The rage "Use strength for skills!" is not just that you are using your primary stat instead of weaker ones- it's ALSO that all strength checks are at ADVANTAGE during rage. In a lot of cases this swaps a hard to pass check to one that might be hard to fail.
This is seriously something that isn't being mentioned enough. Getting a few points extra on these checks is nice, but also getting advantage on it makes it just *chef's kiss*.
It's a high enough level ability that it won' t matter to most people, but 18th level Indomitable Might also lets you just straight up use your strength score in place of the roll for a strength check. I think people glance past this because there's not many strength checks. With this though, it's like a barb variant of reliable talent, giving you a minimum of 20 (or more with epic boons and capstone abilities) on a handful of ability check types.
@@nathans9764 I don't wanna be mean to rogues but it's really funny that a 20th level rogue, an absolute master of sneaking whose whole job it is to never be seen, can be expected to get a 27 minimum on stealth, while a level 20 barbarian by virtue of being really strong and really angry (unlimited rage that can't end unless you're unconscious btw) can pretty reasonably end up with a minimum of 25. Obviously as epic boons come along eventually the rogue's minimum can be 32, meanwhile that same barbarian needing even fewer epic boons can be at minimum 30
@@Narokh Except that's the kind of unnecessary OP that's bothersome in these updates. If it's not challenging at least a little, I'm just writing a novel.
I like to think barbarians "stealth" is basically just another form of intimidation. "No one can see me, and if anyone can, they'll wish they hadn't!" nearby bandits sweating and staying quite.
there's no better way to embody your inner slasher villain, how did the 7ft tall zombie that shrugs off gunfire like it's nothing get ahead of our heroes without anyone noticing? well, you see, he's ripped
@@Jasta85 so their stealth basically works like the crazy homeless guy screaming and ranting on the sidewalk as you go down the street. everyone sees them but everyone also acts like they don't see them because they really don't want to interact.
Conan the Barbarian: "Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!"
The rage contributing to checks bit according to crawford seems to originate from barbarians being an apex predator of sorts and rage being a "hunt to kill" mode, with accompanying stealth, intimidation, survival etc. boosts resulting from them basically becoming a predator. It's very fantasy, it's very cool, and if/when they update beast barbarian, I'd like to see this expanded upon more as well
@backcountry164 no, the issue is the skills are extremely vague and nebulous in their application and don't offer clear avenues for their use in and out of combat, alongside certain stats completely overshadowing others. This eventually led wotc to diversify skill availability in all classes as a band-aid solution, and this solution will do for now (barbarians getting new skill options is hardly something to whine about given how outclassed casters can make martials feel) but the skill system desperately needs a revamp. Id recommend looking at pathfinder 2e's skill system to understand what a good skill system looks like
Aye. People forget this trope, commonly used in Shonen anime, for example. Your barbarian can be filled with ice-cold hatred. I guess it was derived from old-school samurai movies. Think getting a dangerous glint in their eyes, insert frightening *pliinggg* sound. Usually before someone´s head falls off... Or before someone is scared shitless just by a single glance ! Wh not for climbing etc, too ?
In one of the Batman cartoons, a goon stumbles upon Batman investigating stuff. They stare at each other and the goon immeadiately turns around and leaves, and then tells the other goon outside that there's nothing there. That's how a raging barbarian passes a stealth check.
@@extonjonas6820 i wouldnt say valuing your life is a cowardly thing. but also, not everyone would be as its decided by dice and the DM to even call for the roll!
Anger isn't a "bad" emotion, it the "fight" part of flight or fight. It gives you that motivation to get things done. For people with anger problems, its too much and they lash out and hurt others around them. For barbarians, raging is you being so in control of the emotion that you have absolute focus on you task and movements. For the stealth advantage, you aren't "so mad you're sneaky", you are so focused and honed that you are in control of every muscle and step along the best route to get you to your target and get done what needs to be done. Past year and a half I've been playing a Lizardfolk Path of the Beast Barbarian with a Rune Knight multi class that's gone from 1 to level 11 now. Been playing him as a "hunter" and nearly every time I rage, I've called it hunter focus (except a few situations it was fun to say I actually raged). I also have a stealth proficiency. Reading the new rage, it has made perfect sense from my perspective that "rage" enables these additional effects and gonna try to see if I can convince my DM for a boon or make it so I get a similar bonus to my stealth in my 5e 2014 game I'm playing now!
I think Cleave is woefully underrated, at least for low levels. Like it won’t come up in every fight, but when you’re killing twice as many nasty little minions per turn as your pals you’re gonna feel pretty strong. Also the cleave attack will add your rage damage bonus and GWM when you get that, so all you need to do is encourage your allies to move your enemies next to each other
At higher levels you also have some forms of control too. So yeah I might not be able to cleave right now, but I can shove you 15 feet into an enemy so my next attack I can.
@@ottoban861 or maybe you use a pike, or as a fighter from level 9 you could push with your first greataxe attack and cleave with the second, or a swarmkeeper ranger could use their swarm to move enemies adjacent…lots and lots of options
@@veraducks well yeah sometimes you fight one big bad, that’s why barbs have two masteries. Of the options available on heavy weapons, there’s Cleave on the Greataxe and Halberd, Graze on the Greatsword and Glaive, Topple on the Lance and the Maul, and Push on the Pike. Topple is pretty solidly the most powerful, but eventually your Eldritch blasting warlock is gonna get mad you keep knocking everyone prone. Push with a pike is pretty good, possibly better than topple, but sometimes there’s no need to move enemies around. Graze is boring, but guaranteed damage is honestly really nice. Cleave doesn’t always come up, but when you’re fighting two adjacent enemies you’re gonna be real glad to have it. I think taking mastery with the pike and the greataxe/halberd is a good option, so that way whenever you have more than one enemy you can lead with the pike to move them together, then get more attacks on your turn as a result. Most importantly though, anybody can change a weapon mastery on a long rest, so if you find your tactic isn’t working, or if you know you’re hunting one big monster with no minions, just swap greataxe for greatsword or maul and call it a day.
