The RAGING BarBEARian - BG3 Halsin Druid / Barbarian / Rogue Tank Build Guide

The Biggest Bear Gets the Cheese. That's a saying, right? Right?
This character uses Moon Druid, Wildheart Bear Barbarian, and Thief Rogue to become the biggest, angriest bear you ever did see!
Full detailed level guide from 1-12, including stats, feats, items, and abilities!
0:00 Intro and Build Goals
1:32 Level 1
4:26 Level 2
6:34 Level 3
9:25 Level 4
10:46 Level 5
12:11 Level 6
14:04 Level 7
16:37 Level 8
17:19 Level 9
17:54 Level 10
18:25 Level 11
19:09 Level 12 and Final Build
20:42 Items and Gear

[@buyakir]

One issue I can see is that you only get 2 rages at level 1 Barbarian and they recharge on long rest, you'd need to rest every time to make it effective

[@ToxicallyMasculinelol]

the amount of supplies this game throws at you (if you bother looting stuff at least) is sufficient to rest constantly, which you might be doing anyways to farm elixir ingredients

[@TeamD3ath2]

be careful with torch shellaligh. you light things on fire if they touch you. grease bottles webs etc

[@davidmatthews8064]

Your videos are like a drug, I can't stop watching them. Your knowledge has really helped me, though I want to change my builds every day 😅. Thank you for the great content.

[@challah_back_femme9857]

I wanted to say thanks for your fun builds and also the advice as I just won honor mode!

[@seaurchinayano6140]

Congrats 👏

[@challah_back_femme9857]

@@seaurchinayano6140 thanks! Took me three tries but I got it!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Congratulations! Nice job!

[@Jefrejtor]

Dang, Halsin looks FLAMING in that outfit

[@Cephalopocalypse]

It IS the bear video ;)

[@nicksalem6277]

I have an unexpected super tank build you may want to try. Bear Barb 5, Arcane trickster 7. The idea behind this is to combine the resistance to most damage with Bear barbarian range with the Uncanny dodge that comes from Level 5 rogue. I also wanted the extra attack that comes from a level 5 martial class. Uncanny Dodge activates as a reaction (unfortunately, you can't decide when to use it, it gets used on your first instance of confirmed damage and it's finicky sometimes deactivating itself, so you have to make sure it's on.) So you would receive half damage from the rage, and then that damage would be halved again on Uncanny Dodge activating. You can end up reducing huge damage by 75%. I go 7 to also receive the Evasion ability which nullifies damage Dex saves you pass. This could be an enemy fireball, a bomb thrown at you (those traps in Wyrm Rock), just anything that requires a Dex save - completely nullified. You could through a smoke bomb at your feet if your confident you'll take zero damage while everyone flies back. The reasons I go Arcane trickster are for more evasion and tankiness. Arcane trickster gets you the invisible mage hand. So if you enter battle, before it even starts, you can move your mage hand close to an enemy and get yourself a free Sneak Attack. You also gain access to (among other spells) the Sheild spell - which DOES activate, EVEN WHILE RAGING. Later down the line, you will also have access to Mirror Images, for even MORE evasion cheese. This character can solo whole rooms, possibly the whole game. They will also be amazing at lockpicking and stealth if you choose to go with those skills.

[@Kelthoras1]

> you can't decide when to use it There is an option to manage all those effects, giving you options whether you want to get asked if it should activate

[@paulywaulywauly]

Made it to act 3 on my first honor run with a bunch of your builds, moving on to the last fight next. Great content and explanations as always, wanna try this one out on the next run!

[@bahamut458]

Exactly the video I wanted to watch today. Moar tanks! I want to do a full chonky party.

[@Wyvernmir]

Brilliant build as always!

[@MS-dp2py]

You killing it. Great build

[@timriley4643]

Love your videos 👍 thanks so much for making them. Would you ever consider doing videos for the HM boss battles? I’m about to go up against Cazador and he whooped me last time. I’m afraid!

[@pierrotmoon1]

I think that would have been a good time to make a short list of the items that work while transformed.

[@grittywaffle]

love your vids man

[@ConnorMackey-l6o]

Would love to see the classes showcased in battle in future videos!

[@Mooreshmallow_]

I actually started a bear barb/druid run recently, but I hadn’t thought of adding rogue levels to it. Time to respec!

[@kristofferh.nielsen9789]

yes! More themes :)

[@kimhunziker1971]

like many commenters I would also love showcase videos of how some of these builds play against run ender bosses

[@AlyxIsSpelledWeird]

Day 1 of pitching my favorite BG3 a new series idea: building a viable honor mode party where all characters have the same Base Class You can do a lot with not only restricting yourself by you trying to use every subclass at least once (except for wizards and clerics lol), but also maybe even having an interesting thematic element for example your four bars could be fitting into the Beatles archetype, and you have to challenge yourself by using a Valor bard when either of the subclasses would probably do better This would also give you an awesome opportunity to talk about what strengths and weaknesses each class brings and how for example some subclasses might be great do better / worse whenever surrounded by other similar team members, finally at the end maybe at the end of each video or after you finish a series you could do a tier list ranking which of them would be the most viable in which of them would be the least viable Thanks for taking the time put of your day to read this, you're a wonderful resource to a lot of people, and I hope you consider this idea as it's one id be super interested in seeing you tackle!

