My first barb, need some help

[Thatonegamerguy623]

So as the title says this is my first barbarian that will actaull ybe going to 20, I've made one or two before but that was just to have a low level toon for when my friend tr'd so I could run with her. but anyway! I really need some help on this build as I feel I am either not understanding the barbarian class or I just suck at building them at all, so whatever you think would help please don't be afraid to post and give some advice!

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.16.01
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Level 25 True Neutral Half-Orc Male
(20 Barbarian \ 5 Epic) 
Hit Points: 497
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 7
Will: 5

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 25)           (Level 25)
Strength             20                 29                   33
Dexterity            12                 12                   12
Constitution         16                 17                   19
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma              6                  6                    6

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 25)          (Level 25)
Balance               1                  1                    6
Bluff                -2                 -2                    3
Concentration         3                  4                    9
Diplomacy            -2                 -2                    3
Disable Device       n/a               n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -2                 -2                    3
Heal                 -1                 -1                    4
Hide                  1                  1                    6
Intimidate            2                 21                   26
Jump                  7                 32                   37
Listen               -1                 -1                    4
Move Silently         1                  1                    6
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a               n/a                    n/a
Repair               -1                 -1                    4
Search               -1                 -1                    4
Spot                  0                  9.5                 14.5
Swim                  5                 11                   16
Tumble                3                  3                    8
Use Magic Device     n/a                -2                    3

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Rage
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Orc Orc Blood
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Rage
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 2 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Damage Reduction


Level 3 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Trap Sense


Level 4 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Uncanny Dodge
Feat: (Automatic) Uncanny Dodge (Dodge Bonus)


Level 5 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)


Level 6 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 7 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)


Level 8 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Uncanny Dodge


Level 9 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)


Level 11 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Greater Rage


Level 12 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 13 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)


Level 14 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Indomitable Will


Level 15 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)


Level 17 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Tireless Rage


Level 18 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 19 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)


Level 20 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage III
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker I
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker II
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker III
Enhancement: Barbarian Might
Enhancement: Orcish Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Orcish Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack I
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack II
Enhancement: Orcish Strength I
Enhancement: Orcish Strength II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness II
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness III
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness IV


Level 21 (Barbarian)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2.53651e+007)
Feat: (Selected) Great Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Epic Skills


Level 22 (Barbarian)
Skill: Hide (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2.53654e+007)


Level 23 (Barbarian)
Skill: Hide (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2.53656e+007)


Level 24 (Barbarian)
Skill: Hide (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Great Constitution


Level 25 (Barbarian)
Skill: Hide (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+0.5)

[arminius]

I don't read those things well but it looks to me like you are missing Great Cleave, which is a pre-requisite for Overwhelming Critical. So replace the Greater Strength and Greater Constitution with those two.

Then Stunning Blow at 27, presuming we still get a feat every three levels. Alternatively, replace Greater Two Handed Fighting with Stunning Blow, and then take GTHF at 27. Stunning Blow is not only self-protection/crowd-control but amps up damage tremendously, and raging Barbarians hit the required DCs with relatively little other help.

I don't like intimidate on a Barbarian, because you just can't take the damage at higher levels. I'd sooner max Diplomacy on a Barb than Intimidate!

I understand the appeal of Half-Orc but the fact is they heal like cinder blocks. I'm partial to Half-Elf with Monk dilettante for the extra healing amp. But to each his own there.

[HalfORCastrator]

I'd go with Stunning Blow over Toughness or go human for both(and other advantages).

If you only go with one tome while leveling, it should be an int tome. The other stats will have the same bonus at lvl7 or at lvl25, but an int tome at 25 won't give you as many skill pts.

Heal amp, for leveling and end game, is very, very good.

For self sufficiency, the best thing you can do is get Silver Flame potion favor, if you have the packs and can stomach it. (get all stats to 11+)


Suggested feats(in no particular order):
3x THF
Power Attack
Cleave
Great Cleave
Improved Critical: Slashing
(+Toughness if human)

Epic feats:
Overwhelming Critical
Stunning Blow (take this at 24)


Skill points:
1 full rank in tumble (can max this just to be able to do backflips with tumble item, and a couple buffs )
5 in jump (no more, you'll have plenty)
11 in balance
Rest in however you want. UMD can be useful, but not great on a barb.


Possible Horc enhancements(in no particular order):
Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Barbarian Constitution II
Barbarian Extend Rage I
Orcish Melee Damage II
Barbarian Extra Rage II
Orcish Strength II
Barbarian Hardy Rage III
Barbarian Power Attack III
Barbarian Damage Boost IV
Orcish Extra Action Boost III
Orcish Power Rage II
Orcish Power Attack III
Barbarian Power Rage IV
Barbarian Frenzied Berserker III
Barbarian Might

Possible Hum enhancements(in no particular order):
Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Barbarian Toughness II
Human Adaptability Strength I
Human Improved Recovery II
Racial Toughness III
Barbarian Extra Action Boost I
Barbarian Power Attack III
Human Versatility IV
Barbarian Damage Boost IV
Barbarian Extend Rage II
Barbarian Extra Rage II
Barbarian Hardy Rage III
Barbarian Frenzied Berserker III
Barbarian Power Rage IV
Barbarian Might


Very rough draft of relatively easy end game gear:
helm: PDK
goggles: EH Dream Visor
necklace: Min2 HP item
trinket: Planar Focus
cloak: EN Ghost-waking cloak / EN/EH Jeweled Cloak
armor: Hide of the Goristro (+5 combat mastery)
belt: EH Girdle of Giant's Brawn
bracers: Greater Convalescent Bracers of trash mod (30% amp)
gloves: EN Nether Grasps
ring1: EN Ring of Shadows
ring2: TOD ring (+20% heal amp)
boots: EN Surfooted Boots / Cannith boots / EN Treads of Falling Shadow
wpns: EAGA / Cleaver

I don't like intimidate on a Barbarian, because you just can't take the damage at higher levels. I'd sooner max Diplomacy on a Barb than Intimidate!

