Why was my first thought seeing that name, "If the character only has one eye then they can be a Psyclawps!"

A good monster for your Psiclaw tribe to pattern themselves on is the Umber Hulk, a classic D&D baddie that is known for having massive claws and a level of psychic affinity. They have been core monsters to D&D for some time now and thus would be pretty reasonable for a barbarian tribe with psionic tendencies to emulate.

I think you just barely missed out on my absolute favorite bit of synergy between these two classes. Level 6 of Beast Barbarian (in addition to a 4th rage per day) gives you the option to increase your jump distance by the result of an athletics check. Given your probable Expertise in Athletics and eventual reliable talent, this character can also just do a standing high jump over 25 feet straight up, no action required. Peak performance is a running long jump that covers 57 feet, which you can actually make by taking a cunning action dash and still take the attack action at the end. The imagery of starting a fight, raging, and literally pouncing like 30 feet from a total standstill onto an enemy and mauling them is just fabulous.

Colby, these videos are like therapy and you’re one of my favorite content creators on the platform. Just hearing you say “welcome home” every video and then “Deep Diving” into the character build is a one two combo that, as Todd Howard says, “just works”. Thanks for all the hard work, creativity, humor, and fun you bring in every video!

☠️ We are ALWAYS watching. But yeah I love this build but wish it could benefit from more. Honestly, Gem Dragonborn thematically fits as a race so well here, I think. The psychic blades mixed with the physical claws of a dragon is just so amazing to me.

My first thought from the title was "so if Jean and Wolverine had a kid?" Excited to watch. Cheers!

Level 1:(see above) [barbarian 1 & race] Level 2:(see above) [barbarian 2] Level 3:(@20:16) [barbarian 3 & sub-class] Level 4:(@23:08) [barbarian 4 & ASI] Level 5:(@23:20) [barbarian 5] Level 6:(@25:31) [rogue 1 & expertise] Level 7:(see above) [rogue 2] Level 8:(@30:46) [rogue 3 & sub-class] Level 9:(@36:15) [rogue 4 & ASI] Level 10:(see above) [rogue 5] Level 11:(@39:06) [rogue 6 & expertise] Level 12:(@39:35) [rogue 7] Level 13:(@40:05) [rogue 8 & ASI] Level 14:(see above) [rogue 9] Level 15:(@43:45) [rogue 10 & ASI] Level 16:(@45:05) [rogue 11] Level 17:(@45:39) [rogue 12 & ASI]

I really appreciate coming back to your videos even years past when they are uploaded. I truly feel like I'm welcomed home pulling up these videos.

You could totally flavor as having ties to a *Gem Dragon.* Harness the power of gem dragons with your draconic claws and psionic abilities.

Tuesdays are my favorite, thanks Colby. 🎉

Wait a second, did you just make Psylocke/Gallade into a D&D build?! I'm SO ready for this!

The split claw/axe extra attack does indeed work, there is no foul there, i think Crawford Twitter has even reinforced that before

Another thing about this build is that the bonus action Psychic Blades attack only does 1d4+strength damage, so if you already provided sneak attack with the Psychic Blade attack from Extra Attack, spending your bonus action to use Cunning Action, or to shift as a Shifter may very well be worth it.

Am I the only one that likes to think of the Beast Barbarian subclass as THE subclass for all the beastial races, like Leonin or Lizardfolk? I mean, they already have claws, fangs, and a tail. It really makes that character seem like just a beast and not lycan, and I love that.

I'd personally go with Plasmoid. The prospect of entering a locked room via the keyhole and then proceeding to grapple everyone and kick all kinds of ass without any equipment whatsoever is something I've been brainstorming ideas about since i read about them in UA, and this seems like the perfect opportunity for it.

So I'm playing a character similar to this- a path of the Beast barbarian (level 6). My utilization of the bonus action isn't Psi Claws, it's Tavern Brawler, I then combine my Jump 6th level feature with my Tabaxi speed boost to jump into the air and drop the enemy. After just trying this out for the first time, we rolled a random treasure and we got a ring of Jumping.... I haven't even begun to calculate the mayhem I can cause with this now! Anyhow, given me some food for thought, I hadn't considered Rogue previously; my intent was to go Ranger for spells that increase my movement speed.

