Areas of Focus:
Major: Crowd Control
Minor: Striking
Supplemental: Defense
Barbarians are the savage warriors of our world, fighting with pure feral aggression rather than subtle maneuvering or disciplined tactics.
Lore
Brutes. Madmen. Berserkers. Though city-dwelling people often use the term “barbarian” with a dose of disrespect, these rural warriors are respected by their communities for their ferocity and fearsome presence on the battlefield. Barbarians have a special, almost religious role in some cultures, but in many places, the undisciplined, fearless style of the barbarian is simply how warriors conduct themselves.
Overview
Barbarians are savage warriors, fighting with pure feral aggression rather than subtle maneuvering or disciplined tactics. Their primary focus in combat is dealing with large numbers of foes, preferably by rapidly cutting them down in a frenzy of attacks.
Barbarians are the wild, unconventional counterparts to fighters. Distinguished by their recklessness, ferocity, and their predilection to substitute raw aggression for discipline. Lacking the accuracy and strong Deflection of the fighter, the barbarian makes up for his lack of discipline through sheer speed, savagery, and abilities tailored for fighting groups of enemies. Barbarians are a challenge to deal with on a battlefield, though they are vulnerable to exhaustion if they don’t pace themselves.
Barbarians come from many of the more remote cultures found across the world. In the Eastern Reach, barbarians most often come from Eir Glanfath, though some can be found in rural Dyrwoodan communities or drifting in from abroad through port cities like Defiance Bay and New Heomar. Barbarians are often used as shock troops for dealing with mobs or simply to intimidate the easily-cowed with their ferocity. As the Dyrwood has settled down over time, the regular employment of foreign barbarians has slowed significantly, but they still make up the majority of Glanfathan front-line forces. Barbarians all have a strong skill focus in Athletics and lesser focus in Survival.
Starting Stats
Endurance
48 + 16/level (Very High)
Health
6 x Endurance (Very High)
Accuracy
25 + 3/level (Average)
Deflection
15 (Low)
Skill Bonus
Athletics +2 Survival +1
Starting Abilities
Carnage – When a barbarian hits with a melee attack, they make reduced-damage attacks at all other enemies within a short distance of the target.
Tactics
AoE Striker Build
Advantages: High Attack Rate, Moderate AoE, Great Accuracy, High Health/Endurance, Less Micro
Disadvantages: Low Deflection, Few tactical options
Strategy
The AoE Striker Barbarian focuses on rapidly attacking enemies to cause carnage to trigger and strike enemies in a large AoE. This character is best when following a heavier tank into battle as it does not have the best defenses, though Frenzy and Savage Defiance can help mitigate some incoming damage. Use Frenzy often and try to focus on flanking enemies.
Equipment
Focus on Sabres, Maces, Battle Axes, and Flails. Wear Medium to Heavy Armor to compensate for low Deflection.
Races
Boreal Dwarf
Human
- Death Godlike
Culture
Living Lands
Deadfire Archipelago or The White that Wends
- Old Vailia or Rauatai
Attributes
Might 18
Constitution 15
Dexterity 11
Perception 8
Intellect 16
- Resolve 7
Abilities
Frenzy
Savage Defiance
Brute Force
Threatening Presence
Bloodlust
- Heart of Fury
Talents
Vulnerable Attack
Two Weapon Style
Weapon Focus
Savage Attack
Greater Frenzy
- Accurate Carnage or Bloody Slaughter
Alternate Build
For a two-handed barbarian alternate, drop Two Weapon Style for Powerful Blow early on. Use Weapon Focus based on two-handed weapons instead. Focus on Estocs, Quarterstaves, Pike, Great Sword, and Morning Star.
Special Abilities
Barbarian Abilities emphasize fighting groups of enemies in melee by increasing damage output, weakening the group, or granting the barbarian bonuses when the situation looks grim.
Brute Force
Available at Level 5 (Passive)
The barbarian hits so hard that ordinary means of defense can be easily overpowered. On attacks that normally target Deflection, the barbarian will instead attack Fortitude if it is the lower defense.
One Stands Alone
Available at Level 5
Speed: Instant
Effects: User: +2 enemies needed to Flank
The barbarian makes a courageous stand against all attackers. Grants a melee Damage bonus when the barbarian is Engaged by two or more enemies, and the barbarian cannot be flanked unless Engaged by more than three enemies.
Thick-Skinned
Available at Level 7 (Passive)
Effects: Self: +2 Damage Reduction (Slash)
Toughens the barbarian’s naturally thick skin, raising his or her Damage Reduction.
Bloodlust
Available at Level 5 (Passive)
Effects: Self: x1.2 Attack Speed for 8 sec
Imparts an unquenchable bloodlust to the barbarian, increasing his or her speed temporarily in battle once he or she has personally downed at least two enemies.