It's not about tanking a mass of mobs, it's about just taking them off the cc caster or healer for a bit. (kite a bit if you have to) Not a big deal, but useful. And I'd go with Bluff over Diplomacy.

and raging Barbarians hit the required DCs with relatively little other help.

Depends on difficulty and how geared. Epic elite will need a lot of great gear and dedicated tactics items. Epic hard and lower will probably just take pretty good gear and no tactics items.

[arminius]

Necklace: Min2 HP item

I like epic Jorgundal's Collar in the Necklace spot. And Ash2 HP item instead of Min2, because Envervation Guard is the end all be all against trash. Slotting it is hard. I currently have it on Goggles, and yeah, I might have to move it. Cloak, I guess? Nothing is really ideal.

[Kinerd]

It's not about tanking a mass of mobs, it's about just taking them off the cc caster or healer for a bit. (kite a bit if you have to) Not a big deal, but useful.

This is an underrated thing barbs are the best at: high HP without run speed reduction of SD/DoS, strong intim, between base run speed and Sprint Boost a very very fast build. It is no more than a niche but put another way it is no less than a niche.

[~Grumpycat]

You're a barbarian. Your AC sux, your PRR sux. The only thing you have going for you is high HP and high DPS. Get rid of intim and go balance. You dont want Agro. You want the hate generators and the intimers to take agro so that you aren't an SP sponge. You want to do your damage much like a rogue... without notice. If you get agro, you are going to get hurt. You dont want to get hurt.

While some of this sounds ridiculous, it's completely true. Barbarians have HUGE AC and PRR weaknesses. So you do as much as you can to prevent getting agro. Occationally you will still get it.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
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Level 20 Chaotic Good Half-Orc Male
(20 Barbarian)
Hit Points: 402
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 6
Will: 5

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 20 31
Dexterity 8 10
Constitution 18 20
Intelligence 6 8
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 6 8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting

Level 3 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack

Level 6 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave

Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting

Level 12 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 15 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting

Level 18 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker III
Enhancement: Barbarian Might
Enhancement: Orcish Fury III
Enhancement: Orcish Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack II
Enhancement: Orcish Power Rage II
Enhancement: Orcish Strength II
Enhancement: Orcish Great Weapon Aptitude III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I

And get Silver Flame favor to use SF pots. Easy enough to make sure your stats are all at 11.

[angelquc]

A few notes I'd like to point out from my experience playing a barb and maining a healer for a long time:
~Healing amp is an absolute must. You should be getting it as soon as humanly possible and never taking it off.
~Stunning blow seperates good barbs from amazing barbs. Mitigates damage entirely, amps party damage, and you can get it to no-fail levels.
~Barbs are by far my favorite class to duo with on a healer. They tear things up when babysat, they don't mitigate the damage as well as a DoS paladin but a DoS paladin can't kill EE mobs in a single swing.
Contrary to what a few people have written, namely the post above mine, Barbs do well to hold agro provided you built even moderately well.

PRR can go to about 55, which mitigates a decent chunk of swing damaeg.

DR/- gets up to 10, which about halves ranged damage in EE content.

Displacement clickies, a permanent blur item, uncanny dodge+LD blitz is enough to consistently keep 75%+ of attacks from not ever striking you.

Putting this all together with max healing amp(10 conv bracers, 20 tod ring, 30 PDK gloves) and you are easily healed with a single spell. You can SF pot yourself for ~450 on horc, maybe 350(?) on a wf, 500 on a human, providing a secondary source other than the healer for emergencies.

If you can hit 1k+ HP buffed, you're at a pretty golden number where you can survive 4-5 hits before dying, and when only ~20% of the enemies attacks hit you, it's simply a matter of not rolling 1 5 times in a row and positioning well.

Stunning blow effectively removes an entire enemy from being able to attack while amplifying your damage, this is absolutely critical - in my opinion - of a good barb to have and gear for.

The main races in my opinion are:
Horc - Highest damage.
WF - Immune to hold/neg levels, damage is only slightly lower.
Human - 30% extra healing amp, extra feat allows a toughness while maintaining max DPS feats
Dwarf - eclipsed, imo, by horc/wf/human

You get 7 heroic feats, 2 epic feats.(1 human feat)

Feats absolutely required:
cleave
gcleave
overcrit
thf
ithf
gthf
imp crit slash
power attack

optional feats
toughness
epic toughness
imp sunder
stunning blow(imo, not really optional)

Fitting in all of the things you want is quite hard on horc/wf because of the lack of feat space, you could splash 2 fighter but I personally deem this too heavy of a loss for feat slots(it's pretty significant), so honestly your best bet is to rule out toughness or go human.

Alternatively if you get a min2 GS you can skip the imp crit slash for a long time until you upgrade.

A last note on feats, always PA->Cleave->gcleave. at 1>3>6 or h>1>3