Barbarian: How to RP Classes in 5e Dungeons & Dragons - Web DM

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[@rowanash5378]

Web DM I was talking with my sister about this video as I was watching it, and when you started talking about how a barbarian could rage via a substance, I made the joke to her of, "Oh fuck, he's pulling out the special flask, he's gonna kill us all!" Her response was (& I think this would make a great character) "So their just Popeye." So I think that would be cool, to have a low Int, high Wis, Berzerker (or sea storm herald), with the sailor background.

[@Thaxsar]

Popeye is rather intelligent though. He tries to handle the situations with smarts and wit but when that doesn't work he gets out his can and deals with it through brute strength.

[@rowanash5378]

Thaxsar Maybe dump Charisma, then.

[@cyttorak102]

the spirit was Sir Stewart, and the ectomancer was Morty. 😁

[@kennethfender3518]

Another way to go with the ancestral guardian is Avatar style, they're all your past lives.

[@brianb.2357]

"I have an intelligence of 6; I know what I'm doing."

[@DannyS177]

Brian B. Haha, Grog is the best.

[@jhinpotion9230]

I would like to RAGE!

[@lothoscarpathia6196]

bidet fellow critters

[@robpaul7544]

Beep beep

[@the_rose_garden01]

I didn't say "I think my problems through." I said "I rage and beat him to death."

[@laurelhill3505]

Barbarian with the Sailor background. He rages when he opens his Spinach Totem and eats the contents magically found within...

[@nightmoose]

His warcry: "I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam!!!!"

[@leafwind07]

Hell yeah!!!

[@AGrumpyPanda]

If you want to play a barbarian straight, it's worth considering that the word 'barbarian' originally basically just mean "someone who doesn't follow Greek/Roman societal norms." That taken into account, ask yourself WHY your character doesn't follow society's norms. Does your dwarven barbarian believe that slavish obedience to tradition is holding them back from being rid of the goblin threat forever? Does your elven barbarian reject the notion of distant observation, believing that they should use their power to direct the river's course rather than flow with it? Having an answer to that question, whatever it is, goes miles to differentiating your character from a 'standard' barbarian, even if everything else is the same.

[@jhinpotion9230]

A party member in my campaign plays a firbolg barbarian who fits this very well. Firbolgs are usually sorta gentle nature-loving magical folk, whereas she's shifty, hates mages to an irrational level (there is a reason for that mind you) and generally just is very non-traditional for a firbolg. She goes against the grain in a very obvious manner.

[@zeterzero4356]

Both these comments helped me put some things in perspective. Thanks guys!

[@kendrabell5217]

Lol I’m making a Shifter (Beasthide) Path of the Beast Barbarian who goes by Chimera. And she’s and Athlete/gladiator type. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@Clem68W]

As well, I'd add that literary Conan was more of a thief than a barbarian, comic book Conan was more of a martial expert than a raging hulk. Cinematic Conan was a superheroic 'noble savage' who 'had a code'. Historical 'rage' was 3 parts fiction, 1 part drugs and alcohol. I view 'barbarism' as a socio-economic relationship normally, but within D&D I completely agree that you are a person who doesn't fit. My last barbarian was in fact a dwarven barbarian who began life as a miner, but when his clan failed to defend his family from rampagin orcs, flew into rages (plural) at the relative impotence he felt. In an attempt to calm his anger and forget he drank and drank and drank until it was an untenable addiction. He was shunned by his clan, 'lost his job' so to speak and fell down and out, which in most Dwarven cultures just isn't a thing you do. Nobody at my table really understood that I was making a literal murderhobo. He never called himself a barbarian, but that was his class whether he liked it or not. TL;DR -- I would only add that nobody who IS a barbarian is going to necessarily think of themself as a barbarian.

[@cinammonstyx7622]

Personally, I really want to run a Fear Barbarian. He doesn't enter into a battle frenzy, he's just really confused and panicked.

[@johnsonwhitman1687]

Aaaand I have my next character

[@MisterSmith00]

Had a Bladesinger Wizard like that... He was a janitor in a Wizard Academy...they required that all staff needed at least a basic understanding of magic. He would mop and sweep...then one day, he overhears a cabal of wizards plotting something sinister; so he swipes a spellbook and runs like hell. Now he lives in fear of them tracking him down. His "Bladesong" was just a quarterstaff he fashioned from a mop handle; and he'd run screaming while waving it around.

