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If you are looking to build a heavy-hitting combatant that can take damage without backing down, then one class you should pick inBaldur’s Gate 3is the barbarian. Much of the abilities that barbarians possess have to do with dealing as much damage as possible in the shortest time.
Barbarians can further specialize into subclasses, and one of these subclasses is the berserker. The berserker uses their Rage to gain more abilities that will allow them to deal more damage, avoid distracting conditions, and intimidate foes. This is the perfect choice if you’re looking for someone to charge onto the battlefield without having to think.
Berserker Subclass Features Overview
At different levels, the berserker gainsnew abilitiesthat make them becomemore powerful when they Rage.
Heavy armor will impede your Rage, and you won’t gain any extra damage,resistance to physical damage, oradvantage on Strength checks and saving throws.
A great way to use a berserker is tosend them as your main attackerand have them dealas much damage as possiblein their every turn. They’re great againstenemies that affect emotions, and there are a lot of enemies that can do so throughout your journey.
You should also capitalize on the berserker’senraged throwbecause of the powerful effect it has toknock your enemies prone.
That being said, you should ensure you’re keeping your barbarian on its feet by having asupport unit healing and buffing themif needed. They’ll need tofocus on attackingto keep their Rage going.
Features
3
Frenzy: Your Rage turns into aFrenzy! You gainresistance to physical damage and advantage on Strength checks and saving throws. You can also make animprovised melee weaponas abonus action.
Rage will end earlyif you don’t attack an enemy or take damage each turn. You alsocannot cast or concentrate on spellswhile raging.
6
Mindless Rage: Your Rage becomes all-consuming, repelling outside influence. While frenzied,you can’t be charmed or frightened, andCalm Emotionsno longer ends your Rage.
9
Frenzy’s bonus damage to attacksincreases to +3.
10
Intimidating Presence: Menace an enemy and instill a terriblefearwithin them. you’re able to useMaintain Intimidating Presenceto prolong the target’s fear.
Best Race For A Berserker Barbarian
When it comes to picking a race for a berserker barbarian, you can pick a race that capitalizes on its cranked-upmelee damage. Races that offertanking potential, like ahalf-orc, would make a good pick. You can also opt for a race that can addspecial features to their melee damage, like theZariel tiefling.
Half-Orc
Darkvision:See in the darkup to 12m.
Savage Attacks: When you land a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, youdeal an extra dice of weapon damage.
Relentless Endurance: If you reach 0 hit points,you regain one hit pointinstead of becoming downed.
Best Starting Ability Scores For A Berserker Barbarian
The abilities you’ll need to prioritize for berserker barbarians areStrength, Dexterity, and Constitution. A high score in Strength will ensure moresuccess in attack rolls and better damage with melee weapons. Constitution is essential for them to remain standing on the battlefield because this affects theirmaximum hit points. Dexterity is also important forincreased armor class and higher initiative.
at least 16
at least 14
Best Background For A Berserker Barbarian: Soldier
You should decide on a background that will fit your playing style. Depending on your background, your choices in different interactions and encounters may grant you inspiration, allowing you toreroll when you roll a failure. Asoldierwill fit your berserker barbarian best because soldiers can gain inspiration fromachievements on the battlefield.
Soldier also improves yourathletics and intimidation. Athletics is astrength-basedskill that willimprove your ability to shove and resist being shoved. Intimidation is acharisma-basedskill that you can use tobend others to your willin interactions.
The best background for you is more dependent on what type of character you’ll be roleplaying. Inspiration maysave your party from certain deathat times, and gaining inspiration will more likely come fromthe decisions you will make outside of battle.
Recommended Level-By-Level Build For A Berserker Barbarian
When leveling up a berserker barbarian, you’ll only need to decide on whatfeatsto give them. You should be focusing on feats that willincrease the damage they dealand feats that willenable them to keep fighting with more hit points.
4
Feat:ability improvement
8
Feat:great weapon master
For Great Weapon Master: All In, consider onlyusing this passive when using your bonus action. This way, you don’t end up missing a turn to attack should you roll a failure.
12
Best Equipment For A Berserker Barbarian
A lot of equipment you may find throughout your journey is made to fit a barbarian’s tendency toRage. You’ll want gear that rewards your Rage or grants youWrath, a condition that grants you+1 damage using melee weaponsper condition turn remaining for amaximum of seven turns.
A lot of equipment tailored to fit a berserker barbarian will have you equippingclothes instead of armor. That said, you’ll need toget points in your armor class from other sourcesandhigher Constitution.
Clothing:Bloodguzzler Garb
10 armour class + Dexterity modifier
Grevious Retribution: When an enemy damages the wearer, the wearer gains Wrath for 2 turns.
Act 1: This can be looted from the Bulette in the Underdark.
Optional Clothing:Enraging Heart Garb
10 armor class + Dexterity modifier
Ruintamer Heart: While raging, the wearer generates 2 turns of Wrath.
+2 to Constitution (up to a maximum of 20).
