Baldur's Gate 3: The "One-Throw Man" Barbarian Build Guide

This build is designed for Honor Mode but is also very effective on lower difficulties.

The Throwing Barbarian, or "Throwmancer," is a build that has been consistently strong since the game's official release. Even after multiple patches, its core mechanics remain unchanged. It's a build that is powerful from the early game all the way to the end.

Build Overview

This build is a multiclass of 5 levels in Berserker Barbarian, 4 levels in Eldritch Knight Fighter, and 3 levels in Thief Rogue. The core idea is to use the Berserker's Frenzied Throw bonus action, combined with the Thief's extra bonus action and the Fighter's Action Surge, to throw a weapon multiple times in a single turn.

By using a weapon with the Returning property (or equipping the Returning Pike), and stacking various sources of bonus damage, you can achieve incredibly high damage output.

Leveling Progression

For your starting class, choose Barbarian.

Stats: 17 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON.

At level 3, choose the Berserker subclass.

At level 4, take the Tavern Brawler feat and add +1 to Strength, bringing it to 18. This feat is the absolute core of the build, adding your Strength modifier twice to both your attack rolls and damage rolls for thrown attacks.

At level 5, you get Extra Attack, which is a significant power spike.

Next, multiclass into Fighter.

At Fighter level 2 (character level 7), you gain Action Surge.

At Fighter level 3 (character level 8), choose the Eldritch Knight subclass. This allows you to bind a weapon, making it a returning weapon. This frees you from having to use the Returning Pike and allows you to use stronger throwing weapons later on.

At Fighter level 4 (character level 9), take the Ability Improvement feat and increase your Strength to 20.

Finally, multiclass into Rogue for the remaining three levels.

At Rogue level 3 (character level 12), choose the Thief subclass to gain an additional bonus action.

At this point, the build is complete.

Core Mechanics

The core of this build is stacking multiple sources of bonus damage onto each throw. Here's a breakdown:

• Tavern Brawler: Adds your Strength modifier (which should be +5 or higher) twice to both attack and damage.
• Enraged Throw: The Berserker's bonus action throw.
• Rage Damage: Additional damage while raging.
• Ring of Flinging: Adds 1d4 bonus damage to throws.
• Kushigo Gloves: Adds 1d4 bonus damage to throws.
• Caustic Band: Adds 2 Acid damage to all weapon attacks.
• Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo: Adds 1d4 Thunder damage to throws. (Note: These are two different pairs of gloves, choose one).
• Nyrulna (Legendary Trident): This is the ultimate throwing weapon. It deals inherent weapon damage plus an additional 3-12 Thunder damage. When thrown, it creates a 6m explosion dealing another 3-12 Thunder damage.

With all these bonuses, a single throw can easily deal over 30 damage. In one turn, a typical rotation would be: Action (Attack) -> Extra Attack -> Bonus Action (Frenzied Throw) -> Thief Bonus Action (Frenzied Throw) -> Action Surge -> Action (Attack) -> Extra Attack. That's a total of six throws in a single turn, delivering devastating burst damage.

Equipment

Early Game (Act 1)

• Weapon: Returning Pike. You can buy this from the goblin trader in the Goblin Camp. This is your main weapon until you become an Eldritch Knight.
• Armor: Any medium armor you can find. The Githyanki Half Plate is a good option.
• Gloves: Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo. Dropped by Sergeant Thrinn in the Githyanki Crèche.
• Ring 1: Ring of Flinging. Purchased from Arron in the Druid Grove.
• Ring 2: Caustic Band. Purchased from the merchant in the Myconid Colony in the Underdark.

Mid Game (Act 2)

Most of the key gear is found in Act 1. In Act 2, focus on upgrading your armor and finding general-purpose accessories.

Late Game (Act 3)

• Weapon: Nyrulna. The legendary trident. You can get this by winning the jackpot from the djinn at the Circus of the Last Days in Rivington.
• Dwarven Thrower: An alternative to Nyrulna, especially good for Dwarven characters. It deals extra damage if you are a Dwarf and returns automatically without needing to be bound. It can be purchased from a merchant in Rivington.
• Helmet: Mask of Soul Perception. Found in the lower levels of the Devil's Fee. Provides +2 to attack rolls.
• Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health. Sets your Constitution to 23, found in the House of Hope.

With the Amulet of Greater Health, you can respec your stats to dump Constitution and put those points into Dexterity for better initiative.

Final Notes

This build is incredibly straightforward to play. In combat, your first bonus action should be to enter a Frenzy. After that, just keep throwing your weapon at enemies until they are all gone. It's simple, effective, and extremely satisfying.