I had an idea for a kobold paladin and debated about multiclassing into rogue for flavor and skill proficiencies.
Is there anything special I would need to keep in mind to do Smite and Sneak Attack on the same attack?
Depends on how you're trying to play it, you'd probably want to either take Oath of Vengeance or Swashbuckler (or Arcane Trickster if sticking to 2024 PHB for spell slot progression) as a subclass to enable getting sneak attacks in as you may struggle too without an ally around or other sources of advantage. Lucky might be a good origin feat since it's a few extra attacks with advantage.
For multiclassing requirements, you'd need 13 Strength, 13 Dexterity and 13 Charisma. You also want some constitution. I'd recommend (with standard array) going:
Strength 13 (+1), Dexterity15+2 (+3), Constitution 12+1 (+1), Intelligence 8 (-1), Wisdom 10 (+0) & Charisma 14 (+2). This will mean you'll want to pick up Resilient(constitution) at some point to get the +2 constitution and Constitution saving throw proficiency (good for concentration saving throws). If using point Buy, you can instead take 13, 15+2, 13+1, 8, 9, 14 if you don't want to have to take up Resilient(constitution) but it does decrease the Wisdom Modifier to a -1 which you might want to fix later on, more so if going for WIS based skills.
Why go Dexterity over Strength? Well you're already using Finesse weapons which can use dexterity, you can pick up medium armor early where you will only lose a point or 2 of AC, you'll have a higher initiative and you can more easily use ranged attacks. Also since you're using Finesse weapons, you'll likely want to pick up Defensive Duellist at some point which only gives Dexterity and finally Dexterity has more skills than Strength.
For background, pick-up Wayfarer, it gives Lucky, it can increase both Dexterity and Charisma, as well as Stealth and Insight as skills.
In terms of build, you'd probably want to go two weapons or rapier and shield.
If going rapier and shield, you'd go with the duelling fighting style feat, Charger (dexterity) and Defensive Duellist(Dexterity) are likely picks for this build, Warcaster (Charisma), Piercer (Dexterity) and speedy (Dexterity) are likely not bad picks either. For a Boon, Dimensional Travel is king as you can teleport around into beneficial positions for sneak attack much more easily.
If going two weapons, the best would be shortsword and scimitar, using the nick property to get an additional attack in, You'd probably also go with the two-weapon fighting style feat. There is the dual wielder feat but it uses a bonus action and smite uses a bonus action, it's still a valid pick as you don't smite every or cast a spell every round, you'd also probably want Defensive Duellist and speedy. Again Dimensional Travel is probably the right choice for a boon.
I had an idea for a kobold paladin and debated about multiclassing into rogue for flavor and skill proficiencies.
Is there anything special I would need to keep in mind to do Smite and Sneak Attack on the same attack?
Depends on how you're trying to play it, you'd probably want to either take Oath of Vengeance or Swashbuckler (or Arcane Trickster if sticking to 2024 PHB for spell slot progression) as a subclass to enable getting sneak attacks in as you may struggle too without an ally around or other sources of advantage. Lucky might be a good origin feat since it's a few extra attacks with advantage.
For multiclassing requirements, you'd need 13 Strength, 13 Dexterity and 13 Charisma. You also want some constitution. I'd recommend (with standard array) going:
Strength 13 (+1), Dexterity15+2 (+3), Constitution 12+1 (+1), Intelligence 8 (-1), Wisdom 10 (+0) & Charisma 14 (+2). This will mean you'll want to pick up Resilient(constitution) at some point to get the +2 constitution and Constitution saving throw proficiency (good for concentration saving throws). If using point Buy, you can instead take 13, 15+2, 13+1, 8, 9, 14 if you don't want to have to take up Resilient(constitution) but it does decrease the Wisdom Modifier to a -1 which you might want to fix later on, more so if going for WIS based skills.
Why go Dexterity over Strength? Well you're already using Finesse weapons which can use dexterity, you can pick up medium armor early where you will only lose a point or 2 of AC, you'll have a higher initiative and you can more easily use ranged attacks. Also since you're using Finesse weapons, you'll likely want to pick up Defensive Duellist at some point which only gives Dexterity and finally Dexterity has more skills than Strength.
