Barbarian

Image used by permission of Yama Orce.

For some, there is only rage. In the ways of their people, in the fury of their passion, in the howl of battle, conflict is all these brutal souls know. Savages, hired muscle, masters of vicious martial techniques, they are not soldiers or professional warriors—they are the battle possessed, creatures of slaughter and spirits of war. Known as barbarians, these warmongers know little of training, preparation, or the rules of warfare; for them, only the moment exists, with the foes that stand before them and the knowledge that the next moment might hold their death. They possess a sixth sense in regard to danger and the endurance to weather all that might entail. These brutal warriors might rise from all walks of life, both civilized and savage, though whole societies embracing such philosophies roam the wild places of the world. Within barbarians storms the primal spirit of battle, and woe to those who face their rage.

Role: Barbarians excel in combat, possessing the martial prowess and fortitude to take on foes seemingly far superior to themselves. With rage granting them boldness and daring beyond that of most other warriors, barbarians charge furiously into battle and ruin all who would stand in their way.

Alignment: Any non-lawful

Hit Die: d12

Starting Wealth: 3d6 × 10 gp (average 105 gp.) In addition, each character begins play with an outfit worth 10 gp or less.

Class Skills

The barbarian’s class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Perception (Wis), Ride (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Table: Barbarian
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Fast movement, rage
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Rage power, uncanny dodge
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Trap sense +1
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Rage power
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Improved uncanny dodge
6th +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Rage power, trap sense +2
7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 Damage reduction 1/—
8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 Rage power
9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 Trap sense +3
10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Damage reduction 2/—, rage power
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 Greater rage
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 Rage power, trap sense +4
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 Damage reduction 3/—
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 Indomitable will, rage power
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5 Trap sense +5
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Damage reduction 4/—, rage power
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 Tireless rage
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Rage power, trap sense +6
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6 Damage reduction 5/—
20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +6 +6 Mighty rage, rage power

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the barbarian.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A barbarian is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, and shields (except tower shields).

Fast Movement (Ex)

A barbarian’s land speed is faster than the norm for her race by +10 feet. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor, and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this bonus before modifying the barbarian’s speed because of any load carried or armor worn. This bonus stacks with any other bonuses to the barbarian’s land speed.

Rage (Ex)

A barbarian can call upon inner reserves of strength and ferocity, granting her additional combat prowess. Starting at 1st level, a barbarian can rage for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + her Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, she can rage for 2 additional rounds. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from rage and spells like bear’s endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a barbarian can rage per day. A barbarian can enter rage as a free action. The total number of rounds of rage per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.

While in rage, a barbarian gains a +4 morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution, as well as a +2 morale bonus on Will saves. In addition, she takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase to Constitution grants the barbarian 2 hit points per Hit Dice, but these disappear when the rage ends and are not lost first like temporary hit points. While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

A barbarian can end her rage as a free action and is fatigued after rage for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the rage. A barbarian cannot enter a new rage while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter rage multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a barbarian falls unconscious, her rage immediately ends, placing her in peril of death.

Rage Powers (Ex)

As a barbarian gains levels, she learns to use her rage in new ways. Starting at 2nd level, a barbarian gains a rage power. She gains another rage power for every two levels of barbarian attained after 2nd level. A barbarian gains the benefits of rage powers only while raging, and some of these powers require the barbarian to take an action first. Unless otherwise noted, a barbarian cannot select an individual power more than once.

Any barbarian who meets the powers’ prerequisites can select and use rage powers. Totem rage powers grant powers related to a theme. A barbarian cannot select from more than one group of totem rage powers; for example, a barbarian who selects a beast totem rage power cannot later choose to gain any of the dragon totem rage powers (any rage power with “dragon totem” in its title).

  • A complete list of rage powers can be found here: Rage Powers

Uncanny Dodge (Ex)

At 2nd level, a barbarian gains the ability to react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She cannot be caught flat-footed, nor does she lose her Dex bonus to AC if the attacker is invisible. She still loses her Dexterity bonus to armor class if immobilized. A barbarian with this ability can still lose her Dexterity bonus to armor class if an opponent successfully uses the feint action against her.

If a barbarian already has uncanny dodge from a different class, she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead.

Trap Sense (Ex)

At 3rd level, a barbarian gains a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to armor class against attacks made by traps. These bonuses increase by +1 every three barbarian levels thereafter (6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 18th level). Trap sense bonuses gained from multiple classes stack.

Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex)

At 5th level and higher, a barbarian can no longer be flanked. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the barbarian by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target has barbarian levels.

If a character already has uncanny dodge (see above) from another class, the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.

