Barbarian 5e
Fierce warriors who channel primal fury in combat through devastating rages. Barbarians are frontline tanks who shrug off damage and deliver massive melee strikes.
At a Glance
Hit Die
d12
Primary Ability
Strength
Saving Throws
Strength, Constitution
Armor
Light armor, medium armor, shields
Weapons
Simple weapons, martial weapons
Key Features
| Feature | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rage | 1st | Bonus action to gain advantage on STR checks/saves, melee damage bonus, and resistance to physical damage. Limited uses per long rest. |
| Unarmored Defense | 1st | AC equals 10 + DEX modifier + CON modifier when not wearing armor. |
| Reckless Attack | 2nd | Gain advantage on melee weapon attacks using STR, but attacks against you have advantage until your next turn. |
| Danger Sense | 2nd | Advantage on DEX saves against effects you can see while not <a href="/rules/conditions/blinded-condition-5e/">blinded</a>, <a href="/rules/conditions/deafened-condition-5e/">deafened</a>, or <a href="/rules/conditions/incapacitated-condition-5e/">incapacitated</a>. |
| Extra Attack | 5th | Attack twice when taking the Attack action on your turn. |
| Persistent Rage | 15th | Rage only ends early if you fall <a href="/rules/conditions/unconscious-condition-5e/">unconscious</a> or choose to end it. |
Subclasses
| Subclass | Source | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Path of the Berserker | Player's Handbook | Maximum damage output with Frenzy for bonus action attacks, risking <a href="/rules/core-mechanics/exhaustion-5e/">exhaustion</a> |
| Path of the Totem Warrior | Player's Handbook | Animal spirit powers granting tactical benefits (Bear for resistance, Wolf for pack tactics, Eagle for mobility) |
| Path of the Ancestral Guardian | Xanathar's Guide to Everything | Tank/defender using ancestral spirits to protect allies |
| Path of the Zealot | Xanathar's Guide to Everything | Divine fury adding radiant/necrotic damage, extremely hard to kill |
| Path of the Beast | Tasha's Cauldron of Everything | Shapeshifting natural weapons (claws, tail, bite) for versatile combat |
| Path of Wild Magic | Tasha's Cauldron of Everything | Chaotic magical effects triggered during rage |
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting rage ends if you don't attack a hostile creature or take damage on your turn
Common Mistake
Wearing heavy armor which prevents Unarmored Defense and Rage benefits
Common Mistake
Attempting to cast or concentrate on spells while raging (prohibited)
DM Tips
DM Tip
Rage resistance only applies to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage - use magic, fire, or psychic
DM Tip
Barbarians excel at soaking damage but have low AC - swarms of weak enemies can exploit Reckless Attack
DM Tip
Watch for players forgetting to maintain rage by attacking or taking damage each turn
DM Tip
At high levels, Persistent Rage and damage resistance make them incredibly durable
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Barbarian — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD class text
- Barbarian — D&D Beyond — Official class reference
- Barbarian Guide — RPGBOT — Class optimization guide