For background, pick-up Wayfarer, it gives Lucky, it can increase both Dexterity and Charisma, as well as Stealth and Insight as skills.
In terms of build, you'd probably want to go two weapons or rapier and shield.
If going rapier and shield, you'd go with the duelling fighting style feat, Charger (dexterity) and Defensive Duellist(Dexterity) are likely picks for this build, Warcaster (Charisma), Piercer (Dexterity) and speedy (Dexterity) are likely not bad picks either. For a Boon, Dimensional Travel is king as you can teleport around into beneficial positions for sneak attack much more easily.
If going two weapons, the best would be shortsword and scimitar, using the nick property to get an additional attack in, You'd probably also go with the two-weapon fighting style feat. There is the dual wielder feat but it uses a bonus action and smite uses a bonus action, it's still a valid pick as you don't smite every or cast a spell every round, you'd also probably want Defensive Duellist and speedy. Again Dimensional Travel is probably the right choice for a boon.
Paladin 8 - Warcaster (Charisma if rapier and shield) or Dual Wielder (Shortsword and scimitar)
Paladin 9
Paladin 10
Paladin 11
Paladin 12 - Charger (Dexterity 20(+5) for shortsword and scimitar)
Rogue 5
Rogue 6
Rogue 7
Rogue 8 - Piercer (Dexterity 20 (+5), if Rapier and Shield) or warcaster (if shortsword and scimitar)
If you're wanting some skill/expertise earlier, you can move the 1st level of rogue up to the 2nd character level.
All excellent notes
But I was probably going to use 2014 rules. I was planning to do bonus action Draconic Cry to get advantage and sneak and smite on the action.
And any reason you specified Oath of Vengeance? Because my plan was for a Devotion paladin but if it’s a good counter argument I don’t mind reworking the backstory
But I was probably going to use 2014 rules. I was planning to do bonus action Draconic Cry to get advantage and sneak and smite on the action.
And any reason you specified Oath of Vengeance? Because my plan was for a Devotion paladin but if it’s a good counter argument I don’t mind reworking the backstory
Vow of Enmity is the main reason for Oath of Vengeance, you get advantage and advantage is one of triggers you can use for sneak attack. Dragonic Cry is limited to PB times per day, it won't last long enough to keep up advantage for all encounters. At level 9 you'd get 4, that is roughly enough Dragonic Cries for a single encounter.
Things would change slightly to 2014 but I'd definitely recommend Swashbuckler then, not only does it give another trigger for sneak attack, it gives a way to move around a bit more without getting Opportunity Attacks.
Since 2014 has no Nick property, then I'd definitely recommend the Rapier with a Shield, more so since it sounds like your build is already quiet Bonus Action heavy. Defensive Duellist is also not as good in 2014 but Resilient Constitution and Warcaster are still good and I would still recommend going Dex based with Medium armor+shield until such a point where you get +5 Dexterity modifier and switching to Studded Leather instead (or whatever gives the highest AC). Also Lucky is not advantage in 2014, so doesn't trigger sneak attack but it's still a powerful feat.
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I had an idea for a kobold paladin and debated about multiclassing into rogue for flavor and skill proficiencies.
Is there anything special I would need to keep in mind to do Smite and Sneak Attack on the same attack?
Depends on how you're trying to play it, you'd probably want to either take Oath of Vengeance or Swashbuckler (or Arcane Trickster if sticking to 2024 PHB for spell slot progression) as a subclass to enable getting sneak attacks in as you may struggle too without an ally around or other sources of advantage. Lucky might be a good origin feat since it's a few extra attacks with advantage.
For multiclassing requirements, you'd need 13 Strength, 13 Dexterity and 13 Charisma. You also want some constitution. I'd recommend (with standard array) going:
Strength 13 (+1), Dexterity15+2 (+3), Constitution 12+1 (+1), Intelligence 8 (-1), Wisdom 10 (+0) & Charisma 14 (+2). This will mean you'll want to pick up Resilient(constitution) at some point to get the +2 constitution and Constitution saving throw proficiency (good for concentration saving throws). If using point Buy, you can instead take 13, 15+2, 13+1, 8, 9, 14 if you don't want to have to take up Resilient(constitution) but it does decrease the Wisdom Modifier to a -1 which you might want to fix later on, more so if going for WIS based skills.
