Top 3 Barbarian builds for Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 provides a diverse range of classes, sub-classes, and abilities that you can choose based on your preferred style of play. Before embarking on your adventure, you'll engage in the character creation process, during which you can define the abilities and classes of your character. Among these, the Barbarian class stands out as exceptionally skilled in combat and damage-dealing.

Characters aligned with the Barbarian class embody the fearless warrior archetype, always prepared for battle with effective combat strategies and the ability to withstand damage.

In essence, the Barbarian in Baldur's Gate 3 proves to be an optimal selection, delivering a seamless blend of offensive and defensive maneuvers. However, the class includes various subclasses and distinct attributes, each carrying its individual abilities.

Hence, making the appropriate choices for your character's features becomes essential, as these decisions will significantly affect battles and other demanding situations throughout your adventure.

This article presents valuable insights into the best three Barbarian builds for Baldur's Gate 3.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer

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Baldur's Gate 3 build guide: Barbarian class primary abilities

Prior to the building process, you should familiarize yourself with the core capabilities and significant attributes inherent to the Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3. Characters belonging to this class possess expertise in combat, adeptly managing an array of weaponry, armor, and shields.

Rage

The Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 features a pivotal ability known as Rage, a state your character can delve into during combat, resulting in heightened strength and resilience. In relation to physical prowess, this state bestows advantages in close-quarter combat. As for resilience, your character acquires immunity against specific forms of damage and a heightened capacity to endure.

Unarmored Defense

In addition to Rage, the Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 also has Unarmored Defense as its main ability.

When you're not wearing any armor, you incorporate your Constitution Modifier into your Armor Class. This implies that if you're without armor, your Armor Class becomes 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. It's important to note that you can still take advantage of this benefit even if you choose to use a shield.

Dexterity and Consitution

Dexterity in Baldur's Gate 3 plays a role in determining your likelihood of successfully hitting a target with an attack, known as the Attack Roll. Additionally, your Dexterity modifier determines the bonus you receive for your initiative, which measures your ability to react swiftly at the beginning of a battle.

On the other hand, the Constitution in Baldur's Gate 3 affects your maximum Hit Points, which signifies the extent of damage you can sustain. The Constitution modifier also adds to your Hit Points, typically being applied to each roll of Hit Dice when determining your hit points.

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Best Barbarian builds for Baldur's Gate 3

3) Berserker

Subclass

In Baldur's Gate 3, the Berserker subclass grants your character the power of fury and elevated offensive skills, morphing them into an unyielding and immensely destructive presence on the field of combat.

Within the Berserker subclass, there are three distinct attributes available:

• Frenzy
• Frenzied Strike
• Enraged Throw

Frenzy: This skill grants your character an extra attack every turn when they're in a state of rage. This amplifies their offensive capabilities, enabling them to inflict greater damage and overpower adversaries with a rapid succession of attacks. Additionally, your character acquires heightened resilience against physical harm and gains a favorable position for both Strength Checks and Saving Throws.

Frenzied Strike: Frenzied Strike involves using a bonus action to execute a melee attack using your currently equipped weapon. This results in the accumulation of Frenzied Strain stacks on the Barbarian. Frenzied Strain is a progressive, negative effect that causes the Barbarian's accuracy to decrease by -1 for each stack of Strain. This debuff remains active solely throughout the Frenzy duration.

Enraged Throw: Just like Frenzied Strike, Enraged Throw is performed as a bonus action. This action permits your character to select an object or creature and propel it towards a target, causing Bludgeoning damage and forcing the target into a prone position. The extent of damage inflicted corresponds to the weight of the item hurled, and it aligns with the melee damage of the wielded weapon.

Race

The Half-Orc Race is a fitting option for those choosing the Berserker subclass in Baldur's Gate 3. Characters hailing from this race possess the ability to see in the darker environments and excel in Intimidation skills. In addition to these attributes, this Race also demonstrates proficiency in other distinctive traits, including Savage Attacks, Relentless Endurance, and Menacing.