[@esbeng.s.a9761]

Mabye he rage to hide his fear, that he is aggressive and loudy to because he doesnt want people to know that he is scared

[@nightmoose]

He eviscerates his enemies with his razor sharp axe-iety.

[@ratoh1710]

He gets afraid and kicks into fight or flight mode. He first looks for a way to flee but because he sees his party fighting he finds himself unable to abandon his comrades, and as such the only option left to him is to fight. He is still terrified but his nervous energy gives him the strength to fight on. I can think of a character who acts like this. The main character, Bai Xiaochun, from the xianxia novel A Will Eternal, is absolutely terrified of pain and death, as such he practices a method that supposedly would give him an eternal indestructible body when completed but allows him to tank an insane amount of damage until then and makes him very strong. He also later creates a technique relevant here, the technique summoned a massive dragon turtle. When he is confronted by the smallest bit of conflict he will instantly try to flee but if he is ever unable to flee, if he is cornered or his allies are in danger, he enters a state where he is absolutely fearless, charges in headfirst to crush whatever threat is in the way and becomes an utterly terrifying combatant. Later he also finds a reason that allows him to fight without becoming terrified, the only way to make sure that the people he cares about won't get hurt is to crush those who would harm them. On the way to coming to this realization, he despairs that people cannot seem to stop fighting, killing, and in general cause suffering. Eventually, he even tries to find a way to stop fighting forever, in the novel he does this by becoming a god. Motivated by fear Very tanky Very strong Has a technique that summons a sort of "totem" Enters a state similar to rage Initially, he was unable to "control" this state but he later learned to So writing a barbarian based on that would be relatively easy. They would be a cowardly person by nature who is unable to control their rage initially but later learns to control it out of a desire to protect their party/friends/loved ones. Initially, their goal would be to avoid combat but as they realize that they cannot avoid it, they start actively seeking it out in order to protect others from suffering. A flavored bear totem would work very nicely, flavor it as a dragon turtle. A divine beast that symbolizes courage, determination, longevity, power, success, and support. Very appropriate traits for a totem to have to person who wants all of those things themselves. Go full tank with a shield and sentinel and make it your focus in battle to protect your allies.

[@noah10cool1]

That thumbnail changed my life, i just havent figured out if the change was good or bad yet

[@TheHarlequinProphet]

One spin you could add to the relation between the totem and rage is flipping their positions. The mourning Barbarian is in a perpetual state of grief-stricken rage and is only pulled out of if by focusing on his late daughter's ribbon, she wouldn't want him to carry on this way...

[@daemonglasscock8768]

*cough* Asura's Wrath *cough*

[@zeterzero4356]

I like it.

[@iv0rysh0es39]

Kratos will inspire many this season of D&D. Roaring, "BOY" when he rages.

[@craigbainton4173]

Omg, the new god of war is just a new two player dnd game with a kid and his dad who’s playing an older version of his first dnd character

[@darknessthebrown1818]

holy shit yes please

[@Elleraiser]

mom is the DM..... this makes too much sense

[@SocraTetris]

Harden your heart to their suffering, Boy!

[@PedroEATSyou]

Hey you’re right my current character in the campaign I’m in is based off of Kratos in GoW4. Shield/battleax combo. He doesn’t have a son, but he roars “BOY” to the young Tabaxi sorcerer...

[@JonHerzogArtist]

You know who's a smart barbarian? Hank McCoy, the Beast!

[@jackgrocott1749]

I love the idea of choosing a barbarian with the sage background but little intelligence who keeps ending up in libraries in their post-rage confusion and can't understand why

[@zeterzero4356]

I LOVE BOOKS SO MU-where am I, and what in God's name is the Catcher in the Rye?

[@Guydude777]

This brings to mind a wizard who got their mind zapped by some extraterrestrial being from the far realm. Reduced to a simple-minded warmonger that only finds a fragment of clarity in their deepest rage, subconsciously vying to set themselves right.

[@oOPPHOo]

The classic rage is something I imagine the barbarian needs to train to manifest almost in a military sense. Imagine a for example a drill sergeant just slapping and beating the living hell out off you both physically and mentally while the barbarian is not allowed to react. The sergeant then stops for a moment before going "Are you mad now?... No, you are mad NOW!" and the barbarian crawls through a tunnel of caltrops before you're allowed to unleash all your fury on the training dummy at the end. For a more primal barbarian from the outlands, it won't be a literal drill sergeant helping you train your rage but another mentor or even a tribe elder might fulfill the same role. The point is your helped in channeling rage but not allowed to unleash it until giving permission and that's how the barbarian can rage at will. For many barbarians, the secret is that they are always angry. The rage is simply them deciding to release control of their anger. The barbarian might the one capable of unleashing the most fury, but they're simultaneous the one with the most self control. It makes for a create contrast with for example the monk who needs to be calm and detached at all times whereas the barbarian can flick on whatever mood is needed.

