Quick Links
Dungeons & Dragonsreleased the updated 2024 Players Handbook in September 2024, with updates everywhere throughout the book that the fifth edition of the game made popular. Each class has received its own changes, small or large, in this update for new players, which might lead to some new discoveries when making a new character either online or on paper.
One of the simpler classes in D&D is barbarian, and even with what the new PHB introduces, the class remains one of the tankiest and most aggressive builds that a player can create. Overall, in the 2024 Players Handbook, the barbarian only got stronger, so learning these changes can lead to a stronger barbarian.
Differences Between 5e Barbarian And 2024 PHB Barbarian
For avid players of D&D,the barbarian classis one of the classes thatreceived fewer changesin the 2024 Players Handbook. The basics of a barbarian stay the same, from the focus on the Strength and Constitution stats and a d12 hit die to the ability to Rage in combat to cut through foes.
However,Rage has two minor changesin comparison to its 2014 version. Previously, barbarians had to either attack a foe or get hit to keep their Rage going, but this 2024 versionnow allows players to use their Bonus Action specifically to maintain their Rage. Also, whereas before, players had Rages that they could only regain when they took a Long Rest, nowbarbarians get one Rage back on a Short Rest.
Weapon Masteryis improved at level two, now offering two weapon mastery slots that can be swapped every morning (like spells for specific spellcasters). Plus, another barbarian-specific abilityDanger Sense no longer needsthe playerto see or hear the effectsof the Dexterity saving throw to get advantage on the save.
If you’re an avid barbarian player,Reckless Attacksare crucial to your build, and the 2024 PHB only makes it better, now allowing theadvantage on attacks to last until the start of your next turn. That means thatOpportunity Attacks are also at advantage, instead of the advantageous attacks ending when your turn does.
Lots of later abilities also got changes, fromPrimal Knowledgeoffering the ability for players touse Strength to make some non-Strength ability checkswhile Raging, to swapping Brutal Critical toBrutal Strike, which canremove the advantage from Reckless Attacksbut instead canoffer more damage and debuffson your foes.
Lastly, for true high level ability changes,Persistent Ragenowreturns all Rage charges when initiative is rolled. Add onto that the newEpic Boon feature at level 19and theincreased stat limits for Strength and Constitution to 25 at level 20, and you have an even scarier max-level barbarian character.
New And Updated Barbarian Subclasses
Of course, subclasses were also updated, each giving a slightly updated version of previous subclasses. The subclasses are:
How To Build A Barbarian With 2024 PHB Rules
Thankfully, even with all those changes listed above,building a 2024 barbarian isn’t much different than before. Almost all the barbarian changes introduced in the 2024 PHB revolve around improving previously existing abilities, not restructuring them so heavily that players need to make the character differently.
How To Build For Barbarian Subclasses In 2024
In fact,the only new addition that would even mildly changehow you build a new barbarian character isthe new subclass.
As many players know, building a character with the subclass in mind could lead to differences in how the character plays in the end, like playing a tank cleric or a ranged damage and heal-focused cleric.
Aside from that, thebarbarian remains straightforward when choosing their stats:Strength and Constitutionas the highest,Dexteritythird, and the rest in whatever order you see fit. Thanks to the d12 hit die remaining the same, health and damage will never be a true worry like for Wizards and Sorcerers.
However,for subclasseslikePath of the World TreeandPath of the Wild Heart, you could alsobuild Constitution over Strengthto make the ultimate tank for your team. Either way, Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity are your three top stats.
Gameplay for the barbarian remains mostly the same as well, witha focus on Raging as soon as combat begins, taking hits thanks to the Rage resistance to physical damage, and scaring your foes. Now, with the new changes,players have more flexibility, thanks to gaining one Rage back on a Short Rest and being able to swap weapons thanks to Weapon Mastery.
Best Backgrounds For A Barbarian In 2024
In D&D, each character can choose a unique background that gives them not only a hint to their backstory, but some added abilities and skills. Barbarians are no different, and here are some of the best ones for a barbarian build.
Starting Weapons For A Barbarian In 2024
Speaking of weapons, the barbarian isa close-range fighter, sogreatswords and great axesare the best options outside unique magical weapons that barbarians can use.
There are ranged options too, likejavelins, but melee is where barbarians should try to be at all times.
Out of all the starting equipment, thegreataxe is the signature item for a barbarian, and for good reason. Thanks to Rage, the need for a high Armor Class isn’t as high, andtwo-handing a weapon to deal massive amounts of damagecan make barbarians scary at early levels.