Act 2: This can be purchased from Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers.
+1 armor class
+1 saving throw
Act 2: This can be purchased from Quartermaster Talli in Last Light Inn.
Headgear:Haste Helm
Smooth Start: Gain momentum for 3 turns.
Act 1: This can be looted from a chest in the Blighted Village.
Gloves:Bracers of Defence
Become the Bulwark: You gain a +2 bonus to armor class as long as you are not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Act 1: This can be looted from a chest in the Apothecary’s Cellar in the Blighted Village.
Footwear:Linebreaker Boots
Adrenaline Rush: When the wearer dashes or takes similar action during combat, they gain Wrath for 2 turns.
Act 1: This can be looted from Beastmaster Zurk’s body in the Worg Pens located in the Shattered Sanctum.
Amulet:Periapt of Wound Closure
Wound Closure: When downed, automatically stabilize at the start of the turn.
Potent Healing: Maximise the number of hit points restored.
Act 1: This can be purchased from Lady Esther at the Rosymorn Monastery Trail.
Ring:Crusher’s Ring
Movement speed increased by 3m/10ft.
Act 1: This can be looted from Crusher’s body or stolen from him using sleight of hand during your encounter with him.
Ring:Bracing Band
Personal Space: After shoving an enemy, the wearer gains a +1 to their armor class until their next turn.
Act 1: This can be received from Thrinn as a reward for returning her boots at the Grymforge.
2d6 (2~12) + Strength modifier (slashing damage)
Deal an extra 1d4 (1~4) fire damage
Act 1: This can be looted from or dropped by Commander Zhalk in the Nautiloid.
Optional Melee Weapon:Jorgoral’s Greatsword
2d6 + 1 (3~13) + Strength modifier (slashing damage)
Colossal Onslaught: Channel your mettlesome strength and strike all creatures in a line, dealing bonus slashing damage equal to your proficiency bonus.
Act 1: This can be looted or purchased from Corsair Greymon at Grymforge.
Ranged Weapon:Titanstring Bow
1d8 + 1 (2~9) + Dexterity modifier (piercing damage)
Titan Weapon: This weapon deals additional damage equal to your Strength modifier.
Pushing Attack: Pushes your target back by 4.5m/15ft
Act 1: This can be purchased from Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout.
Location (All in Act 3)
Clothing: Bonespike Garb
Slabjaw Determination: You gain 15 temporary hit points whenever you Rage.
Exoskeletal Endurance: Reduce all incoming damage by 2. When the wearer is struck by a melee attack, the attacker takes piercing damage equal to the wearer’s Constitution modifier.
This can be purchased from Exxvikyap in Rivington General.
Headgear: Bonespike Helmet
Fury In The Marrow: When you Rage, hostile creatures in a 3m/10ft radius must succeed a Wisdom saving throw or take 2d4 psychic damage. The targets receive half damage on a save.
+2 to Intimidation.
Menacing Attack: Usable once per turn. This ability does not consume superiority dice.
This can be purchased from Voiceless Penitent Bareki in the Undercity Ruins located in the Lower City Sewers of Baldur’s Gate.
Gloves: Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength
Set the wearer’s Strength score to 23. The enchantment has no effect if their Strength score is higher without it.
+1 to Strength saving throws.
This can be looted from a pedestal in the Archive Room in the House of Hope.
Footwear: Helldusk Boots
Steadfast: You cannot be forcibly moved by a foe’s spells or actions, and you ignore the effects of difficult terrain.
Infernal Evasion: When you fail a saving throw, you may use your reaction to succeed instead.
Hellcrawler: Teleport to an area and deal 2d8 fire damage where you land. The impact blast spreads in a 3m/10ft zone.
This can be looted from a chest on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.
Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health
Set the wearer’s Constitution score to 23. The enchantment has no effect if their Constitution score is higher without it.
Advantage on Constitution saving throws.
Ring: Ring of Regeneration
Combat Regeneration: at the beginning of your turn, the ring activates and heals you for 1d4 hit points.
This can be purchased from the Sorcerous Sundries if Lorroakan is alive. If Lorroakan is dead, but Rolan is still alive, it can be looted from Rolan in Ramazith’s Tower using sleight of hand.
Ring: Killer’s Sweetheart
Executioner: When you kill a creature, your next attack roll will be a critical hit. Refreshes after a long rest.
This can be picked up from the ground of the Self-Same Trial at the Gauntlet of Shar. The exact spot is where your player’s copy died.
Melee Weapon:Balduran’s Giantslayer
2d6 + 3 (5~15) + Strength modifier (slashing damage)
Giantslayer: On a hit, double the damage from your Strength modifier. This weapon grants you advantage on attack rolls against large, huge, or gargantuan creatures.
Giant Form: Grow to a fearsome size. Your weapons deal an additional 1d6 damage, and you gain 27 temporary hit points and advantage on Strength checks and saving throws.
This can be looted from Ansur’s body in The Dragon’s Sanctum.
