This build piggybacks from the YouTube channel "D&D Daily" Shoryuken Build except we're using Simic Hybrid as the race. The build is functional from level 1 but "comes online" at level 5. The idea is to CC at most 2 targets using Simic Hybrid's Grappling Appendages to grapple prone targets from the Shoryuken combo.
Race: Simic Hybrid (assuming DM allows this) Background: Any, doesn't matter. Level 1: Fighter, Defense fighting style recommended Distribute stats as follows: 15 STR, 14 DEX, 15 CON, 08 INT, 10 WIS, CHA 08. +2 to STR and +1 to CON from the racial bonus (Tasha's rules) Level 2: Fighter Level 3: Choose Battle Master subclass and select Maneuvers : Precise attack, Pushing attack (required) and one other (I'd recommend Ambush) Level 4: Feat: Crushing, +1 to STR for 18 STR Level 5: select Grappling Appendages for your level 5 Animal Enhancement
At level 5 it doesn't matter what weapon you use but you may want to familiarize yourself with a Heavy Two Handed weapon if you want to take GWM at later levels.
Play by play: Action: Unarmed Strike using your Grappling Appendages to deal crushing damage to the target if it hits. This activates the Crushing's feature that pushes the target to an unoccupied space - that being 5ft directly up. If the attack lands then use Pushing attack to attempt to push the target up and away from you. If target fails the save - it takes 2d6 fall damage (since it dropped from 20 ft) and falls prone due to taking fall damage. swing with a weapon attack with advantage on the prone target Use bonus action Grapple using your Grappling Appendages <- depending on how you read this you may be able to grapple before taking the second attack If you succeed the grapple the target is now grappled by your grappling appendages and can't get up as standing up from prone requires half your movement speed. This can be repeated on a 2nd target so you can also act as CC for your ranged companions. You're AC should be minimum of 17 at this point (14 Base from Scale mail, +2 DEX bonus +1 Defense fighting style) which should be enough given that your grappled targets should be attacking you with disadvantage due to the prone condition.
At later levels: Multi-classing Dipping barbarian for rage which gives advantage to STR based checks and +2 to STR based attacks and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. Dipping Rogue for expertise in athletics checks -> double proficiency when grappling
Feats that works well with the build: (mix and match to suit your play style). Fighting Initiate: Superior Technique fighting style for another superiority die (d6) for an additional use of your Maneuvers GWM: For the +10 to damage since you should be attacking prone enemies most of the time. Gift of the Chromatic Dragon: For an additional 1d4 dmg die each hit while Chromatic Infusion is active. Having Reactive Resistance on hand when you fail the saving throw is great. Lucky: For when the target saves from your pushing attack or when Indomitable didn't save you Martial Adept: if you tend to use up your superiority die, this one is only a d6 though Polearm Mastery: change weapons to polearm to utilize bonus atk 1d4+STR - you won't be making much use of the reach property though. Sentinel: Boring but effective Tough: extra for extra beef ASI: CON+2 for additional +1 to CON saves and HP
Party Synergy: Any spell caster that can create terrain effect like hunger of Hadar etc. Paladin: You setup for the Pally's smites Range Martials won't appreciate you knocking over targets but would appreciate you keeping at most 2 targets from getting to them. Select Commander's Strike Maneuver if you have a rogue in the party, select a non-prone target to utilize rogue's reactions A spell caster to cast Enlarge on you in order to grapple Huge Targets.
Update: Variation to the build -> ignore the push attack and go for trip instead
Level 3: Choose Battle Master subclass and select Maneuvers : Precise attack, Trip Attack (required) and one other (I'd recommend Ambush) Level 4: Feat: Skill Expert, +1 to STR for 18 STR (choose Athletics for double proficiency), any other skill for normal proficiency and any tool Level 5: select Grappling Appendages for your level 5 Animal Enhancement
This variation allows you to obtain the expertise for Athletics checks at level 4 instead of later levels
You can more reliably knock your target prone by shoving (skill check with advantage and expertise) instead of the trip attack saving throw. In addition the Disarm attack option under DMG -> Chapter 9: DM Workshop -> Combat Options -> Attack Options -> Disarm means that your beefy character can start lowering the damage output of enemies using enemies without the use of the disarm attack maneuver.
