Path of the Zealot FAQ
What is the Path of the Zealot?
The Path of the Zealot is a divinely empowered Barbarian path that adds radiant or necrotic damage, is unusually easy to restore to life and eventually continues fighting at 0 hit points while Rage remains active. Choosing Zealot at Barbarian 3 adds its divine-warrior identity to the normal Rage, Reckless Attack, Extra Attack, Fast Movement, Brutal Critical, Relentless Rage, and other core Barbarian progression.
Identity
The Path of the Zealot is a divinely empowered Barbarian path that adds radiant or necrotic damage, is unusually easy to restore to life and eventually continues fighting at 0 hit points while Rage remains active.
Subclass timing
A Barbarian chooses Path of the Zealot at 3rd level. The path adds further subclass features at Barbarian levels 6, 10, and 14, expanding Divine Fury, Fanatical Focus, Zealous Presence, and Rage Beyond Death while the base Barbarian continues to improve Rage, durability, mobility, and weapon pressure.
Ability-score implications
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.
How it plays
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.
Relationship with Rage
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.