Damage Reduction (Ex)

At 7th level, a barbarian gains damage reduction. Subtract 1 from the damage the barbarian takes each time she is dealt damage from a weapon or a natural attack. At 10th level, and every three barbarian levels thereafter (13th, 16th, and 19th level), this damage reduction rises by 1 point. Damage reduction can reduce damage to 0 but not below 0.

Greater Rage (Ex)

At 11th level, when a barbarian enters rage, the morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution increases to +6 and the morale bonus on her Will saves increases to +3.

Indomitable Will (Ex)

While in rage, a barbarian of 14th level or higher gains a +4 bonus on Will saves to resist enchantment spells. This bonus stacks with all other modifiers, including the morale bonus on Will saves she also receives during her rage.

Tireless Rage (Ex)

Starting at 17th level, a barbarian no longer becomes fatigued at the end of her rage.

Mighty Rage (Ex)

At 20th level, when a barbarian enters rage, the morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution increases to +8 and the morale bonus on her Will saves increases to +4.

Ex-Barbarians

A barbarian who becomes lawful loses the ability to rage and cannot gain more levels as a barbarian. She retains all other benefits of the class.

Alternative Capstone Ability

Source PPC:CoL

When a character reaches the 20th level of a class, she gains a powerful class feature or ability, sometimes referred to as a capstone. When a character reaches 20th level in this class, the following new ability can be selected instead of the standard 20th level class ability which would normally be gained. In some cases, a capstone specifies what ability it replaces. A character can’t select an alternative capstone if she has previously traded away her class capstone via an archetype. Clerics and wizards can receive a capstone at 20th level, despite not having one to begin with.

Unstoppable (Ex)

At 20th level, nothing can kill the barbarian, though not for lack of trying. The barbarian gains DR 3/— or increases the value of any existing damage reduction by 3. In addition, she gains energy resistance to acid, cold, electricity, and fire equal to her DR/— value.

Favored Class Bonuses

Instead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, some races have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending upon their favored classes. The following options are available to the listed race who have barbarian as their favored class, and unless otherwise stated, the bonus applies each time you select the listed favored class reward.

Table: Alternate Favored Class Bonuses
Race Bonus Source
Paizo
Core Races
Dwarf Add 1 to the dwarf’s total number of rage rounds per day. APG
Elf Add 1 to the elf’s base speed. In combat this has no effect unless the elf has selected this reward 5 times (or another increment of 5); a speed of 34 feet is effectively the same as a speed of 30 feet, for example. This bonus stacks with a class’s fast movement feature and applies only under the same conditions as that ability. APG
Gnome Add a +½ bonus to the barbarian’s trap sense. ARG
Half-Elf Add ¼ to the bonus on Reflex saves and dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps granted by trap sense. ARG
Half-Orc Add 1 to the half-orc’s total number of rage rounds per day. APG
Halfling Add a +½ bonus to trap sense or +⅓ to the bonus from the surprise accuracy rage power. ARG
Human Add a +½ bonus to trap sense or +⅓ to the bonus from the superstition rage power. APG
Other Races
Goblin Add +½ on critical hit confirmation rolls for attacks made with unarmed strikes or natural weapons (maximum bonus of +4). This bonus does not stack with Critical Focus. ARG
Kobold While you are raging, your racial natural attacks deal +¼ point of damage. KoG
Orc Add +1 to the barbarian’s total number of rage rounds per day. ARG
Ratfolk When raging, add +¼ to the barbarian’s swarming trait’s flanking bonus on attack rolls. ARG
Strix Add +1 to the barbarian’s total number of rage rounds per day. ARG
Tengu Add +⅓ to the bonus from the superstition rage power. ARG
3rd Party Publishers
Jon Brazer Enterprises
Android Add +1/4 bonus to the barbarian’s nanite surge when raging. JBE:BoHR:AFCO
Catfolk Add +2.5 feet to the distance the barbarian can charge or run through rough terrain. (This option has no effect unless the barbarian has selected it twice possesses increments evenly divisible by 5; a distance of 12.5 feet is effectively the same as a distance of 10 feet, for example.) JBE:BoHR:AFCO
Changeling Add +1/4 to melee damage rolls while raging. JBE:BoHR:AFCO
Dhampir Add +¼ to the damage of a bite attack. JBE:BoHRC
Drow The duration of the guarded stand rage power increases by +⅓ round. JBE:BoHRC
Duergar Add +1 to the barbarian’s total number of rage rounds per day. JBE:BoHRC
Fetchling Add +1 foot to the barbarian’s base speed. In combat this option has no effect unless the barbarian has selected it give times (or another increment of five). This bonus stacks with the barbarian’s fast movement feature and applies under the same conditions as that feature. JBE:BoHRC
Hobgoblin Add +⅙ the number of attacks of opportunity per round. This does not stack with the Combat Reflexes feat. JBE:BoHRC
Tiefling Add +⅙ to the barbarian’s damage reduction ability. The barbarian must be 7th level before selecting this ability. This does not stack with the increased damage reduction rage power. JBE:BoHRC
Wayang Add a +½ bonus to the barbarian‘s trap sense. JBE:BoHRC
Rogue Genius Games
Asterion +1 ft. fast movement. (+5 feet fast movement for every five times you select this option.) RGG:HHO
Lapith Reduce AC penalty when raging by ⅕, to a maximum reduction of 2. (AC penalty is reduced by 1 for every five times you select this option.) RGG:HHO

