I'm considering a dip into fighter myself. Level 5 Swashbuckler. I rolled my stats and came out lucky, so my Dex is already maxed out and I have the Piercer feat. I've leaned heavy into archery in the early game due to our party makeup. and eventually I'll probably wind up with the Sharpshooter feat, would be nice to have the the fighter's extra attack. Still using a rapier <magic weapon> in close combat.
So what I'm looking for is suggestions for fighter sub class. I'd like to wind up with extra attack and maybe an extra fighting style. Survivability is key here, so Defense for the second style and use Rapier/Shield combo for melee and the longbow for ranged DPS.
I should also note, this campaign isn't going to level 20. At BEST we'll get to level 13, probably just to level 12 and then we'll likely be rolling new characters and moving on to a new setting.
I'm considering a dip into fighter myself. Level 5 Swashbuckler. I rolled my stats and came out lucky, so my Dex is already maxed out and I have the Piercer feat. I've leaned heavy into archery in the early game due to our party makeup. and eventually I'll probably wind up with the Sharpshooter feat, would be nice to have the the fighter's extra attack. Still using a rapier <magic weapon> in close combat.
So what I'm looking for is suggestions for fighter sub class. I'd like to wind up with extra attack and maybe an extra fighting style. Survivability is key here, so Defense for the second style and use Rapier/Shield combo for melee and the longbow for ranged DPS.
I should also note, this campaign isn't going to level 20. At BEST we'll get to level 13, probably just to level 12 and then we'll likely be rolling new characters and moving on to a new setting.
Battle Master has some nice maneuvers that can add some damage and ways to control the enemy. Champion gives you increased critical chance and what rogue doesn't like increased critical chance, especially combined with Steady Aim?
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I have a lvl 6 Dhampir ready as a backup for my current character. He's 5 lvl's into Rogue (Swashbuckler) and 1 lvl into Fighter. I rolled really well for stats (3 17s) and used the Dhanpir +1 x 3 to get 3 18s. So he has 18s in DEX, CON and CHA. The 1 level in fighter gives him a D10 hit dice, access to shields and martial weapons, the defensive style (+1 AC) and second wind. I gave him a rapier and a shield (I want those bonus actions for dashing) and he has an AC of 19 with +8 initiative. I also decided to opt into Magic Iniative (Sorc) and picked up booming blade and green flame blade for the extra dmaage / AOE and battleground control.
He's super useful for social situations too and has +10 persusasion and +7 intimidation. Not to mention he can climb on walls and ceilings!!
I have a lvl 6 Dhampir ready as a backup for my current character. He's 5 lvl's into Rogue (Swashbuckler) and 1 lvl into Fighter. I rolled really well for stats (3 17s) and used the Dhanpir +1 x 3 to get 3 18s. So he has 18s in DEX, CON and CHA. The 1 level in fighter gives him a D10 hit dice, access to shields and martial weapons, the defensive style (+1 AC) and second wind. I gave him a rapier and a shield (I want those bonus actions for dashing) and he has an AC of 19 with +8 initiative. I also decided to opt into Magic Iniative (Sorc) and picked up booming blade and green flame blade for the extra dmaage / AOE and battleground control.
He's super useful for social situations too and has +10 persusasion and +7 intimidation. Not to mention he can climb on walls and ceilings!!
I can't wait to play him.
I'd considered going into fighter much the same. If I took defense as my fighting style I'd be at 20 AC and still have a shot if I followed that tree all the way out, to get extra attack before the end. I honestly don't think that would top what I can do with the hexblade though. 1d8+6 rapier damage + 3d6 Sneak attack + 2d8 Eldritch Smite <which by campaign end will be 4d8> + 3 <eventually 4> if a target is my Hex target and if I wanted to be a total bastard I could add 4d6 for Staggering Smite and hope they fail a saving through to give the target disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks for a full minute. This is the 'finished' build, what I think he'll look like when I'm done if anyone is interested and has comments:
Swash/shadow Monk 6. You can move around the battlefield to isolated opponents or flanking and sneak attack at will.
Oh I did not think of that. This sounds awesome. Go with high elf to get booming blade as a cantrip.
It takes a while to really come online (9th level), but would seem pretty awesome at that point.
What would you do for level progression? I think you need to start as Rogue for the extra skill, but other than that? I could see arguements for doing monk 6 after Rogue 1 (ki, extra attack, spells and shadowstep) or going Rogue to level 4 first then Monk until 10.
