Barbarian is one of the class kits available to fighters. Compared to standard fighters, barbarians are less disciplined and skilled. They cannot use plate mail or become more proficient than a weapon specialist. On the other hand they move a bit faster, have more hit points and gain some resistance to physical damage at higher levels. They can willingly enter a rage that makes them tougher and stronger, not unlike the berserker kit. Barbarians share the same appearance, level progression, high-level class abilities and stronghold as the fighter class and its other kits.
This class was first introduced by BioWare in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and was later ported to Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition by Beamdog. Though a Fighter kit, Barbarian is listed as a standalone class at character creation in the original edition.
Character abilities table[]
| Character Ability Score | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Strength^ | 9 |
| Dexterity | 3 |
| Constitution | 3 |
| Intelligence | 3 |
| Wisdom | 3 |
| Charisma | 3 |
During character creation, rolls below the minimum value for the class will be increased to that value. This table uses the values for Humans, other Races have modified ability scores.
^ Barbarians have access to percentile Strength.
Advantages[]
- Hit Dice: d12, rather than d10.
- Walking speed: +2 bonus, doubled by haste but not by the Enhanced Edition version of The Paws of the Cheetah. A playable character's base speed is 9.
- Immunity to backstab.
- Can use Barbarian Rage once per day for every 4 levels starting from the first. Rage grants a +4 bonus to constitution and strength for 5 rounds and a +2 bonus to saves vs. Spell (-2 penalty in the original edition), at the cost of a -2 penalty to Armor Class. It also provides immunity to morale failure as well as Charm creature, Hold creature, Hold creature 2, Paralyze, Panic, Maze, Stun, Sleep, Confusion and Level drain effects.
- At level 11, the barbarian gains a passive 10% resistance to all physical damage, which grows to 15% at level 15 and 20% at level 19. It stacks with the 40% resistance granted by the Hardiness ability.
Disadvantages[]
- May not wear armor heavier than splint mail
- May not exceed Specialization (two slots) in any weapon class
- May achieve Specialization (two slots) in any fighting style and allocate three slots in Two-Weapon Style
- May not dual class.
Gameplay[]
The innate ability to rage for +4 Strength and +4 Constitution offers this class some unique benefits and opportunities which other fighters do not have access to. It's a shorter duration Potion of Fire Giant Strength available anytime - or for half-orc barbarians, Cloud Giant Strength. Not only does it increase their melee attack and damage rolls, but also the barbarian's thieving ability by way of bashing.
Baldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition (2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign.: Can steal a Star Sapphire gem from a locked drawer in Candlekeep Inn, Chapter 1.
High-level class abilities[]
High level class abilities are introduced to the series with the Throne of Bhaal expansion. When a Monk or a character from a warrior class such as Barbarian levels up, they can learn one ability of their choice from the list below if they have at least 3,000,000 XP. Abilities can then be accessed by clicking the Special Abilities button during gameplay. Fighters learn their first high level ability upon reaching level 20, and can cumulate up to 21 abilities by level 40.
- Power Attack, this ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Critical Strike, requires power attack. This ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Smite, requires power attack and critical strike. This ability can be selected only one time.
- Deathblow, this ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Greater Deathblow, requires deathblow. This ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Whirlwind, this ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Greater Whirlwind, it requires whirlwind. This ability can be selected as many times you like.
- War Cry, this ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Hardiness, this ability can be selected as many times you like.
- Resist Magic, this ability can be selected as many times you like.
Table for experience, weapon proficiency points and hitpoints[]
| Level | Required experience | Weapon proficiency | Hit Dice (d12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | 2,000 | 2 | |
| 3 | 4,000 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | 8,000 | 4 | |
| 5 | 16,000 | 5 | |
| 6 | 32,000 | +1 | 6 |
| 7 | 64,000 | 7 | |
| 8 | 125,000 | 8 | |
| 9 | 250,000 | +1 | 9 |
| 10 | 500,000 | 9 + 3 | |
| 11 | 750,000 | 9 + 6 | |
| 12 | 1,000,000 | +1 | 9 + 9 |
| 13 | 1,250,000 | 9 + 12 | |
| 14 | 1,500,000 | 9 + 15 | |
| 15 | 1,750,000 | +1 | 9 + 18 |
| 16 | 2,000,000 | 9 + 21 | |
| 17 | 2,250,000 | 9 + 24 | |
| 18 | 2,500,000 | +1 | 9 + 27 |
| 19 | 2,750,000 | 9 + 30 | |
| 20 | 3,000,000 | 9 + 33 | |
| 21 | 3,250,000 | +1 | 9 + 36 |
| 22 | 3,500,000 | 9 + 39 | |
| 23 | 3,750,000 | 9 + 42 | |
| 24 | 4,000,000 | +1 | 9 + 45 |
| 25 | 4,250,000 | 9 + 48 | |
| 26 | 4,500,000 | 9 + 51 | |
| 27 | 4,750,000 | +1 | 9 + 54 |
| 28 | 5,000,000 | 9 + 57 | |
| 29 | 5,250,000 | 9 + 60 | |
| 30 | 5,500,000 | +1 | 9 + 63 |
| 31 | 5,750,000 | 9 + 66 | |
| 32 | 6,000,000 | 9 + 69 | |
| 33 | 6,250,000 | +1 | 9 + 72 |
| 34 | 6,500,000 | 9 + 75 | |
| 35 | 6,750,000 | 9 + 78 | |
| 36 | 7,000,000 | +1 | 9 + 81 |
| 37 | 7,250,000 | 9 + 84 | |
| 38 | 7,500,000 | 9 + 87 | |
| 39 | 7,750,000 | +1 | 9 + 90 |
| 40 | 8,000,000 | Max: 17 points. | 9 + 93 |
For more information, see Experience tables.
Mod content[]
The Tweaks Anthology mod allows Barbarians to dual-class.
External Links[]
- Barbarian on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.