Archetypes & Alternate Class Features

When a character selects a class, he must choose to use the standard class features found or those listed in one of the archetypes presented here. Each alternate class feature replaces a specific class feature from its parent class. For example, the elemental fist class feature of the monk of the four winds replaces the stunning fist class feature of the monk. When an archetype includes multiple class features, a character must take all of them—often blocking the character from ever gaining certain familiar class features, but replacing them with equally powerful options. All of the other class features found in the core class and not mentioned among the alternate class features remain unchanged and are acquired normally when the character reaches the appropriate level (unless noted otherwise). A character who takes an alternate class feature does not count as having the class feature that was replaced when meeting any requirements or prerequisites.

A character can take more than one archetype and garner additional alternate class features, but none of the alternate class features can replace or alter the same class feature from the core class as another alternate class feature. For example, a paladin could not be both a hospitaler and an undead scourge since they both modify the smite evil class feature and both replace the aura of justice class feature. A paladin could, however, be both an undead scourge and a warrior of the holy light, since none of their new class features replace the same core class feature.

Presented below are several classic barbarian archetypes and alternate class features to help you in building your character, each one including a number of suggested rage powers that, while not mandatory, work to flesh out the character concept.

Table: Archetypes / Alternate Class Features
Archetype / Alternate Class Feature Class Features Changed or Replaced
Class Skills Weapon & Armor Fast Movement Rage Rage Powers Uncanny Dodge Trap Sense Improved Uncanny Dodge Damage Reduction Greater Rage Indomitable Will Tireless Rage Mighty Rage
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Paizo
Armored Hulk   C X                       X X X          
Breaker     X                         X            
Brutal Pugilist                             X X X          
Burn Rider     X     X   X   X   X     X X X          
Dreadnought     X C                               X X  
Drunken Brute     X                                      
Drunken Rager     X             X         X X X          
Elemental Kin                               X            
Fearsome Defender     X                       X X X          
Flesheater       C X     X     X       X   X   X     X
Geminate Invoker C     C   X   X   X           X            
Hurler     X                                      
Invulnerable Rager                             X X X X        
Jungle Rager                             X X X C        
Liberator                             X   X     X    
Mad Dog       C X   X   X   X   X   X   X C   X    
Mooncursed       C                         X   X     X
Mounted Fury     X                       X   X          
Pack Rager         X   X   X   X   X         X        
Primal Hunter     X C                                    
Raging Cannibal         X                   X X X X        
Savage Barbarian                               X   X        
Savage Technologist C C   C                     X   X          
Scarred Rager     X                       X X X          
Sea Reaver   C X                       X X X          
Superstitious                               X   X        
Titan Mauler
(see errata)
    X                       X X X     X    
Totem Warrior
(see errata)
                                           
True Primitive   X X                         X            
Untamed Rager                             X X X X        
Urban Barbarian C C X C                             C     C
Wild Rager       C                     X   X          
Racial Archetypes – The following class archetypes are available to members of the listed race.
Feral Gnasher (Goblin)   C X   X                     X X          
Hateful Rager
(Half-orc)
      C X     X     X     X   C X          
                                             
3rd Party Publishers
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Serene Barbarian       X                             X     X
Flaming Crab Games
Berserker   C                         X X X       X  
Mutagenic Rager       X X X X X X X X X X X         X   X X
ICOSA Entertainment, LLC
Bedlam Seeker                                            
Radiance House
Totemic Sage     X                       X X X X        
Rite Publishing
Savage Tactician     X C X   X   X   X   X   X X X          
Racial Archetypes – The following class archetypes are available to members of the listed race.
Henge Emishi (Hengeyokai)   C X X                       X     X X   X
Spes Magna Games
Jotunkin       X                       X     X X   X
Super Genius Games
Blacksnake       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
Cloakfighter       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
Harrier       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
Physical Exemplar       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
Spellhammer       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
Weapon Champion       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
Youxia       X X X X X X X X X X X         X X X X
X=replaced, (X)=optionally replaced, C=changed, 1=archetype package 1, 2=archetype package 2
Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. © 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.

scroll to top