Heavy Armor Master seems like a great feat to have for a low level campaign, but it's utility quickly declines post-level 5 as the enemies' attacks and spells start doing a lot more damage.
Is there an economical way to keep HAM feat relevant at higher levels of play?
What springs mind for me are:
* While wearing heavy armor, a non-magical slashing, piercing, or blungeoning weapon attack cannot cause a critical hit.
* At level 8+, the damage reduction from non-magical slashing, piercing and bludgeoning weapons is reduced by 4. At level 13+, the damage reduction from non-magical slashing, piercing and bludgeoning weapons is reduced by 5.
Make the reduction equal to your proficiency bonus if you want. Though honestly the difference between -3 and -6 on a hit that deals 20+ damage is kind of irrelevant. HAM is good against swarms of enemies regardless of level, and it's poor against singular enemies regardless of level.
Make the reduction equal to your proficiency bonus if you want. Though honestly the difference between -3 and -6 on a hit that deals 20+ damage is kind of irrelevant. HAM is good against swarms of enemies regardless of level, and it's poor against singular enemies regardless of level.
I agree with basing the reduction off of PB. And yeah, the difference between-3 and -6 might not seem like much, but if you get hit 6 times over 3 rounds that’s a difference of 18 less damage. Every little bit helps. I would also let it work against magical attacks if you’re wearing magical armor.
Heavy Armor Master seems like a great feat to have for a low level campaign, but it's utility quickly declines post-level 5 as the enemies' attacks and spells start doing a lot more damage.
Is there an economical way to keep HAM feat relevant at higher levels of play?
What springs mind for me are:
* While wearing heavy armor, a non-magical slashing, piercing, or blungeoning weapon attack cannot cause a critical hit.
* At level 8+, the damage reduction from non-magical slashing, piercing and bludgeoning weapons is reduced by 4. At level 13+, the damage reduction from non-magical slashing, piercing and bludgeoning weapons is reduced by 5.
Make the reduction equal to your proficiency bonus if you want. Though honestly the difference between -3 and -6 on a hit that deals 20+ damage is kind of irrelevant. HAM is good against swarms of enemies regardless of level, and it's poor against singular enemies regardless of level.
That was helpful, thanks.
I agree with basing the reduction off of PB. And yeah, the difference between-3 and -6 might not seem like much, but if you get hit 6 times over 3 rounds that’s a difference of 18 less damage. Every little bit helps. I would also let it work against magical attacks if you’re wearing magical armor.
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There’s the 2024 version. DR equal to pb vs b/p/s damage. Even if it’s magical damage.
2024 version? Are you a Timelord, Xalthu?
Yes. Yes I am.
Also it was in playtest 2.
Playtest content isn't finalized content, though. I mean, I hope you're right, but we don't really know until it's in print.
I think applying the damage reduction to magical damage should be restricted to magical armor, but I understand why they wouldn’t want to do that.
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Which is where the time lord part comes in. 😁