I wouldn't take martial adept for Parry & Riposte - I'd take the defensive duelist feat, which is weaker but not a one-and-done.
I have been disappointed with DD on a Rogue, mostly because it clashes with uncanny dodge. I think Riposte once a short rest (which only activates on a miss) would be a better option. IF you really want the AC boost I think fighting initiate defense is the way to go. +1 AC, always on and if they beat it you can use uncanny dodge.
My wood elf swashbuckler multiclass (Dexterity 16, Charisma 18) began as a one-shot joke that became used in a long-term campaign and turned into something amazingly fun to play and frustrating to DM. I basically took levels in classes that campaign events guided him to.
As can be seen, the character started as a Rogue then morphed into something very different but still with a roguish flavor.
With all the above class levels and no magical items, the character ended up with the ability to obtain, for one incoming attack, a potential AC of 31. This was accomplished by stacking basic studded leather (AC 12) with a wooden shield (+2AC), DEX 16 (+3AC), Fighting Style: Defense (+2AC), Shield of Faith (+2AC), Shield (+5AC), and Defensive Duelist (+5AC). Now this all does require the following: 1) have one spell slot available to cast Shield, 2) the use of a Reaction in 1 round to trigger Shield, and 3) have an incoming attack in the following round trigger the reaction Defensive Duelist before the Shield spell from the previous round drops.
Quite a combination of events but the first time the situation happened, the table got very, very quiet.
Carefully managed, the multiclass also has the ability to crit on a 19 or 20 with melee and ranged weapons (Hexblade Curse), hit anything within a 120-foot range doing a potential 3d10 without any kind of weapon (Eldritch Blast + Charisma mod per die), see any target within that range even through magical darkness (Devil's Sight), hide/stealth amazingly well despite being only lightly obscured (wood elf racial ability + Minor Illusion), heal himself or party members as well as provide other party support effects (Aura of Protection), and zip around the battlefield by using the Expeditious Retreat and Misty Step spells.
The character is a decent off-healer, off-tank, off-DPS, scout, and general opposition disrupter. It's the combination of all these abilities while at the same time not being consistently overpowered that makes the character a real challenge and an absolute joy to run.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson
When life is bleak, all hope is lost, a wall is at your back, you always have one option left...attack! Attack! ATTACK! - Me
2) the use of a Reaction in 1 round to trigger Shield, and
3) have an incoming attack in the following round trigger the reaction Defensive Duelist before the Shield spell from the previous round drops.
I don't see how that works as the shield spell only provides the +5 AC until the start of your turn. So if you cast it in one round, the AC bonus will always come off before you get your reaciton back.
2) the use of a Reaction in 1 round to trigger Shield, and
3) have an incoming attack in the following round trigger the reaction Defensive Duelist before the Shield spell from the previous round drops.
I don't see how that works as the shield spell only provides the +5 AC until the start of your turn. So if you cast it in one round, the AC bonus will always come off before you get your reaciton back.
Yeah it doesn't work. Also Daefaroth has mistakenly added 2 AC from Defense Fighting Style as opposed to 1. The best AC his character can achieve at level 11 is 25.
Here is the proper AC breakdown: Studded leather with 16 DEX - 15, Defense Fighting Style +1( total 16), wooden shield +2 (18 total), Shield of Faith spell +2 (20 total), Shield spell +5 (25 total).
The funny thing is if he went 16 STR instead of 16 DEX and started Paladin instead of Rogue he can hit 28 AC with a similar setup (by replacing studded leather with full plate).
Thank you all for posting corrections to my build. Seriously. I appreciate the opportunity to 1) learn the rules better, and 2) fine tune my character.
While I prefer running paladins, I chose Rogue first to get the buffs to DEX/INT saves and also the additional skills. The character is essentially a forest warden so the ability to sneak/hide is essential to his core purpose, as is the wearing of nothing heavier than studded leather (or similar light-weight armor). I'll correct the AC and let my DM know since he missed the math errors as well. LOL
Thank you all for posting corrections to my build. Seriously. I appreciate the opportunity to 1) learn the rules better, and 2) fine tune my character.
