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The Complete Barbarian Blademaster DPS Build – Neverwinter Mod 27 Spelljammer

Welcome to our Barbarian Blademaster Guide, updated for Mod 27: Spelljammer

In Neverwinter, the Barbarian Blademaster (previously known as the Great Weapon Fighter) is a fearsome sight on the battlefield. With their massive two-handed weapons, they can crush their enemies and see them driven before them.

In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about playing as a Blademaster in Neverwinter. We’ll cover everything from the basics of combat to gear choices that will help you dominate your opponents. So, if you’re ready to learn how to be a Blademaster Barbarian, keep reading!

The purpose of our class guides is not just to show you a build that you can copy and use on your character, but to show you a base build and teach you the mechanics and stats of the game, so you can understand and play your class to its fullest capabilities.

Try different gear, feats, and powers, and learn to tailor your own build for your playstyle. See our guide to making your own build for more info.

  1. Basic Blademaster Info
    1. Best Blademaster Races
    2. Ability Score Priority
    3. Stat / Rating Priority
  2. Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
    1. Combat Powers
    2. Feats
    3. Rotation
  3. Boons
  4. Weapons & Gear
  5. Artifacts
  6. Enchantments
  7. Consumables & Buffs
  8. Companions
  9. Mounts

Basic Barbarian Blademaster Info

Below is all the basic information for the Blademaster, from race choices to stats.

Other Barbarian Builds

This build uses much of the same gear as the Barbarian Sentinel Tank Build, so you can easily switch between the two roles in different Loadouts.

Best Blademaster Races

What race you play doesn’t play a huge role, but will give you a small boost. Generally, I would advise you to play a race that you enjoy.

Neverwinter Race
  1. Human1% Bonus to all stats – +3 To any Ability Score
  2. Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn Recieve 3% more healing and 3% more Max Hit Points – +2 to Any two Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
  3. Dragonborn Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
  4. Gith5% Combat Advantage – +2 Dex and +2 Str or Int – 5% Stamina Regen
  5. Wood Elf – 5% Critical Strike – +2 Dex and +2 Int or Wis – 20% Resistance to Slow
  6. Tiefling5% + Damage to targets below 50% health – +2 Cha and +2 Con or Int – 10% to reduce damage of target for 5 sec by 2.5%
  7. Half-Orc5% Crit Severity – +2 Dex and +2 Con or Str – 10% Movement Speed for 3 sec when entering combat

Blademaster Ability Score Priority

Put all your available Ability Scores into Strength and Charisma.

Blademaster Stat / Rating Priority

The Combat Rework introduced major changes to how stats and item level work, for more info see the official post.

Your cap for each stat is based on your item level. To cap a stat, the numbers of the stat need to be equal to or higher than your item level.

If your stat number is higher than your item level, you are wasting stats and should try to allocate stats differently.

For every 1000 points, a stat is lower than your item level you lose 1% in that stat.

You won’t be able to cap all stats, but capping your power is quite easy.

Offensive Stats

  1. Power (90%)
  2. Critical Strike (90%)
  3. Critical Severity (90%)
  4. Combat Advantage (90%)
  5. Accuracy (90%)

Defensive Stats

  1. Defense (90%)
  2. Deflection (90%)
  3. Critical Avoidance (90%)
  4. Awareness (90%)
  5. Health (90%)

Barbarian Blademaster Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation

This part is all about optimizing the Blademaster with the best feats, powers, and boons.

Barbarian Swordmaster build for Neverwinter

Barbarian Blademaster Combat Powers

At-Will Powers:

  • Relentless Slash (AoE)
  • Brash Strike (ST)

Encounter Powers:

  • Hidden Daggers (AoE) / Punishing Charge (ST)
  • Not so Fast (AoE) / Frenzy (ST)
  • Axestorm (Aoe) / Bloodletter (ST)

Daily Powers:

  • Avalanche of Steel (AoE)
  • Crescendo (ST)

Class Features:

  • Trample The Fallen
  • Steel Blitz

Barbarian Blademaster Feats

  • Relentless Speed
  • Bloodspiller
  • Overpenetration
  • Steel Slam
  • Escalating Rage

Barbarian Blademaster Rotation

Single Target Rotation:

Relentless Slash (For Buff) > Artifact > Punishing Charge > Bloodletter > Daily > Mount > Frenzy > Bloodletter > Punishing Charge > At-Wills

AoE Rotation:

Not So Fast > Hidden Daggers > Axestorm > Relentless Slash

Barbarian Blademaster Boons

You should always choose boons based on what stats you currently need. Therefore a selection of several viable boons is available to you for each tier.

