Trying to build a good barbarian dps first character

[CutiePie]

Hey guys, just got the game. It's been ages since I've played a deep RPG so I'm so rusty. I am trying to create a barbarian character and I've been reading guides and it's made me confused.

Most people suggest I dump attributes into might, dexterity and intellect. I find this bizzare because the game is telling me constitution is a primary stat I need to put points into? I was wondering if anyone could post a good build so I can copy it! many thanks.

[DragonRyu]

Right now I'm playing Solo Barbarian on Hard. It's fun.
Might 18
Con 16
Dex 4
Per 18
Int 18
Res 4
It's hard at the start. Mine is slow but better accuracy, attack and can last longer. I pick a skill at Lv 7 that make him attack again after killing an enemy.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by Hotline:

Most people suggest I dump attributes into might, dexterity and intellect. I find this bizzare because the game is telling me constitution is a primary stat I need to put points into? I was wondering if anyone could post a good build so I can copy it! many thanks.

Everything you need is displayed on the character creation screen. Carefully read the attribute description and learn what values each attribute governs. And if you want spoilers on what talents you will be able to learn, consult the Wiki: https://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Barbarian

This game is balanced well enough to make stomach decisions work fine. Don't min/max. It bears risks and may reduce the fun. You can retrain your characters for a bit of gold at every inn. Gain personal experience.

INT affects area of effect and duration of abilities and status effects. For the Barbarian that means it also increases the range of your Carnage attacks. You will hit more enemies. This can be important depending on whether you don't want to become a frontliner, but attack from behind your warriors using a longer 2H weapon. Then increased INT will be beneficial.

MIG for increased damage is not an easy decision. Blindly min/maxing attributes in this game just because that works in other games makes not much sense. Why? The game implements a Miss/Graze/Hit/Crit system, meaning you can do lower damage if you only graze enemies, whereas your damage will be higher if you hit them or even hit them critically due to high Accuracy. And Accuracy depends on PER, talents, weapon and bonuses. And Barbs with increased INT can use weapons that apply nasty afflictions to multiple enemies at once instead of only trying to do damage.

CON for increased Endurance/Health points is something that also depends on your role within the party and the chosen difficulty mode. Barbarian comes with "Very High" base Endurance/Health, but "Low" base Deflection defense. I've never increased CON above 10, because I prefer raising other attributes, such as DEX for increased action speed and PER depending on which weapon(s) the barb will use.

[ColeTrain1034]

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

Everything you need is displayed on the character creation screen. Carefully read the attribute description and learn what values each attribute governs.

+1

It's better to listen to the game than other players for Pillars. Not that you can't take advice, but everything you need is covered in incredible detail in the game. The build you use should be suited to what you would have fun with. All of the attributes are important for every class, so how you change and alter them is for you to decide. Unless you're playing on PotD, it will be hard for you to mess it up. And if you do, you can respec at any inn.

[CutiePie]

Thanks for the info. I have int and might on very high, and everything else equalled out at 10. Nice to know I can respec. I am really loving the game so far. Taking me right back to Baldurs gate 2