Fighter + barbarian generally seems like a "It's difficult to mess this up" combination. These subclasses both seem like defender archetypes.
How well does that multiclass work together? I am concerned about how much the two archetypes compete to use my 1 reaction and that my bonus action will not get utilized often enough (other than I activate rage this turn).
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"Time is money. Nobody knows how much time they have, but you can always count how much time you spent. So spend it wisely."
Ah, multiclassing is generally not the best option. Sure, you get added power and specialty's, but, well, say tou are a 1st level barbarian and you add a fighter as well, you will only be able to go to 19th level ineither
Well, Ancestral Protectors and Unwavering Mark don't really stack, unless you attack one creature to activate Ancestral Protectors and then another creature and tag it with Unwavering Mark. Likewise, Spirit Shield and Warding Maneuver both require your reaction.
Usually, the best way to maximize Cavalier is to go full polearm mode, which means you'll be wanting to grab the Sentinel, Polearm Master, and Great Weapon Mastery in addition to getting to 20 STR, so any levels of Barbarian are going to slow down your progression to a full lock-down Defender. And their level 18 ability is part of that too.
A better use of multiclassing is probably to give you complementary, non-redundant abilities. For example, Path of the Zealot gives the Cavalier extra oomph on attacks, and Cavalier gives Zealot some battlefield control.
"Ancestral Protectors and then another creature and tag it with Unwavering Mark"
Absolutely... This is exactly what I do. I bounce around the battlefield hitting several opponents and positioning myself for reactions. I can pull agro from several people and use sentinel to lock them in place.
Well, Ancestral Protectors and Unwavering Mark don't really stack, unless you attack one creature to activate Ancestral Protectors and then another creature and tag it with Unwavering Mark. Likewise, Spirit Shield and Warding Maneuver both require your reaction.
Usually, the best way to maximize Cavalier is to go full polearm mode, which means you'll be wanting to grab the Sentinel, Polearm Master, and Great Weapon Mastery in addition to getting to 20 STR, so any levels of Barbarian are going to slow down your progression to a full lock-down Defender. And their level 18 ability is part of that too.
A better use of multiclassing is probably to give you complementary, non-redundant abilities. For example, Path of the Zealot gives the Cavalier extra oomph on attacks, and Cavalier gives Zealot some battlefield control.
Unwavering Mark only imposes disadvantage on the marked creature's attack if they're within 5 feet of you. And the Warding Maneuver also only works for allies within 5 feet of you. Not really the best Polearm Master material there. Admittedly though, it's still a really good combo and worth taking regardless.
This is where Ancestral Guardian's abilities supplement it. Its defensive features apply at longer range. Ancestral Protectors also gives your ally resistance against the attack. You apply this mark first and then Unwavering Mark on any other attacks. Spirit Shield can be used to reduce the damage of a hit regardless of whether the attacker is marked. This can be useful for softening a critical hit slightly.
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If you're going to add some Fighter levels, Champion seems like the way to go. Doubling your chance to score a critical hit with the Champion's Improved Critical combined with the Barbarian's Brutal Critical is pretty good.
Champion would be great if you were an attacking barbarian. A defending one does not worry about damage or critical hits. The main goal of a tank is to barely get hit and to absorb as much damage as they possibly can.
I have a Barbarian Path of the Totem Warrior Cavalier build that is fun to play. He's only level 5 at this time. This is a level 10 build I have planned out. I also have it planned out to 20 if I ever go that far. I started out with Barbarian since I don't wear armor. I am now leveling up the Cavalier until I get to 7 and get warding maneuver. I will then go to level 3 barbarian to get the bear Totem. I love the bugbears 15 ft reach when attacking. Still a 10 ft reaction reach which is nice. Polearm Master is the 1st feat. 2nd is probably going to be great weapon fighter and then mounted combat. Don't really need Sentinel as the Cavalier gets something similar at level 10. On this build I took add +2 to my strength. I'm thinking I may wait. If I can find a strength item that would ideal. At level 10 I have rage and the Polearm master feat as bonus actions. Polearm Master and Warding Maneuver for reactions. Its still a work in progress some of the choices I end up making could depend on gear I find or if I have or am using a mount. The hardest decisions with this build are going to be +2 Strength or a Feat and what Feat to take 1st. That's something I will decide as I go.
Level 19 and 20 if you ever get there have 2 good options. Both the cavalier at level 16 and barbarian at level 4 get an asi. So its level 20 which decides what you do at 19. Level 5 Barbarian get the extra attack an increase in movement speed. Level 17 fighter gets Action Surge (two uses), Indomitable (three uses). I don't think you can go wrong either way but I would choose the extra movement and a 3rd attack. (I just learned that you don't get the extra attack as a level 5 barbarian because you got it as a fighter. So in this case becoming a level 17 cavalier fighter is the way to go.)
The ancestral guardian fighting in tandem with a cavalier pretty much makes the entire party stronger vs one designated creature. The cavalier can go toe to toe with the target, marking the creature, while wearing heavy armor shield and one handed weapon. The ancestral guardian can brandish a polearm with 10ft reach attacking from directly behind the fighter or from off to either side of that position. This imposes disadvantage on that creatures attack rolls against everyone including the barbarian. If the target decides to move past the duo, they likely provoke opportunity attacks. At level 10, the target provokes an opportunity attack by moving in to try to attack the barbarian. The defensive coverage is wonderful.