Tier 1 Boons

  • Recruit’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Critical Strike – 0.2% Critical Strike Per Rank
  • Critical Avoidance – 0.2% Critical Avoidance Per Rank
  • Cultist Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
  • Cultist Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. Cultists.

Tier 2 Boons

  • Squire’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Armor Penetration – 0.2% Critical Severity Per Rank
  • Defense – 0.2% Defense Per Rank
  • Demonic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
  • Demonic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. demons.

Tier 3 Boons

  • Knight’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Combat Advantage – 0.2% Combat Advantage Per Rank
  • Awareness – 0.2% Awareness Per Rank
  • Dino Bulwark – 0.2 HP Per Rank
  • Dino Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. dinos.

Tier 4 Boons

  • Captain’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Accuracy – 0.2% Accuracy Per Rank
  • Deflect – 0.2% Deflect Per Rank
  • Necrotic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
  • Necrotic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. undead.

Advanced Boons

  • Masterclass – 1% Forte per rank
  • Quick Turnaround – 1% Recharge Speed

Master Boons

  • Deathly Rage 3/3
  • Blood Lust 3/3
  • Life Lessons 3/3
  • Blessed Advantage 3/3

Guild Boons

  • Offense – Power or Critical Strike Bonus
  • Defense – Defence or Hit Point Bonus

Barbarian Blademaster Weapons & Gear

If you are new to Neverwinter and need to know how to get better gear and increase your item level, check out our Gearing Up Guide.

Note that the best in slot for your build might vary depending on what stats you have.

The best way to gear up in Neverwinter is by making a lot of Astral Diamonds, check out our Astral Diamond Guide to learn all the secrets of AD farming.

  • Abyss Conqueror’s Healing Guard / Spellweaver’s Hood
  • The Dark Maiden Resolution Barbute
  • Serene Hood of the Dragon Hunter
  • Goristro’s Horns (Avernus Hunts)
  • Blessed Whisper’s Hood of Quiet (Avernus Hunts)

Armor

  • Enchanted Bregan D’aerthe Mauler’s Plate
  • Tactful Leathers of the Dragon Hunter
  • Mighty Cuirass of the Dragon Hunter
  • Blessed Bone Devil’s Ribcage (Avernus Hunts)

Arms

  • Abyss Conqueror’s Healing Mitts
  • Mighty Vambraces of the Dragon Hunter
  • Tactful Gloves of the Dragon Hunter
  • Wristguards of Precipitation
  • Spiked Defenders Vambrace

Feet

  • Abyss Conqueror’s Mauler Greaves
  • The Dark Maiden Resolution Greaves (Temple of the Spider)
  • Wasteland Wanderers
  • Rusted Iron Leggings (Avernus Rare Monsters)

Weapons

  • Demonweb Empowerment / Perfect Set
  • Dark Matter / Solarium & Starcore Set
  • Duergar Set

Main Hand Modification:

  • Brash Strike (ST) or Relentless Slash (AOE)

Offhand Modifications:

  • Whatever stat you need

Rings

  • Sapphire Abyssal Loop
  • Emerald Abyssal Loop
  • Platinum Abyssal Loop
  • Eilistraee’s Harmony + Elistraee’s Beauty (AOE)
  • Soothsayer’s Ring of Absolution
  • Waywatchers Ring of Precision
  • Waywatchers Ring of Punishment
  • Mightbreaker’s Ring of Elegance

Neck & Waist

  • Masterwork of Menzoberranzan Set: Shroomwood Amulet & Shroomwood Sash
  • Demogorgon’s Wrath Set: Heart’s Twine & Sinous Chord
  • Star Set: Starshard Choker & Twinkle of the Stars (Trickster’s Gift)

Shirt

  • Shimmering Flarefiber Shirt
  • Lolth’s Embrace
  • Mighty Dwarven Body Pattern
  • Shirt of the Dragon Cult

Pants

  • Luminous Flarefiber Pants
  • Lolth’s Embrace
  • Mighty Dwarven Limb Pattern
  • War-Worn Pants

Barbarian Blademaster Artifacts

Primary Artifact

  • Crystal of Soul’s Flight
  • Demogorgon’s Reach

Secondary Artifacts

Choose secondary artifacts based on the stats you are lacking.

