Everything has changed since I played AD&D in then 1980's! I just started playing in a 5e group, and I'm sure I've made some mistakes, but I wanted to collect some advise. Having done all my reading AFTER I started playing, I think the L2 dip into Fighter was a probably a mistake, but maybe not entirely.
I am currently at 4th level. I have Green Dragonborn Barbarian 3, Bezerker path, Outlander background / Fighter 1 Great Weapon Style. I rolled great stats (I'm one of Those guys), so STR and CON are 18, Dex is 14.
Question 1 is, How far should I take my fighter class?
L1 - enjoy the Great-weapon fighting style, and 2nd wind I already have
L3 for the Action surge and Samurai path
L4 for the Feat/ASI
L5 for the exta attack
Question 2 is, If I go for the additional fighter levels, how far should I take Barbarian class before resuming Fighter?
My current plan is to pick up Barbarian 4 first for the ASI to take my Dex from 14 to 16, then do any further Fighter levels, either all at once or alternating - any thoughts?
You might consider going Champion instead of Samurai. The Champion's Improved Critical dovetails well with the Barbarian's Brutal Critical.
Of course, Fighting Spirit and Rage also work well together, though you'll need two bonus actions to get them both going.
Barbarian also gets an extra attack at 5th level and they don't stack, so there's no reason to take a 5th level of fighter. Taking a 5th level of fighter would also cost you your level 16 ASI/feat. I wouldn't go over 4 levels of fighter. The Samurai's 7th level ability - Elegant Courtier - doesn't really mesh well with Barbarian. If you decided to go Champion, their 7th level Remarkable Athlete doesn't really give you anything the Barbarian doesn't already have.
If you went Champion, I'd probably go with Barbarian for levels 4 (ASI) and 5 (extra attack), then Fighter 2 for the Action Surge (pretty sweet with Extra Attack and Frenzy), then Barbarian 6-9; then Fighter 3-4 (for Improved Critical and the ASI), then Barbarian through the end. With Samurai, the level 3 ability has more immediate utility, so it's kind of a toss-up how to proceed.
The Samurai choice is all RP flavor, the similar all-offense style which I thought matched up to his barbaric upbringing. He's having an Odachi (Japanese great sword) made now, so not switching path.
I'm glad you clarified about the extra attacks not stacking - that's one thing I really needed to know!
I like the look of getting Samurai's 'Fighting Spirit' (advantage on all attack rolls/turn 3/day) early on, vs getting Indomitable Might at L18, so I think Fighter L3 is worth getting?
The final choice then becomes do I take Fighter to L4 for ASI/Feat or stop at L3 for Barbarian L17 Brutal Crit?
That's a tough call. Personally, I would take a 4th level for the ASI/feat. That's something that's "always on," versus the chance to do one more die of damage 5 percent of the time. But, there's no wrong choice - that's not going to make or break your character.
Sounds like you want to get your Samurai on ASAP, so I'd take Fighter 2 & 3 for my next levels, then switch back to Barbarian for 4 (ASI/feat) and 5 (extra attack). You can just pick up that 4th level of Fighter whenever you find yourself itching for another ASI/feat (or you might decide that you'd rather have that beefier Brutal Critical after all).
Sounds like a plan, thanks! Will get Barbarian 4 at the beginning of the game next time we play (this last weekend was cancelled) Fighter 2-3 can be next - then, like you say, I can go back to Barbarian and play until I decide something.
I don't think you'll regret taking those Fighter levels. Once you have the extra attack at B5 and the Action Surge at F2, you have a pretty amazing nova attack of 5 two-handed attacks in a single round, all with your rage damage, all with advantage:
2 attacks (Action) + 1 attack (Bonus Action Attack with Berserker Frenzy) + 2 attacks (Action Surge), all with advantage (through the Barbarian's Reckless Attack). With 18 Str. and Rage, that's an average of 65 points of damage in a single round.
Different view, why not take 4th level barb, then stay fighter from then on? The rage damage will add to all those bonus attacks, so at lvl 19 (if you make it that far) you will attack 4 times with one action so dice plus 7 or 4(2d6+7) or 7(2d6 +7) with action surge, all with advantage. That does not factor in Great Weapon Master feat or fighting style.
My math Bonus action to fighting spirit, then Attack action + Fighter extra attack + Fighter extra attack + rapid strike + action surge attack + Fighter extra attack + Fighter extra attack
That is actually what my original thoughts were - start off with barbarian with a lot of toughness and fury, then teach him civilized warfare and make him more versatile.
Thing is, my role play with this Dragonborn barbarian has me leaning the other way - especially since he's Unarmored. He's such a brute, he just HAS to be a barbarian!
