I am trying to understand which one is better to take at Level 4 as my paladin. It has 18 strength. I want the one with most damage output.
Polearm mastery or +2 str.
Please do consider in PAM, I will be using 1d10 +1 halberd +1. The other one with the +2 str will be using 2d6 +1 greatsword+1. Also both are using great weapon fighting style. And I am going to smite for each attack.(Including polearm’s bonus attack)
I don’t know about the math for sure, but I’d take PAM. Extra attack as a bonus action and reaction gives you more chances to land a hit, so more chances to do damage. Plus, more stuff to do is more fun to play.
PAM=30 dpr, assuming you are using a first-level spell slot for each smite and are smiting on every turn. You can do this for 2 rounds and then your dpr drops to 15
ASI=24 dpr, with the same rules as above. 14 dpr with no smites
PAM=30 dpr, assuming you are using a first-level spell slot for each smite and are smiting on every turn. You can do this for 2 rounds and then your dpr drops to 15
ASI=24 dpr, with the same rules as above. 14 dpr with no smites
WInner? PAM
But does that account for hitting more reliably with the asi?
As I said, I’m not a math person, but I think that’s the kind of factor the OP had in mind.
There is not enough information to solve by maths.
What AC are your opponents?
Do you have an alternative use for your bonus action?
How often do enemies approach you (causing a PAM op attack) when you do get have a chance for a normal op attack
How often do you use your reaction for things other than an op attack?
There's more than enough information.
Things like enemy AC are kinda irrelevant, because they're a figurative constant. Alternative uses for bonus actions, as far as paladins go, is going into the territory of limited resources. As far as how often enemies approach you, you're a front lining martial. Things are going to attempt to smack you purely because of positioning. Paladins also have virtually no usage for their reaction outside of oppies.
That said, we can condense the math in simple terms for pragmatism's sake: In tier 1, you could attack once, and do so 5% more accurately with the ASI... or, you could attack twice, effectively doubling what you were doing before, just, not 5% as much with PAM. Then, there's also the inherent benefit that with more attacks comes more chances to land a smite should the need arise.
Greetings,
I am trying to understand which one is better to take at Level 4 as my paladin. It has 18 strength. I want the one with most damage output.
Polearm mastery or +2 str.
Please do consider in PAM, I will be using 1d10 +1 halberd +1. The other one with the +2 str will be using 2d6 +1 greatsword+1. Also both are using great weapon fighting style. And I am going to smite for each attack.(Including polearm’s bonus attack)
Please help a brother in need.
I don’t know about the math for sure, but I’d take PAM. Extra attack as a bonus action and reaction gives you more chances to land a hit, so more chances to do damage. Plus, more stuff to do is more fun to play.
Then maybe great weapon master at 8, either way.
PAM=30 dpr, assuming you are using a first-level spell slot for each smite and are smiting on every turn. You can do this for 2 rounds and then your dpr drops to 15
ASI=24 dpr, with the same rules as above. 14 dpr with no smites
WInner? PAM
But does that account for hitting more reliably with the asi?
As I said, I’m not a math person, but I think that’s the kind of factor the OP had in mind.
There is not enough information to solve by maths.
There's more than enough information.
Things like enemy AC are kinda irrelevant, because they're a figurative constant. Alternative uses for bonus actions, as far as paladins go, is going into the territory of limited resources. As far as how often enemies approach you, you're a front lining martial. Things are going to attempt to smack you purely because of positioning. Paladins also have virtually no usage for their reaction outside of oppies.
That said, we can condense the math in simple terms for pragmatism's sake: In tier 1, you could attack once, and do so 5% more accurately with the ASI... or, you could attack twice, effectively doubling what you were doing before, just, not 5% as much with PAM. Then, there's also the inherent benefit that with more attacks comes more chances to land a smite should the need arise.
It's a no-brainer, PAM wins by a LANDSLIDE.
Thanks everyone for taking their time to reply!! PAM does seem the better option.