While I prefer running paladins, I chose Rogue first to get the buffs to DEX/INT saves and also the additional skills. The character is essentially a forest warden so the ability to sneak/hide is essential to his core purpose, as is the wearing of nothing heavier than studded leather (or similar light-weight armor). I'll correct the AC and let my DM know since he missed the math errors as well. LOL
I assume you are Daefaroth with a new account? If so I would suggest you asking your DM to let you replace Defensive Duelist feat with a different feat because as it stands now its just clashing with the Shield spell. My suggestion would be Medium Armor Master feat. With 16 DEX that you currently have you can achieve the same AC as full plate by wearing half plate and the feat takes away the stealth disadvantage to allow you to stay nice and sneaky.
Correct. My Jurrubin account is being used by me to self-teach and test DMing tools in D&D Beyond. Daefaroth is for pure player characters. Gotta learn 5e somehow. I've been playing Runequest most of my life. Very different from 5e.
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Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson
When life is bleak, all hope is lost, a wall is at your back, you always have one option left...attack! Attack! ATTACK! - Me
Correct. My Jurrubin account is being used by me to self-teach and test DMing tools in D&D Beyond. Daefaroth is for pure player characters. Gotta learn 5e somehow. I've been playing Runequest most of my life. Very different from 5e.
Correct. My Jurrubin account is being used by me to self-teach and test DMing tools in D&D Beyond. Daefaroth is for pure player characters. Gotta learn 5e somehow. I've been playing Runequest most of my life. Very different from 5e.
Runequest! +1
Yeah, got hooked on RQ since I got my "1st edition, 1st Printing" copy 'way back in the 70s (I'm that old) and never looked back. Even got Steve Perrin to sign it. Not only do I still have it, I still use it occasionally though I prefer Mongoose's RQII/Legends as my gold standard for running a RQ game engine-backed campaign using my own custom world. 5e comes as close to RQ as D&D allows. Just wish I could convince people where I live to try RQ but noooo. *shrug* Ah, well.
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Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson
When life is bleak, all hope is lost, a wall is at your back, you always have one option left...attack! Attack! ATTACK! - Me
Played a character named Nicandor in a decade long campaign. Finally gave up RQ because of the lack of support and barriers to bringing in new players. We still speak wistfully about it.
Weapon master fighters have the riposte manœuvre that launch an attack on the enemy when he get in attacking range of you.
This manœuvre add 1d8 damage to the attack, but more importantly, since it happen on the opponent turn and not yours, it is eligible to launch the sneak attack again, outside of your own turn. (sneak attack can proc once per turn, yours or someone else)
It mesh perfectly well with the ability of the Swashbuckler to gain initiative, hit the opponent with a sneak attack (and, if I were you, booming blade) then freely disengage, leaving the opponent with the choice to either stay prone, or follow you, receiving a new sneak attack and procing booming blade extra damages.
(high elf, or half high elf can have booming blade for free, otherwise you may contemplate taking some levels in a class that give it, ideally along with a familiar to gain reliable advantage, such as bladesinger or pact of the Chain hexblade.)
For long range enemies, use a tripping attack maneuver instead, and slice them up.
Weapon master fighters have the riposte manœuvre that launch an attack on the enemy when he get in attacking range of you.
I think you mean the Brace manoeuvre? Riposte lets you make an attack when an enemy misses you in melee. Both could be excellent for a Rogue though as anything that gives you access to somewhat reliable reaction attacks gives you a chance to land a Sneak Attack outside of your own turn.
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Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
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Swashbucker/ warlock of the fathom, pact of the chain, monkey familiar… reborn for racial= capt barbados
I'm considering a dip into fighter myself. Level 5 Swashbuckler. I rolled my stats and came out lucky, so my Dex is already maxed out and I have the Piercer feat. I've leaned heavy into archery in the early game due to our party makeup. and eventually I'll probably wind up with the Sharpshooter feat, would be nice to have the the fighter's extra attack. Still using a rapier <magic weapon> in close combat.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/mbl2100/characters/47901538
So what I'm looking for is suggestions for fighter sub class. I'd like to wind up with extra attack and maybe an extra fighting style. Survivability is key here, so Defense for the second style and use Rapier/Shield combo for melee and the longbow for ranged DPS.
I should also note, this campaign isn't going to level 20. At BEST we'll get to level 13, probably just to level 12 and then we'll likely be rolling new characters and moving on to a new setting.
Battle Master has some nice maneuvers that can add some damage and ways to control the enemy. Champion gives you increased critical chance and what rogue doesn't like increased critical chance, especially combined with Steady Aim?
