Best Magic Items For A Level 20 Zealot Barbarian
Hey guys! So, you've hit the big time – level 20 Zealot Barbarian! That's seriously awesome. You're practically a god of war, raging through enemies and leaving a trail of destruction. But even the mightiest Barbarian needs the right gear to truly shine. We want to ensure you have the best magic items equipped to maximize your damage, survivability, and overall badassery. Let's dive into the magical loot that will make you an unstoppable force on the battlefield.
Understanding the Zealot Barbarian's Strengths
Before we get to the shiny stuff, let's quickly recap what makes a Zealot Barbarian tick. Zealots are all about divine fury and unmatched aggression. Your key features are:
- Divine Fury: Deals extra radiant damage on your first attack each turn while raging, scaling with your Barbarian level. This is huge for single-target damage and makes you a priority target for enemies.
- Warrior of the Gods: Makes your rage damage resistant to all damage except psychic. Talk about survivability!
- Zealous Focus: Allows you to reroll a failed saving throw while raging. This is a lifesaver against nasty spells and effects.
- Rage Beyond Death: Keep fighting even at 0 hit points! As long as you're raging, you can't die until the rage ends. This is your ultimate safety net and allows for some seriously clutch plays.
Knowing these strengths, we can target items that amplify them or shore up any potential weaknesses. For a Level 20 Zealot Barbarian, maximizing damage output, enhancing survivability, and ensuring consistent rage uptime are crucial. Items that grant additional damage dice, boost AC, provide resistance to psychic damage, or extend rage duration are highly valuable. Additionally, items that offer mobility or utility outside of combat can round out the character's capabilities.
Top-Tier Weapons for the Raging Warrior
Your weapon is your best friend, the extension of your fury. So, what are the best magical weapons for a level 20 Zealot? We're looking for raw damage, powerful effects, and synergy with your Barbarian's abilities. Here are a few top contenders:
The Sword of Answering
This legendary weapon is a major threat on the battlefield. Each Sword of Answering is named for the type of damage it deals when its special properties are activated, such as a Vicious Sword of Answering (slashing damage) or a Flaming Sword of Answering (fire damage). When you hit a creature with an attack using the sword, you can trigger its special property as a reaction. This causes the sword to unleash a spectral attack against the same target, dealing additional damage of the sword's type. The damage dice for this extra attack scale with your level, making it a potent source of sustained damage. The Sword of Answering is particularly effective against enemies with vulnerabilities to specific damage types, allowing the Zealot Barbarian to exploit those weaknesses and deal massive amounts of damage. Furthermore, the ability to react to an attack with additional damage adds a layer of tactical flexibility to the Barbarian's combat style, making them even more formidable in battle. The versatility and raw power of the Sword of Answering make it a top-tier choice for any Zealot Barbarian looking to maximize their offensive capabilities.
The Holy Avenger
While normally associated with Paladins, the Holy Avenger can be an amazing choice for a Zealot Barbarian who wants to lean into the divine aspect of their subclass. This weapon grants you and your allies within 10 feet an aura of protection, providing a +1 bonus to attack rolls and saving throws against spells and magical effects. More importantly, it deals an extra 2d10 radiant damage against fiends and undead – two creature types Zealots often face. The Holy Avenger is particularly effective in campaigns that involve battling against the forces of darkness, such as in settings where demons, devils, or undead are prominent adversaries. The additional radiant damage synergizes exceptionally well with the Zealot Barbarian's Divine Fury feature, further enhancing their ability to deal devastating blows against these creatures. The aura of protection provided by the Holy Avenger not only benefits the Barbarian but also strengthens the entire party, making it a valuable asset in challenging encounters. For a Zealot Barbarian who embraces their divine nature and seeks to vanquish evil, the Holy Avenger is an indispensable weapon. This weapon is a fantastic weapon if you find yourself fighting lots of fiends and undead. It's a great pick if you have a party that can benefit from the aura.
The Blood Fury Tattoo
Okay, this isn't technically a weapon, but the Blood Fury Tattoo is a game-changer for damage dealing. This powerful item allows you to mark a creature as your quarry as a bonus action. For the next minute, any attack you make against the marked creature deals an extra 4d6 necrotic damage. Plus, if the creature dies while marked, you regain hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt. This tattoo is a perfect addition to a Zealot Barbarian's arsenal due to its ability to substantially increase damage output against a single target. The extra 4d6 necrotic damage per attack can quickly add up, making the Barbarian a formidable foe in boss battles or against other high-priority targets. Additionally, the healing effect provides a valuable form of self-sustain, allowing the Barbarian to stay in the fight longer and continue to unleash their furious attacks. The versatility and power of the Blood Fury Tattoo make it an excellent choice for any Zealot Barbarian seeking to maximize their combat effectiveness. It's a limited-use item, but the damage output is insane, especially when combined with Divine Fury.
Armor and Defensive Items for Unyielding Defense
No matter how hard you hit, you also need to be able to take a beating. As a Barbarian, you're often on the front lines, so maximizing your defenses is critical. Here are some top-tier armor and defensive items:
Armor of Invulnerability
This one is pretty self-explanatory. The Armor of Invulnerability grants you resistance to all nonmagical damage. This is a massive boost to your survivability, especially against hordes of enemies with mundane weapons. The Armor of Invulnerability is an exceptional defensive item for a Zealot Barbarian, providing a significant increase in survivability against a wide range of threats. The resistance to all nonmagical damage means that the Barbarian can shrug off attacks from most common enemies, allowing them to focus on dealing damage and controlling the battlefield. This armor is particularly valuable in campaigns where the Barbarian is expected to face large numbers of weaker foes, such as goblins, orcs, or bandits. The ability to withstand nonmagical attacks also synergizes well with the Barbarian's other defensive abilities, such as their resistance to damage while raging, making them incredibly resilient in combat. While the armor does not protect against magical attacks, its effectiveness against nonmagical threats makes it an indispensable piece of gear for any Zealot Barbarian seeking to maximize their durability. It’s the ultimate