Long story short My DM allowed me to swap characters due to some scaling issues with my last character build (Arcane Trickster/Wizard Multiclass). It was by no means terrible but but it lacked noticeable damage in exchange for immense versatility (played as a psuedo-wizard). We have a wizard now so I decided a new tactic.
Edition 5E DND:
The goal of this paladin is to serve as a mobile, melee bruiser with access to healing incase my party needs it (alas, I am in a campaign type where combat wise, comp matters to the DM but not to my teammates which is fine overall but somewhat annoying).
For this new character who was already implemented into the story, she is a 5/2 split Paladin(OoV) Rogue who thematically uses whips for their primary weapon. I would like some suggestions on how to progress this build without it gimping later on into the high-levels (like 12-15).
Their stats are Str 14, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 11, Wisdom 11, Cha 18. No feats, Dueling Fighting Style, Changeling.
I understand that I should at least pick up Aura of courage but what are some rogue subclasses that are not redundant to my weapon choice (swashbuckler 3rd level feature is unneeded for example due to my channel divinity and reach weapon).
Essentially what I am asking for is how to proceed with my leveling (I do not need Min-Max damage as smites plus hunters mark are enough, but general combat efficiency).
Keep in mind that plenty of creatures have reach as you get into higher levels. Swashbuckler would still serve you extremely well if you want to be able to move around, especially considering your high CHA. It was practically made for character concepts like yours.
Many of the other subclasses like Assassin, Mastermind, and Inquisitive have widely varying utility depending on your campaign, your party, and your strategy so it's difficult to weigh those for someone else. Arcane Trickster is really nice for extra utility and/or spell slots to burn on smite, but it sounds like you might not want to go that route again. Phantom feels relatively barebones early on, but at 9 you'd get a significant boost with CON save prof and more uses of Wails from the Grave.
Healing-wise, you're not going to get much from rogue outside of spell slots from AT. If you need more of that, you'll need to take more Paladin.
If your problem with your last character was giving up too much in damage in exchange for versatility, maybe don’t multi class again. Either rogue or paladin has potential to do lots of damage. But either one as a single class will work better than the two added up, imo. Go one or the other and don’t spread yourself thin.
What Oath are you thinking of with this Paladin? Also, what kind of god are you serving that is fine with a paladin being some kind of scoundrel (there are plenty... in some circles), just curious more about the parts of the character design that aren't mechanical.
@scatterbraind Thank you so much! With the points you raised about swashbuckler I think its really would be beneficial for me to go with that subclass (it fits well thematically too).
@Xalthu I have plenty of experience with multiclassing with out any issues, but in this case you are right! I don't want to spread myself too thin but unfortunately it is a needed thing to have a mix of both traits from the class. I refuse to make the mistake again with my last character and that's why I wanted a person's opinion about it as I am new to the paladin class overall.
@Grayfax It is an Oath of Vengeance. Her premise is that she follows the demon god Rakdos from magic the gathering and provides tribute through combat performance (his domain is basically torture but she avoids it at all cost due to backstory). Her flavor is making her attacks a performance (hence the flashy but die damage-wise weak whip gimmick) also while keeping a entertaining "master of ceremonies" personality for RP (I have already been having very fun interactions and I enjoy the character!) as one would in a cult of Rakdos would typically have. She is Chaotic Neutural but not chaotic stupid lol (she is the leader of the team). The reason why she is oath of vengeance is a bit dark but just know she actively holds a wizard's family hostage out of spite (trust me, he deserves it lol). She has a RP goal of making a battle circus for the town she lives in while adventuring to raise money for the costs of supplies.
What do you need from the rogue class? Between backgrounds choices and feats, you might be able to get most if not all of what you're looking for while just single classing it.
Yeah no I cant. Well first I needed expertise in performance, and that's crucial to the character and that only requires a one level dip. Two we do not have dedicated front line so I needed the mobility of cunning action in case I need to bail out (because obviously just standing there as a tank soaking up damage is boring and inefficient for my health pool). I did not want a plain jane paladin who only speced into strength heavy armor and constitution. Rogue provided me RP bonuses that are useful for face and combat slipperiness to evade a persistent creature set on killing me. I got a level 4 Asi to buff my Cha to an 18 from 16
To me, what you're describing sounds a lot like Trevor Belmont from Castlevania, so you could go around slaying vampires/general evil things etc and let Rakdos claim them in the afterlife/Abyss where their souls become additions to his carnival sideshow.
