Im having a rough time with one of my players. He is a dwarf berserker barbarian, and even though he is loving the game, he is getting bored with his character.
He is the typical strategic player, he loves to have a big toolset to plan and execute his plan... but his class doesn't allow him to do that at all.
He is always like... "I'll do a reckless atrack..." (with a Boring voice for the 20th time). He also looks at his mates with jealousy (sorcerer, Druid, and even the rogue)
I was thinking about maybe giving him a magic item or companion to spice his caharcter a little, without breaking the game (and even the rules if possible). Something he can choose from as an action during combat. Should I use this? Or that? Or that other thing?
Multiclassing is another option I was thinking, but since we are all newbies I find it a bit advance for all of us.
I would say first go Totem Barb so he has some interesting effects to look forward to, then start picking up a few levels of Fighter tell he can get the Battle Master subclass, yes champion gives more crits but Battle Master has maneuvers that will allow him to act more strategically while he is attacking recklessly and raging. If he wants to try before he buys when he hits level 4 instead of taking ASI he can take the Martial Adept feat. If all else fails you can borrow the Adventures League rebuild rule and let him remake his character as long as he hasn't played a game at 5th level.
GM of The Bonus Role - We are playing a 5E game set in my homebrew world of Audra check us out Sunday's at 10 AM CST and follow us at the following social media links. https://www.twitch.tv/thebonusrole @BonusRole
Check out the Barbarian subclasses in UA/Xanathar's. They add more control-type effects to the Rage ability.
Remind the player that he can always do other actions, like shoving or grappling. Strength checks are made with advantage during rage. Feats and Battle Master levels help.
It sounds like the player is unfamiliar with the other options besides attack during combat. When I'm playing my barbarian, I love to shove and grapple (with advantage while raging). I only reckless attack if I really need the advantage.
I totally second taking martial adept or some levels of battle master.
First and foremost, ask him about his character. Why exactly is he bored with it? What does he think could be done to make him enjoy the character more?
However, deducing from the information provided he seems to really want to be spellcaster. Multiclassing into one isn't great for a barbarian (Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma are typically very low in a barbarian), and a magic item won't solve that problem to anyone's satisfaction. He may need to roll up a new character, but before doing that, both of you should talk about it, making sure that you're on the same page.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
The problem with using a magic item to add flexibility to the character is that in some cases the characters become all about said the magic item. Of course, this warning should be taken with the note that Weapons of Legacy is one of my fave sourcebooks from 3.5 and that I am working on a 5E revision of it. Really Barbarian sounds like a bad choice for this player. He seems like he would get a lot more out of a Battle Master Fighter. As for expanding the toolbox, there are a number of combat options in the DMG like pushing/shoving, disarming, and so on and so forth.
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GM of The Bonus Role - We are playing a 5E game set in my homebrew world of Audra check us out Sunday's at 10 AM CST and follow us at the following social media links. https://www.twitch.tv/thebonusrole @BonusRole
Firstly, he's low level at the moment. As he levels more options will definitely open up. At 4th level he gets Ability Score Improvement or optionally he can pick up a feat. He could pick up Magic Initiate, that'll get him 2 cantrips and 1 first level spell from one of the spell casting classes.
Or if you really want to give him a magic item, homebrew or (if one exists) give him a Ring of Prestidigitation (3 uses/day) or Minor Illusion, or Phantasmal Force
These have tons of entertainment value, can be used in an out of combat and for Role Play purposes.
He could always pick up a shield and take Shield Mastery at 4th level (instead of an ability score improvement), a few more options there, or Sentinel, or Charger feat.
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The problem with picking up magic initiate is that as a barbarian when he is raging he cant cast or concentrate on spells, which will disincentivize him to use one of the barb's main features.
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The problem with picking up magic initiate is that as a barbarian when he is raging he cant cast or concentrate on spells, which will disincentivize him to use one of the barb's main features.
