Icewind Dale 2 Barbarian Build

Icewind Dale 2: A Barbarian Build

The mighty Barbarian

The Barbarian class is quite special. Barbarians moves fast, much faster than normal characters. They cannot be flanked. They ahve the ability to Rage once per day every 4 levels (starting with one use at first level), which becomes a Greater Rage at 15th level. They gain the ability to resist damage at 11th level and the ability every 4 levels thereafter.

This build focuses primarily on using the Massive Halberd of Hate as main damage source while Greater Rage is activated.

Basic Stats

Race: Human

Class: Barbarian (obv)

Build Progression

• LVL 01: Fighter (1): Power Attack, Cleave (Intimidate: 4)
• LVL 02: Fighter (2): Weapon Focus: Polearm (1)
• LVL 03: Fighter (3): Dirty Fighting
• LVL 04: Fighter (4): Weapon Specialization: Polearm (Strength +1)
• LVL 05: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (1): Barbarian Rage, Barbarian Fast Movement
• LVL 06: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (2): Uncanny Dodge, Great Cleave
• LVL 07: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (3): --
• LVL08: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (4): Strength +1
• LVL 09: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (5): Improved Critical
• LVL 10: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (6): --
• LVL 11: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (7): --
• LVL 12: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (8): Dash, Strength +1
• LVL 13: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (9): --
• LVL 14: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (10): --
• LVL 15: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (11): Heroic Inspiration, Damage Reduction 1
• LVL 16: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (12): Strength +1
• LVL 17: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (13): --
• LVL 18: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (14): Blind-Fight, Damage Reduction 2
• LVL 19: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (15): Barbarian Greater Rage
• LVL 20: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (16): Strength +1
• LVL 21: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (17): Iron Will, Damage Reduction 3
• LVL 22: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (18): --
• LVL 23: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (19): --
• LVL 24: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (20): Tireless Rage, WF: Axe, Strength +1, Damage Reduction  4
• LVL 25: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (21): --
• LVL 26: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (22): --
• LVL 27: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (23): WS: Axe, Damage Reduction  5
• LVL 28: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (24): Strength +1
• LVL 29: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (25): --
• LVL 30: Fighter (4) / Barbarian (26): Greater Fortitude, Damage Reduction 6 (Intimidate: 33)

(1) Polearm focus because the Massive Halberd of Hate is a guaranteed find. Wielding this item will give you immense power in fights. In case you find the Massive Greataxe of Flame, then resort to greataxe feat.

The build is pretty straighforward with emphasis on Polearm due to Massive Halberd of Hate. Obviously you will want to improve strength stats as that's the primary scaling factor for your damage.

Damage Reduction mechanic

DR (Damage Reduction) seems to be doubled for ranged weapons. For example, at DR1 the Barbarian resists 2 points of damage from a bullet fired from a sling, but only one point of damage from a hit from a quarterstaff (both bullet and staff inflict bludgeoning damage). Indeed, at DR1 Barbs resist 2 points of piercing damage from arrows fired from bows, too. Thus, at DR6, Barbs are resisting 12 dmg from projectiles. DR from the magical hide armors stack with Barb DR as well: Abishai Hide Armor IWD2. Assuming equal to or less than +2 enchantment, this allows Barb to resist 16 slashing dmg per hit and 22 piercing dmg per hit, for example.  

Itemization

Weapon

Massive Halberd of Hate

Massive Halberd of Hate

• Damage: 2d8 + 4
• Attack Bonus: +4 
• Enchantment: +4
• Damage Type: Piercing
• Evil: +2d6 damage against good creatures
• Vampiric: 1d4 hit points drained from target and added to wielder (Fortitude save for none)
• Weight: 28 lb.
• Feat Requirement: Martial Weapon, Polearm
• Type: Two-handed
• Minimum Strength of 18 required

Armor

Abishai Hide Armor

Abishai Hide Armor

• Medium Armor
• Armor Bonus: +3
• Max Dex Bonus: +4
• Armor Check Penalty: -2
• Arcane Spell Failure: 20%
• Damage reduction: 5/+1
• Weight: 15 lb