Barbarian Brawler

[Solo]

I am going to play a casual game of D&D, and have made a level 4 barbarian built for unarmed combat, with Endurance and Steadfast Determination. My main issue right now is deciding if I should use Rage or Ferocity. Ferocity will give me higher AC, initiative, and allow me to use Tumble, but the fact that it doesn't give bonuses to will saves bothers me a little. Rage, on the other hand, grants a +4 bonus to will saves on top of extra HP - quite a large bonus!

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards Ferocity this time; it's new and it could be quite interesting.

[Jackinthegreen]

And the extra attack from Whirling Frenzy isn't on the table because?

[Solo]

Because.

[Dawnmor]

Ok, I would go with Ferocity becaus it givesa higher AC, if you got the High AC then you dont need thehigh HP, if your a dwarf take advantage of Fist of the Forest and Deep warden goodness.  Properly buffed you will have a AC of around 100 or more

[muktidata]

Well, if he's a Dwarf:

Con:
+HP
+WILL SAVES
+FORT SAVES
+ACx2

Dex:
+INIT
+REFLEX SAVES
+ACx1

That seems pretty obvious to me. The only thing Ferocity offers at that point is immediate action which can be nice with Madfoam Rager, Intimidating Rage, etc. If you plan to take some of those, then take Ferocity to save yourself a feat. If not, then take regular old Rage.

[Jackinthegreen]

Ok, I would go with Ferocity becaus it givesa higher AC, if you got the High AC then you dont need thehigh HP, if your a dwarf take advantage of Fist of the Forest and Deep warden goodness.  Properly buffed you will have a AC of around 100 or more

An AC of 100 or more? High AC means the character can have less HP?  Uh, no.

For the second one, way too many things ignore AC but deal HP damage.  At lower levels it's less noticeable of course, but AC

For the first, how in the name of Baator is a barbarian going to get AC in the 100's, even with "proper" buffs?  What are these buffs you speak of?

As far as Rage or Ferocity, wouldn't it be +2 on will saves because of the +4 Con?  Tack on +8 HP, but -2 AC of course.  Ferocity would be +2 AC, +2 initiative, and (+2) Tumble.

Depending on what your HP, AC, and saves are will decide whether Ferocity or Rage are better for you.

[Vampireshado]

I have to say that the Deepwarden/Fist of the Forest Con synergy is awesome and if you are going for that definitely choose regular rage.

I actually played an (and I know that this is on the other side of the universe from optimal, but it was fun) Arctic Spellwarped Karsite Barbarian/Fist of the Forest/Stoneblessed/Deepwarden/Forsaker with a Vow of Poverty.

It makes for one pretty tough bugger, although he gets beaten by a simple fly spell (if beaten means not winning).

[emaNsdrawkcaB]

Make him a drunken brawler, with a few levels of Monk, and Drunken Master. Throw in Poison Healer, and grab a bottle of whiskey. More CON focusing.

[Vampireshado]

You could add Chaos Monk and then Drunken Master, but how good is that? I feel like not very, but I may be wrong.