{=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=} )=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- Barbarian FAQ -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=( {=---------------------------------------------------------------------------=} Creator: Will Cornelius Initial Writing: May 24th - June 2nd Version: 1.20 {=-----------=} )=- Intro -=( {=-----------=} First off I'll let you know that I'm no "Dungeon Master" on D&D rules, or have I ever played D&D. This is my FIRST FAQ so feel free to send me "Constructive Criticism" on how to improve my FAQ. The main reason I wrote this is because NwN (Neverwinter Nights) is the first real hardcore RPG I've gotten into. I have played various Final Fantasy's and I've fooled around with some other RPG's. I decided to do my FAQ on the Barbarian class because it's a beginner class (for me it was) and also because no one else has made one. {=-----------------------=} )=- Table of Contents -=( {=-----------------------=} 0.0 FAQ Related Notes 0.1 Legal Information 0.2 Version 1.0 FAQ 2.0 Barbarian 101 2.1 Strengths 2.2 Weaknesses 3.0 Barbarian Recipe 3.1 Race 3.11 Human 3.12 Elf 3.13 Dwarf 3.14 Halfling 3.15 Gnome 3.16 Half-Elf 3.17 Half-Orc 3.2 Stats 3.21 Strength 3.22 Dexterity 3.23 Constitution 3.24 Intelligence 3.25 Wisdom 3.26 Charisma 3.3 Skill Points 3.4 Feats 3.5 Multi-Clasing 3.51 Minor 3.52 Major 3.6 Which Is Right For Me? 3.61 Types Of Barbarian 4.0 Barbarian Items 4.1 Weapons 4.11 Greataxe 4.12 Greatsword 4.13 Scythe 4.14 Double Sword/Double Axe 4.2 Armor, Shields, Helmets, and Cloaks 4.21 Light Armor 4.22 Medium Armor 4.23 Heavy Armor 4.24 Shields 4.25 Helmets 4.26 Cloaks 4.3 Rings, Necklaces, and Boots 4.31 Rings 4.32 Necklaces 4.33 Boots 5.0 Final Thanks 6.0 Contacting Me {=---------------------------=} )=- 0.0 FAQ Related Notes -=( {=---------------------------=} Here's where I put all my boring stuff that needs to be said. Also I might put something else here someday, like some notes on NwN patches or some such like that. By the way, the current patch is patch V1.29, this is available at the official NwN website. {=---------------------------=} )=- 0.1 Legal Information -=( {=---------------------------=} This guide is not to be posted on sites other than here at GameFAQs, please contact me if this guide is posted anywhere else. Printing this guide is perfectly legal as long as it is used by the one who printed the guide and no other. Do not attempt to post this guide anywhere else on the internet or any other source that is broadcasted to the public without specific permission from myself. If you have any questions about this just e-mail me at doubleu_15@hotmail.com. Remember, plagiarism is illegal and can result in EXTREME CONSEQUENCES!!! {=-----------------=} )=- 0.2 Version -=( {=-----------------=} V.10 - 24/5/03 - Started the FAQ. Did Title, Intro, Legal Info and Version. V.20 - 25/5/03 - Fixed up Table of Contents and finished Barbarian 101. V.30 - 26/5/03 - Slight Changes. Now working on Barbarian Recipe. V.40 - 27/5/03 - Plan to check things on NwN today. Finished Races and Stats. V.50 - 28/5/03 - Finished Skill Points and Feats. V.60 - 29/5/03 - Starting Weapons. Finished Greataxe and Greatsword. V.70 - 30/5/03 - Managed to finish Weapons and Armor, Helmets, Cloaks. V.80 - 31/5/03 - Submitted today. Planning on adding more soon. V.90 - 1/6/03 - Adding more information. Also reformatting. V1.0 - 2/6/03 - Planning on submitting today. Added Multi-Clasing. V1.1 - 15/6/03 - Been SUPER BUSY. Hoping to update tonight. Not a full update. V1.2 - 16/6/03 - Hope to get out a quick update todady. {=-------------=} )=- 1.0 FAQ -=( {=-------------=} Here I will answer any question you ask me. So email me any you have! I've put up a few just to get things started. Q: What's a barbarian? A: Simply, a really, really, really, strong melee fighter. They have high hit points, and semi-high dexterity. They usually use a two-handed weapon. Q: What's the best race? A: Well, since there is more than one opinion there is no "best race". But my personal opinion is, the Half-Orc, gets the bonus strength, for a loss in some crappy stats. Q: What's a good build? A: A good build for a barbarian, is anything focusing on strength. Then on your choice of dexterity or Constitution, I usually do a balance of the two. {=-----------------------=} )=- 2.0 Barbarian 101 -=( {=-----------------------=} The basis of the Barbarian is, big, strong, and stupid. By big I mean high hit points and heavy armor. Strong meaning big damage and good critical. Being dumb, ugly and no charisma is being stupid. For me I focus on Strength over all other