[@Ruinred]

Similar to how I play my current barbarian

[@mikegould6590]

I'm glad that you brought up non-traditional expectations for Barbarians. I'll give you two examples of Barbarians that have been played at our table. One my daughter played, and on I played. "Jinx" - This Gnome Barbarian was played in a seafaring steampunk setting, so already the expectations have changed. She was a Clan Crafter (specifically a steamfitter), and she resolved the class vs. background vs. setting thus: Jinx didn't like people. She was more at home among the machines, smoke, and steam. She understood them and felt that they understood her. However, she was short tempered and broke as many machines as she fixed. She had the expected "goggles" on her head, but called them her "rage goggles". You knew she intended to go into a rage when they got pulled down over her eyes and she yelled "Let's Do This!!!". She was known for rushing into battle with a massive pipe wrench (warhammer). She was awesome. What a great character. I love my daughter's creativity. "Gutwrench" - Gutwrench was a Half-Ogre, and had the outward appearance of what you'd expect for his race and class. However, what the rest of the party came to discover was that his constant hunger (typical of ogres) was channeled into a rather high skill of cooking. He had no qualms about turning whatever he found or killed into soups, chowders, ribs, and other meals. Because they were in the Underdark at the time (OotA campaign), finding food became a lot easier when you didn't ask questions about WHAT you were eating. What the rest of the party discovered far too late is that they had been eating every Kuo-Toa, giant insect, mushroom or whatever that Gutwrench could find. I can remember one moment where the party were being swarmed by Stirges. After the Wizard cast Sleep, they were intending to crush these creatures and leave them be. Gutwrench loudly proclaimed "No! You leave. I make HOT WINGS! You like!" (Which was done with Stirges, fish oil, spices, and flammable mushrooms they found earlier. I rolled a Crit on my cooking) When Gutwrench died, they didn't miss the warrior and his massive Great Axe ("Hunger"). They missed the meals and the variety. I hope to play a Dragonborn (White) Barbarian in STK at some point, who's focus will be a deep spirituality over death, survival, and the how the land makes the person. I have drawn him with a very "White Dragon"-like singular crest, and I can imagine that as a nasal sounding chamber these dragonborn use to "sing" or call to each other over long distances. Will he be a cold-breathing combat monster? Sure. But he'll be more remembered for eating meat frozen and raw, mourning his lost mate and young, and questioning social norms on what manners and possession are.

[@youtubeseagull]

great post ty vry much

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

r.i.p. Chef Wrench

[@valasafantastic1055]

Great characters!

[@zeterzero4356]

This. This is why I love dnd.

[@SlothinAintEasy]

Your daughters cool 😎

[@MrAltereg0]

A good version for a smart Barbarian would be a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character or a more modern example a Bruce Banner hulk character.

[@Nickman826]

MrAltereg0 I'm wanting to do Just that for the Curse Of Strahd campaign I'm about to start playing

[@Spartan_Mic]

I've watched all of your class RP videos and just can't get enough. My new goal is to create a PC for each class with an idea/background, you didn't talk about! Harder than one would think!!

[@evilallensmithee]

DM Vane acolyte barbarian? City watch barbarian?

[@SnarkyRogue]

It really is harder than one would think. There have been quite a few ideas thrown around in this rp series that had me sitting at my desk like "oh shit, that sounds really cool".

[@Commentoidiota]

Guild artisan Barbarian. I once made a dwarf who was a tavern keeper. One night some guests were getting too out of hand, and started wrecking his tavern (damned half-orc adventurers, always starting shit) so he snapped, grabbed a bat and started bashing. That's how he discovered his rage. People would be too afraid of him to go to his tavern anymore, so he had to close the activity and took on adventuring.

[@Spartan_Mic]

Allen Smithee I like it. Do you have some good back story for them?. I've played for 20 years now and some of the ideas they talk through, I've never even thought about. I love the creativity they have!

