The first character I ever played was a Goliath Bard/Fighter grappler - Winslow the Weightless. It was just a 3v3 capture the flag game, and all of my friends fell in love with his over-the-top personality and antics. Years later, I've been asked to bring the champ back! We are planning a PvP arena battle with some new players this weekend. Five teams consisting of one vet and one noob, all at level 10, going at each other.
They have released so much content since I created him, I'm having difficulty deciding what will be most effective. I'm going 4 Fighter (?), 6 Monk (Way of the Open Hand), but I need help deciding on the Fighter subclass. Do I go...
You'll need a good con for Rune Knight, after review Battlemaster seems toflow better, as Rune night has some abilities that use bonus and reaction where the battle master is just attack and use a die
Well, the two bonus actions last 10 minutes and will last an entire battle with outstanding benefits.
RK gives you +2 to STR ability checks and saves (grappling), advantage on STR ability checks and saves (grappling), and +1d6 per turn. Plus the one-time-use reaction can save your ass when someone tries to hit you with a big attack.
I like the utility of BM, but you only get 4 Superiority Die at this level. It seems a bit more limited to me.
I like to push this cheesy idea any time I see grappling come up. If your DM allows subclasses from D&D beyond, I would consider Oath of the Open Sea Paladin (7) with the Grappler feat. The Aura of Liberation feature allows you to restrain your enemies while not becoming restrained yourself.
That being said, it sounds like your focus this time wants to be more pushing and knocking prone in addition to grappling. I think that a little Barbarian would go a long way in giving you advantage on Athletics checks. Either that or picking up the Skill Expert feat to gain expertise in Athletics.
That being said, with the build you are suggesting, I also think your idea of Open Hand 6 + Battlemaster 4 would be really good.
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The first character I ever played was a Goliath Bard/Fighter grappler - Winslow the Weightless. It was just a 3v3 capture the flag game, and all of my friends fell in love with his over-the-top personality and antics. Years later, I've been asked to bring the champ back! We are planning a PvP arena battle with some new players this weekend. Five teams consisting of one vet and one noob, all at level 10, going at each other.
They have released so much content since I created him, I'm having difficulty deciding what will be most effective. I'm going 4 Fighter (?), 6 Monk (Way of the Open Hand), but I need help deciding on the Fighter subclass. Do I go...
Battle Master
Disarming Attack, Grappling Strike, Menacing Attack
Or...
Rune Knight
Cloud Rune, Frost Rune, Giant's Might
You'll need a good con for Rune Knight, after review Battlemaster seems toflow better, as Rune night has some abilities that use bonus and reaction where the battle master is just attack and use a die
Well, the two bonus actions last 10 minutes and will last an entire battle with outstanding benefits.
RK gives you +2 to STR ability checks and saves (grappling), advantage on STR ability checks and saves (grappling), and +1d6 per turn. Plus the one-time-use reaction can save your ass when someone tries to hit you with a big attack.
I like the utility of BM, but you only get 4 Superiority Die at this level. It seems a bit more limited to me.
I like to push this cheesy idea any time I see grappling come up. If your DM allows subclasses from D&D beyond, I would consider Oath of the Open Sea Paladin (7) with the Grappler feat. The Aura of Liberation feature allows you to restrain your enemies while not becoming restrained yourself.
That being said, it sounds like your focus this time wants to be more pushing and knocking prone in addition to grappling. I think that a little Barbarian would go a long way in giving you advantage on Athletics checks. Either that or picking up the Skill Expert feat to gain expertise in Athletics.
That being said, with the build you are suggesting, I also think your idea of Open Hand 6 + Battlemaster 4 would be really good.
Three-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
Definitely have Skill Expert. It's one of my favorite new feats!