ik im a little late in saying this but in my opinion the Rune Knight and Champion subclasses are the best. Rune knight is just really fun to play and has a pretty good amount of features and champion doesnt have as many things it adds but what it does add is really good. for example it lets u get a critical roll on less then a 20.
The champion's improved crit range is actually one of the weakest 3rd level abilities of any fighter subclass, but it feels good for chasing crits.
That’s only because it’s considered in a vacuum. Which of course, the champion Subclass is because it has no synergy with its own features. It’s actually one of the better three level dips for Multiclassing with classes such as Barbarian, Paladin, or Rogue. By increasing the current range from 20 to 19+, it is quite literally a 100% increase in the number of Crits the character will make over their career.
There isn’t a weapon attacker in the game that can’t benefit from at least one of the available Fighting Styles. Even with only three Fighter levels, Second Wind is statistically better than a free potion of healing every short rest. Action Surge is arguably one of the more powerful Tier-1 features in the game. Da Champ may not have anything inherent to them that actually takes advantage of the 100% increase in Crits, but with features like Brutal Critical, Divine Smite, and Sneak Attack that can take full advantage of the bump, those classes all make out fairly well with Improved Critical added to their arsenals. Heck, Improved Critical can even possibly help the Divine Strikers in the Cleric camp better than it helps Da Champ all alone.
Its a 100% increase in the chance of getting crits, not a guarantee of a doubled amount of crits.
Things like Giant's Might and battle master maneuvers give guaranteed damage increases that add up over the extra 5% chance of crits, and increase the damage of their crits.
I am doing a fighter and just hit 3rd level. I'm going into Rune Knight, and as a human, I definitely am going to use the Stone Rune as it gives me Darkvision that I need (and have needed :D ). I am going to buy something like a ring, necklace, etc. to 'place' it on so I'm always wearing it :)
When talking about EKs and spells, they work great as tanks running plate, shield, defense and warcaster. The plate, shield and fighting style give them a great AC and shield spell boosts this. At that point you are rocking bladesinger-level AC. Your limited spell slots are not a big limfac if using for shield as you won't be hit often to start with.
Play as a V. Human or Custom and start with either Fey Touched with Hunter's Mark or PAM to boost damage further.
EK with War Caster and Booming Blade is the most effective tank in the game.
That was then. Now we have Beast Barbarian with self-healing from jaws or +1d8 AP from the tail, both only limited by the rage charges.
I think a bladesinger in bladesong optmized for tanking is still the best. You can build a bladesinger that has equal or higher total hps, higher AC and takes less damage.
Its a 100% increase in the chance of getting crits, not a guarantee of a doubled amount of crits.
Things like Giant's Might and battle master maneuvers give guaranteed damage increases that add up over the extra 5% chance of crits, and increase the damage of their crits.
Greetings and sorry for coming in late :)
I am doing a fighter and just hit 3rd level. I'm going into Rune Knight, and as a human, I definitely am going to use the Stone Rune as it gives me Darkvision that I need (and have needed :D ). I am going to buy something like a ring, necklace, etc. to 'place' it on so I'm always wearing it :)
Good day all :)
Battlemaster.
When talking about EKs and spells, they work great as tanks running plate, shield, defense and warcaster. The plate, shield and fighting style give them a great AC and shield spell boosts this. At that point you are rocking bladesinger-level AC. Your limited spell slots are not a big limfac if using for shield as you won't be hit often to start with.
Play as a V. Human or Custom and start with either Fey Touched with Hunter's Mark or PAM to boost damage further.
I think a bladesinger in bladesong optmized for tanking is still the best. You can build a bladesinger that has equal or higher total hps, higher AC and takes less damage.