Furious Beauty (32 Barbarian/3 Paladin/5 Harper Scout)

[Twilight Semner]

Introduction:
    This build is designed to optimize damage and defense by making use of splashes in both Harper Scout and Paladin, along with an strong but underused subrace, while maintaining fully functional Barbarian Rage. What it has to offer compared to other high DPS (damage per second) strength tanks is strong saving throws, decent AC, critical hit immunity, and high immunities. Originally I made this build to optimize the bonus damage from wielding a two-handed weapon, while maintaining the defensive bonuses offered by a shield by way of Barbarian Shapestrong Rage. If you like dishing out loads of damage, being able to take a hit, and look good doing it, you might want to consider this build.

Overview:
    This build has the following stats to offer at level 60: 

• Attack Progression of: +99/+94/+89/+84/+99/+94/+89
• Critical Range: 11-20/x3
• Saving Throws: +70F/+62R/+62W
• Armor Class: 132 AC
• Critical Hit Immunity (18 minutes per rest)
• Inherent immunity to Fear, Disease and Poison
• Harper Scout Item Crafting Ability
• Enough UMD to make use of scrolls
  
• Bonus physical damage from Divine Might (108 rounds/day of 9 bonus damage, increasing with demi and Paragon Levels)
  
• Bonus physical damage from Mighty Rage (720 rounds/day of 13 bonus damage and 8 attack bonus, increasing with demi and Paragon Levels)
• 20% bonus to all damage from using a two-handed weapon
• Evasion

Final Ability Scores:

    Strength: 58 (+24)
    Dexterity: 34 (+12)
    Constitution: 36 (+13)
    Intelligence: 30 (+10)
    Wisdom: 22 (+6)
    Charisma: 28 (+9)

NB: These scores do not include any demigod bonuses, but they do assume +14 items and CON Artifact.

The Build:

Race: Half-Elf (Sleep Immunity, +1 Skill/level)
Subrace: Half-Guardinal (+4 STR, +4 DEX, +2 INT, +2 CHA, free feat: Dodge, free feat: Evasion, free feat: Epic Energy Resist Cold 1, free feat: Epic Energy Resist Acid 1, 25% Elec Immune, Immune to Petrification.)
    
Alignment: Neutral Good (will need to do an alignment change to take Paladin and again, after Paladin, to take remaining Barbarian levels)

Ability Scores:

• Strength: 15/19
  
• Dexterity: 14/18
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 14/16
• Wisdom: 8
• Charisma: 12/14
  

Feats:

Pre-Epic (in order):

• Blooded
• Alertness*
• Iron Will*
• Weapon Focus (Halberd)
• Power Attack
• Cleave
• Divine Might
  

*Harper Scout requirement

Epic (in order):

• Great Cleave
• Improved Critical (Halberd)
• Epic Weapon Focus (Halberd)
• Overwhelming Critical (Halberd)
• Greater Weapon Focus (Halberd)
• Epic Prowess
• Great Strength I

Barbarian Epic Bonus Feats (in order):

• Devastating Critical (Halberd)
• Thundering Rage
• Terrifying Rage

Harper Scout Bonus Feats (in order):

• Favored Enemy (Outsiders)
• Great Dexterity I

Legendary Feats (in order):

• Legendary Skill Affinity (Tumble)
• Legendary Weapon Focus (Halberd)
• Armor Skin
• Great Strength II
• Great Strength III
• Great Strength IV
• Mighty Rage

Skills:

• Concentration (+30 - 21 Paladin/9 CC)
• Craft Armor (+63)
• Craft Weapon (+63)
• Discipline (+63)
• Intimidate (+63)
• Listen (+63)
• Lore (+6)*
• Persuade (+8)*
• Search (+4)*
• Taunt (+63)
• Tumble (+60)
• Use Magic Device (+22 - CC)

*Harper Scout requirement

Level Progression:

Level	Feats	Base Saves	Skills	Ability Score
1 Barbarian	Blooded	+2F/+0R/+0W	Discipline +4 (Save 20)	-
2 Barbarian	-	+3F/+0R/+0W	(Save 27)	-
3 Barbarian	Alertness	+3F/+1R/+1W	Lore +6 (Save 28)	-
4 Barbarian	-	+4F/+1R/+1W	(Save 35)	+1 STR
5 Barbarian	-	+4F/+1R/+1W	Search +4 (Save 34)	-
6 Barbarian	Iron Will	+5F/+2R/+2W	(Save 41)	-
7 Barbarian	-	+5F/+2R/+2W	(Save 48)	-
8 Barbarian	-	+6F/+2R/+2W	(Save 55)	+1 STR
9 Barbarian	Weapon Focus (Halberd)	+6F/+3R/+3W	(Save 62)	-
10 Barbarian	-	+7F/+3R/+3W	(Save 69)	-
11 Barbarian	-	+7F/+3R/+3W	(Save 76)	-
12 Barbarian	Power Attack	+8F/+4R/+4W	(Save 83)	+1 STR
13 Barbarian	-	+8F/+4R/+4W	(Save 90)	-
14 Barbarian	-	+9F/+4R/+4W	(Save 94)	-
15 Barbarian	Cleave	+9F/+5R/+5W	(Save 101)	-
	CHANGE ALIGNMENT TO LG
1 Paladin	-	+11F/+5R/+5W	(Save 106)	+1 STR
2 Paladin	-	+12F/+5R/+5W	(Save 111)	-
3 Paladin	Divine Might	+12F/+6R/+6W	Concentration +21 Persuade +8 (Save 87)	-
	CHANGE ALIGNMENT TO NG
16 Barbarian	-	+13F/+6R/+6W	(Save 92)	-
17 Barbarian	-	+13F/+6R/+6W	(Save 99)	+1 STR
1 Harper Scout	Epic Will; Great Cleave	+13F/+6R/+6W	(Save 106)	-
2 Harper Scout	-	+14F/+7R/+7W	Intimidate +25 (Save 88)	-
3 Harper Scout	-	+14F/+7R/+7W	(Save 95)	-
4 Harper Scout	Improved Critical (Halberd)	+15F/+8R/+8W	(Save 102)	+1 STR
5 Harper Scout	Great Dexterity I	+15F/+8R/+8W	(Save 109)	-
18 Barbarian	-	+16F/+9R/+9W	(Save 116)	-
19 Barbarian	Epic Weapon Focus (Halberd)	+16F/+9R/+9W	(Save 123)	-
20 Barbarian	-	+17F/+10R/+10W	(Save 130)	+1 STR
21 Barbarian	-	+17F/+10R/+10W	(Save 137)	-
22 Barbarian	Overwhelming Critical (Halberd)	+18F/+11R/+11W	(Save 144)	-
23 Barbarian	-	+18F/+11R/+11W	(Save 151)	-
24 Barbarian	Devastating Critical (Halberd)	+19F/+12R/+12W	(Save 158)	+1 STR
25 Barbarian	Greater Weapon Focus (Halberd)	+19F/+12R/+12W	(Save 165)	-
26 Barbarian	-	+20F/+13R/+13W	(Save 172)	-
27 Barbarian	-	+20F/+13R/+13W	(Save 179)	-
28 Barbarian	Thundering Rage; Epic Prowess	+21F/+14R/+14W	(Save 186)	+1 STR
29 Barbarian	-	+21F/+14R/+14W	(Save 193)	-
30 Barbarian	-	+22F/+15R/+15W	(Save 200)	-
31 Barbarian	Great Strength I	+22F/+15R/+15W	(Save 207)	-
32 Barbarian	Terrifying Rage	+23F/+16R/+16W	Craft Armor +43 Craft Weapon +43 Discipline +39 Intimidate +3 Listen +43 Taunt +43	+1 STR
41 CC Barb	-	+23F/+16R/+16W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +16 Listen +1 Taunt +1
42 CC Barb	Legendary Skill Affinity (Tumble)	+23F/+16R/+16W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 STR
43 CC Barb	-	+23F/+16R/+16W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1 Tumble +45
44 CC Barb	-	+24F/+17R/+17W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 STR
45 CC Barb	Legendary Weapon Focus (Halberd)	+24F/+17R/+17W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1
46 CC Barb	-	+24F/+17R/+17W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 STR
47 CC Barb	-	+24F/+17R/+17W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1 Tumble +5
48 CC Barb	Armor Skin	+25F/+18R/+18W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 STR
49 CC Barb	-	+25F/+18R/+18W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1
50 CC Barb	-	+25F/+18R/+18W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 STR
51 CC Barb	Great Strength II	+25F/+18R/+18W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1
52 CC Barb	-	+26F/+19R/+19W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1 Tumble +5	+1 STR
53 CC Barb	-	+26F/+19R/+19W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1
54 CC Barb	Great Strength III	+26F/+19R/+19W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 STR
55 CC Barb	(Use CON Arti)	+26F/+19R/+19W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1
56 CC Barb	-	+27F/+20R/+20W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 CON
57 CC Barb	Great Strength IV	+27F/+20R/+20W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1 Tumble +5
58 CC Barb	-	+27F/+20R/+20W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1	+1 CON
59 CC Barb	-	+27F/+20R/+20W	Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1
60 CC Barb	Mighty Rage	+28F/+21R/+21W	Concentration +9 Craft Armor +1 Craft Weapon +1 Discipline +1 Intimidate +1 Listen +1 Taunt +1 UMD +22	+1 DEX