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This build piggybacks from the YouTube channel "D&D Daily" Shoryuken Build except we're using Simic Hybrid as the race.
The build is functional from level 1 but "comes online" at level 5. The idea is to CC at most 2 targets using Simic Hybrid's Grappling Appendages to grapple prone targets from the Shoryuken combo.
Race: Simic Hybrid (assuming DM allows this)
Background: Any, doesn't matter.
Level 1: Fighter, Defense fighting style recommended
Distribute stats as follows: 15 STR, 14 DEX, 15 CON, 08 INT, 10 WIS, CHA 08. +2 to STR and +1 to CON from the racial bonus (Tasha's rules)
Level 2: Fighter
Level 3: Choose Battle Master subclass and select Maneuvers : Precise attack, Pushing attack (required) and one other (I'd recommend Ambush)
Level 4: Feat: Crushing, +1 to STR for 18 STR
Level 5: select Grappling Appendages for your level 5 Animal Enhancement
At level 5 it doesn't matter what weapon you use but you may want to familiarize yourself with a Heavy Two Handed weapon if you want to take GWM at later levels.
Play by play:
Action: Unarmed Strike using your Grappling Appendages to deal crushing damage to the target if it hits. This activates the Crushing's feature that pushes the target to an unoccupied space - that being 5ft directly up.
If the attack lands then use Pushing attack to attempt to push the target up and away from you.
If target fails the save - it takes 2d6 fall damage (since it dropped from 20 ft) and falls prone due to taking fall damage.
swing with a weapon attack with advantage on the prone target
Use bonus action Grapple using your Grappling Appendages <- depending on how you read this you may be able to grapple before taking the second attack
If you succeed the grapple the target is now grappled by your grappling appendages and can't get up as standing up from prone requires half your movement speed.
This can be repeated on a 2nd target so you can also act as CC for your ranged companions. You're AC should be minimum of 17 at this point (14 Base from Scale mail, +2 DEX bonus +1 Defense fighting style) which should be enough given that your grappled targets should be attacking you with disadvantage due to the prone condition.
At later levels:
Multi-classing
Dipping barbarian for rage which gives advantage to STR based checks and +2 to STR based attacks and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
Dipping Rogue for expertise in athletics checks -> double proficiency when grappling
Feats that works well with the build: (mix and match to suit your play style).
Fighting Initiate: Superior Technique fighting style for another superiority die (d6) for an additional use of your Maneuvers
GWM: For the +10 to damage since you should be attacking prone enemies most of the time.
Gift of the Chromatic Dragon: For an additional 1d4 dmg die each hit while Chromatic Infusion is active. Having Reactive Resistance on hand when you fail the saving throw is great.
Lucky: For when the target saves from your pushing attack or when Indomitable didn't save you
Martial Adept: if you tend to use up your superiority die, this one is only a d6 though
Polearm Mastery: change weapons to polearm to utilize bonus atk 1d4+STR - you won't be making much use of the reach property though.
Sentinel: Boring but effective
Tough: extra for extra beef
ASI: CON+2 for additional +1 to CON saves and HP
Party Synergy:
Any spell caster that can create terrain effect like hunger of Hadar etc.
Paladin: You setup for the Pally's smites
Range Martials won't appreciate you knocking over targets but would appreciate you keeping at most 2 targets from getting to them.
Select Commander's Strike Maneuver if you have a rogue in the party, select a non-prone target to utilize rogue's reactions
A spell caster to cast Enlarge on you in order to grapple Huge Targets.
Update: Variation to the build -> ignore the push attack and go for trip instead
Level 3: Choose Battle Master subclass and select Maneuvers : Precise attack, Trip Attack (required) and one other (I'd recommend Ambush)
Level 4: Feat: Skill Expert, +1 to STR for 18 STR (choose Athletics for double proficiency), any other skill for normal proficiency and any tool
Level 5: select Grappling Appendages for your level 5 Animal Enhancement
This variation allows you to obtain the expertise for Athletics checks at level 4 instead of later levels
You can more reliably knock your target prone by shoving (skill check with advantage and expertise) instead of the trip attack saving throw.
In addition the Disarm attack option under DMG -> Chapter 9: DM Workshop -> Combat Options -> Attack Options -> Disarm means that your beefy character can start lowering the damage output of enemies using enemies without the use of the disarm attack maneuver.