Armorcan be handy, and barbarians should be best with thestrongest medium armor possible. Barbarians are proficient with light and medium armor, and whileUnarmored Defense can be useful, it istough to replicate the AC that half-plate armor giveswith your stats alone.
Keep in mindthat a shield stacks with armor, but you would have to use one of your two hands to hold the shield.
How To Multiclass As A Barbarian In 2024
For barbarians,multiclassing is an optionthat could add some flavor and uniqueness to a regular Barbarian playthrough. However,not all classes work well with barbarian, and the key to a good multiclass isseeing the potential synergy.
Some of the more common examples areclasses that share a common goal and common good stats, likebarbarian/fighter or barbarian/paladin. However, like many other multiclass options and by design, pulling off a good multiclass revolves around having great stats outside of the two that your original class focuses on.
For example, if you roll well and can have goodStrength, Constitution, and Dexterity,monkcould be a good multiclass option. Or, if you getCharismaas the third-highest stat,paladincan work.
But, to be specific, there are other key reasons those multiclasses above work. Forbarbarian/fighter, you can combineReckless Attacks with Action Surgeto create a barbarian that hits heavy but also hits a lot in one turn, while also havingSecond Windto guarantee a form of self-healing.
Forbarbarian/monk, you can effectively createa brawler that can stun thier foesand guarantee future attacks for themself and their allies while focusing on Dexterity and giving yourselfa natural AC that’s hard to beat. That doesn’t even mentionthe bonus action abilities monks havethat a barbarian could appreciate, likePatient Defense or Flurry of Blows.
Lastly, forbarbarian/paladin, the only thing that needs to be pointed out is theabsurd amount of pure damage output that a smited greataxe attack could doon a critical hit. Add to thatbetter saving throws andpotentialproficiency in heavy armor, and you’re able to make an extremely tanky unit that can also explode enemies into dust.
Best Barbarian Feats In 2024
Last but not least, feats are added abilities that you can pick up, usually when you first build a character or when you level up. Some of the best options for barbarians revolve either around health or damage, which can improve their gameplay significantly.
Value
Athlete
Boosts Strength or Dexterity by 1, improves your climb speed to match your move speed, and you may move easier both off the Prone condition and can Jump easier.
This feat makes your barbarian a lotharder to slow down, and also makes him amuch better climber.
Crusher
Boosts Strength or Constitution by 1, can move opponents five feet once per turn after dealing Bludgeoning damage, critical hits doing Bludgeoning damage weaken opponents and give yourself and your allies advantage on attacks against them until the start of your next turn.
If youstick to a greataxe for your main weapon, and keep picking bludgeoning weapons in the future,Crusher just makes every attack better.
Durable
Boosts Constitution by 1, gives advantage on death saving throws, bonus action self-heal off a single hit dice.
The ultimate tank feat, Durablemakes you a lot harder to killandoffers a self-heal.
Great Weapon Master
Boosts Strength by 1, heavy weapons deal extra damage equal to your Proficiency bonus, critical hits or defeating enemies allow a free bonus action attack with the same weapon.
Extra damage,plus crits or kills offering a free attack, are both right down the barbarian path.
Mage Slayer
Boosts Strength or Dexterity by 1, dealing damage to enemies concentrating gives them disadvantage to keep concentration, once per long rest auto-success on an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw.
Mages can be the most annoying things in combatas a barbarian, so this feat makes it a lotharder for them to debuff youor your allies.
Sentinel
Boosts Strength or Dexterity by 1, can make Opportunity Attacks on disengaging enemies within five feet or when an enemy hits another target within five feet, hitting an Opportunity Attack slows enemies' speed to zero.
Sentinel effectivelyforces enemies near you to focus youwhile alsokilling their movement speed.
Weapon Master
Boosts Strength or Dexterity by 1, gain mastery of one simple or martial weapon that you have proficiency with, swappable once per Long Rest.
More weapon masteries meansless chance someone disarming you becomes an issue,as well asmore flexibilityin combat.
As you level up the barbarian, the key things to remember are tokeep yourself tankythrough health or your natural armor, tokeep your damage output high,and to keep your weapons useful.
You don’t need to worry about spells outside of ones that could hit you, and you don’t have a lot of resources to keep track of outside of your Rages and your weaponry.
Keep all of that in mind, and playing barbarian will be just as fun as the previous 2014 variation.