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I have a lvl 6 Dhampir ready as a backup for my current character. He's 5 lvl's into Rogue (Swashbuckler) and 1 lvl into Fighter. I rolled really well for stats (3 17s) and used the Dhanpir +1 x 3 to get 3 18s. So he has 18s in DEX, CON and CHA. The 1 level in fighter gives him a D10 hit dice, access to shields and martial weapons, the defensive style (+1 AC) and second wind. I gave him a rapier and a shield (I want those bonus actions for dashing) and he has an AC of 19 with +8 initiative. I also decided to opt into Magic Iniative (Sorc) and picked up booming blade and green flame blade for the extra dmaage / AOE and battleground control.
He's super useful for social situations too and has +10 persusasion and +7 intimidation. Not to mention he can climb on walls and ceilings!!
I can't wait to play him.
I'd considered going into fighter much the same. If I took defense as my fighting style I'd be at 20 AC and still have a shot if I followed that tree all the way out, to get extra attack before the end. I honestly don't think that would top what I can do with the hexblade though. 1d8+6 rapier damage + 3d6 Sneak attack + 2d8 Eldritch Smite <which by campaign end will be 4d8> + 3 <eventually 4> if a target is my Hex target and if I wanted to be a total bastard I could add 4d6 for Staggering Smite and hope they fail a saving through to give the target disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks for a full minute. This is the 'finished' build, what I think he'll look like when I'm done if anyone is interested and has comments:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/mbl2100/characters/59753181
I wouldn't take martial adept for Parry & Riposte - I'd take the defensive duelist feat, which is weaker but not a one-and-done.
Swash/shadow Monk 6. You can move around the battlefield to isolated opponents or flanking and sneak attack at will.
Oh I did not think of that. This sounds awesome. Go with high elf to get booming blade as a cantrip.
It takes a while to really come online (9th level), but would seem pretty awesome at that point.
What would you do for level progression? I think you need to start as Rogue for the extra skill, but other than that? I could see arguements for doing monk 6 after Rogue 1 (ki, extra attack, spells and shadowstep) or going Rogue to level 4 first then Monk until 10.
I have been disappointed with DD on a Rogue, mostly because it clashes with uncanny dodge. I think Riposte once a short rest (which only activates on a miss) would be a better option. IF you really want the AC boost I think fighting initiate defense is the way to go. +1 AC, always on and if they beat it you can use uncanny dodge.
My wood elf swashbuckler multiclass (Dexterity 16, Charisma 18) began as a one-shot joke that became used in a long-term campaign and turned into something amazingly fun to play and frustrating to DM. I basically took levels in classes that campaign events guided him to.
At level 11, the character ended up like this.
Character/Class
Levels
1........Rogue 1 (Skill proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics, Investigation, Stealth)
2........Paladin 1
3........Warlock 1 (Hexblade, with spells Eldritch Blast and Minor Illusion)
4........Paladin 2
5........Paladin 3 (Vengeance)
6........Warlock 2 (Invocations: Agonizing Blast, Devil's Sight)
7........Paladin 4 Feat: Defensive Duelist
8........Rogue 2
9........Rogue 3 (Swashbuckler)
10......Paladin 5
11......Paladin 6
As can be seen, the character started as a Rogue then morphed into something very different but still with a roguish flavor.
With all the above class levels and no magical items, the character ended up with the ability to obtain, for one incoming attack, a potential AC of 31. This was accomplished by stacking basic studded leather (AC 12) with a wooden shield (+2AC), DEX 16 (+3AC), Fighting Style: Defense (+2AC), Shield of Faith (+2AC), Shield (+5AC), and Defensive Duelist (+5AC). Now this all does require the following:
1) have one spell slot available to cast Shield,
2) the use of a Reaction in 1 round to trigger Shield, and
3) have an incoming attack in the following round trigger the reaction Defensive Duelist before the Shield spell from the previous round drops.
Quite a combination of events but the first time the situation happened, the table got very, very quiet.
Carefully managed, the multiclass also has the ability to crit on a 19 or 20 with melee and ranged weapons (Hexblade Curse), hit anything within a 120-foot range doing a potential 3d10 without any kind of weapon (Eldritch Blast + Charisma mod per die), see any target within that range even through magical darkness (Devil's Sight), hide/stealth amazingly well despite being only lightly obscured (wood elf racial ability + Minor Illusion), heal himself or party members as well as provide other party support effects (Aura of Protection), and zip around the battlefield by using the Expeditious Retreat and Misty Step spells.
