Barbarians in any game become synonymous to rampage, especially in Dungeons & Dragons. With their Rage mechanic, a Barbarian can easily convert any battlefield into a slaughterhouse with their swath of deadly attacks. However, Barbarians can become even deadlier behemoths with the right kind of devastating weaponry.
Thankfully, D&D 5e has an interesting choice of weapons for any type of character. And for a raging Barbarian, it has just the right selection of axes, clubs, maces, and even war hammers to help them do the job right. Coupled with the right backstory, these weapons can transform a Barbarian into a legend that no enemy would dare underestimate.
Updated December 24, 2021 by Rhenn Taguiam: Barbarians of Dungeons & Dragons often get associated with an intense need to protect those they care about - the point that their Rage becomes their own weapon. Unfortunately, they do trade their physical prowess with the lack of strong Spellcasting abilities, making Barbarians quite the disadvantaged Class with the release of “Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos.” In this new book, players can finally have their characters attend Strixhaven, a magic school that allows Spellcasters to hone their arts. Thankfully, Barbarians who want to get an edge against magic-users can still rely on some weapons should they get into a messy fight.
15 Sword of Vengeance
- Weapon (Any Sword), Uncommon (Requires Attunement)
Vengeance easily becomes an obsession with the wrong mindset, and Sword of Vengeance easily takes its wielders down this dark path. At its core, this Uncommon Sword needs Attunement, and it counts as a magic weapon that has +1 Bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls.
Not to mention, it comes with a Curse that makes its owner unwilling to part with the blade. With this in mind, the Sword of Vengeance forces its users to take a DC 15 Wisdom Save whenever they take damage. If they fail, they become obsessed with eliminating the attacking creature - until the creature dies, or the user dies, or if any one of them has moved out of reach. Being a cursed weapon, a Sword of Vengeance can appear in the hands of a villain or an evil knight.
14 Blade Of The Medusa
- Weapon (Any Sword), Very Rare (Requires Attunement)
True to its name, the Blade of the Medusa is named after Medusa of Greek culture. When it strikes a foe with a Natural 20 Attack Roll, it has to succeed a DC 15 Constitution Save. On a fail, the affected creature is restrained and can only get out of this state by succeeding three Constitution Saves. If all three fail, the affected creature is Petrified for an hour.
Moreover, its Curse makes its owner unwilling to part with the weapon. If the user rolls a 1 on an Attack Roll, the user has to make the same Constitution Save or suffer the restrained condition with the same caveats. Due to the dark magical nature of the weapon, players can get a Blade of the Medusa through a Gorgon or even an ancient temple.
13 Berserker Axe
- Weapon (Any Axe)
Players who want a more aggressive take on offense might enjoy Berserker Axe. As a magical weapon, its users gain +1 Bonus to both Attack and Damage Rolls. Moreover, users get an additional 1 Hit Point for every level they have attained. Given its magical nature, Berserker Axes could be located in ancient temples or at the hands of evil magic users.
However, Berserker Axe has a Curse that makes its users unwilling to part with the weapon. Whenever Hostile creatures damage the user while holding the blade, the user has to succeed a DC 15 Wisdom Save or go Berserk. In this state, the user has to keep on attacking all nearby creatures, with the Berserk state lasting until there’s no one left to attack within 60 feet of the user.
12 Giant Slayer
- Weapon (Any Axe or Sword)
Players in highly-specialized campaigns will appreciate Giant Slayer, especially when fighting giants. On the basic side, Giant Slayer grants +1 Bonus to both Attack and Damage Rolls. They can obtain this weapon in places and forges built by those against giants, such as hunting guilds or societies living in fear against giants that may be hunting them down.
However, where the Giant Slayer shines is in its perks. When attacking giants, the weapon grants additional 2d6 damage of the weapon’s type. Not to mention, the giant has to roll a DC 15 Strength Save or become prone. What’s great is that the user doesn’t necessarily need to attack giants to trigger its effect, but rather creatures of the giant type like trolls and ettins.
11 Dragon Slayer
- Weapon (Any Sword) (Sword)
Perhaps the pinnacle of any creature slaying, the Dragon Slayer is built specifically to combat dragons. Elite dragon-slaying guilds or ancient societies forge Dragon Slayers precisely to defeat them. At its core, Dragon Slayer grants +1 Bonus to both Attack and Damage Rolls.
However, where the weapon shines is its advantage against dragons. When fighting dragons, they take additional 3d6 damage depending on the type of weapon that becomes the Dragon Slayer. However, this doesn’t just apply to major dragons, but rather dragon-type creatures like wyverns and even dragon turtles.
10 Moon-Touched Sword
- Weapon (Any Sword), Common
Despite its rather mundane rarity, the Moon-Touched Sword is a valuable asset to any novice Barbarian. An unsheathed Moon-Touched Sword creates light (15ft. bright, 15ft. dim), helpful in caves and dungeons. That's generally it – but as a Magic Item, it does grant users Non-Magic Resistance, helpful for the early game.
Given its lunar properties, a Barbarian may obtain a Moon-Touched Sword from a tribe of lunar Elves, or perhaps from a Werewolf hiding in a village. More poetically, a Moon-Touched Sword may lie hidden within the trees of a mythical forest.
9 Rod Of Lordly Might
- Item, Legendary (Requires Attunement)
While intended as an item, the Rod of Lordly Might possess six different properties and essentially acts as a magic mace. Wielding it gives the Barbarian +3 bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls. Each of its buttons can transform the Rod into any of the following:
- Flame Tongue
- Battleaxe
- Spear
- Climbing Pole
- Battering Ram
- A simple Mace.
