This is my first D&D game ever. Therefore, I do not know every feat and every possibility. I tried my best to optimize my Oath of Vengeance Paladin build. Please give me some feedbacks and answer my questions.
My DM uses a different stats designing for the beginning of the campaign. I am currently a Variant Human Paladin level 3. My stats are: STR 18, DEX 12, CON 16, CHA 13, WIS 8, INT 10 I want to build an offtank build. I prefer a build designed to burst damage with tanking capability. Because my charisma is so low I took oath of vengeance. I believe they are less reliant to charisma.
Anyway, my DM suggested taking Tough feat. So, I took it. But till the next session I can completely change my build beside my stats and race. My plan is:
After I take my extra attack at Lvl 5. I wanna multiclass to fighter.
Level 9- Level 4 Fighter multiclass.
Take that juicy action surge.
I am not sure which fighting style I should pick here. Maybe Defense(AC+1), Superior Technique(Trip attack), Tunnel fighter
I want to take Echo Knight to multiclass. Because I can make more attacks and use my smites. Basically without Haste, Attack + extra atack+ echo attack +polearm mastery bonus attack + action surge + attack + extra attack + echo attack. 7 attacks in total. With Haste it will total up to 9. Smite ‘em up.
+2 STR at Level 4 fighter to max STR
Then continue paladin all the way. I do not want to abuse multiclassing to optimize.
Level 12- Paladin Level 8
For feat, Great Weapon Master
Level 16 - Paladin 12
Honestly I dont know which feat or ASI?
Do you think this build would weaken me late game?
In general what are your opinions on the build?
Also, should I take +2 STR first rather than Polearm mastery?
First, I would not multiclass. Paladins get good stuff as you keep leveling. Certainly take pally to 6, their aura is just too good to pass up. A few fighter abilities means fewer, and less powerful smites, for example. And it delays your feats. Also, multiclassing is best to avoid for your first character or two. It’s better to play through and understand exactly what your giving up in exchange for what your getting. Additionally, few campaigns go beyond the level 10-13 range, so planning out the cool stuff your multiclass can do at something like level 15 often doesn’t come to fruition. Second, I would not take tough. I’d take a half feat to round up your cha score. Aura of protection is very strong, and will help you and your allies. I’d actually seriously consider swapping con and cha, even. Then find a 1/2 feat to round up con so you’re at a 16 cha and 14 con. Vengeance pallys may not use cha as much, but you really want to milk that aura of protection for all you can.
If you do stick with your current stat line and want to boost cha, Fey touched can be really great for a bit of mobility. Or telekinetic to pull enemies toward you, but with your lowish cha, it wouldn’t be too great.
Then at level 8, I’d look at the str boost of cha — assuming you stay single class.
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I appreciate your feedback. We are playing a custom campaign and would probably get to level 20.
I believe attacking for extra times with action surge and echo would be the better option to get rather than avenging angel and one 5th level spell slot. Also I wont be able to get access to hold monster and scrying.
But still I am so excited with attacking 7 times in a super nova round. 9 with haste. Also I thought getting a custom halberd from DM with aura effect similar to Holy Avenger would help me with the lack of aura focus.
About Tough feat part I will really consider your advice. Seem like a good option.
Don't take tough feat. It offers too little. You'd be better off taking resilient constitution, at least then your con saves are gonna be really good. Honestly, if you wanna optimize with the given information, you'd take Polearm Master at the start, then take Great Weapon Master at lvl 4. This will make you into a power house early on, and you'll stay that way your whole career.
Don't take tough feat. It offers too little. You'd be better off taking resilient constitution, at least then your con saves are gonna be really good. Honestly, if you wanna optimize with the given information, you'd take Polearm Master at the start, then take Great Weapon Master at lvl 4. This will make you into a power house early on, and you'll stay that way your whole career.