The world tree is not an actual tree but true, it’s weird that there isn’t a plant focused Druid outside of land Druid but that’s as much as a plant Druid than a volcano Druid
CANNOT believe there was no Hulk reference when trying to think of pop culture examples of an “unarmed barbarian” with things like Tough, Athlete, Tavern Brawler, Charger, Grappler, etc. 🤦♂️🤣 seriously though, another great episode Dudes! Thank you, and good to see you absolutely CRANKING out content again! 👍
Weapon mastery push+ charger+ brutal strike= home run swing. With that combo you can launch enemies something like 35 feet and give then disadvantage on saving throws. The monk can grapple drag and enemy then toss them in front of the barbarian who can home run swing then in front of the fighter for an action surge combo or the paladin for a smite.
Rage Survival check? You are so angry that your body can just eat bark now. You are so angry that the tracks in the snow are too frightened to melt. You are so angry that the swamp water becomes potable out of fear of disappointing you. I like it.
@thomasquesada7248 I like that explanation, but it still ties back to your Strength score. Just add the proficiency bonus to the score when raging, or double it if already proficient. Having those scores become Strength based just makes it seem silly. Silly isn't a bad thing, it's just silly.
@user-pi8pi3wj7h why are we arguing? I like it. I find the mechanics funny, but overall enjoyable. I think it sounds like a lot of fun and will probably flavor it as you suggested. Predatory instinct taking over. I'm just laughing at one interpretation of it is all.
Its too bad that storm herald wasn't one of the new subclasses updated. Its such a cool concept but it really needed some tweaks to be made better. Overall though the new barbarian changes sound great, thanks for the info guys 👍
a little tip from sir treantmonk: greatweapon master gives the bonus damage to every attack on the attack action, so you may not be able to add it to polearm masters bonus action but a fighter will eventually get +6 damage to every attack on their action
With Brutal Strike a Barbarian has a means of pushing without needing Weapon Mastery. And the World Tree Barbarian with battering roots can Push and Topple with any weapon. Not to mention that extra reach would go great with Cleave. So There are still reasons to use Greataxes and Greatswords as a Barbarian.
It makes alot more sense when you stop seeing rage only as the screaming, roaring battle cries, charging into battle, bloody rampage - kind of rage. Sometimes there is the quiet cold inner rage channeled into a focused task - kind of rage
The way rage works outside of combat, it should almost be renamed something like “Barbarian’s Focus” or something similar. I don’t think they should take the Rage name away, but it’s a helpful description.
@@verdurite I'd have been behind it. Focus is a great barbarian concept for it. Focusing on the Rage as a feature that it's applied to would be the way to do it. I just can't buy "I raged and applied my strength bonus to convince you that we need to move your kingdom's troops in on the dragon queen". This is a big whiff from WotC for me.
Something that has changed that is subtle for barbarian, but rage says it effects strength attacks not just melee. So you could make a ranged barbarian with thrown weapons. Something to consider.
Thanks dudes: I have to admit I’m getting a little behind due to so many great 5.5 videos- but it gives me strength to forge ahead with the drudgery of life knowing I have so many in the bank to look forward to! Psyched about phb 2024! Thanks dudes! ❤️
You had mentioned that Cleave and Graze aren't that exciting, but the path of the world tree, at level 10, can increase the reach of their weapons by 10 ft. Meaning you could cleave enemies within 15-20ft depending on your weapon. Additionally, battering roots automatically applies Push or topple in addition to the other weapon mastery options. So you can be a whirling dervish blasting enemies around in a massive circle around you and then teleporting them back to you in the mid to late game, which seems pretty gnarly
Currently toying with the idea of a tough dwarven barbarian - 18 hit points at first level with 13 every level thereafter, going world tree and grabbing sentinel as the first feat and use a shield. That's gonna be a TANK!
The end of the video was my favorite! Monty went dark! Monty: if you suffer from psychopathy but don't want to go to prison... play a barbarian.! Kelly (laughing): Yea... or if you just like combat... 🤣 great video!
You joke about the rage for skill checks like stealth, but I immediately thought of Daredevil going down that hallway in the Netflix show. Like he obviously lost stealth but he raged well before he started breaking bones.
Cleave is an Amazing Mastery and absolutely not "meh". In a multitarget situation, its literally an additional attack. Do you also think nick is meh? Do you think Extra Attack is meh? Cleave is amazing.
Your right also graze is guaranteed damage which would be bad for a barbarian that constantly has advantage but now that means you can use brutal strike with blanket dmg if you miss
The issue with Cleave is that your enemies have to be placed properly for it to work. Of course, the more enemies you're facing at once, the more likely they are to be right next to each other, which means maybe Cleave becomes effective right when you need it the most.
Battlefield control has always been my favorite combat oriented way to play. Martial characters were never on my radar (maybe other than the battle master fighter) because there weren’t a whole lot of battlefield control options. BUT! The world tree barbarian? Looking SPICY and I’m SO excited to try it out
Hm, about the new rage bonus to skill checks: Just finished watching someone on his "Asura´s Wrath" playthrough. Guy is literally too angry to die, forcing himself - and reality ! - to do impossible things, just by sheer power of his ANGER. He finishes punching God so hard, he dies (both of them). This game is full of stuff like this. It was pretty inspiring and I do believe that, once you accept this as canon in a world, it is pretty interesting. Pair it with good role playing and you got yourself a char that entertains the whole table ! Angry at wall ? Climb by pushing your fingers so hard into the flagstones they BREAK. All the while yelling "CURSE YOU BAYYLLYE-" Uh, I mean, curse you wall ! Intimidation ? Look up a screenshot of Asura, any shot. Making THAT face, like a damn ONI out for blood, at someone, while lowly growling. No need to talk, my pants are already soiled, take anything you want. I believe this might finally convince me to try a barbarian on the table, after all - this and playing one in Baldur´s Gate 3, realizing the class rocks, anyway. Never before wanted to come up with a Barb for the P &P, though. Now... I might play a cross of Guts and Asura, and it will be glorious. Let´s tantrum through a whole campaign ! ^^ RRRRRaaaaGHhRRR !!!
