Barbarian 5e: Class Guide for the 2024 Rules

What does a barbarian do in D&D 5e?

A barbarian runs at the biggest threat, hits it with a two-handed weapon and soaks the damage that would flatten anyone else. You have the largest hit die in the game (d12), proficiency in Strength and Constitution saves, and a class built around one switch: Rage. Everything else on the class table either makes Rage hit harder or keeps you standing longer.

At level 1 you have 12 + your Constitution modifier in hit points. With Constitution 16 that is 15 HP, and at level 5 it is 55 if you take the fixed average of 7 per level. Check your own numbers with the HP calculator. A wizard with the same Constitution has 37 at level 5.

How does Rage work in the 2024 rules?

Rage costs a bonus action and can't be used in heavy armor. While it is active you get:

• Resistance: half damage from bludgeoning, piercing and slashing, which covers most monster attacks.
• Rage damage: +2 on damage with Strength attacks (weapon or unarmed), rising to +3 at level 9 and +4 at level 16.
• Strength advantage: advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws, so grappling and shoving get much easier.
• The catch: no spellcasting and no concentration.

Rage lasts until the end of your next turn and keeps going if you attack an enemy, force an enemy to make a save, or spend a bonus action to extend it, for up to 10 minutes. In the 2014 rules it lasted 1 minute and ended if you went a turn without attacking or taking damage. The 2024 version also gives back one use on a short rest; in 2014 you only got uses back on a long rest.

What are the barbarian's features by level?

Primal Champion adds 4 to Strength and Constitution, with a new maximum of 25. Weapon Mastery is a 2024 feature; see the weapon mastery guide for what Cleave, Graze and Topple do.

Is Reckless Attack worth it?

Usually, yes. Reckless Attack gives your Strength attacks advantage for the turn, and in exchange attacks against you have advantage until your next turn. Here is the math for a level 1 barbarian with Strength 16 (+5 to hit) swinging at a goblin with AC 15: a normal roll hits 55% of the time, advantage pushes that to about 80%. Your crit chance nearly doubles too, from 5% to 9.75%.

The price is real, but you are the character built to pay it. Resistance halves the extra hits, and you have the HP to take them. Skip it when you face a single huge monster with several big attacks, or when you are already low and the healer is out of slots. More on how advantage works in our advantage and disadvantage guide.

Brutal Strike (level 9)

This replaced 2014's Brutal Critical. When you use Reckless Attack, you can give up advantage on one Strength attack. If it hits, it deals an extra 1d10 (5.5 average) plus an effect: push the target 15 feet (Forceful Blow) or cut its speed by 15 feet (Hamstring Blow). Level 13 adds Staggering Blow (disadvantage on its next save) and Sundering Blow (+5 to the next ally's attack against it). At 17 the bonus becomes 2d10 and you pick two effects.

What changed for the barbarian in 2024?

Relentless Rage is the quiet winner. At level 11 a successful save puts you back at 22 HP instead of 1, so the next goblin arrow doesn't drop you again. The DC still climbs by 5 each use and resets on a short or long rest.

What are the barbarian subclasses?

You pick a Primal Path at level 3. The 2024 Player's Handbook has four:

• Path of the Berserker: the only one in the free SRD. Frenzy adds extra damage dice on your first Reckless hit each turn. Simple and hard-hitting.
• Path of the Wild Heart: choose an animal aspect each time you rage. Bear gives resistance to almost every damage type, which makes you very hard to kill.
• Path of the World Tree: grants temporary HP to allies and later pulls or teleports creatures around you. The most team-focused option.
• Path of the Zealot: extra radiant or necrotic damage on your first hit each turn, plus a pool of healing dice. Top-tier damage.

How do you build a barbarian? (Quick build)

1. Abilities: Strength 15, Constitution 14, Dexterity 13 from the standard array, then raise Strength to 17 with your background. Your AC without armor is 10 + Dex + Con, so 13 to 14 at level 1. Medium armor and a shield can beat that early.
2. Weapon: a greataxe (1d12, Cleave mastery) or greatsword (2d6, Graze). With +3 Strength and +2 rage, a greataxe averages 11.5 per hit; at level 5 two hits average 23.
3. Skills: Athletics and Perception. Primal Knowledge later lets you roll Stealth, Perception and Intimidation with Strength while raging.
4. Feats: Great Weapon Master at level 4, or Tough if you want an even bigger HP pool.
5. Turn one: bonus action Rage (move half your speed with it from level 7), then attack recklessly.

If you want a ready-made starting point, the D&D character generator can roll a barbarian for you, and you can record the build on a printable D&D character sheet. Rolling for stats instead? Use the stat roller.

Is the barbarian a good class?

For levels 1 to 10 it is one of the strongest and easiest classes in the game. Nothing else survives as long at low levels, and the 2024 changes fixed the old complaint that rage ran out too fast. Its weak spots are ranged enemies, mental saving throws (Wisdom and Charisma) and anything that requires flying. Pair the barbarian with a caster who can handle those, and you hold the line while they do the rest. For a sturdier sword user with more options, compare the fighter; for a tank who also heals, look at the paladin.

FAQ

Is the barbarian good for beginners?

Yes. A barbarian has one main resource (Rage), no spells to track and the most hit points in the game, so a new player can learn the core combat rules without being knocked out every fight.

Can a barbarian wear armor while raging?

A barbarian can rage in light or medium armor, or with a shield. Rage cannot start, and ends early, if you put on heavy armor. Most barbarians skip armor and use Unarmored Defense: AC 10 plus Dexterity and Constitution modifiers.

Can barbarians cast spells while raging?

No. While Rage is active you cannot cast spells or keep concentration on a spell. That is why barbarian multiclass casters are rare and why the class has no spellcasting of its own.

How many times can a barbarian rage?

In the 2024 rules: 2 times at level 1, 3 at level 3, 4 at level 6, 5 at level 12 and 6 at level 17. You regain one use on a short rest and all uses on a long rest. In the 2014 rules rage is unlimited at level 20 and only comes back on a long rest.

What is the best barbarian subclass?

For damage, Path of the Berserker (in the free SRD) and Zealot. For staying power, Wild Heart with the bear option, which resists nearly every damage type while raging. World Tree suits players who want to protect allies and control the battlefield.

Related

• HP Calculator 5e
• Fighter 5e Class Guide (2024 Rules)
• Paladin 5e Class Guide (2024 Rules)
• Weapon Mastery in 5e (2024 Rules)