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Top Barbarian Feats Guide for BG3

Author:Kristen Update:Apr 01,2025

In *Baldur’s Gate 3* (*BG3*), choosing the best Barbarian feats can significantly enhance your gameplay, making you an unstoppable force on the battlefield while embracing the fury inherent to the class. Barbarians are a thrilling class to explore in *BG3*, known for their straightforward gameplay, speed, and exceptional damage output. Although Barbarians have fewer Feat options compared to other classes, selecting the right ones can make a substantial difference. Here, we delve into the top 10 Barbarian feats that you should consider as you progress through *Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)*.

10 – Durable

An image showing a Tiefling Barbarian and the Durable feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4Your 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 can make them even more resilient. This feat not only boosts your Constitution by 1, enhancing your overall durability, but also allows you to fully recover your hit points during a Short Rest. This can be a game-changer, especially on higher difficulties, making Durable an excellent choice for any Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3.

9 – Lucky

An image showing a Tiefling Barbarian and the Lucky feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4You 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 versatility and power, providing you with three luck points per long rest. These points can be used to gain Advantage on crucial rolls or force an enemy to reroll their attack, making it a valuable asset for any Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Its flexibility makes it beneficial across all classes, but particularly useful for Barbarians looking to maximize their combat effectiveness.

8 – Mage Slayer

An image showing a Tiefling Barbarian and the Mage Slayer feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4When 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 detest, it's enemy spellcasters. The Mage Slayer feat is tailor-made for this scenario, granting you Advantage on Saving Throws against spells cast within melee range and allowing you to counterattack the caster immediately. Additionally, it imposes Disadvantage on the caster's Concentration Saving Throws when you hit them. This makes Mage Slayer a strategic choice for any Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3, enhancing your ability to disrupt and neutralize enemy mages.

7 – Athlete

An image showing a Tiefling Barbarian and the Athlete feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4Your 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%.

For Barbarians who often find themselves knocked down or love to leap across the battlefield, the Athlete feat is a fantastic choice. It not only boosts your Strength or Dexterity by 1, but also reduces the movement required to stand up from being Prone and increases your jump distance by 50%. This makes Athlete an excellent all-around feat for both combat and exploration in Baldur’s Gate 3, enhancing your Barbarian's mobility and effectiveness.

6 – Savage Attacker

An image showing a Tiefling Barbarian and the Savage Attacker feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4When making melee weapon attacks, you roll your damage dice twice and use the highest result.

As a Barbarian, your primary goal is to deal as much damage as possible, and Savage Attacker directly supports this by allowing you to roll your damage dice twice and take the higher result. This feat aligns perfectly with the Barbarian's aggressive nature, ensuring your attacks remain impactful and true to the class's identity in Baldur’s Gate 3.

5 – Charger

An image showing the Charger feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4Deal more damage: charge forward and slam your weapon into the first enemy in your way.
Doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks.

Charging into battle is a quintessential Barbarian move, and the Charger feat embodies this perfectly. It allows you to charge up to 9m and strike the first enemy you reach without provoking Opportunity Attacks. This feat is thematic and practical, enabling you to close the distance quickly and effectively in Baldur’s Gate 3.

4 – Tough

An image showing the Tough feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4Your hit point maximum increases by 2 for every level you have gained.
Gives hit points retroactively.

As a front-line fighter, your Barbarian needs to withstand significant punishment. The Tough feat significantly enhances your survivability by increasing your hit point maximum by 2 per level, retroactively. This makes it an excellent choice for any Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3, especially at higher levels where the additional hit points can make a substantial difference.

3 – Sentinel

An image showing the Sentinel feat in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3), as part of an article on the best feats to select for the class.

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4When 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.

Sentinel is a standout feat for Barbarians in Baldur’s Gate 3, enhancing their role as a tank. It allows you to make Opportunity Attacks even against enemies using Disengage, and if you hit, you can halt their movement for the turn. This feat ensures enemies stay engaged with you, leveraging your Barbarian's durability and combat prowess to protect your allies effectively.

RELATED: Best Races and Ability Scores for Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3

2 – Polearm Master

BG3 polearm master

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4When 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.

Polearms are an excellent choice for Barbarians in Baldur’s Gate 3, offering extended reach and additional attack opportunities. The Polearm Master feat allows you to use a bonus action to attack with the butt of your weapon, increasing your damage output. Combined with feats like Sentinel, it can create a formidable defensive line, making it harder for enemies to bypass you and reach your allies.

1 – Great Weapon Master

BG3 great weapon master

How to UnlockDescription
Available at Level 4When 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 top feat for Barbarians in Baldur’s Gate 3, perfectly capturing the essence of wielding massive two-handed weapons. While it imposes a -5 penalty to your Attack Rolls, the +10 damage bonus on hits can turn the tide of battle. This feat embodies the Barbarian's philosophy of dealing devastating blows, making it an ideal choice for early-game power and throughout your journey in BG3.

These are the top 10 best feats for the Barbarian class in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3). Each one enhances your Barbarian's capabilities, but I recommend starting with Great Weapon Master for its immediate impact on your early-game strength.

For more on Baldur’s Gate 3, check out our guides for how to make Elixir of Arcane Cultivation, as well as how to dye armor. And if you’re just starting out, watch Destructoid’s excellent beginner’s guide to Baldur’s Gate 3.

UPDATE: The above article was updated on 03/23/24 by Jason Coles to add new list entries and images. It was updated again on 1/27/25 by Liam Nolan to further flesh out the list and enhance readability.