Barbarian

A fierce warrior who can enter a battle rage—primary ability Strength, d12 Hit DieSRD Content

Core Barbarian Traits

TraitValue
Primary AbilityStrength
Hit Point DieD12 per Barbarian level
Saving Throw ProficienciesStrength and Constitution
Skill ProficienciesChoose 2: Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, or Survival
Weapon ProficienciesSimple and Martial weapons
Armor TrainingLight and Medium armor and Shields
Starting EquipmentChoose A or B: (A) Greataxe, 4 Handaxes, Explorer's Pack, and 15 GP; or (B) 75 GP

Becoming a Barbarian

As a Level 1 Character

  • Gain all the traits in the Core Barbarian Traits table.
  • Gain the Barbarian's level 1 features, which are listed in the Barbarian Features table.

As a Multiclass Character

  • Gain the following traits from the Core Barbarian Traits table: Hit Point Die, proficiency with Martial weapons, and training with Shields.
  • Gain the Barbarian's level 1 features, which are listed in the Barbarian Features table.

Barbarian Class Features

LevelProficiency BonusClass FeaturesRagesRage DamageWeapon Mastery
1+2Rage, Unarmored Defense, Weapon Mastery2+22
2+2Danger Sense, Reckless Attack2+22
3+2Barbarian Subclass, Primal Knowledge3+22
4+2Ability Score Improvement3+23
5+3Extra Attack, Fast Movement3+23
6+3Subclass feature4+23
7+3Feral Instinct, Instinctive Pounce4+23
8+3Ability Score Improvement4+23
9+4Brutal Strike4+33
10+4Subclass feature4+34
11+4Relentless Rage4+34
12+4Ability Score Improvement5+34
13+5Improved Brutal Strike5+34
14+5Subclass feature5+34
15+5Persistent Rage5+34
16+5Ability Score Improvement5+44
17+6Improved Brutal Strike6+44
18+6Indomitable Might6+44
19+6Epic Boon6+44
20+6Primal Champion6+44

Base Class Features by Tier

Level 1: Rage

You can imbue yourself with a primal power called Rage, a force that grants you extraordinary might and resilience. You can enter it as a Bonus Action if you aren't wearing Heavy armor.

You can enter your Rage the number of times shown for your Barbarian level in the Rages column of the Barbarian Features table. You regain one expended use when you finish a Short Rest, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

While active, your Rage follows the rules below.

Damage Resistance. You have Resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage.

Rage Damage. When you make an attack using Strength—with either a weapon or an Unarmed Strike—and deal damage to the target, you gain a bonus to the damage that increases as you gain levels as a Barbarian, as shown in the Rage Damage column of the Barbarian Features table.

Strength Advantage. You have Advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws.

No Concentration or Spells. You can't maintain Concentration, and you can't cast spells.

Duration. The Rage lasts until the end of your next turn, and it ends early if you don Heavy armor or have the Incapacitated condition. If your Rage is still active on your next turn, you can extend the Rage for another round by doing one of the following:

  • Make an attack roll against an enemy.
  • Force an enemy to make a saving throw.
  • Take a Bonus Action to extend your Rage.

Each time the Rage is extended, it lasts until the end of your next turn. You can maintain a Rage for up to 10 minutes.

Level 1: Unarmored Defense

While you aren't wearing any armor, your base Armor Class equals 10 plus your Dexterity and Constitution modifiers. You can use a Shield and still gain this benefit.

Level 1: Weapon Mastery

Your training with weapons allows you to use the mastery properties of two kinds of Simple or Martial Melee weapons of your choice, such as Greataxes and Handaxes. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can practice weapon drills and change one of those weapon choices.

When you reach certain Barbarian levels, you gain the ability to use the mastery properties of more kinds of weapons, as shown in the Weapon Mastery column of the Barbarian Features table.

Level 2: Danger Sense

You gain an uncanny sense of when things aren't as they should be, giving you an edge when you dodge perils. You have Advantage on Dexterity saving throws unless you have the Incapacitated condition.

Level 2: Reckless Attack

You can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with increased ferocity. When you make your first attack roll on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. Doing so gives you Advantage on attack rolls using Strength until the start of your next turn, but attack rolls against you have Advantage during that time.

Level 3: Barbarian Subclass

You gain a Barbarian subclass of your choice. The Path of the Berserker subclass is detailed after this class's description. A subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Barbarian levels. For the rest of your career, you gain each of your subclass's features that are of your Barbarian level or lower.

Level 3: Primal Knowledge

You gain proficiency in another skill of your choice from the skill list available to Barbarians at level 1.

In addition, while your Rage is active, you can channel primal power when you attempt certain tasks; whenever you make an ability check using one of the following skills, you can make it as a Strength check even if it normally uses a different ability: Acrobatics, Intimidation, Perception, Stealth, or Survival. When you use this ability, your Strength represents primal power coursing through you, honing your agility, bearing, and senses.

Level 4: Ability Score Improvement

You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat (see "Feats") or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. You gain this feature again at Barbarian levels 8, 12, and 16.


Barbarian Subclass: Path of the Berserker

Channel Rage into Violent Fury

Barbarians who walk the Path of the Berserker direct their Rage primarily toward violence. Their path is one of untrammeled fury, and they thrill in the chaos of battle as they allow their Rage to seize and empower them.

Level 3: Frenzy

If you use Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus, and add them together. The damage has the same type as the weapon or Unarmed Strike used for the attack.

Level 6: Mindless Rage

You have Immunity to the Charmed and Frightened conditions while your Rage is active. If you're Charmed or Frightened when you enter your Rage, the condition ends on you.

Level 10: Retaliation

When you take damage from a creature that is within 5 feet of you, you can take a Reaction to make one melee attack against that creature, using a weapon or an Unarmed Strike.

Level 14: Intimidating Presence

As a Bonus Action, you can strike terror into others with your menacing presence and primal power. When you do so, each creature of your choice in a 30-foot Emanation originating from you must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 plus your Strength modifier and Proficiency Bonus). On a failed save, a creature has the Frightened condition for 1 minute. At the end of each of the Frightened creature's turns, the creature repeats the save, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest unless you expend a use of your Rage (no action required) to restore your use of it.