In *Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)*, Barbarian feats can transform your character into an unstoppable force, perfect for those who love to dominate the battlefield while channeling their inner fury. The Barbarian class is not only enjoyable to play but also incredibly effective, thanks to its synergy with specific feats. Although Barbarians in *BG3* may not have as many feat options as other classes, choosing the right ones can significantly boost your performance. Let's dive into the top 10 Barbarian feats that you should consider as you level up in *Baldur’s Gate 3*.
10 – Durable
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | Your Constitution increases by 1, to a maximum of 20. |
| You regain full hit points each time you take a Short Rest. |
Barbarians are already tough to take down, but the Durable feat in Baldur’s Gate 3 makes them even more resilient. With an additional point in Constitution and the ability to fully recover your health after a Short Rest, this feat is a solid choice for any Barbarian build, especially on higher difficulty levels.
9 – Lucky
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | You gain 3 Luck points, which you can use to gain Advantage on Attack Rolls, Ability Checks, or Saving Throws, or to make an enemy reroll their attack. |
The Lucky feat offers flexibility and power, making it an excellent choice for any class in BG3, including Barbarians. With three luck points to spend per long rest, you can tip the scales in your favor during critical moments, enhancing your attacks, checks, or even forcing enemies to reroll their attacks.
8 – Mage Slayer
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | When a creature casts a spell within melee range of you, you have Advantage on any Saving Throw against it, and you can use a reaction to immediately make an attack against the caster. |
| Enemies you hit have Disadvantage on Concentration Saving Throws. |
If there's one thing Barbarians loathe, it's enemy mages. The Mage Slayer feat in Baldur’s Gate 3 is designed to counter them effectively. It grants you an advantage on saving throws against spells cast within melee range and allows you to retaliate against the caster. Additionally, hitting an enemy mage disrupts their concentration, making this feat a must-have for any Barbarian eager to neutralize spellcasters.
7 – Athlete
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | Your Strength or Dexterity increases by 1, to a maximum of 20. |
| When you are Prone, standing up uses significantly less movement. Your Jump distance also increases by 50%. |
The Athlete feat is ideal for Barbarians who often find themselves knocked down or looking to navigate the battlefield more efficiently. It boosts either your Strength or Dexterity and makes standing up from being prone less costly in terms of movement. Plus, a 50% increase in jump distance can be a game-changer for exploration and combat positioning.
6 – Savage Attacker
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | When making melee weapon attacks, you roll your damage dice twice and use the highest result. |
For Barbarians who revel in dealing massive damage, the Savage Attacker feat is a perfect fit. It aligns well with the class's theme of raw power by allowing you to roll your damage dice twice and take the higher number, ensuring your hits are as impactful as possible.
5 – Charger
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | Deal more damage: charge forward and slam your weapon into the first enemy in your way. |
| Doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks. |
The Charger feat embodies the Barbarian's love for rushing into battle. It allows you to charge up to 9 meters and slam into the first enemy you encounter without triggering Opportunity Attacks. This feat is perfect for quickly closing the distance and initiating combat on your terms.
4 – Tough
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | Your hit point maximum increases by 2 for every level you have gained. |
| Gives hit points retroactively. |
As a frontline fighter, a Barbarian's ability to withstand damage is crucial. The Tough feat in BG3 boosts your hit point maximum by 2 per level, retroactively applying to all levels you've gained. This makes it an excellent choice for ensuring your Barbarian can take a beating and keep fighting.
3 – Sentinel
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | When an enemy within melee range attacks an ally, you can use a reaction to make a weapon attack against that enemy. Target ally must not have the Sentinel Feat. |
| You gain Advantage on Opportunity Attacks, and when you hit a creature with an Opportunity Attack, it can no longer move for the rest of its turn. |
The Sentinel feat enhances the Barbarian's role as a protector and tank. It allows you to retaliate against enemies targeting your allies and provides advantages on Opportunity Attacks, making it harder for foes to escape your reach. This feat is essential for keeping enemies focused on you, where they're less likely to succeed.
RELATED: Best Races and Ability Scores for Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3
2 – Polearm Master
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | When attacking with a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a bonus action to attack with the butt of your weapon. |
| You can also make an Opportunity Attack when a target comes within range. |
Polearm Master is a surprising yet effective choice for Barbarians in Baldur’s Gate 3. It allows you to make an additional attack as a bonus action and triggers Opportunity Attacks when enemies enter your reach. Combined with feats like Sentinel, it can turn your Barbarian into an immovable wall that punishes enemies for trying to get close.
1 – Great Weapon Master
| How to Unlock | Description |
| Available at Level 4 | When you land a Critical Hit or kill a target with a melee weapon attack, you can make another melee weapon attack as a bonus action that turn. |
| Attacks with Heavy melee weapons you are Proficient with can deal an additional 10 damage at the cost of a -5 Attack Roll penalty. |
Great Weapon Master is the ultimate feat for Barbarians who love wielding heavy two-handed weapons. It offers the chance to make additional attacks on critical hits or kills, and allows you to trade accuracy for significant damage increases. While it may lead to some missed swings, the potential to deal massive damage with a great axe or similar weapon is what embodies the spirit of a Barbarian.
These are the top 10 feats that can elevate your Barbarian's performance in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3). Each one offers unique benefits that can enhance your gameplay experience, but starting with Great Weapon Master can provide a powerful edge from the early stages of the game.
For more insights into Baldur’s Gate 3, explore our guides on crafting the Elixir of Arcane Cultivation and dyeing armor. If you're new to the game, don't miss Destructoid's comprehensive beginner's guide to Baldur’s Gate 3.
UPDATE: This article was updated on 03/23/24 by Jason Coles to include new entries and images. It was further revised on 1/27/25 by Liam Nolan to enhance readability and provide additional details.