Notes:

You will notice that I took four Harper Scout levels pre-epic. This cost me 1 Base Attack Bonus and 1 Great Dexterity feat, but gained me an additional +3 Base Reflex and Will. If you were to take a 17BARB/3PAL progression, you would lose that +3 to Reflex and Will, but gain +1 Fortitude. If you were to go 20BARB pre-epic, you would lose the bonus Reflex and Will and gain no Fortitude. I believe that +3 to my low saves is worth taking a 1 BAB hit, and losing the second Great Dexterity feat, but it's your preference.

EDIT: This build has been modified, taking into account the very helpful suggestions from TheRajah and others. Thanks for the input, guys!

Furthermore, I used CON artifact before I took the Mighty Rage feat at level 60. If you do not plan on using a CON artifact before level 60, then you should put two more of your Legendary Ability Bonuses in CON in order to meet the requirements for the feat (it requires 21+; you get 3 from Barbarian by 55, plus the four you'll add from levels, will put you at 21 base if you start with 14 base CON as I did). Additionally, you should make note that because of the one less Great Dexterity feat you will have to take another point in DEX while leveling in order to end with a rounded STR (58) and DEX (34) at level 60. I recommend doing this at level 60, but, once again, it's your preference.

I hope you enjoy the build. If I'm not mistaken, it's the first one I've posted on the forums. Feel free to reply with any questions or concerns. I'd be happy to help.

[Raj]

Legendary progression? ^^

All considered you lose 1 ab and one epic dex feat for +3 in flex/will, but if you think saves are too low it's better to just invest Harper feats in epic will/flex (the +1 ab is worth a greater weapon focus feat in LL as well, or you can see it like a couple of great str feats without the added dmg). SO ye, nice touch of pre-epic save calculations but maybe the dumber progression is better

I'd move two points from con at creation to 4 dex at the cost of 2 less str in LL because of the importance of making dc 30-40 dex checks

Try fit divine might at pal3? You don't have much buffing to do so it's a cheap pre-charge buff for 8-9 dmg pre-demi/pl, 13-14 dmg when maxed out

[Twilight Semner]

I think in order to fit all that you've suggested, I would need to give up four total points of STR, which is fine because it allows for one more Pre-Epic BAB and another one from GWF (though you would still be losing 3.6 physical damage per hit this way, which would, again, be more than offset by 12 uses/day of 9 bonus physical - 10.8 with 20% two-hander bonus - damage from Divine Might). I imagine only Epic Will would be necessary, seeing as though the added Dexterity would mostly offset the +3 (+2 vs. +3) you'd be missing from Pre-Epic base Harper Saves. While I'm not too fond of the idea of having to recast Divine Might every 54 seconds (especially since I already have to recast Greater Rage every 2 minutes), it's still a great suggestion and one I'll probably incorporate in the next reincarnation.

