The Simplest Barbarian is the Best?

[Lux-Aeterna]

I've been leveling up a TWF khopesh barbarian and I'm wondering if I should stop and rebuild it into THF given the coming barbarian changes.

Premises: (Correct if wrong please)
1. Maxing DPS seems to rely on going two handed for the power attack and glancing blow enhancements.
(I could have sworn I saw an enhancement preview somewhere that showed a power attack boost for barbarians. I think it doubled the power attack damage again for THF. I can't find it now.)

2. AC, while already difficult to get to a meaningful level in high end, will be nigh meaningless when raging and frenzying for all but the absolute best equipped barbarians. Therefore, high HP will be much more important.

Given these perceptions, it seems that best barbarian may be the one that looks the simplest.

Stats: 18 str, 18/20 con (depending on race), and dump the rest.
Levels: 20 barb or 18barb /2 fighter
Feats would be PA, Cleave, Toughness, the three THF feats, Improved Critical, and Stunning Blow.
Depending on the build, more feats may be available.

Let me know what you think.

[Gol]

I think the exception may be in Evasion Barbs. In endgame scenarios, Evasion can be worth a couple hundred hitpoints. That said, a Rogue 2 splash and trading the last 2 Con for 6 Dex could be very worth it. Only time will tell in mod 9/10 content if Evasion would truly make a Barb "better".

Otherwise, yes, Barbs are one of the most straightforward classes (if not the most) in the game. Str, Con, THF feats, done.

[Borror0]

Otherwise, yes, Barbs are one of the most straightforward classes (if not the most) in the game. Str, Con, THF feats, done.

I'd say barbarian is the most simple class in the game.

However, right now, THF< TWF. Might change again, but that's the current trend.

[Jendrak]

edit:...(I could have sworn I saw an enhancement preview somewhere that showed a power attack boost for barbarians. I think it doubled the power attack damage again for THF. I can't find it now.).....

There is an enhancment that increses the BAB a Barb can trade in on power attack. It basically allows you to trade in an additional +3. Bringing the total to -8 to hit +8 to damage on a S&B/TWF or -8 to hit +16 to dmg on THF. The benefit of Power attack always doubles for a THF.

P.S. Warforged also have this enhancment as a racial one and they stack for a total -16 to hit +32 to dmg if you wanna push it. But goodluck hitting anything

[Lux-Aeterna]

I know about those enhancements.

However, I could have sworn I saw a preview for something that scaled further and increased the actualy multiplier beyond x1 for one handed and x2 for two handed.

Maybe I am imagining it.