Barbarian Beyond Level 2: Throwing Not Required!

So, you're playing a Barbarian, a class renowned for its raw power, brutal attacks, and unyielding rage. You've smashed your way through the early levels, reveling in the primal fury that courses through your veins. But now you're level 2, and a question gnaws at you: "What's the point of sticking with Barbarian past level 2 if I'm not building a throwing-focused character?" Fear not, fellow adventurer, for the path of the Barbarian is long and filled with glorious options beyond simply hurling axes! Let's dive deep into the Barbarian's toolkit and explore the exciting possibilities that await you as you level up.

The Allure of the Barbarian: More Than Just Throwing

First, let's address the elephant in the room. While the Thrown Weapon Master Barbarian build is undeniably effective, especially in the early game, it's just one facet of this versatile class. The Barbarian's core strength lies in their ability to deal massive damage in melee combat, soaking up hits like a sponge, and controlling the battlefield with their presence. Guys, think of it like this: throwing is a cool trick, but the real magic happens when you're standing toe-to-toe with your enemy, a maelstrom of steel and fury. The Barbarian is a master of sustained combat, a relentless force that wears down opponents through sheer grit and power. The Rage feature itself is a testament to this, granting you resistance to physical damage and a bonus to your damage rolls. This is the foundation upon which the Barbarian's power is built, and it's a foundation that continues to grow stronger as you level up. Moreover, consider the roleplaying aspect. The Barbarian is a primal warrior, a character deeply connected to their emotions and instincts. This translates into a playstyle that is both visceral and rewarding. You're not just playing a fighter; you're embodying a force of nature. The Barbarian's journey is one of self-discovery, of learning to control their rage and channel it into a weapon against their foes. This is a compelling narrative arc that extends far beyond simply throwing axes. The path of the Barbarian is a journey of personal growth, of mastering your inner demons and transforming them into your greatest strengths. So, let's put the throwing axes aside for a moment and explore the other ways in which the Barbarian can shine.

Beyond Level 2: Unlocking the Barbarian's True Potential

Level 3 is where things get really interesting for the Barbarian. This is the level where you choose your Primal Path, a subclass that defines your fighting style and unlocks a whole new set of abilities. These paths offer diverse options, catering to different playstyles and preferences. Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular Primal Paths and see how they enhance the Barbarian's core strengths.

Path of the Totem Warrior: The Unbreakable Bulwark

The Path of the Totem Warrior is the classic Barbarian subclass, focusing on durability and resilience. This path is perfect for players who want to be the party's tank, soaking up damage and protecting their allies. At 3rd level, you choose a totem animal – Bear, Eagle, Elk, Tiger, or Wolf – which grants you a specific benefit while raging. The Bear Totem is arguably the most popular choice, granting resistance to all damage except psychic while raging. This makes you incredibly difficult to kill, turning you into a true juggernaut on the battlefield. Imagine the scene, guys: you're standing in the middle of a horde of enemies, their attacks bouncing harmlessly off you as you unleash your fury upon them. That's the power of the Bear Totem. But the other totems offer unique benefits as well. The Eagle Totem enhances your mobility, allowing you to dash as a bonus action while raging. The Elk Totem increases your party's travel pace, making you a valuable asset in exploration. The Tiger Totem improves your jumping distance, allowing you to traverse difficult terrain with ease. And the Wolf Totem enhances your party's attack rolls, making you a powerful support character as well as a formidable combatant. As you level up, the Totem Warrior path continues to enhance your durability and combat prowess. At 6th level, you gain additional benefits based on your chosen totem animal. The Bear Totem, for example, grants you the ability to protect nearby allies from damage. The Eagle Totem enhances your ability to make opportunity attacks. The Elk Totem makes you more durable while traveling. The Tiger Totem grants you proficiency in additional skills. And the Wolf Totem enhances your ability to track enemies. At 10th level, you gain the ability to call upon your totem spirit to aid you in battle. This can manifest in various ways, depending on your chosen totem animal. And at 14th level, you become virtually unstoppable while raging, gaining advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. The Path of the Totem Warrior is a testament to the Barbarian's raw power and resilience. It's a path that transforms you into an unyielding force of nature, a protector of your allies, and a terror to your enemies.