Sure, but I guess he can look at it two ways. A restriction or having other choices. I get that people want to "optimize" so everything flows perfectly. But part of the fun is making the hard choice. Instead of saying, "I will rage" all the time with full confidence, sometimes he may say, "I will rage" in a timid voice :P because there goes some spell use. A good question to figure out would be does he want options all all times, or some times? Some players care very much about having options all the time (myself included). I've always played for example duel wielders because it's "optimal" when I play a fighting class. Most recently, I said, "screw it", Shield Users have gotten no love in the entire existence of D&D (overly dramatic of me to say so :P) and then made a Goblin Fighter who uses a shield and flail (non-optimal but fun in it's own way).
Also with Magic Initiate, he can strategically chose spells that he can cast before he rages if the circumstances allow. It really depends on how badly he wants to cast spells. He could if he really wants put a level into a spell-casting class as well.
Lastly, and this is less about the Barbarian but the group. If others chose to play spell casters and gave up on being tough and strong like a fighter. How will it affect your group dynamics if the Barbarian can do the same things they can + be strong and tough? Just some food for thought.
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I haven't been able to discuss this issue deeply with him just yet, but I was wondering... what do you guys thin kabout giving him a find familiar ring?
Frankly I think he may want to choose a different class. If he is a tactician, he should build a fighter, or a cleric.
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"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Unless I’m wrong, I’m pretty sure Find Familiar is a spell that totem barbarians get as a ritual at third level. Let him switch to a totem Barbarian, as it seems that right now he’s a berserker who is bored of it. If you all are new, that’s bound to happen; once you learn the game more, you realize what you like and don’t like. Since you’re still level 3, it won’t be a big deal to switch primal paths
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
I seen in Xanathars they have the Ancestral Guardian path for barbarians, Its more of a tribal chief leader or spirit warrior as I understand. aside from that maybe have some encounters that are built primarily for him...maybe have a field of anti-magic nerfing the casters and leaving him to be the star. It doesn't have to be often but everyone will love and remember the time conan the barbarian drove the feral orcs orbs of darkness into their throat.
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Hello everyone!
Im having a rough time with one of my players. He is a dwarf berserker barbarian, and even though he is loving the game, he is getting bored with his character.
He is the typical strategic player, he loves to have a big toolset to plan and execute his plan... but his class doesn't allow him to do that at all.
He is always like... "I'll do a reckless atrack..." (with a Boring voice for the 20th time). He also looks at his mates with jealousy (sorcerer, Druid, and even the rogue)
I was thinking about maybe giving him a magic item or companion to spice his caharcter a little, without breaking the game (and even the rules if possible). Something he can choose from as an action during combat. Should I use this? Or that? Or that other thing?
Multiclassing is another option I was thinking, but since we are all newbies I find it a bit advance for all of us.
Any ideas?
What level is he?
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Only 3.
He is more concern about the options he has available rather than the base power (he is totally fine with it obviously)
Has he chosen his Primal Path yet?
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
I would say first go Totem Barb so he has some interesting effects to look forward to, then start picking up a few levels of Fighter tell he can get the Battle Master subclass, yes champion gives more crits but Battle Master has maneuvers that will allow him to act more strategically while he is attacking recklessly and raging. If he wants to try before he buys when he hits level 4 instead of taking ASI he can take the Martial Adept feat. If all else fails you can borrow the Adventures League rebuild rule and let him remake his character as long as he hasn't played a game at 5th level.
*-Edited for reasons
GM of The Bonus Role - We are playing a 5E game set in my homebrew world of Audra check us out Sunday's at 10 AM CST and follow us at the following social media links.
https://www.twitch.tv/thebonusrole
@BonusRole
Check out the Barbarian subclasses in UA/Xanathar's. They add more control-type effects to the Rage ability.
Remind the player that he can always do other actions, like shoving or grappling. Strength checks are made with advantage during rage. Feats and Battle Master levels help.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
It sounds like the player is unfamiliar with the other options besides attack during combat. When I'm playing my barbarian, I love to shove and grapple (with advantage while raging). I only reckless attack if I really need the advantage.
I totally second taking martial adept or some levels of battle master.
First and foremost, ask him about his character. Why exactly is he bored with it? What does he think could be done to make him enjoy the character more?