:)
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Everything has changed since I played AD&D in then 1980's! I just started playing in a 5e group, and I'm sure I've made some mistakes, but I wanted to collect some advise. Having done all my reading AFTER I started playing, I think the L2 dip into Fighter was a probably a mistake, but maybe not entirely.
I am currently at 4th level. I have Green Dragonborn Barbarian 3, Bezerker path, Outlander background / Fighter 1 Great Weapon Style. I rolled great stats (I'm one of Those guys), so STR and CON are 18, Dex is 14.
Question 1 is, How far should I take my fighter class?
Question 2 is, If I go for the additional fighter levels, how far should I take Barbarian class before resuming Fighter?
My current plan is to pick up Barbarian 4 first for the ASI to take my Dex from 14 to 16, then do any further Fighter levels, either all at once or alternating - any thoughts?
All feedback appreciated, Thanks!
You might consider going Champion instead of Samurai. The Champion's Improved Critical dovetails well with the Barbarian's Brutal Critical.
Of course, Fighting Spirit and Rage also work well together, though you'll need two bonus actions to get them both going.
Barbarian also gets an extra attack at 5th level and they don't stack, so there's no reason to take a 5th level of fighter. Taking a 5th level of fighter would also cost you your level 16 ASI/feat. I wouldn't go over 4 levels of fighter. The Samurai's 7th level ability - Elegant Courtier - doesn't really mesh well with Barbarian. If you decided to go Champion, their 7th level Remarkable Athlete doesn't really give you anything the Barbarian doesn't already have.
If you went Champion, I'd probably go with Barbarian for levels 4 (ASI) and 5 (extra attack), then Fighter 2 for the Action Surge (pretty sweet with Extra Attack and Frenzy), then Barbarian 6-9; then Fighter 3-4 (for Improved Critical and the ASI), then Barbarian through the end. With Samurai, the level 3 ability has more immediate utility, so it's kind of a toss-up how to proceed.
Thanks for the answer!
The Samurai choice is all RP flavor, the similar all-offense style which I thought matched up to his barbaric upbringing. He's having an Odachi (Japanese great sword) made now, so not switching path.
I'm glad you clarified about the extra attacks not stacking - that's one thing I really needed to know!
I like the look of getting Samurai's 'Fighting Spirit' (advantage on all attack rolls/turn 3/day) early on, vs getting Indomitable Might at L18, so I think Fighter L3 is worth getting?
The final choice then becomes do I take Fighter to L4 for ASI/Feat or stop at L3 for Barbarian L17 Brutal Crit?
That's a tough call. Personally, I would take a 4th level for the ASI/feat. That's something that's "always on," versus the chance to do one more die of damage 5 percent of the time. But, there's no wrong choice - that's not going to make or break your character.
Sounds like you want to get your Samurai on ASAP, so I'd take Fighter 2 & 3 for my next levels, then switch back to Barbarian for 4 (ASI/feat) and 5 (extra attack). You can just pick up that 4th level of Fighter whenever you find yourself itching for another ASI/feat (or you might decide that you'd rather have that beefier Brutal Critical after all).
Sounds like a plan, thanks! Will get Barbarian 4 at the beginning of the game next time we play (this last weekend was cancelled) Fighter 2-3 can be next - then, like you say, I can go back to Barbarian and play until I decide something.
Cheers!
I don't think you'll regret taking those Fighter levels. Once you have the extra attack at B5 and the Action Surge at F2, you have a pretty amazing nova attack of 5 two-handed attacks in a single round, all with your rage damage, all with advantage:
2 attacks (Action) + 1 attack (Bonus Action Attack with Berserker Frenzy) + 2 attacks (Action Surge), all with advantage (through the Barbarian's Reckless Attack). With 18 Str. and Rage, that's an average of 65 points of damage in a single round.
Different view, why not take 4th level barb, then stay fighter from then on? The rage damage will add to all those bonus attacks, so at lvl 19 (if you make it that far) you will attack 4 times with one action so dice plus 7 or 4(2d6+7) or 7(2d6 +7) with action surge, all with advantage. That does not factor in Great Weapon Master feat or fighting style.
My math
Bonus action to fighting spirit, then Attack action + Fighter extra attack + Fighter extra attack + rapid strike + action surge attack + Fighter extra attack + Fighter extra attack
2d6 (7) + str (5) + rage damage (2) = 14 x 7 = 98
2d6 (7) + str (5) + rage damage (2) + GWM (10) = 24 x 7 = 168
That is actually what my original thoughts were - start off with barbarian with a lot of toughness and fury, then teach him civilized warfare and make him more versatile.
Thing is, my role play with this Dragonborn barbarian has me leaning the other way - especially since he's Unarmored. He's such a brute, he just HAS to be a barbarian!
:)