5e Shifter Barbarian (Lycanthrope)

The concept here is to create a playable lycanthrope type character using the official classes and races. The shifter is the official almost-but-not-quite lycanthrope race. In combination with barbarian it makes it rather easy to do the Hollywood style lycanthrope which is the big humanoid man-animal hybrid. What's still missing is to the sort of lycanthrope that turns into a natural seeming version of the animal they are part of rather than a hybrid form.

Also, this represents more the unstoppable beast sort of werecreature, for more stalker-ish werecreatures I would go toward Ranger or Rogue, especially for wererats.  This is of limited ability to model a real werewolf since shifting lasts for only 1 minute, but rages (which can be fluffed as transformations) can eventually last for an extended time.

1st Level Statistics

 

Longtooth Shifter Barbarian 1st Level
Str: 16
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 11
Wis: 12
Cha: 10

HP: 14
AC: 14

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Darkvision
Shifting 1/Rest (3 Temporary Hit Points)
Longtooth Shifting (Bite +5, 1d6+3 damage, +grapple)


Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons
Tools: One musical instrument
Saving Throws:

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +5
Intimidation (Barbarian) +2
Perception (Barbarian) +3
Survival (Outlander) +3

Background: Outlander

Rage (2/+2)
Unarmored Defense

Greataxe
Shortbow and 20 Arrows
4 Javelins
Staff
Hunting trap
trophy from an animal
Set of Traveler's Clothes
Explorer's Pack
Belt pouch 10 gp

Reasoning: Longtooth shifter gives a bite attack and +1 Strength. All the shifter subraces are equally applicable, but I am thinking werewolf and thus went with the bite.

2nd to 5th Level

 

2nd Level - Reckless Attack, Danger Sense, +9 HP

3rd Level - Primal Path: Path of the Totem Warrior, +1 Rage, +9 HP
Spirit Seeker, Totem Spirit: Bear

4th Level - Ability Score Improvement: +2 Con, +13 HP

5th Level - Extra Attack, Fast Movement, Proficiency Bonus +3, +10 HP

Reasoning: There are two choices in this level range, everything else is mandated. All three of the Totem Spirit options present features that are befitting of most lycanthropes. I went with Bear to heighten the usual idea of how difficult it is supposed to be to kill werecreatures. If I wanted to heighten the idea of a pack hunter, I would have gone with Wolf and if I wanted something exceptionally agile, I would have gone with Eagle.  Constitution was increased as that raises both HP and AC in a Barbarian, as well as the number of temporary hit points received while Shifting.

5th Level Statistics

Longtooth Shifter Barbarian 5th Level
Str: 16
Dex: 14
Con: 16
Int: 11
Wis: 12
Cha: 10

HP: 55
AC: 15

Proficiency Bonus: +3

Darkvision
Shifting 1/Rest (8 Temporary Hit Points)
Longtooth Shifting (Bite +6, 1d6+3 damage, +grapple)
Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons
Tools: One musical instrument
Saving Throws:

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +6
Intimidation (Barbarian) +3
Perception (Barbarian) +4
Survival (Outlander) +4

Background: Outlander

Rage (3/+2)
Unarmored Defense
Reckless Attack
Danger Sense
Primal Path: Path of the Totem Warrior
Spirit Seeker
Totem Spirit: Bear
Extra Attack
Fast Movement

Greataxe
Shortbow and 20 Arrows
4 Javelins
Staff
Hunting trap
trophy from an animal
Set of Traveler's Clothes
Explorer's Pack
Belt pouch 10 gp

6th to 10th Level

6th Level - Aspect of the Beast: Bear, +1 Rage, +10 HP

7th Level - Feral Instinct, +10 HP

8th Level - Ability Score Improvement: Tough, +26 HP

9th Level - Brutal Critical (1 die), Rage Damage +3, Proficiency Bonus +4, +12 HP

10th Level - Spirit Walker, +12 HP


Reasoning: I briefly considered going with Aspect of the Beast: Wolf and the Skilled feat to get Stealth as a trained skill, but I've decided to go with more the type of werecreature that bursts through walls and such rather than the clever stealthy type. I also took Toughness, this means that it will be impossible to get both Strength and Constitution to 20 until we get to level 20 when Barbarian gives a +4 to both. We will not be taking anymore feats for this character. Other feats I considered: Alert, Athlete, Charger, Mobile, Observant, Savage Attacker, Skilled, Skulker, Tavern Brawler. All presented aspects representative of some variety of werecreature.

