Path of Duality
Barbarian has been accused of being a one-trick pony, and so after many experiments with the class, we’ve introduced… a second trick. A two-trick pony is twice as interesting, though it doesn’t quite do twice as much damage. Just try not to talk to yourself in the middle of any important scenes.
If you want to support our continued rage-based experiments, join our Patreon, where all the data on our various tests and inventions are stored. And, if you want to ask for a third or even fourth trick for barbarian, hit us up on Discord, where we are always eager to hear new ideas.
Path of Duality
To embrace duality is to walk two paths at one time. Barbarians who embrace this two-fold lifestyle split themselves into separate but cooperative parts, one embodying calm and calculating precision and the other unrestrained power. This split can take different forms from changes in posture and mood to entirely distinct personas. Whatever the manifestation, barbarians of this path are practiced and dangerous warriors.
In the heat of battle, barbarians of this path can rapidly switch between precise strikes and devastating blows. These barbarians are far better rounded outside of battle, however, with many showcasing sophisticated techniques in the arts. In this way, barbarians who embrace duality cover their own weaknesses through mental diversity.
Attitude Adjustment
3rd-level Path of Duality feature
Your barbaric nature is contested with a more eloquent persona that comes out in times of need. When you would fail an ability check using Intelligence or Charisma, you can instead reroll the d20 and use the new roll. You can do so only once on an ability check, and you can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus before you must finish a long rest in order to use it again.
Two Spirits
3rd-level Path of Duality feature
You can switch between brutal savagery and nimble agility in the heat of battle. You apply an effect to your attacks depending on if you are making a one-handed or a two-handed attack with a versatile weapon.
One-Handed. If you miss with a one-handed weapon attack with a versatile weapon, you can use a reaction to make another one-handed attack with the same weapon against the same target. Moreover, if you make a one-handed attack with a versatile weapon while raging, you can add your rage damage bonus to the weapon’s attack roll.
Two-Handed. When you deal damage with a two-handed weapon attack with a versatile weapon, you can deal damage equal to half the damage you dealt with that attack (rounded down) to a different creature within 5 feet of the original target and within range of your weapon. Moreover, if you make a two-handed attack with a versatile weapon while raging, you can add your rage damage bonus to the weapon’s damage roll twice, instead of once.
Unpredictable Defense
6th-level Path of Duality feature
Your flexible fighting style allows you to weave through the battlefield. You can gain an additional benefit from your attacks depending on if you hit with a one-handed or a two-handed attack with a versatile weapon.
One-Handed. If you attack a creature with a one-handed attack made with a versatile weapon, that creature can’t make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of the turn.
Two-Handed. If you attack a creature with a two-handed attack made with a versatile weapon, your movement speed increases by 10 feet for the rest of the turn.
Warrior Poet
10th-level Path of Duality feature
Your warrior spirit lends knowledge and prowess beyond the battlefield. You can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any ability check you make that doesn’t already include your proficiency bonus.
In addition, while raging, when you make an ability check or saving throw that doesn’t include your proficiency bonus, you can add your rage damage bonus to that ability check or saving throw.
Dance of Battle
14th-level Path of Duality feature
You can unleash a series of diverse strikes that allow you to seize small opportunities in a melee. When you make both a one-handed and a two-handed attack on the same turn, as a bonus action, you can take the Dodge action or make another melee weapon attack on the same turn.
