Evasion Vs PRR

[rikkitikkitarvi]

So I'm looking at making a Barbarian build up to LVL 20 only and I am looking at 3 options

Pure Barbarian - Barbarian/Fighter - Barbarian/Rogue

The aspect That I am currently looking at is damage reduction

Based on what I think I may understand.

PRR for armour is
Heavy - BAB +6
Medium - 2/3 BAB +4
Light 1/2 BAB +2

So A Barbarian/Fighter combo would be able to utilize heavy armour, while a Barbarian/Rogue would be restricted to Light Armour.

So is the evasion ability from the Rogue lvls worth the reduction in PRR?
Is the increase in PRR and 2 additional feats from fighter worth not having a pure Barbarian?

As a general rule I solo content so avoiding traps and spell casters spells are as important as avoiding physical dmg.

[Enoach]

The problem with weighing between PRR and Evasion is that they are two separate and distinct forms of defense against different things.

The question is why not try both. Build for Evasion, however, have gear to swap towards PRR - Heavier armor and other PRR sources.

[rikkitikkitarvi]

In going with a Barbarian/Rogue I would have both. However in going pure Barb I would not have both. That is why I'm wondering if it would be worth the Rogue Levels. I'm kinda leaning going Barb/Rogue but it does mean my DPS will suffer as I will not get the enhancements for Barb until later.

[Gadget2775]

If you solo a lot Evasion is probably more important than PRR. Avoiding traps/fireballs to the face will probably prevent more damage than the PRR from Heavy Armor is worth. Should you desire more for specific fights, can always swap to Medium Armor with a blue slot for PRR.

[btolson]

Try to figure out what your reflex save will likely be. If it is too low for whatever content you intend to run regularly, then don't bother with evasion.

Achieving a relevant reflex save with heavy barb levels is not trivial (and will likely come at the expense of more dps).

[Gadget2775]

Reflex: 18 Barb = 6; Rogue 2 = 3. Total Base = 9. 20 Rogue base reflex = 12. Means 3 less for base reflex.
Barb 18 = +6 Trap sense, IE an additional +6 to reflex vs traps.
Uncanny Dodge for an emergency boost.

As long as Dex isn't used as a complete dump stat he'll be fine. Scraping one point off of max Strength and Constitution allows a base 8 race to hit 14 Dex without items. (Half-Orc, 32 point build, 19 Str, 14 Dex, 17 Con. All other at base. A more balanced build dropping two points from each; IE 18 Str and 16 Con can also have an Int of 12, which is 5 skill points per Barb level.

Saves really shouldn't be an issue as long as you avoid total min/max.

[niehues]

18 barb 2 rogue helf cleric dilly..

the best solo combination..

and if u going only to lv20 dont worry too much abt ppr... i would go evasion.. that will take to lv20 easy.. with self heals/traps..

just make sure u build up some gear for traps b4 u TR.. or craft some.. :D

[Standal]

Light armor will also give you the capability to get better dodge. I run an 18 Barb/2 Fighter/5 epic. I switched from the PDK to the red dragonscale recently. My PRR was giving me a little over 19% mitigation. With the light armor, I'm getting a little less than 12%, but I went from 1% to 8% dodge with a max potential of 15%. I'm only wearing a level 24 Mabar cloak at this time, but when I work in a seal of Dun'Robar I'll be at 11%. So my physical defense as a barb in light armor should be better than heavy. Evasion would just be the cherry on top.

As you level, you get uncanny dodge which gives you +1% dodge at levels barb 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 20 if you take it.

[rikkitikkitarvi]

Thanks for the comments. Think I will going with the splash of Rogue.

[SealedInSong]

Be sure to plan out how to twist for relevant twists (i.e. Magister's T1 Unearthly Reactions, Shadowdancer's T2 Lithe) for when you need to pump up your reflex.

For content where people might want you to intimidate non-casters, carry a useful PRR-boosting plate armor such as an epic Cavalry Plate (I do this with both my evasion paladin and my cleric for LoB).

The ability to switch between dodge/evasion damage mitigation and straight PRR affords you a flexibility you won't likely regret.

The only possibility I see in the future is another capstone for the barbarian that may encourage people to go pure class, but who knows when that'll come for sure.