Leveling Question

[Ironforge_Clan]

Alright I have a Dwarven Barbarian/Fighter that is now capped at 13/1. With the upcoming level increase coming in the near future I have two new levels to play with. I am faced with a somewhat tough decision since I want to take another fighter level to get an extra feat, but I also want to take a level of some other class that will get me access to healing wands. Question I have for everyone willing to comment is it worth it to take a level in something just to get the access to healing wands? If so then what is my best choice? I am bascially looking at the pros and cons...and based upon my two minutes of thinking about it I was leaning towards taking a level of cleric. Whatcha think?

[sigtrent]

A lot of folks will tell you to take barbarian 14 to get crit rage 2 and that is pretty good advice.

My first question would be, "Have you ever used a healing wand?"

I ask because using most healing wands on a high level barbarian is like trying to fill a beer mug with a thimble. You can do it, but it takes a while. If you really like solo play and you don't mind whipping your wand for a bit between fights it may be a good way to go. You probably won't be as good with them as classes that invest in the enhancement line for them and so on.

If you are keen on the wands I would recomend ranger, since you also get the bow strength feet and later can take a second level and have two weapon fighting whcih can be fun. Cleric would actualy give you some spell points and a healing spell, but it won't be much and it cuts into your attack progression a bit.

[Arianrhod]

Well, you never get just the wands - with ranger you'd get bow strength & +2 damage for a favored enemy without losing a point of BAB. With Cleric you'd get the ability to use spellpoints to heal yourself with (if you have 11+ wis), & a chance of being able to use scrolls, in addition to a nice selection of wands. Also think 1st level of cleric gives +2 will save. Bard would give 1 bard song & 6 skill points (a chance to boost up your haggle or balance, maybe), but you'd only be able to use spellpoints to cast if you had 11+ cha (& would get ASF if in heavier than light armor). Of course, cleric & bard both have +0 BAB at level 1, so your combat ability might fall behind a bit.

[Ironforge_Clan]

Thanks for the replies guys. I realize there is really no upside to taking a level of cleric or bard due to my low wis and cha (they are respectable though). Losing the 1 BAB is the tough part about the entire choice. I was now thinking I might want to take Rogue to get wands and skill points. I'll have to play around with it in the character planner.

FYI yes I have whipped a wand before...I have a level 14 Cleric...so I know it is going to take a lot to heal me up (472 hp). The reason behind the wand thinking was to help out and be MORE self sufficient. The way I look at it, the wand whipping is no worse than carrying around stacks of healing pots. I'll have to look at the costs of each to see if I make out better with one or the other.

[Riekan]

I haven't played a barbarian up to any real levels yet, mine is still a baby... But, are you able to cast spells at all if you are raged? I think that would apply to wands too, but am unsure. You can dismiss your rage now, so that might still be an option, but kind of takes away from the trying to stay raged through most of the dungeon by taking all the longer rage enhancements.

[Bombalo]

also note that while you are raging you wont be able to use wands at all...personally i would take him to 14 barb/2 fighter...i have a level 13barb/1ranger and im re rolling him as we speak as pure barb....with a barb you are going to be going though some serious cash with wands just because it takes soooooo long to heal up. Unless you plan on soloing a lot i don't know that i would spend a level for essentially wands. Also if you go rogue your not guaranteed wands to begin with you will have to boost your umd up to do it.

[KaKa]

Don't do it. Barbarians and wands do not mix because while rageing a barbarian cannot use a wand and a good high level barbarian should be raged always. If you wanna buy wands buy them for your party members to heal you, and also whats wrong with potions?. But if you are absolutely dead set on this idea, do ranger because you do not lose any BAB and gain a few good ranger class abilities. I would suggest paladin too but paladins have to be lawful and barbarians cannot be lawful so its an impossible multi class.

[Ironforge_Clan]

Again thanks for all the advice.

To answer a few questions...

Kaka - there is nothing wrong with pots, I was just looking for a way to alternate and heal faster. In addition, and I don't know if this is true or not, I have the weird idea that the wands are more cost effective. As I said earlier I need to run the math and put that issue to rest in my own mind. Also I am never dead set on any idea. Lastly, while ranger is a good choice I feel I would have to take two level and thusly lose out on an extra feat (by not taking Fighter) to really get a great benefit.

Bombalo - I realized that I couldn't wand whip while raged but with the dismiss I didn't see that as an issue. I also don't rage all the time. I find it is more a nuisance. I generally only rage for bosses.

[Ron]

In addition, and I don't know if this is true or not, I have the weird idea that the wands are more cost effective.

You are correct. Wands cost less per heal than pots do.