So, I was having a very hard time trying to figure out what Path to take when my half-orc barbarian would finally hit level 3, and I just checked the Unearthed Arcana and found Path of the Beast. I have to say I'm really pumped about his new abilities, and I love the flavor and storytelling options this Path gives players.
My barbarian's home in the hills is near a mystical forest with access to the Feywild, so I had a hard time deciding between the Path of the Beast and the Path of the Wild Soul, but eventually settled on him gaining his beast powers from a powerful druid ancestor, which ends up adding a lot to his backstory and fits in perfectly with our campaign. It's been extremely fun to watch him rage and use snarling bites and claws (haven't used the tail ability yet). His other party members are a Gloom Stalker and a Circle of the Moon Druid so I'm happy to have a new option for the barbarian class to fit in really well with others.
I'm extremely hopeful that WotC will pick up this subclass option in the future and make it an official choice, because it's awesome and really fun to play.
Anyone else have good/bad experiences to share with the subclass?
Only played a level 10 one shot as a feral tabaxi hunter/warrior. Took 6 levels of paths of the beast and 4 of scout rogue for some utility and rxtra mobility.
Was very fun to play, just themed the claw attacks as the tabaxi's normal claws but doing more damage/attacks due to their blood lust. Dm is very accomodating allowing me to multiclass UA and allowing me to grapple and jump to piledrive a character for a bit more damage and action efficiency in order to grapple and prone, as the damage output was otherwise a bit lacking. Didnt take the mick using it every turn though just as an opening gambit when attacking a foe flavoured as a pounce.
Would like to try a pure path of the beast at 20 though, the extra CON for more pseudo-smites and higher DC would make them pretty nasty especially if you can get a way to increase your crit range such as the blood fury tattoo.
I'm playing a Lizardfolk Path of the Beast Barbarian / Undead Warlock, and really digging it. He's only level 3, but so haven't been able to Beast mode yet, but looking forward to how this character develops.
I want it to stay in UA for as long as possible. When it/if it becomes official you will have to pay for it in another book, UA is free on DDB so if it stays in UA for as long as possible it will be free for as long as possible.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
REMEMBER: Wizards Of The Coast does not own DDB, they are two different companies. When you buy a physical book, WotC receives the money you bought it for, not DDB and vice versa. If you want a digital key to get an online book for free because you have the hardcopy book then DDB makes no money because you don't buy off DDB you buy off WotC, so please stop making threads about this issue. DDB needs money to continue helping people and servers aren't cheap.
I want it to stay in UA for as long as possible. When it/if it becomes official you will have to pay for it in another book, UA is free on DDB so if it stays in UA for as long as possible it will be free for as long as possible.
You can make a copy of the UA version, and keep copying that to spawn off new versions when you need them.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
It is becoming official in the book Tasha's cauldron of everything, in November.
Where was that confirmed? I know we're getting new official subclasses, and that some are confirmed(Bard College of Creation, Genie Warlock, Armorer Artificer), but I didn't hear about what new Barbarian subclass(es) we're getting.
edit - I do think the odds of Path Of The Beast becoming official are pretty good, it seems to be a popular UA. But if it's officially confirmed, I'd like to see that.
It is becoming official in the book Tasha's cauldron of everything, in November.
Where was that confirmed? I know we're getting new official subclasses, and that some are confirmed(Bard College of Creation, Genie Warlock, Armorer Artificer), but I didn't hear about what new Barbarian subclass(es) we're getting.
edit - I do think the odds of Path Of The Beast becoming official are pretty good, it seems to be a popular UA. But if it's officially confirmed, I'd like to see that.
22 UA subclasses will be involved, and excluding the August 5th stuff, UA subclasses equal 22. So all the ua is involved.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I voted yes, but it needs some significant changes to make it work well. It seems to be great at lower levels, in particular for small races but it neither scales well nor does it synergize with other barb and barb related skills and feats.
It suffers from the same things monks suffer from as it pertains to +X attacks but monks at least have some alternatives.
None of the attacks count as using a melee weapon (so anything that requires an attack with a melee weapon will not work).
Reach is great on the tail but if you are a barb that uses reach with any consistency, you will likely be a polearm master - and the tail does not count as a reach "weapon" under that feat.
Lastly, Sentinel also doesn't work with the tail attack as it is not a melee weapon.
