In my circles there has been A LITTLE discussion on whether 2024 or 2014 D&D is both mechanically and/or flavor-fully better. I can't say for sure on a broad overview, there are some things I like on both sides and some things I don't like on both sides. That being said, very few things are quantifiable, so if we're gonna explore the different classes, we might as well start with the lowest IQ class. The Barbarian.

THE RULES

Before we start however, we need to start with some rules and assumptions so that we can have an easier time doing the maffs. 

The Barbarian will be using a traditional 1d12 greataxe. We'll start with:

• 16 (+3) on Strength
• only add to Strength for ASIs until we hit 20, then ignore feats and ASIs (I think sharpshooter and great weapon master can use their own blog post)
• No magical items (at least for now)
• Hitting a fixed AC of 15
• That the average roll is 10.5 (use 11), and average advantage roll is 13.825 (use 14)
• We ignore crits, this would be it's own chart.
• Ignore opportunity attacks
• No subclasses (they'll get their own charts one day)

THE CHART

Following the orange and blue lines, we can see that the average damage per round (DPR) is actually the same for barbarians up until level 8. The first increase happens at level 2, gaining access to reckless increases the chance of hit. Then at level 4, when Strength is increased to 18, followed by the amazing extra attack at level 5. Both then get another small bump at level 8 when we get another Strength boost to 20, giving us +5s to hit.

Where this deviates however is at level 9. While the old Barbarian doesn't get anything on base (they get brutal critical, which improves critical damage), the new barbarian's Brutal Strike allows the barbarian to forgo Advantage on Reckless Attacks to instead deal an extra 1d10 damage. We're going to just mention the Forceful Blow and Hamstring Blow here that have additional effects, since we can't really quantify that in terms of damage output. You'll get more options at level 13 too. So the 2024 Barbarian at level 9 gets to deal more average damage AND give pseudo status effects on enemies. Barring crits, this is a strict upgrade.

After this however, because the graph above is ignoring subclasses, it feels like nothing major happens until the next proficiency bonus increase at level 16. At level 17 however, the 2024 barbarian's brutal strike improves again, to deal 2d10 damage per hit. The difference of 8 to 9 damage (23.25 vs 31.8) is prominent because of the extra attack. I personally do feel that the average damage scaling is better in 2024 at the base. What truly drives these numbers insanely is a broader feature that all martials now have - weapon mastery. 

The GREAT in "Great" Axe

The Cleave Mastery (without copying word for word) basically allows the barbarian to hit a second creature within 5 feet of the second creature, once per turn. This means 2024 Barbarians get to hit twice sometimes, right from the get go at level 1. Strict upgrade in terms of damage output, and not much loss in flavor, if any. I'd say this secondary chart primarily matters in combat with hoardes and groups of melee enemies. If you're fighting a single dragon or elder vampire, the damage doesn't deviate THAT far from 2014, up until level 16.

I am personally more of an averages kinda player, so 2024 Barbarian is immediately my preference. 

BUT BUT BUT... subclasses though?

Okokok, I'll do one subclass for this thought experiment. Let's do the Berserker. Pretty straightforward stuff - an extra attack at level 3. There is however strictly better wording on the 2024 Reckless attack that makes it immediately better;

2014:

"...gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength during this turn..."

2024:

"...gives you Advantage on attack rolls using Strength until the start of your next turn..."

This means that the 2024 barbarian can:

• Attack at advantage for opportunity attacks
• More importantly, attack at advantage or apply brutal strikes for the level 10 Retaliation feature

Now, we actually see something interesting here. The 2014 Berserker actually OVERTAKES the 2024 Berserker up until level 9, where they have virtually the same damage (33 vs 32.625), and then the 2024 Berserker not only catches up, but trashes the 2014 Berserker. Let's not jump ahead, and talk about why the 2014 Berserker immediately gets way stronger first.

Extra attacks are an extremely strong mechanic. This is why Fighter action surges are so powerful. This is why monks are really strong with being able to double punch on a bonus action. The 2014 Berserker's extra attack is arguably really overpowered for it's time, which is why the exhaustion mechanic was tied to it - the first level exhaustion doesn't feel that punishing, at least for an average 2014 Barbarian.

*Also, just want to explicitly note, as I've had players confuse this before, the Berserker can CHOOSE to Frenzy or not Frenzy, so they can save the Frenzy for the really harrowing fights, and hence not accumulate exhaustion rapidly.

The MASSIVE spike at level 10 for the 2024 Berserker is due to the Retaliation feature being pulled back to 10 (the 2014 Berserker gets it at level 14). The massive 17 point damage difference is insane. That being said, it is a huge step in closing the martial-caster gap that people talk about so often, so I'm totally on board for making Barbarians deal more damage.

That being said, the 2 damage difference from level 5 onwards (which is where most of my games tend to start from) is negligible in the grand scheme of things, whereas Cleave Mastery and Brutal Strikes just up the consistency of damage way higher. 

Conclusion

TLDR; play the 2014 barbarian if you're into crits and believe you roll like a dice god. Brutal Criticals (despite not having done a chart for it) have way more damage that normal crits on average. However, if you're a statistics kinda person (like me), the 2024 barbarian is better in terms of average damage. Also, for the Berserker, not taking exhaustion is a nice bonus. 

Till next time, and don't forget, who's awesome? You are awesome.