Path of the Mistwood

Path of Mistwood barbarians specialize in the use of thrown weapons, and unlike many other barbarians, are adept at taking their enemies by surprise. Keep the following traits and abilities in mind when building your character:

Bonus Proficiency - You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill and one other barbarian class skill.

Mistwood Defender - While raging, you can add your Rage Damage to your thrown weapon attacks, as well as draw and throw a thrown weapon as a bonus action.

From the Mist - You can cast the misty step spell a limited number of times a day, and are able to make an attack with a thrown weapon as part of the same bonus action before or after the spell. Additionally, your vision is not hindered by either mist or fog.

Mist Dance - When you attack while raging, you can make one attack against each nearby creature. You can only do this a limited number of times a day.

War Band’s Passage - When you cast misty step, you can bring up to two willing creatures with you.

Path of Mistwood barbarian’s unique ability to add their rage bonus to thrown weapons makes them effective at both close and mid-range. Their proficiency in Stealth also means that they can fulfill a scout-like role for the party. If they are caught unaware, their From the Mist trait means that they can quickly get out of danger and return to warn the rest of the party. Their Mist Dance ability allows them to become a fearsome force in any battle, especially when they are surrounded. There are number of thrown weapons that are suitable for you to use, including a dagger, handaxe, javelin, light hammer, or spear, among others, so you should be able to find one that fits your particular playstyle and aesthetic. Their capstone feature War Band’s Passage can allow them to get allies out of danger quickly, or get them behind the enemy line to sow chaos. How you choose to use these abilities will likely depend on the make-up of the rest of your adventuring party.

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to picking your race, especially if your gamemaster allows the optional rules variant to customize racial ability modifiers. However, some races may possess certain racial features that grant them an additional edge when it comes to particular classes.

Half-orcs and dragonborn are both great options for a barbarian, with the Savage Attacks and Relentless Endurance of a half-orc offering both offensive and defensive capabilities, and the dragonborn’s breath weapon offering you a way to deal damage in a large area. Another great option from the Core Content Pack is the minotaur, whose charge attack could prove particularly effective if you were to first misty step behind the enemy frontlines and charge their more vulnerable backline. Lastly, if you want to lean into the lore of the subclass, you could go with an elf, given that they were the original followers of this path.

Mistwood Defender

Starting at 3rd level, you can use the Reckless Attack feature on ranged weapon attacks with thrown weapons, and, while you aren’t within melee range of a hostile creature that isn’t incapacitated, you can draw and throw a thrown weapon as a bonus action. In addition, when you make a ranged weapon attack with a thrown weapon using Strength while raging, you can add your Rage Damage bonus to the damage you deal with the thrown weapon.

From the Mist

Beginning at 6th level, mist and fog don’t hinder your vision. In addition, you can cast the misty step spell, and you can make one attack with a thrown weapon as part of the same bonus action immediately before or immediately after you cast the spell. You can cast this spell while raging. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Bonus Proficiency

At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Stealth skill.

If you are already proficient in Stealth, you gain proficiency in another barbarian class skill of your choice.

Mist Dance

Starting at 10th level, when you use the Attack action while raging, you can make one attack against each creature within 5 feet of you in place of one of your attacks. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

War Band's Passage

Starting at 14th level, when you use your From the Mist feature to cast misty step, you can bring up to two willing creatures within 5 feet of you along with you, as long as each creature isn’t carrying more than its carrying capacity. Attacks against you and any creatures you bring with you have disadvantage until the start of your next turn.