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Long story short My DM allowed me to swap characters due to some scaling issues with my last character build (Arcane Trickster/Wizard Multiclass). It was by no means terrible but but it lacked noticeable damage in exchange for immense versatility (played as a psuedo-wizard). We have a wizard now so I decided a new tactic.
Edition 5E DND:
The goal of this paladin is to serve as a mobile, melee bruiser with access to healing incase my party needs it (alas, I am in a campaign type where combat wise, comp matters to the DM but not to my teammates which is fine overall but somewhat annoying).
For this new character who was already implemented into the story, she is a 5/2 split Paladin(OoV) Rogue who thematically uses whips for their primary weapon. I would like some suggestions on how to progress this build without it gimping later on into the high-levels (like 12-15).
Their stats are Str 14, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 11, Wisdom 11, Cha 18. No feats, Dueling Fighting Style, Changeling.
I understand that I should at least pick up Aura of courage but what are some rogue subclasses that are not redundant to my weapon choice (swashbuckler 3rd level feature is unneeded for example due to my channel divinity and reach weapon).
Essentially what I am asking for is how to proceed with my leveling (I do not need Min-Max damage as smites plus hunters mark are enough, but general combat efficiency).
Thank you all for your replies in advance!
Keep in mind that plenty of creatures have reach as you get into higher levels. Swashbuckler would still serve you extremely well if you want to be able to move around, especially considering your high CHA. It was practically made for character concepts like yours.
Many of the other subclasses like Assassin, Mastermind, and Inquisitive have widely varying utility depending on your campaign, your party, and your strategy so it's difficult to weigh those for someone else. Arcane Trickster is really nice for extra utility and/or spell slots to burn on smite, but it sounds like you might not want to go that route again. Phantom feels relatively barebones early on, but at 9 you'd get a significant boost with CON save prof and more uses of Wails from the Grave.
Healing-wise, you're not going to get much from rogue outside of spell slots from AT. If you need more of that, you'll need to take more Paladin.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
If your problem with your last character was giving up too much in damage in exchange for versatility, maybe don’t multi class again. Either rogue or paladin has potential to do lots of damage. But either one as a single class will work better than the two added up, imo. Go one or the other and don’t spread yourself thin.
What Oath are you thinking of with this Paladin? Also, what kind of god are you serving that is fine with a paladin being some kind of scoundrel (there are plenty... in some circles), just curious more about the parts of the character design that aren't mechanical.
Hi everyone thanks for the replies
@scatterbraind Thank you so much! With the points you raised about swashbuckler I think its really would be beneficial for me to go with that subclass (it fits well thematically too).
@Xalthu I have plenty of experience with multiclassing with out any issues, but in this case you are right! I don't want to spread myself too thin but unfortunately it is a needed thing to have a mix of both traits from the class. I refuse to make the mistake again with my last character and that's why I wanted a person's opinion about it as I am new to the paladin class overall.
@Grayfax It is an Oath of Vengeance. Her premise is that she follows the demon god Rakdos from magic the gathering and provides tribute through combat performance (his domain is basically torture but she avoids it at all cost due to backstory). Her flavor is making her attacks a performance (hence the flashy but die damage-wise weak whip gimmick) also while keeping a entertaining "master of ceremonies" personality for RP (I have already been having very fun interactions and I enjoy the character!) as one would in a cult of Rakdos would typically have. She is Chaotic Neutural but not chaotic stupid lol (she is the leader of the team). The reason why she is oath of vengeance is a bit dark but just know she actively holds a wizard's family hostage out of spite (trust me, he deserves it lol). She has a RP goal of making a battle circus for the town she lives in while adventuring to raise money for the costs of supplies.
What do you need from the rogue class? Between backgrounds choices and feats, you might be able to get most if not all of what you're looking for while just single classing it.
@Xalthu
Yeah no I cant. Well first I needed expertise in performance, and that's crucial to the character and that only requires a one level dip. Two we do not have dedicated front line so I needed the mobility of cunning action in case I need to bail out (because obviously just standing there as a tank soaking up damage is boring and inefficient for my health pool). I did not want a plain jane paladin who only speced into strength heavy armor and constitution. Rogue provided me RP bonuses that are useful for face and combat slipperiness to evade a persistent creature set on killing me. I got a level 4 Asi to buff my Cha to an 18 from 16
To me, what you're describing sounds a lot like Trevor Belmont from Castlevania, so you could go around slaying vampires/general evil things etc and let Rakdos claim them in the afterlife/Abyss where their souls become additions to his carnival sideshow.