barbarians at higher levels

[bolen]

I ran my last game of the campaign last night and we leveled every one up to quite high (like 13). We had a nomad, a soldier/noble and a barbarian.

The discrepancy in the damage that they could do was incredible. Did I do something wrong or is the game meant to have this lopsided combat in favor of barbarians.

 

[Bregales]

I ran my last game of the campaign last night and we leveled every one up to quite high (like 13). We had a nomad, a soldier/noble and a barbarian.

The discrepancy in the damage that they could do was incredible. Did I do something wrong or is the game meant to have this lopsided combat in favor of barbarians.

No, you probably didn't do anything wrong. Remember, this game is called Conan. Howard's stories reflect that barbarism is both the natural state of mankind, and in a way superior to civilization. The advantage barbarians have is their versatility. The soldier could excel if he focused his combat abilities and used them efficiently. The nomad if he used his cultural advantages, such as fighting from horseback. Several Conan stories would write about Conan fighting ferociously, a series of cuts bleeding not seeming to affect him, and whereas the soldier fenced with practised agility the barbarian simply fought unrelentlessly as opposed to skillfully. That's the idea in this game anyways, there was a forum where someone was questioning the unbalancing effect of soldiers compared to superior barbarians, and Vincent Darlage gave a good response. Sorry, supper's on or I'd find it and link it here. Hope this response is of some help. The crux of that argument was that if a soldier specilized or focused his fighting style he could overcome a barbarian if he was able to use his preferred fighting style.

 

[Turim]

The barbarian class doesn't really do any extra damage, until level 15+ when it gets extra attacks from Greater Mobility and Wheel of Death. The sole exception is Crimson Mist/Greater Crimson Mist, but it could easily be "wasted" in an encounter with insignificant supernatural creatures, like risen dead. All other classes may take Weapon Focus, and Improved Critical to offset Versatility. The nomad has Nomad Charge, Greater Mobility, and Mounted Mobility. The pirate has Ferocious Attack, Sneak Attack, and Greater Mobility. The soldier has Formation Combat, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialisation, and Greater Weapon Specialisation. The thief has Sneak Attack, Sneak Attack Style, and Opportunist.

The races that give +2 Str and/or the option to take Fighting-Madness have barbarian as favored class, but these races could be combined with many other classes if the player is willing to lose out on the three extra feats. A Southern Islander pirate will get these feats.

Since you're talking about incredible discrepancy in damage done, could it be that the other players have built their characters in a less than optimal manner when it comes to damage output? If the barbarian is fighting with a greatsword and the others fight with two weapons or a shield, he will generally kill his enemies significantly faster. Also, if the other players haven't maxed their Str or taken Power Attack, they will fall behind when it comes to damage.

 

[InsomNY]

Turim, I don't have my book in front of me, but you're forgetting that versatility extends past simple weapon proficiency -- barbarians eventually get Improved Critical, as well as an increased critical multiplier. Unlike other classes, barbarians get these abilities for free and they may apply them to any weapon.

In other words, they deal more damage more often, in any situation, than a member of any other class with similar Strength.

 

[Belkregos]

check out this discusion

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5865&highlight=barbarian+vs+soldier

hope it helps