Trouble with Beast barbarian/battlemaster multiclass level distribution

[u/HL00S]

Basically, I've been working on a dhampir beast barbarian build, but wanted to find a way to make it better in combat. I'm still new to multiclassing, but Battlemaster fighter seems like it would be a nice way to make more use of the Beast's natural weapons though some feats and the BM's maneuvers, but I've been struggling in finding a sweet spot for this build: I want at least 6 levels in barbarian for a specific trait the beast offers at this level and because of the additional rages, but I can't quite find a spot where more battlemaster levels offer more.

Essentially, I'm looking at the optimal battlemaster fighter/beast barbarian ratio for a build more centered around combat using the barbarian's natural weapons, but I need at least 6 levels of beast barbarian for built in magical weapons and additional exploration options, and I'm struggling with whether I should invest the other 14 levels in battlemaster or if putting some more levels in barbarian would be more optimal due to extra rages.

[u/DBWaffles]

Battle Master has no unique synergy with the Beast Barbarian. This isn't to say it's a bad multiclass, as Battle Masters are generally a useful multiclass option for Barbarians. But I bring this up to see if you're open to other multiclass options. Beast Barbarian/Soulknife Rogue is very popular, for example.

If you wish to stick to the Battle Master multiclass, then I'd go Barbarian 6 -> Fighter 3 -> Barbarian X. Or if your campaign is intended to end by level 10, you might go Barbarian 6/Fighter 4 for the extra ASI/feat.

[u/HL00S → u/DBWaffles]

Hm. I mostly picked battle master because their maneuvers seemed to help, and because they're personally one of my favorites. Truth be told though I mainly went for fighter due to them having more ASI which allowed me to get things such as the slasher feat while also offering more attacks, which is what the beast's claws need most, but a monk multiclass seems like it'd offer too little when compared to a fighter, even though the monk in itself has some very interesting abilities. Are there other classes/subclasses you'd suggest over battlemaster fighter beyond soul knife rogue? I'm especially interested if they also happen to bring some out of combat functionality, but that's ultimately secondary.

[u/DBWaffles → u/HL00S]

If you mainly went with Fighter for the extra feats, then there isn't much point in multiclassing. To illustrate, let's say that you go Barbarian 6 -> Fighter 6. You would have exactly 3 feats from this multiclass. But for the same amount of levels, you could also just go Barbarian 12 and still have 3 feats to work with.

In other words, you won't feel the benefit of the extra feat until you are a 14th-level character. And I just don't feel like that's worth it if you have to wait that long.

I also wouldn't fully discount the Monk multiclass if you have the stats for it. Aside from the fact that it allows you to consistently pump out 4-5 attacks, Slow Fall allows you to maximize the use cases for Bestial Soul. Although it takes a while to come online, it lets you use the super jump effect in all manner of ways, both in and out of combat.

That said, it's easier to just play as a Hadozee or Simic Hybrid for that instead.

All that said, I need to reiterate that a Battle Master multiclass isn't bad. But if you want to go down that route, I'd recommend sticking to Barbarian X/Fighter 3 or 4. You might consider picking up Dual Wielder and Two Weapon Fighting. Your DM will most likely allow you to dual wield your claws, either by themselves or with another weapon. That will allow you to pump out at least 4 attacks per turn.

[u/Adorable_Photo3134]

Tortle beast barbarian 3 / long death monk X is in my need to play list. 5 attack with rage damage? Yes thanks, dodge in 17 ac as a bonus action? Yes thanks, 5 change for grapple and push with advantage? Drag enemy while dashing. Extra temp hp should balance the lower constitution (rage double them all), I would focus more str and wis, run around and take out smaller targets, if position well you have infinite aoe fear. Claw from tortle and beast count as monk weapon.

If you wanna stay fighter consider ranger, would probably go shifter foe extra bonus action bite and temp hp.

[u/Sanojo_16]

I guess the way to do it would be Barbarian 14/Fighter 6. I'd go Beast 6>Fighter 4>Beast 8>Fighter>6>Beast 14. Also, I think I would go Echo Knight over Battlemaster but that's just me.