Path of the Apex Predator

The Path of the Apex Predator embraces the primal truth that no forged weapon is as deadly as the hunter who wields it. Barbarians who follow this path reject steel in favor of sharpened claws, overwhelming instinct, and relentless pursuit. Every movement is purposeful, every strike calculated, and every hunt ends only when their prey falls.

As their fury grows, these warriors become living embodiments of nature's most efficient killers. They stalk their enemies with impossible agility, exploit every weakness with brutal precision, and flow effortlessly from one target to the next. Whether climbing sheer cliffs, pouncing through the battlefield, or tearing through multiple foes in rapid succession, an Apex Predator never loses sight of the hunt.

To those who witness them, they are more than warriors—they are the moment prey realizes it has already been caught.

Level 3: Claws Out

Your Rage awakens the instincts of an apex predator. Rather than relying on overwhelming strength alone, you become faster, deadlier, and nearly impossible to pin down.

While you are Raging:

• Your claw attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks.
• If you do not already have a climbing speed, you gain one equal to your walking speed.
• Opportunity attacks against you are made with disadvantage.
• Once on each of your turns, after moving at least 20 feet toward a creature, your first claw attack deals an extra 1d8 slashing damage.

Level 3: Predator's Pounce

Your instincts drive you to overwhelm your prey before it can react.

As a Bonus Action while you are Raging, you can move up to half your Speed. This movement does not provoke Opportunity Attacks.

If you end this movement within 5 feet of a hostile creature, your next claw attack before the end of your turn deals an additional 1d8 slashing damage.

If that attack hits, you may immediately attempt to Grapple or Shove the target as part of the same attack.

You can use Predator’s Pounce once on each of your turns.

Level 6: Predator's Instinct's

Your claws are guided by instinct rather than anger. Once you have wounded your prey, you know exactly how to break it.

Once on each of your turns, when you hit a creature with a claw attack, you may use one of the techniques granted by this feature.

Hamstring

When you hit a creature with a claw attack, you can reduce that creature's speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.

You can use only one Blood in the Water technique on each of your turns.

Maul

When you hit a creature with a claw attack, you can push one creature that is no more than one size larger than you up to 10 feet directly away from you.

You can use only one Blood in the Water technique on each of your turns.

Pounce

When you hit a creature with a claw attack, one creature no more than one size larger than you must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier) or fall prone.

You can use only one Blood in the Water technique on each of your turns.

Rake

When you hit a creature with a claw attack, you rake at vital muscles and tendons. That creature can't take reactions until the start of your next turn.

You can use only one Blood in the Water technique on each of your turns.

Level 10: Relentless Purr-suit

Your predatory instincts become relentless.

While you are Raging, when you hit a creature with a claw attack, you can immediately move up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.

If you end this movement within 5 feet of a different hostile creature, you can immediately make one claw attack against that creature as part of the same action.

You can use this feature only once on each of your turns, and the additional attack granted by this feature can't trigger Relentless Purr-suit.

Level 14: Apex Predator

Your instincts have been honed to perfection. Every strike is deliberate, every movement calculated, and no prey escapes your grasp.

While you are Raging, whenever you hit a creature with a claw attack, you may apply <strong>two different Predator's Instincts techniques</strong> instead of one.

In addition, the <strong>first claw attack</strong> you hit with on each of your turns deals an extra <strong>3d8 slashing damage</strong>.

If this attack reduces a creature to 0 hit points, you gain temporary hit points equal to your Barbarian level.