Barbarians are a formidable class if you desire to be a tank on the battlefield. If you’ve opted for the Barbarian class, here’s the optimal build for it in Baldur’s Gate 3.

With the selection of three subclasses and a variety of options in character creation, how can you determine what’s best? Here are some suggestions for your Barbarian build.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Barbarian build

As a Barbarian, you’ll utilize the power of Rage to empower yourself and become a formidable adversary to any foe you encounter. Your HP per level is quite high, starting at 12 + CON modifier, and 7 + CON modifier on each level up.

Best Barbarian Ability Scores in BG3

When deciding which Ability Scores to prioritize as a Barbarian, you should always keep your Strength the highest. Next, I’d prioritize your Constitution (for better HP), and Dexterity (improved AC and Initiative). I wouldn’t worry too much about Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom.

Best skills for Barbarians in BG3

You have the opportunity to gain two skill Proficiencies as a Barbarian. Here are the options:

• Animal Handling
• Athletics
• Intimidation
• Nature
• Survival
• Perception

Out of these six skills, the best ones to choose for Proficiencies would be Athletics and Intimidation. While Athletics will give you a nice +5 bonus with this Proficiency, Intimidation will be a bit lower, as it’s a Charisma skill. Nevertheless, these are your best skills as a Barbarian.

Best Background for Barbarians in BG3

When it comes to Backgrounds, you should initially choose what you think is best for your character. This is an RPG after all, and if you have a story to tell, go for the Background that makes the most sense. Otherwise, choosing the right Background can benefit your class. Here are the best options:

• Folk Hero: Proficiencies in Animal Handling and Survival.
• Outlander: Proficiencies in Athletics and Survival.
• Soldier: Proficiencies in Athletics and Intimidation.

Choosing a Background with skill Proficiencies that can be useful to you as a Barbarian can make it so that choosing your other skill Proficiencies becomes easier. Make sure to go for skills that coordinate with your best skills, which would be Strength and Dexterity.

Related: Best Animal Aspects for Wildheart Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3, ranked

Best Barbarian subclass in BG3

I think that Berserker is the best subclass for Barbarians, but Wildheart is a close second. With this subclass, you gain some very useful combat moves:

• Level 3:
  • Frenzy: As a Bonus Action, gain Frenzied Strike and Enraged Throw. Also gain Resistance to Physical damage, and Advantage on Strength checks and saving throws.
  • Frenzied Strike: As a Bonus Action, make a melee attack. Causes a stack of Frenzied Strain (take a -1 penalty on attack rolls for each stack).
  • Enraged Throw: Pick up an item or creature and throw at a target. Deals extra damage and knocks them Prone.
• Level 6:
  • Mindless Rage: A feature where while Frenzied, cannot be Charmed or Frightened, and Calm Emotions won’t end your Rage.
• Level 10:
  • Intimidating Presence: As an Action, instill Fear into an enemy.

Frenzy is quite potent, especially if you continue to use Frenzied Strike on enemies and gain more Frenzied Strain. This is the subclass I gave to Karlach, and she was a force to be reckoned with.

Best Feats for Barbarians in BG3

Choosing the right Feats can be difficult since there are so many good options. Of course, Ability Score Improvement is a must at some point, since you can upgrade your Strength skill. Otherwise, here are the best Feats that can benefit your Barbarian.

• Durable: CON increases by one, and you regain all your HP upon a Short Rest.
• Great Weapon Master: Make another melee attack as a Bonus Action upon landing a Critical Hit or killing a target with a melee attack. Also, gain a toggleable passive allowing you to deal 10 extra damage with a cost of -5 to attack roll.
• Savage Attacker: Roll damage dice twice on weapon attacks and use highest result.
• Sentinal: If an enemy within melee range attacks an ally, make a weapon attack as a Reaction. You also gain Advantage on Opportunity Attacks, and if you hit a creature with one, it cannot move for the rest of its turn.
• Tough: HP maximum increases by two for each Barbarian level.

Best weapons and armor for Barbarians

Barbarians have a variety of excellent melee weapons to choose from, as well as armor. However, they can’t wear traditional armor since their Rage won’t work. Instead, I recommend wearing clothes, which can still provide incredible bonuses.

Weapons

• Balduran’s Giantslayer: Double damage from STR modifier, and gain Advantage on attack rolls against large/huge/gargantuan enemies.
• Halberd of Vigilance: Gain +1 Initiative bonus and Advantage on Perceptions checks. Also get Advantage on attack roll reactions.
• Corpsegrinder: When you miss an attack, deal five Bludgeoning damage anyway.
• Sword of Chaos: On a hit, regain 1d6 HP.

Armor

• Bonespike Garb: Gain 15 temporary HP whenever you Rage, and reduce all incoming damage by two. When struck by a melee attack, attacker takes three Piercing damage.
• The Mighty Cloth: You gain Bull’s Strength spell (grants Advantage on Strength checks and Weight Limit doubles), and increase your Strength by two. Also cannot be pushed against your will, and gain Advantage on saving throws against being Restrained.
• Enraging Heart Garb: When Raging, you gain two turns of Wrath (+1 bonus to melee damage). Also gain +2 Constitution.

Now that you’re aware of the best Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3, you should take a look at our best Bard build!