Unleashing Fury: The Best Two-Handed Weapon for a Barbarian in 5e
The Barbarian in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a powerhouse of raw strength and primal fury, and the choice of weapon is crucial to maximizing their destructive potential. While many might gravitate towards the iconic greataxe, declaring it the best for Barbarians, the optimal choice isn’t always so straightforward. So, what is the best two-handed weapon for a Barbarian in 5e? The answer isn’t a single weapon but rather a strategic combination of mechanics and desired playstyle, but if we had to pick one, it would be the Greatsword for its consistent, reliable damage output and synergistic properties. While the Greataxe boasts the highest potential single-hit damage, the Greatsword’s more reliable damage, alongside its compatibility with certain magic items, makes it a compelling choice.
Why the Greatsword Reigns Supreme
While both the Greataxe and Greatsword are popular among Barbarian players, each offers unique advantages. The Greataxe deals 1d12 slashing damage, compared to the Greatsword’s 2d6 slashing damage. At face value, the Greataxe appears superior with a higher potential single damage die. However, the math favors the Greatsword. A Greatsword’s average damage per hit is 7, while the Greataxe’s average damage is 6.5, when only using the base damage die, but the difference is amplified by the Barbarian’s class features.
Consistent Damage: The Barbarian’s Advantage
The Barbarian’s Brutal Critical feature is a key factor. It allows you to add an extra damage die when scoring a critical hit. The Greatsword’s 2d6 becomes 4d6, an average of 14 damage. The Greataxe’s 1d12 becomes 2d12, an average of 13 damage. In addition, given that a natural 20 is a critical hit, the more dice you are rolling, the more likely that you will roll high. If you are using a Greatsword, each die rolls up to 6, so its potential critical damage has a 16.66% chance to deal between 4 and 24 damage. If you are using a Greataxe, each die rolls up to 12, so its potential critical damage has a 8.33% chance to deal between 2 and 24 damage. This is why the Greatsword is the more reliable option with a higher average critical damage and less volatility.
Another important consideration is that many Barbarian subclasses give you a way to increase your damage. If we look at the Path of the Zealot, at level 3, they gain Divine Fury, which adds extra radiant damage based on their Barbarian level, if they get to roll weapon damage. With a Greatsword, that is a guaranteed chance for extra damage, with a higher potential damage output.
Synergies with Magic Items and Feats
Certain magic weapons and feats also favor the Greatsword. Magic items that provide flat bonuses to damage, such as those providing a +1, +2, or +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls, amplify the reliable damage output of the Greatsword. Additionally, items that provide an additional damage die tend to be more powerful with the Greatsword since, once again, the average dice roll of a 2d6 roll is higher than the average of a 1d12 roll. These benefits apply equally to the Greataxe, but the consistency of a Greatsword often makes these bonuses slightly more impactful.
Other Viable Options
While the Greatsword takes the crown, the Maul provides a comparable option if you prefer blunt damage, offering the same 2d6 damage profile. It is important to note that damage type can matter significantly depending on the campaign or enemy type that you are fighting.
Ultimately, Personal Preference Matters
While the Greatsword statistically and practically is the superior option, your choice of a two-handed weapon for a Barbarian should ultimately align with your desired playstyle, build, and preferred flavor. A Barbarian using a large axe is certainly very thematic, so, if that is what you are after, and you do not mind that you may have less damage, then you should choose a Greataxe over a Greatsword.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Barbarians dual-wield two-handed weapons in 5e?
No, D&D 5e does not allow dual-wielding of two-handed weapons. The rules specify that to dual-wield, weapons must be “light,” which excludes any two-handed weapon.
2. Can Barbarians use Greatswords effectively?
Absolutely! Barbarians are highly proficient with greatswords, and they synergize well with their class features. The Greatsword’s consistent damage and better average critical hit damage make it a top-tier weapon for Barbarians.
3. Is the Greataxe the best damage weapon for a Barbarian?
While the Greataxe does have the highest damage die of the martial weapons (1d12), it is not the best weapon for Barbarians. Its single-dice nature, and the fact that Barbarians gain more damage dice on critical hits, make the Greatsword generally the superior choice.
4. Can Barbarians use a Maul effectively?
Yes, the Maul is a great two-handed option for Barbarians. It does the same 2d6 damage as the Greatsword but deals bludgeoning damage. The damage type may make it more viable based on the enemy types that you are fighting against.
5. Can Barbarians use finesse weapons like rapiers effectively?
Yes, Barbarians can use rapiers effectively by using their Strength score for attacks. Even though Rapiers are finesse weapons, they may be used with the character’s Strength score instead.
6. Are two-handed maces viable for Barbarians?
Yes, like the Maul, other two-handed maces are viable options. These are often reskinned mauls that deal bludgeoning damage.
7. Do Barbarians need War Caster with a two-handed weapon?
The War Caster feat’s primary benefit for a Barbarian is the advantage on Concentration checks, if they take the feat. However, if you are wielding a two handed weapon, then you will never need to use the somatic components of spells if they do not have material components. So you should be ok, unless your DM changes how somatic components work, or you wish to use reactions to cast spells.
8. Can a Barbarian rage while using a two-handed weapon?
Yes, Barbarians can absolutely rage while using a two-handed weapon. In fact, it is optimal for Barbarians to use a two-handed weapon, and you can absolutely rage while wielding one.
9. Can a Barbarian use heavy armor and still rage?
No, Barbarians cannot rage while wearing heavy armor. Rage requires the user to not be wearing heavy armor, though they can wear medium armor and use rage.
10. What race is best for a Barbarian using a two-handed weapon?
Races like Half-Orc, Wood Elf, or Goliath offer strong racial benefits for Barbarians. They provide stat boosts, movement, and other abilities that synergize well with a melee-focused build. The racial bonuses of these characters are very valuable to a Barbarian.
11. Does a Goliath’s size allow them to one-hand two-handed weapons?
No, a Goliath’s size does not allow them to one-hand two-handed weapons. All medium-sized creatures, which includes Goliaths, must use two hands to wield a two-handed weapon.
12. How does the Barbarian’s Brutal Critical feature affect two-handed weapons?
Brutal Critical adds one extra damage die to your weapon when you score a critical hit. For a Greatsword, this changes 2d6 to 4d6, and for a Greataxe, it changes 1d12 to 2d12. A greatsword does more average damage during critical hits.
13. Can a Barbarian dual-wield spears?
No. Spears are not light weapons and cannot be used for dual-wielding. However, javelins, which are thrown weapons, can be dual-wielded.
14. How important is Strength for a Barbarian using two-handed weapons?
Strength is the most important attribute for a Barbarian, as it powers both their weapon attacks and their rage-based abilities. For all two-handed weapons, your attack roll and damage roll will be based on your Strength modifier.
15. What about magic items? Do they favor specific two-handed weapons for Barbarians?
Magic items that add flat bonuses or additional damage dice work with both Greatswords and Greataxes, but the Greatsword benefits slightly more from consistent damage output, with a better average critical hit damage. Magic weapons that have special properties can make a big difference to your attack.