[RPG] What are the advantages a Champion fighter has over a Berserker barbarian

barbarianclassdnd-5efighter

Both the fighter and barbarian in this comparison are using a two-handed weapon build. I'm asking for the pros a fighter may have in combat over the barbarian because it feels like in combat the barbarian is superior. Things like number of attacks, AC, damage, etc.

What advantages, if any, does a Champion fighter have over a Berserker barbarian?

Evaluation criteria:

  1. level 4, no multi-class, point buy, both human, no magic weapon or
    armor
  2. both use greatswords

My initial estimate is that AC for the Fighter is better, while the barbarian has more attacks and more HP.

Best Answer

Berserker is vulnerable to losing their rage

From the description of the rage feature:

Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven’t attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on your turn as a bonus action.

This means that if you don't have a target within javelin range, possibly due to full cover, and haven't taken any damage, your rage ends at the end of your turn. Your DM might rule that you can hit yourself, but that strongly depends on your DM. It also means a disabling status effect, such as that inflicted by hold person or sleep, can mean your rage ends unless you get a party member to help you.

Even if you simply use rage again, it costs a bonus action, so you cannot make a second attack on that turn, and you are also exhausted, meaning you have a disadvantage on ability checks, meaning it's harder to avoid grapples/shoves (though rage's advantage on strength checks means you'll be rolling normally, at least).