Path of the Giant FAQ

How do you build and play a Giant Barbarian?

Strength is especially important because thrown attacks, ordinary melee attacks and Mighty Impel's save DC all reward it. Constitution remains central to Barbarian durability. Dexterity is secondary unless needed for Armor Class. In play, use the increased reach to threaten more space, convert a strong melee weapon into a returning thrown weapon with Elemental Cleaver, and use Mighty Impel for battlefield positioning rather than viewing it only as damage. Throw allies into useful spaces when they are willing, or force enemies away from objectives and into hazards.

Ability scores

Strength is especially important because thrown attacks, ordinary melee attacks and Mighty Impel's save DC all reward it. Constitution remains central to Barbarian durability. Dexterity is secondary unless needed for Armor Class.

Rage management

Nearly every defining Giant combat feature is active while raging. Giant's Havoc, Elemental Cleaver and Mighty Impel all depend on Rage, while Demiurgic Colossus upgrades those Rage-based features.

Positioning and target choice

Use the increased reach to threaten more space, convert a strong melee weapon into a returning thrown weapon with Elemental Cleaver, and use Mighty Impel for battlefield positioning rather than viewing it only as damage. Throw allies into useful spaces when they are willing, or force enemies away from objectives and into hazards.

Reckless Attack and this Path

The Giant path can attack effectively at reach or with Elemental Cleaver's thrown weapon, so Reckless Attack is not always necessary. Use it when the accuracy boost matters more than the defensive risk, especially when you can exploit reach or positioning to reduce the number of enemies able to retaliate.

Common mistake

The common mistake is treating Mighty Impel only as a way to throw enemies for damage. Its strongest uses are often positional: rescue an ally, remove an enemy from an objective, place a target near a hazard, or create space without giving up the Barbarian's main attacks.