It's not the Brute's fault that rage damage stinks. To me the damage resistance is FAR more of a factor in choosing a barbarian than rage damage. Rage damage doesn't even factor into it honestly. When I think barbarian, I'm thinking resistance. I'm thinking unarmored defense. I'm thinking reckless attack. There are a good number of characters I have in mind that I wouldn't even consider Brute for; especially with Zealot in play.
In fact, the only character off the top of my head I'd consider Brute for, is some flavor of DWer. Otherwise, I'd rather play a Barb in nearly every instance.
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Saying "barbarians are the resistance guys, they don't need anything else" is kinda like saying "fighters are the multiattack guys, they don't need anything else". There's more to the barbarian class than its rage resistance, especially when one remembers that no, not every barbarian in the world is a Bear Totem cheesepillar. Barbarians are supposed to be the go-to class for players wanting to play a powerful, primal Strong Man whose muscles do their talking and prize power and ferocity over technique and training.
This 'Brute' stomps all over that archetype and says "HEY! Wouldn't you rather be a fighter instead, get better class features and a ton of bonus ASIs as well as doing more damage, having better AC, and being stupid good at making all those saving throws that always make barbarian players cry?"
If they want to do a 5.5e redux of the Champion, they should release 5.5e already. The Brute should not be getting better bonus Rage damage, better Danger Sense, and Wolverine Super Regen. I'd look more at the sort of things they did with Oath of Heroism instead, if they wanted to push the Champion as "the peerless master of physical training and athleticism."
There's this thing in D&D 5e called multi classing, and it allows a Barbarian to take as many levels in Brute fighter as he wants. If you think a Barbarian sucks that bad, then go 4 levels of Barbarian, and the rest Brute, and #@&* stuff up as a Greataxe wielding tank doing nova damage 3x per turn.
It's not the Brute's fault that rage damage stinks. To me the damage resistance is FAR more of a factor in choosing a barbarian than rage damage. Rage damage doesn't even factor into it honestly. When I think barbarian, I'm thinking resistance. I'm thinking unarmored defense. I'm thinking reckless attack. There are a good number of characters I have in mind that I wouldn't even consider Brute for; especially with Zealot in play.
In fact, the only character off the top of my head I'd consider Brute for, is some flavor of DWer. Otherwise, I'd rather play a Barb in nearly every instance.
Rage also gives advantage on STR checks so you can do these super heroic feats of strength during a battle. Unless the cleric is dedicating Enhance Ability on the fighter every single fight this is not really reproducible with fighter.
The "regen" thing was never a barbarian thing beyond the Zealot coming back from death easily so that doesnt step on barb as a class.
I do get that this is a better champion than champion which honestly is a good thing. Champion is hot garbage.
Good night sweet prince, may you forever live on in My Character Slots.
WTF is this?
It was recently announced that the Brute UA will be removed from dndbeyond at Wizards' request as they have no plans to ever publish it.
If you're wondering why, I'd point to the apparent consensus in this thread that "the Brute is balanced. It's just like the Champion, but better." If a UA subclass fits in the exact niche as a currently existing subclass, but is more powerful/effective, then it is by definition not balanced.
The Champion wasn't exactly balanced; it was pretty underwhelming. The Brute subclass actually brought it to the same standard as the other Fighter sub classes and filled that role of a simple and mundane, yet effective warrior.
Frankly, the latest UA 'Alternative Class Features' document is an idea of what to do with a 5.5e Champion. if you want to replace the subclass, just do it. Ideally with something that isn't "staple virtually every notable feature of an existing class wholesale into this subclass for someone else".
Frankly, the latest UA 'Alternative Class Features' document is an idea of what to do with a 5.5e Champion. if you want to replace the subclass, just do it. Ideally with something that isn't "staple virtually every notable feature of an existing class wholesale into this subclass for someone else".
Good night sweet prince, may you forever live on in My Character Slots.
WTF is this?
It was recently announced that the Brute UA will be removed from dndbeyond at Wizards' request as they have no plans to ever publish it.
If you're wondering why, I'd point to the apparent consensus in this thread that "the Brute is balanced. It's just like the Champion, but better." If a UA subclass fits in the exact niche as a currently existing subclass, but is more powerful/effective, then it is by definition not balanced.
They should get rid of the Champion, keep the Brute
Good night sweet prince, may you forever live on in My Character Slots.
WTF is this?
It was recently announced that the Brute UA will be removed from dndbeyond at Wizards' request as they have no plans to ever publish it.
If you're wondering why, I'd point to the apparent consensus in this thread that "the Brute is balanced. It's just like the Champion, but better." If a UA subclass fits in the exact niche as a currently existing subclass, but is more powerful/effective, then it is by definition not balanced.
They should get rid of the Champion, keep the Brute
I thought that was the whole reason for the creation of the Brute subclass.
I’ve homebrewed it to add this caveat to the Brute Force feature:
“the damage increase cannot be higher than one of the weapons’ damage die.” i.e. if you use a dagger, the extra damage is only a d4, if you use say a mace it’s capped at a d6, etc, etc. But I also increased the die types all by one step also .