Why go Dexterity over Strength? Well you're already using Finesse weapons which can use dexterity, you can pick up medium armor early where you will only lose a point or 2 of AC, you'll have a higher initiative and you can more easily use ranged attacks. Also since you're using Finesse weapons, you'll likely want to pick up Defensive Duellist at some point which only gives Dexterity and finally Dexterity has more skills than Strength.
For background, pick-up Wayfarer, it gives Lucky, it can increase both Dexterity and Charisma, as well as Stealth and Insight as skills.
In terms of build, you'd probably want to go two weapons or rapier and shield.
If going rapier and shield, you'd go with the duelling fighting style feat, Charger (dexterity) and Defensive Duellist(Dexterity) are likely picks for this build, Warcaster (Charisma), Piercer (Dexterity) and speedy (Dexterity) are likely not bad picks either. For a Boon, Dimensional Travel is king as you can teleport around into beneficial positions for sneak attack much more easily.
If going two weapons, the best would be shortsword and scimitar, using the nick property to get an additional attack in, You'd probably also go with the two-weapon fighting style feat. There is the dual wielder feat but it uses a bonus action and smite uses a bonus action, it's still a valid pick as you don't smite every or cast a spell every round, you'd also probably want Defensive Duellist and speedy. Again Dimensional Travel is probably the right choice for a boon.
As such, I'd recommend
Paladin 1 - Wayfarer Background, 13 (+1), 15+2 (+3), 12+1 (+1), 8 (-1), 10 (+0) & 14 (+2).
Paladin 2 - Duelling Fighting Style (if Rapier and Shield) or Two Weapon fighting (if Shortsword and Scimitar)
Paladin 3 - Oath of Vengeance
Paladin 4 - Defensive Duellist (Dexterity 18 (+4))
Paladin 5 - Extra Attack
Paladin 6 - Aura of Protection
Rogue 1 -
Rogue 2 -
Rogue 3 - Swashbuckler / Arcane Trickster
Rogue 4- Resilient (Constitution, 14 (+2))
Paladin 7 -
Paladin 8 - Warcaster (Charisma if rapier and shield) or Dual Wielder (Shortsword and scimitar)
Paladin 9
Paladin 10
Paladin 11
Paladin 12 - Charger (Dexterity 20(+5) for shortsword and scimitar)
Rogue 5
Rogue 6
Rogue 7
Rogue 8 - Piercer (Dexterity 20 (+5), if Rapier and Shield) or warcaster (if shortsword and scimitar)
If you're wanting some skill/expertise earlier, you can move the 1st level of rogue up to the 2nd character level.
All excellent notes
But I was probably going to use 2014 rules. I was planning to do bonus action Draconic Cry to get advantage and sneak and smite on the action.
And any reason you specified Oath of Vengeance? Because my plan was for a Devotion paladin but if it’s a good counter argument I don’t mind reworking the backstory
Vow of Enmity is the main reason for Oath of Vengeance, you get advantage and advantage is one of triggers you can use for sneak attack. Dragonic Cry is limited to PB times per day, it won't last long enough to keep up advantage for all encounters. At level 9 you'd get 4, that is roughly enough Dragonic Cries for a single encounter.
Things would change slightly to 2014 but I'd definitely recommend Swashbuckler then, not only does it give another trigger for sneak attack, it gives a way to move around a bit more without getting Opportunity Attacks.
Since 2014 has no Nick property, then I'd definitely recommend the Rapier with a Shield, more so since it sounds like your build is already quiet Bonus Action heavy. Defensive Duellist is also not as good in 2014 but Resilient Constitution and Warcaster are still good and I would still recommend going Dex based with Medium armor+shield until such a point where you get +5 Dexterity modifier and switching to Studded Leather instead (or whatever gives the highest AC). Also Lucky is not advantage in 2014, so doesn't trigger sneak attack but it's still a powerful feat.