How to DM for New Players: Crafting a Barbarian Build in D&D
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is an immersive tabletop role-playing game that brings players into fantastical worlds filled with adventure and camaraderie. As a Dungeon Master (DM), one of your most crucial roles is to guide new players through their journey. This can often involve helping them create characters that are both effective and enjoyable to play. One popular choice among new adventurers is the Barbarian class, known for its brute strength and resilience.
Understanding the Barbarian Class
The Barbarian class in D&D is defined by its fierce rage and formidable physical prowess. Beginners often gravitate towards Barbarians due to their straightforward mechanics and high survivability. Here are some essential features:
- Rage: The cornerstone of any Barbarian’s arsenal, allowing them to deal extra damage and resist certain types of damage.
- Unarmored Defense: Makes use of Constitution and Dexterity for better protection without wearing armor.
- Reckless Attack: Provides advantage on attack rolls at the cost of receiving attacks with advantage.
Building a Barbarian Character
The first step in character creation involves selecting race, ability scores, equipment, and background that complement the barbarian’s strengths. Here’s how:
- Selecting a Race:
Certain races naturally synergize with barbarian abilities:
- Dwarves offer bonuses in Constitution, aligning well with Unarmored Defense.
- Half-Orcs provide additional Strength and Constitution boosts along with racial abilities like Relentless Endurance.
- Selecting Ability Scores:
A typical priority order could be Strength first for melee attacks, followed by Constitution for survivability, then Dexterity.
- Selecting Equipment:
A well-balanced weapon selection maximizes damage output while providing versatility when required. Axes or greatswords are popular choices among Barbarians.
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Tips for New DMs Running a Game with Barbarians
- Create scenarios where barbarians can shine using their strengths like combat-heavy sessions but balance it out with role-playing opportunities so every character type feels useful.