Best Barbarian Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Dungeons & Dragons veterans know that any class can become overpowered, but it is also about what build you develop and optimize. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Barbarian can achieve a supreme level of power if you level them up properly to be the best build of its kind. This class is all about Strength and Constitution, giving them power and health while also being able to succeed in saving throws related to those stats. These warriors harness their rage to cut down their enemies with a focus on melee weapons and light to medium armor. While their AC may not be the highest, their strength makes them mighty tanks. Now, let’s look at how you can get the best build if this is the route you choose to go down.

The Best Barbarian Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Making Your Character

Every little detail can alter your class’s strength, even when creating your character. As they are not heavy armor wearers as it impedes on Rage, their AC will be on the lower end among other aggressive, tank-like classes. If AC is a concern, then you should pick the Shield Dwarf as your race. They have proficiency in light and medium armor – perfect for when you build out the best Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3. When they level up, your health will significantly boost to make up for your less sturdy armor pieces. The Shield Dwarf subrace best utilizes battleaxes, handaxes, light hammers, and warhammers. As Barbarians are best with melee, especially two-handed weapons, it will be best to pick up a battleaxe or warhammer to focus on doing as much damage as possible, especially when you Rage.

When it comes to health and taking damage, the Gold Dwarf is an alternative pick for your race. They have an Advantage and Resistance to Poison damage, which can be helpful against certain enemies. They have HP focused with additional Constitution, and their max health increases every time you level up. Add in their proficiency in warhammers and battleaxes; they can work well as a Barbarian.

When creating your character, you will choose a Background that can give you specific traits that fit in the playstyle you want. Soldier is what you will want to select for a battle-focused character. This will give you proficiencies in Athletics and Intimidation. Athletics will assist when you need to shove enemies or jump to high points. Intimidation will come in handy in dialogue situations to nudge people in your favor.

Necessary Stats for a Barbarian Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

By the time your character is created, you will need the right stats. Strength and Constitution are your goals. Intelligence and Charisma can be dumped. Dexterity and Wisdom can help for certain saving throws and checks but should not be a priority. Here are the optimal stats for Barbarian:

• Strength – 17
• Dexterity – 13
• Constitution – 17
• Intelligence – 8
• Wisdom – 12
• Charisma – 8

Each stat modifier has a significant impact on your build. To know what these do for you, here is an easy way to know the impact of dumping points into Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity, the top three stats to focus on.

• Strength: Determines power in weapons for Strength builds. Enhances jump and shove actions to get greater distance when jumping or able to shove heavier enemies. Finally, Strength improves Rage, a primary ability that gives you an advantage on Strength rolls. By already having high Strength, your Rage will be more effective.
• Constitution: Determines the amount of your health. As on the frontline, you will need as much health as possible.
• Dexterity: Determines your AC. As a tank-like class, you will need as high of an Armor Class as possible to take hits before enemies get to your backline.

What Subclass to Pick

For the best Barbarian build, you will need Berserker for your subclass. Aggression and damage are your job as a Barbarian. Berserker is mostly important due to Frenzy. The bonus action delivers resistance to physical damage and provides the upper hand in Strength saving throws and checks. The playstyle lends to attacking as much as you can in a single turn to either do as much damage as possible or give yourself the highest chance of killing an enemy, which is why Frenzy mode before you attack is important to keep that momentum during your Barbarian’s turn.

• Frenzied Strike: Make an extra attack with your melee weapon.
• Enraged Throw: Pick up an item or target to throw at an enemy. If hit, it causes Bludgeoning damage and knocks the target(s) prone.

As you level up, you will receive other important abilities. Below are some essentials to utilize:

• Level 1 Feat – Unarmored Defense: Remember to invest in Dexterity and Constitution? Then, you can achieve an AC that can usually be achieved with heavy armor. While wearing no armor, you can add your Constitution modifier to your AC for a boost, despite the seemingly dangerous move not to wear armor.
• Level 2 Feat – Danger Sense: Some enemies hide, giving them an Advantage when starting combat with you. Prevent losing a turn, getting caught in traps, and harm from surfaces and spells with Danger Sense. It requires high Dexterity as it improves your saving throws and can not be incapacitated or Blinded.
• Level 2 Action – Reckless Attack: A double-edged sword, Reckless Attack is a Rage-oriented move that grants you an Advantage on your next attack but gives it to enemies, too.
• Level 5 Feat – Extra Attack: As mentioned, you want to maintain the momentum of attacks. That is why at level 5, Extra Attack is helpful to deliver one more unarmed or weapon attack.
• Level 5 Feat – Fast Movement: Getting to enemies can be difficult before level 5. Fast Movement increases your speed by 3m, as long as you aren’t wearing heavy armor.
• Level 7 Feat – Feral Instinct: Another Feat to help you from being Surprised and losing a turn, Feral Instinct will give you +3 Initiative. This is helpful in all combat situations, especially for sneaky enemies.
• Level 9 Feat – Brutal Critical: Maximizing damage centers on multiple factors. Brutal Critical enhances those precious attacks by rolling an extra damage die on top of the die rolled for the Critical.
• Level 11 Feat – Relentless Rage: Rage is essential, so it is fitting that there is a Feat to improve it. Once per Short Rest, Relentless Rage prevents you from going down when you reach 0 HP as you will regain 1 HP to stay in the fight.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on PC and PS5.