Relentless Endurance grants you the capacity to endure even when your hit points are depleted to zero, allowing you to retain one hit point instead of succumbing outright. However, this ability can only be employed once until you complete a long rest.

Savage Attacks refer to the ability that allows you to roll an extra one of your weapon's damage dice when you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack. This additional roll contributes to the extra damage dealt by the critical hit. Meanwhile, the Menacing trait empowers your character with proficiency in the Intimidation skill, amplifying your ability to invoke fear and intimidation in others.

Feats

Utilize the Savage Attacker feat, allowing you to roll your damage die twice and select the higher outcome when executing a weapon attack. Another option to consider is the Weapon Master feat, which grants you Proficiency with four self-selected weapons. Additionally, your Strength or Dexterity score will increase by one, up to a maximum of 20.

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2) Wildheart

Another optimal choice for the Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 is the Wildheart subclass. This subclass introduces a unique aspect known as the Bestial Heart, allowing you to pick from a range of five distinct animal options:

• Bear Heart
• Eagle Heart
• Elk Heart
• Tiger Heart
• Wolf Heart

Upon making a selection, your character will harness the power of that chosen animal, undergoing a transformation into a state of Rage and acquiring animal-specific abilities.

Furthermore, within the Wildheart subclass, an additional trait called Speak with Animals is available, granting your character the remarkable ability to understand and engage in spoken communication with various beasts.

Characters belonging to this subclass also exhibit expertise in Strength and Constitution attributes, alongside proficiency in wielding an assortment of weapons and donning different types of armor.

Race

Opting for the Wildheart subclass, the Zariel Tiefling stands out as an excellent selection for the character's Barbarian build. This particular race in Baldur's Gate 3 enhances the character's mobility, allowing them to cover a distance of 9 meters per turn.

Furthermore, the character acquires Hellish resistance, providing protection against flames, and gains the ability to see clearly in darkness up to a range of 12 meters.

Feats

You can select the Dual Wielder feat, which enables you to engage in Two-Weapon Fighting regardless of whether your weapons are Light, and it grants you a +1 bonus to your Armor Class when you have a melee weapon in each hand.

Another excellent choice is the Mobile feat, which enhances your character's speed and allows you to move through challenging terrain without reduced movement when you use the Dash action. You should also consider the Tough feat, which will boost your hit point maximum by 2 for every level you advance.

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1) Wild Magic

The Wild Magic subclass is perfect for those who enjoy engaging in combat that blends the untamed and mystical aspects of Baldur's Gate 3. It introduces the Rage Wild Magic ability, enabling your character to embrace a state of rage that unleashes magical energies, resulting in a spontaneous and random magical effect.

Additionally, your character will obtain increased resistance against physical harm, an advantage on Strength checks, and improved proficiency in Saving Throws.

Race

The Gold Dwarf in Baldur's Gate 3 character possesses a starting bonus of one Hit Point, which increases by one with every level gained. Your character will develop resistance against poison attacks and acquire the Darkvision trait. Additionally, they will be proficient in a variety of ranged weapons, and their mobility will see an enhancement.

Feats

You can select the Charger feat, which will enhance your weapon attacks and prove especially effective for close-quarters combat. Another feat worth considering is Sentinel, granting you the ability to use a reaction for a weapon attack against an enemy engaged in melee combat. This feat also provides advantages in executing Opportunity attacks.

In short, when you successfully perform an Opportunity Attack, the targeted enemy's movement will be restricted for their current turn. Opting for the Athlete feat would also be beneficial, as it raises both your character's Strength and Dexterity by one, up to a maximum of 20. Furthermore, your character's jumping proficiency will be amplified by 50%.

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There­ are countless Barbarian builds available in Baldur's Gate­ 3, but the ones listed above are thre­e of the best examples. Keep in mind that the­ best build for you depends on your pe­rsonal playstyle and prefere­nce.