Core Class Features

Rage - OVERHAULED

2014:

• Lasts 1 minute
• Ends if you don't attack a hostile creature or take damage
• Regain all uses on long rest only
• Bonus damage: +2 to +4

2024:

• Lasts until end of next turn
• Extended by: attack roll against hostile, forcing enemy save, OR using bonus action
• Regain ONE use on short rest
• Level 15: Regain ALL uses when rolling initiative
• Level 15: Can extend to 10 minutes without needing to actively extend
• Bonus damage: +2 to +4 (unchanged)

Weapon Mastery (Level 1) - NEW

• Master 2 weapons at level 1, 3 at level 4, 4 at level 10
• Can swap after long rest

Key Masteries:

• Cleave (Greataxe, Greatsword, Halberd): Hit → second attack vs creature within 5 ft
• Graze (Glaive, Morningstar, War Pick): Miss → deal damage = ability modifier
• Push (Greatclub, Heavy Crossbow, Pike): Hit Large/smaller → push 10 ft straight away
• Topple (Flail, Greataxe, Trident): Hit → STR save or prone
• Sap (Mace, Spear, Flail): Hit → target has disadvantage on next attack
• Slow (Club, Longsword, Pike): Hit → reduce speed by 10 ft

Danger Sense (Level 2)

• 2014: Advantage on DEX saves if you can see threat and aren't blinded/deafened/incapacitated
• 2024: Advantage on DEX saves unless Incapacitated (now works while blinded/deafened)

Primal Knowledge (Level 3) - STANDARD

• Was optional (Tasha's)
• Gain proficiency in one Barbarian skill
• While raging, use STR for: Acrobatics, Intimidation, Perception, Stealth, Survival

Instinctive Pounce (Level 7) - STANDARD

• Was optional (Tasha's)
• When entering rage as bonus action, move up to half speed as part of that bonus action

Feral Instinct (Level 7)

• 2014: Advantage on initiative + can't be surprised while conscious
• 2024: Advantage on initiative only (surprise rules reworked globally)

Brutal Strike (Level 9) - REPLACES BRUTAL CRITICAL

2014 — Brutal Critical:

• Crit: roll one additional weapon die (two at 13, three at 17)

2024 — Brutal Strike:

• When you have advantage on an attack, you can forgo it on one attack
• If hit: +1d10 damage (levels 9-16) or +2d10 (level 17+)
• Choose ONE effect:

Level 9 Options:

• Forceful Blow: Push target 15 ft, move up to half speed toward them without opportunity attacks
• Hamstring Blow: Reduce target speed by 15 ft

Level 13 Options:

• Staggering Blow: Target has disadvantage on next save, no opportunity attacks until your next turn
• Sundering Blow: Next attack roll vs target gets +5 bonus

Level 17: Can use TWO different effects on same attack

Relentless Rage (Level 11)

• 2014: Drop to 0 HP while raging → DC 10 CON save → stay at 1 HP (DC +5 each time)
• 2024: Drop to 0 HP while raging → DC 10 CON save → regain HP = 2x Barbarian level

Persistent Rage (Level 15)

• 2024 adds: Regain all Rage uses when rolling initiative

Epic Boon (Level 19) - NEW

Choose one Epic Boon feat.

Recommended:

• Boon of Irresistible Offense: +1 STR/DEX (max 30); ignore B/P/S resistance; crit deals extra damage = ability modifier
• Boon of Combat Prowess: +1 STR/DEX/CON (max 30); bonus action for advantage or impose disadvantage (Prof bonus uses per long rest)

Primal Champion (Level 20)

• 2014: STR and CON +4 (max 24)
• 2024: STR and CON +4 (max 25)

Subclass Changes

Path of the Berserker - MAJOR OVERHAUL

Frenzy (Level 3):

• 2014: Bonus action attack while raging; gain Exhaustion after rage ends
• 2024: First hit each turn while using Reckless Attack deals extra damage = Rage bonus in d6s — no Exhaustion, no cost
  • Level 3: +2d6 | Level 9: +3d6 | Level 16: +4d6

Mindless Rage (Level 6):

• Immune to Charmed/Frightened while raging; existing conditions end when rage starts

Retaliation (Level 10):