  • Rod of Pain
  • Wand of Domination
  • Astral Seed Tendril
  • Portable Spelljammer Detector

Other Artifact Choices

  • Marilith Mask
  • Mystic Bolt
  • Eye of Odran
  • Assassin’s Dice

Barbarian Blademaster Enchantments

When getting enchantments, always get the ones with the stats you are lacking in with your gear, boons, etc in mind.

If you still need to refine your enchantments, see our Refinement Guide for tips on how to farm refinement.

Offense Enchantments

  • Ruby Enchantment
  • Garnet Enchantment
  • Cobalt Enchantment
  • Citrine Enchantment
  • Amethyst Enchantment
  • Jade Enchantment

Defense Enchantments

  • Garnet Enchantment

Utility Enchantments

  • Garnet Enchantment

Bonus Enchantments

  • Stamina Bonus
  • Recharge Speed Bonus

Combat Enchantments

  • Lightning Flash

Overload Enchantments

  • Rage of Flames or Devil’s Precision
  • Various Marks from Stronghold Vendor
  • Corrupt Black Ice / Lethal / Piercing
  • Black / Red Dragon Glyph

Armor Reinforcement Kits

  • Critical Strike or Severity or Accuracy Kit

Jewelry Reinforcement Kits

  • Combat Advantage Jewel

Barbarian Blademaster Consumables & Buffs

Consider getting VIP for the Power of VIP HP buff if you aren’t already. Also always stand in campfires to get the +1 ability campfire buff.

Pick one from each of the categories below depending on the stats you are lacking.

  • Invocation Blessing: Grace of Battle / Gift of Awareness / Righteous Boon / Gamber’s Fortune
  • Stronghold Food: Seared Tuna / Prime Rib / Ratatouille
  • Event Food: Watermelon Sorbet / Ratatouille / Squash Soup
  • Elixir: Wild Storm Elixir / Sunlord’s Gift Elixir
  • Potion: Superior Flask of Potency +1
  • Belt: Stone of Health / Dragonfire / Perfect Spider Totem

Barbarian Blademaster Companions

Summoned Companion

For your summoned companion you have the choice between using Augmented companions which will make it easier to cap stats or an active combat companion which will do damage. At the moment Active/Striker companions are usually better than augment companions.

Augment Companion Choices

This is just a selection of augment companions. Use one that has the stats you need.

  • Bulette Pup
  • Deepcrow Hatchling
  • Owlbear Cub
  • Ioun Stones
  • Quasit

Active Companion Choices

  • Greenscale Bowman
  • Blaspheme Assassin
  • Pseudodragon
  • Honey Badger
  • Tomb Spider
  • Regis (AoE)
  • Elminster Simulacrum (AoE)
  • Shadar-kai Witch (AoE)
  • Xaryxian Defector (AoE)
  • Bobby the Barbarian (AoE)

Enchantment Power

  • Potency
  • Perfect Vision
  • Acute Senses
  • Potent Precision
  • Precision

Companion Powers

Below is a selection of viable companion powers.

Offense Powers

  • Wulfgar (Wulfgar’s Wrecking) – 4.7% Combat Advantage & Accuracy
  • Drizzt (Drizzt’s Devestation) – 4.7% Critical Change & Severity
  • Neverwinter Knight (Neverwinter Knight’s Discipline) – 7.5% Outgoing Damage
  • Wild Hunt Rider (Wild Hunt Discipline) – 2/3/5% chance to increase damage by 10% for 5 seconds.
  • Siege Master (Siege Master’s Discipline) – Combined Rating – Increases the power of your At-Will powers by 11% (Doubled on Stronghold Map)
  • Black Dragon Ioun Stone (Black Dragon’s Insight) – 7.5% Critical Chance
  • Staldorf (Staldorf’s Presence) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
  • Razorwood (Twigblight’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Accuracy
  • Hawk (Hawk’s Insight’s) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Critical Chance
  • Armored Orc Wolf (Orc Wolf’s Instincts) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
  • Batiri (Batiri’s Wisdom) – 11% Damage Versus Bosses
  • Misc (The Bigger They Are) – More damage against big mobs (bosses)
  • Dancing Blade (Dancing Blade’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Combat Advantage
  • Flame Sprite (Flamesprite’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
  • Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight’s) – 7,5% Combat Advantage

