Devotion Pally. My stats are 21 10 14 8 12 16 (got a belt of hill giant strength). Defense FS, Resilient (Con). I got a +2 Shield but also a +2 longsword and greatsword that I could enchant to +2.
How often are you using that great sword as opposed to magic sword/magic shield? To me, I wouldn’t even be carrying that great sword anymore at that point. I guess the great sword does slightly more damage, but the long sword will go through enemies that are resistant to non magical weapons, and will hit more often, and you have a shield giving you +4 to AC. No contest. I might consider a con bump instead of cha, though. Cha will give you and friends a save bonus, but beyond that, are you casting many spells that the higher save dc would help?
Where con gives you hp, and still helps those con saves to maintain concentration.
I failed to tell that I can enchant my greatsword spending a good chunk of coin if I want to! The con bump is indeed interesting as I am often targeted more (I am the only melee). I must say though that I find myself situationally casting spells (compelled duel or command mostly) to deal with some enemies.
If you’re the only melee type, to me that argues for keeping the shield on. Keep the AC high and wear down enemies while the party zaps them from the back. You can get more damage from the great sword, but really your weapon is just a vehicle for smites, which is where most of you damage will come from, not the extra point or two from a bigger weapon.
If you’re casting a bit, then the cha bump does make some more sense. And it will help with some out of combat skills, as well. Now, I’d say that or con could work. Depends on how bad you need those hit points.
You can use GWM with your longsword (going two-handed) so go with that. The +2 will help compensate for the -5.
Longswords can only make use of half the feat, the part that gives you a bonus action attack if you drop someone to 0 or land a critical hit. To make use of the -5/+10 ability, you have to be wielding a weapon with the Heavy weapon(that you're proficient with). Longswords aren't Heavy.
Now I’m thinking of it, you might also want to look at sentinel. stop them from getting past you with a feat you can use all day long instead of the more limited spell slots where they get a save. And save the slots for smiting.
You can use GWM with your longsword (going two-handed) so go with that. The +2 will help compensate for the -5.
Longswords can only make use of half the feat, the part that gives you a bonus action attack if you drop someone to 0 or land a critical hit. To make use of the -5/+10 ability, you have to be wielding a weapon with the Heavy weapon(that you're proficient with). Longswords aren't Heavy.
It would be a shame to skip out on a +2 shield. Personally, I'd stick to sword & board, and embrace a more tanky/supportive role by either grabbing Sentinel or taking +2 Charisma.
I'll second Sentinel. I took that for my Lvl 8 Feat, and it's been useful every session since. Stopping enemies when they try to slip by to get to the squishies (even when they Disengage) is great, and hitting someone next to you when they try to hit someone else is fantastic. Enemies can't just walk by you, and when they maintain engagement with you, they get hit for not hitting you. For someone who is tanking, Sentinel is amazing.
I've got a devotion pally that took sentinel at 4th, and I've gotten good use out of it. Once were facing down hobs and one of them tried to knife their own mage instead of letting us capture him. I used sentinel to drop the knife wielder. :D
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Depending on how far you want to get as well, increasing your CHA will boost your Cleansing Touch at 14th level. The boost to all your saves through the Aura of Protection and the Sacred Weapon Channel Divinity is also dope.
I've got a devotion pally that took sentinel at 4th, and I've gotten good use out of it. Once were facing down hobs and one of them tried to knife their own mage instead of letting us capture him. I used sentinel to drop the knife wielder. :D
That's epic! Great job!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Devotion Pally. My stats are 21 10 14 8 12 16 (got a belt of hill giant strength). Defense FS, Resilient (Con). I got a +2 Shield but also a +2 longsword and greatsword that I could enchant to +2.
+2 CHA or GWM?
How often are you using that great sword as opposed to magic sword/magic shield? To me, I wouldn’t even be carrying that great sword anymore at that point. I guess the great sword does slightly more damage, but the long sword will go through enemies that are resistant to non magical weapons, and will hit more often, and you have a shield giving you +4 to AC. No contest.
I might consider a con bump instead of cha, though. Cha will give you and friends a save bonus, but beyond that, are you casting many spells that the higher save dc would help?
Where con gives you hp, and still helps those con saves to maintain concentration.
You can use GWM with your longsword (going two-handed) so go with that. The +2 will help compensate for the -5.
I failed to tell that I can enchant my greatsword spending a good chunk of coin if I want to! The con bump is indeed interesting as I am often targeted more (I am the only melee). I must say though that I find myself situationally casting spells (compelled duel or command mostly) to deal with some enemies.
I should say, take the Variant leveling-up, ( +1 to 2 abilities at your will ) and ask the DM if you can earn a new Feat.
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk
If you’re the only melee type, to me that argues for keeping the shield on. Keep the AC high and wear down enemies while the party zaps them from the back. You can get more damage from the great sword, but really your weapon is just a vehicle for smites, which is where most of you damage will come from, not the extra point or two from a bigger weapon.
If you’re casting a bit, then the cha bump does make some more sense. And it will help with some out of combat skills, as well. Now, I’d say that or con could work. Depends on how bad you need those hit points.
Thanks, that was actually inspiring to read.
Longswords can only make use of half the feat, the part that gives you a bonus action attack if you drop someone to 0 or land a critical hit. To make use of the -5/+10 ability, you have to be wielding a weapon with the Heavy weapon(that you're proficient with). Longswords aren't Heavy.
Now I’m thinking of it, you might also want to look at sentinel. stop them from getting past you with a feat you can use all day long instead of the more limited spell slots where they get a save. And save the slots for smiting.
That sounds actually like a cool idea. So far slippery enemies have been my bane, and it could also raise a lil bit my DPR.
Thanks for the correction.
It would be a shame to skip out on a +2 shield. Personally, I'd stick to sword & board, and embrace a more tanky/supportive role by either grabbing Sentinel or taking +2 Charisma.
I'll second Sentinel. I took that for my Lvl 8 Feat, and it's been useful every session since. Stopping enemies when they try to slip by to get to the squishies (even when they Disengage) is great, and hitting someone next to you when they try to hit someone else is fantastic. Enemies can't just walk by you, and when they maintain engagement with you, they get hit for not hitting you. For someone who is tanking, Sentinel is amazing.
It is not I who am Mad, it is I who am Krazy!
I've got a devotion pally that took sentinel at 4th, and I've gotten good use out of it. Once were facing down hobs and one of them tried to knife their own mage instead of letting us capture him. I used sentinel to drop the knife wielder. :D
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Depending on how far you want to get as well, increasing your CHA will boost your Cleansing Touch at 14th level. The boost to all your saves through the Aura of Protection and the Sacred Weapon Channel Divinity is also dope.
That's epic! Great job!