Take PAM and use a spear & shield at lower levels. The spear is only 1d6 damage, but the bonus action reverse attack (1d4) will give you an extra attack and chance to crit. Once you have GWM and hopefully some plus to hit, get a glaive or halberd, remember, the +10 damage can happen with all three attacks if you hit. If you are going to be using the -5 to hit from GWM, then remember Bless is your BFF to help mitigate it. Try to keep Bless up, either from you or another party member. It helps if it's someone else, preferably not in the front line, so that you don't have to worry about losing concentration when you take damage.
Thanks everyone for their replies! In the end I think I am going to swap CON and CHA. Drop Tough feat and take Resilient (Con). I will have 18 str. 16 cha. 14 con but proficient. This will help with my aura of protection.
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Greetings,
This is my first D&D game ever. Therefore, I do not know every feat and every possibility. I tried my best to optimize my Oath of Vengeance Paladin build. Please give me some feedbacks and answer my questions.
My DM uses a different stats designing for the beginning of the campaign. I am currently a Variant Human Paladin level 3. My stats are: STR 18, DEX 12, CON 16, CHA 13, WIS 8, INT 10
I want to build an offtank build. I prefer a build designed to burst damage with tanking capability. Because my charisma is so low I took oath of vengeance. I believe they are less reliant to charisma.
Anyway, my DM suggested taking Tough feat. So, I took it. But till the next session I can completely change my build beside my stats and race. My plan is:
Level 5 paladin - Tough, Great weapon fighting style, Polearm master (level 4)
After I take my extra attack at Lvl 5. I wanna multiclass to fighter.
Thanks.
First, I would not multiclass. Paladins get good stuff as you keep leveling. Certainly take pally to 6, their aura is just too good to pass up. A few fighter abilities means fewer, and less powerful smites, for example. And it delays your feats. Also, multiclassing is best to avoid for your first character or two. It’s better to play through and understand exactly what your giving up in exchange for what your getting. Additionally, few campaigns go beyond the level 10-13 range, so planning out the cool stuff your multiclass can do at something like level 15 often doesn’t come to fruition.
Second, I would not take tough. I’d take a half feat to round up your cha score. Aura of protection is very strong, and will help you and your allies. I’d actually seriously consider swapping con and cha, even. Then find a 1/2 feat to round up con so you’re at a 16 cha and 14 con. Vengeance pallys may not use cha as much, but you really want to milk that aura of protection for all you can.
If you do stick with your current stat line and want to boost cha, Fey touched can be really great for a bit of mobility. Or telekinetic to pull enemies toward you, but with your lowish cha, it wouldn’t be too great.
Then at level 8, I’d look at the str boost of cha — assuming you stay single class.
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I appreciate your feedback. We are playing a custom campaign and would probably get to level 20.
I believe attacking for extra times with action surge and echo would be the better option to get rather than avenging angel and one 5th level spell slot. Also I wont be able to get access to hold monster and scrying.
But still I am so excited with attacking 7 times in a super nova round. 9 with haste. Also I thought getting a custom halberd from DM with aura effect similar to Holy Avenger would help me with the lack of aura focus.
About Tough feat part I will really consider your advice. Seem like a good option.
Don't take tough feat. It offers too little. You'd be better off taking resilient constitution, at least then your con saves are gonna be really good. Honestly, if you wanna optimize with the given information, you'd take Polearm Master at the start, then take Great Weapon Master at lvl 4. This will make you into a power house early on, and you'll stay that way your whole career.
Take PAM and use a spear & shield at lower levels. The spear is only 1d6 damage, but the bonus action reverse attack (1d4) will give you an extra attack and chance to crit. Once you have GWM and hopefully some plus to hit, get a glaive or halberd, remember, the +10 damage can happen with all three attacks if you hit. If you are going to be using the -5 to hit from GWM, then remember Bless is your BFF to help mitigate it. Try to keep Bless up, either from you or another party member. It helps if it's someone else, preferably not in the front line, so that you don't have to worry about losing concentration when you take damage.
May Tymora favor your dice rolls!
Thanks everyone for their replies! In the end I think I am going to swap CON and CHA. Drop Tough feat and take Resilient (Con). I will have 18 str. 16 cha. 14 con but proficient. This will help with my aura of protection.