stats, dexterity/ Constitution is second. Wisdom comes third and for intelligence and charisma I couldn't give a rat's @$$ about it. But that's just me, overall though high strength is a must for a Barbarian. Your next choice is either going for high AC or dexterity. Constitution should be an average concern but not number one. As for the rest you can disperse them at your own will. I'd say keep it low for charisma, the only thing it's going to do is persuade. {=-------------------=} )=- 2.1 Strengths -=( {=-------------------=} The Barbarian is obviously a melee fighter, and a good one at that. His strength stats could make someone fall into a coma there so high. High hit points are another goodie, boosting your longevity in a battle. A Barbarian's best weapons are arguably between a greatsword and a greataxe. Both of them doing high damage and good for foraging. Barbarian Rage is like a tomahawk missile to a Barbarian, and when you get to level 15 it becomes Greater Barbarian Rage. Boosting your strength, constitution, and will saves. But this comes at a slight loss to your AC. Also Barbarians are a great class to play as a beginner or a dumb@$$ of D&D (like me) because of their easy-to-use motto. {=--------------------=} )=- 2.2 Weaknesses -=( {=--------------------=} Barbarians, being stupid and all (again, like me) can't use magic for their life. This is probably their biggest flaw. Another is their chances of winning a beauty contest, pretty low huh. Besides that is that there going to have hell of a time successfully multi-classing with much more than just the fighter class. Another thing is that you won't be able to specialize that well with out multi-classing. {=--------------------------=} )=- 3.0 Barbarian Recipe -=( {=--------------------------=} Creating the "perfect" barbarian is one of the most important decisions in your life, along with buying a house, getting married, etc. You will need to weigh up all the things you want and need, type of weapon, strength or dexterity, human or Half-Orc. Also you will have to decide if you are going to multi-class at all, and if you do, what will you multi-class with? All these factors can make a computer geek go crazy, or neglect their social life. This is why I am here, to help the unfortunate souls who are caught in the "Spiral of Never Ending Possibilities". So hop on a magical carpet and let me show you how to create the "perfect" barbarian. {=--------------=} )=- 3.1 Race -=( {=--------------=} Race, one of the top decisions to be made for your barbarian. Should I go with the over-powering Half-Orc, or should I take the high endurance Dwarf? Or maybe a balanced out Human. Here I will break down each races benefits and downfalls. Also No matter what race you choose you can still become a barbarian. (=- 3.11 Human -=) One of the top races to play with. There overall balance is quite good. One of the best things about them is their "Quick to Master" feat, which allows you to gain one more feat during customizing. There other bonus is the extra skill points per level. Also you won't be getting penalized for multi-classing. If you want a balanced race this is it. (=- 3.12 Elf -=) A great race for over using dexterity. They get a decrease in Constitution from there dexterity bonus. They also have some good special attributes, like, plus two to saving throws against enchantment spells. Keen senses, Weapon proficiency (Elf). A dilemma with the elf is there favored class, wizard, you can avoid this but, it is a problem. Still a great choice for the dexterity based barbarian. (=- 3.13 Dwarf -=) Another Great Race to use, there stats that are modified are possibly the best their is. With the increase in Constitution, for a decrease in charisma, this is defiantly a great deal. There favored class will be a bit of a problem for you. But overall if you plan on going "straight" barbarian you'll be sweet. (=- 3.14 Halfling -=) Not a great choice, low strength will land you in the dumpster. His high dexterity is good, but not worth a loss in strength. Also his smallness will find you trying to think of the dagger as a "great" dagger, with his access to only medium weapons. The favored class is also a problem. Defiantly not a great choice, but a challenging choice. (=- 3.15 Gnome -=) Like the Halfling, low strength, but a change is the bonus in Constitution. Still defiantly not worth it, considering his favored class too. Also has the same problem with the weapons that the Halfling has. Slightly better than the Halfling, but still not a good one. (=- 3.16 Half-Elf -=) Not much experience with them, only slightly different than the Human. Half-Elves