[@Spartan_Mic]

SnarkyRogue exactly my point. They have so many good ideas that I just sit back in my chair and write them down. I don't get a lot of PC time, but these would work great for all my NPCs. Sort of open the minds of my players for their next PC.

[@mordiveer5957]

I love the idea of a scholar that finds a blade imbued with the souls of the warriors it has slain and when he wields it they take over and he becomes this insane rage-filled force of destruction and martial prowess! GAAHD you guys give me all the cool ideas!

[@rowanash5378]

Colin Bremner That is an amazing idea, I may work up something like that eventually, myself.

[@heathenpride7931]

Mordiveer sounds like a Hexblade in ways.

[@catfeldman3614]

"I have an intellegence of six, I know what I'm doing"

[@johnfrank3575]

I’m a simple man: I see Ben Swolo, I like.

[@brosephnoonan223]

Same tbh fam

[@the_rose_garden01]

They've changed it, though. I wonder why

[@lghtngfan]

Pruitt said a throwaway comment around 14:35 ... "It's D&D -- who cares?" But that's actually pretty profound. I think we gamers often forget to just let it go and get crazy creative with D&D. We too often go straight from a book description or a fictional character instead of coming up with a wild idea of our own.

[@dyls1399]

This community is so great, as I'm watching there are no dislikes. You two truly are amazing. -your friendly tank main

[@andrewbeauman]

7:00 That image... is glorious. I love it. The horror of the brutality mixed with poise and indifference... Gah. I'm doing that.

[@lorddraekan]

Pruitt! I greatly appreciate your OPM shirt. It is 10/10!

[@jagowestaway2503]

If you've ever read the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie - and you should - Logen Ninefingers is a great example of how to play a three-dimensional barbarian who isn't just a bundle of rage (all the time, anyway). His "rage" is more like an alternate personality, but it's that persona that people see in him. In reality, he isn't educated, but he has smarts and is a fairly nice guy who tries to do good, acts wiser than most of the other characters and speaks with the last spirits of the wild. Then when battle starts (sometimes) you just don't stand near him. Incidentally, I love to play a barbarian whose rage sometimes fails (a la Bruce Banner in Infinity War, or the aforementioned Logen). Love you guys, keep up the good work!

[@metallichurch]

Agreed! Even in the books you see how it looks when he hasn't dealt damage or taken it and loses the rage.

[@datriggernator4317]

I actually played something similar in a Strahd campaign, it was fun to do but after the party wizard after he burning hands me and then insulted me, the wisdom save not hunt and beat his ass to death failed. After one blow that almost dropped him I got another burning hands to the face and died...

[@ChrundleKelly]

Playing a Path of Zealot Barbarian this Friday. Took inspiration from you guys and have the everdying warrior. Tribesman who is resurrected for a task and when the task is over, they return home to resume death until they are needed again. Can't wait to play it!

[@DamascoGamer]

Swollen Pruitt is best Pruitt

[@zooasaurusrex]

I recently just made a barbarian concept actually. He's got the whole kind of cowboy western vibe going where he doesn't want to fight, but when pressed he just lets loose. Wields a great axe forged by a dead friend he calls "Peacekeeper."

[@mr.l2837]

Kratos in the newest game is a great take on barbarian with a charisma dump stat in my opinion. the guy is tough as nails and has rage up the yinyang but is such an abrasive person that no one likes him much. Barbarians are some of my favorite characters to play.

[@ShurikenSean]

25:23 reminds me of an offbrand barbarian idea I have is one that as opposed to tanking damage they are so skilled with a weapon they can deflect it, and their rage is more a cool, calm, collected, battle trance. which I know fits fighter more but I love the barbarian abilities mechanically and want to flavor them differently I picture a ronin samurai that travels through the wild and challenges people to duels. wearing traditional samurai attire with no armor and is so skilled in the ways of the sword he can instinctively parry physical attacks to lessen the damage. and to make the character even more off brand I chose street urchin as his background for stealth and thievery and teifling as race being part Oni, their personal totem a hannya mask

[@CorgyOntoppya]

Sailor background with a can of spinach totem.

[@abouttime837]

strangely I like to look at some werewolf characters for barbarian inspiration. especially if the transformation happens when agitated and not under the full moon. something like Greymane who’s very respectful normally until things really go south and he goes ham

[@TheKlawwGang888]

My Half-Orc Barbarian path of the beserker is a werewolf that murdered his whole family during his first full moon then chose to live in the wild alone for the next 20 years. He's a grizzled veteran and a rather tortured soul, although he's completly magic illiterate but has more practical knowledge on how to survive in the wild. I'd say he's a mix between Urdnot Wrex and Kratos.

