohoveroutofyourreachwhileyoureoutofFlycapabilityforsome
reason.Youmightaswellshoothimintheface.Slingsarewaylessdamage,butalsoanoptionforhighSTR
modifiers,sinceyoudonthavetoshellouthundredsonCompositeLong/Shortbows.
AsaMountedBarbarian,thechargelaneisimportant.ItopensupyourSpiritedChargeandRideByAttack,
anditsthekeytodealingabsurddamagewithyourLance.Trampleisworthwhileforanymountjustbecauseit
opensupchargelanesthroughyouropponents.
CAGMBarbarianslovetheirchokepoints.Ifyoucanforcetheenemytoattackyouinmelee,youwinaslongas
youhaveCAGMup.Iffightingrangedenemies,dontturnonComeandGetMe,asitjustgivesthemmore
abilitytokillyou.IfyourGMgetswisetothistrickandstartsattackingotherpeople,thenPounceallowsyouto
simplychargeandgetafullattackoffonwhoeveritiswhogetsbyyou.
Rememberthatany1/ragepowercanberefreshedbyendingyourrage(Afreeaction)andthenreenteringit
(Alsoafreeaction).Youneedtonegatefatigueinordertodothis,andyouhaveseveraloptionsforthat.Heart
oftheFields(Ahumanracialvariant)isagoodwaytoaccomplishthis1/day.TirelessRageat17thalsoisa
greatwaytodothis.Youcanalsotakea1leveldipintobeingaLameOracleat9thlevel(whichgrantsyou
immunitytofatigue),butthiswillmakeyourBABlagbehindby1pointfortherestofyourcareer,andloweryour
movespeedby10ft.RousedAngerisaRagePowerthatwillletyoucycleaswell,thoughifyoureusingityou
reallywantawaytorecoverfromexhaustion.
OnthesubjectofPounceswhileCharging,hereliesmyview:PertheRAW,Pounceappliesasabonusthat
yougetwhenyouCharge.AlsopertheRAWsectiononMountedCombat,ifyourmountcharges,youreceive
thebonusgainedfromacharge.Pounceis,therefore,somethingthatshouldbeabletoapplyonacharge.The
LanceandSpiritedChargebonusdamagedoonlyapplyonthefirsthit,thiswasreleasedinanerrataonthe
Paizoblog.TherehasnotbeenanyFAQorErrataonhowPounceandChargeinteracthowever,andother
peoplemayreadtheinteractiondifferently.Thusmuchthesameaswithillusionspellsandinteraction,ask
yourGMfirst.IfyourGMstatesthattheydonotstack,theMountedBarbarianisstillveryviable,howeveryou
shoulddefinitelymakeroomforMountedSkirmisherforhigherlevelsANDSpiritedChargeforthelowerones,
anddoubleeverythingIsaidabouttheChargelanebeingimportant.YoucanalsoignoreBeastTotem.Thatis
all,pleasedontturnthefeedbackthreadintoagiantdebateaboutthis,Ihonestlydontcareenoughtoargue
andinallfairnessImtheonewritingthisBarbarianguide.
FINALLY,REMEMBERANYPROBLEMAMABLETOBESOLVEWITHSUFFICIENTAMOUNTOFSMASH.
IFPROBLEMAMSTILLTHERE,NOTSMASHINGHARDENOUGH.SMASHHARDER.GOFORTH,BE
NONCRAPPYBARBARIAN.
CORDIALLYYOURS,
DR.BARBARIANAMBARBARIAN,PHD.

SpecialThanksTo
EvilLincolnformakingathreadthatputmeuptothis.
LabRatforbeingawesome.
MergyforpointingoutOrcsofGolarionasathingthatexists.
STRRanger,foraquiteepicCAGMbuild.
TOZ,becausewhythehecknot?
Everyonewhopostedineverythreadbarbarianscameupin,forthemillionslittlepiecesofadvice.