Wolf Heart Barbarian + Battlemaster Fighter multiclass is such an enabler... not only for spellcasters, but for Rogues for example too, because you can command the Rogue to do an immediate attack on your turn, which even has Advantage, thus letting them Sneak Attack reliably out of their own turn.
The Barbarian I played was a silent rage, I would sometimes get asked if I was okay as to how I played that character cause he could be borderline villain on killing tactics, but his end goal was to always protect his friends first. Yes he did had to pose as the towns councilman that was very villain like and sent henchmen after his own group. Talk about Roleplay so good even the DM thought I was going to switch sides.
Looks like Fighter is the new Hexblade Warlock. 😅 But speaking of which: Word Tree is easy to reflavor into an Eldritch Barbarian, with the roots as the tentacles of some unspeakable entity that they are bonded with. As a species, Simic Hybrid would lend itself really well to that theme. 😉
My son made a Storm Herald barbarian with crusher feat and a greatclub (push). He is happy gilmoring everything! One fight he just kept batting a creature against a cave wall till it died. The 2024 Barb is insane with the weapon mastery.
Currently running little red riding hood as a berserker using a great axe with a splash of rogue. I love the idea of rage being a manic laughing psychopath instead of literal "rage". I think bloodthirsty and mindless joy of battle is more interesting forms of "raging". I'm so hyped to use Rage outside of combat to help with stealth and acrobatics in a form of predator/the hunt.
Do you think the Reckless Attack Advantage wording is intended to mean ignore any advantage on the attack? I think it’s interesting to work in play to get the Barb other advantage to make using the Brutal Strike more effective
Agree. And the rest of course. Would be interesting to see an updated spooky Phantom Rogue, Drake Warden Ranger, Shadow Sorcerer, Undead pact Warlock and Draconic Monk
Meh. There's little point if WotC plans to update these soon and roll them out in additional publications -- "soon" being the operative word, of course.
My favorite character I've played previously was a human 5 level Bear Totem Barbarian, with 3 Levels of Battle Masterand 4 Levels of Gloomstalker... ST 18, DX 16, CO 10, IN 12, WS 14, CH 9... dual wielding... it was a very different way of playing barbarians (basically black ops, bringing yourself behind the lines and rage assassinate the VIPs)... I didn't expect it to look as it might work even better in 5.5🤔
I've always liked thinking of the Barbarian's Rage as a primal fury, and I think being able to use Rage to do better on Survival or Stealth checks plays into that flavor. You draw on that wild connection.
Bringing up Hot Rod reminded me that I always wanted to play an Ancestor Guardian Barbarian and every time they came out sing "Ancestor Spirits Protect Meeeee...."
Being able to use strength for perception and acrobatics means it's now really easy to make Inousuke from Demon Slayer. Just dump int and get everyone's names wrong.
I am waiting not so patiently to get the books and build my natural armor gnome world tree barb. There seems to be a lot that can be done with this subclass. Looking forward to your detailed breakdown of the subclasses.
I've always really enjoyed the Barbarian's one sided approach to solving all problems, and I feel like these changes double down on that, which makes me very excited.
13:43 Two scimitars (Nick!) Path of the Beast (Old content) Claws Dual Wielder Two Weapon Fighting Attack (Scimitar), Nick, BA attack (From Dual Wielder, as Crawford confirmed Dual Wielder stacks with Nick) Attack (Claw), free action second claw attack You're now slamming down 5 attacks a turn at level 5, and at 6 ( 1 fighter, 5 barb) you're adding your strength to that BA attack
Between new Barbarian abilities making them so much more of a utility teamwork machine with ally casters, as well as my pre existing but revitalized love for a particular Cleric subclass, I gotta say... I'm gonna be looking for a table buddy interested in playing Barbarian, because both thematically and mechanically... War Cleric and Zealot Barbarian are a major dream team on the front lines. The biggest challenge will be convincing this friend to not play a World Tree Barb instead but if it comes to it... I'll just be a Yggdrasil Viking Cleric, whatever works
My dual weapon barb is going to take dual wielder, sentinel, and mage slayer. Mage slayer is going to be a great feat for martials now, giving one legendary resistance to mental saving throws per short rest.
Yeah I got a barb/fighter/rogue that’s doing duel scimitars. Can’t wait till I can grab duel wielder and get 2 off hand attacks+sneak attack+battle master maneuvers. Think I’ll go charger & defensive duelist after
The rage added to skill checks is nice. I feel Barb should be able to use strength for acrobatis and intimidation without burning a rage. Other then that changes look great. One thing I really want to see with Barb is a official tavern brawler subclass, make it like a fantasy WWE wrestler. It would make a lot more sense to give a strength alternative to Monk then have it be Bard.
Need Haze Rager in the tier list! I wasn't planning on playing one but my character was exposed to a major delirium explosion so I'm steering him down that path as a result. His monk and druid levels will need to wait! 😈🤘
I've been intrigued by the idea of a more nature based Barbarian for a while and could never figure out how to build one that wasn't absolutely nerfed into the ground. To that effect I absolutely love the World Tree Barbarian and that is 100% the first character I will be playing w/the new handbook. Yeah they will be doing less damage than something like the Berserker but the amount of battlefield control, maneuverability and just overall ways you can screw with your opponents sounds like it'll be a blast.
