Barbarian

The Barbarian class in Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire focuses on aggression and speed over training and discipline.

Resource: Rage

Health: 48 + 16 per level (Very High)

Accuracy: 20 + 3 per level

Deflection: 15 + 3 per level (Low)

Fortitude: 30 + 3 per level (Very High)

Reflex: 20 + 3 per level (Medium)

Will: 15 + 3 per level (Low)

Skill bonuses: +2 Athletics, +2 History, +2 Intimidate, +2 Stealth, +2 Survival

Barbarian Subclasses: You can choose one of four subclasses.

Berserker: Gains _Hardy_ and _Tenacious_ while Frenzied. Has 30% Hit to Crit while Frenzied. Takes 2 Raw damage per 3 seconds while Frenzied and is _Confused_ while Frenzied.

Corpse-Eater: Automatically gains the Flesh Communion ability. Other active abilities cost +1 Rage.

Mage Slayer: Successful melee weapon attacks against an enemy Wizard, Priest, Druid, or Chanter may cause them to suffer spell failure. Gains 10% Spell Resistance. Spell Resistance also affects friendly magic. Cannot use potions or scrolls.

Furyshaper: Gains the ability to summon Wards at ability tiers 1, 4, and 8. Has +10 Accuracy vs. Spirits. If a Ward is destroyed, the Furyshaper takes 5 - 15 Raw damage and suffers -1 Power Level until the end of combat. Has -15 Will.

The Barbarian has low defense but high HP. The _Frenzy_ ability reduces defense further while increasing offensive output.

Upgrading Frenzy, particularly the Spirit Frenzy line, makes it very powerful.

_Barbaric Blow_ is powerful, and its upgrade can make it effectively cost nothing.

The _Leap_ line of abilities provides decent mobility.

Passive abilities like _Blooded_ (gains +25% damage while Health is below 50%) and _Unflinching_ offer consistent bonuses.

_Carnage_ is free (Raw) damage that scales with Power Level.

_Brute Force_ can work with a morning star's Body Blows modal, as many enemies have higher Fortitude than Deflection.

_Barbaric Retaliation_ is outstanding, providing payback when critically hit.

A single-class Barbarian may require taking less optimal abilities to reach specific ones like _Barbaric Retaliation_.

The Berserker subclass can be powerful if the Confusion effect from Frenzy is managed, potentially by multiclassing with a Fighter for Tactical Barrage or using a Fighter's Constant Recovery ability to help with Raw damage.

The Mage Slayer is situationally useful but hinders potion and scroll use and affects friendly magic.

The Furyshaper has decent summons but a significant -15 Will penalty.

The Corpse-Eater is considered the worst subclass due to the +1 Rage cost on abilities not being offset by the +3 Rage from eating corpses, which also takes time away from combat.

Frenzy raises _Action Speed_, offering multiclass potential. Single-class is also viable due to strong high-level abilities.

A Nature Godlike Barbarian gains +1 Power Level due to Frenzy's two Body Inspirations. Consider races that gain power at low health.

Carnage: Passive ability acquired automatically at level 1. Applies 33% of the Barbarian's base weapon damage as Raw damage in a 1.5m radius around the character on a Hit or Crit. Accuracy is vs. Deflection.

Barbaric Yell: Active ability costing 1 Rage. Affects enemies in a 5m 45° cone vs. Will, causing them to be _Shaken_ for 20 seconds. Speed is 0.7s + 4s.

Blooded: Passive ability granting +25% damage while Health is below 50%.

Flesh Communion: Active ability for the Corpse-Eater subclass. Costs 0 Rage. Consumes a corpse to gain +50 Health and +3 Rage. Speed is 3s + 3s.

Frenzy: Active ability costing 1 Rage. Grants _Strong_ and _Fit_ Inspirations (+5 Might, +5 Constitution) and +25% Action Speed for 15 seconds. Causes a -10 penalty to Deflection and conceals Health. The Berserker subclass gains _Tenacious_ and _Hardy_ Inspirations (+5 Might, +2 Constitution, +2 Penetration, +2 AR), 30% Hit to Crit, takes 2 Raw damage per 3 seconds, and is _Confused_. Speed is 0.8s.

Shape Ward: Frenzy: Active ability for the Furyshaper subclass. Costs 1 Rage. Summons a Frenzy Ward which creates an aura that increases Action Speed by +10%. Duration is 60s. Speed is 3s + 4s. Range is 4m.

Accurate Carnage: Passive ability granting +5 Accuracy for secondary attacks from Carnage.

Barbaric Blow: Active ability. Accuracy vs. Deflection, Penetration +2. The character's Full Attack does +20% damage, has 30% Hit to Crit, and does +50% Critical damage. The AoE of Carnage is increased by +50%. Costs 2 Rage.