How Many Times Can a Barbarian Hit?
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A Barbarian’s attack frequency in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition isn’t a fixed number. Instead, it’s highly variable, depending on their level, chosen feats, rage status, and even temporary buffs. At a base level, a Barbarian can typically attack once per action. However, through class features, specifically the Extra Attack feature gained at 5th level, this immediately increases to twice per action. Furthermore, features like Frenzy can grant additional attacks as a bonus action. Factoring in feats like Great Weapon Master, and potential magical items and spells, the potential number of attacks per turn can climb significantly.
Understanding the Barbarian’s Attack Actions
A Barbarian’s combat prowess is directly tied to their ability to unleash devastating attacks. Understanding the mechanics behind their actions and how they translate to the number of attacks they can make is crucial.
The Standard Action
At the core of every combat round is the Action. Without any special abilities or feats, a Barbarian can use their Action to make one melee or ranged weapon attack. This is the baseline from which everything else is built.
Extra Attack
The Extra Attack feature is a cornerstone of martial classes, and Barbarians receive it at 5th level. This effectively doubles their attack output, allowing them to make two attacks when they use the Attack action. It significantly increases their damage potential and overall effectiveness in combat. This feature doesn’t stack if you somehow gain another instance of Extra Attack; you still only get two attacks with the Attack action.
Bonus Actions and Frenzy
Bonus Actions are additional actions a character can take on their turn, subject to certain limitations. Barbarians can leverage their Bonus Action to make additional attacks using the Frenzy feature granted by the Path of the Berserker subclass. By entering a Frenzy when they rage, they can make one additional melee weapon attack as a bonus action on each of their turns after that. While powerful, Frenzy comes with the drawback of exhaustion after the rage ends.
Feats That Enhance Attack Potential
Certain feats can drastically increase the number of attacks or the effectiveness of attacks made by a Barbarian:
- Great Weapon Master: Allows you to take a -5 penalty to your attack roll to add +10 to the damage. More relevantly to the discussion, you can also make one additional melee weapon attack as a bonus action if you reduce a creature to 0 hit points with a melee weapon attack on your turn or you score a critical hit with one.
- Polearm Master: This feat offers several benefits, including the ability to make one additional attack as a bonus action using the opposite end of a polearm.
Magic Items and Spells
While not class-specific, certain magic items and spells can further enhance a Barbarian’s attack potential:
- Haste: This spell, often cast by an ally, grants an additional action on each of your turns, which can be used to make one additional weapon attack.
- Weapons of Warning or other magical weapons that grant advantage: Advantage on attack rolls increases the likelihood of a critical hit, which synergizes well with feats like Great Weapon Master.
- Action Surge (via multiclassing): If the Barbarian multi-classes into Fighter, they can gain access to Action Surge, which grants them one additional action, usable to attack again.
Calculating Maximum Possible Attacks
To demonstrate the potential for a high number of attacks, let’s construct a theoretical scenario:
- Barbarian Level: 20 (Path of the Berserker)
- Active Features: Rage (Frenzy), Extra Attack
- Feats: Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master
- Spell Effect: Haste (cast by an ally)
In this scenario, the Barbarian could potentially make the following attacks in a single turn:
- Action: Two attacks via Extra Attack.
- Hasted Action: One additional attack via Haste spell.
- Bonus Action: One attack via Frenzy.
- Bonus Action: One attack via Polearm Master
- Bonus Action (GWM): One attack via Great Weapon Master (if the barb reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee weapon attack on their turn or scores a critical hit with one).
This hypothetical Barbarian could unleash a total of 6 attacks in a single round if all conditions are met for Great Weapon Master. Without GWM, the Barbarian could unleash 5 attacks in a single round. This exemplifies the significant impact of feats, subclass features, and magical support in maximizing a Barbarian’s attack potential.
FAQs About Barbarian Attacks
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the nuances of Barbarian attacks.
1. Does Extra Attack stack if I multiclass?
No, the Extra Attack feature does not stack if you gain it from multiple classes. The rule states that you only ever gain the benefits of Extra Attack once.
2. Can I use Great Weapon Master with any weapon?
No. The Great Weapon Master feat specifically requires you to be wielding a heavy weapon. Check the weapon’s properties to confirm if it is a heavy weapon.
3. Can I use Reckless Attack with ranged weapons?
No. The Reckless Attack feature only applies to melee weapon attacks.
4. Does the Haste spell stack with other abilities that grant extra actions?
No. The Haste spell, and similar effects, do not stack with each other. You only ever gain one extra action from such sources.
5. If I’m raging, am I required to use Reckless Attack?
No, you are not required to use Reckless Attack simply because you are raging. It is a choice you make on each attack roll.
6. Can I rage as a bonus action?
No, raging normally takes your action. The Path of the Totem Warrior Barbarian gets the ability to rage as a bonus action at level 3.
7. Can I make an opportunity attack while raging?
Yes, you absolutely can make opportunity attacks while raging. Rage does not restrict your reactions.
8. Can I combine Frenzy and Great Weapon Master bonus action attacks?
Yes, you can combine Frenzy and Great Weapon Master‘s bonus action attacks. However, remember that you only have one bonus action, so you would need to trigger GWM’s bonus action attack before using your bonus action for Frenzy’s attack.
9. Does Polearm Master work with all polearms?
Yes, Polearm Master applies to any weapon with the reach and heavy properties.
10. If I have advantage on an attack roll, does that guarantee a critical hit?
No, having advantage on an attack roll simply allows you to roll two dice and choose the higher result. A critical hit is only achieved by rolling a natural 20 on the attack die.
11. What happens if I’m incapacitated during rage?
If you become incapacitated during rage, your rage ends. The Rage feature specifically states that it ends if you are knocked unconscious.
12. Can I use a shield while raging?
Yes, you can use a shield while raging. Rage doesn’t restrict your ability to use a shield.
13. Do critical hits automatically succeed on attack rolls?
Yes, a critical hit is an automatic hit, regardless of the target’s AC. You still roll damage as normal, but all the damage dice are doubled.
14. Can I use a longbow as a Barbarian?
Yes, you can use a longbow as a Barbarian. Barbarians are proficient with simple and martial weapons, which includes the longbow. But, using Reckless Attack only works for melee attacks.
15. How does multiclassing affect my rage?
The number of rage charges you have is determined by your level in the Barbarian class alone. Multiclassing does not grant additional rage charges unless you take levels in Barbarian.
By understanding these mechanics and nuances, you can maximize your Barbarian’s offensive capabilities and unleash devastating attacks on your enemies. Remember to carefully consider your feats, subclass choices, and equipment to tailor your Barbarian to your preferred playstyle.