Infectious Fury ALMOST makes up for all if not much of that but in order for IF to work, you must chose between hitting with your nice magical melee weapon at level 10 or trying to hit your lesser effective natural weapons. Very tough decision for any two-handed weapon/polearm barb to make
It is becoming official in the book Tasha's cauldron of everything, in November.
Where was that confirmed? I know we're getting new official subclasses, and that some are confirmed(Bard College of Creation, Genie Warlock, Armorer Artificer), but I didn't hear about what new Barbarian subclass(es) we're getting.
edit - I do think the odds of Path Of The Beast becoming official are pretty good, it seems to be a popular UA. But if it's officially confirmed, I'd like to see that.
22 UA subclasses will be involved, and excluding the August 5th stuff, UA subclasses equal 22. So all the ua is involved.
But aren't the reprints counted in there as well? All the subclasses from Sword Coast and Theros are being included also, so that might mean some UA content won't make it yet.
It is becoming official in the book Tasha's cauldron of everything, in November.
Where was that confirmed? I know we're getting new official subclasses, and that some are confirmed(Bard College of Creation, Genie Warlock, Armorer Artificer), but I didn't hear about what new Barbarian subclass(es) we're getting.
edit - I do think the odds of Path Of The Beast becoming official are pretty good, it seems to be a popular UA. But if it's officially confirmed, I'd like to see that.
22 UA subclasses will be involved, and excluding the August 5th stuff, UA subclasses equal 22. So all the ua is involved.
But aren't the reprints counted in there as well? All the subclasses from Sword Coast and Theros are being included also, so that might mean some UA content won't make it yet.
Yes, but they said 22 AND the revisions.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I like the Class a LOT..... Working on a Victor Creed (Sabertooth) build using the Beasthide shifter race and this subclass of barbarian.
The ability to change between claws, Bite and Tail are nice. Will try it out in DOTMM this week as a 6th level character will be my first time trying in person. Wish me luck
Hmm. Would the claws from path of the beast count as light weapons, do you think?
It doesn't say they have the Light property, ergo they don't. I assume you're thinking about two-weapon fighting?
You are correct. :)
That was my first instinct as well, honestly. I could see an argument that they are light, but I'm biased because I am about to start a game with a path of the beast barbarian.
It is becoming official in the book Tasha's cauldron of everything, in November.
Where was that confirmed? I know we're getting new official subclasses, and that some are confirmed(Bard College of Creation, Genie Warlock, Armorer Artificer), but I didn't hear about what new Barbarian subclass(es) we're getting.
edit - I do think the odds of Path Of The Beast becoming official are pretty good, it seems to be a popular UA. But if it's officially confirmed, I'd like to see that.
22 UA subclasses will be involved, and excluding the August 5th stuff, UA subclasses equal 22. So all the ua is involved.
But aren't the reprints counted in there as well? All the subclasses from Sword Coast and Theros are being included also, so that might mean some UA content won't make it yet.
Yes, but they said 22 AND the revisions.
Artificer is getting a reprint with some new text to make it more setting-agnostic, so that's 3 subclasses. There are 22 new subclasses from former UA (including the Armorer). And then 5 more subclasses are getting reprinted (Bladesinger, Circle of Spores, College of Eloquence, Oath of Glory, and Order Domain).
Basically, everything except the most recent UA (College of Spirits and the Undead) is getting included.
So, I was having a very hard time trying to figure out what Path to take when my half-orc barbarian would finally hit level 3, and I just checked the Unearthed Arcana and found Path of the Beast. I have to say I'm really pumped about his new abilities, and I love the flavor and storytelling options this Path gives players.
My barbarian's home in the hills is near a mystical forest with access to the Feywild, so I had a hard time deciding between the Path of the Beast and the Path of the Wild Soul, but eventually settled on him gaining his beast powers from a powerful druid ancestor, which ends up adding a lot to his backstory and fits in perfectly with our campaign. It's been extremely fun to watch him rage and use snarling bites and claws (haven't used the tail ability yet). His other party members are a Gloom Stalker and a Circle of the Moon Druid so I'm happy to have a new option for the barbarian class to fit in really well with others.
I'm extremely hopeful that WotC will pick up this subclass option in the future and make it an official choice, because it's awesome and really fun to play.
Anyone else have good/bad experiences to share with the subclass?
Only played a level 10 one shot as a feral tabaxi hunter/warrior. Took 6 levels of paths of the beast and 4 of scout rogue for some utility and rxtra mobility.
