My basic Barb build

[KoboldKiller]

Ok he won't be anything special just your average Barb but I thought I would post it anyway to see what kind of feedback I could get. Standard 28pt build no equip.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page
Level 14 Chaotic Good Dwarf Male
(14 Barbarian) 
Hit Points: 325
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 5
Will: 4
                 Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             18                    21
Dexterity            12                    12
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma              6                     6
                 Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               1                     5
Bluff                -2                    -2
Concentration         3                     4
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                    -2
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  1                     1
Intimidate            2                    15
Jump                  8                    22
Listen                0                     0
Move Silently         1                     1
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                  2                     8.5
Swim                  4                     5
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a
 
Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Level 2 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Level 3 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I
Level 4 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness II
Level 5 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Level 6 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness II
Level 7 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Level 8 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III
Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage III
Level 10 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage III
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness III
Level 11 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage I
Level 12 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage IV
Level 13 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness IV
Level 14 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I

[tihocan]

That should work
Personally I'd take stunning blow instead of toughness, but it's a matter of preference.

[Shade]

Why make a build.

Why not just ask. "should I take toughness or power attack?"

The answer would be:
If you even have to ask, do your server a favor and don't make a barbarian.

[Blazer]

Power Attack instead of Toughness, please please please.

[KoboldKiller]

Why make a build.

Why not just ask. "should I take toughness or power attack?"

The answer would be:
If you even have to ask, do your server a favor and don't make a barbarian.

I appreciate your candor however until someone can show me how to get high HP without Toughness and a bunch of equip I do not posess then this is the build.

[KoboldKiller]

As you can see HP is considerably lower now. So with the exception of doing more damage explain how dropping toughness for Power attack is better? Toughness=longer life, Power attack=more damage less to hit and less life. Please explain and I am serious as I would like to know how this is better.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page
Level 14 Chaotic Good Dwarf Male
(14 Barbarian) 
Hit Points: 258
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 5
Will: 4
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             18                    21
Dexterity            12                    12
Constitution         16                    20
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma              6                     6
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               1                     5
Bluff                -2                    -2
Concentration         3                     5
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                    -2
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  1                     1
Intimidate            2                    15
Jump                  8                    22
Listen                0                     0
Move Silently         1                     1
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                  2                     8.5
Swim                  4                     5
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Level 2 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Level 3 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Level 4 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Level 5 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack II
Level 6 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II
Level 7 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Level 8 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage III
Level 10 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III
Level 11 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage III
Level 12 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage IV
Level 13 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage II
Level 14 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II

[bandyman1]

As you can see HP is considerably lower now. So with the exception of doing more damage explain how dropping toughness for Power attack is better? Toughness=longer life, Power attack=more damage less to hit and less life. Please explain and I am serious as I would like to know how this is better.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page
Level 14 Chaotic Good Dwarf Male
(14 Barbarian) 
Hit Points: 258
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 5
Will: 4
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             18                    21
Dexterity            12                    12
Constitution         16                    20
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma              6                     6
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               1                     5
Bluff                -2                    -2
Concentration         3                     5
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                    -2
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  1                     1
Intimidate            2                    15
Jump                  8                    22
Listen                0                     0
Move Silently         1                     1
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                  2                     8.5
Swim                  4                     5
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Level 2 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Level 3 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Level 4 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Level 5 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack II
Level 6 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II
Level 7 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Level 8 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage III
Level 10 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III
Level 11 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage III
Level 12 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage IV
Level 13 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage II
Level 14 (Barbarian)
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II

Because at lvl 14 you'll be running around constantly 2x raged. A barbarian not raged is a gimped fighter. So that's an increase of 6 Con or ( 3x14) 48 Hps. That's 300 Hps on a melee without toughness. No extra gear that you don't have ( no stat item to Con of any kind either in that figure I might add ).

If you can't survive with only 300 ( lol, can't belive I said that ) hps, then I guess the benifits of Hps over the +16 damage every swing ( that get's multiplied on crits ) is the right choice for you.

[Blazer]

All those extra HP from Toughness won't make much of a difference if it takes you longer to have stuff get killed. More DPS via Power Attack means stuff dies faster, making the HP you have last longer. With just a +4 CON item, you'll be at 24 CON in that 2nd build, which, when including your base of 168, the 20 from Heroic Durability, and the 10 from the Gianthold favor puts you at 296 HP. The key here is that is pre-rage. With the rage levels you'll take via enhancements - not to mention rage potions or the spell - you'll easily top over 400 HP while raging. That will be more than enough considering you're going to be pumping out a hell of a lot of damage with Power Attack.

[Beergut]

OK - my 2 cents worth

My experience has been there is no ideal build. Some builds can be real crappy but it's difficult to say what is best. The best build for you should be the build you enjoy playing. There can be several real good builds.

Here's where I stick my pencil thin neck out a bit.

