Two Levels of Barbarian Worth It?

[Sani_Medicor]

I made this build recently and I'm up to level 8. All of my other builds were TWF with evasion, so I wanted something a little different. I'm currently wearing +5 mithral full plate and have a nice selection of vorpals, paralyzers, disruptors, etc. for level 10. I fight with falchions most of the time, but swap to scimitars when I want multiple weapon effects.

I'm debating if it was really worth taking two levels of barbarian. I could see where it would be really helpful against a boss that's hard to hit though. Any opinions?

Chaotic Good Elf
(12 Fighter / 6 Ranger / 2 Barbarian)

Stats
Str 16 +5 Level Ups
Dex 15
Con 15
Int 8
Wis 12
Cha 8
(Use +2 Str, Dex, Con, Wis Tomes As Available)

Progression
1-2 Ranger
3-4 Barbarian
5-10 Fighter
11-14 Ranger
15-20 Fighter

Feats
1 Toughness
3 Two Handed Fighting
5 Weapon Focus: Slashing
6 Power Attack
6 Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Improved Critical: Slashing
9 Improved Critical: Ranged
10 Weapon Specialization: Slashing
12 Greater Two Handed Fighting
15 Greater Two Weapon Fighting
16 Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing
18 Quickdraw
18 Stunning Blow
20 Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing

Favored Enemies
Undead
Evil Outsiders

Skills
Balance

Spells
Jump
Ram's Might

Enhancements
Elven Dexterity I
Elven Toughness II
Valenar Melee Attack II
Valenar Melee Damage II
Elven Enchantment Resistance II
Fighter Kensai II
Kensai Falchion Mastery II
Kensai Falchion Specialization I
Fighter Strength II
Fighter Toughness IV
Fighter Item Defense I
Fighter Haste Boost IV
Fighter Attack Boost II
Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Fighter Extra Action Boost I
Fighter Strategy Stunning Blow II
Barbarian Constitution I
Barbarian Extra Boost I
Barbarian Power Attack I
Barbarian Extended Boost I
Ranger Dexterity I
Ranger Sprint Boost I
Ranger Favored Attack I
Ranger Favaored Damage II

[Noctus]

For your build:

2 Rogue >> 2 Barbarian.


"1d6+3 sneak attack and Evasion" beats "shorttime rage, slightly faster running and power attack +1"

[dkyle]

Basically, the only builds I've seen that really benefit from splashing Barbarian are Warchanter melee Bards. Even then, I personally prefer Fighter and Rogue splashes.

[Sani_Medicor]

How useful is evasion with a relatively low reflex save?

[Superspeed_Hi5]

How useful is evasion with a relatively low reflex save?

more useful than shorttime rage, slightly faster running and power attack +1. Of course rogue should be taken at lvl 1 for skill points so you can max umd, disable, search or open lock

[unbongwah]

How useful is evasion with a relatively low reflex save?

Don't forget you'll be able to boost your Reflex in various ways: elf & ranger DEX enhs, +DEX item, rogue Imp Trap Sense I, +Reflex item, (Greater) Heroism, luck bonus (VotM, HoGF), etc. And rogue 2 / ranger 6 / ftr 12 gives you base Reflex 12. So it may take a bit of effort, but you ought to be able to get your Reflex into the 30+ range at endgame.

[ChaosEmperorDragon]

more useful than shorttime rage, slightly faster running and power attack +1. Of course rogue should be taken at lvl 1 for skill points so you can max umd, disable, search or open lock

With 2 levels of barbarian you also get more HP. First you get more from being barb over rogue which is what, +12 HP? You also get +1 CON for 2 AP. If you plan your build accordingly (as he's shown in his post) that could net you an extra +20 HP right there by level 20. That's a total of +32 HP over the rogue levels.