Thor Build Challenge

[*Ceremorph]

One thing to recall about barbarians is that they never have the truly ridiculous ACs that other classes can attain. Rather than making everything about strength (which really only gives you small damage increases), dropping points into Constitution opens up other doors... for instance, rolling levels into FB to gain a considerably greater set of powers in fewer levels, then using the high Con to take epic damage reduction feats and epic toughness with levels of fighter. In my mind, the best reason to take more barbarian levels is to gain the Tireless Rage feat (although even then, I don't know of its worth; this is another one of those class feats that I could see as introduced as an epic feat with CON requirements). Yeah, thundering rage is nice, but on the other hand piling up epic feats by use of fighter levels (or divine champion levels) taken in the 20s will lead to a more well-rounded character.

Barbarian 5
Frenzied Berserker 10
Weapon Master 7
Fighter 8

As human, you'll have to at least take two of the fighter levels early to qualify for the prestige classes (Start off fast with Power Att, Cleave and Gr. Cleave to qualify for FB, taking it at L8 as F2/Barb 5), then roll all of your additional feats into the WM feats; you'll be able to take all ten of your FB levels right away, When you hit L17 (B5/F2/FB10) take a non-feat-giving fighter level, grabbing whirlwind and being ready to take WM at L18, 19, and 20. At this point, you can either rush for Ki Critical or trade off the levels; either way, you'll have a total of eight epic feats coming to you between epic automatics and fighter bonus feats.

With this build, the ability of Supreme Power Attack from FB will more than make up for the loss of thundering rage and not maxing out strength (I'd suggest maxing strength at 20 and then rolling everything into CON), assume a CON of 22 with a single "Great Constitution" taking, plus the just the base toughness feat, by the time you max out at L30 you'll have an astounding 540 hit points. Throw in three Epic Damage Reductions to shrug off the first nine points of damage from every attack, and you STILL have four more epic feats to take, while the Supreme Power Attack is giving you a whopping +24 damage bonus to your power attack if you're wielding a two-handed weapon, and even an not inconsiderable +12 if you stuck with a warhammer. Adventure with a cleric or mage friend to buff you up, and you will fit the perfect definition of a room-clearer.

[*Product of Void]

Fb gets +10 to str and lots of damage to power attack. With the investment into con instead of strength you are going to hit less. Also FB takes 6 points of damage per round.

Barbarian level 20 gets +8 str +8 con. With a feat I choose that will also mean a +4 to will save on top of +4 will save from raging.

so while giving up a +1 to hit you gain 120 hit points +8 will saves while raging. Vs FB who will give up another 6 to hit to use improved power attack.

comparing strength.
Fb would have a strength of 30 when frenzied. doing 15 extra damage using a two handed weapon.

Barbarian having a strength of 34 while raging doing an extra 18 using two handed.

both builds get a Full attack bonus yet to use improved power attack decreases it by six
bab 30 strength 10 IPA -6 = 34

barbarian
bab 30 strength +12= 42 to attack

Durations just compare con to con. 22 for FB 16(+8)=24. So Barbarin would last longer.

Damage reduction of 9 vs 6.

Far as I figure if you go FB you need con to increase duration due to no con boost from frenzie though can from items. though to use improved power attack you would have to be able to hit at a lower attack.

Only change I would do is go with a falcon due to crit range.18-20 meaning if you get Keen on it and weapon master feat going should decrease it to 14-20 if my math is right. Meaning you would still look like a badass with a HUGE sword and do a lot more crits and more damage.

[*Ceremorph]

Thor doesn't use a falchion!!!!

[*Product of Void]

Thor doesn't use a falchion!!!!

Damn thor you suck :P

warhammer huh? to bad can not throw them.

[*Lucereflame]

Anyhow since this topic Went Well far off the idea of thor.. this is my update.

Im Level 2 already and have Chosen to start with barb.. and then took a level in Fighter. i think im going to take the 5 levels of Fighter First.. to Get the feats i need for weaponmaster and the skills for Berserker.. at the end im Feeling 5 Barb. 5 fighter 10 zerker 10 weapon master..
My stats are 17, 14,14,14 9,8

[*Ceremorph]

Just a thought... but comparing the fifth level of fighter to a sixth of barbarian, neither one of them seems to be giving much. In addition, at the risk of sounding like a munchkin, taking Weapon master levels past 7 is simply wasted aside from additional uses of ki damage. If you were to drop the weapon master levels to seven, you would be able to take barbarian up to seven as well, giving you the first level of damage reduction (which you could improve with epic feats later on), as well as taking fighter to six and gaining a free feat... holding this level until epics would wind up resulting in another epic feat for you. Option two would be leave barbarian at 5 and take fighter up to 8, opening the path to greater and epic weapon focus, although personally I prefer the barbarian option with the epic feat.

[*Lucereflame]

im actually debating on Dropping Frenzie Berserker to build up the Dr from Barbarian.. then do the 7 in Weapon master.. so effectivly.. about 20 in barb. 6 in weapon master. 4 in fighter maybe .. just heard from shiv that Thunderous rage at 20 give sonic dmdge