The only thing you'd be gaining from that combo is an artificer with more hp (who can't cast spells in combat) - as Ashrym said, it isn't worth it. There's no advantage from multi-classing this combo, only downsides. Your spells won't keep up with threats (you'll have less spells and lower level spells than a straight artificer), using the Barbarian's best abilities means you can't even cast spells - if you're looking for a barbarian caster, go druid, it is a better fit. If you're looking for a melee artificer, go straight artificer (or dip into rogue or fighter, but the majority of your levels should be artificer). Straight artificers can get Extra Attack, good armor or a steel defender, a decent spell selection that includes healing.
If you're looking for the flavor of barbarian/artificer - you can always play an artificer as a barbarian without barbarian levels. I just don't see any advantage (only disadvantages) for combining the two.
It's not idea, but if you're really set on a combination like that, you'll need a lot of cooperation from the DM, so talk to them first.
Surprisingly, though, some exists, mostly due to Dimension 20's Fantasy High campaigns where their Barbarian Gorgug started taking Artificer class levels. Eventually, he "respecced" and ended up a Barbarian (Berserker) 5 / Artificer (Battle Smith) 9.
It's far better as a theme, flavor, or background for an Artificer or Barbarian than an actual multiclass, IMO.
Artificer from a barbarian tribe whose creations are made from stone, bone, fur, hair, hide, ivory, wood, and sinew? Brilliant. Really could work well for an Alchemist, making shamanic potions and body paints.
Barbarian who takes the Crafter origin feat? Also brilliant.
Either works better than the multiclassing of the character, mechanically.
By your logic, a paladin multiclass would be bad, but Paladin/Warlock is super strong. Could you explain some other anti-synergys?
Incorrect. 2024 Barbarian and Monk get +8 to stats at 20th level. 2024 Paladins/Warlocks do not. My original line of opinion is that sacrificing the +8 to core stats would not be worth it. That premise relies on the character actually going to 20+ level, and if not the premise is void.
The only thing you'd be gaining from that combo is an artificer with more hp (who can't cast spells in combat) - as Ashrym said, it isn't worth it. There's no advantage from multi-classing this combo, only downsides. Your spells won't keep up with threats (you'll have less spells and lower level spells than a straight artificer), using the Barbarian's best abilities means you can't even cast spells - if you're looking for a barbarian caster, go druid, it is a better fit. If you're looking for a melee artificer, go straight artificer (or dip into rogue or fighter, but the majority of your levels should be artificer). Straight artificers can get Extra Attack, good armor or a steel defender, a decent spell selection that includes healing.
If you're looking for the flavor of barbarian/artificer - you can always play an artificer as a barbarian without barbarian levels. I just don't see any advantage (only disadvantages) for combining the two.
Understandable. You should know you can ignore the Rage-spellcasting problem by playing an alchemist and turning all your spell slots into potions.
I may be crazy, but it sounds like a reasonable build. 1st level in Barbarian to get access to Rage and Weapon Mastery, then go at least 10 levels Artificer (Armorer). Weapon Mastery on an Artificer is pretty good. You can still rage, so long as you aren't wearing heavy armor, and you can get access to Magic Item Plans that could help out in melee (Weapon +1, Armor+1, Returning Weapon, etc.). Not optimal? Yes. Flavorful as heck? Also yes. I honestly could see it as 1 level Barbarian and 19 levels into Artificer (if anyone ever gets that far). You'd essentially be a beefier, harder hitting, gishy half-caster that would still get an Epic Boon at level 20.
I may be crazy, but it sounds like a reasonable build. 1st level in Barbarian to get access to Rage and Weapon Mastery, then go at least 10 levels Artificer (Armorer). Weapon Mastery on an Artificer is pretty good. You can still rage, so long as you aren't wearing heavy armor, and you can get access to Magic Item Plans that could help out in melee (Weapon +1, Armor+1, Returning Weapon, etc.). Not optimal? Yes. Flavorful as heck? Also yes. I honestly could see it as 1 level Barbarian and 19 levels into Artificer (if anyone ever gets that far). You'd essentially be a beefier, harder hitting, gishy half-caster that would still get an Epic Boon at level 20.
