Barbarian 2.0 (2023)

Presented here is an updated version of the 5e Barbarian class including updated mechanics, new features, and subclasses. This updated class addresses three major issues with the current 5e Barbarian; poorly scaling combat features that did not incentivize continuing with Barbarian into high levels, a lack of out of combat features, and a limited number of rages, especially when losing your rage might be out of the players hands. This system gives Barbarians more uses of rage as well as more options for how to use those rages out of combat. It also bolsters the Barbarian's saving throws through a new 15th level feature called Impenetrable Mind to make them more durable in combat as well as updating Brutal Critical to create dramatic and fun moments in your game. Reckless Attack has been clarified to apply to reaction attacks and Fast Movement now receives a boost at higher levels. Subclasses have all been updated as well with changes indicated in bold lettering. These subclasses are also backwards compatible with the 5e barbarian. The changes aid in making all of the options presented viable options through updates to features such as the Berserker's Frenzy and the Battlerager's Armor feature that have been seen as punishing to a player or overly restrictive. The Wild Magic Barbarian has an updated Wild Magic Surge table and the Totem Barbarian has a new frog option that can restrain their targets. All of these changes have been made for the sake of a) making all options fun with unique mechanics that make its gameplay interesting, b) balancing the power level of all options for the class, c) making sure that all features scale into the higher levels of play, and e) removing options that can be potentially game-breaking. I hope you enjoy these updates and find them as an interesting twist to a 5e staple.