Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Barbarian build, features, and feats

Unleash your primal fury in Baldur’s Gate 3 with the ultimate Barbarian build! Whether you choose the relentless Berserker or the feral Wildheart, mastering your character’s strengths and abilities is key to dominating the battlefield. This guide delves into the best strategies, race selections, and gear to transform your Barbarian into a devastating force. Prepare to charge headfirst into combat, wielding your two-handed greatsword with unmatched power and resilience—your enemies won’t know what hit them!

To learn more about the class itself and how to get the best results from choices in the character creation wizard, visit Barbarian – Guide page. We recommend getting acquainted with this page if this is your first contact with the class or the D&D system.

Character creation wizard

Character creation in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a crucial step that sets the foundation for your gameplay experience, especially when building a Barbarian. To maximize your effectiveness in combat, focus on selecting a race that enhances your Strength and Constitution, such as Half-Orc or Goliath. Choosing the right background, like Outlander or Soldier, grants you valuable skills that complement the Barbarian’s combat style. Prioritize abilities that boost your melee capabilities and survivability, ensuring you can unleash devastating attacks while enduring enemy hits. Additionally, consider how your character’s personality and backstory can enrich interactions within the game, making each encounter more immersive and engaging.

The best race for a Barbarian is Half-Orc. This is due to his racial traits and proficiencies. One of them, Savage Attacks, changes a standard attack to crit if rolled 19-20, while the second, Relentless Endurance, allows you to survive a killing blow – your hero will live through with 1 HP, and this may come into effect once per long rest.

Alternative race choices are Wood Elf, who receives a bonus to movement speed, Gold Dwarf who has a bonus to HP, or Githyanki who has an advantage during ability checks.

When it comes to background, the best choice for a Barbarian would be Soldier, following his Athletics and Intimidation proficiency, or an Outlander that has bonuses to Athletics and Survival.

Class progression

Class progression in Baldur’s Gate 3 for the Barbarian class focuses on enhancing the character’s combat effectiveness and survivability through strategic choices in abilities and feats. As players advance, they can select from various subclasses, such as the Berserker or the Wildheart, each offering unique skills that cater to different playstyles. Key features include increased rage damage, improved weapon proficiencies, and access to powerful class-specific abilities that can turn the tide of battle. Additionally, careful selection of attributes and skills during level-ups can significantly impact the Barbarian’s role in a party, allowing for a more tailored approach to both offense and defense in gameplay.

1. At level 1, your hero receives the ability to induce Rage. This is a unique skill on which Barbarian bases his damage-dealing capabilities, as well as his survival on the battlefield. When cast, it lasts for 10 turns, is activated in the Bonus Action, and increases damage dealt with melee weapons by 2 points. Rage also reduces physical damage received and offers an Advantage on Strength Checks and Strength Saving Throws.

1. The second level comes with another ability that is used often – Reckless Attack is a type of attack that gives an Advantage for your next attack in the next turn but in return, all attacks that are targeted on the Barbarian also have an Advantage. The second received spell on this level is Danger Sense, which when activated gives an Advantageon Dexterity Saving Throws against traps, spells, and surfaces.
2. Level 3 results in Additional Rage Charge and allows choosing a subclass. From all available, we recommend choosing Berserker if you want to build a damage-dealing character. With the Berserker chosen, Rage changes to Frenzy, and two unique actions are unlocked – first of them, Frenzied Strike, is simply an attack, but performed during a Bonus Action. The second, Enraged Throw, allows throwing items and objects at enemies and this way knock them down.
3. On level 4, its time to choose a Feat – we recommend choosing 2 to Strength. This is the most beneficial bonus on this stage of the character.
4. With level 5, your Proficiency bonus is increased to 3, an Extra Attack is added and Fast Movement (increased movement speed) is unlocked.
5. At level 6, you receive Additional Rage Charge, and Mindless Rage which makes you immune to Charmed, Frightened, or Calm Emotions.
6. Level 7 means Feral Instinct unlocked – you gain a 3 to Initiative and can’t be Surprised.
7. At level 8, you receive another Feat – at this stage, we recommend choosing Great Weapon Fighter which changes -5 Attack Roll penalty to 10 to damage.
8. At level 9, your proficiency bonus is increased to 4. Additionally, your critical hitsdeal extra damage.
9. Level 10 means Intimidating Presence unlocked, which means you can try to instill Fear in an enemy during your action. Unfortunately, this is an action that you’ll use sporadically.
10. Level 11 means Relentless Rage unlocked – if you receive a blow that is supposed to kill you, instead of losing consciousness, you return with 1HP – this bonus can be activated once per short rest.
11. Final level 12 allows choosing another Feat – you can decide on Ability Improvements or Savage Attacker, that increases your overall damage.

