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Goliath Path of the Berserker Barbarian Build Guide

Goliath Path of the Berserker Barbarian Build Guide

Channeling the raw, mountainous fury of giant kin makes the Goliath a terrifyingly unstoppable force when adopting the Path of the Berserker.

10/10 Synergy Striker Role Medium Difficulty
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Why Path of the Berserker?

The Path of the Berserker is the quintessential heavy hitter, and the Goliath is built to survive the extreme physical toll of this lifestyle. When you enter a Frenzy, you gain an extra attack every turn, boosting your damage output as a primary Striker. However, this feature can wear you down over time, which is where your Goliath heritage shines.

Your Giant Ancestry provides supernatural defensive options, such as reducing incoming damage, which helps you stay on the frontlines longer even when your fury pushes you to your limits. As you level up, traits like Large Form physically expand your presence on the battlefield, making you a literal giant that enemies cannot easily bypass.

Combining your natural bulk with subclass features like Mindless Rage—which prevents you from being charmed or frightened—ensures that absolutely nothing can stop your forward momentum. You become a towering juggernaut that controls the battlefield through pure physical intimidation and relentless attacks.

Path of the Berserker Features

Frenzy

Level 3

If you use the Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus and add them together. The damage is the same type as the weapon or Unarmed Strike used for the attack.

Mindless Rage

Level 6

You have immunity to the Charmed and Frightened conditions while your Rage is active. If you are Charmed or Frightened when you enter your Rage, the condition ends.

Retaliation

Level 10

When you take damage from a creature within 5 feet of you, you can use your Reaction to make a Melee attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike against that creature.

Intimidating Presence

Level 14

As a Bonus Action, you can instill fear in others with your menacing presence and primal power. Creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Recommended Ability Scores

Strength★
15(+2)
Dexterity
13(+1)
Constitution
14(+2)
Intelligence
10(+0)
Wisdom
12(+1)
Charisma
8(-1)
HP (Lv1)
14
AC
11
Initiative
+1
Passive Per.
11
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Goliath Traits That Benefit Path of the Berserker Barbarian

Giant Ancestry

Giant Ancestry grants a supernatural ability that enhances the Barbarian's combat or utility.

Powerful Build

Enhanced size and carrying capacity complement the Barbarian's physical combat style.

Large Form

Enhanced size and carrying capacity complement the Barbarian's physical combat style.

Combat Effectiveness

Level HP Melee DPR Ranged DPR
Level 5 50 7.8 6.05
Level 11 104 7.15 5.5
Level 17 158 7.15 5.5

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Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • ♦ Path of the Berserker grants Frenzy at level 3
  • ♦ High hit points for frontline durability
  • ♦ Highest possible hit die (d12)
  • ♦ Strong species-class synergy enhances core abilities
  • ♦ Strong melee damage output

Weaknesses

  • ♦ Low Charisma limits social interactions
  • ♦ Limited ranged and magical options without multiclassing
  • ♦ No Darkvision — may need light sources in dungeons

Pro Tips

1

Save your Frenzy for major boss fights to avoid accumulating too many levels of exhaustion during normal dungeon crawls.

2

Activate Large Form alongside your rage to block narrow hallways, forcing enemies to face your devastating Retaliation attacks.

3

Use your Giant Ancestry to shrug off damage when you are targeted, keeping your hit points high while Frenzying.

4

Combine Powerful Build with your high Strength to easily grapple and drag enemies, keeping them in range of your melee strikes.

Other Barbarian Subclasses for Goliath

Goliath Path of the Wild Heart Barbarian Striker Goliath Path of the World Tree Barbarian Support Goliath Path of the Zealot Barbarian Striker

Other Races for Path of the Berserker Barbarian

Dragonborn Path of the Berserker Barbarian 9/10 Dwarf Path of the Berserker Barbarian 9/10 Orc Path of the Berserker Barbarian 8/10 Aasimar Path of the Berserker Barbarian 7/10 Tiefling Path of the Berserker Barbarian 6/10 Elf Path of the Berserker Barbarian 3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Path of the Berserker a good subclass for Goliath Barbarian?
Yes, it is an excellent fit. Goliaths naturally possess high survivability through traits like Giant Ancestry, which perfectly offsets the high-risk, high-reward nature of the Berserker's Frenzy. Your physical might and Large Form complement the Striker role, allowing you to dish out massive damage while shrugging off hits that would fell lesser warriors.
What makes Path of the Berserker different from other Barbarian subclasses?
Unlike subclasses that focus on magical elements or defending allies, the Berserker specializes in pure, relentless offensive output. It is designed to maximize your action economy by granting extra attacks via Frenzy and Retaliation, while protecting your mind from mental manipulation with Mindless Rage.

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