Threatening Presence
Available at Level 7 (Passive)
Area of Effect: 1.25m Radius (base 1.25m) from Caster
Effects: Foe AoE: Sickened for 3 sec vs. Will
The barbarian’s mere presence becomes so intimidating as to fill all approaching enemies with nauseating dread. As long as the barbarian is stationary, nearby enemies may be Sickened.
Barbaric Yell
Available at Level 1 (2 per encounter)
Area of Effect: 5.0m Radius (base 5.0m) from Caster
Effects: Foe AoE: Frightened for 12 sec vs. Will
Lets out a terrifying yell, Frightening enemies in the area of effect.
Barbaric Shout
Available at Level 9 (2 per rest)
Area of Effect: 7.5m Radius (base 7.5m) from Caster
Effects: Foe AoE: Terrified for 20 sec vs. Will
Lets out a dreadful shout, terrifying enemies in the area of effect.
Heart of Fury
Available at Level 11 (1 per rest, Melee Only)
Interrupt: 40 (Average)
Effects: User: Full Attack + x1.25 Slash Damage for 1 sec vs. Deflection
The barbarian swings viciously in a lightning-quick flurry, taking on all comers. Each equipped weapon attacks every nearby enemy, doing extra damage and inflicting Carnage if applicable.
Vengeful Defeat
Available at Level 9 (Passive)
Exacts a final revenge when the barbarian reduced to 0 Endurance, causing him or her to perform instant Carnage Full Attacks at everyone in range.
Savage Defiance
Available at Level 3 (1 per encounter)
Speed: Instant
Effects: User: +80 Endurance over 12 sec
The barbarian channels his or her own irrepressible determination, regenerating a large amount of Endurance.
Wild Sprint
Available at Level 3 (3 per rest)
Speed: Instant
Effects: User: +3.5 Move Speed, +12 Defense when Disengaging, Not stopped by Engagement for 5 sec
The barbarian becomes able to charge with reckless abandon, allowing him or her to ignore the movement stop of Engagement and gain bonus to all defenses against Disengagement Attacks.
Frenzy
Available at Level 1 (1 per encounter)
Effects: User: +4 Might, +4 Constitution, x1.33 Attack Speed, -10 Deflection, Health and Endurance concealedfor 12 sec
Sends the barbarian into a frenzied state, granting a Might, Constitution, and Attack Speed bonus but causing a Deflection penalty against incoming attacks. While the barbarian’s Frenzy is active, his or her Endurance and Health are concealed.
Blooded
Available at Level 3 (Passive)
Effects: Self: x1 All Damage while Endurance below 50%
Causes the barbarian to lash out when in pain, granting a bonus to damage for as long as his or her Endurance is below 50%.
Carnage
Available at Level 1 (Passive)
Area of Effect: Foe Target + 1.5m Radius (base 1.5m)
Interrupt: 40 (Average)
Effects: Foe AoE: 1-6 Slash vs. Deflection (-10 Accuracy)
The barbarian’s attacks become so forceful as to impact others around the target enemy. For every successful melee attack, the barbarian makes reduced-damage attacks at all other enemies within a short distance of the target.
Talents
Accurate Carnage
Modifies Carnage (+5 Accuracy, Passive)
Area of Effect: Foe Target + 1.5m Radius (base 1.5m)
Interrupt: 40 (Average)
Effects: Foe AoE: 1-6 Slash vs. Deflection (-10 Accuracy)
The barbarian learns to line up his or her most savage blows, improving the Accuracy of secondary attacks from Carnage.
Barbaric Blow
Grants Barbaric Blow (1 per encounter)
Speed: Instant
Effects: User: Full Attack + x1.25 Ability Area of Effect, +30% of Hits converted to Crits, +0.5 to Crit Damage multiplier
The barbarian deals a massive blow, causing additional Crits and extra damage on Crits for both the blow and any resulting hits from Carnage. Carnage also hits a bigger area.
Greater Frenzy
Modifies Frenzy (+2 Might, +2 Constitution)
Frenzy (1 per encounter)
Effects: User: +4 Might, +4 Constitution, x1.33 Attack Speed, -10 Deflection, Health and Endurance concealed for 12 sec
Cultivates the barbarian’s inner rage, granting additional bonuses while under the effects of Frenzy.
Powerful Spirit
Modifies Wild Sprint (+2 Move Speed for 5 sec)
Wild Sprint (3 per rest)
Speed: Instant
Effects: User: +3.5 Move Speed, +12 Defense when Disengaging, not stopped by Engagement for 5 sec
The barbarian’s charges become even more ferocious. Speed of Wild Sprint is increased.
Stalwart Defiance
Modifies Savage Defiance (+10 Deflection, +10 Fortitude, +10 Reflex, +10 Will for 15 sec)
Savage Defiance (1 per encounter)
Speed: Instant
Effects: User: +80 Endurance over 12 sec
Strengthens Savage Defiance, causing it to provide a bonus to all defenses.