10th Level Statistics

Longtooth Shifter Barbarian 10th Level
Str: 16
Dex: 14
Con: 16
Int: 11
Wis: 12
Cha: 10

HP: 125
AC: 15

Proficiency Bonus: +4

Darkvision
Shifting 1/Rest (13 Temporary Hit Points)
Longtooth Shifting (Bite +7, 1d6+3 damage, +grapple)

Tough

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons
Tools: One musical instrument
Saving Throws:

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +7
Intimidation (Barbarian) +4
Perception (Barbarian) +5
Survival (Outlander) +5

Background: Outlander

Rage (4/+3)
Unarmored Defense
Reckless Attack
Danger Sense
Primal Path: Path of the Totem Warrior
Spirit Seeker
Totem Spirit: Bear
Extra Attack
Fast Movement
Aspect of the Beast: Bear
Feral Instinct
Brutal Critical (1 Die)
Spirit Walker

Greataxe
Shortbow and 20 Arrows
4 Javelins
Staff
Hunting trap
trophy from an animal
Set of Traveler's Clothes
Explorer's Pack
Belt pouch 10 gp

11th to 15th Level

11th Level - Relentless Rage, +12 HP

12th Level - Ability Score Improvement: +2 Str, +1 Rage, +12 HP

13th Level - Brutal Critical (2 Dice), Proficiency Bonus +5, +12 HP

14th Level - Totemic Attunement: Wolf, +12 HP

15th Level - Persistent Rage, +12 HP

Reasoning: I decided it was time to raise Str on this character. Also, while taking Bear a third time was reasonable, the ability to knock down foes is very much in keeping with a lycanthrope attack style, so I went with that.

15th Level Statistics

Longtooth Shifter Barbarian 15th Level
Str: 18
Dex: 14
Con: 16
Int: 11
Wis: 12
Cha: 10

HP: 185
AC: 15

Proficiency Bonus: +5

Darkvision
Shifting 1/Rest (18 Temporary Hit Points)
Longtooth Shifting (Bite +9, 1d6+4 damage, +grapple)

Tough

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons
Tools: One musical instrument
Saving Throws:

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +9
Intimidation (Barbarian) +5
Perception (Barbarian) +6
Survival (Outlander) +6

Background: Outlander

Rage (5/+3)
Unarmored Defense
Reckless Attack
Danger Sense
Primal Path: Path of the Totem Warrior
Spirit Seeker
Totem Spirit: Bear
Extra Attack
Fast Movement
Aspect of the Beast: Bear
Feral Instinct
Brutal Critical (2 Die)
Spirit Walker
Relentless Rage
Totemic Attunement: Wolf
Persistent Rage

Greataxe
Shortbow and 20 Arrows
4 Javelins
Staff
Hunting trap
trophy from an animal
Set of Traveler's Clothes
Explorer's Pack
Belt pouch 10 gp

16th to 20th Level

16th Level - Ability Score Improvement: +2 Con, +4 Rage Damage, +28 HP

17th Level - Brutal Critical (3 dice), Proficiency Bonus +6, +1 Rage, +13 HP

18th Level - Indomitable Might, +13 HP

19th Level - Ability Score Improvement: +2 Con, +32 HP

20th Level - Primal Champion, +4 Str, +4 Con, Unlimited Rage, +54 HP

Reasoning: I went with the Con increases to heighten the unstoppable nature of the werewolf, the same reason I went with Bear for the Totem Spirit and Toughness as a feat. Remember that, as the book says, despite naming the abilities for specific animals, they can represent any animal you want. This person could be a were-tiger and the spirit that comes from spirit walker is a tiger...or they could be a werewolf. Depends on your decision.

20th Level Statistics

Longtooth Shifter Barbarian 15th Level
Str: 22
Dex: 14
Con: 24
Int: 11
Wis: 12
Cha: 10

HP: 325
AC: 19

Proficiency Bonus: +5

Darkvision
Shifting 1/Rest (27 Temporary Hit Points)
Longtooth Shifting (Bite +12, 1d6+6 damage, +grapple)

Tough

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons
Tools: One musical instrument
Saving Throws:

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +12
Intimidation (Barbarian) +6
Perception (Barbarian) +7
Survival (Outlander) +7

Background: Outlander

Rage (Unlimited/+4)
Unarmored Defense
Reckless Attack
Danger Sense
Primal Path: Path of the Totem Warrior
Spirit Seeker
Totem Spirit: Bear
Extra Attack
Fast Movement
Aspect of the Beast: Bear
Feral Instinct
Brutal Critical (3 Die)
Spirit Walker
Relentless Rage
Totemic Attunement: Wolf
Persistent Rage
Indomitable Might
Primal Champion

Greataxe
Shortbow and 20 Arrows
4 Javelins
Staff
Hunting trap
trophy from an animal
Set of Traveler's Clothes
Explorer's Pack
Belt pouch 10 gp

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