Pros and Cons of picking THF Barbarian over Fighter

[u31231]

I'm just wondering, what are the pros and cons of going HO THF barb compared to ftr? From what I have read, a fully geared THF fighter does more damage than barb at 0% and 50% fort so fighters do more damage than barb most of the time, I think...so why is it that most of the people that I've seen that have ESoS are barbarians instead of fighters? Do Barbarians have a higher survivability than fighters? I'm sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm fairly new to being a melee class.

[Cold_Stele]

What you're seeing is probably down to the fact that before Kensai was put in the game Ftrs did comparatively poor DPS, so players have been in the habit of rolling Barbs for DPS for a few years now.

I'd say the survivability issue is moot really - Barbs have DR, etc, etc, but Kensai PRE doesn't damage yourself like the Barb one does...

I have both and I would say the main difference is that the Ftr runs painfully slowly and the Barb swings painfully slowly.

End results are so close you can choose whichever you prefer .

[vrobel]

The dps difference is so little you shouldnt jugde it over that.The big diffetence is the HP a not perfectly geared barb while raged is at ~800 hp while a decent fighter usually reaches ~500 + the barbs have DR and extra glancing blows

[u31231]

So they both do around the same damage but barb has ~300 more hp? Does that mean that HO THF barb is a little bit better for epic content than HO THF fighter because of the extra hp?

[Jiirix]

It's easier to get high stun, trip and sap DCs on a fighter. IMOH fihter and barb are even, it depends on your playstyle and taste what you prefer.

[vrobel]

yes ;)

[toughguyjoe]

The dps difference is so little you shouldnt jugde it over that.The big diffetence is the HP a not perfectly geared barb while raged is at ~800 hp while a decent fighter usually reaches ~500 + the barbs have DR and extra glancing blows
I dunno man..My 20 Barb sits around 650 and rages up for something like 200 more...

My 20 Ftr sits just over 600 and hits almost 700 with rage and single madstone.

So its really about personal preference I think.

[u31231]

Ok thanks for the help guys, I made up my mind, I'll go with fighter then since I really love Haste Boost IV.

[Cold_Stele]

So they both do around the same damage but barb has ~300 more hp? Does that mean that HO THF barb is a little bit better for epic content than HO THF fighter because of the extra hp?

It's less than 300 difference. IIRC my Ftr was on 625 before I TR'ed and by no means had perfect gear or optimal race (Human, no epic gear, no exceptional Con, etc).

600 is fine for epics.

[Cold_Stele]

Ok thanks for the help guys, I made up my mind, I'll go with fighter then since I really love Haste Boost IV.

Sprint Boost is great, but FHB is more addictive than crack :)