The Path of Swirling Steel Class for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e)

Base Class: Barbarian

Path of Swirling Steel is a warforged-only primal path for the barbarian class. It adjusts the typical emotional 'rage' component to a more calculated and trained aspect more suitable to warforged characters. As such, you can imagine your warforged character's 'rage' as something more zen or trance-like, rather than the typical barbarian frothing at the mouth. [No offense intended]

The following sub-class features are designed with that basic premise in mind and focus on the idea of expanding/elevating the warforged barbarian's capabilities in combat during their 'rage'.

Please leave any feedback or suggestions for improvement in the comments section. Thanks, Dakoda

Restriction: Warforged Only

Only warforged can follow the Path of Swirling Steel. The path is designed to suit the history, purpose, and lack of emotional 'rage' in conventional warforged lore.

Your DM can lift this restriction to better suit the campaign.

Battle Stance

When you choose this path at 3rd level, you can elect to change the ability used by the 'rage' feature of this class, Strength by default. Choose the ability modifier (DEX, INT, WIS, CHA) that is associated with your 'rage'. All barbarian class features that use your 'rage' ability modifier are also converted to the new ability modifier, such as Reckless Attack, and the extra 'rage' damage listed in the barbarian class features chart. All other rules and restrictions, such as weapon properties, etc., remain.

Additionally, when you choose this path at 3rd level, you gain the ability to adopt a stance, focusing on either offense or defense, each time you enter your 'rage'. This stance, and its benefits, only last while you are raging.

Offense - You gain the benefits of the two-weapon-fighting style, as described in the fighter class description in the PHB.

Defense - You gain the benefits of the protection fighting style, as described in the fighter class description in the PHB.

Steel's Endurance

Beginning at 6th level, when you 'rage' you gain a bonus action that allows you to recover hit points equal to 1d12 (min. = your Constitution modifier). This bonus action can only be used once per 'rage'.

Improved Stance

Beginning at 10th level, your stance grants you an additional option for your reaction. Additionally, while 'raging', your movement speed is increased by 10 feet.

Offense - When an enemy hits you with a ranged attack, you can use your reaction to move up to half your movement speed toward that enemy. If you end this movement within 5 feet of that enemy, you can make a single attack of opportunity as part of this same reaction.

Defense - When an ally of yours is hit by an attack, you can move up to half your movement speed toward that ally. If you end this movement within 5 feet of your ally you can absorb some of the damage dealt; you and your ally each take half the damage from the attack that initiated this reaction.

Swirling Avoidance

Starting at 14th level, once per turn, when a creature hits you with an attack while you are 'raging', roll 1d12 and consult the results table below. You may mitigate some of the damage or avoid it completely. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (min. of 1), and regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.