I'd like to see your take on a Battle Master multiclass that focuses on lots of different ways to manipulate foes in combat via forced movement and status effects (like shoving and/or pulling, tripping, fear effects, impose disadvantage, etc) to give them more to do in combat than just attack to deal damage and make martial fighting more fun and versatile.

These thumbnails just keep getting better and better! Dual weapon fighting is such an iconic style, it’s a shame that even after all these years of 5e, it still takes so much work to make it even come close to just using a greatsword or a bow. But I look forward to hearing you use it to the fullest extent!

I love this one! I would definitely make the psychic blades look like extensions of my claws.

Flavor your blades as claws that manifest over your regular claws. First attack is regular claw, then your other hand grows psionic claws for the second attack, which empowers your first attack hand with psionic claws for a third attack, then you finish with the depowered hand used in the second attack. Also, flavor the thrown blades like you shot a claw out. This character isnt going to be a front line fighter but it will be more of a utility skirmisher. Especially if you take the mobility feat. Berserker Barrage in and through.

i would like to personally thank you and your voice for helping me get to sleep early for the first time in months.

Displacer beast? Fits well with the teleportation, as well as flavouring the claw attacks as tentacle strikes maybe

My first thought with regards to tying the two classes together is to theme the bestial shifting as biokinesis, wrapping everything into the psychic side of things.

My favourite race for beast barbarian is Tabaxi. If you can find some way of getting the jump spell (feat, multiclass or ally) then you can use the 6th lvl jumping feature, feline agility and athletics expertise to jump like 100ft+ into the air. Imagine jumping into the air and grappling a flying target so you both fall to the ground.

I love that I knew exactly what the core of this build is gonna be the moment I saw the title.

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ I don't know my favorite part of your videos. Can't decide between the amazingly fun build or the outtakes

Very clever build. Way to turn the malus of only being able to claw once per turn and only being able to psychic blades once per turn and making it work for you. Hats off.

Who is this handsome man with imagination, intelligence and such a smooooth delivery?

Having the barb tribe somehow intertwined with a Braxat feels thematic. Psyonic beasts

In my game, I had a player who was a Beast Barbarian/Brutality Monk(homebrew subclass I made where he can spend Ki to take damage, which buffs his attacks) and I remembered thinking of all the items I could have given him. He was a Leonin from a tribe that worshipped the Dawnfather, and eventually he got a tribal horn from ancients past that gave him some crazy abilities. One of them was getting 1d8 radiant damage... on EVERY attack. I was fully aware of how strong it would be(barb 3/monk 17 after all) and so making 3 claw attacks + 2 unarmed strikes as a bonus action was an insane damage bump for him. They were in Tier 4 after all, they were all OP. Edit: oh and I forgot, ☠

I found the time for another marathon of these builds!! Starting with the newest ones going backwards! Love the content, your ideas for builds always inspire the characters I make! Keep it up Colby!!! ❤

☠ Soulknife is one of the classes I would really love to play sometime. Thematically, seems very cool and fun. I'm glad Wizards is looking at ways to fix Two Weapon Fighting in One D&D!

☠️ Love all your videos and the outtakes are the best! Excellent taste in music and tshirts!

"shoot claws that grow back later" There was a thing for that in earlier editions. There were mechanics for "fleshgrafting", and one of teh options for it was a "fiendish claw". It dealt 1d6 slashing damage? I think. It worked as a natural weapon, and you could fire off your 3 nails, using "magic missile" as a supernatural ability, once a day.

☠️ - I ALWAYS watch the outtakes. This character concept might be my favorite so far. Can’t wait to hit my player’s warforged battle smith artificer with 4 attacks!

Your shirt in this episode is amazing!

I saw the short yesterday and immediately knew what was gonna happen :) Very much looking forward to this episode

I understand that Colby wants to hone in on the *sustained* dpr for this build but I would probably start taking levels on fighter at level 9 to get action surge and maybe add some other damage dealing elements like rune Rune Knight

On an asside, you got me curious about a build: Start with a C Lineage (with Crossbow Expert) Rogue wielding two hand crossbows. Then complete it with Sharpshooter, a pair of +3 hand crossbows, and +3 bolts. Now you have a dual wielding gunslinger with two 1d6+16 cannons before Sneak Attack.

