First off, my party composition is currently 4 people consisting of me as a fighter, 2 sorcerers, and a ranger. (We didn't see each-other's characters until we went into the game (Roll20 btw)) We were all just leveled up to level 2 and I'm already getting worried about our composition getting me killed. There's already been a fight that put me to one HP, but a perfect second wind got be right back into things. The thing is that since I'm the melee guy, I always lead the group through dungeons and things. They all have significantly lower health than me and we have no healer nor healing spells. My only idea to keep our survivability going is for me to hopefully reach level 3 and take Battle Master with the Parry, Goading Strike, and either Evasive Footwork or Distracting Strike maneuvers. Essentially I'm just wondering if anyone has input for what leveling decisions or combat tactics I could take that would make me a better Fighter-pseudo-tank. I rolled perfectly on my level up so I'm happy to be boasting 22 HP now but my constitution is only 12. But any multiclassing or alternate archetype decisions I could make would be greatly appreciated. The character in question has sort of a stoic samurai vibe, high dex using a one-handed katana with Dueling as my fighting style. And if anything I said sounded nooby that's because this is one of my first d&d games.
You''re doing your job and earning your keep. Nothing wrong with that - and if the DM wanted a perfectly balanced party, they should have allowed everyone to discuss that beforehand.
Don't forget that going to 0 HP isn't the end in this version - you fall unconscious and start making death saving throws, but all you need is a bit of healing. Having no full-time healers at all definitely hurts - it would've been good if one of the Sorcerers had taken Divine Soul, at least. But the Ranger can manage a bit, especially if they abuse Healing Spirit at higher levels. Discuss with your party and your DM, and maybe you can either hire a local mook to hide in the background and heal you occasionally, or a magic item that accomplishes something similar. Since you have Duelist fighting style, always have your shield up and do everything you can to impose disadvantage or debuffs to enemy attacks - with heavy armor and a shield, Fighters can be very hard to hit.
Or you all die heroically, have a great time, and roll up new characters without worry.
FOR GLORY! also consult with the DM how available Potion of Healing are, and when possible have a couple on hand for bad situations. Probably leave a couple with the others so they can pick you up when you fall down, ie pour them down your throat.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Hopefully your ranger was smart enough to take Cure Wounds.
As for you, one level in either Cleric or Bard will dramatically increase your survivability, as they both have decent low level healing and/or protection spells.
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You, you and you- panic. Everyone else- follow me.
Battle Master is a great subclass, but if you're looking to specialize in tanking, it's hard to do better than the Cavalier. Unwavering Mark is like having unlimited uses of Goading Attack. If you're looking to improve your own survivability, consider taking one level in Barbarian; Rage is a great way to stay alive in a tough fight.
At 4th level, consider taking either the Defensive Duelist or Sentinel feats. Defensive Duelist helps you as a Cavalier since Unwavering Mark encourages enemies to attack you instead of your allies. The Sentinel feat will make it harder for enemies to move past you. Personally, I think Defensive Duelist would serve you better, since the Sorcerers should have some backup plan for when enemies get close (e.g. Shield) and the Ranger should be capable of holding their own in melee combat almost as well as you.
I played a monk as a melee PC once and I used Dodge constantly. I never did much damage, but I absorbed melee attacks and let the other members of my party attack without worrying about those attacks. You can do something similar and stop dodging and attack whenever your opponents ignore you to attack someone else. It’s an effective strategy.
Another option, at DM discretion, is to hire an NPC healer. It would cost some money to keep him hanging around your camp tending your wounds, but it's a reasonable RP solution. If you're looking for something more mechanical, you could ask your DM about using the Healing Surge rules. I have the healing surge rules in place for levels 1 - 3 due to how easy it is for a fresh adventurer to die.
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First off, my party composition is currently 4 people consisting of me as a fighter, 2 sorcerers, and a ranger. (We didn't see each-other's characters until we went into the game (Roll20 btw)) We were all just leveled up to level 2 and I'm already getting worried about our composition getting me killed. There's already been a fight that put me to one HP, but a perfect second wind got be right back into things. The thing is that since I'm the melee guy, I always lead the group through dungeons and things. They all have significantly lower health than me and we have no healer nor healing spells. My only idea to keep our survivability going is for me to hopefully reach level 3 and take Battle Master with the Parry, Goading Strike, and either Evasive Footwork or Distracting Strike maneuvers. Essentially I'm just wondering if anyone has input for what leveling decisions or combat tactics I could take that would make me a better Fighter-pseudo-tank. I rolled perfectly on my level up so I'm happy to be boasting 22 HP now but my constitution is only 12. But any multiclassing or alternate archetype decisions I could make would be greatly appreciated. The character in question has sort of a stoic samurai vibe, high dex using a one-handed katana with Dueling as my fighting style. And if anything I said sounded nooby that's because this is one of my first d&d games.
You''re doing your job and earning your keep. Nothing wrong with that - and if the DM wanted a perfectly balanced party, they should have allowed everyone to discuss that beforehand.
Don't forget that going to 0 HP isn't the end in this version - you fall unconscious and start making death saving throws, but all you need is a bit of healing. Having no full-time healers at all definitely hurts - it would've been good if one of the Sorcerers had taken Divine Soul, at least. But the Ranger can manage a bit, especially if they abuse Healing Spirit at higher levels. Discuss with your party and your DM, and maybe you can either hire a local mook to hide in the background and heal you occasionally, or a magic item that accomplishes something similar. Since you have Duelist fighting style, always have your shield up and do everything you can to impose disadvantage or debuffs to enemy attacks - with heavy armor and a shield, Fighters can be very hard to hit.
Or you all die heroically, have a great time, and roll up new characters without worry.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
FOR GLORY! also consult with the DM how available Potion of Healing are, and when possible have a couple on hand for bad situations. Probably leave a couple with the others so they can pick you up when you fall down, ie pour them down your throat.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Hopefully your ranger was smart enough to take Cure Wounds.
As for you, one level in either Cleric or Bard will dramatically increase your survivability, as they both have decent low level healing and/or protection spells.
You, you and you- panic. Everyone else- follow me.
Battle Master is a great subclass, but if you're looking to specialize in tanking, it's hard to do better than the Cavalier. Unwavering Mark is like having unlimited uses of Goading Attack. If you're looking to improve your own survivability, consider taking one level in Barbarian; Rage is a great way to stay alive in a tough fight.
At 4th level, consider taking either the Defensive Duelist or Sentinel feats. Defensive Duelist helps you as a Cavalier since Unwavering Mark encourages enemies to attack you instead of your allies. The Sentinel feat will make it harder for enemies to move past you. Personally, I think Defensive Duelist would serve you better, since the Sorcerers should have some backup plan for when enemies get close (e.g. Shield) and the Ranger should be capable of holding their own in melee combat almost as well as you.
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I played a monk as a melee PC once and I used Dodge constantly. I never did much damage, but I absorbed melee attacks and let the other members of my party attack without worrying about those attacks. You can do something similar and stop dodging and attack whenever your opponents ignore you to attack someone else. It’s an effective strategy.
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Another option, at DM discretion, is to hire an NPC healer. It would cost some money to keep him hanging around your camp tending your wounds, but it's a reasonable RP solution. If you're looking for something more mechanical, you could ask your DM about using the Healing Surge rules. I have the healing surge rules in place for levels 1 - 3 due to how easy it is for a fresh adventurer to die.