Good night sweet prince, may you forever live on in My Character Slots.
WTF is this?
It was recently announced that the Brute UA will be removed from dndbeyond at Wizards' request as they have no plans to ever publish it.
If you're wondering why, I'd point to the apparent consensus in this thread that "the Brute is balanced. It's just like the Champion, but better." If a UA subclass fits in the exact niche as a currently existing subclass, but is more powerful/effective, then it is by definition not balanced.
Do you have a link for that please?
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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.
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.
I think I'd flavor it like the difference between a Sith Marauder and Jedi Sentinel in Swtor. They both fill the same archetype, but Marauder swings are more Brutish and designed to overwhelm your opponent, where the Sentinel movements are more fluid and aim at precision.
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It's not the Brute's fault that rage damage stinks. To me the damage resistance is FAR more of a factor in choosing a barbarian than rage damage. Rage damage doesn't even factor into it honestly. When I think barbarian, I'm thinking resistance. I'm thinking unarmored defense. I'm thinking reckless attack. There are a good number of characters I have in mind that I wouldn't even consider Brute for; especially with Zealot in play.
In fact, the only character off the top of my head I'd consider Brute for, is some flavor of DWer. Otherwise, I'd rather play a Barb in nearly every instance.
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
There's this thing in D&D 5e called multi classing, and it allows a Barbarian to take as many levels in Brute fighter as he wants. If you think a Barbarian sucks that bad, then go 4 levels of Barbarian, and the rest Brute, and #@&* stuff up as a Greataxe wielding tank doing nova damage 3x per turn.
You're welcome :)
If you want sugar coating, go buy a dessert....
100% agree.
Reckless and GWM makes barbarian a much better option for damage anyway. Especially with Zealot if you want to go pure damage. There are plenty of DPR calculators that show that Zealot barb with GWM is the top damage dealer with reckless attack. Hell even the math suggests Battle Master puts out more damage than brute.
Rage also gives advantage on STR checks so you can do these super heroic feats of strength during a battle. Unless the cleric is dedicating Enhance Ability on the fighter every single fight this is not really reproducible with fighter.
The "regen" thing was never a barbarian thing beyond the Zealot coming back from death easily so that doesnt step on barb as a class.
I do get that this is a better champion than champion which honestly is a good thing. Champion is hot garbage.
Good night sweet prince, may you forever live on in My Character Slots.
WTF is this?
If you want sugar coating, go buy a dessert....
It was recently announced that the Brute UA will be removed from dndbeyond at Wizards' request as they have no plans to ever publish it.
If you're wondering why, I'd point to the apparent consensus in this thread that "the Brute is balanced. It's just like the Champion, but better." If a UA subclass fits in the exact niche as a currently existing subclass, but is more powerful/effective, then it is by definition not balanced.
The Champion wasn't exactly balanced; it was pretty underwhelming. The Brute subclass actually brought it to the same standard as the other Fighter sub classes and filled that role of a simple and mundane, yet effective warrior.
The Brute was perfectly balanced...if one disregarded the Barbarian completely. Poor barbs.
Why you shouldn't start ANOTHER thread about DDB not giving away free redeems on your hardcopy book purchases.
Thinking of starting ANOTHER thread asking why Epic Boons haven't been implemented? Read this first to learn why you shouldn't!
I thought the Barbarians had the Zealot subclass?
Frankly, the latest UA 'Alternative Class Features' document is an idea of what to do with a 5.5e Champion. if you want to replace the subclass, just do it. Ideally with something that isn't "staple virtually every notable feature of an existing class wholesale into this subclass for someone else".
Why you shouldn't start ANOTHER thread about DDB not giving away free redeems on your hardcopy book purchases.
Thinking of starting ANOTHER thread asking why Epic Boons haven't been implemented? Read this first to learn why you shouldn't!
I agree, Battle Master maneuvers for all.
They should get rid of the Champion, keep the Brute
If you want sugar coating, go buy a dessert....
I thought that was the whole reason for the creation of the Brute subclass.
IKR
If you want sugar coating, go buy a dessert....
I’ve homebrewed it to add this caveat to the Brute Force feature:
“the damage increase cannot be higher than one of the weapons’ damage die.” i.e. if you use a dagger, the extra damage is only a d4, if you use say a mace it’s capped at a d6, etc, etc. But I also increased the die types all by one step also .
Do you have a link for that please?
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
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/news-announcements/50427-select-ua-being-archived
Many thanks
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
Not correct, sadly. "Whenever you hit with a weapon."
Work-around: Chose a race whose description says they can use their natural weapons for unarmed strikes: natural weapons are weapons.
I think I'd flavor it like the difference between a Sith Marauder and Jedi Sentinel in Swtor. They both fill the same archetype, but Marauder swings are more Brutish and designed to overwhelm your opponent, where the Sentinel movements are more fluid and aim at precision.