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Fighter + barbarian generally seems like a "It's difficult to mess this up" combination. These subclasses both seem like defender archetypes.
How well does that multiclass work together? I am concerned about how much the two archetypes compete to use my 1 reaction and that my bonus action will not get utilized often enough (other than I activate rage this turn).
"Time is money. Nobody knows how much time they have, but you can always count how much time you spent. So spend it wisely."
Ah, multiclassing is generally not the best option. Sure, you get added power and specialty's, but, well, say tou are a 1st level barbarian and you add a fighter as well, you will only be able to go to 19th level ineither
Elliott Neve
But if you want to multiclass, barbarian+fighter is a good combo
Elliott Neve
Tank for days!!!
Well, Ancestral Protectors and Unwavering Mark don't really stack, unless you attack one creature to activate Ancestral Protectors and then another creature and tag it with Unwavering Mark. Likewise, Spirit Shield and Warding Maneuver both require your reaction.
Usually, the best way to maximize Cavalier is to go full polearm mode, which means you'll be wanting to grab the Sentinel, Polearm Master, and Great Weapon Mastery in addition to getting to 20 STR, so any levels of Barbarian are going to slow down your progression to a full lock-down Defender. And their level 18 ability is part of that too.
A better use of multiclassing is probably to give you complementary, non-redundant abilities. For example, Path of the Zealot gives the Cavalier extra oomph on attacks, and Cavalier gives Zealot some battlefield control.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
"Ancestral Protectors and then another creature and tag it with Unwavering Mark"
Absolutely... This is exactly what I do. I bounce around the battlefield hitting several opponents and positioning myself for reactions. I can pull agro from several people and use sentinel to lock them in place.
Unwavering Mark only imposes disadvantage on the marked creature's attack if they're within 5 feet of you. And the Warding Maneuver also only works for allies within 5 feet of you. Not really the best Polearm Master material there. Admittedly though, it's still a really good combo and worth taking regardless.
This is where Ancestral Guardian's abilities supplement it. Its defensive features apply at longer range. Ancestral Protectors also gives your ally resistance against the attack. You apply this mark first and then Unwavering Mark on any other attacks. Spirit Shield can be used to reduce the damage of a hit regardless of whether the attacker is marked. This can be useful for softening a critical hit slightly.
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If you're going to add some Fighter levels, Champion seems like the way to go. Doubling your chance to score a critical hit with the Champion's Improved Critical combined with the Barbarian's Brutal Critical is pretty good.
Champion would be great if you were an attacking barbarian. A defending one does not worry about damage or critical hits. The main goal of a tank is to barely get hit and to absorb as much damage as they possibly can.
Level 10 Bugbearian Cavalier
https://ddb.ac/characters/26142419/vgUDMB
I have a Barbarian Path of the Totem Warrior Cavalier build that is fun to play. He's only level 5 at this time. This is a level 10 build I have planned out. I also have it planned out to 20 if I ever go that far. I started out with Barbarian since I don't wear armor. I am now leveling up the Cavalier until I get to 7 and get warding maneuver. I will then go to level 3 barbarian to get the bear Totem. I love the bugbears 15 ft reach when attacking. Still a 10 ft reaction reach which is nice. Polearm Master is the 1st feat. 2nd is probably going to be great weapon fighter and then mounted combat. Don't really need Sentinel as the Cavalier gets something similar at level 10. On this build I took add +2 to my strength. I'm thinking I may wait. If I can find a strength item that would ideal. At level 10 I have rage and the Polearm master feat as bonus actions. Polearm Master and Warding Maneuver for reactions. Its still a work in progress some of the choices I end up making could depend on gear I find or if I have or am using a mount. The hardest decisions with this build are going to be +2 Strength or a Feat and what Feat to take 1st. That's something I will decide as I go.
Level 20 Bugbearian Cavalier
https://ddb.ac/characters/26307708/qjQnvV
Level 19 and 20 if you ever get there have 2 good options. Both the cavalier at level 16 and barbarian at level 4 get an asi. So its level 20 which decides what you do at 19. Level 5 Barbarian get the extra attack an increase in movement speed. Level 17 fighter gets Action Surge (two uses), Indomitable (three uses). I don't think you can go wrong either way but I would choose the extra movement and a 3rd attack. (I just learned that you don't get the extra attack as a level 5 barbarian because you got it as a fighter. So in this case becoming a level 17 cavalier fighter is the way to go.)
The ancestral guardian fighting in tandem with a cavalier pretty much makes the entire party stronger vs one designated creature. The cavalier can go toe to toe with the target, marking the creature, while wearing heavy armor shield and one handed weapon. The ancestral guardian can brandish a polearm with 10ft reach attacking from directly behind the fighter or from off to either side of that position. This imposes disadvantage on that creatures attack rolls against everyone including the barbarian. If the target decides to move past the duo, they likely provoke opportunity attacks. At level 10, the target provokes an opportunity attack by moving in to try to attack the barbarian. The defensive coverage is wonderful.