I would actually build this with Battle Smith instead of Armourer. It would be like a ranger/barbarian multiclass but with less martial overlap. You could also utilize Unarmoured Defense better on Battle Smith than with Armourer, especially since artificers usually want some Dex and Con anyway. You could flavour the rage as a battle focus instead of a rage. If your DM is cool with it, you could even homebrew it to work with intelligence instead of Strength. Though even without that you'd still benefit from the rage damage reduction and unarmoured defense.
Also while it's true that barbarians can't cast spells while raging, remember that barbarians aren't raging 24/7, especially in early levels and in multiclass builds. You would just have to pick spells with this in mind. Instantaneous, healing, and out-of-combat utility spells would all work with a barbarian dip.
This topic brings to mind a recurring thought I've been having for treating capstones better.
When you reach level 20 in a class, in addition to the usual benefits of gaining that level, instead of the standard capstone gain four levels in any one other class, without the need to meet the usual multiclass qualifications. You do not gain the saves of your secondary class. Your main class primary characteristics become the primary characteristics of the second class. If your base class is not a spellcasting class -- for example Barbarian or Monk -- your spellcasting characteristic is the most appropriate of any mental characteristic, or Dex or Con. You must select a subclass in the second class. You gain a new feat for having reached fourth level in the second class. You gain the hit dice associated with four levels in the new class. Your characteristic maximum is now 24 instead of 20 in your primary characteristics.
I know it doesn't address the question asked, but I think it would reach a similar outcome without the issues. Except, of course, it's a reward for sticking to one class all the way through 20 levels, not a way to get the abilities of both throughout your career.
One of the things I love about the DnD Beyond character builder is that it allows you to build characters to any level you like. You want a Barbarian-Artificer multiclass character, build one. What choices do you make at each level? How do they affect the character's abilities. Just going through the exercise of building a character level-by-level has always helped me think through the choices and their effects as you imagine the character engaging in your usual game play dynamics. It is a good exercise.
I LOVED the point of playing an alchemist-barbarian. It solves some of the mechanics issues without sacrificing the flavor issues. Too often, we get caught up in the mechanics and lose sight of the flavor and story aspects of the game. Just like the array ability scores force you into assigning an eight or nine to an ability, thus creating a liability that you have to compensate for or have hurt you once in a while (I have a battle smith with an eight in wisdom, WIS ST are always nerve wracking), you may have to make some choices that force your character to carry a liability. So what? Now you've got a opportunity to use some creative imaginative problem solving.
That's the beauty of the game: a complex rule set used to solve problems. There are an infinite number of ways to solve those problems.
Make your barbaficer and let us know how it turns out. What choices did you make, what problems did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
I would define this build as niche, but certainly not impossible. My favorite build between the two I've done for a level 8 character:
Bormulir Underforge Hill Dwarf -Soldier- Armorer Artificer 5/Battlerager Barbarian 3
Armor Class: 20 (mastered arcane spiked armor of magical strength + enhanced shield) Initiative: +3 Speed: 25 ft.
Hit Points: 3d12 + 4d8 + 36 Hit Dice: 5d8 + 3d12
STR 18 (+4) DEX 16 (+3) CON 14 (+2) INT 18 (+4) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 8 (-1)
Infusions: - Armor of Magical Strength [Arcane Battlerager Armor] - Enhanced Defense [shield] - RMI: Bag of Holding - RMI: Spellwrought Tattoo
Armor Model: Guardian feat: Medium Armor Master
Charge into battle, drop damage spell or mirror image, enrage, on subsequent turns throw out your spiked thunder gauntlets (some DMs allow an extra 1d4 damage from the spikes, in addition to extra rage damage), and continue to do so as a bonus action or tack on extra tanking with Guardian armor. Perform incredible feats of strength and you can use your Armor of Magical Strength to make grapple checks successfully, then dealing extra damage that way. Refuse to be prone. Just try to get hit, it won't happen, but you can use Reckless Attack nearly free without consequence. As an artificer, you still have lots of utility outside of combat. It is still a very viable character build, and a personal fav multiclass for artificer
[To be fully epic I would get this build to at least Armorer Artificer 9/Battlerager Barbarian 6]
What do you think about a barbarian/artificer multiclass, or vice versa?
