Demystifying the Modifications to Barbarians in D&D

Article Key Points

The latest playtest of One DnD introduced changes to the Barbarian class, including a longer duration for the Rage feature and easier ways to keep the character enraged.

Scheduled for release in 2024, One DnD is designed to maintain compatibility with D&D 5th Edition sourcebooks, ensuring that players won't face the burden of learning new rules. Nevertheless, Barbarian players might need to adapt their strategies as a result of recent updates.

Introducing the new Weapon Mastery feature, Barbarians now gain access to supplementary combat effects. These include the ability to knock enemies prone or hinder their movement. This addition perfectly complements the Barbarian's existing dominance and raw power in combat.

The most recent playtest of One DnD introduced several improvements to the core classes of the game, including some notable changes to the Barbarian. One significant adjustment was made to the Barbarian's Rage feature, which now lasts for an extended duration of 10 minutes instead of a mere 60 seconds. Additionally, it has become much simpler for players to keep their Barbarian character in a state of rage. There are various methods to achieve this, such as making attack rolls, forcing enemies to make saving throws, or utilizing a bonus action. In addition to these enhancements, One DnD's Barbarian class also received several modifications and new additions. One of these is the introduction of a new subclass called Path of the World Tree.

Weapon Mastery

Rebalance to existing subclasses

Introducing Instinctive Pounce, a new core feature in the upcoming DnD release scheduled for 2024. The developers have utilized the latest playtests to refine and fine-tune the game, ensuring a seamless experience for players once it hits the market. While certain aspects, such as the DM guide and character creation, have undergone changes, the core gameplay remains compatible with the existing D&D 5th Edition sourcebooks. This means that players will not need to unlearn old rules and adapt to new ones. However, fans of the Barbarian class and other classes in DnD may need to adjust their combat and roleplaying strategies in light of the reworks showcased in One D&D's seventh playtest.

What the New Weapon Mastery Feature Means for One D&D’s Barbarian

The Barbarian and Fighter have been granted a feature called Weapon Mastery. At level 1, the Barbarian can fully utilize both Martial and Simple weapons, unlocking additional combat effects. For instance, mastering the Battleaxe grants the Topple Mastery, which forces the enemy to make a saving throw upon being hit. If they fail, they are knocked prone, providing advantage to the party for future attack rolls against that creature.

Another impressive Weapon Mastery ability is Slow, accessible through a javelin or whip. This ability decreases the speed of the target creature by 10 feet until the player's next turn. The number of weapons that can be mastered increases as the class reaches certain levels, with a maximum of four. This feature is particularly beneficial for classes like the Barbarian, who rely on brute force and strength rather than finesse and speed. Optimal Barbarian builds in Dungeons and Dragons will likely incorporate Weapons with Mastery properties such as Topple and Slow, as they help control enemies during battles, while abilities like Cleave and Graze create more opportunities for the Barbarian to deal damage.

Path of the World Tree and Changes to Barbarian’s Existing Subclasses in One D&D

One of the designers at D&D found inspiration in the Edda and other Norse myths when creating the Barbarian’s new subclass: Path of the World Tree. Those who follow this path believe that their rage is powered by their connection to the mythological Yggdrasil, a cosmic ash tree that reaches into other universes. Notable features of this subclass include:

Vitality of the Tree (Level 3)

The Barbarian's HP is restored by an amount equal to their level upon activating their Rage. Additionally, players have the option to grant temporary hit points to selected creatures at the beginning of each turn while the Barbarian is enraged. However, these additional hit points disappear once the Barbarian's Rage comes to an end.

Battering Roots (Level 10)

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The Barbarian's melee weapons are connected to the appendages of the World Tree, granting the player an extended range of 10 feet. When landing a hit with a weapon empowered by Battering Roots, the player can activate either the Push or Topple Mastery, even if the item already has another assigned property.

Furthermore, existing subclasses such as the Path of the Wild Heart have undergone significant revisions. Overpowered features like Rage of the Wilds have been toned down, while weaker abilities like Power of the Wilds have been strengthened. A new ability called Instinctive Pounce enables the Barbarian to move at half their speed when activating their rage.

This additional subclass and the introduction of new abilities contribute to making the Barbarian a more versatile character. They now have improved access to support and mobility options that revolve around their signature Rage ability.

Dungeons and Dragons, an iconic tabletop game devised by Gary Gygax, empowers players to weave their own intricate realms and unite in pursuit of thrilling escapades across enigmatic domains meticulously detailed in accompanying resources. Renowned as one of the most exceptional role-playing games ever created, its vast popularity has given rise to numerous adaptations in the form of captivating video games and diverse media manifestations.

Franchise Dungeons & DragonsOriginal Release Date 1974-00-00Publisher Wizards of the CoastDesigner E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson

Editor's P/S

**My Opinions** --- I am excited about the changes to the Barbarian class in One D&D. The longer duration of Rage and the easier ways to keep the character enraged will make the class more fun to play. The new Weapon Mastery feature will give Barbarians more options in combat, and the Path of the World Tree subclass looks like a lot of fun. I can't wait to try out the new Barbarian in One D&D!

**My Feelings** --- I am feeling very positive about the changes to the Barbarian class. I think the changes will make the class more powerful and versatile. I am also excited about the new subclass, Path of the World Tree. I think it is a great addition to the Barbarian class and I can't wait to see how it plays.

**My Attitudes** --- I am very excited about the changes to the Barbarian class in One D&D. I think the changes will make the class more fun to play and more powerful. I am also excited about the new subclass, Path of the World Tree. I think it is a great addition to the Barbarian class and I can't wait to see how it plays.