Halfling Barbarian Maul - Stunning Build

[stainer]

This is an idea I have been kicking around and I would like some feedback.

I haven't really developed my own character before. I use builds I find on the forums. I may adjust the build a little, but it is intimidating to me to build from scratch. I would like input on this idea.

I was thinking about putting together a FBIII Halfling barb and take advantage of halfling cunning/guile line for some sneak attack bonus. I was thinking about the maul aspect to go the stunning blow route to be a little different. I have considered 2 levels of rogue for evaison/open locks. What do you guys think? Is it a doable build? Would you go full 20 barb for capstone, or would evasion come in handy?

I found a +5 met of pg maul rr halfling awhile ago that I stuck in the bank. That is what has prompted this idea.

[Rickpa]

I have a level 20 pure halfling barbarian, and it's great! I didn't use the cunning/guile line, as I invested into Frenzied Berzerker 3, and my rages. Stunning blow is uncertain after update 5, but it may actually be better. That remains to be seen though.

[Thrudh]

This is an idea I have been kicking around and I would like some feedback.

I haven't really developed my own character before. I use builds I find on the forums. I may adjust the build a little, but it is intimidating to me to build from scratch. I would like input on this idea.

I was thinking about putting together a FBIII Halfling barb and take advantage of halfling cunning/guile line for some sneak attack bonus. I was thinking about the maul aspect to go the stunning blow route to be a little different. I have considered 2 levels of rogue for evaison/open locks. What do you guys think? Is it a doable build? Would you go full 20 barb for capstone, or would evasion come in handy?

I found a +5 met of pg maul rr halfling awhile ago that I stuck in the bank. That is what has prompted this idea.

Halfling racial bonuses don't seem to mesh well with a pure barbarian... -2 STR is no big deal, but you're not gaining much... +2 DEX is wasted on a maul user. Guile and Cunning cost a lot of APs (barbarians can be semi-AP starved), and how often will you get sneak attack?

Plus halflings don't get tactical bonuses (Stunning) like dwarves and wf do

If you do take the rogue levels, then the dex bonus for evasion becomes more useful...

Nothing wrong with an 18/2 barbarian/rogue with evasion, full UMD, and Haste Boost... A very solid character actually.

[GhoulsTouch]

Halfling is actually a good choice for barbarian I started one on a secondary server. I got her will save higher then a paladin of the same level both with 32 builds in vet status and still in the end had 18 str and con with starter gear.

Will saves cripple barbarians all the time, if you don't think so you never played one. Being able to get mine up so high was a good thing.

[stainer]

Halfling racial bonuses don't seem to mesh well with a pure barbarian... -2 STR is no big deal, but you're not gaining much... +2 DEX is wasted on a maul user. Guile and Cunning cost a lot of APs (barbarians can be semi-AP starved), and how often will you get sneak attack?

Plus halflings don't get tactical bonuses (Stunning) like dwarves and wf do

If you do take the rogue levels, then the dex bonus for evasion becomes more useful...

Nothing wrong with an 18/2 barbarian/rogue with evasion, full UMD, and Haste Boost... A very solid character actually.

I hear ya. I was trying to think outside the box a little. My wife says I shouldn't do that without supervision, which led to me asking the questions here.

[unbongwah]

Stunning Blow's DC is STR-based, so that -2 STR is an obvious setback. Perhaps more importantly, though, halflings don't get the DC-boosting enhs dwarves & WF do. So right off the bat, you're at a disadvantage; any dwarf or WF will have up to +4 to SB over your midget. And since SB is a Fort save - rather than a DEX or STR check like Trip - you really have to work to get its DC high enough to do you much good at higher levels, IIUC.

[stainer]

Stunning Blow's DC is STR-based, so that -2 STR is an obvious setback. Perhaps more importantly, though, halflings don't get the DC-boosting enhs dwarves & WF do. So right off the bat, you're at a disadvantage; any dwarf or WF will have up to +4 to SB over your midget. And since SB is a Fort save - rather than a DEX or STR check like Trip - you really have to work to get its DC high enough to do you much good at higher levels, IIUC.

Well, it was a thought anyway. I have a dwarf FBIII and a dwarf kensai III. I guess I will be putting that maul on the AH. Thanks for the input.

[GhoulsTouch]

Barbarians aren't made to be tanks as they are flanks in my opinion. Starting out with 16 strength is what alot of builds do anyway. Your Power attack penalty to hit can be slightly diminished by increasing your flank attack. Going lower dex actually won't hurt you since you get halfling and possibly rogue enhancements if you MC for the evasion and sneak attack.

Destruction weapons > sunder. Paralyzing weapons > trip etc.

You can get the same, similar, or better effects from weapons that you can with combat feats. That would allow you more of unique type of barbarian taking enhancements not normally taken but opened up to the barbarian class since other barbarians focus on the run of the mill combat enhancements favored by the cookie cutters. Instead of focusing on stunning blow etc. you can take defensive feats that up your saves, or other feats that would add a lot of flavor to a barbarian that most barbarians wouldn't even consider being they aren't cookie cutter. For example multiple toughness feats, Dragonmarks,etc.

The halfling is a survivor and with barbarian it increases his survivability and can make for one tough vicious murderous raging ankle biter if you can build it right.