When most people think about why they want to play a barbarian, most will tell you barbarians are cool because they rage. Rage allows them to do more damage and take more damage for a short while. Some will mention their big ol' d12 hit dice or the Damage Reduction, but those features are along the same lines as rage.
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| Basically, they picture this. |
You know what they do not think about?
Trap Sense.
(and to a lesser degree, uncanny dodge).
Seriously, why is this a barbarian class ability? At best it should be an optional feature among the list of Pathfinder rage powers.
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| Pictured: a total lack of trap sensing. |
It's not that the feature is unbalanced or anything, it's just totally misplaced. As a Rogue or Bard ability, it makes perfect sense. But a barbarian? I just don't see it, nor will I continue to keep it as part of the barbarian design.
Up till now, I've ignored the uncanny dodge thing. But I wanna attack the whole concept of using feats as class features. Yes, it's central to the fighter. The whole point of the fighter is feats. I get that. But, if one the main features of a class is a feat...I don't know it just takes away from the uniqueness of the class. So I want to avoid that sort of nonsense as much as possible.
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| Careful, or they will dodge you...uncannily |
Finally, I want to address something I looooooooove about the Pathfinder barbarian but need to get rid of. The rage powers aspect of the class introduced in Pathfinder is awesome...but to reduce the complexity of the game I want to get rid of that sort of thing. I want class features to be pretty well set. I don't want character creation bogged down by a new choice every few levels. You select a class and that's what you get, simple and set.
But, since I love them so much and removing basically everything except Rage and Damage reduction is not the goal, I decide to replace the trap sense and uncanny dodge with rage powers and fill in the rest of the class with the simplest and most straightforward rage powers. What I end up with is the following:
Barbarian
Barbarians excel in combat, possessing the martial prowess and fortitude to take on foes seemingly far superior to themselves. With rage granting them boldness and daring beyond that of most other warriors, barbarians charge furiously into battle and ruin all who would stand in their way.
Hit Die: d12
Skills: Choose training in either Physical or Survival.
Weapon Proficiency: Simple & Martial
Armor Proficiency: Light, Medium, and Light Shield
Features:
Fast Movement: A barbarian’s speed is faster than the norm for her race by +10 feet.
Rage: A Barbarian can rage for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + his or her normal Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, he or she can rage for 2 additional rounds. Entering rage is a free action. An extended rest renews the number of rounds a barbarian can rage.
While in rage a barbarian gains: +4 to Strength and Constitution, +2 to Will saves, -2 Armor Class, and +2 Hit Points per level (which are used last and disappear when the rage ends).
When the rage ends, the barbarian is fatigued and suffers -2 to Strength and Dexterity until he or she takes an extended rest. If the barbarian does anything that would further fatigue him or her, she is exhausted and suffers -6 to Strength and Dexterity until he or she takes and extended rest.
Animal Fury: While in rage, the barbarian gains a bite attack. The bite attack is made at the barbarian’s base attack bonus -5. The bite deals 1d4+Str damage for medium sized barbarians (1d3 for small barbarians).
Powerful Blow: While in rage, once per encounter, a barbarian gains a +1 to a single damage roll. This bonus increases by +1 at levels 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18.
Renewed Vigor: While in rage, once per day, the barbarian heals 1d8 + Constitution modifier hit points. For every 4 levels the barbarians healing increases by 1d8 (to a maximum of 5d8 at level 20).
Raging Physique: While in rage, the barbarian adds his or her level to all Physical skill rolls.
Swift Foot: While in rage, the barbarians speed increases by +5 feet. This increases to +10 feet at level 10 and +15 feet at level 18.
Damage Reduction: At 7th level, a barbarian gains damage reduction. This reduces the damage the barbarian takes from each attack. At 10th level, and every three barbarian levels thereafter, this damage reduction rises by 1 point.
Raging Damage Reduction: While in rage, the barbarian’s damage reduction increases by +1/--. At level 14 this increases to +2/--. At level 20 this increases to +3/--.
Greater Rage: At 11th level, when a barbarian enters rage, the bonus to his or her Strength and Constitution increases to +6 and +3 to Will saves.
Fearless Rage: While in rage, a barbarian is immune to fear effects.
Indomitable Will: While in rage, a barbarian gains +4 on Will saves.
Mighty Swing: While in rage, the barbarian does maximum damage on a critical hit.
Tireless Rage: Starting at 17th level, a barbarian no longer becomes fatigued at the end of his or her rage.
Mighty Rage: At 20th level, when a barbarian enters rage, the bonus to his or her Strength and Constitution increases to +8 and +4 to Will saves.
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| like a boss. |
