Path of the Zealot FAQ
How do you build and play a Zealot Barbarian?
Strength and Constitution remain the core abilities. Divine Fury scales without a separate spellcasting ability, and Fanatical Focus improves failed saves regardless of the ability involved. The subclass therefore stays strongly aligned with the ordinary Barbarian stat plan. In play, use Divine Fury every turn you can land the first weapon hit, save Fanatical Focus for a failed save with serious consequences, and coordinate Zealous Presence with allies before a round of heavy offense. At high level, understand exactly how Rage Beyond Death and healing interact before relying on it.
Ability scores
Strength and Constitution remain the core abilities. Divine Fury scales without a separate spellcasting ability, and Fanatical Focus improves failed saves regardless of the ability involved. The subclass therefore stays strongly aligned with the ordinary Barbarian stat plan.
Rage management
Divine Fury, Fanatical Focus and Rage Beyond Death all explicitly depend on Rage. Zealous Presence can support a key party turn, but the subclass's personal divine-warrior identity is strongest while Rage is active.
Positioning and target choice
Use Divine Fury every turn you can land the first weapon hit, save Fanatical Focus for a failed save with serious consequences, and coordinate Zealous Presence with allies before a round of heavy offense. At high level, understand exactly how Rage Beyond Death and healing interact before relying on it.
Reckless Attack and this Path
Reckless Attack helps secure the first weapon hit that carries Divine Fury. At high level, Rage Beyond Death can make the Zealot willing to accept extraordinary risk, but failed death saves and the need to remain above 0 when Rage ends mean Reckless still has real consequences.
Common mistake
The common mistake is reading Rage Beyond Death as immunity to death. The Zealot still makes death saves and still accumulates failures from damage. The feature delays death while Rage continues; healing above 0 before the Rage ends is what prevents the delayed death from resolving.