• Creature within 5 ft hits you → reaction to make melee attack against them

Intimidating Presence (Level 14):

• Bonus action: Creatures you choose in 30 ft make WIS save or Frightened for 1 minute
• Once per long rest, or spend Rage use to recharge

Path of the Wild Heart (Formerly Totem Warrior)

Animal Speaker (Level 3):

• Cast Beast Sense and Speak with Animals as rituals

Rage of the Wilds (Level 3):

• 2014: Choose Bear/Eagle/Wolf at level 3, locked in forever
• 2024: Choose one benefit EACH TIME you rage:
  • Bear: Choose two damage types (except Force/Psychic), resist them until rage ends
  • Eagle: Take both Disengage and Dash as bonus action when activating rage
  • Wolf: You and ally within 5 ft have advantage vs enemies within 5 ft of you

Aspect of the Wilds (Level 6): Choose one after each long rest:

• Owl: Darkvision 60 ft (or +60 ft)
• Panther: Climb speed = walking speed
• Salmon: Swim speed = walking speed

Power of the Wilds (Level 14): Choose one each rage:

• Falcon: Fly speed = walking speed, can hover
• Lion: Allies starting turn within 5 ft gain +10 ft speed
• Ram: Forceful Blow pushes 25 ft instead of 15 ft

Path of the World Tree - NEW

Vitality of the Tree (Level 3):

• Rage: Gain temp HP = CON modifier
• Bonus action: Grant ally within 10 ft temp HP = 1d6 + CON modifier (Prof bonus uses per long rest)

Battering Roots (Level 6):

• When activating rage, choose a Simple/Martial melee weapon:
  • Gain +10 ft reach until rage ends
  • Can use weapon's Push or Topple mastery (even without that mastery)

Branches of the Tree (Level 10):

• Creature starts turn within 10 ft → speed reduced to 0 until start of next turn (STR save to negate)

Travel Along the Tree (Level 14):

• Once per rage as bonus action: Teleport up to 60 ft
• Can bring up to 6 willing creatures within 10 ft

Path of the Zealot - SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Divine Fury (Level 3):

• First hit each turn while raging: Extra 1d6 + half Barbarian level Necrotic or Radiant damage

Warrior of the Gods (Level 3):

• 2014: Resurrection spells don't require material components
• 2024: Healing pool of 3 + Barbarian level dice. Bonus action: Roll up to 5 dice, heal yourself (regain all on long rest)

Fanatical Focus (Level 6):

• Fail save while raging → reaction to reroll with bonus = Rage damage bonus (once per rage)

Zealous Presence (Level 10):

• Bonus action: Up to 10 creatures in 60 ft gain advantage on attack rolls and saves until start of your next turn
• Once per long rest, or spend Rage use to recharge

Rage of the Gods (Level 14):

• 2014 (Rage Beyond Death): Stay conscious at 0 HP while raging
• 2024: While raging at 0 HP: Fly speed = walking speed; resistance to all damage except Force; when creature within 30 ft drops to 0 HP → reaction to have them drop to 1 HP instead and regain 1d12 + CON HP

Key Tactical Combinations

Berserker Damage Loop

Reckless Attack → First hit deals +2d6 to +4d6 (Frenzy) + Rage bonus + ability modifier — no cost, every turn

World Tree Reach Control

Battering Roots (+10 ft reach) + Trident/Pike = 20 ft reach attacks with Topple → Prone enemies from 20 ft away

Wild Heart Flexibility

• Tough fight → Bear (resistance)
• Need mobility → Eagle (Dash + Disengage as bonus action)
• Party support → Wolf (advantage for allies)
• Level 14 → Falcon (flight)

Key Takeaways

Added:

• Weapon Mastery
• Bonus action rage extension (much easier to maintain)
• Short rest rage recovery
• Initiative recharges all rages at level 15
• Brutal Strike (replaces Brutal Critical — far better)
• Primal Knowledge and Instinctive Pounce as standard
• Relentless Rage grants real HP instead of 1 HP
• Higher ability cap (25 vs 24)
• Epic Boons at 19

Removed:

• Brutal Critical

Fixed:

• Berserker no longer causes Exhaustion (was the worst tradeoff in 2014)
• Wild Heart can change animal benefits each rage
• Zealot has active self-healing instead of cheaper resurrection