I haven't been able to find a good group to play with recently and your videos have kept me interested and ready to play. So thanks for that 😁

Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh it's the build I'm literally playing, I'm so so happy this video exists. Tiny bit suprised we aren't going con 16 at the start.

I said I was excited when I saw the teaser for this build, and I was NOT let down! This build may not have the most damage but it does look so fun to play and it will be a character I play at some point, though not any time soon since I am currently playing a rune knight fighter/bear totem barbarian build. edit: ☠because I was told to do it at the end of the video.

I think the Crysmal - might be the optimal psionic creature … they are very tough a trait a barbarian tribe would prize and they have psi powers … also for flavor your claws could manifest as crystal

Awesome character idea as always. Eldritch claw tattoo would be a great item for this character

I'm on my computer so I can't do a skull and crossbones but I can tell you that I always watch the outtakes. XD

Ive literally been waiting for you to make this build ever since Tasha's came out! love using dhampir as race in this build.

In fact Tri-kreen and longtooth shifter could both do this trick without multiclass. If you're a tri-kreen, you could hold a shield, two short swords for two-weapon fighting, and one empty hand for the claw transformation. If you're a longtooth shifter, you could use your shift ability and instantly make a bonus unarm strike with your fangs and continue to do it in the following turns. Both methods make a 1d6+str attack instead of 1d4+str. But for Tri-kreen you would need a two-weapon fighting style.

I love your outtakes ☠️❤️ keep up the great work with these builds, this is one I'm gonna have to try

☠Skull and crossbones ! Of course we watch outtakes. This is the part where you sing !

Amazing video as always, I love that despite being the "slave to the spreadsheet" type, not every new sustained DPR build has to top the last one on the spreadsheet and you're just as content a hundred plus episodes later making something that sits near the bottom but would be really fun to play. One quick note about something you said in Final Thoughts: The psychic blades can only be manifested by taking the Attack action, so another PC allowing you to get a reaction attack wouldn't allow you to get Sneak Attack damage because those abilities say you can "make one weapon attack", not take the Attack action.

I've actually been theory crafting a character like this, except instead of Rouge levels, I'm multiclassing into the Homebrew Pugilist class with Squared Circle subclass to become a ferocious grapple beast

☠. I never miss them. In addition, this has also made it to the top of my next playable list. Perfect balance between optimization, creativity, and flavour. Amazing!

Barbarian 6 seems really crucial for this build to make sure your claws do damage to all creatures. Also you get a pretty cool jumping ability that works really well with your crazy athletics skill.

Your best thumbnail yet. And I'm always hyped for Beast Barbarian.

very cool video love the character concept, just want to point out the psychic blades ability says "Whenever you take the attack action, you can manifest a psychic blade from your free hand and make THE attack with that blade."

Thanks Colby - so much fun to learn about your builds!

This is a good job. Though I may add tht a couple of tattoos are in brand and can help a bit with this hybrid- lifewell (so you drop to 1), Eldrich Claw (making your claws +1 magic and once a day letting you use blade and claw tacks fully at 15’ radius with d6 force) among others.

When you come for DnD content but stay cause the voice is relaxing 🤷‍♂️

Always love your videos! Your voice is very soothing, yet your enthusiasm is at the same time invigorating. Also, I enjoy the outtakes (☠️) and your sense of humor. Have a blessed day!

Back in 3.5, TWF had a string of feats to demonstrate advancing skill with the offhand weapon so you could basically always have an equal or at worst -1 number of attacks with the offhand compared to the main hand (which number of attacks was not tied to class but to an attack bonus that was not exclusive to any class so there were tons of builds that could get 4 attacks per round starting at level 16), the big issue tho is that it took multiple feats which was an expensive investment, plus the "Perfect" feat granting that 4th attack was Epic meaning post-20. There's even a dedicated "TWF Off-Handbook" that describes all the options on GitP.

Commenting during the ad at the beginning before the video starts because I know this is going to be awesome as per usual.

☠️ Oh yeah, the outtakes are awesome 😊 Great build, Colby, thanks!

The best part is right before the vid begins and my mind is flooded with ideas on what he's gonna have for us. Edit- A few minutes in, and this is going to be FASCINATING to revisit after the OneD&D changes to dual wielding.