As far as where to fit it all in, I think Great Cleave is probably the feat that would need to move to Epic levels to make room for Divine Might. You'd trade one of the Great Strengths for Great Cleave, and another for Greater Weapon Focus. And, of course, you would trade two points of STR from level-up for CON prior to level 57 (or whenever you might plan on taking Mighty Rage).

All that being said, final AB would remain the same. Saves would changes from +69F/+63R/+61W to +70F/+62R/+62W. You'd get 10 minutes 48 seconds per rest of 7.2 (10.8 - 3.6) bonus physical damage per hit. And you'd have 34 Dexterity which will help considerably with DEX checks in Hells. Sounds like a good trade to me.

Thanks for all your input, Raj. I'll likely update the build with these changes and add the Legendary Level Progression as well.

[simpetar]

Might be a minor detail, but Concentration is a pally class skill; you do not need to take it CC all the way. If hold one pally level little longer, you might be able to get enough Concentration without spending too many points there. If you follow Raj's advice about taking Divine Might, make sure that you are able to take the feat at the level (i.e. most likely somewhere around lvl 18, 21, or 24). The points you save that way should probably go to CC UMD. From my experience, 20 hard points in Concentration are enough to pass most checks with just semi decent gear and song (plus barbarians have innately high con). On the other hand, UMD might be little bit trickier, especially in deep layers and low demi penalties. Using something like Asmo belt (+30 UMD) will alleviate this, but why not to put extra points there

[Twilight Semner]

Yeah, thanks for the tip. I was aware of it, but it's worth mentioning. When I update this build after reincarnation, I will include that change as well.

[Vichya]

I'm pretty sure you don't need that much int as a barbarian. They get 4 points per level, and on HG they get 1 extra point too. Since you want to max conc, ca, cw, disc, intimidate, taunt and tumble (7 skills) you only need 12 int (4 barb, 1 extra barb, 1 half elf, 1 int) so you can start with 10 int. If you want to (ab)use the paragon skill points you can even start with 8 int.

Another thing to (ab)use is that you can take mighty rage in paragon levels with demi ability bonuses.

[Twilight Semner]

I like having the amount of INT I have. Allows me to pick up all of the Harper Scout prerequisites and still max CA, CW, Discipline, Intimidate, Taunt, Tumble, Listen, 30 concentration, and 22 UMD. Not necessary of course, but I prefer to have all the skills I can.

[Twilight Semner]

Updated the build, modifying it according to the above suggestions and adding the Legendary Level Progression. Enjoy.

[Vichya]

Jan 8, 2014 3:04:25 GMT Twilight Semner said:

If you do not plan on using a CON artifact before level 60, then you should put two more of your Legendary Ability Bonuses in CON (...)

Actually you should do that earlier, if you raise con in legendary or paragon levels you do not gain hit points for the previous legenendary or paragon levels. It's not like you lose much that way, just about 10-20 in LLs but it's easily avoided by taking con earlier. That's why pariahs players take all great con feats first if they know what they are doing.

[thenut68]

At level 2 HS it would only let me take 12 Intimidate not 25

[thenut68]

why cross class intimidate anyway?

[Deleted]

Sept 5, 2016 21:24:00 GMT thenut68 said:

At level 2 HS it would only let me take 12 Intimidate not 25

why cross class intimidate anyway?

Most likely just a typing error in the build - I'm sure it's intended to be taken as a class-skill on a Barbarian level.