give up the extra feat and skill points for some other nifty things, immunity to sleep, plus two on saving throws against enchantments, also they have plus one to their listen, search, and spot. They have the same multi-classing ability the human has. A bit like an elf and a bit like a human, probably why it's called "Half-Elf" (Durr). (=- 3.17 Half-Orc -=) Half-Orcs, arguably the best race to use for a barbarian. They get a bonus to strength with minuses in the barbarians most useless stats, intelligence and charisma. They also have the barbarian as the favored class, which will aid you greatly if you plan on multi-classing. If you plan on just kicking @$$, this is the super deluxe package. {=---------------=} )=- 3.2 Stats -=( {=---------------=} Stats, without these, your character would be as good as a fence post, but probably worse. This is the most important thing when designing your character, in my opinion. Since this is a game with many different people playing it, there are many different builds for you character. I will write up my personal builds here, and later, hopefully, people will e-mail me more. (=- 3.21 Strength -=) Most important, max this baby out. Strength is going to aid you in battle and help you carry lots of items. I'd say putting this anywhere between, fourteen and eighteen. For every two strength points over ten you will get a plus one damage in battle. If you're a Half-Orc it should be no lower than sixteen. If you go much lower than fourteen your going to get in trouble. (=- 3.22 Dexterity -=) Now comes a choice, should you go for high dexterity by losing a couple stats from strength and Constitution, Or keep it regular? You will be choosing between this and Constitution. It's really up to you on this. Go for anything between twelve and fourteen, more if you going on the dexterity side. (=- 3.23 Constitution -=) Here's your other choice if you didn't choose dexterity. This will make sure your characters still standing there after a few big hits. If you take Constitution over dexterity your also going to be getting the Heavy Armor Proficiency, or should. This will give you high hit points and high AC. This was the choice I took on most of my characters, but once again, it's all up to you. About the same for dexterity, if your going to try to keep them the same, do something like, thirteen dexterity, fourteen Constitution. (=- 3.24 Intelligence -=) Not to useful for a barbarian. No need to cast spells or summon creatures, when you can just kill the enemy with your greataxe/greatsword. Maybe keep it above nine just to avoid your barbarian from being stupid, unless you like him talk like this. (=- 3.25 Wisdom -=) Around your third most important stat. Not epically useful for much, but it will give you high saving throws. I never understood wisdom much (probably because I have none), if you're multi-classing with a class that needs it then perhaps spend some extra points here. I usually have mine between ten and twelve. (=- 3.26 Charisma -=) Most useless stat. It should just be persuade as a skill point. I know, a few, and I mean a few, classes use it a little bit. But on the whole it's really only useful for persuading. If you really must, then get this up to, nine or ten, but please make sure you want to. {=----------------------=} )=- 3.3 Skill Points -=( {=----------------------=} An important aspect of any character, barbarian or not, is skill points. These will give you a lot of bonuses, like better discipline, which will make it harder for enemies to knock you down, called shots, etc. There's also parry, which will allow you to block opponents attacks easier and counter attack. Taunt will keep those pesky mages from casting their flash spells. There are lots of skill points, but for every class there are only a few, like between three and six, different places to place these. You can of course place these wherever but, it will cost you more skill points. Barbarian's favored skills are, discipline, parry, heal, listen, lore, and taunt. I'm not a particular expert on skill points, but I do know that you need plenty of discipline, max it out at the start then add one every time. Parry, I don't think many people use it, but I maybe wrong, it's not very good so stay away from it. Heal, There's not much point in healing yourself when you have high hit points. I find this skill quite useless, because you also have to buy the healing kits to heal yourself. Probably best to keep this skill at zero. Listen is a fairly good skill it will allow you to see that dire spider in the next room, or that skeleton on the hill top. Give this full stats at the begging, then