[RPG] the best race for a barbarian

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In Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, what is the best race for a character that is a barbarian?

"Best" would be defined as the following:

  • bonuses to a barbarian's primary/secondary stats
  • race features that work well with a barbarian's play style (melee/tanky), taking hits and dealing massive damage
  • good roleplaying synergies (i.e. it makes sense for a member of that race to be a barbarian, although of course any race can technically feature barbarian members)

Best Answer

I'll give a few of the best races with pros and cons.

Half-Orc (PHB)

Pros:

  • +2 Str, +1 Con
  • Proficiency in Intimidation
  • Relentless Endurance lets you tank a mortal blow 1/day
  • Savage Attacks meshes really well with the Barbarian's Brutal Critical feature
  • Half-Orcs are pretty much the de-facto traditional Barbarian race for players

Cons:

  • Orcs and Half-Orcs often are treated poorly by other races

Goliath (EEPC)

Pros:

  • +2 Str, +1 Con
  • Proficiency in Athletics
  • Stone's Endurance lets you reduce damage taken 1/short rest
  • Powerful Build makes you able to lift even more than you would otherwise
  • Mountain Born lets you be shirtless in any weather
  • Goliaths are well known for having fierce warriors

Cons:

  • Features a bit less impressive than Half-Orc

Orc (VGM)

Pros:

  • +2 Str, +1 Con
  • Aggressive lets you close the distance to melee very easily, especially with Fast Movement
  • Proficiency in Intimidate
  • Powerful Build lets you carry and move even more
  • Orcs are traditionally a savage Barbarian like race

Cons:

  • -2 Int
  • Orcs and Half-Orcs often are treated poorly by other races

Mountain Dwarf (PHB)

Pros:

  • +2 Str, +2 Con
  • Dwarven Resilience makes you able to drink heavily, and resist poison
  • Tool Proficiency and Stonecunning adds some fun flavour
  • Drunken Raging Dwarf is a good fit for a Barbarian

Cons:

  • Only 25 foot movement speed (somewhat mitigated by Fast Movement)
  • Dwarven Armour and Combat Training are largely a waste

(Legend: PHB -> Player's Handbook, EEPC -> Elemental Evil Player's Companion, VGM -> Volo's Guide to Monsters)

There are other races that can work, but in terms of an optimal meshing of features and flavour, these four are the best of the best.

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