Ilithild Powers

The Ilithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a set of unique abilities that players can unlock by consuming Mind Flayer tadpoles, which infuse characters with psychic powers. These abilities allow for a range of strategic options, enhancing combat effectiveness and providing new ways to manipulate the battlefield. Players can access various Illithid Powers, such as Favorable Beginnings, which improves the chances of successful attacks, and Fly, enabling characters to reposition themselves freely during encounters. As players progress through the game, particularly into Act 3, they can unlock higher-tier Illithid Powers that further expand their capabilities, making these abilities integral to both combat and narrative interactions within the game.

Don’t be afraid to unlock and use these skills – focus especially on Cull the Weak, Repulsor and Black Hole. Unleashing the full power of Ilithild Powers doesn’t affect the character negatively, so leave every tadpole for yourself.

Party members – their skills and spells

In Baldur’s Gate 3, party members play a crucial role in enhancing the group’s effectiveness through their unique skills and spells. Each character brings specific abilities that complement one another, creating a well-rounded team. For instance, Barbarians, like Karlach, excel in melee combat and possess high Athletics skills, allowing them to perform powerful actions such as shoving enemies or resisting being shoved. Meanwhile, spellcasters like Gale can provide area damage and crowd control through spells like Fireball and Counterspell, while Shadowheart offers healing and support with divine spells. This diversity in skills not only covers various combat scenarios but also ensures that the party can tackle different challenges, from stealthy approaches to direct confrontations, making strategic planning essential for success in the game.

As a Barbarian, you’re susceptible to magic damage, so make sure to bring companions that will address these shortcomings. Additionally, make sure to have a Rogue or Bard in the team, because of their Sleight of Hand skill and unique spells in case of the Bard.

If you want to maximize your potential, add a Cleric or a Mage to the party with Haste unlocked.

Equipment and bonuses from it

In Baldur’s Gate 3, equipping the right gear is crucial for maximizing a Barbarian’s effectiveness in combat. Bonespike Garb stands out as the top choice, offering significant damage reduction and temporary hit points during Rage, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities. Other notable items include Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength, which boost Strength to +23, and Bloodguzzler Garb, which grants Wrath when health is low, providing additional damage potential. Additionally, weapons like the Everburn Blade and Nyrulna trident are excellent for dealing high damage while maintaining mobility. Combining these pieces of equipment with the Barbarian’s Rage ability allows players to unleash devastating attacks while remaining resilient on the battlefield.

As a Barbarian, you have a unique option of leaving the prologue already well-equipped. If you have Lae’zel in your party, take her armor. This is a good temporary armor, even with your Armor Class bonuses. Also, at the end of the prologue, if you kill the devil with whom the Ilithid is fighting, after searching him you’ll find an exceptional two-handed sword that deals 1d4 fire damage.

Moreover, in Act 1, you’ll find Reason’s Grasp – gloves that provides a temporary 15 HP bonus if you end Rage manually – this is a valuable item when it comes to defense.

Additionally, in Act 1 you can receive 1 bonus to chosen attribute if you let Auntie Ethel go after fighting her – use this option so you’ll have a 5 to Strength on level 4.

In Act 3, make sure to find Helm of Balduran. It offers exceptional bonuses to defense, which will make your Barbarian much harder to kill.

Furthermore, consider choosing Balduran’s Giantslayer weapon for your Barbarian – this powerful two-handed sword doubles the damage from your Strength modifier and gives an Advantage on Attack Rolls against Large, Huge, or Gargantuan creatures.

Consumables

Consumables play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of the Barbarian class in Baldur’s Gate 3. Utilizing various consumables can significantly boost your combat capabilities, particularly during intense encounters. Key consumables include health potions, which are essential for sustaining your character during battles, and buffs that enhance attributes like Strength or Constitution. Additionally, items that provide temporary resistance to damage types can be invaluable, especially when facing foes with elemental attacks. Players should also consider using consumables that restore rage charges or grant additional action options, allowing for more aggressive playstyles and maximizing damage output. By strategically managing your inventory of consumables, you can ensure that your Barbarian remains a formidable force on the battlefield.