when you fell it necessary give it a point or two. Lore isn't going to be that useful, it does let you identify items, but that's it. Either give this stat lots or none. Taunt is a good skill to have, I'm told, and I never personally use it much. But used when someone's casting a spell, can disrupt them and let you move in for the kill. I would say give this full at first and then give it points when you think it needs them. Now after all that you should have some skill points left. I'd say to spend these on search, which will help you find traps, and spot, which will let you see enemies that are hidden. {=---------------=} )=- 3.4 Feats -=( {=---------------=} Feats are a very important part of the "perfect" barbarian. Being a barbarian, considering you don't multi-class, will only get you seven, eight if you're a human, feats. This number, being limiting, can still let you max out your barbarian on many things. Improved Critical is a good one when you know what weapon you're going to finish the game with. Weapon Focus is also good once you know what you want, it will give you bonus attack damage for your weapon. Heavy Armor Proficiency is a good feat to have if you went with the, Constitution based barbarian, it gives you the ability to wear heavy armor (Durr), which, in my opinion is better than light or medium. Dodge and Mobility are good ones too. Not only are they for the dexterity based barbarian, but there good for both. Weapon Proficiency (Exotic) is only good if you plan on using an exotic weapon the whole game. Because you only have your limited feats. Toughness is a very good one if you choose it in the beginning. Best used if your a human, because you will have that extra feat in the begging. Probably best to stay away from any feats that increase your two weapon fighting skills, simply because a barbarian should not be using two weapons, they should be using large weapons like, greataxe, greatsword, etc. Cleave is extremely good in the beginning, because you will be facing hordes and hordes of low hit point creatures. That's about it for feats. Try to get a good combination of offensive aiding ones and defensive aiding ones. {=------------------------=} )=- 3.5 Multi-Classing -=( {=------------------------=} An important part of the barbarian. Weather or not to multi-class, and if so, what with? Multi-classing is important to get some extra feats, special abbilites, better fighting abilities, etc. Barbarian's will only be able to multi-class with some classes due to their "Must Be Non-Lawful". So no Monk, Paladin, and no Druid. Unless their part neutral, then they can be druid. Some of the best classes to have a barbarian multi-class with are, anything that gives you Heavy Armor Proficiency, or Cleave. Most of these, will have you being a Half-Orc, otherwise you'll be going against the experience points penalty. Multi-classing can be used in so many ways, so go at it, and e-mail me any you wanting this FAQ. (=- 3.51 Minor -=) (16B/4F) - Sixteen barbarian, four fighter. You can add more levels to fighter. The first couple fighter classes will give you some valuable feats. Like Heavy Armor Proficiency, a few others to. Could also be a major multi-class. I have tried this and it's a pretty good combo for getting those extra feats. A downfall is not very many skill points. (18B/2R) - Eighteen barbarian, two rogue. Haven't tried this before. Imagine it will be quite good for getting the sneak attack and the truckloads of skill points. Like I said before, not much experience with it, but I will get to it. If anyone has tried this can they please e-mail me? (=- 3.52 Major -=) (11B/9D) - Eleven barbarian, nine druid. Complete theory here. I imagine the casting abbilites of the druid, and the fighting qualities of the barbarian would make an interesting combo. You would have animal companion and barbarian rage. You would be able to cast some fairly good spells. If you do try this you'll want to balance the stats out before starting. Dexterity should take priority over Constitution, take a couple points off strength and slap them on to dexterity. Wisdom is another must have if you plan on being part druid. Take points off Constitution, and any others you don't really need, add them to wisdom. You should now have a fairly well balanced barbarian/druid. When doing your stats and skill points don't totally neglect one class or the other, try to keep them even. (11B/9F) - Eleven barbarian, nine fighter. An enhanced version of the minor one. You'll get many, many feats if you take this. You'll also get the fighters Heavy Armor Proficiency. You should still stay basically as strong, maybe a