Optimized Pathfinder Barbarian Build (Mad Dog)

This Optimized Pathfinder Mad Dog Barbarian Build is Iwanna, the Barbarian and Roc, the flying beast. Together they are known as Team “I Wanna Roc.” Hey, I am not saying that the Barbarian is horrible (he is not).  I am just say that the Roc in rollin.  He is one heck of a tag team partner.  Now time for a little tune from Twisted Sister.

I wanna Roc! (Roc)
I wanna Roc! (Roc)
I wanna Roc! (Roc)
I wanna Roc! (Roc)

Level Snap Shots: Take a quick glance at this build’s potential at different levels.

• 1st Level: Roc has 3 modest attacks, AC of 21 with leather barding, and average Hitpoints (9 -13) depending on whether GM allows max hitpoints at first level for companions. With Weapon Finesse, attack from higher ground and flanking, he hits often.  Give Barbarian Breastplate Armor, Heavy Shield and Longsword for 1 attack, AC 18 and 14 hitpoints.  The Barbarian has Roc attack and barbarian moves to flank.
• 6th  Level: View this link for 6th level mad dog barbarian build that was player tested. 
• 12th Level: Roc has 3 Beastie Attacks (adding  to the mix Improved Bite + Str (24) + Menacing Amulet of Mighty Fists + Witch Hunter & Bonus to Str when raging), Roc’s AC (37) (with +2 Mithral Chainshirt barding, +1 tattoo ring of protection and +1 tattoo amulet of natural armor), Average Hitpoints (87-99) (with +2 Belt of Constitution), Roc’s Saves: Ref (10), Fort (10), Will (5) (also has +4 v. Enchantments, if raging add Superstition Bonus to Saves.  As for Barbarian, of course, he is outstanding as well.  Also, since level 8, these two would have been doing their Broken Wings Gambit Routine (NASTY). Finally, the barbarian is casting spells with plenty of wands and having them work on both him and the Roc. Wands + Money to buy them = Total Domination.

Starting Stats (25 point Build): Str (18), Dex (14), Con (14), Int (10), Wis (10), Chr(14)
Starting Stats (20 point Build): Str (18), Dex (14), Con (14), Int (10), Wis (8), Chr (12)
Starting Stats (15 point Build): Str (17), Dex (14), Con (14), Int (10), Wis (8), Chr (10)
Race: Human

Alternative Racial Traits – Eye For Talent (Replaces Bonus Feat) or  Focused Study (Replaces Bonus Feat).  Note, the build below uses Eye For Talent. 

• A truly optimized build would select the leadership feat at 7th or 9th level to get the most milage out of Eye For Talent.  However, since Leadership is not allowed by many GMs, I do not include them in any optibuilds.  If leadership is allowed, it should be in every optimized build (Eye for Talent or not).  Leadership is just that good.  

Favorite Class Option – +1/3 Superstition bonus every level

Feats / Traits / Mad Dog Class Abilities / Rage Power Progression: 0) Traits: Dangerously Curious, Optimistic Gambler; 1) War Beast (Roc) (MDA), Power Attack, Eye For Talent (+2 Con for Roc); 2) Pack Tactics (MDA), 3) Precise Strike; 4) Rage (MDA), Superstitious; 5) Ferocious Fetch (MDA), Combat Reflexes; 7) Broken Wings Gambit; 8) Witch Hunter; 9) Extra Rage Power (Ferocious Beast); 10) DR 1/-; 11) Greater Ferocious Beast; 12) Extra Rage Power (Ghost Rager); 13) Improved Share Spell, DR 2/-; 14) Throat Cutter; 15) Dazing Assault; 16) DR 3/-, Come and Get Me;

• Note: MDA means Mad Dog Abilities; Underlined items are those you must select at each new level. 

Barbarian Skills: Handle Animal (10), Use Magic Device (10), Perception (16), Bluff (5), Ride (8), Acrobatics (15)

Barbarian Equipment (241K): Whip Training (5g), +2 Menacing/Furious Longsword (32K), +3 Longbow Composite (+5) (18K), +5 Mithral Breast Plate Armor (26K), +4 Tattoo Belt of Physical Perfection (64K), +2 Tattoo Headband of Mental Perfection (16K), +5 Cloak of Resistance (25K), Ring of Evasion (25K), +3 Ring of Protection (18K), +3 Amulet of Natural Armor (18K), +3 Furious Lance (32K)

Animal Companion (Roc) Feat / Abilities Progression: 1) Fly 80ft, Ground Movement 20ft, Lowlight Vision, Link, Share Spell, Feat (Weapon Finesse) @ 7th switch to (Combat Reflexes); 2) Feat (Power Attack); 3) Evasion, NA +2, Str/Dex Bonus (+1); 4) Ability Score Increase (+1 Intelligence); 5) Feat (Precise Strike); 6) Devotion (+4 v. Enchantments), NA +4, Str/Dex Bonus (+2); 8) Feat (Broken Wing Combat); 9) Ability Score Increase (+1 Con), Multi-attack, NA +6, Str/Dex Bonus (+3); 10) Feat (Improved Natural Attack (Bite)), DR 1/-; 12) NA +8, Str/Dex Bonus (+4); 13) Feat (Improved Natural Attack Talon or Bite), DR 2/-; 14) Ability Score Increase (+1 Str); 15) NA +10, Str/Dex Bonus (+5), Improved Evasion; 16) DR 3/-

Roc’s Skills: Swim (1), Bluff (5), Fly (1), Perception (5), Survival (1).  Note: Take 1 rank in Fly first.  Take the next 5 ranks in Bluff so the companion can take Broken Wings Gambit by 8th level. 

Roc Equipment (50K): +1 Ring of Protection (Tattoo) (2K), +1 Amulet of Natural Armor (Tattoo) (2K), +5 Mithral Chainshirt Barding (26K), Training Harness (10g), Amulet of Mighty Fist (Menacing) (5K), +2 Belt of Physical Perfection Str/Dex/Con (16K)

Wands:  (24K): Unless otherwise stated, the wands below have 10 charges on them. The numbers in (x) represent the amount of charges when it is something other than 10.

• Attacking – 1) Gravity Bow; Lead Blades (50), Enlarge Person
• Environmental Situations – 1) Air Bubble; Touch of the Sea, Endure Elements, Reduce Person
• Protection – 1) Protection from Evil, Veil of Positive Energy; 2) Resist Energy
• Healing – 1) Cure Light Wounds (50); Restful Sleep, Remove Sickness; 2) Delay Poison
• Escape / Mobility – 1) Hide from Undead, Expeditious Retreat; Negate Aroma, Obscuring Mist, Disguise Self, Vocal alteration, 2) Alter Self, Invisibility, Spider Climb, Silence, Levitation, 3) Fly, Gaseous Form (5), Blink (5)
• Perception – 1) Aspect of the Falcon, Residual Tracking, Keen Senses, Detect Poison; 2) Detect Secret Doors, Darkvision, See Invisibility
• Other – 0) Mending(50); 1) Ant Haul, Alter Winds, Comprehend Language; Share Language; 2) Tongue, Knock; 3) Dispel Magic (5)

Mad Dog Barbarian Guide