"No more exhaustion on using Frenzy" YAAAYYYY!! "Also no more bonus action attack." DON'T CARE, IT'S WORTH IT! 😃 "Instead, you get barbarian-ified sneak attack." 😲 **faints**
I know it hurts some people's brains, but I love that they are more clearly and deeply tied to a primal instinct. It just hits so damn well as long as you are not completely locked into the dumb, big brute idea for them.
I watched this vid before using the 2024 rules in my last session. Playing it the new rules as a barb was fun cuz I was just using my rage to do funny random stuff and actually succeed
1:47 stealth rage?! "IM FUMING!"?!?! 🤣 sounds funny but i take it - for some of you this might be familiar: i imagine it when you try to go out from your kids room after they fell asleep and you step on a lego! OR when you try to go out to the bathroom at night and find some furniture with your pinky! 😅
My biggest issue with Brutal Strike is that it's a roll. I'm going to be homebrewing this to be simply adding your Barbarian level to the damage roll. Giving up advantage to roll 3 damage on 2d10s once it improves would feel awful. Just adding 17 damage would feel pretty solid. I'd still prefer Cleave because it's an additional attack if there's multiple enemies. If the new GWM is still usable with it, that's still a solid amount of damage on yet another creature, which might still cause a spell caster to lose concentration. More attacks is better. I don't want to take a level of Fighter simply because I don't want to lose the capstone which would get my strength to 25. Depending on the build you might be able to get your con to 24. That would mean a 30 strength and 29 constitution. I'd drop 1 in constitution for another feat. 30 strength and 28 constitution with multiple feats is going to be rough to take down and the damage will flow. I do think Barbarians should have gotten Fighting Styles. I can't think of a reason they didn't.
I picture the barbarian raging out of combat to move, hide, hunt things etc. looking a lot like the character of Spear from Genndy Tartakovsky's animated series "Primal."
One of my players is a Path of the Giant Barbarian. Does anyone know how their Crushing Throw feature work with the new rules? The feature gives Rage Damage to the attack’s damage roll on thrown attacks, but now all Barbarians get Rage Damage to all Strength based attacks including thrown attacks. The base class used to only give the Rage Damage on melee attacks.
The rage "Use strength for skills!" is not just that you are using your primary stat instead of weaker ones- it's ALSO that all strength checks are at ADVANTAGE during rage. In a lot of cases this swaps a hard to pass check to one that might be hard to fail.
This is seriously something that isn't being mentioned enough. Getting a few points extra on these checks is nice, but also getting advantage on it makes it just *chef's kiss*.
It's a high enough level ability that it won' t matter to most people, but 18th level Indomitable Might also lets you just straight up use your strength score in place of the roll for a strength check. I think people glance past this because there's not many strength checks. With this though, it's like a barb variant of reliable talent, giving you a minimum of 20 (or more with epic boons and capstone abilities) on a handful of ability check types.
@@nathans9764 I don't wanna be mean to rogues but it's really funny that a 20th level rogue, an absolute master of sneaking whose whole job it is to never be seen, can be expected to get a 27 minimum on stealth, while a level 20 barbarian by virtue of being really strong and really angry (unlimited rage that can't end unless you're unconscious btw) can pretty reasonably end up with a minimum of 25.
Obviously as epic boons come along eventually the rogue's minimum can be 32, meanwhile that same barbarian needing even fewer epic boons can be at minimum 30
@@Marabcd315 True, but rogues a) get reliable talent way earlier, and b) don't need to expend a resource for this.
@@Narokh Except that's the kind of unnecessary OP that's bothersome in these updates. If it's not challenging at least a little, I'm just writing a novel.
Rogue: how are you so sneaky?
Barbarian: Well you see, I'm ripped.
I like to think barbarians "stealth" is basically just another form of intimidation. "No one can see me, and if anyone can, they'll wish they hadn't!"
nearby bandits sweating and staying quite.
there's no better way to embody your inner slasher villain, how did the 7ft tall zombie that shrugs off gunfire like it's nothing get ahead of our heroes without anyone noticing? well, you see, he's ripped
@@Jasta85 so their stealth basically works like the crazy homeless guy screaming and ranting on the sidewalk as you go down the street. everyone sees them but everyone also acts like they don't see them because they really don't want to interact.
Barbarians with Primal Knowledge are sneaky the same way a Tiger is. It turns them into a natural predator
@@Phiro00
Rogue: O_o
Barbarian: Do you even lift, bro?
Conan the Barbarian: "Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!"
m.ruclips.net/video/NmUf2HaxcbU/видео.html
🤘😎🤘
*Cue the crescendo from Basil Paledouris’ score as the horses pour over the hill*
The rage contributing to checks bit according to crawford seems to originate from barbarians being an apex predator of sorts and rage being a "hunt to kill" mode, with accompanying stealth, intimidation, survival etc. boosts resulting from them basically becoming a predator. It's very fantasy, it's very cool, and if/when they update beast barbarian, I'd like to see this expanded upon more as well
It's because everyone has to be able to do everything so no one feels left out. That's been the driving principle for awhile now
@backcountry164 no, the issue is the skills are extremely vague and nebulous in their application and don't offer clear avenues for their use in and out of combat, alongside certain stats completely overshadowing others. This eventually led wotc to diversify skill availability in all classes as a band-aid solution, and this solution will do for now (barbarians getting new skill options is hardly something to whine about given how outclassed casters can make martials feel) but the skill system desperately needs a revamp. Id recommend looking at pathfinder 2e's skill system to understand what a good skill system looks like
Sadly having to use rage for it isn't great
Basically:
Barbarian is no longer stepping on Ranger's toes. It *is* Ranger.
@@veraducks I think that's a bit optimistic. Rangers still have spells etc.
