Hello! I'm playing a Level 6 half-orc bear totem barbarian, and as I like to plan ahead, I'm anticipating the hard decision for the Level 8 ASI/feat coming up! I'm not so much focused on being "optimized" as doing my job in the party effectively: tanking and protecting. (Our party is a little bit melee-light: a ranged-focused rogue, a bladesinger wizard, a bard, a warlock, a cleric, and me.) Here are the choices I'm stuck between:
Simply taking the full +2 ASI to max out my Strength at 20
Resilient for Wisdom (I've been mind controlled against the party too many times for comfort! I can almost never make the save to avoid it)
Great Weapon Master (I've heard this one is a must, because I think the barbarian's Reckless Attack would help balance out the -5 to attacks with my greataxe? And I try to help the party by cleaving through multiple minions when at all possible, now that I have extra attack, so the bonus action attack would help with that); but sometimes I need to use my magical longsword (versatile), which I've heard doesn't work with GWM?
Or Sentinel (I'd like to stop enemies from passing me to beat up on my mage friends, but they keep slipping away with disengage and don't want to fight me, even with the advantage they have on me from Reckless Attack. I can't protect my friends if the enemy scatters!)
I've got 65 hp right now at Level 6 (I took Orcish Fury at Level 4, which boosted my Con to 18) which means essentially 130 hp while raging – so I can generally take hits just fine, which is good because my AC is only 15. I just want to be more effective at being the damage sponge so my party members stop getting KO'd because I couldn't meat shield well enough.
I'm a relatively new player, and this is my first time playing the big damage-dealer, so I'm also wondering if there's maybe good strategies out there for how to tank effectively (i.e. positioning, different types of grappling/shoving, etc.)?
Sentinel a good way of stopping enemies running away from you, you still get OA even if they disengage and if you hit they cant use there movement anymore.
If your DM is going to keep throwing mind controlling spells against you, Resilient is a strong contender. But, doesn't raging give you protection against some spell effects like charm?
You could take tavern brawler or grappler to grapple more effectively (you are grappling right?). Sentinel plus normal grappling aught to keep at least 2 enemies in place.
Sentinel a good way of stopping enemies running away from you, you still get OA even if they disengage and if you hit they cant use there movement anymore.
In addition to keeping the baddies away from your squishies, sentinel will also allow your ranged rogue to get his sneak attack bonus.
If your DM is going to keep throwing mind controlling spells against you, Resilient is a strong contender. But, doesn't raging give you protection against some spell effects like charm?
That's only for Path of the Berserker, at level 6 they can't be Charmed or Frightened while raging, and if they already are then the effect is suspended while they rage(NOT dispelled completely).
I would also suggest Sentinel for reasons stated above.
Beyond that, does your DM respond well to role play during combat? If so, try to really role play taunting your enemy into attacking you.
As for Great Weapon Master, a longsword will not get the +10 damage because it does not have the heavy property. You can still get the bonus attack with the weapon though!
Hello! I'm playing a Level 6 half-orc bear totem barbarian, and as I like to plan ahead, I'm anticipating the hard decision for the Level 8 ASI/feat coming up! I'm not so much focused on being "optimized" as doing my job in the party effectively: tanking and protecting. (Our party is a little bit melee-light: a ranged-focused rogue, a bladesinger wizard, a bard, a warlock, a cleric, and me.) Here are the choices I'm stuck between:
I've got 65 hp right now at Level 6 (I took Orcish Fury at Level 4, which boosted my Con to 18) which means essentially 130 hp while raging – so I can generally take hits just fine, which is good because my AC is only 15. I just want to be more effective at being the damage sponge so my party members stop getting KO'd because I couldn't meat shield well enough.
I'm a relatively new player, and this is my first time playing the big damage-dealer, so I'm also wondering if there's maybe good strategies out there for how to tank effectively (i.e. positioning, different types of grappling/shoving, etc.)?
Thank you very much for any advice!
Sentinel a good way of stopping enemies running away from you, you still get OA even if they disengage and if you hit they cant use there movement anymore.
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If your DM is going to keep throwing mind controlling spells against you, Resilient is a strong contender. But, doesn't raging give you protection against some spell effects like charm?
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You could take tavern brawler or grappler to grapple more effectively (you are grappling right?). Sentinel plus normal grappling aught to keep at least 2 enemies in place.
That is the berserker.
In addition to keeping the baddies away from your squishies, sentinel will also allow your ranged rogue to get his sneak attack bonus.
That's only for Path of the Berserker, at level 6 they can't be Charmed or Frightened while raging, and if they already are then the effect is suspended while they rage(NOT dispelled completely).
I would also suggest Sentinel for reasons stated above.
Beyond that, does your DM respond well to role play during combat? If so, try to really role play taunting your enemy into attacking you.
As for Great Weapon Master, a longsword will not get the +10 damage because it does not have the heavy property. You can still get the bonus attack with the weapon though!
These are all great tips and points! Thanks everyone!