I like to play a Barbarian with high HP's. This means taking the toughness feats. I haven't been playing long enough to to know the excrutiating minutia of splashing levels and so on but I do know it's nice to hit level 14 with about 460 hp's and to rage and clear 500. Why? - I can take a real beating and still survive. I can swing my greataxe and not have to worry too much about my lack of a shield. I can act like a freakin Barbarian.

Regarding the Rages - you can put 1 pt in extra rage at all and maybe just 1 in extended rage. You won't need more than 4 or 5 rages between shrines usually and the rage period will be long enough. Instead focus on Hardy rage and whatever the one is that sives you strength (power rage?). You will be stronger and tougher - thus able to deal out and take more damage - albeit for a shorter period of time.

Focus on strength when leveling to balance out your constitution. You won't be able to exactly balance out your strength and constitution scores but if they are the primary things you focus on with skill points you won't be disappointed.

Again - I'm not an extremely experienced player and I'm sure others have much more to offer but this is how I built Beerkeg and he turned out to be a fun and simple Barb to play - no regrets.

[KoboldKiller]

OK - my 2 cents worth

My experience has been there is no ideal build. Some builds can be real crappy but it's difficult to say what is best. The best build for you should be the build you enjoy playing. There can be several real good builds.

Here's where I stick my pencil thin neck out a bit.

I like to play a Barbarian with high HP's. This means taking the toughness feats. I haven't been playing long enough to to know the excrutiating minutia of splashing levels and so on but I do know it's nice to hit level 14 with about 460 hp's and to rage and clear 500. Why? - I can take a real beating and still survive. I can swing my greataxe and not have to worry too much about my lack of a shield. I can act like a freakin Barbarian.

Regarding the Rages - you can put 1 pt in extra rage at all and maybe just 1 in extended rage. You won't need more than 4 or 5 rages between shrines usually and the rage period will be long enough. Instead focus on Hardy rage and whatever the one is that sives you strength (power rage?). You will be stronger and tougher - thus able to deal out and take more damage - albeit for a shorter period of time.

Focus on strength when leveling to balance out your constitution. You won't be able to exactly balance out your strength and constitution scores but if they are the primary things you focus on with skill points you won't be disappointed.

Again - I'm not an extremely experienced player and I'm sure others have much more to offer but this is how I built Beerkeg and he turned out to be a fun Barb to play - no regrets.

I apreciate your straight forward approach. I will take all this into consideration.

[Shade]

I appreciate your candor however until someone can show me how to get high HP without Toughness and a bunch of equip I do not posess then this is the build.

Here's my build
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=116814

Here's my hitpoints
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9...ot01530zp6.jpg

Hitpoints are important, up to a point. That point is basicly the maximum a cleric can heal for, reliably. That is currrently 399, for a maximum empowered heal. My build has that all the time, and quite often allot more. As such having toughness would hold no benefit.

The thing is, in the end game, you can take 1000s of damage in under a minuit. The way to survive is to have enough of a buffer for the cleric to keep you alive. The maximum damage you can reasonable take in the hardest fight in the game - elite tor blue dragon is about 150 (you could take 300 vs the white one but hes easier overall).. As such having 400 or 500 won't make any notable difference to the cleric healing you.

Power attack adds 10 to 16 damage.. That is an incredible amount, and can mean the difference between whiping on a quest or easily beating it. DPS is important in DDO, and having it high as possible is the best way to do it on a barbarian.

16 dmg also means +48 dmg on a crit with a greataxe... Massive increase.

Power attack is the best feat a barbarian can take.
Toughness is the worst.

[KoboldKiller]

Here's my build
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=116814

Here's my hitpoints
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9...ot01530zp6.jpg

Hitpoints are important, up to a point. That point is basicly the maximum a cleric can heal for, reliably. That is currrently 399, for a maximum empowered heal. My build has that all the time, and quite often allot more. As such having toughness would hold no benefit.

The thing is, in the end game, you can take 1000s of damage in under a minuit. The way to survive is to have enough of a buffer for the cleric to keep you alive. The maximum damage you can reasonable take in the hardest fight in the game - elite tor blue dragon is about 150 (you could take 300 vs the white one but hes easier overall).. As such having 400 or 500 won't make any notable difference to the cleric healing you.

Power attack adds 10 to 16 damage.. That is an incredible amount, and can mean the difference between whiping on a quest or easily beating it. DPS is important in DDO, and having it high as possible is the best way to do it on a barbarian.

16 dmg also means +48 dmg on a crit with a greataxe... Massive increase.

Power attack is the best feat a barbarian can take.
Toughness is the worst.

Thank you for laying that out for me.

[tihocan]

Personally I'd take stunning blow instead of toughness, but it's a matter of preference.

**** I hadn't even noticed you didn't have power attack, sorry about that Luckily others have pointed it out...