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Both have solid 20th level options, would not be worth nerfing them for a multi class.
Life's hard - get a helmet!
By your logic, a paladin multiclass would be bad, but Paladin/Warlock is super strong. Could you explain some other anti-synergys?
Hey! I make (what I believe to be, could use some feedback) good homebrew!
Click here!
Please tell me what you think!
I think barbarian rage doesn't play well with spellcasting. Wouldn't do it.
The only thing you'd be gaining from that combo is an artificer with more hp (who can't cast spells in combat) - as Ashrym said, it isn't worth it. There's no advantage from multi-classing this combo, only downsides. Your spells won't keep up with threats (you'll have less spells and lower level spells than a straight artificer), using the Barbarian's best abilities means you can't even cast spells - if you're looking for a barbarian caster, go druid, it is a better fit. If you're looking for a melee artificer, go straight artificer (or dip into rogue or fighter, but the majority of your levels should be artificer). Straight artificers can get Extra Attack, good armor or a steel defender, a decent spell selection that includes healing.
If you're looking for the flavor of barbarian/artificer - you can always play an artificer as a barbarian without barbarian levels. I just don't see any advantage (only disadvantages) for combining the two.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
It's not idea, but if you're really set on a combination like that, you'll need a lot of cooperation from the DM, so talk to them first.
Surprisingly, though, some exists, mostly due to Dimension 20's Fantasy High campaigns where their Barbarian Gorgug started taking Artificer class levels. Eventually, he "respecced" and ended up a Barbarian (Berserker) 5 / Artificer (Battle Smith) 9.
Reddit - Barbaficer subclass.
It's far better as a theme, flavor, or background for an Artificer or Barbarian than an actual multiclass, IMO.
Artificer from a barbarian tribe whose creations are made from stone, bone, fur, hair, hide, ivory, wood, and sinew? Brilliant. Really could work well for an Alchemist, making shamanic potions and body paints.
Barbarian who takes the Crafter origin feat? Also brilliant.
Either works better than the multiclassing of the character, mechanically.
Incorrect. 2024 Barbarian and Monk get +8 to stats at 20th level. 2024 Paladins/Warlocks do not. My original line of opinion is that sacrificing the +8 to core stats would not be worth it. That premise relies on the character actually going to 20+ level, and if not the premise is void.
Life's hard - get a helmet!
Understandable. You should know you can ignore the Rage-spellcasting problem by playing an alchemist and turning all your spell slots into potions.
Hey! I make (what I believe to be, could use some feedback) good homebrew!
Click here!
Please tell me what you think!
I may be crazy, but it sounds like a reasonable build. 1st level in Barbarian to get access to Rage and Weapon Mastery, then go at least 10 levels Artificer (Armorer). Weapon Mastery on an Artificer is pretty good. You can still rage, so long as you aren't wearing heavy armor, and you can get access to Magic Item Plans that could help out in melee (Weapon +1, Armor+1, Returning Weapon, etc.). Not optimal? Yes. Flavorful as heck? Also yes. I honestly could see it as 1 level Barbarian and 19 levels into Artificer (if anyone ever gets that far). You'd essentially be a beefier, harder hitting, gishy half-caster that would still get an Epic Boon at level 20.
Thank you! Someone who isn't just trashing on the idea!
Hey! I make (what I believe to be, could use some feedback) good homebrew!
Click here!
Please tell me what you think!
I would actually build this with Battle Smith instead of Armourer. It would be like a ranger/barbarian multiclass but with less martial overlap. You could also utilize Unarmoured Defense better on Battle Smith than with Armourer, especially since artificers usually want some Dex and Con anyway. You could flavour the rage as a battle focus instead of a rage. If your DM is cool with it, you could even homebrew it to work with intelligence instead of Strength. Though even without that you'd still benefit from the rage damage reduction and unarmoured defense.