Path of the Zealot: The Divine Warrior

For Barbarians who want to channel divine fury, the Path of the Zealot is an excellent choice. This path combines the Barbarian's rage with divine power, making you a fearsome warrior with a righteous cause. At 3rd level, you gain the Divine Fury feature, which adds extra radiant or necrotic damage to your first weapon attack on each of your turns while raging. This significantly boosts your damage output, making you a deadly threat to your enemies. Imagine the scene: you're charging into battle, your weapon wreathed in holy light or crackling with dark energy, delivering devastating blows to your foes. That's the power of the Zealot. But the Zealot's divine connection doesn't just enhance their attacks; it also protects them from harm. At 3rd level, you also gain the Warrior of the Gods feature, which makes it easier for your allies to resurrect you. This is a valuable benefit, especially in challenging campaigns where death is a constant threat. As you level up, the Path of the Zealot continues to enhance your divine power and combat prowess. At 6th level, you gain the Fanatical Focus feature, which allows you to reroll a failed saving throw while raging. This makes you incredibly resilient to spells and other debilitating effects, ensuring that you can stay in the fight even in the face of adversity. At 10th level, you gain the Zealous Presence feature, which allows you to grant advantage on attack rolls and saving throws to your allies within 60 feet of you. This makes you a powerful support character as well as a formidable combatant, bolstering your party's effectiveness in battle. And at 14th level, you gain the Rage Beyond Death feature, which allows you to continue fighting even after you've been reduced to 0 hit points. This is an incredibly powerful ability, allowing you to unleash a final flurry of attacks before finally succumbing to your wounds. The Path of the Zealot is a path of righteous fury, a fusion of primal rage and divine power. It's a path that transforms you into a holy warrior, a champion of your deity, and a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Path of the Berserker: The Frenzied Destroyer

If you want to unleash the full fury of your rage, the Path of the Berserker is the way to go. This path focuses on maximizing your damage output, turning you into a whirlwind of destruction on the battlefield. At 3rd level, you gain the Frenzy feature, which allows you to make a single melee weapon attack as a bonus action on each of your turns while raging. This significantly increases your damage potential, allowing you to unleash a flurry of attacks upon your foes. Imagine the scene: you're spinning through the ranks of your enemies, your weapon a blur of steel, hacking and slashing your way through the chaos. That's the power of the Berserker. But the Berserker's frenzy comes at a cost. After your rage ends, you suffer one level of exhaustion. Exhaustion is a debilitating condition that can significantly hamper your abilities, so it's important to use Frenzy wisely. However, the increased damage output is often worth the risk, especially in short, intense encounters. As you level up, the Path of the Berserker provides you with tools to mitigate the effects of exhaustion and further enhance your combat prowess. At 6th level, you gain the Mindless Rage feature, which makes you immune to being charmed or frightened while raging. This is a valuable benefit, as it protects you from some of the most debilitating conditions in the game. At 10th level, you gain the Intimidating Presence feature, which allows you to frighten enemies with a successful Wisdom saving throw. This is a useful tool for controlling the battlefield and weakening your opponents. And at 14th level, you gain the Retaliation feature, which allows you to make a melee weapon attack against an enemy that damages you while you are raging. This ensures that your enemies will think twice before attacking you, as they risk provoking a devastating counterattack. The Path of the Berserker is a path of unrestrained fury, a commitment to unleashing your full potential in battle. It's a path that transforms you into a whirlwind of destruction, a terror to your enemies, and a force to be reckoned with on any battlefield.

The Barbarian's Arsenal: More Than Just Axes

While throwing weapons can be a useful option for a Barbarian, they are by no means the only way to deal damage. The Barbarian is proficient with all martial weapons, giving you a wide range of options to choose from. Greatswords, greataxes, mauls, and other heavy weapons are all excellent choices for a Barbarian, allowing you to deal massive damage with each swing. Dual-wielding can also be an effective option, especially for Barbarians who choose the Path of the Berserker and gain access to the Frenzy feature. And don't forget about the power of grappling and shoving! The Barbarian's high Strength score makes them excellent grapplers, allowing you to control enemies and set them up for attacks from your allies. Shoving enemies off cliffs or into hazards can also be a highly effective tactic. So, guys, don't limit yourselves to just throwing axes. Explore the full range of the Barbarian's arsenal and find the weapons and tactics that best suit your playstyle.

Beyond Combat: The Barbarian's Versatility

The Barbarian is more than just a damage-dealing machine. Their high Strength and Constitution scores, combined with their proficiency in skills like Athletics, Intimidation, and Perception, make them valuable assets in a variety of situations. Need to break down a door? The Barbarian's got you covered. Need to intimidate a stubborn NPC? The Barbarian's your guy. Need to spot a hidden threat? The Barbarian's keen senses are always on alert. And don't forget about the roleplaying potential! The Barbarian's primal nature and emotional intensity can make for a compelling and memorable character. Guys, think of the possibilities: a Barbarian who is fiercely protective of their friends, a Barbarian who struggles to control their rage, a Barbarian who seeks to find inner peace through meditation. The Barbarian is a class with depth and complexity, offering a wealth of roleplaying opportunities beyond just smashing things. So, embrace the Barbarian's versatility and explore the many ways in which you can contribute to your party's success.

Conclusion: The Barbarian's Enduring Appeal

So, what's the point of sticking with Barbarian past level 2 if you're not a thrower? The answer, guys, is simple: the Barbarian is a powerhouse of raw strength, resilience, and primal fury. Their Primal Paths offer diverse options for customization, their arsenal extends far beyond throwing axes, and their versatility makes them valuable assets in a variety of situations. The Barbarian is a class with depth, complexity, and enduring appeal. So, embrace your inner warrior, unleash your rage, and embark on the glorious path of the Barbarian!