Some point ago I decided to build a layout for a Mech Suit Armorer/Rune Knight build. It seems thematically appropriate and they should go well together (especially if I take Enlarge). What I am wondering though is what route I should go on for multiclassing. There are advantages for many different ratios or Artificer to Fighter. The Ability Score Increases of Fighter. The Magic Item capabilities of Artificer. Spellcasting. Extra Big Rune-Knighting. Etc.
Furthermore, after deciding a ratio, the question of what order to take levels in stands. A few in Artificer, a few in Fighter, then the rest in Artificer? I don’t know.
Right off the bat, I would take my first level as an Artificer. You get more tool proficiencies, and you get proficiency in CON and INT saving throws, instead of CON and STR. INT saving throws are just a bit more common than STR saving throws, and often have much more dire consequences. You'll want to stick with Artificer for 5 levels to take the Armorer subclass and get Extra Attack, as well as get access to 2nd level spells, which you can use to cast Enlarge on yourself. After that switch to Fighter... take it for just 3 levels to get Rune Knight. The important thing about Rune Knights is that their Giant's Might feature gets more uses that scale with your Proficiency Bonus, and not with your Fighter levels. So even though you only took 3 levels of Fighter you still get more and more uses of Giant's Might while focusing your remaining levels into Artificer.
Just 3 levels of Fighter also gives you Action Surge, which gives you a bit more versatility in your spellcasting. Now for those big, dramatic moments you can start combat with a bonus action to trigger Giant's Might to grow to large, then cast Enlarge/Reduce on yourself to grow to Huge, then finally Action Surge and actually attack as a giant mech.
Some point ago I decided to build a layout for a Mech Suit Armorer/Rune Knight build. It seems thematically appropriate and they should go well together (especially if I take Enlarge). What I am wondering though is what route I should go on for multiclassing. There are advantages for many different ratios or Artificer to Fighter. The Ability Score Increases of Fighter. The Magic Item capabilities of Artificer. Spellcasting. Extra Big Rune-Knighting. Etc.
Furthermore, after deciding a ratio, the question of what order to take levels in stands. A few in Artificer, a few in Fighter, then the rest in Artificer? I don’t know.
Debate and propose as you will.
Right off the bat, I would take my first level as an Artificer. You get more tool proficiencies, and you get proficiency in CON and INT saving throws, instead of CON and STR. INT saving throws are just a bit more common than STR saving throws, and often have much more dire consequences. You'll want to stick with Artificer for 5 levels to take the Armorer subclass and get Extra Attack, as well as get access to 2nd level spells, which you can use to cast Enlarge on yourself. After that switch to Fighter... take it for just 3 levels to get Rune Knight. The important thing about Rune Knights is that their Giant's Might feature gets more uses that scale with your Proficiency Bonus, and not with your Fighter levels. So even though you only took 3 levels of Fighter you still get more and more uses of Giant's Might while focusing your remaining levels into Artificer.
Just 3 levels of Fighter also gives you Action Surge, which gives you a bit more versatility in your spellcasting. Now for those big, dramatic moments you can start combat with a bonus action to trigger Giant's Might to grow to large, then cast Enlarge/Reduce on yourself to grow to Huge, then finally Action Surge and actually attack as a giant mech.
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