I'm putting together ideas for backup characters, one thing I want to avoid is GWM, I find that the -5 to hit is just a bit to much to get past in tier 2. Sharpshooter works better because +2 from the fighting style, but melee has no such option.
I also want to stay away from rube-goldberg esque 'set this up round 1, do something in round 2, destroy the universe in round 3,' type builds. I want something that can just walk up and wack every round.
So far, I'm leaning towards Oathbreaker, because I think Aura of Hate is a good way to get a lot of extra damage without sacrificing chance to hit. Still get all the other juicy paladin stuff too. Possibly as a Dexadin. The server I'm currently playing on does rolled stats, and getting a couple of 15+ scores isn't that uncommon.
Aura of Hate is risky for a server, sure it will sometimes be great, but it can also often be deadly if you are fighting fiends & undead - b/c all fiends & undead in the aura get the bonus including ones hostile to you.
An alternative that I was shocked how powerful it was when I was DMing on a server, is a Dual Wielding Barbarian: Barbarian - 5 + Fighter - 4, use two Handaxes so you can throw them if you're fighting flying enemies. Gives you 3x 1d6+STR+Rage all at advantage and since you don't need any feats you've got your full +5 STR by 9th level which gives you flexibility to use Reckless or not depending on the situation. You can combo any two subclasses you want but I'd suggest Battlemaster Fighter mainly to pick up Riposte or Rune Knight for Cloud Rune & Giant Size, and either Totem Barb or Zealot depending on whether you favour offense or defense. This build also offers the flexibility to stow one weapon and use Grappling if and when it would be useful.
You might also consider the Arcane Knight: Bladesinger - 6 + Fighter - 2 + Rogue (Arcane Trickster) - X, leave your INT ~14 and instead focus on DEX, use all your spell slots for defense and use your Action for that sweet bladesinger multiattack. I'd highly recommend Hill Dwarf or Half Orc to compensate for your low wizard HP. Since cantrips scale on your character level your DPR will continue growing even after you leave Bladesinger: [2x 1d8+DEX+2 (Dueling)] + 1d8 (BB) + 2d8 (BB 2ndary)
One last option: Song of Vengeance: Vengeance Paladin -6 + Swords Bard -5, aim for an even split between STR & CHA. Stack plate armour + defense FS + Defensive Flourish to be untouchable, and stack Smite + Defensive Flourish for sweet damage. Pick up Dueling FS from Swords + Longsword + Hunter's Mark from Vengeance for : 2x (1d8+STR+2+1d6) steady damage with loads of d8s to add when needed.
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I'm putting together ideas for backup characters, one thing I want to avoid is GWM, I find that the -5 to hit is just a bit to much to get past in tier 2. Sharpshooter works better because +2 from the fighting style, but melee has no such option.
I also want to stay away from rube-goldberg esque 'set this up round 1, do something in round 2, destroy the universe in round 3,' type builds. I want something that can just walk up and wack every round.
So far, I'm leaning towards Oathbreaker, because I think Aura of Hate is a good way to get a lot of extra damage without sacrificing chance to hit. Still get all the other juicy paladin stuff too. Possibly as a Dexadin. The server I'm currently playing on does rolled stats, and getting a couple of 15+ scores isn't that uncommon.
2014 5E mostly
3.5 maybe.
Aura of Hate is risky for a server, sure it will sometimes be great, but it can also often be deadly if you are fighting fiends & undead - b/c all fiends & undead in the aura get the bonus including ones hostile to you.
An alternative that I was shocked how powerful it was when I was DMing on a server, is a Dual Wielding Barbarian: Barbarian - 5 + Fighter - 4, use two Handaxes so you can throw them if you're fighting flying enemies. Gives you 3x 1d6+STR+Rage all at advantage and since you don't need any feats you've got your full +5 STR by 9th level which gives you flexibility to use Reckless or not depending on the situation. You can combo any two subclasses you want but I'd suggest Battlemaster Fighter mainly to pick up Riposte or Rune Knight for Cloud Rune & Giant Size, and either Totem Barb or Zealot depending on whether you favour offense or defense. This build also offers the flexibility to stow one weapon and use Grappling if and when it would be useful.
You might also consider the Arcane Knight: Bladesinger - 6 + Fighter - 2 + Rogue (Arcane Trickster) - X, leave your INT ~14 and instead focus on DEX, use all your spell slots for defense and use your Action for that sweet bladesinger multiattack. I'd highly recommend Hill Dwarf or Half Orc to compensate for your low wizard HP. Since cantrips scale on your character level your DPR will continue growing even after you leave Bladesinger: [2x 1d8+DEX+2 (Dueling)] + 1d8 (BB) + 2d8 (BB 2ndary)
One last option: Song of Vengeance: Vengeance Paladin -6 + Swords Bard -5, aim for an even split between STR & CHA. Stack plate armour + defense FS + Defensive Flourish to be untouchable, and stack Smite + Defensive Flourish for sweet damage. Pick up Dueling FS from Swords + Longsword + Hunter's Mark from Vengeance for : 2x (1d8+STR+2+1d6) steady damage with loads of d8s to add when needed.