[@snappy7334]

Scholar Barbarian makes me think of "The Librarian" from Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" novels.

[@valk_tl1433]

I really love the idea of having a zealot barbarian who doesn’t actually feel rage specifically, but instead he uses a battle chanting envelops themselves in the power through a sort of meditation.

[@issacwhittaker3687]

I always thought a noble half-orc barbarian who whenever he rages let’s into his feral nature but is usually a well mannered diplomat would be a cool way to show a smart/wise/charismatic barbarian.

[@brosephnoonan223]

Just a Manatee Pick up a few levels in samurai for synergy and now you get a bonus to your persuasion based on your wis

[@geoffdewitt6845]

The dad with the ribbon thing. Jeez, Pruitt, right in the feels, man.

[@michaellauer8181]

One of my favorite Barbarian builds is that when he rages it's more of a quiet focus. Suoer aware and super knowledgeable of weak points similar to Sherlock Holmes. That could he a high int barb

[@benhramiak8781]

I had a character in a story I wrote: he was basically a barbarian that used grief instead of rage when he went berserk.

[@misterkewlaid5420]

I love the idea of an ancestral guardian barbarian that's a medium; they see the spirits of their people and look out for them, while in turn the spirits look out for the barb too. I like the idea that when raging, spirits begin to crowd into the barbarian and exercise their collective willpower to guard the barbarian and those the barbarian would wish to protect. My other favorite idea for a barbarian is in the zealot that's an even tempered priest of their god. Their totem would be a relic of their god or a symbol of their specific saint, and by praying on it, they could call either divine guidance or become a meat suit for their warrior saint. Both of my favorite ideas require losing some agency on the part of the character, but I really enjoy that aspect of barbarians and their rage in general.

[@duaneepps7346]

Liking for DMX Barbarian

[@revshad4226]

Kevin Sorbo's Hercules is a great barbarian. He-man is another great example. View the transformation as the rage machanic.

[@Hilianus]

Even though the duo here sadly parted ways, it is still such a good resource to send new players about how thry could spice up their roleplay of a particular class. Please keep it up forever! ❤

[@alessarose9319]

Missed opportunity for BarBRAINian. That said, loved the video as always

[@connorsarles]

I thought it'd be funny to make an elf barbarian for a campaign, and through some character development and fighter levels became my favorite character I'd ever RP'd. Oh by the way, bear totem 1/2 damage barbaric rage and parrying battlemaster combo = god-tier multiclass

[@JDuel100]

Good tip! I overlooked this.

[@LordSplendid]

"DO NOT disturb my CIRCLES!" -Archimedes, fighting without doning armor

[@B3n3f1t]

29:43 Q: “When was the last time your Barbarian raged?” A: “Well, I was really busy the last few months man gimme some slack!”

[@MittyPoots]

"When did you pop your fury?"

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

Urchin background. Grew up in street kids gang. Rage came from his constant hunger and deprivation. He has gotten used to the rush of fear.

[@MrDougieWeasel]

I have a Barbarian Bugbear that goes into a rage from laughing too much. Basically a laughing fit. And only something sad can get him out of it. XD

[@Jak3am]

MrDougieWeasel like the floating laughing scene in Mary Poppins. I like it

[@duckdudette]

When you were talking about a barbarian being taught/ controlled by a spirit master I was just thinking SHAMAN KING!!

[@duckdudette]

This would also be a fun spin on the path of the zealot.

[@brosephnoonan223]

More like a spin on the path of the ancester guardian, since the barbarian is the summoner, not the ghost.

[@duckdudette]

I did see that but having multiple spirits in that way is fairly rare in Shaman King (Unless you're an Asakura) and the zealot skills seem easier to skin as things that Yoh/Len/other main characters use. Both definitely work though.

[@omolbat]

Smart barbarian= Bill the Butcher from Gangs of New York

[@DonPetexX]

The second you guys mentioned a smart or charismatic barbarian I thought of The Iron Bull from dragon age Inquisition

[@brosephnoonan223]

DonPetexX He's not smart, really. He's clever and informed. Theres a difference. Dorian is a smart character, he understands the magic involved in turning back fucking time, if he were to try and explain the process that goes into that you'd need a doctorate in magic to even start comprehending what he was saying. Dorian as a wizard likely picks up CHA even though he doesnt need it stat wise. He's a noble, not a sage (ala Solas). Iron Bull is informed and clever. A lot of his knowledge comes more from understand people than from some higher intelligence. As a barbarian he picks up CHA & WIS. He's a spy, not a scholar.

