Unleash the Power: A Beginner’s Guide to Building a Goliath Barbarian in D&D
Are you ready to dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and create a character that embodies sheer strength and resilience? Look no further than the Goliath Barbarian. This guide will walk you through the process of building a powerful Goliath Barbarian, ensuring you have a blast while doing so.
Why Choose a Goliath Barbarian?
Goliaths are a race of towering humanoids known for their incredible strength and hardy nature. When combined with the Barbarian class, you get a character that excels in combat, can take a beating, and dish out damage like no other. Here are some reasons to choose a Goliath Barbarian:
- Strength and Constitution: Goliaths receive bonuses to Strength and Constitution, making them perfect for the Barbarian class.
- Stone’s Endurance: This racial trait allows you to reduce damage, making you even more resilient in battle.
- Powerful Build: Goliaths count as one size larger when determining carrying capacity and the weight they can push, drag, or lift.
Building Your Goliath Barbarian
Now that you know why the Goliath Barbarian is an excellent choice, let’s dive into the steps to create your character.
Step 1: Choose Your Stats
As a Barbarian, your primary stats are Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity. Here’s a suggested stat distribution using the standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8):
- Strength: 15 (+2 Goliath bonus = 17)
- Constitution: 14 (+1 Goliath bonus = 15)
- Dexterity: 13
- Wisdom: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Step 2: Select Your Skills
Barbarians have a limited number of skills to choose from, but here are some recommended options:
- Athletics: Capitalize on your high Strength score.
- Perception: Always useful for spotting danger.
- Survival: Helps with tracking and finding food in the wilderness.
Step 3: Pick Your Equipment
Starting equipment for a Barbarian typically includes:
- Greataxe: Your primary weapon for dealing massive damage.
- Handaxes: For ranged attacks or when you need a backup weapon.
- Explorer’s Pack: Contains essential adventuring gear.
Playing Your Goliath Barbarian
With your character built, it’s time to dive into gameplay. Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of your Goliath Barbarian:
Rage!
One of the Barbarian’s defining features is their Rage ability. When you rage, you gain resistance to damage, advantage on Strength checks and saving throws, and a bonus to melee damage. Use it wisely, especially in tough battles.
Reckless Attack
This feature allows you to gain advantage on your melee attack rolls, but enemies will also have advantage against you. Use it when you need to ensure a hit, but be mindful of the risk.
Stone’s Endurance
Don’t forget your racial trait, Stone’s Endurance. It can be a lifesaver in critical moments by reducing incoming damage.
Play to Your Strengths
As a Goliath Barbarian, you’re built to take and deal damage. Get up close and personal with your enemies, and don’t be afraid to use your high Strength for feats of athleticism or brute force.
Conclusion
Building and playing a Goliath Barbarian in D&D is an exciting and rewarding experience. With the right stats, skills, and equipment, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Remember to use your abilities strategically, and most importantly, have fun!
Happy adventuring!
Author: Ryan Clark