Everyone thinks of a loud chaotic rage when talking about the new skill feature. No one seems to think of a quiet focused rage
Aye. People forget this trope, commonly used in Shonen anime, for example. Your barbarian can be filled with ice-cold hatred. I guess it was derived from old-school samurai movies.
Think getting a dangerous glint in their eyes, insert frightening *pliinggg* sound. Usually before someone´s head falls off... Or before someone is scared shitless just by a single glance ! Wh not for climbing etc, too ?
The real life trope of, the angrier you get, the quieter you get
i think a guard seeing a raging barbarian, and just not saying anything out of fear is a good way to stealth.
In one of the Batman cartoons, a goon stumbles upon Batman investigating stuff. They stare at each other and the goon immeadiately turns around and leaves, and then tells the other goon outside that there's nothing there.
That's how a raging barbarian passes a stealth check.
@@HyperEwok1that’s such a perfect example hahah
I mean it’s also like, stealthing places that are otherwise not accessible. Like climbing and hiding on rocky handholds of a wall with two fingers
But mostly it is just ridiculous. Just saying, all guards happen to be cowards is just bad for roleplaying in my opinion
@@extonjonas6820 i wouldnt say valuing your life is a cowardly thing. but also, not everyone would be as its decided by dice and the DM to even call for the roll!
Anger isn't a "bad" emotion, it the "fight" part of flight or fight. It gives you that motivation to get things done. For people with anger problems, its too much and they lash out and hurt others around them. For barbarians, raging is you being so in control of the emotion that you have absolute focus on you task and movements. For the stealth advantage, you aren't "so mad you're sneaky", you are so focused and honed that you are in control of every muscle and step along the best route to get you to your target and get done what needs to be done.
Past year and a half I've been playing a Lizardfolk Path of the Beast Barbarian with a Rune Knight multi class that's gone from 1 to level 11 now. Been playing him as a "hunter" and nearly every time I rage, I've called it hunter focus (except a few situations it was fun to say I actually raged). I also have a stealth proficiency. Reading the new rage, it has made perfect sense from my perspective that "rage" enables these additional effects and gonna try to see if I can convince my DM for a boon or make it so I get a similar bonus to my stealth in my 5e 2014 game I'm playing now!
I think Cleave is woefully underrated, at least for low levels. Like it won’t come up in every fight, but when you’re killing twice as many nasty little minions per turn as your pals you’re gonna feel pretty strong. Also the cleave attack will add your rage damage bonus and GWM when you get that, so all you need to do is encourage your allies to move your enemies next to each other
Yeah, it's definitely a benefit when dealing with being swarmed.
At higher levels you also have some forms of control too. So yeah I might not be able to cleave right now, but I can shove you 15 feet into an enemy so my next attack I can.
@@ottoban861 or maybe you use a pike, or as a fighter from level 9 you could push with your first greataxe attack and cleave with the second, or a swarmkeeper ranger could use their swarm to move enemies adjacent…lots and lots of options
"Like it won't come up in every fight..."
Yeah, that's the problem.
@@veraducks well yeah sometimes you fight one big bad, that’s why barbs have two masteries. Of the options available on heavy weapons, there’s Cleave on the Greataxe and Halberd, Graze on the Greatsword and Glaive, Topple on the Lance and the Maul, and Push on the Pike. Topple is pretty solidly the most powerful, but eventually your Eldritch blasting warlock is gonna get mad you keep knocking everyone prone. Push with a pike is pretty good, possibly better than topple, but sometimes there’s no need to move enemies around. Graze is boring, but guaranteed damage is honestly really nice. Cleave doesn’t always come up, but when you’re fighting two adjacent enemies you’re gonna be real glad to have it.
I think taking mastery with the pike and the greataxe/halberd is a good option, so that way whenever you have more than one enemy you can lead with the pike to move them together, then get more attacks on your turn as a result.
Most importantly though, anybody can change a weapon mastery on a long rest, so if you find your tactic isn’t working, or if you know you’re hunting one big monster with no minions, just swap greataxe for greatsword or maul and call it a day.
Barbarians get a subclass dealing with manipulating trees while druids still have not, give the tree hugging class what it needs!
The world tree is not an actual tree but true, it’s weird that there isn’t a plant focused Druid outside of land Druid but that’s as much as a plant Druid than a volcano Druid
World Tree Barb Halfling: I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees. Respect the forest or I’ll break both your knees.
Now I want a circle of the forest all about trees
And I kinda want it to be under powered so I can say "All bark and no bite"
All druids are about the trees.
@@AndrewThoesenI still feel that circle of the land is wasted design space. It easily could have been half a dozen classes based on different biomes
CANNOT believe there was no Hulk reference when trying to think of pop culture examples of an “unarmed barbarian” with things like Tough, Athlete, Tavern Brawler, Charger, Grappler, etc. 🤦♂️🤣 seriously though, another great episode Dudes! Thank you, and good to see you absolutely CRANKING out content again! 👍
Orc Barbarian Stealth: runs up to guard and yells, "YOU DIDN'T SEE ME!"
Alternatively: Influence Action Intimidation skill check to pseudo cast "Modify Memory".
Weapon mastery push+ charger+ brutal strike= home run swing. With that combo you can launch enemies something like 35 feet and give then disadvantage on saving throws. The monk can grapple drag and enemy then toss them in front of the barbarian who can home run swing then in front of the fighter for an action surge combo or the paladin for a smite.
BBEG’s about to get whiplashed like Iron Man against Bucky and Cap
Good Sir - I like the way you are thinking.
Now, please. Tell me more... *insert evil laughter*
Rage Survival check? You are so angry that your body can just eat bark now. You are so angry that the tracks in the snow are too frightened to melt. You are so angry that the swamp water becomes potable out of fear of disappointing you. I like it.
Why does this comment make me think "Chuck Norris"?
