top of page
Writer's pictureArbitrary 20

Quick Builds for Every Barbarian Subclass in D&D 5e

Updated: Sep 25, 2023

Original Video:



*This article is an edited version of the script for this video


Ancestral Guardian:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Glaive or Halberd

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

-1st: Polearm Master

-4th: Great Weapon Master

-8th: Tough

-12th: Resilient Wis

-16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Polearm Master


Battlerager:


Race:

Any Dwarf


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

-Maul or Greatsword

-Spiked Armor


Feats:

4th: Great Weapon Master

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Spiked Armor Attack


Beast:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Glaive or Halberd

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

1st: Polearm Master

4th: Great Weapon Master

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Form of the Beast: I would usually go with the tail form as it increases defenses. Still attack with the polearm for the most part but once you get Infectious Fury you can attack with the tail to use that ability


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Polearm Master


Berserker:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Maul

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

1st: Great Weapon Master

4th: Crusher

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Frenzy Attack


Storm Herald:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Maul

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

1st: Great Weapon Master

4th: Crusher

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Storm Aura: Tundra aura is best, Sea might be good if you are doing a water focused campaign.


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage and/or Activate Storm Aura


Totem Warrior:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Glaive or Halberd

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

1st: Polearm Master

4th: Great Weapon Master

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Totem Spirits:

-3: Bear

-6: Eagle or Tiger

-14: Bear or Eagle


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Polearm Master


Wild Magic:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Glaive or Halberd

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

1st: Polearm Master

4th: Great Weapon Master

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Polearm Master


Zealot:


Race:

Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Str

#2 Con

#3 Dex


Equipment:

Glaive or Halberd

Half Plate(If it’s better than Unarmored Defense)


Feats:

1st: Polearm Master

4th: Great Weapon Master

8th: Tough

12th: Resilient Wis

16th and 19th: Boost Str, Con, or Dex to max if possible


Tactics:

Action: Attack Twice, maybe grapple

Bonus Action: Rage or Polearm Master


Like what you see here? Consider supporting us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/Arbitrary20. You'll receive early access to guides like this one and each month we release a D&D 5e homebrew pack containing:


-A subclass

-A magic item, 2 different kinds of printable cards are provided

-A feat

-A spell, a printable handout is provided

-A wild card, which is additional homebrew content we make each month that could be just about anything. An additional subclass, an adventure, etc.

-You'll get access to all the previous homebrew packs as well


We hope you'll consider supporting but regardless we appreciate you reading this guide and/or watching the video on it and hope you found it helpful!

22 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page