Also while it's true that barbarians can't cast spells while raging, remember that barbarians aren't raging 24/7, especially in early levels and in multiclass builds. You would just have to pick spells with this in mind. Instantaneous, healing, and out-of-combat utility spells would all work with a barbarian dip.
How to add tooltips on dndbeyond
This topic brings to mind a recurring thought I've been having for treating capstones better.
When you reach level 20 in a class, in addition to the usual benefits of gaining that level, instead of the standard capstone gain four levels in any one other class, without the need to meet the usual multiclass qualifications. You do not gain the saves of your secondary class. Your main class primary characteristics become the primary characteristics of the second class. If your base class is not a spellcasting class -- for example Barbarian or Monk -- your spellcasting characteristic is the most appropriate of any mental characteristic, or Dex or Con. You must select a subclass in the second class. You gain a new feat for having reached fourth level in the second class. You gain the hit dice associated with four levels in the new class. Your characteristic maximum is now 24 instead of 20 in your primary characteristics.
I know it doesn't address the question asked, but I think it would reach a similar outcome without the issues. Except, of course, it's a reward for sticking to one class all the way through 20 levels, not a way to get the abilities of both throughout your career.
Howdy y'all!
One of the things I love about the DnD Beyond character builder is that it allows you to build characters to any level you like. You want a Barbarian-Artificer multiclass character, build one. What choices do you make at each level? How do they affect the character's abilities. Just going through the exercise of building a character level-by-level has always helped me think through the choices and their effects as you imagine the character engaging in your usual game play dynamics. It is a good exercise.
I LOVED the point of playing an alchemist-barbarian. It solves some of the mechanics issues without sacrificing the flavor issues. Too often, we get caught up in the mechanics and lose sight of the flavor and story aspects of the game. Just like the array ability scores force you into assigning an eight or nine to an ability, thus creating a liability that you have to compensate for or have hurt you once in a while (I have a battle smith with an eight in wisdom, WIS ST are always nerve wracking), you may have to make some choices that force your character to carry a liability. So what? Now you've got a opportunity to use some creative imaginative problem solving.
That's the beauty of the game: a complex rule set used to solve problems. There are an infinite number of ways to solve those problems.
Make your barbaficer and let us know how it turns out. What choices did you make, what problems did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
Huzzah!
Jack
I would define this build as niche, but certainly not impossible. My favorite build between the two I've done for a level 8 character:
Bormulir Underforge
Hill Dwarf -Soldier- Armorer Artificer 5/Battlerager Barbarian 3
Armor Class: 20 (mastered arcane spiked armor of magical strength + enhanced shield)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 25 ft.
Hit Points: 3d12 + 4d8 + 36
Hit Dice: 5d8 + 3d12
STR 18 (+4)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 14 (+2)
INT 18 (+4)
WIS 12 (+1)
CHA 8 (-1)
Infusions:
- Armor of Magical Strength [Arcane Battlerager Armor]
- Enhanced Defense [shield]
- RMI: Bag of Holding
- RMI: Spellwrought Tattoo
Armor Model: Guardian
feat: Medium Armor Master
Charge into battle, drop damage spell or mirror image, enrage, on subsequent turns throw out your spiked thunder gauntlets (some DMs allow an extra 1d4 damage from the spikes, in addition to extra rage damage), and continue to do so as a bonus action or tack on extra tanking with Guardian armor. Perform incredible feats of strength and you can use your Armor of Magical Strength to make grapple checks successfully, then dealing extra damage that way. Refuse to be prone. Just try to get hit, it won't happen, but you can use Reckless Attack nearly free without consequence. As an artificer, you still have lots of utility outside of combat. It is still a very viable character build, and a personal fav multiclass for artificer
[To be fully epic I would get this build to at least Armorer Artificer 9/Battlerager Barbarian 6]