[@dsklizzle]

Love your videos, but I’m surprised you haven’t made a sorcadin video yet. You said it was one of the best paladin multi classes on your tier list and you don’t have any info on how to build one 😭. I know there are two main types: the 7 paladin/ 5 sorcerer, and the 5 paladin/ 7 sorcerer, and I’d love to hear someone who is knowledgeable expand upon these builds.

[@jakehumberge627]

It's one of the best Paladin multi-classes because: 1) Sorcerer and Paladin both use Charisma, and your levels in each will combine to increase your overall caster level. Compared to a Warlock/Paladin (whose spell slots are separate) you'll have more spell slots and they'll be a higher level. 2) There's some key spells from the Sorcerer list that a Paladin would love to have, notably Shield, Misty Step, Hold Person, Haste and Counterspell. 3) Metamagic: quicken a spell, or twin Haste, then wade into melee and start smiting. As for the build itself, compared to a Warlock/Paladin you'll be a little more MAD (because Pact of the Blade). Either use Str elixirs (or the Dex Gloves if you wanna be Dex based) or make some sacrifices somewhere in your stat spread. Without elixirs I'd go something like 16 Str/Dex, 14/16 Con, 16/14 Cha and focus on raising Str/Dex. I'd put my first level in Sorcerer for Con save proficiency, but you could start Paladin if you really wanted heavy armour. Then level Paladin to whatever cut off you want and finish Sorcerer. Easiest way to decide on the level split you want is to look at the level 7 ability of your Paladin Oath and see if you actually give a damn about it, most of them are kinda meh. Ancients is worth taking to 7, maybe Oathbreaker if you have a Necromancer and/or Spore Druid in the party (just bear in mind it buffs enemies too). Going 7 paladin also means you miss out on a 5th level spell slot. For other Oaths, I actually think you're better off going 6/6 to pick up Aura of Protection, rather than 7 Sorc. You'll get a 5th level spell slot either way. You only miss out on learning a 4th level spell, and of those the only one I'd really consider is Wall of Fire.

[@Lavamites25]

Hey, I love the videos you make. I was wondering that, since this build doesn't get to have multiple bonus actions until early act 3 or late act 2, what you think of the two other ways to get additional bonus actions through gear found in act 3. Pyroquickness Hat: Dealing fire damage gives an additional bonus action for that turn. The torch deals fire damage, so pre-buffing with shillelagh and then doing an attack will give two bonus actions. Additionally if you need a ranged option, druids get heat metal. This would make your turn be Attack/cast Heat Metal -> Rage -> Wildshape. The only caveat here is that you would need to get attacked if you have to go use heat metal, but hopefully your wood elf + unarmored movement + longstrider would give you enough mobility to get in range to attack. Helmet of Grit: Being below 50% health grants you an extra bonus action. Since you would usually be in a very tanky owlbear form, the cost to have half health on your main character is not as big. Maybe a bit risky for honor mode, but still something to consider. Both of these hats would remove the need for the rogue levels, which then opens up the build to being 8 druid/4 barbarian, granting an extra bit of HP to the wildshape, higher level spells, and 2 additional feats for stuff like Alert or Dual Wielder or Resilent. Let me know what you think of that in comparison to your build!

[@gibz5700]

Great video as always! Q: isn’t there a ring that adds 1d4 to damage while shapeshifted that would work here?

[@Varrakk]

Yes, you get it from the Strange Ox. Also you get a hat that gives +1 wild shape per long rest from Helsik's special stock.

[@alphamorion4314]

Hello, Cephalopocalypse. I really enjoyed this build, as it was very creative! Question: how would you set up a Paladin/Barbarian multiclass build, and most importantly: how would you rate it's Honor Mode worrhiness?

[@tomdowney37215]

If you can survive through act 1.. everything is Honor Mode worthy. Once you know how to build your characters.. the game becomes so easy. I whacked Sarevok last night and realized I hadn't seen him actually attack in months. Same with Orin. It's so easy to burst down the bosses once you know how. They don't even get a chance to attack. Same with Lorroakan.. the Steel Watcher boss.. Gortash, etc. It's all about the consumables... elixirs, potions, scrolls.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks! In fact, I did a build guide to this combo - you can find it under "the zealot of zariel" :D

[@ragnarrock757]

Is there any chance you can create a video explaining the interface mechanics for new players?

[@BeeZee_48]

really funny I was actually looking around for this exact kind of build today and noticed people not taking 3 level of rouge to get the extra bonus action?! like c'mon people we're doing it for our thrown barbarians and open hand monks already, why not to get this classic combo going!