Man, Colby. Every week! It's just so amazing! Thank you so much, brother.

Welp! This just jumped to the top of my characters to play list. Love the concept and the flavor! 10/10 Chefs kiss! Also ☠️

This is the first time I actively didn't skip your ad. I think I'm gonna buy some minis!

Gotta say, this build sounds so fun. What a great find and design! Nice one Colby :)

☠️ the outtakes are the best part of my week, 10/10 content right there

This build was amazing. Cannot wait to share this with my party,

Aww yes! A beast barb with a bunch of attacks build. I would have love monk but this is so fun too!

I started adopting this build for a campaign I'm in, and I want to propose a couple updates to it that I think are pretty powerful and fun, but still keep the mechanical concept in mind. I imagine a noble that was cursed, turning him into a beast, and as he becomes more ferral, his body becomes more rotted start fighter 1, and take two weapon fighting (if you dm won't let you use your claw as a light weapon, then take a level in monk at second level, and take defensive fighting at level 1. You will take a hit to your AC doing this, because you won't be able to wear plate armor, but for the sake of numbers....) take barb 5, and get your subclass, and take slasher feat. take 2 levels of circle of spores druid. This gives you 1d6 on every attack roll, which is 4 per turn at this level (8), and gives you a reliable thing to use your reaction for even if 2d4 is pretty small, it's something. take fighter 3, and take champion. Yes, this is boring, but you already have reckless attack, and a huge + to hit, so the crits at 19 are just so powerful At this point, we go back to barb and take it to lvl 9. This will get you magical attacks on your claws, so you get around the resistances, and it will give you brutal critical. take 1 more level of fighter if you want for the asi. you may be able to make the case to your DM that unarmed fighting should count for your claws, although this build is still strong without this. If you can get this though, your damage increases a lot. if your dm allows this, I would even consider taking this at barbarian 8, and then maxing strength, just so you can get more use out of brutal critical At this point, you are level 14, and can go a few routes for your last 2 levels. You can either continue in barb, to get some utility with relentless rage and infectious attack, or you can take 2 more in druid to get your wildshapes to return on a short rest, which makes your damage much more sustainable. You may notice I took slasher at lvl 5, and not with custom lineage. This is because I think there are 2 better options for race. Either take bugbear, mainly for the reach, but if you ever do get initiative over someone else, you will pretty much one shot them, or take shifter, so you can nullify the advantage enemies get on you because of reckless attack. I think both of these options are both thematically better than custom lineage, but also mechanically more powerful. as for magic items, if you can get your hands on an insignia of claws.... This version of the build still gets the 4 attacks, except you can also action surge to get 5 if you ever get to use your bugbear surprise attack, (assuming you rage as a bonus action) so you have pretty decent nova damage options. This also gives you a much better damage scale, as you will consistently increase in damage throughout the game, instead of the psyclaw falling off after like 11.

There was a character from Marvel Comics way back when in a universe called M2, if I recall correctly. This build is that completely. The character was the daughter of, you guessed it, Wolverine and Psylocke. Her name is "Wild Thing." She had psychic claws 🙄.

As a dm with a psychic blades using rogue, I've given a magic ring that made it so their blades targeted two enemies instead of one each throw. Wasn't too busted because they can't focus fire with it, but it was fun

For another build along these lines: Custom Lineage -> Dual Wielder Feat Levels 1-6 Beast Barbarian Levels 7-8 Paladin Levels 9+ Whispers Bard You're rolling 8d20 per round with Reckless attack starting round 2 of combat. Smites from Paladin, spell slots from bard, and use your Bardic Inspiration as appropriate but you can use them to add some d6's to an attack as well as a Smite, especially when you Crit. Spell casting also gives the Barbarian some interesting things to do outside of combat even if your Charisma is low. Just pick spells appropriately.

I was so amped for another twf build after yesterday's short. Woohoo!

Your voice is really soothing and it works as ASMR for me lmao. You’re amazing and so is your content

☠️ Nice professional official material. ☠️ Humanizing, glimpses afterwards.

YES COLBY BACK WITH ANOTHER UPLOADDD!!!