It can also Drain Life, Paralyze, or even Terrify. Given its transformation potential, the Rod of Lordly Might easily becomes a dream come true for any Barbarian. Since it hints towards a mechanical origin, the Rod may trace its origins to an ancient civilization, the magnum opus of a megalomaniacal engineer, or a wonder of celestial technology.
8 Frost Brand
- Weapon (Any Sword), Very Rare (Requires Attunement)
Barbarians can inflict the chill release of death to their opponents through Frost Brand. When Attuned, the Barbarian can force enemies to take an extra 1d6 Cold Damage upon hit. Moreover, Barbarians who hold Frost Brand will gain Resistance against Fire Damage. It can even extinguish all nonmagical flames within a 30-foot radius when drawn.
Given is rarity, Frost Brand may be the heirloom of a noble family in the icy regions of the north. Alternatively, it may be the favored weapon of another Barbarian Champion from aforementioned region.
7 Dancing Sword
- Weapon (Any Sword), Very Rare (Requires Attunement)
A Barbarian slashing through opponents from afar is an unlikely dream made into reality by the Dancing Sword. When Attuned, a Barbarian can command this weapon to float (or if already floating, move) up to 30ft. The same Bonus Action will have the Dancing Sword attack anything in its range. The Barbarian can use the Dancing Sword as a floating weapon four times before it floats back to them.
Given its novelty, a Barbarian may obtain a Dancing Sword as a reward from a trickster god, or perhaps from a playful entity. Likewise, they may obtain the Dancing Sword as a "sentient" weapon lost in an ancient dungeon.
6 Flame Tongue
- Weapon (Any Sword), Rare (Requires Attunement)
Barbarians with a love for destruction will appreciate the Flame Tongue and its fiery blaze. When attuned, a Barbarian can use their Bonus Action to command the Flame Tongue's blade to burst into flames. Not only does this provide light (40ft. bright, 40ft. dim) but also imbues +2d6 Fire Damage into its attacks.
Given the elemental nature of the weapon, a Barbarian may have a smith imbue their favorite sword with a burning catalyst to become the Flame Tongue. Likewise, a Sorcerer may give "fiery life" to the Barbarian's weapon through an enchantment.
5 Sword Of Wounding
- Weapon (Any Sword), Rare (Requires Attunement)
The Barbarian's penchant for endless fighting is something the Sword of Wounding understands. This Rare Sword has the magical property of Wounding its targets. Whenever that target begins their turn, they suffer d4 Necrotic damage for every time they've been wounded. If they don't try to stop the wounds, only resting will heal the lost HP.
Barbarians may love the Sword of Wounding when dishing out more attacks in a turn. Given its deadly properties, a Barbarian may have a poison specialist imbue their favorite blade with the necrotic energies that transforms it into a Sword of Wounding. Likewise, a death knight's lair may house the Sword.
4 Sword Of Life Stealing
- Weapon (Any Sword), Rare (Requires Attunement)
When attuned, a Barbarian using the Sword of Life Stealing becomes a devourer of life itself. Attacking creatures with a Natural 20 Attack Roll will give the Barbarian a whopping +10 Temporary HP, while at the same time dealing +10 Necrotic Damage to an enemy. Given this property, though, the Sword of Life Stealing won't work against the Undead.
A Barbarian may attain a Sword of Life Stealing from the wares of a Warlock, or perhaps within the lair of a Necromancer. A battle-hardened Barbarian may ask a Wizard enchant his favorite sword into this deadly weapon. For a more sinister twist, a Barbarian may attain the weapon after fulfilling the wishes of a malevolent force.
3 Weapon, +2/+3
- Weapon (Any), Rare (+2), Very Rare (+3)
Unlike other recommended armaments, Barbarians can't really go wrong with a +2 Weapon or even a +3 Weapon. Despite their small numbers, they do denote the same bonus to both Attack Rolls and Damage Rolls. For Barbarians that love to dish out the big guns, such numbers can help not just in securing the hit, but also securing the kill.
The general nature of a +2 Weapon or a +3 Weapon can give a lot of leeway in terms of overall design and appearance. A Barbarian can have this Weapon forged by a known blacksmith. They may also find it in an abandoned barracks, or maybe stored within the wares of a retired general.
2 Luck Blade
- Weapon (Any Sword), Legendary (Requires Attunement)
Ever wonder how this legendary Barbarian never seems to miss their mark? With the Luck Blade, there might be no need to wonder. The Luck Blade seems ordinary given its +1 Bonus to Attack Rolls, Damage Rolls, and Saving Throws. However, with per-dawn Luck, the Barbarian can use a free action to reroll any d20 roll and use the second roll. Meanwhile, a Luck Blade also can come with 1d4-1 Wish charges, enabling the Barbarian to use the legendary Wish Spell.
Given the sheer power of the Luck Blade, the Barbarian may obtain it through divine intervention. Or for a more humorous origin story, the Barbarian may obtain it during a drunken stupor, never remembering the event.
1 Vorpal Sword
- Weapon (Any Sword), Legendary (Requires Attunement)
What better weapon to serve the Barbarian if not the Vorpal Sword? This vicious weapon literally cuts off the head of an opponent in a Natural 20. Additionally, this Legendary Sword will still deal 6d8 Slashing Damage if its Natural 20 cannot, for some reason, cut its opponent's head. Wielding it alone grants the Barbarian a +3 Bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls, and ignores Slashing Resistance.
Due to its Legendary nature, a Barbarian may get their own Vorpal Sword as a mighty weapon associated with them, be it through a legendary smith or an ancient ritual. Its Legendary rarity works best with an origin story that will liken the Barbarian with those of godly tales, transforming them into a mythical warrior.
“Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos” was released December 7, 2021.