[@DonPetexX]

Heimskr, Prophet of Talos yeah you're right I should have expressed my self more clearly my bad

[@morum67]

I have a character concept for a Barbarian..one who is basically a monk, mastering his body and mind to push himself to the limit in battle.

[@arachnophilegrrl]

Battleragers are just a special kind of crazy. And drunk. ;) I love them, I don't care what anyone says. "Me KING!!!"

[@joshuamcmillin7631]

Genius thumbnail

[@philippebreault560]

A city barbarian could be a charismatic gladiator giving a great show in the local arena

[@joshkaid]

Wolverine is a GREAT inspiration for a Barbarian. Especially when interpreting Rage.

[@Leivve]

Barbarian means anyone who isn't Greek/Roman, depending on who uses it. So I view it more as something like that, they're outsiders who might not understand the culture/world they're in, but are still a learned person. The story of Thomen of the Bergmen Tribe, is that of a man on a quest to obtain the sword "Revolution" and it's sister blade "Usurper," and present them to his elders as trophies of his adventures. All due to no one actually explaining to him what those words mean, due to his people not having them. All he had to go off was people describing "Revolution" as a powerful thing that can destroy a nation, so obviously must be a weapon of some kind.

[@mariehughes835]

I love that you guys still roll stat, just sayin (not sayin).

[@yargmouth]

I have recently started listening to the full collection of Conan the Barbarian stories on Audible, so this video couldn't have been timed better. Some of the ideas you guys threw out there have inspired me to change one of my character concepts from a monk to a barbarian purely for the RP fun I can have with it. My half-orc seeking inner peace doesn't have to be some temple-raised stoic. Barbarian rages will make his struggles for self control seem much more real.

[@mythicnoble]

My favorite character i ever created was a barbarian/bard, and the idea behind the character was that he was a larger then life professional wrestler. He obviously had the grappler feat, and the entertainer background. His performance was his fighting, and the way I envisioned his rage wasnt him losing control in his passion, but it was him fully immersing himself in his character.

[@Malkor13]

I'd love to see Rage used as a role-playing skill. Perhaps to highten skills like an artist or scientist who trips out for inspiration.

[@edwardharris9974]

I had a charecter like that. A drow barbarian that was a caligrapher and was obsessed with draconic language but woul go into a rage when any art was destroyed or friends were threatened. Lol. He would also curse his opponents in complete draconic as he uses his opponents blood as ink and does not fully remember. Ahhh good times.😄

[@samgafford2371]

Here's an idea: -barbarian class, bear totem -tiefling race, phb ver -reflavor rage as demonic trance -reflavor totem power as demon -make int highest, char 8 -profit

[@GodlessDarkness]

I've always loved the idea of a barbarian that wields a disproportionate weapon. A small child with a giant axe, a huge man who uses a dagger, that sort of thing. I actually have a character in the works who's a big dude who's got a fair bit of pudge on him, and normally he uses a shield and mace, but when he pulls out a small knife, that's when he's raging. The only difference in his mannerisms is that while he's raging he's going exclusively for kill-shots, aiming for vital organs, arteries, and other points where he can put a fucker down. He's a big lovable doofus most of the time, but when he pulls out that knife, he's a killer, first and foremost.

[@SkullSnax]

The idea of a barbarian who is just a nerd with anger issues is brilliant. Like Pip from the dodgeball episode of South Park, who is normally so polite and pleasant and just gets so pissed off by being insulted that he turns into a rage filled monster.

[@inkblotCrisis]

I made a Goliath Barbarian which became one of my best roleplayed characters I ever handled. Suruza'an "The Mountainback" was his name, named for his strength and for the Goliath markings on his back shaped like a mountain range. He first entered into the story by walking into the "Intro Tavern" all massive and close cloaked, the sound of his steps making the floorboards creak from his muscled weight. As he neared the bar he throws his cloak open revealing not patches of hide or common clothes but a set of clothes fit for a nobleman. In a voice fitting Kieth David he said "Tea, spot of lemon, please." I made a snooty Goliath Noble...who just happens to have a Bad Temper when he fights. I was going through playing a lot of noble bgs at that time.