Below you will find a list of consumables that will make your Barbarian even stronger.

1. Oil of Accuracy – provides 2 to Attack Rolls.
2. Elixir of Heroism – gives additional 10HP temporarily and applies “Blessed” status.
3. Potion of Flying – additional mobility is something that is always needed.
4. Potion of Hill Giant Strength – perfect if you don’t have 20 Strength yet.
5. Elixir of Vigilance – provides 5 to Initiative, make sure to drink it before tougher battles.

What are the key differences between the Half-Orc and Duergar Dwarf for a Barbarian build

When choosing between a Half-Orc and a Duergar Dwarf for a Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3, several key differences emerge that can significantly impact gameplay.

Half-Orc Advantages

• Relentless Endurance: This ability allows a Half-Orc to drop to 1 HP instead of 0 once per long rest, providing crucial survivability in tough battles.
• Savage Attacks: Half-Orcs deal extra damage on critical hits, tripling the damage dice instead of doubling them, which enhances their offensive capabilities significantly.
• Menacing: They gain proficiency in Intimidation, which can be advantageous in social interactions and encounters.
• Darkvision: This allows them to see in dim light and darkness, aiding exploration and combat in low-light conditions.

Duergar Dwarf Advantages

• Duergar Resilience: This grants advantage on saving throws against being poisoned and resistance to poison damage, enhancing their defensive capabilities.
• Enlarge Spell: Duergar Barbarians can cast Enlarge without concentration, increasing their weapon damage while raging, making them formidable in melee combat.
• Invisibility Spell: The ability to turn invisible can provide strategic advantages, allowing for stealthy approaches or escapes when needed.
• Superior Darkvision: Duergar have enhanced darkvision, allowing them to see even further in darkness compared to standard darkvision.

Comparison Summary

In summary, the Half-Orc excels in raw damage output and survivability through its racial abilities, making it a strong choice for aggressive playstyles. In contrast, the Duergar Dwarf offers unique tactical advantages with spells like Enlarge and Invisibility, making them versatile in both combat and strategic scenarios. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer a straightforward powerhouse (Half-Orc) or a more versatile character with tactical options (Duergar Dwarf).

Which racial features of the Half-Orc are most beneficial for a Barbarian

The Half-Orc race offers several racial features that are particularly beneficial for a Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Here are the key advantages:

Key Racial Features of Half-Orc for Barbarian Builds

1. Relentless Endurance:
   • This feature allows a Half-Orc to drop to 1 HP instead of 0 once per long rest. This can be crucial in keeping a Barbarian in the fight longer, especially when they are often at the forefront of battle, absorbing damage.
2. Savage Attacks:
   • When a Half-Orc scores a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, they can roll additional damage dice, tripling the damage instead of doubling it. This feature synergizes well with the Barbarian’s ability to make multiple attacks and utilize Reckless Attack, increasing the likelihood of landing critical hits.
3. Darkvision:
   • Half-Orcs can see in dim light and darkness up to 60 feet, which is advantageous for exploring dark environments like caves or during nighttime combat scenarios.
4. Intimidation Proficiency:
   • The racial proficiency in Intimidation can be useful for social interactions, allowing the Barbarian to exert influence or control over situations outside of combat.
5. Ability Score Increases:
   • Half-Orcs receive a +2 bonus to Strength and a +1 bonus to Constitution, both of which are primary attributes for Barbarians. This enhances their melee damage output and overall durability.

Synergy with Barbarian Class Features

The combination of these racial traits makes Half-Orcs particularly effective as Barbarians:

• The Relentless Endurance feature complements the Barbarian’s natural resilience and ability to enter Rage, allowing them to withstand significant damage.
• The Savage Attacks feature capitalizes on the Barbarian’s high attack frequency and critical hit potential, maximizing damage output.
• Darkvision aids in tactical positioning during combat, especially in low-light environments.

Overall, these features create a robust foundation for a powerful and survivable Barbarian character, making the Half-Orc an excellent choice for players looking to maximize their effectiveness in melee combat.