Barbarian Feat Decision

[Tulmeel]

My level 5 barbarian pulled a +1 Thundering bastard sword the other day. I played with it a little bit the Tangleroot wilderness. I kind of liked the look and results I got with it despite the 5 point penalty on my to hit.

My question is this: When I have the opportunity to select a feat I'm thinking of picking exotic weapon-bastard sword instead of the usual THF bonus. What are the positive and negative consequences to this choice.

This human barbarian's enhancements have focused on durability, resistance and survival rather than DPS. She will not be getting any rage enhancements until much later in her career. I'm trying to make her "cleric friendly" to the extent that is possible for a character whose role is to chop first and ask questions later.

[Symar-FangofLloth]

Well, with any sort of 1-handed weapon you'll be able to use shields, which will help your survivability even more, to an extent.

[Sojourner]

Barbarian's are pretty tight on feats. It wouldn't gimp you to spend one on an exotic weapon. But, you'd probably be better off with a fighter if that is the way you want to go.

[Kazama]

Ok I have a lvl 14 dwarf barb as my main and as a veterian barb builder i would have to say as far as one handed goes it is fine i run with a set of d-axes and +5 hvy steel of lesser acid resist and my barb still has the dps out put that you would come to expect from a barb, but I took all the rage, and con enhancements though. I don't know what it would be like to be a barb that didn't have them . . . just seems like you would be cheating you self out of all the great stuff a barb is granted. If you really want to make a char that is cleric friendly . . .try a pally you might be pleased. :D

[Citymorg]

Barbarian's are pretty tight on feats. It wouldn't gimp you to spend one on an exotic weapon. But, you'd probably be better off with a fighter if that is the way you want to go.

To expand on this idea, my suggestion would be to take the THF at level 6 and take 1 level of fighter at 7 and use the extra feat for it.

Is it a good idea? I have sort of come to the conclusion that building characters around specfic items is, in general, not a good idea. I would think in terms of what would you do without the sword? This will make the best character for you, when you outgrow/break/get a better sword. Should now consider the benefit of B-sword proficiency? There is merit to it, having 1d10 weapon (which almost as good as 2-12) that you can use a shield with is very attractive. However, if you go that route, you would want to think about getting rid of all THF feats and go with things like Toughness and Power Attack to get the most out of being able to use them. Do not forget, by giving up the THF line you are looking at giving up about 20pts of glancing blow damage to everything around your target as well as your target.

[Kargon]

I kind of liked the look...

This are most importamant part to Kargon. Kargon have bastamard sword proficimiency because kargon like look of swing big sword around and have shield too. Now to be honamest kargon not use sword and shield very oftamen and instead use falcion nowamadays, but for 12 levamels was very nice combo that made kargon very survivamable as a tank as long as also kept up with good armormer and kargon still do very respectamable damanage.

[Tulmeel]

Thanks for the discussion. The your view points will be an important of the final decision. I still have another rank before 6 to think about it.

Thanks again,
Tulmeel

[tihocan]

One thing to be sure: do not base your decision on any low level weapon you may have pulled (like this sword you're talking about).
Ask yourself in particular: do I want to use mainly two-handed weapons or 1-handed + shield? You can go for both, but usually one is going to suit your build better, and it's more efficient to focus on it.

[Tulmeel]

One thing to be sure: do not base your decision on any low level weapon you may have pulled (like this sword you're talking about).I totally agree. It was just playing with the sword before taking it to the AH that got me to thinking
Ask yourself in particular: do I want to use mainly two-handed weapons or 1-handed + shield? You can go for both, but usually one is going to suit your build better, and it's more efficient to focus on it.I haven't really decided on a preference. If this was a dwarf barbarian there wouldn't be a problem. Dwarf axes and great are a natural fit and share enhancements I think

The reason I asked in the first place is that I haven't made up my mind.
To this point I've been concerned with constitution and resistance more than weapon choice and rage enhancements. To this level rage has only been used in a handfull of cases. I'm not convinced that THF feats are the best choice for the game as it is developing.

[tihocan]

To this point I've been concerned with constitution and resistance more than weapon choice and rage enhancements. To this level rage has only been used in a handfull of cases. I'm not convinced that THF feats are the best choice for the game as it is developing.
Rage will become dominant later, when you can rage a lot and they last for a long time. It really makes a difference in your DPS.

[Lorien_the_First_One]

The reason I asked in the first place is that I haven't made up my mind.
To this point I've been concerned with constitution and resistance more than weapon choice and rage enhancements. To this level rage has only been used in a handfull of cases. I'm not convinced that THF feats are the best choice for the game as it is developing.

I've played 1 weapon (sword & board), THF, and 2WF. No doubt the weason + sheild is the most survivable and cleric friendly at low level. On a Barb it seems to me your AC will never be truely tank worthy at high level anyway so a couple points of shield AC isn't as big a deal (although still nice). There is no doubt that THF gives you the most damage, especially as a double raged Barb at high level. 2WF is the most fun for me at this point and offers some strategic choices that are interesting, but you won't lead the kill count most days.

It's not all that difficult to change out a feat so if it sounds fun, don't be afraid to try it, you can always switch back later.

[Casta]

No class has enough feats to use on bastard swords unless you have a nice collection of end game bastard swords.

Even as a fighter with all the extra feats I wouldn't do it without having some good bastard swords.