bit weaker. The only main reason to take this is because of the extra feats given. (11B/9R) - Eleven barbarian, nine rogue. The sneak attack here would really shake up some opponents. Also the immence ammount of skill points would be a nice addition. Just a better version than the minor multi-class one. {=--------------------------------=} )=- 3.6 Which Is Right For Me? -=( {=--------------------------------=} The great question. Which one? How much? What kind? etc. Here I will actaully "recomend" what _____ is for you, like what race, how much strength. What type of feats, and so on. Feel free to e-mail me on any ideas you have. (=- 3.61 Types Of Barbarian -=) There are many types of barbarian you can make. A big strength based half-orc brute, or a dual wieling human. From what you'v read (assuming you read all the above info) you'll be fairly knowledgable of all the factors that make a barbarian. From knowing this you will be able to make your own special type of barbarian. I will be adding more soon, e-mail me any ones you want in here! (Brute) - Preety much self explanatory, but in case your thick (like me) I will explain it. Choose Half-Orc, give him eighteen ,or more, strength. Then focus on constitution give it about fourteen to sixteen. Now spread the rest of the stat points as you feel necesary. For skill points place them on dicipline and lore, save money. Now as for feats you will need, power attack, weapon focus, weapon specialization, improved critical, improved power attack, and then you will want some that will give you a big advantage in battle. Maybe either, cleave, knockdown, etc. You will probabally want to use a greataxe or sword, perhaps even a scythe (make sure you read the part about scythes). As for armor you want as much AC as you can get, be greedy. The rest is really up to you. (Dual Weilder) - Two weapons are better than one, right? Well they should be. Go for Human, because you get the extra feat, and skill points. Strength is not as important, but don't neglect it, maybe fourteen up to sixteen. For dexterity you could put this real high and get Weapon Fineese, or stay around fourteen. Best to use medium armor, so keep constitution regular to low. You can spend the rest on where ever, perhaps wisdom? Now a big choice is weapons. I personally find having one weapon with a 3X critical, and another weapon with a 19-20 2X critical, a very good combo. Make sure you put the 3X critical weapon in your primary hand, as to get more dammage on the big critical. For armor get the best medium armor you can find, make sure it will let you use your dexterity to the fullest. Again the rest is up to you, so expeirament. {=-------------------------=} )=- 4.0 Barbarian Items -=( {=-------------------------=} Through out the game your barbarian will no doubt, find various items. Weapons armor, belts, rings, etc. This part of the FAQ will go threw, which weapon, what kind of ring, how much AC in the armor, you get the idea. Note that some items appear at random times and places. I'm still trying to figure this out but be aware that you may get some very unique items through out the game, keep them! {=-----------------=} )=- 4.1 Weapons -=( {=-----------------=} My favorite items to have, simply because, you can't wreak havoc with out it. The barbarian, being a big melee fighter will want something big and deadly. Perhaps a Greatsword? No, something with high critical. How about a Scythe? Or do you want the Double Axe? This is where a lot of people get very confused and end up picking the humble "dagger". Well, not to worry, we'll match you with your ideal weapon. So let's play, Blind Dat ... I mean ... Blind Weapon. (=- 4.11 Greataxe -=) Ahh, the very great, greataxe (Yeah bad grammar, I know). The greataxe is probably the most used barbarian weapon, if not this, then the greatsword. With 1D12 damage, and 3x critical, it certainly is threatening. This is going to be your only real choice in the begging, this or the greatsword. You will eventually find a greataxe plus one, in chapter one. You will then want to go get it upgraded, for an adamantine and five hundred gold, to a "Stone Fire Greataxe" which has two additional fire damage, and a cool new look. Next you'll be in chapter two. At the Green Griffon Inn you will be able to buy a great axe plus two. Also another special one, but you have to be level fourteen to use it, so don't bother with it yet. You also may well run across some other special kind of greataxe, I didn't. Then in the begging of chapter three there will be a forge and a place to get a greataxe plus three. If you still have your "Stone Fire Greataxe" and an