Survival along with perception and stealth are the traits of a natural predator
Raging barbs are primal predators
@thomasquesada7248 I like that explanation, but it still ties back to your Strength score. Just add the proficiency bonus to the score when raging, or double it if already proficient. Having those scores become Strength based just makes it seem silly. Silly isn't a bad thing, it's just silly.
@@orcishdad8075 silly to you perhaps, it's not like you actually need to represent it as a pure strength thing. Flavor is free
@user-pi8pi3wj7h why are we arguing? I like it. I find the mechanics funny, but overall enjoyable. I think it sounds like a lot of fun and will probably flavor it as you suggested. Predatory instinct taking over. I'm just laughing at one interpretation of it is all.
Rogue: How are you angry and sneaky?
Barbarian: That's the secret, i'm always angry.
"and I'm now expending my bonus action each round to stay that way, for some reason"
As much as I love magic in ttrpgs. Sometimes, a stick and a lot of muscle can be just as magical.
Unfortunately not magical enough. Caster classes outmatched barbarians even when they are boosted a bit.
9:46 you should totally make that character sheet and call him "Angry Samberg"
9:23 Haven’t seen Hot Rod, but the description makes me think of an old cartoon called Bravestarr (anyone else remember that?)
agree! str of the bear, speed of the puma, eyes of the hawk!
@@cjmags4944 Strength of the worm! Speed of the sloth! Eyes of the mole! Or am I remembering that wrong?
@@toddhadley9002 rofl
Its too bad that storm herald wasn't one of the new subclasses updated. Its such a cool concept but it really needed some tweaks to be made better.
Overall though the new barbarian changes sound great, thanks for the info guys 👍
Agreed, thematically I love storm herald, mechanically it just sucks so hard.
I play a currently level 14 Storm Herald, and I'm having a blast. It absolutely needs some love, but it's really thematic and interesting.
a little tip from sir treantmonk: greatweapon master gives the bonus damage to every attack on the attack action, so you may not be able to add it to polearm masters bonus action but a fighter will eventually get +6 damage to every attack on their action
With Brutal Strike a Barbarian has a means of pushing without needing Weapon Mastery. And the World Tree Barbarian with battering roots can Push and Topple with any weapon. Not to mention that extra reach would go great with Cleave. So There are still reasons to use Greataxes and Greatswords as a Barbarian.
You made me lol at work with "like a truck"
It makes alot more sense when you stop seeing rage only as the screaming, roaring battle cries, charging into battle, bloody rampage - kind of rage. Sometimes there is the quiet cold inner rage channeled into a focused task - kind of rage
The way rage works outside of combat, it should almost be renamed something like “Barbarian’s Focus” or something similar. I don’t think they should take the Rage name away, but it’s a helpful description.
only reason they didn't is because the community would have lost it and went "barbarian lost all of its flavor" if they changed the name
No. I hate the naming scheme they are using now. Keep the rage, it's fine
@@verdurite I'd have been behind it. Focus is a great barbarian concept for it. Focusing on the Rage as a feature that it's applied to would be the way to do it. I just can't buy "I raged and applied my strength bonus to convince you that we need to move your kingdom's troops in on the dragon queen". This is a big whiff from WotC for me.
Something that has changed that is subtle for barbarian, but rage says it effects strength attacks not just melee. So you could make a ranged barbarian with thrown weapons. Something to consider.
Thanks dudes: I have to admit I’m getting a little behind due to so many great 5.5 videos- but it gives me strength to forge ahead with the drudgery of life knowing I have so many in the bank to look forward to! Psyched about phb 2024! Thanks dudes! ❤️
You had mentioned that Cleave and Graze aren't that exciting, but the path of the world tree, at level 10, can increase the reach of their weapons by 10 ft. Meaning you could cleave enemies within 15-20ft depending on your weapon. Additionally, battering roots automatically applies Push or topple in addition to the other weapon mastery options. So you can be a whirling dervish blasting enemies around in a massive circle around you and then teleporting them back to you in the mid to late game, which seems pretty gnarly
When someone is really angry i tend to avoid them too so the stealth comments i understand 😂
My Barbarian player is very excited about this!!! Thanks dudes!!!
Currently toying with the idea of a tough dwarven barbarian - 18 hit points at first level with 13 every level thereafter, going world tree and grabbing sentinel as the first feat and use a shield. That's gonna be a TANK!
The end of the video was my favorite! Monty went dark!
Monty: if you suffer from psychopathy but don't want to go to prison... play a barbarian.!
Kelly (laughing): Yea... or if you just like combat...
🤣 great video!
You joke about the rage for skill checks like stealth, but I immediately thought of Daredevil going down that hallway in the Netflix show. Like he obviously lost stealth but he raged well before he started breaking bones.
Cleave is an Amazing Mastery and absolutely not "meh". In a multitarget situation, its literally an additional attack. Do you also think nick is meh? Do you think Extra Attack is meh? Cleave is amazing.
Your right also graze is guaranteed damage which would be bad for a barbarian that constantly has advantage but now that means you can use brutal strike with blanket dmg if you miss
The issue with Cleave is that your enemies have to be placed properly for it to work. Of course, the more enemies you're facing at once, the more likely they are to be right next to each other, which means maybe Cleave becomes effective right when you need it the most.
love seeing all your new content!
Battlefield control has always been my favorite combat oriented way to play. Martial characters were never on my radar (maybe other than the battle master fighter) because there weren’t a whole lot of battlefield control options. BUT! The world tree barbarian? Looking SPICY and I’m SO excited to try it out
yes, more damage dice to double on crit is always appreciated
Hm, about the new rage bonus to skill checks:
Just finished watching someone on his "Asura´s Wrath" playthrough. Guy is literally too angry to die, forcing himself - and reality ! - to do impossible things, just by sheer power of his ANGER. He finishes punching God so hard, he dies (both of them).
This game is full of stuff like this.