Defense Powers

  • Phasespider (Phasespider’s Presence) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
  • Fire Archon (Fire Archon’s Insight) – 10% on At-Will use to increase Combat Advantage for 10 seconds

Utility Powers

  • Dark Dealer (Dark Dealings) – 3.8% Accuracy & 3.8% Combat Advantage
  • Alchemist Experimenter (Alchemist’s Discipline) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
  • Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
  • Book Imp (Bookimp’s Presence) – 3.8% Accuracy & 3.8% Combat Advantage

Barbarian Blademaster Mounts

Bolster

When it comes to mounts, you should focus on getting them all to Mythic quality to increase Bolster.

Bolster Contribution depends on the quality of the mount, with Mythic mounts contributing 10% Bolster, this again increases the values of your Equip Power and Combat Power.

Mount Insignia Bonuses

All classes and specs should consider using Wanderer’s Fortune and or Traveler’s Treasures before you have refined all your gear and enchantments, for extra refinement every day.

Insignia bonuses are mostly down to preference. Some boost damage a bit, and some boost survivability, while others add utility.

DPS

  • Warlord’s Inspiration
  • Warlord’s Motivation
  • Mender’s Covenant
  • Tactician’s Precision
  • Executioner’s Covenant
  • Artificers Persuasion
  • Assassin’s Covenant
  • Calvary’s Warning
  • Gladiator’s Guile

Self Healing

  • Barbarian’s Revelry
  • Survivor’s Blessing
  • Survivor’s Gift
  • Knight’s Rebuke
  • Oppressor’s Reprieve

Utility

  • Wanderer’s Fortune
  • Traveler’s Treasures

Insignia Type

  • Insignia of Dominance
  • Insignia of Brutality
  • Insignia of Aggression
  • Insignia of Skill

Mount Collars

  • Sturdy Barbed Collar
  • Wayfaring Barbed Collar
  • Unified Crescent Collar
  • Supportive Crescent Collar

Barbarian Blademaster Mount Powers

Mount Equip Power:

  • Ferocious Predator (Power & Critical Severity)
  • Opportunistic ( Combat Advantage)
  • Ferocity (Extra Damage)
  • Armor Breaker (Critical Severity)
  • Rapid Accuracy (Accuracy)
  • Precision (Critical Strike & Severity)
  • Ruthless Efficiency (Critical Strike
  • Dominant Force (Power)

Mount Combat Power:

  • Wicked Lich
  • Bigby’s Crushing Hand
  • Giant Toad Tongue Lash (Giant Toad)
  • Golden Touch (Golden Warhorse)
  • Divine Intervention (Celestial Wings)
  • Tunnel Vision (Several)
  • Cauldron Fumes (Hag’s Hexing Cauldron)

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Neverwinter Barbarian Blademaster guide, please leave a comment below!

More info about the Barbarian class can be found in the Barbarians of Neverwinter Facebook group.

Shadowmaster

Sunday 18th of February 2024

so, theres no pictures why aren't they showing

G3RWANT

Sunday 5th of February 2023

Is it possible to update the build under mod 26 because some mounts are impossible to get

Jordan

Tuesday 23rd of November 2021

Is this build still relevant (November 2021)? Bloodletter feat is a concern for me, since it cause damage to me, as I am struggling to stay alive as it is. Also, as a returning player from years ago I have demogorgan set at legendary(which I love) but is way to low IL compared to newer sets. Also, lostmouth was meta before demo so I am not sure what to make of it. Thanks for your response.

Dean Lumsden

Monday 20th of September 2021

Recently started playing neverwinter and used this build it’s the really easy to use, completed the levelling adventures and a few campaigns without struggling. Just gets a bit confusing but I shall get them items recommended eventually.

Barbarian Mod 20 – Tredecim

Monday 12th of April 2021

[…] Barbarian Blademaster DPS Build [Mod 20 Sharandar 2021] (mmorpgtips.com) […]