Was very fun to play, just themed the claw attacks as the tabaxi's normal claws but doing more damage/attacks due to their blood lust. Dm is very accomodating allowing me to multiclass UA and allowing me to grapple and jump to piledrive a character for a bit more damage and action efficiency in order to grapple and prone, as the damage output was otherwise a bit lacking. Didnt take the mick using it every turn though just as an opening gambit when attacking a foe flavoured as a pounce.
Would like to try a pure path of the beast at 20 though, the extra CON for more pseudo-smites and higher DC would make them pretty nasty especially if you can get a way to increase your crit range such as the blood fury tattoo.
I'm playing a Lizardfolk Path of the Beast Barbarian / Undead Warlock, and really digging it. He's only level 3, but so haven't been able to Beast mode yet, but looking forward to how this character develops.
I want it to stay in UA for as long as possible. When it/if it becomes official you will have to pay for it in another book, UA is free on DDB so if it stays in UA for as long as possible it will be free for as long as possible.
REMEMBER: Wizards Of The Coast does not own DDB, they are two different companies. When you buy a physical book, WotC receives the money you bought it for, not DDB and vice versa. If you want a digital key to get an online book for free because you have the hardcopy book then DDB makes no money because you don't buy off DDB you buy off WotC, so please stop making threads about this issue. DDB needs money to continue helping people and servers aren't cheap.
This is the one Barbarian I want to try out, I love the theme and the powers so much!
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
You can make a copy of the UA version, and keep copying that to spawn off new versions when you need them.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
It is becoming official in the book Tasha's cauldron of everything, in November.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
Where was that confirmed? I know we're getting new official subclasses, and that some are confirmed(Bard College of Creation, Genie Warlock, Armorer Artificer), but I didn't hear about what new Barbarian subclass(es) we're getting.
edit - I do think the odds of Path Of The Beast becoming official are pretty good, it seems to be a popular UA. But if it's officially confirmed, I'd like to see that.
22 UA subclasses will be involved, and excluding the August 5th stuff, UA subclasses equal 22. So all the ua is involved.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
I voted yes, but it needs some significant changes to make it work well. It seems to be great at lower levels, in particular for small races but it neither scales well nor does it synergize with other barb and barb related skills and feats.
It suffers from the same things monks suffer from as it pertains to +X attacks but monks at least have some alternatives.
None of the attacks count as using a melee weapon (so anything that requires an attack with a melee weapon will not work).
Reach is great on the tail but if you are a barb that uses reach with any consistency, you will likely be a polearm master - and the tail does not count as a reach "weapon" under that feat.
Lastly, Sentinel also doesn't work with the tail attack as it is not a melee weapon.
Infectious Fury ALMOST makes up for all if not much of that but in order for IF to work, you must chose between hitting with your nice magical melee weapon at level 10 or trying to hit your lesser effective natural weapons. Very tough decision for any two-handed weapon/polearm barb to make
Sure it does. I assume you're talking about the third section, the retaliation attack. Here's the text from Path Of The Beast(emphasis mine):
Until your rage ends, you manifest a natural melee weapon, choosing one of the following options each time you rage
Good catch! One signifant less strike against this class.
But aren't the reprints counted in there as well? All the subclasses from Sword Coast and Theros are being included also, so that might mean some UA content won't make it yet.
Yes, but they said 22 AND the revisions.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
I like the Class a LOT.....
Working on a Victor Creed (Sabertooth) build using the Beasthide shifter race and this subclass of barbarian.
The ability to change between claws, Bite and Tail are nice. Will try it out in DOTMM this week as a 6th level character will be my first time trying in person. Wish me luck
Hmm. Would the claws from path of the beast count as light weapons, do you think?
It doesn't say they have the Light property, ergo they don't. I assume you're thinking about two-weapon fighting?
You are correct. :)
That was my first instinct as well, honestly. I could see an argument that they are light, but I'm biased because I am about to start a game with a path of the beast barbarian.
Artificer is getting a reprint with some new text to make it more setting-agnostic, so that's 3 subclasses. There are 22 new subclasses from former UA (including the Armorer). And then 5 more subclasses are getting reprinted (Bladesinger, Circle of Spores, College of Eloquence, Oath of Glory, and Order Domain).
Basically, everything except the most recent UA (College of Spirits and the Undead) is getting included.
Exactly what I said mate.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!