[@Hungry4GOREjapan]

Logen Ninefingers from Joe Abercrombies First Law Trilogy is an awesome example of a (thinking man) barbarian who loses control and gives in to his/somethings rage... really really worth a read.

[@notorious.scoundrel]

I made an Ancestral Guardian barbarian named Rholar. The way I roleplayed his rage was that his great grandfather Bhalar took over as soon as battle begun and summoned his wife, the shield-maiden Agatha, to act as the protector. I had a lot of fun roleplaying and by the time he hit 10th level, there was a small council of ancestors he could consult and seek guidance from.

[@d4n737]

Animal totems be like: "Ribbit. Riiiibbit. Ribbit... Gurg...I'm a FROG...And i'm feelin' FRESH!"

[@lydiasteinebendiksen4269]

The more I see of the barbarian and monk, the more I realize all I love about either would work best togeather. I guess that's why I love the Pugilist class so much

[@-Mushroom_Kid-]

I know this video is super old but I made a barbarian recently who was a soldier background, had tattoos that he got with the people he served with, and his totem was all their medallions from that mercenary company with their crest each with a number signifying a member that was lost, he was the only survivor and it’s the source of his rage and why he’s more than just a merc and able to amount to incredible feats

[@sleepysentinel147]

I've never really wanted to play a barbarian, now thanks to you guys I want to play a barbarian/Grave cleric who calls the sprits of the restless dead to help fuel his rage with theirs. Thanks guys, great stuff as always

[@benhayward2597]

Conan the Librarian what is best in life? Outsmart your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of their theses!

[@ManaPsirando]

I really liked this. I am playing an ancestral guardian half elf barbarian. She isn't stupid but she's not as bright in some areas (socializing mainly). She actually wants to become a hero to the lands and help people, but can't control her rage at the moment, so she tries to control it if she feels it stirring (doesn't want to accidentally hurt her party). It's been fun, I was worried she wasn't very "barbarian like" in her personality, but this video helped to show like, it's ok to do things different. Thanks~

[@Blandco]

Man your Thumbnail game is just amazing. Barbarians are why I always advocate for starting a game at level 1. I had not intention of playing a Totem Warrior, but after seeing so many situations where having speak with animals and damage resistance would come in handy it was the clear choice for me.

[@MrBloodstone99]

Barbarian is one of my favorite classes, my favorite Barb I've made was an alchemist who chemically induced his rage, and when he leveled up and gained different abilities it was him tinkering and changing the formula. Thanks for the awesome video :)

[@williamfawkes8379]

Bolvai from thirteenth warrior was a smart and wise barbarian, he kept his own counsel but saw everything that happened around him. And when it was time to rend foes, he did it with gusto.

[@pjzichichi4292]

Joe Abercrombie has given us a good, modern take on the barbarian in Logen Nine-Fingers from his First Law books. Good, dark fantasy adventure novels.

[@aneverdayhobbiest2837]

Logan 9fingers is forever my favorite barbarian.

[@cosmic-fortytwo]

The Jack Reacher tv show is like an intelligent barbarian character. Everywhere he goes people are like “Whoa you’re huge,” or, “hey there big guy,” because of his size. But he was an MP in the Marines and an expert soldier, so he is both big and smart.

[@neet0burrit035]

Im making a charecter named Lyric. He is a College of Glamour bard who one day discoverd he had a passion for combat, and fought very barbarically. So he duel classes as a Path of the Juggernaut barbarian. He is a BARDbarian... Im super proud of him

[@CitanulsPumpkin]

When I look at the Zealot barbarian's abilities, I don't immediately think of holy warriors. I look at that package of skills and I think of the Keldon Warlords from Magic the Gathering. The subclass revolves around drawing power from the members of your horde, whipping your horde into a battle frenzy, and even the raise dead spell bonus and the "keep going at 0 hp" abilities tie into the Keldon necropolis and their cultural belief that all their dead will rise up to fight once more in the final battle.

[@furyofthesmallartist5485]

I have a Barbarian with an INT Score of 16, he is a nerd for books and loves reading, he easily enters in a rage if disturbed or if idiots would start talking nonsense. He is how wizards sees other classes, dumb people surrounding me, but they have the muscle to back it up if things get ugly.

[@loki210]

I've recently been playing a half-elf caravaner barb whose rage is essentially just a total panic and instinctual fight or flight response. Otherwise he's simply a lowly merchant. Eventually he found his elven side is from a long line of Elven soldiers who manifest as his ancestral guardians but largely his understanding of himself being good in a fight came from just being untrained and doing anything he could to protect his livelihood from monsters and bandits.