[@ethanpeeples6187]

You know druid is the one class i havent touched at all. Maybe ill try out halsin sometime

[@e-duh3529]

Ooooor you can try Jaheira instead. She's cooler

[@ethanpeeples6187]

@@e-duh3529 she has had her time to shine. Let the elders rest

[@sonjaR2]

@@ethanpeeples6187 I don't mind Halsin, but Jaheira is a MUCH more interesting character, and FAR better-written. Plus, I'll be honest, in my games Halsin is at his most useful during Act 3 when I arrange for him to 'take one for the team.'

[@DapperChappy]

Let me tell you what I would love to see. In a lot of “the best (class)” videos you always say “as powerful as you can be without using exploits”. I was wondering if you could make a video that showcase a few builds that do use exploits and show how insane it can really get.

[@BankruptGreek]

The thing is, there isn't much to show, they usually revolve around a mechanism and strategy rather than builds. Level 2 rogue, attack with a bow and then go to stealth. Or warlock (I think level 3) with dark vision, darkness and hexblade, nothing can attack you in darkness but you can with advantage (blinded enemies). Any class using barrelmancy can kill any single boss (self explanatory). Placing barrels is a no action breaking the action economy, as long as you can carry enough of them. Other than that op builds use tavern brawler, or invincible abjuration wizards with some items. Wet debuff builds sorcerer plus cleric. Reflection damage tanks (armor of agathys + items) can be many classes. Bonus mention all the afk buffing you can do, get a hireling or companion to buff you then let them be in camp and most cases the buffs stay. You can even make returning weapon anything by bonding a weapon with a Eldritch Knight Fighter, move the weapon over to an other character and dismiss Eldritch Knight (Returning Pike becomes pointless). Gale can spec into cleric and get the share damage spell, dismiss him and he will actually heal when ever he takes damages in combat, essentially making perma bear rage who ever you want in your team.. I got through act 1 currently with tavern brawler on Karlach for the first time and I have to say 90-95% hit chance and just using throw isn't that fun.

[@MikeBaia]

Can these builds handle solo or just 2 in your party?

[@Obileo346]

On normal, practically anything can solo or 2 man the game. Hard or higher, that would depend on how smart, lucky, and determined you are.

[@MikeBaia]

@@Obileo346 I'm new to this type of game so it's a bit overwhelming to me but these guides help a lot. Managing 4 party members is like.....uhhh brain melt.

[@Obileo346]

@MikeBaia just play a run on the easiest difficulty and make builds for yourself and your companions that sound like fun. Respecing is relatively cheap and money is everywhere, so if u ever discover you don't like a particular build, you can always change it. For a first timer, I would suggest a mono class party it let's you get the feel for how each class plays and how the rules work. Bards offer the best party face in the game as well as great utility both in and out of combat; it can also serve as a great magic/physical hybrid to help you get a feel for both main class types. Fighter and barbarian are very easy non-casters to build; fighter, especially, basically builds itself with little to no input from the player. I would highly recommend staying away from summon heavy builds like necromancer wizard and spore druid. The more summons your build has, the more units you have to control and take into account. Having 1 summon for scouting purposes can be helpful though tbh. Alert is probably the single most useful feat for new players and veterans alike beacuse losing a turn due to being surprised can be devastating. These are just suggestions, however, so build your party however you like and just have fun.

[@Obileo346]

@@MikeBaia do u have this game on ps5?

[@drunemeton]

*_WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!_* So you're saying that the +1 CON point you get from Tavern Brawler acts like the feat "Resilient: CON" in that it applies to your Wild Shape CON score!? How long has it done this? Per the rules it shouldn't, it works in Tav form, but Wild Shape replaces your physical stats. 2024-06-28: Sorry to report @Cephalopocalypse but Halsin @ 8th Level with Tavern Brawler only has CON 17 in Owl Bear form. The +1 CON bonus *does not* carry over to Wild Shape.

[@Taybean]

I didn't notice this when I tested a druid build the other day, but I did find out that potion of everlasting vigor and mirror of loss still effect wild shapes, having both them and raging as an owl bear gave me 26 on strength

[@AidenKelley-ih4ep]

Do Doctor + Bull (Dr. Bull)

[@UmmGamer]

Everyone shut up ceph posted

[@Leongon]

No shapeshifter ring? :O

[@kabirshaikh]

Love your vids, but one thing bugs me. Why is it called "movement speed" when it is clearly "movement distance"?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Haha, good question! If you want to get really granular about it, it's because rounds represent 6 second increments, so the real stat is ft/6sec. That's clearer in tabletop, where it's more explicit that the turn-based nature of combat is an abstraction from what would be a real-time battle in the actual world from the perspective of the characters

[@joshhobbs4862]

@dbowen9926 First! 🙃

[@MoonTheRanger]

🎉😂 Nice

[@laddjuuzo4998]

Thanks for all of the hard work 🫡

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks so much for the support - I really appreciate it! Really glad you're enjoying the videos :D