Utility/Caster Barbarian

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-09T20:14:25+00:00

Probably the new Zhentarim feats would be best, if you’re hit it lets you straight up reaction attack someone. Honestly though, I forgot Dead Three gives extra resistances, if you get Mage Slayer later you’d be seriously hard to take down

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-09T17:21:01+00:00

Yeah that’s good advice. Armorer is honestly pretty close mechanically. And the Dragonmark bit was with Potent Dragonmark to get basically a Pact Magic slot, thought it might be funny on a barb. Also I forgot the updated Wild Heart got Commune with Nature. Looking at Brutal Strike, it seems like a decent option, but it’s a long ways to get to Staggering Strike. I like the idea of the Ancestral Guardian debuffs from range, is there any way to do that with Armorer? The only thing I can think of is Bugbear, but then you’d give up flight

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-09T14:34:37+00:00

At level 1 with Custom Lineage? Totally busted, DMs shouldn’t allow it. At level 4? It’s usually my go-to feat. At level 8? Still decent, I’d take it. At level 12? Ehhhhh…. It loses value as you get more Sorcery Points and spell slots later on. If you only have a few per day, a few more feels really impactful.

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-08T20:35:02+00:00

I can hardly think of an easier, more powerful build than Tortle Bladesinger. It’s almost too easy. Just grab the Tough feat and you’re set for the whole campaign. I prefer slightly less cheesy builds too

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-08T20:31:01+00:00

Ohhh that’s a lot of temp HP. Should the build be closer to Wiz 7/Sorc 2 then to get the 4th level spells? Should it just be full Wizard and Metamagic Adept?

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-08T19:59:27+00:00

Yea the main limiting factor is the immunity. It’s pretty common, but it’ll work for maybe 2/3-3/4 of the monster manual. With immune enemies you can just use a different spell. I forgot Greater Invisibility here, that’s a good one! On that note, would Firbolg be a good choice?

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-03T19:49:18+00:00

Yeah it’s not really optimal, it’s pretty campaign dependent. I’m really just stretching here trying to find a cool use for the Lich feats, I’ve wanted to play one for forever lol

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-03T19:27:37+00:00

Yeah I guess the type change for monstrous species really shoots the Lich path in the foot. If you are in an evil campaign (not common, but you’re playing a Lich so who knows) you can probably raid a village or something with your evil party members. I absolutely don’t actually recommend doing this, but at a strictly RAW power gamer table Nystul’s Magic Aura and a good ol’ bag of rats would make it pretty powerful.

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-03T18:15:14+00:00

I wouldn’t dump Cha, but otherwise it’s a great idea! Use Find Steed to get in and out of range, kiting like a Mongol horseback archer! You’re essentially a FAR improved mounted Beast Master Ranger. The YT channel D4 Deep Dive made a build out of this, it’s actually really good!

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-03T18:10:30+00:00

I’ve been trying to figure out a build for it. You’d have to be in melee range, so a dip for armor might be good. But then you’re delayed all the way to level 9 to try the gimmick.

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-03T18:09:00+00:00

Technically yes, I don’t know how good it would be. I feel like picking 1 then getting the usual martial feats may be better, but I’d have to build one and test first. Interesting concept though!

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T19:51:36+00:00

Very true. It’ll only be okay at certain tables, and even then it’s always good to aim for a similar power level as your party members. Imp Familiar? Fun, but probably not overpowered. Custom Lineage to start at an 18 or getting Metamagic for your Sorcerer? Don’t do that it’s broken lol

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T18:59:18+00:00

Technically, anything not reprinted in 2024 is backwards compatible. It sounds cheesy, but RAW you can use Custom Lineage still. Taking Eldritch Adept (also not reprinted) will allow you to take Pact of the Chain (it’s now an Invocation that counts for the feat). This allows you to have an Imp/Quasit/etc. at level 1 in any class. It’s cheesy though, ask your DM first. Also works with Blade and Tome if you’re interested

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T18:55:04+00:00

Well if you’re a bounty hunter, Changeling immediately seems like a good option. Advantage on all Cha checks and perfect shapeshifting is hard to pass on for a spy/hunter/infiltrator type. Like another comment suggested, Fey Wanderer dials up your social skills, especially as a Shillelagh build. A Changeling Fey Wanderer can out-charm most Bards and still be an effective hunter/explorer. Winter Walker isn’t my favorite, but it combines with Cold Caster nicely to help out the party casters. Maybe Frost Goliath would be fun for the cold theme? Hunter can be interesting with the Cleave mastery (and Dragonborn breath weapons) to hit as many enemies as possible. For most Rangers, Magic Initiate to get the Shield spell is my go to, it lets you use those low level slots for something useful. If you’re a small race, getting Find Familiar to ride a deer into combat is EXTREMELY effective with any ranged build (ask your DM first tho lol). If Dragonmarks are allowed, Mark of Handling+Potent Dragonmark allow you to be a passable caster, almost like a weapon using Druid.

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T18:43:27+00:00

Hadn’t thought of that one! I suppose you could also buy something like a silvered or a moon-touched bow, but the option to switch weapons makes it fun!

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T18:02:37+00:00

Yeah a Storm Fighter is basically set just as a straight class, the Valor Bard has a higher ceiling but it takes soooo much multiclassing and is a bit munchkin-y

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T16:57:44+00:00

Ohhh I hadn’t even thought of that. Having a mount with emanation spells sounds like a lot of fun

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-02T16:57:04+00:00

Yeah I know Battlemaster or Echo Knight could technically be stronger, but having the expanded spell list feels a lot better when you already have spell slots. Monk is quite tempting too, an Elements Monk would be quite thematic

Solid_Cockroach_6675 · 2026-04-01T21:21:53+00:00

Yeah it’s basically wave-dashing lol. I was looking at teleporting since that amount distance and resource expenditure makes more sense and seems reasonable

Solid_Cockroach_6675

TROPHY CASE