It was pretty inspiring and I do believe that, once you accept this as canon in a world, it is pretty interesting. Pair it with good role playing and you got yourself a char that entertains the whole table !
Angry at wall ? Climb by pushing your fingers so hard into the flagstones they BREAK. All the while yelling "CURSE YOU BAYYLLYE-" Uh, I mean, curse you wall !
Intimidation ? Look up a screenshot of Asura, any shot. Making THAT face, like a damn ONI out for blood, at someone, while lowly growling. No need to talk, my pants are already soiled, take anything you want.
I believe this might finally convince me to try a barbarian on the table, after all - this and playing one in Baldur´s Gate 3, realizing the class rocks, anyway.
Never before wanted to come up with a Barb for the P &P, though.
Now... I might play a cross of Guts and Asura, and it will be glorious. Let´s tantrum through a whole campaign ! ^^ RRRRRaaaaGHhRRR !!!
Wolf Heart Barbarian + Battlemaster Fighter multiclass is such an enabler... not only for spellcasters, but for Rogues for example too, because you can command the Rogue to do an immediate attack on your turn, which even has Advantage, thus letting them Sneak Attack reliably out of their own turn.
The Barbarian I played was a silent rage, I would sometimes get asked if I was okay as to how I played that character cause he could be borderline villain on killing tactics, but his end goal was to always protect his friends first. Yes he did had to pose as the towns councilman that was very villain like and sent henchmen after his own group. Talk about Roleplay so good even the DM thought I was going to switch sides.
Yay its dungeon dudes!! I missed you the weekend felt so long 😢😢
5:56 Hey, Monty, metal face!
My love for the new Berserker is ticking clock.
Looks like Fighter is the new Hexblade Warlock. 😅
But speaking of which: Word Tree is easy to reflavor into an Eldritch Barbarian, with the roots as the tentacles of some unspeakable entity that they are bonded with. As a species, Simic Hybrid would lend itself really well to that theme. 😉
Excited to get the new tier rankings for the new subclasses and reworked old ones
My son made a Storm Herald barbarian with crusher feat and a greatclub (push). He is happy gilmoring everything! One fight he just kept batting a creature against a cave wall till it died. The 2024 Barb is insane with the weapon mastery.
It’s all about the Clerks reference for me!
My unarmed grappler fighter is about to level UP!
The path of the world tree has finally made me excited to play a barbarian.
Currently running little red riding hood as a berserker using a great axe with a splash of rogue. I love the idea of rage being a manic laughing psychopath instead of literal "rage". I think bloodthirsty and mindless joy of battle is more interesting forms of "raging". I'm so hyped to use Rage outside of combat to help with stealth and acrobatics in a form of predator/the hunt.
Do you think the Reckless Attack Advantage wording is intended to mean ignore any advantage on the attack?
I think it’s interesting to work in play to get the Barb other advantage to make using the Brutal Strike more effective
wording in the book says you forgo any source of advantage
I'd like to see a video about how the "abandoned" subclasses, mostly for wizard and cleric, will fare in the 2024 rules.
Agree. And the rest of course. Would be interesting to see an updated spooky Phantom Rogue, Drake Warden Ranger, Shadow Sorcerer, Undead pact Warlock and Draconic Monk
@@odinulveson9101Drake warden will miss not being able to replace one of its attacks with a command to the Drake like the new beast master
Meh. There's little point if WotC plans to update these soon and roll them out in additional publications -- "soon" being the operative word, of course.
Barb sounds so cool too! Yall are top good at selling these classes! I can't decide which to start with!
Love the deep cut Kevin Smith View Askewniverse reference
i like how the new rules offer more options of fun as barbarian
My favorite character I've played previously was a human 5 level Bear Totem Barbarian, with 3 Levels of Battle Masterand 4 Levels of Gloomstalker... ST 18, DX 16, CO 10, IN 12, WS 14, CH 9... dual wielding... it was a very different way of playing barbarians (basically black ops, bringing yourself behind the lines and rage assassinate the VIPs)... I didn't expect it to look as it might work even better in 5.5🤔
I've always liked thinking of the Barbarian's Rage as a primal fury, and I think being able to use Rage to do better on Survival or Stealth checks plays into that flavor. You draw on that wild connection.
Rogue: You have to be sneaky, shhh!
Barbarian:
Bringing up Hot Rod reminded me that I always wanted to play an Ancestor Guardian Barbarian and every time they came out sing "Ancestor Spirits Protect Meeeee...."
Rage can give you focus rather than always making you reckless, which is how I make sense of gaining ability boosts.
Thanks for doing all of these videos, dudes! I'm loving these rundowns.
Being able to use strength for perception and acrobatics means it's now really easy to make Inousuke from Demon Slayer. Just dump int and get everyone's names wrong.
I am waiting not so patiently to get the books and build my natural armor gnome world tree barb. There seems to be a lot that can be done with this subclass. Looking forward to your detailed breakdown of the subclasses.
Cleave is awesome. You can cleave an opportunity attack too.
It really makes sense that you can use your rage ability to improve stealth.
I feel no exhaustion is the biggest deal. Huge glowup for sure. Always wanted to play one, now I just might
My 3 favorite classes are Monk, Druid, and Barbarian and it is so nice to see all of them eating well in this PHB
I've always really enjoyed the Barbarian's one sided approach to solving all problems, and I feel like these changes double down on that, which makes me very excited.
i will always think fondly of my high level bear totem goliath. exited to try out some of the new changes though.
I understand the balance reasons for not allowing ragecasting, but it still sounds like a fun concept
13:43
Two scimitars (Nick!)
