First try at a Barbarian

[Riekan]

I've played many classes in DDO, and have yet to try my hand at a straight DPS juggernaut. After reading up a lot on the Barbarian forums, here's my build. Please take a look at it and let me know if I'm either missing something, or could improve in any area. I'm thinking Greatsword and going for the SoS. Would it be better to spec in enhancements for Dwarven Axe and use Greataxes until I get the SoS, or just stay GS from level 1?



Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.75
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Barbarian
Level 14 Neutral Good Dwarf Male
(14 Barbarian)
Hit Points: 258
Spell Points: 0

BAB: 14/14/19/24
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 6
Will: 4

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 14)
Strength 18 21
Dexterity 14 14
Constitution 16 20
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 10 10
Charisma 6 6

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 14)
Balance 4 14.5
Bluff -2 -2
Concentration 3 5
Diplomacy -2 -2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -2 -2
Heal 0 0
Hide 2 2
Intimidate -2 -2
Jump 8 22
Listen 4 17
Move Silently 2 2
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 0
Search 0 2
Spot 0 0
Swim 8 22
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I

Level 2 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I

Level 3 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I

Level 4 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II

Level 5 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I

Level 6 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II

Level 7 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction II

Level 8 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II

Level 9 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II

Level 10 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage III

Level 11 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage I

Level 12 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage IV

Level 13 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack III

Level 14 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage II

[brshelton]

honestly I think 18 starting con and 16 starting str are better. -1 to hit and damage end game or +14 health. I think 14 health is better. Just imo. I also prefer cleave and great cleave over the THF feats.

[tihocan]

This is a typical build that will work fine.
Use axes until you get your hands on a SoS (though by that time you may have enough good axes to make the SoS useless). Axes have a faster swing rate and benefit more from critical rage enhancements.

[Jaywade]

honestly I think 18 starting con and 16 starting str are better. -1 to hit and damage end game or +14 health. I think 14 health is better. Just imo. I also prefer cleave and great cleave over the THF feats.
the THF gice glancing blows which is better casue at the end of the chain you can get glancing blows on every swing (at lvl 14 my 2HF 12/2 barb/fighter glanceing blows do about 40 or so on every swing) ...athe 2 handed weapon feats grant better dps swing and no cool down timer ....also better to take the xtra str casue you can always take the barb con enhancements but can only increase STR at lvl 4, 8, 12.....

[CDG]

honestly I think 18 starting con and 16 starting str are better. -1 to hit and damage end game or +14 health. I think 14 health is better. Just imo. I also prefer cleave and great cleave over the THF feats.

I disagree, I maxed my Str every chance I got, once you are capped there is no way to increase your Str but plenty of Enhancements to increase your Con if your feel you need to.

But everyone is allow to have a different opinion :D

[Tanka]

Riekan, you had two Barbs at one point. Zerg and Zurg. Dwarf and WF, I think.

You probably deleted them for other builds. :p

As to skills: Spot > Listen, IMO. Only half-ranks for Barbs, but for some reason they count most mobs as Invis, but not sneaking. Lots easier to see their shadow form up on a successful Spot check than watch for red flashes if they happen to be sneaking for once.

As for stats, I like a higher Wis, personally. Dex 12/Wis 12 should be fine, or Dex 10/Wis 14 if you're feeling crazy.

Otherwise, standard Barb DPS build. Dump the Improved DRs and pick up the Axe bonuses, though. A good Bursting of Pure Good Greataxe will be comparable to the SoS, and a Bursting of Greater Bane will send it packing in short order.