The character is a decent off-healer, off-tank, off-DPS, scout, and general opposition disrupter. It's the combination of all these abilities while at the same time not being consistently overpowered that makes the character a real challenge and an absolute joy to run.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
- Hunter S. Thompson
When life is bleak, all hope is lost, a wall is at your back, you always have one option left...attack! Attack! ATTACK!
- Me
I don't see how that works as the shield spell only provides the +5 AC until the start of your turn. So if you cast it in one round, the AC bonus will always come off before you get your reaciton back.
Yeah it doesn't work. Also Daefaroth has mistakenly added 2 AC from Defense Fighting Style as opposed to 1. The best AC his character can achieve at level 11 is 25.
Here is the proper AC breakdown: Studded leather with 16 DEX - 15, Defense Fighting Style +1( total 16), wooden shield +2 (18 total), Shield of Faith spell +2 (20 total), Shield spell +5 (25 total).
The funny thing is if he went 16 STR instead of 16 DEX and started Paladin instead of Rogue he can hit 28 AC with a similar setup (by replacing studded leather with full plate).
Thank you all for posting corrections to my build. Seriously. I appreciate the opportunity to 1) learn the rules better, and 2) fine tune my character.
While I prefer running paladins, I chose Rogue first to get the buffs to DEX/INT saves and also the additional skills. The character is essentially a forest warden so the ability to sneak/hide is essential to his core purpose, as is the wearing of nothing heavier than studded leather (or similar light-weight armor). I'll correct the AC and let my DM know since he missed the math errors as well. LOL
I assume you are Daefaroth with a new account? If so I would suggest you asking your DM to let you replace Defensive Duelist feat with a different feat because as it stands now its just clashing with the Shield spell. My suggestion would be Medium Armor Master feat. With 16 DEX that you currently have you can achieve the same AC as full plate by wearing half plate and the feat takes away the stealth disadvantage to allow you to stay nice and sneaky.
Correct. My Jurrubin account is being used by me to self-teach and test DMing tools in D&D Beyond. Daefaroth is for pure player characters. Gotta learn 5e somehow. I've been playing Runequest most of my life. Very different from 5e.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
- Hunter S. Thompson
When life is bleak, all hope is lost, a wall is at your back, you always have one option left...attack! Attack! ATTACK!
- Me
Runequest! +1
Yeah, got hooked on RQ since I got my "1st edition, 1st Printing" copy 'way back in the 70s (I'm that old) and never looked back. Even got Steve Perrin to sign it. Not only do I still have it, I still use it occasionally though I prefer Mongoose's RQII/Legends as my gold standard for running a RQ game engine-backed campaign using my own custom world. 5e comes as close to RQ as D&D allows. Just wish I could convince people where I live to try RQ but noooo. *shrug* Ah, well.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
- Hunter S. Thompson
When life is bleak, all hope is lost, a wall is at your back, you always have one option left...attack! Attack! ATTACK!
- Me
Played a character named Nicandor in a decade long campaign. Finally gave up RQ because of the lack of support and barriers to bringing in new players. We still speak wistfully about it.
Weapon master fighters have the riposte manœuvre that launch an attack on the enemy when he get in attacking range of you.
This manœuvre add 1d8 damage to the attack, but more importantly, since it happen on the opponent turn and not yours, it is eligible to launch the sneak attack again, outside of your own turn. (sneak attack can proc once per turn, yours or someone else)
It mesh perfectly well with the ability of the Swashbuckler to gain initiative, hit the opponent with a sneak attack (and, if I were you, booming blade) then freely disengage, leaving the opponent with the choice to either stay prone, or follow you, receiving a new sneak attack and procing booming blade extra damages.
(high elf, or half high elf can have booming blade for free, otherwise you may contemplate taking some levels in a class that give it, ideally along with a familiar to gain reliable advantage, such as bladesinger or pact of the Chain hexblade.)
For long range enemies, use a tripping attack maneuver instead, and slice them up.
I think you mean the Brace manoeuvre? Riposte lets you make an attack when an enemy misses you in melee. Both could be excellent for a Rogue though as anything that gives you access to somewhat reliable reaction attacks gives you a chance to land a Sneak Attack outside of your own turn.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.