However, deducing from the information provided he seems to really want to be spellcaster. Multiclassing into one isn't great for a barbarian (Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma are typically very low in a barbarian), and a magic item won't solve that problem to anyone's satisfaction. He may need to roll up a new character, but before doing that, both of you should talk about it, making sure that you're on the same page.
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"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Thank you very much every one! Looks like Battle Master/Martial Adept is probably the way to go.
I talked to him. As I said.. he wants a bigger toolset for strategic and optimized gameplay rather than reckless or standard attacks
I was wondering if maybe a magic item/companion/pet will allow him to to do so
The problem with using a magic item to add flexibility to the character is that in some cases the characters become all about said the magic item. Of course, this warning should be taken with the note that Weapons of Legacy is one of my fave sourcebooks from 3.5 and that I am working on a 5E revision of it. Really Barbarian sounds like a bad choice for this player. He seems like he would get a lot more out of a Battle Master Fighter. As for expanding the toolbox, there are a number of combat options in the DMG like pushing/shoving, disarming, and so on and so forth.
GM of The Bonus Role - We are playing a 5E game set in my homebrew world of Audra check us out Sunday's at 10 AM CST and follow us at the following social media links.
https://www.twitch.tv/thebonusrole
@BonusRole
Thanks a lot for the advice guys! :)
Firstly, he's low level at the moment. As he levels more options will definitely open up. At 4th level he gets Ability Score Improvement or optionally he can pick up a feat. He could pick up Magic Initiate, that'll get him 2 cantrips and 1 first level spell from one of the spell casting classes.
Or if you really want to give him a magic item, homebrew or (if one exists) give him a Ring of Prestidigitation (3 uses/day) or Minor Illusion, or Phantasmal Force
These have tons of entertainment value, can be used in an out of combat and for Role Play purposes.
He could always pick up a shield and take Shield Mastery at 4th level (instead of an ability score improvement), a few more options there, or Sentinel, or Charger feat.
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The problem with picking up magic initiate is that as a barbarian when he is raging he cant cast or concentrate on spells, which will disincentivize him to use one of the barb's main features.
GM of The Bonus Role - We are playing a 5E game set in my homebrew world of Audra check us out Sunday's at 10 AM CST and follow us at the following social media links.
https://www.twitch.tv/thebonusrole
@BonusRole
Want to see Virtual Table Top like no other before it built within DnDBeyond.com? Upvote the feature request. It's 2nd highest voted so far:
https://dndbeyond.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115008597088-Virtual-Tabletop-Gameboard
NOTE: You will need to setup a zendesk account (which is not your DnDBeyond.com account, the team uses this 3rd party software). It's easy to do and your votes are needed!
I haven't been able to discuss this issue deeply with him just yet, but I was wondering... what do you guys thin kabout giving him a find familiar ring?
Frankly I think he may want to choose a different class. If he is a tactician, he should build a fighter, or a cleric.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Unless I’m wrong, I’m pretty sure Find Familiar is a spell that totem barbarians get as a ritual at third level. Let him switch to a totem Barbarian, as it seems that right now he’s a berserker who is bored of it. If you all are new, that’s bound to happen; once you learn the game more, you realize what you like and don’t like. Since you’re still level 3, it won’t be a big deal to switch primal paths
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
I seen in Xanathars they have the Ancestral Guardian path for barbarians, Its more of a tribal chief leader or spirit warrior as I understand. aside from that maybe have some encounters that are built primarily for him...maybe have a field of anti-magic nerfing the casters and leaving him to be the star. It doesn't have to be often but everyone will love and remember the time conan the barbarian drove the feral orcs orbs of darkness into their throat.
Ring of Find Familiar is great. However, I think it may be worth him multi-classing to druid. Barb/Druids can be quite powerful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi9xZR59W9E&t=105s
Want to see Virtual Table Top like no other before it built within DnDBeyond.com? Upvote the feature request. It's 2nd highest voted so far:
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NOTE: You will need to setup a zendesk account (which is not your DnDBeyond.com account, the team uses this 3rd party software). It's easy to do and your votes are needed!