You could do a trick with two weapon fighting and equipping/unequipping weapons until you get to Rogue 3. Round 1: Claw, Claw, Shortsword, equip offhand, Shortsword (TWF). Round 2: Shortsword, Shortsword (TWF), unequip offhand, Claw, Claw. Also keep in mind, you need Barb 6 for your Beast weapons to count as magical, or Insignia of Claws.

☠️ I’m new, and now I’ll be watching the out takes… especially for more serenades

I just finished playing a soul knife / echo knight in an avernus campaign. To your question, my dm didn't let me up my psyblade damage dice, but he did give my +3 artifact item (leveling story driven homebrew items we all got) let me use my psychic dice as a smite-ish type ability. It really pumped up the damage that I was able to do in a nova situation.

Your thumbnail is awesome!

Finally! I made this build a long time ago, excited to see your take on it!

☠ Soulknife is absolutely my favorite rogue and probably objectively the best at doing rogue things with its psi-bolstered knack. I really love the synergy here with beast barb and man how durable is this character!? Rage damage reduction + uncanny dodge + evasion = amazing. Now, if you had been a gnome you'd also have either advantage or proficiency on all saving throws to boot.

☠ definitely going to be using this build with some tweaks (mobile & sentinel) in a one-shot a friend of mine is going to run in December which is currently TBD on level but somewhere between 8th-12th. basing her off of Cerise Hood and going to be a fey werewolf w/soulknifes re-flavored as fey magic psychic claws. I even have an old Slayer of Domiel mini to use complete w/red cloak of monster hide. Perfect 😍

The beast I have come to mind for this build would be a panther. I imagine this character sitting in a tree, or above in general, patiently waiting to launch their ferocity on their prey. As always, love your videos and keep up the wonderful work!

I really enjoyed the video. I had once looked at doing a similar build with zealot Barbarian, crusher feat, and unarmed fighting style.

Around minute 37 it's stated that the Dueling Fighting Style +2 damage couldn't be applied to the claw attacks, but if you are wielding your soul knife in your off-hand while doing the claw attack with the other one (or vice-versa), you are fulfulling the requirement for it... it's a little of a stretch maybe, but could be seen as a valid approach. As a DM i would rule it as posible.

Hex blade could be a decent 1 level dip here too, it's only against a single target unfortunately, but the curse you get at level 1 syncs up fantastically with the 4 hit combo!

☠ Love staying for the outtakes! Sometimes I look up the songs you sing, if I don't know them already.

Your idea to allow the use of rage in return for Exhaustion is genius. I wish they'd implement this for all limited features...

Currently playing a shifter beast/battle Master barbarian/fighter named Dai-Khan whose mentor was a spider shifter. my DM homebrewed me his version of insignia of claws without me even asking called Spiders Embrace. Makes my attacks made with my hands/claws +1 magical, an also adds a 1d4 of poison damage. Didn't even need to ask and didn't even ever expect a magic weapon. Pretty consistent damage at lvl 8 and awesome burst potential.

What a stellar combination

I was planning on playing a Loxodon shield master that you did a build on before. His beast barbarian background was caused by a draconic patron of his village. Most became draconic bloodline sorcerers but he didn’t manifest magic but draconic rages. His first transformation was to manifest the bite, claws and tail of a dragon but thereafter he was able to hold more control and now only manifests one. This character could be transforming due to the influence of an emerald gem dragon, becoming more draconic at times whilst eventually manifesting psychic powers.

Such a bad ass synergy ☠️.Have never wanted to play either class tbh, but definitely want to try this combo.

When I 1st saw the thumbnail, I thought "awesome, he's going to do that 'soul claw' grapple build that I've always thought was best in breed for that" Love that 5e proves me both right...and so very wrong

This was one of my favorite builds I've played. The stark contrast between the psionic techniques and primal aspects made for such a fun character. Fantastic build and video, d4! Love your work! Edit: "Stark contrast," not "starch" :]

You could boost damage with 3 levels in fighter echo knight for an extra attack roll CON mod times per long rest. An extra attack, reckless and with sneak attack damage! Plus second wind, a fighting style, etc

Finally I got to watch this one. Really nice concept. ☠ That was a great include.

Yes! I love this class combo. Ive made like 5 of them in DNDbeyond haha.