adamantine you can make it do 1D6 damage instead of plus two. The rest of the game will have you either staying with the greataxe plus three or the "Stone Fire Greataxe" or if you find another really sweet greataxe. (=- 4.12 Greatsword -=) The biggest of the swords, ironically it's called the, greatsword (Bad joke, I know). The difference between this and the greataxe is, that the greatsword does 2D6 damage and a 19-20 2x critical. The difference between this and the greataxe is, the same difference which made me choose the greatsword over the greataxe is. The greataxe does 1D12 which gives you an average of six and a range of one to twelve. Now with the greatsword you do 2D6, this gives you an average of seven and a range of two to twelve. So in case you got lost in my math mumbo-jumbo. The greatsword will never do one and has a higher average than the greataxe. Of course the critical can make you look the other way on this, seeing as the greataxe has a 3x, which is very good. The greatsword is found quite common everywhere you go. Whether you start with this or the greataxe makes little difference now. Towards the end of the first chapter you'll either want to use your adamantine on the greataxe or greatsword. If you go for the greatsword the rest of the game will be the same as the greataxe would be. You do happen, to get more special greatswords, I did, like the "Blade of Rishmi", which has spell resistance. (=- 4.13 Scythe -=) Not much experience with the scythe, plan to do some though. The main thing is the 4x critical. The 2D4 isn't great but the critical will keep you safe. The upgrade at the forge is also really good, with 1D6 bonus sonic dammage, and something else I don't remember. Like I said before I don't have much knowledge with the scythe but I will try to get some. - reesespieces72@hotmail.com added the following. "I know, it only does 2d4 damage, but it has a x4 critical like you said. If you get improved critical however, it becomes 19-20 x4. if you are a half-orc, and get 20 strength, you will have a plus 5 modifier. if you then get weapon focus, it will then add to your normal half orc +1 bonus to damage and you will have 2d4 + 7. follow me so far? ok. then, you will (hopefully) have learned the following feats: weapon proficiency (exotic) weapon focus (scythe) power attack, improved critical (scythe), cleave, and improved power attack. I know, it seems like a lot, but if you multiclass in fighter, no problems. now, if you use improved power attack, it will be 2-8 + 17. this is 19 - 25. if you are a fighter and get weapon specialization, it will be 21 - 27. even at level 1, your attack bonus would go only down to -3. now, finally, the payoff. With a 19-20x4 critical with the scythe, you will end up doing 84 - 108 damage. two of those could take a whole dragon down easy." (=- 4.14 Double Sword/Double Axe -=) As far as I know these two weapons are the same, except for look, weight, and critical. Dealing 1D8/1D8 damage, giving you two attacks a round, defiantly a good weapon. I have some experience with these, but not lots. There initial cost is more than usual, but will be paid back soon. They can both be upgraded at the forge before the end of chapter one, fairly well upgraded to. They then follow the same path that the greataxe and greatsword do. Going up each chapter and some special ones along the way. A special double sword that I found along the way "Blade of Corellon" was, extremely useful, with plus three enchantment, along with heal plus two and spot plus two. It also would have fetched a fair price at the merchant, near eight thousand. {=---------------------------------------------=} )=- 4.2 Armor, Shields, Helmets, and Cloaks -=( {=---------------------------------------------=} Obviously important, with out this your character would be in his undies, cold and scared. Armor is essential for the barbarian, weather you go, heavy armor or stay with medium armor. If you do go with heavy armor, you will of course need the feat. (=- 4.21 Light Armor -=) Not a good choice for the barbarian, usually that is. If you want to go for super dexterity, then by all means be my guess. I have absolutely no experience with light armor, so don't ask! (=- 4.22 Medium Armor -=) Your starting armor proficiency, I usually use this for a good three quarters of the first chapter. Normally I don't go beyond that with medium armor. What I do know is that it's a good balance between dexterity and AC. I believe the highest AC on medium armor is six? Not sure on this. The good thing about medium armor, that heavy armor doesn't have is, it has a decent dexterity bonus. (=- 4.23 Heavy Armor -=) Here's what I'm talking about, the "good" stuff. Heavy Armor is going to keep you safe and high on hit points. There are also a lot of special heavy armor pieces I've come across, like "White Dragon Armor", "Mithral Splint Mail", "Enkidu's Armor", etc. Heavy armor has got the "shiz" for AC, with things getting up to AC 10 (For just armor), your going to be doing fine. A downside to heavy armor is that barbarians need to use one of their limited feats to get it, you can always multi-class though. (=- 4.24 Shields -=) Not usually associated with barbarians, they do indeed help the AC though. Probably not such a good idea for a barbarian, unless you have a particularly good medium weapon. There are some shields that add a lot of bonuses, but it is possible to get a barbarian with a shield to be effective. Plan to do some experimenting with this. (=- 4.25 Helmets -=) Buy your barbarian a helmet as soon as you can, since there only twenty five gold. There are not that many helmets through out the game that are going to help a barbarian. A good choice could be the "Mask of Persuasion" or "Greater Mask of Persuasion", simply because you might of neglected your charisma. Or you could get the "Thayvian Circlet". The lack of helmets is a bit of a bummer, but can be ignored. (=- 4.26 Cloaks -=) Anything with a plus in AC or damage reducing is a good cloak. As with helmets, there are not lots of cloaks. "Cloak of Protection vs. (good, evil, chaos, law)" is fairly good. Your best bet though is probably any of the "Cloak of Protection", giving you direct AC bonuses. {=-------------------------------------=} )=- 4.3 Rings, Necklaces, and Boots -=( {=-------------------------------------=} Some very good items here, "Ring of Elemental Resistance", "Amulet of the Uthgardt". You're allowed two rings, one necklace, and a pair of boots. (=- 4.31 Rings -=) The great thing about rings is, if you have two really good rings, you don't have to spend hours, and hours, deciding what ring you want. Because, you can have two! In the begging you're not going to have a whole lot of choice, mostly real crappy protection ones, or crimson/jade/cyan rings, they give off a small light, a bit like a torch. A few of your henchman will give you special rings, nothing great but there better than nothing. Once you get into, about the second chapter you start getting some good rings. Some of these you find, some you buy, and some you steal. By the third chapter you should have what you want for the rest of the game. Barbarians won't find rings all that great, there are a few of special interest, but none that increase strength. (=- 4.32 Necklaces -=) One of the barbarian's best accessories is a necklace. "Amulet of the Uthgardt/Amulet of the Red Tiger Tribe", given to you by your buddy/henchmen Daelan Red Tiger. This gives you plus strength, immunity to fear, and spell resistance. Besides that there's not much else for necklaces. You'll probably want to wear the "Amulet of the Uthgardt/Amulet of the Red Tiger Tribe" the whole game. (=- 4.33 Boots -=) Probably one of the most wasted items, only because there's not very many good items for it. There are a few though. "Boots of Striding" and "Boots of Hardiness", are your only real good ones. Once your in the third chapter, its "Gargoyle Boots" all the way {=----------------------=} )=- 5.0 Final Thanks -=( {=----------------------=} If I missed anyone just e-mail me and I will fix it in the next update. YourWorstNightmare - Got me off my @$$ an on to this FAQ. Helped with editing. reesespieces72@hotmail.com - Helped "A LOT" with the scythe section. domingos.sn@terra.com.br - Gave me information on, skills and multi-classing. People on the NwN board - Helped me out with various questions. GameFAQs itself - With out them I'd still be sitting on my @$$. Pure Luck - For there not being another barbarian FAQ. Pizza Hut - Giving me food during the writhing of this FAQ. Me - Yeah, that's right, me, I wrote the guide, you read it, you wouldn't have spent your time reading my guide had I have not written this guide therefore allowing me to give myself credit. Hehehehe. {=-----------------------=} )=- 6.0 Contacting me -=( {=-----------------------=} If you found this FAQ helpful in anyway, e-mail me tell me what you liked, what you didn't, and I'll fix it. Also if you have anything you want on the FAQ, builds, good weapons, etc. Just e-mail them to me, I'll give you full credit. Don't send me anything else not based on the FAQ. My e-mail is doubleu_15@hotmail.com, make sure if you send me something that you put, NwN FAQ in the subject or something that will let me know it's not junk.