Why they're a class. (I'm not objecting to them being a class per-say - this isn't a "complaint" thread by any means.. more of a curiosity thing)
Why are Barbarians a class in DnD and not say a background or sub-race?
(This is specifically a DnD question before someone tells me they're a class in BG3 because "they're a class in DnD")
Traditionally to be a Barbarian you would need to be born into a tribe/group of people that would be considered uncivilised. Usually associated with an area, e.g. "the barbarians from the plains". To be a noble that's born and grew up in Baldurs Gate who is also a Barbarian makes no sense in this context (yet it does for all the other classes in the game).
So I'm confused, why are they a class?
They are a supplement class in 1e AD&D, mercifully dropped in 2e and then returned as a core class in 3e. And even though I thought they were lame and unnecessary in 1e (just like the Cavalier and the Thief-Acrobat which fortunately never saw the light of day again except maybe as some optional kit or prestige class or whatever) at least it was very clear who these "Barbarians" were. They are Viking Berserkers. Why they were not called Berserkers is beyond me. And the implication that every single tribal person is some kind of giant hairy person with a giant axe is weird. Clearly this is a very specific archetype referencing a very specific culture. And even if you were running a Viking-inspired campaign of D&D not EVERY warrior is a Berserker. And were Vikings even really tribal people? They had kings and all.
But to me they have seemed to grow just more confusing and incoherent as a class moving forward. Now they have all these shamanistic powers and implying they are closer to nature as if Rangers and Druids were insufficient for nature based classes. And that doesn't really fit with the whole Viking Berserker thing. So I don't even know what the heck they are. They are a confusing mash of various ideas about tribal societies that I don't find very compelling. Sure the Berserkers wore bear skins and were supposed to turn into bears in battle but I have a hard time imagining a Berserker putting on an Elk skin and channeling the rage of a herbivore.
But the idea is that this person is a warrior from a tribal, not city-having, society and growing up in that culture has given them these powers. That is the idea.
So why Karlach, who grew up in a city and then went to hell, would have access to the cultural knowledge necessary to have this fighting style or shamanistic powers I have no idea. Has she ever seen a bear before this adventure? Why is she able to channel the spirit of bears? I don't know. I think Larian really failed making a Barbarian character with Karlach. There is zero reason or justification for it, Karlach never expresses any interest in animals or Shamanistic beliefs. She just gets the powers anyway. Which is weird since the class of the other Origin characters is really well defined and well done.
If you play in my game and you want to be a Barbarian, I will make it work and we will make you as cool as possible. But otherwise I just sort of try to forget they exist. I think they are both lame and incoherent background wise and lacking mechanically.
