I was thinking about a Battle Master/Barbarian multiclass with emphasis on both the strategy and finesse of combat mixed the primal ferocity of rage. I need some help on figuring out how I can get the most out of this build, especially early on (levels, race, options, feats, etc.). I think this could make an excellent build if done right.
I've been toying with this idea too. The best balance I've found so far is only dipping into barbarian for 3 levels. For my dex based version, I start off Barb to avoid multi-class requirements.
I also went with a dex based fighter, so I could squeeze the most that I could out of unarmored defense. It is a bit subpar, since it pretty much gives up reckless attack and rage damage, but if you use a rapier and shield, you can just take up the dueling style and get the +2 damage back.
Some flavor of Elf is my go to with this dex version, since the fey ancestry is the closest replacement I can get for putting off indomitable and Mindless rage.
Another fun possibility: leave a 13 in Charisma so you can throw on hexblade warlock later on. Hexblade's curse works while raging, as does summoning the pact weapon, and any invocations you take.
I haven't given as much thought to a strength based version of this build yet, but it would probably give more ability to play with feats like sentinel.
Strength 17 (15+2 from racial modifier) Dexterity 14 Constitution 16 (15+1 from racial modifier) Intelligence 8 Wisdom 10 Charisma 8
Start Fighter for first 5 levels picking up Orcish Fury (Strength) feat with your ASI. Dip 2 lvls into Barb for Rage and Reckless Attack, then you can go Fighter the rest of the way. This build requires you wear medium armor so you can Rage. The build can be quite flexible as you get a ton of ASI from Fighter. A cool idea I think would be to dual wield 2 finesse weapons and picking up the Dual Wielder feat while picking up the two weapon fighting style at the start. This lets you weaponize your bonus action with very little investment and the image of your character twirling 2 scimitars or whatnot in a deadly dance of death is just freaking cool. If you are feeling really cheeky you can dip a few lvls of Rogue as well for some sneak attack damage that will always trigger if you use Reckless Attack. All my build uses is 3 ASIs (2 to max str and 1 for Dual Wielder feat) so there's plenty of ASIs left over to customize the character to your liking.
And of course you don't have to dual wield at all, you can run around with a Halberd and take Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master (or both) and be just as effective.
A final though you can take a 3rd level in Barb for a subclass if you want, I would probably do it after your hit Fighter 11 so you get Extra Attack x2 first.
I've been toying with this idea too. The best balance I've found so far is only dipping into barbarian for 3 levels. For my dex based version, I start off Barb to avoid multi-class requirements.
I also went with a dex based fighter, so I could squeeze the most that I could out of unarmored defense. It is a bit subpar, since it pretty much gives up reckless attack and rage damage, but if you use a rapier and shield, you can just take up the dueling style and get the +2 damage back.
Some flavor of Elf is my go to with this dex version, since the fey ancestry is the closest replacement I can get for putting off indomitable and Mindless rage.
Another fun possibility: leave a 13 in Charisma so you can throw on hexblade warlock later on. Hexblade's curse works while raging, as does summoning the pact weapon, and any invocations you take.
I haven't given as much thought to a strength based version of this build yet, but it would probably give more ability to play with feats like sentinel.
Just a reminder: If you want to multiclass you'll still need the requirements of your original class. So you'd still need 13 in Str.
Just a dip in Barb seems to be the way to go here, since you want that rage and reckless attack, but another possible way would be go 17 Barb and only 3 in fighter (i would start with 5-6 Barb then the fighter then the rest barb) which would be a barbarian with just a bit of fighter.
If you want something really on the offense side, I would go Barbarian 5 to maximize your HP, saves, movement and damage output (by choosing Zealot or Berserker), and then complement that with Champion Fighter 3, specially if you choose Half-Orc, to crit-fish like a crazy. Lots of synergies with Action Surge as well.
This is a multiclass you can never go wrong, but I rather be more Barbarian than Fighter.
I was thinking about a Battle Master/Barbarian multiclass with emphasis on both the strategy and finesse of combat mixed the primal ferocity of rage. I need some help on figuring out how I can get the most out of this build, especially early on (levels, race, options, feats, etc.). I think this could make an excellent build if done right.
I've been toying with this idea too. The best balance I've found so far is only dipping into barbarian for 3 levels. For my dex based version, I start off Barb to avoid multi-class requirements.
I also went with a dex based fighter, so I could squeeze the most that I could out of unarmored defense. It is a bit subpar, since it pretty much gives up reckless attack and rage damage, but if you use a rapier and shield, you can just take up the dueling style and get the +2 damage back.
Some flavor of Elf is my go to with this dex version, since the fey ancestry is the closest replacement I can get for putting off indomitable and Mindless rage.
Another fun possibility: leave a 13 in Charisma so you can throw on hexblade warlock later on. Hexblade's curse works while raging, as does summoning the pact weapon, and any invocations you take.
I haven't given as much thought to a strength based version of this build yet, but it would probably give more ability to play with feats like sentinel.
How about something like this:
Race Half Orc
Ability Scores (from Point Buy)
Strength 17 (15+2 from racial modifier)
Dexterity 14
Constitution 16 (15+1 from racial modifier)
Intelligence 8
Wisdom 10
Charisma 8
Start Fighter for first 5 levels picking up Orcish Fury (Strength) feat with your ASI. Dip 2 lvls into Barb for Rage and Reckless Attack, then you can go Fighter the rest of the way. This build requires you wear medium armor so you can Rage. The build can be quite flexible as you get a ton of ASI from Fighter. A cool idea I think would be to dual wield 2 finesse weapons and picking up the Dual Wielder feat while picking up the two weapon fighting style at the start. This lets you weaponize your bonus action with very little investment and the image of your character twirling 2 scimitars or whatnot in a deadly dance of death is just freaking cool. If you are feeling really cheeky you can dip a few lvls of Rogue as well for some sneak attack damage that will always trigger if you use Reckless Attack. All my build uses is 3 ASIs (2 to max str and 1 for Dual Wielder feat) so there's plenty of ASIs left over to customize the character to your liking.
And of course you don't have to dual wield at all, you can run around with a Halberd and take Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master (or both) and be just as effective.
A final though you can take a 3rd level in Barb for a subclass if you want, I would probably do it after your hit Fighter 11 so you get Extra Attack x2 first.
Hope this helps.
I really appreciate the thought put into this! I was surprised how little Barbarian levels were put into it, but it does make sense.
Just a reminder: If you want to multiclass you'll still need the requirements of your original class. So you'd still need 13 in Str.
Just a dip in Barb seems to be the way to go here, since you want that rage and reckless attack, but another possible way would be go 17 Barb and only 3 in fighter (i would start with 5-6 Barb then the fighter then the rest barb) which would be a barbarian with just a bit of fighter.
Well I just learned a new thing, thanks! I'll have to rethink some of my weirder character builds I've been keeping in reserve.
If you want something really on the offense side, I would go Barbarian 5 to maximize your HP, saves, movement and damage output (by choosing Zealot or Berserker), and then complement that with Champion Fighter 3, specially if you choose Half-Orc, to crit-fish like a crazy. Lots of synergies with Action Surge as well.
This is a multiclass you can never go wrong, but I rather be more Barbarian than Fighter.