Hey guys! So you're diving into the world of D&D as a Barbarian in 2024? Awesome choice! Barbarians are all about raw power, unleashing fury, and being the front-line powerhouse of your party. But to really make the most of your Barbarian, you need to start with the right equipment. This guide will walk you through the best starting equipment choices to optimize your character for maximum impact right from level one. Let's gear up and get ready to smash!

Understanding the Barbarian Playstyle

Before we dive into specific gear, let's chat about what makes a Barbarian a Barbarian. Understanding this will help you make smarter equipment choices. Barbarians are primarily melee combatants who thrive in the thick of battle. Their key features include:

• High Hit Points: Barbarians are naturally tanky, with a d12 hit die, meaning they can take a serious beating.
• Rage: This is your bread and butter. Rage grants you advantage on Strength checks and saving throws, boosts your damage, and provides resistance to physical damage. Understanding how to effectively use rage is critical.
• Unarmored Defense: While you can wear armor, many Barbarians choose not to, relying instead on their Constitution and Dexterity to boost their Armor Class (AC). This means stats play a crucial role in determining survivability.
• Reckless Attack: This allows you to gain advantage on attack rolls but grants enemies advantage against you. It’s a high-risk, high-reward ability that epitomizes the Barbarian's aggressive playstyle.

Knowing these core elements allows us to focus on equipment that enhances these abilities. We want gear that either keeps us alive longer, increases our damage output, or helps us utilize our rage and other class features more effectively. So, with that in mind, let's look at some starting equipment options.

Must-Have Starting Equipment for Barbarians

Choosing the right starting equipment can significantly impact your early game experience as a Barbarian. Here are some crucial pieces of gear you should consider:

1. Greataxe vs. Other Weapons

The Barbarian's proficiency with martial weapons opens up a wide range of options, but the Greataxe often stands out as a top choice. Here’s why:

• Damage Output: The Greataxe deals 1d12 slashing damage, which is the highest damage die for a one-handed martial weapon. This means you'll be hitting harder right from the start.
• Rage Synergy: When you rage, you add extra damage to each attack. A higher base damage means a bigger damage boost overall.
• Brutal Critical: Later on, Barbarians gain the Brutal Critical feature, which allows them to roll an additional damage die on a critical hit. The Greataxe's d12 damage die makes these critical hits even more devastating.

While other weapons like the Greatsword (2d6 slashing damage) or a pair of Handaxes (1d6 slashing damage each) are viable, the Greataxe offers a simpler, more direct approach to maximizing damage per hit. For beginners, this simplicity can be a real asset.

Alternatives to Consider:

• Greatsword: If you prefer more consistent damage output, the Greatsword's 2d6 offers a slightly higher average damage per hit (7 vs 6.5 for the Greataxe) but lacks the potential for massive spikes.
• Maul: The maul deals 2d6 bludgeoning damage and has the heavy property like the greataxe, making it a solid alternative if you're fighting enemies resistant to slashing damage.
• Two Handaxes: While each handaxe deals less damage, dual-wielding allows for more attacks, increasing the chance of landing a critical hit. This can be effective, but it requires managing bonus actions and may not be ideal at level 1.

2. Javelins: Ranged Options

Barbarians excel in melee combat, but they aren't completely helpless at range. Javelins are an excellent starting option for dealing damage to distant enemies. Here’s why:

• Simple and Effective: Javelins are simple weapons, meaning you're automatically proficient with them. They deal 1d6 piercing damage and have a range of 30/120 feet.
• Versatility: You can throw them at enemies who are out of reach or use them as makeshift melee weapons if you're disarmed.
• Action Economy: Throwing a javelin is a simple action, allowing you to attack and still have your movement available.

Having a few javelins on hand can be a lifesaver when dealing with archers, spellcasters, or flying creatures. They provide a ranged option without sacrificing your melee prowess.