Path of the Beast (Old content)
Claws
Dual Wielder
Two Weapon Fighting
Attack (Scimitar), Nick, BA attack (From Dual Wielder, as Crawford confirmed Dual Wielder stacks with Nick)
Attack (Claw), free action second claw attack
You're now slamming down 5 attacks a turn at level 5, and at 6 ( 1 fighter, 5 barb) you're adding your strength to that BA attack
09:27 poor forgotten Marshall Bravestar
Thanks for your reviews! Any word yet on when we’ll start seeing previews of the DMG?
Between new Barbarian abilities making them so much more of a utility teamwork machine with ally casters, as well as my pre existing but revitalized love for a particular Cleric subclass, I gotta say... I'm gonna be looking for a table buddy interested in playing Barbarian, because both thematically and mechanically... War Cleric and Zealot Barbarian are a major dream team on the front lines.
The biggest challenge will be convincing this friend to not play a World Tree Barb instead but if it comes to it... I'll just be a Yggdrasil Viking Cleric, whatever works
Just angrily muttering "Don't be suspicious! Don't be suspicious! Don't be suspicious!"
My dual weapon barb is going to take dual wielder, sentinel, and mage slayer. Mage slayer is going to be a great feat for martials now, giving one legendary resistance to mental saving throws per short rest.
Yeah I got a barb/fighter/rogue that’s doing duel scimitars. Can’t wait till I can grab duel wielder and get 2 off hand attacks+sneak attack+battle master maneuvers. Think I’ll go charger & defensive duelist after
Barbs got nice boosts for 2024.
12:32 there is. Colby has already built it Dudes
Sounds more like the Wonder Twins from The Super Friends?! "Wonder-twin powers, activate... Form of an Eagle... Shape of Water..."
I can't believe Kelly mentioned Hot Rod's MC is like a totem warrior barbarian. Spirit of the house cat, Spirit of the bottle-nose dolphin. Lol
The rage added to skill checks is nice.
I feel Barb should be able to use strength for acrobatis and intimidation without burning a rage.
Other then that changes look great.
One thing I really want to see with Barb is a official tavern brawler subclass, make it like a fantasy WWE wrestler.
It would make a lot more sense to give a strength alternative to Monk then have it be Bard.
Ive been maining a berzerker barbarian since 2017. From what it sounds, im gonna have fun with the 2024 version
Need Haze Rager in the tier list! I wasn't planning on playing one but my character was exposed to a major delirium explosion so I'm steering him down that path as a result. His monk and druid levels will need to wait! 😈🤘
We’ve always use strength mod to help a barbarian with intimidation rolls.. it just makes sense
I've been intrigued by the idea of a more nature based Barbarian for a while and could never figure out how to build one that wasn't absolutely nerfed into the ground. To that effect I absolutely love the World Tree Barbarian and that is 100% the first character I will be playing w/the new handbook. Yeah they will be doing less damage than something like the Berserker but the amount of battlefield control, maneuverability and just overall ways you can screw with your opponents sounds like it'll be a blast.
"No more exhaustion on using Frenzy"
YAAAYYYY!!
"Also no more bonus action attack."
DON'T CARE, IT'S WORTH IT! 😃
"Instead, you get barbarian-ified sneak attack."
😲 **faints**
Also means a main class feature no longer competes with the BA attack granted by great weapon master, a barbarian staple
"I'm excited to play a Barbarian" said no one eve... wait! Kelly just said it? Dang, I gotta revisit it
Dungeon dues keep the videos coming
Would be nice if you say at the end of the video what class is next and maybe a little spoiler as to your thoughts :)
Fantastic Clerks reference!
I LOVE the idea of Brad Pitt in Snatch as a barbarian! That’s fantastic.
I know it hurts some people's brains, but I love that they are more clearly and deeply tied to a primal instinct. It just hits so damn well as long as you are not completely locked into the dumb, big brute idea for them.
I watched this vid before using the 2024 rules in my last session. Playing it the new rules as a barb was fun cuz I was just using my rage to do funny random stuff and actually succeed
Okay, I love the Clerks reference
"Power of the Eagle!" Wait. What about the Wonder Twins from the 1970s' Super Friends Cartoon?
1:47 stealth rage?! "IM FUMING!"?!?! 🤣 sounds funny but i take it - for some of you this might be familiar: i imagine it when you try to go out from your kids room after they fell asleep and you step on a lego! OR when you try to go out to the bathroom at night and find some furniture with your pinky! 😅
Gonna play as Hoarah Loux, BARBARIAN
Barbs stronker and more adaptable. ROAR those persuasion walls down! And by the World Tree the branches smacks HARD! 💪🏻
My biggest issue with Brutal Strike is that it's a roll. I'm going to be homebrewing this to be simply adding your Barbarian level to the damage roll. Giving up advantage to roll 3 damage on 2d10s once it improves would feel awful. Just adding 17 damage would feel pretty solid.
I'd still prefer Cleave because it's an additional attack if there's multiple enemies. If the new GWM is still usable with it, that's still a solid amount of damage on yet another creature, which might still cause a spell caster to lose concentration. More attacks is better.
I don't want to take a level of Fighter simply because I don't want to lose the capstone which would get my strength to 25. Depending on the build you might be able to get your con to 24. That would mean a 30 strength and 29 constitution. I'd drop 1 in constitution for another feat. 30 strength and 28 constitution with multiple feats is going to be rough to take down and the damage will flow.
I do think Barbarians should have gotten Fighting Styles. I can't think of a reason they didn't.
I picture the barbarian raging out of combat to move, hide, hunt things etc. looking a lot like the character of Spear from Genndy Tartakovsky's animated series "Primal."
Thanks for the review
Cleave and grase will be amazing when minions are added into the equation
One of my players is a Path of the Giant Barbarian. Does anyone know how their Crushing Throw feature work with the new rules? The feature gives Rage Damage to the attack’s damage roll on thrown attacks, but now all Barbarians get Rage Damage to all Strength based attacks including thrown attacks. The base class used to only give the Rage Damage on melee attacks.
I'm here for the hot rod reference