Hi I am making a 3rd level variant human Oath of Vengeance paladin, and I am wondering whether I should take Polearm Master and be more of a battlefield controller, or GWM and be more of a single target damager. Any advice is appreciated, I am new to d&d.
I've had loads of success with GWM on an oath of vengeance paladin. However, polearm master is also great for single target DPS since at level 5 it'll let you smite 3 times in a single turn (2x attack + 1x bonus attack).
I would start with Pole arm Master simply because benefiting from GWM requires a to-hit boost you don't have in the beginning. With PAM you can choose two handed Fighting style and re-roll 1-2 even on your pummel strike ;) and having a better action economy is key to success.
I would start with Pole arm Master simply because benefiting from GWM requires a to-hit boost you don't have in the beginning. With PAM you can choose two handed Fighting style and re-roll 1-2 even on your pummel strike ;) and having a better action economy is key to success.
Going PAM doesn't mean your doing two handed fighting. And PAM already grants what the fighting style gives so its just a waste of a fighting style.
Both feats are very good, but PAM is going to be the better feat to take 1st for a Paladin (especially as a variant human). The BA attack can be used consistently, and the AoO triggering upon a creature entering your reach is amazing. PAM complements a broader range of other feats than GWM does (PAM + Sentinel), so you have more versatility if you're up in the air about what feats to take after PAM.
Despite what you may think, GWM is not good for single-target nova damage right out of the box. Without a way to mitigate the reduction to your attack roll, it's best used against hordes of lower AC creatures. GWM reaches its highest potential when paired with a consistent method of gaining advantage on your attacks (such as the common dips into Warlock and/or Sorcerer), and if you're playing any of the Elf/Half-Elf races, pairing it with Elven Accuracy is a no-brainer. In any event, taking GWM is usually best done after securing your advantage source. Thus, no matter what your approach, it usually won't be what you want to spend your first ASI/Feat on.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
The question should be which do you feel like playing? Do you want to be a battlefield controller with Polearm Master or do you want to be a damage dealer in the party. Being a variant human, you could start polearm and if you get bored of being a controller with the reach of the polearm you can pick up GWM at level 4 and swap it up to a greatsword/greataxe. OR, you can just take both and add more damage while you're controlling the battlefield
If you go polearm and absolutely hate it, it's going to feel real bad that you're restricted to polearms without feeling like you wasted your feat slot. Also, get with your DM and make sure they know you're intention to handcuff yourself to polearms and see how they feel about flavoring magic items to fit your weapon choice. Speaking from experience, there aren't a ton of magical polearm options out there.
The question should be which do you feel like playing? Do you want to be a battlefield controller with Polearm Master or do you want to be a damage dealer in the party. Being a variant human, you could start polearm and if you get bored of being a controller with the reach of the polearm you can pick up GWM at level 4 and swap it up to a greatsword/greataxe. OR, you can just take both and add more damage while you're controlling the battlefield
If you go polearm and absolutely hate it, it's going to feel real bad that you're restricted to polearms without feeling like you wasted your feat slot. Also, get with your DM and make sure they know you're intention to handcuff yourself to polearms and see how they feel about flavoring magic items to fit your weapon choice. Speaking from experience, there aren't a ton of magical polearm options out there.
It could be a nice mini-plot point when the player tries to find a good blacksmith to reforge a good magical sword into a glaive. It might cost a bit and require additional materials ("bring me a bar of adamantium or mithral to ensure the stability of the reforged enchantments") but it could provide a nice additional flavor once it's finished.
Hi I am making a 3rd level variant human Oath of Vengeance paladin, and I am wondering whether I should take Polearm Master and be more of a battlefield controller, or GWM and be more of a single target damager. Any advice is appreciated, I am new to d&d.
I've had loads of success with GWM on an oath of vengeance paladin. However, polearm master is also great for single target DPS since at level 5 it'll let you smite 3 times in a single turn (2x attack + 1x bonus attack).
I would start with Pole arm Master simply because benefiting from GWM requires a to-hit boost you don't have in the beginning. With PAM you can choose two handed Fighting style and re-roll 1-2 even on your pummel strike ;) and having a better action economy is key to success.
Going PAM doesn't mean your doing two handed fighting. And PAM already grants what the fighting style gives so its just a waste of a fighting style.Never mind you meant Great Weapon Fighting.
Polearm Mastery is from an optimization point of view the best choice at low level:
Afterwards, I think the gist of most guides is to get both even if the bonus actions might be competing. Why choose if both are that good.
From a characterbuilding - flavour point of view: whatever suits your fancy. Both are great feats.
Est Sularus oth Mithas
Both feats are very good, but PAM is going to be the better feat to take 1st for a Paladin (especially as a variant human). The BA attack can be used consistently, and the AoO triggering upon a creature entering your reach is amazing. PAM complements a broader range of other feats than GWM does (PAM + Sentinel), so you have more versatility if you're up in the air about what feats to take after PAM.
Despite what you may think, GWM is not good for single-target nova damage right out of the box. Without a way to mitigate the reduction to your attack roll, it's best used against hordes of lower AC creatures. GWM reaches its highest potential when paired with a consistent method of gaining advantage on your attacks (such as the common dips into Warlock and/or Sorcerer), and if you're playing any of the Elf/Half-Elf races, pairing it with Elven Accuracy is a no-brainer. In any event, taking GWM is usually best done after securing your advantage source. Thus, no matter what your approach, it usually won't be what you want to spend your first ASI/Feat on.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
If I wanted to create a Dragonborn paladin how would I get the polearm master feat?
The question should be which do you feel like playing? Do you want to be a battlefield controller with Polearm Master or do you want to be a damage dealer in the party. Being a variant human, you could start polearm and if you get bored of being a controller with the reach of the polearm you can pick up GWM at level 4 and swap it up to a greatsword/greataxe. OR, you can just take both and add more damage while you're controlling the battlefield
If you go polearm and absolutely hate it, it's going to feel real bad that you're restricted to polearms without feeling like you wasted your feat slot. Also, get with your DM and make sure they know you're intention to handcuff yourself to polearms and see how they feel about flavoring magic items to fit your weapon choice. Speaking from experience, there aren't a ton of magical polearm options out there.
Thanks for the heads up
It could be a nice mini-plot point when the player tries to find a good blacksmith to reforge a good magical sword into a glaive. It might cost a bit and require additional materials ("bring me a bar of adamantium or mithral to ensure the stability of the reforged enchantments") but it could provide a nice additional flavor once it's finished.