Barbarians in Dungeons & Dragons come in all shapes and sizes, from the tallest, lumbering tribesman to stocky dwarves, but they share a kindred spirit through their boundless rage. They unleash anger in an unstoppable flurry of attacks on anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path. Unlike several other classes in D&D, this one has its roots in real life. The Barbarian class has a long history, inspired by mythical figures like Hercules and authentic Roman accounts of the raging northern hordes.

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The source of that Barbarian rage differs depending on the Primal Path that the Barbarian has chosen. This is also known as the subclass, and it's the part of the character creation that comes right after choosing your main class. Below is our list of worst to best subclasses, but don't let that keep you from choosing something unconventional, keeping in mind that sometimes context and flavor are more important than utility.

Updated on March 11, 2023, by Branden Lizardi: Throughout all of D&D, there remains one class that will always be number one in a brawl. This has kept true across countless adventures, supplements, and rulebooks. That class is the barbarian. From werewolves to literally exploding with magic, there's something for anyone who wants to both start, and end, a combat encounter. Can't decide what to choose? Don't worry; we've updated this list to keep things up to date with current rules and meta strategies.

8 Path Of The Berserker

They say that enthusiasm is half the battle. And if any subclass can prove that, it's the Berserker. Raging puts you in a state of constant damage, enabling you to dish out more attacks. You can make up to three melee attacks by level 5, for example.

You also become a force of raw intimidation, being immune to being frightened while gaining the ability to frighten others with your mere presence at later levels. This is the classic barbarian style that most people think of.

7 The Zealot

You are a warrior for a higher power. And whatever deity has taken an interest in you wants to see you fight, a lot. The Path of the Zealot is based on this idea. Imagine a paladin, but (almost) without magic.

You can reroll failed saving throws, brush off lethal blows, and even be revived for free. Throw in some Divine Smite to your attacks, and you're one hard-to-kill barbarian.

6 The Battlerager

The dwarven equivalent to wearing an expensive set of sneakers and making that your personality, the Battlerager is based around a special set of spiked armor you wear in combat. This allows you to essentially punish anyone foolish enough to attack you by returning the damage back in folds.

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One thing to note: only Dwarves can take the Path of the Battlerager. According to the Forgotten Realms canon, it's a cultural path that is significant to that race. This could aid your character's background and motivations. But like with all DnD, the DM may choose to waive this requirement for the sake of fun.

5 Path Of The Beast

Not everyone is a big, strong warrior constantly. Sometimes they have a powerful beast lurking under the surface. That's the essence behind the Path of the Beast. You don't need weapons; When raging, you take on an increasingly bestial form, using teeth, claws, and a tail to fight.

This is the best subclass to pick for werewolf characters and is what it appears to be designed around. But the intentionally vague wording means it can be applied to other situations, such as animal-esque races like LizardFolk or Tabaxi.

4 Path Of The Storm Herald

With the Path of the Storm Herald, they say that your fury is a storm, and you take that literally. When raging, you invoke a magical aura that manifests as a storm. It will vary based on your landscape of choice, from the fiery winds of the desert to the thunder of a seaside storm.

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This subclass is one of the more defensive options available, invoking a number of dangers and limitations to enemies while offering protection for you and your allies. This is a great choice for anyone wanting to incorporate nature into your barbarian style without committing to the druidic vibes of the Path of the Totem Warrior.

3 The Ancestral Guardian

A family lineage can be very important to a character. A strong bond with that lineage can manifest itself as an Ancestral Guardian. With this path, the spirits of your ancestors will aid you in combat, bolstering your defense, hindering your enemies, and eventually outright fighting alongside you.

This is a very protective class, one of the few not to offer any offensive abilities until level 14. This makes it the best barbarian subclass for taking on a more supportive role in the party without the complications of buffs or other magical effects.

2 Path Of Wild Magic

The Wild Magic barbarian is what you pick when you want to throw caution to the wind and let the fate of dice decide what silly hijinks you get up to. The premise is that your rage is intertwined with magical energies beyond your control. Whenever you rage, a random magical effect will take place. When using the official table, this effect can vary from becoming coated in flowers to shooting lasers out of your chest.

Just like the sorcerer subclass this is based on, this is one of the most fun barbarian subclasses to play as and with. While it may not be terribly useful, the randomized effects can provide some excellent entertainment in roleplay scenarios. This can be amplified further with some slight homebrewing by the DM to expand or alter the wild magic table you roll from.

1 Path Of The Totem Warrior

The idea of a 'Utility Barbarian' may not be something many people strive for, but that's the best way to describe anyone taking the Path of the Totem Warrior. Centered around the idea of becoming one with the wildlife around you, you use various totems to imbue yourself with enhanced abilities relevant to the animals that totem represents.

Use the eyes of an eagle, or the strength of a bear; the wide variety of options available make this the most well-rounded barbarian subclass, both in and out of combat. If you want to be a tanky combatant but still serve a use outside of it, this is the best subclass to pick.

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