[@kenu995]

My half-orc barbarian and his parents owned at a small vineyard. After some of the town bigots got drunk and decided to burn it down (original, I know), he broke the field plow in half and used it to kill the culprits. He later sharpened and modified it so it functioned as a greataxe. A little play on the "swords to plowshares" idea... He also fancied himself a wine connoisseur.

[@professorxivass]

Character concept I’ve been thinking about: A barbarian that goes into a rage by remember the day they caught their significant other cheating. Seems good for roleplay and backstory.

[@deafbardjenkins1001]

Now I have to make a "Focus" Barbarian themed around Wrath from FMA ... This is why i love this channel, I always get ideas for playing non stereotypical characters

[@eriklindstrom6629]

I had so much fun watching this. I just finished painting my first mini ever and wanted to make him a barbarian - this was perfect for inspiration on why he's a barbarian!

[@northernwindfox]

I once played a Goliath Barbarian named Victis 'Earthshaker'. Named so because of his tendency to grapple creatures larger than himself and bringing them down for the party to brutalize. his Rage took the form of an adrenaline rush and a shout of "MAXIMUM EFFORT!" before going for the grapple.

[@nbp2015]

Overwatch's Winston is the perfect example of a highly intelligent barbarian.

[@chronomaster7]

Pruitt looking like s n a c k

[@alexlauer7571]

My personal favorite barbarian was Harrion Woodcutter a Totem warrior, who only worked out as well as he did cause I had a truly awesome DM at the time. Harrion was a large man born in the backwoods and lived a simple life. as his name suggested Harrion was a logger and carpenter. when his family was killed in a goblin raid Harrion pursued them and wound up wiping out the tribe, but his only made him angrier and sadder, as it reinforced his belief that if he had been at home with his wife and children when they came he could have saved them. and because he planned on dying while fighting them. and so he was forced to go on , filled with grief and anger. over our year and a half campaign Harrion would become good friends with his companions (particularly the half elf monk) but could never let go of his anger or sadness until while pursuing a mad wizard across the plains Harrion's god sent an angel to guide him to his wife and children who forgave him, and his rage and grief was washed away as he embraced his family and was able to make the peace he had so long been denied. Losing the cause of his rage Harrion was given the opportunity to reclass by our DM which he took and became a Cleric of life in the name of his god. After the parties adventure Harrion retired to build a temple dedicated to those who are lost and hurting, and give them what comfort and aid he can. Years later this is still my all time favorite character and story I've ever played even if the reclass wasn't RAW.

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

Kled from Leage of Legends is a mounted totem barbarian who drinks his "mushroom juice" in order to rage.

[@BJBoyd]

My current character is a tiefling berserker barbarian, which may be one of the most suboptimal race-class combos in the game. But he still kicks ass. He’s basically just a thug that grew up on the streets of Luskan. He doesn’t rage until the first time he’s hit in combat and used his hellish rebuke reaction. Literally a “raging fiend”.

[@Tzimisce_Joe]

I play a lizardfolk barbarian. I rolled a bunch of great stats, I play him as the calm survivalist hunter. And since lizardfolk don't feel emotions very strongly, so RAGE is more Primal Awareness. And reckless attack is more a "calculated risk attack" He is a force of nature and is an unwittingly zealot.

[@TomasCyr]

I love that you guys love the Dresden files as well, I hate that it reminds me that we're still waiting on Peace Talks...

[@SocraTetris]

The podcast Sneak Attack has one of the greatest against-type barbarians i have ever seen. An old, wise, retired knight (dragoon) whose rage comes from PTSD. And done tastefully. My favorite character in the wholr show

[@drost47]

This just inspired me to have a warforged barbarian that just has a self defense rage like the iron giant. From Iron giant.

[@Matt-md5yt]

Dave The Barbarian was a great show on Disney and Dave is the Noble Background take on a Barbarian. Warhammer Fantasy had some cool Barbarians

[@robs.1868]

Cloistered Scholar Ancestral Guardian Barb that learned to fight from reading books.

[@adamshulda-maui524]

A musician barbarian who only hears Beethoven’s symphony No. 5 while raging.

[@claytronifon]

BEAST is my favorite intelligent barbarian

[@BJBoyd]

Reskin rage as “battle trance”, pick up a scimitar, and you’re a dervish.