Alternatives to Consider:

• Light Crossbow: While it offers a longer range and slightly more damage (1d8 piercing), the light crossbow requires ammunition and a loading property, meaning you can only fire it once per turn. This limits its effectiveness for Barbarians who want to stay mobile and aggressive.
• Dagger: Daggers can be thrown, but they deal less damage than javelins and have a shorter range. They're better suited for close-quarters combat or as backup weapons.

3. Explorer's Pack: Essential Adventuring Gear

The Explorer's Pack is a must-have for any adventurer, and Barbarians are no exception. It provides essential supplies for surviving in the wilderness. The Explorer's Pack typically includes:

• Backpack: To carry all your gear.
• Bedroll: For a comfortable night's sleep.
• Mess Kit: For preparing food.
• Tinderbox: For starting fires.
• Torch (10): For providing light in dark places.
• Rations (10 days): To keep you fed.
• Waterskin: To stay hydrated.
• 50 feet of Hemp Rope: For climbing, tying things up, or other creative uses.

While some of these items might seem mundane, they can be incredibly useful in a variety of situations. A torch can reveal hidden passages, rations can prevent exhaustion, and rope can help you cross a chasm.

Alternatives to Consider:

• Dungeoneer's Pack: If you anticipate spending more time in dungeons than in the wilderness, the Dungeoneer's Pack might be a better choice. It includes items like a crowbar, hammer, pitons, and a hooded lantern, which are more suited for navigating underground environments.
• Focus on Individual Items: Instead of taking a pack, you could purchase individual items. However, the packs are typically more cost-effective and provide a good baseline for your adventuring needs.

4. The Value of Unarmored Defense and Choosing Armor

One of the defining features of the Barbarian is Unarmored Defense, which allows you to calculate your AC using your Dexterity and Constitution modifiers instead of wearing armor. This can be a viable option, especially if you have high scores in both stats. However, armor can still be beneficial, especially early on.

• Unarmored Defense Calculation: Your AC is calculated as 10 + Dexterity modifier + Constitution modifier.
• Armor Options: If your Dexterity and Constitution scores are low, wearing light or medium armor might provide a higher AC. For example, scale mail provides an AC of 14 + Dexterity modifier (maximum of +2), which could be better than your Unarmored Defense if your Dexterity and Constitution are both 14 or lower.

Considerations:

• Stealth: Wearing medium armor imposes disadvantage on Stealth checks unless you have a feat or class feature that mitigates this. Barbarians often rely on stealth for scouting or ambushing enemies, so this is an important factor.
• Cost: Armor can be expensive, especially early on. You might be better off investing your gold in other equipment or saving it for future purchases.
• Roleplaying: Some players prefer the aesthetic of a heavily armored Barbarian, while others prefer the primal look of someone who relies on their natural defenses. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.

Recommendations:

• Prioritize Stats: Focus on increasing your Dexterity and Constitution scores to maximize the benefits of Unarmored Defense.
• Consider Light Armor: If your stats are low and you don't mind the cost, light armor can provide a decent AC boost without imposing disadvantage on Stealth checks.
• Avoid Heavy Armor: Barbarians aren't proficient with heavy armor, so it's generally not a good option.

Making the Right Choices for Your Barbarian

Choosing the right starting equipment is just the first step in creating a powerful and effective Barbarian. As you level up, you'll have opportunities to acquire new gear, learn new skills, and customize your character to fit your playstyle. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Communicate with Your Party: Talk to your fellow players about your character's role in the party and coordinate your equipment choices accordingly. For example, if you have a cleric who can provide healing, you might be able to focus more on damage output.
• Consider Your Subclass: The Barbarian has several subclasses (also known as Primal Paths), each with its own unique features and playstyle. Choose equipment that synergizes with your subclass abilities. For example, a Totem Warrior might prioritize defensive gear, while a Zealot might focus on maximizing damage.
• Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Try out different weapons, armor, and other equipment to see what works best for you. There's no single