Satyr Barbarian 5e D&D Guide

Satyr Barbarians possess a unique blend of power and agility, brimming with untamed energy that surges through their goat-like legs.

When provoked or filled with an overwhelming sense of justice, their primal instincts awaken, unleashing a fearsome rage. It’s as if the very essence of the untamed wilderness courses through their veins.

Satyr Barbarians wield a gigantic weapon, shattering battlefields with both grace and ferocity. Their movements, reminiscent of a nimble dancer caught in the throes of a tempest, strike fear into the hearts of their foes.

But let’s not be deceived by their primal nature alone, for these spirited creatures possess a certain mystical charm.

Satyr Barbarians are known for their ability to enchant and beguile, using their music and captivating melodies to weave spells of inspiration or confusion.

Creating a Satyr Barbarian

Satyrs

Satyrs have built up a well-earned reputation for their love of revels, good spirits, and gregarious personalities. 

It’s well known that Satyrs are driven by two very simple desires; to witness everything the world holds and to experience all of its pleasures.

Even though their whimsy and spontaneity put them at odds with more stoic people, Satyrs rarely allow others to hinder their own contentment.

Note: These features can be slightly changed or modified if some variations don’t fit your character.

Satyr Subraces

Satyrs are an all-male race, meaning they can’t birth pure-blooded Satyrs – well, at least what we know of.

That means they usually mated with others of the opposite sex, whether they are fey, dryads, oreads, or humans (especially humans).

Unfortunately, there aren’t any playable races already setup, but you can ask your DM to create, help you create, or allow you to create a subrace that aligns with the mating patterns of Satyrs.

Barbarian Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Barbarian Primal Paths

Arriving at level 3 allows you to choose from 8 different Barbarian Primal Paths. Each path has a different playstyle, so choose the one that you find specifically interesting, or that fits your character most.

Ancestral Guardian – Ancestral Guardians revere their ancestors, using ancestral guardian spirits for aid. These spirits bolster their fighting spirits and strengthen them physically, allowing them to fight off even the toughest foes.

Battlerager (Dwarfs only) – Called Kuldjargh (translating to “axe idiot”) by the dwarfs, Battleragers worship the gods of war. 

They wear bulky armor adorned with spikes, needlessly throwing themselves into battle, using even their body as a weapon, and surrendering their sanity to the fury of battle.

Beast – Path of the Beast Barbarians draw their fury from the beast dwelling deep within their soul. If they let it take over, they physically transform, gaining many benefits.

Note: You may describe the origin of your bestial powers or roll for it.

Berserker – Berserkers use their rage to become unfathomably violent, entering a frenzy and getting a thrill like no other from battle. 

In many cases, their fury overwhelms their rational thoughts, causing them to ignore their health and well-being.

Storm Herald – Storm Heralds are taught to transform their rage into a mantle of primal magic that whirls around them, and when enraged, they create powerful magical effects.

These Barbarians are known as nature’s protectors and are often found in the far reaches of the world, where they train with druids and rangers, keeping nature safe from those who would harm it.

Totem Warrior – Totem Warriors go on a spiritual journey, accepting a spirit animal as their guide, inspiration, and protector. In battle, the spirit fills them with magical power, giving them magical fuel for their rage.

Wild Magic – Wild Magic Barbarians feel the rampant magic of the Feywild and the Upper Planes, transforming them and manifesting the otherworldly magic of their ancestors.

Note: Elves, tieflings, aasimar, and genasi Barbarians often walk this path.

Zealot – Zealots are Barbarians who fight ferocious battles in the name of their deity, channeling their rage into powerful exhibits of divine power. Deities who inspire Zealots are usually gods of violence, destruction, and combat.

Combining Barbarian With Satyr

Determining Your Barbarian Subclass

Choosing your ideal subclass is subjective, but if your objective is optimization, try understanding what your character wants to do and what stats fit best with their subclass.

Optimal Satyr Subrace

Standard Satyrs start with a bonus to Charisma (2) and Dexterity (1) and have no subraces to choose from.

Unfortunately, the Charisma ability score bonus is pretty terrible for a Barbarian who mainly uses Strength and is complemented by Constitution.

The Dexterity is quite decent, to say the least, as it boosts your AC with half plate, but that’s about it.

Your Satyr Barbarian Background

Your Satyr Barbarian needs a unique background that will affect its choices, as well as the way it sees the world and what it wants to achieve.

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: Where were they born, and where did they come from? Do they have any goals, bonds, or ideals, and what are their flaws? Where do they belong in social circles and society as a whole? What inspires them?

Place of Birth

Think of the environment a Satyr Barbarian grew up in and how it affected them physically and emotionally and eventually shaped their view of the world.

Try to make their place of birth and upbringing correspond with their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws – this will truly bring their character alive.

Note: The birthplaces of races are usually mentioned in the Player’s Handbook or some of its expansion books.

Characteristics and Personality Traits

Satyr Barbarians aren’t ordinary rage-filled monsters; even though they can turn into them, they simply enjoy the merriment of others and drink incessantly.

Satyr Barbarian Examples:

• If you need me to do something for you, tell me I can’t do it.

• I sleep with my back to a tree or wall, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Satyr Barbarian’s life – their conviction, ethical principle, and moral standing (probably something about nature).

The songs, legends, and stories of the past must never be forgotten.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Satyr Barbarian has to an event, person, or place. Bonds will tie them to their background and can inspire bravery or stimulate memories driving them against their ideals.

A powerful person killed someone I love. Some day soon, I’ll have my revenge.

Flaws – Choose a single flaw for a Satyr Barbarian – their unhealthy compulsion, greatest fear/weakness, or most vile vice.

Once someone questions my courage, I never back down, no matter how dangerous the situation.

Inspiration

Inspiration is used by the DM to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaw.

If someone spoils a merry occasion, I can’t help but become angry, immediately standing up to bash his face as my people did in our tribes.

Note: If you’re struggling to create your background or just don’t want to think, the Player’s Handbook has well-thought-through backgrounds that you can use for your character or use as a mold.

Supplies and Gear For Satyr Barbarians

Barbarians start with the following equipment, together with the equipment from their background. Choosing equipment based on your situation and your character’s proficiencies is the easiest way to go about things.

• (a) Greataxe or (b) Any martial melee weapon
• (a) Two handaxes or (b) Any simple weapon
• Four javelins and an explorer’s pack

You can decide how your character came about these goods – whether they stole, inherited, or purchased them some time back – adding to your character’s background.

Note: By using your starting wealth, you can buy your own equipment (2d4 x 10 GP for Barbarians).

Final Thoughts

Satyrs are creatures linked closely to nature, which explains why they fit the Barbarian class so well, even though their stats aren’t entirely efficient.

By choosing a Satyr Barbarian, you’ll be getting an amazing Striker or Defender who uses their agility and brute strength to demolish groups of enemies.

If you ever see a Satyr holding a pint of ale in one and a massive weapon in the other, you’ll know they’re one of the Satyr Barbarians.

You might also be interested in the following:

• Goliath Barbarian
• Goliath Fighter
• Goliath Paladin
• Satyr Bard
• Satyr Paladin