I’m about to play a Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign, and my character concept is a dedicated bodyguard for a Bard (College of Dance). I want to focus on protecting her and making sure she can shine in combat and roleplay moments.
The classes I’m considering are either a Goliath Fighter or a Paladin (Oath of the Crown) with the Protection Fighting Style. I’ll be starting with Point Buy and the campaign will likely run from levels 1-20. [Rule 5E2024]
Does anyone have any build ideas or tips that could help me optimize this bodyguard concept?
Sentinel feat seems like a must. Cavalier fighter has some ways to draw attacks and stop enemies getting past. Also ancestral guardians barbarian can draw attacks.
One word of caution, I played in a campaign with a bodyguard idea. Then the person I was supposed to be guarding dropped out of the campaign. So, that’s just something to think about if it happens.
The Armorer Artificer is also a decent "bodyguard". The important thing to keep in mind when trying to build such a character is that you really don't want to neglect your offensive power, whichever class you try to go for.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
You might also consider a Warlock with Pact of the Talisman.
The talisman can automatically give your ward +d4 to recover from failed ability checks.
Rebuke of the Talisman lets you deal Reaction Psychic damage to your ward's attacker, and push them away 10ft. Protection of the Talisman (Invocation; 7th) gives your ward +d4 to Saving Throws. Bond of the Talisman (Invocation; 12th) lets you teleport to eachother's side from anywhere on the same plane.
You could multiclass as a Padlock and largely stick to your original plan.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I’m about to play a Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign, and my character concept is a dedicated bodyguard for a Bard (College of Dance). I want to focus on protecting her and making sure she can shine in combat and roleplay moments.
The classes I’m considering are either a Goliath Fighter or a Paladin (Oath of the Crown) with the Protection Fighting Style. I’ll be starting with Point Buy and the campaign will likely run from levels 1-20. [Rule 5E2024]
Does anyone have any build ideas or tips that could help me optimize this bodyguard concept?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Sentinel feat seems like a must.
Cavalier fighter has some ways to draw attacks and stop enemies getting past. Also ancestral guardians barbarian can draw attacks.
One word of caution, I played in a campaign with a bodyguard idea. Then the person I was supposed to be guarding dropped out of the campaign. So, that’s just something to think about if it happens.
The Armorer Artificer is also a decent "bodyguard". The important thing to keep in mind when trying to build such a character is that you really don't want to neglect your offensive power, whichever class you try to go for.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
You might also consider a Warlock with Pact of the Talisman.
The talisman can automatically give your ward +d4 to recover from failed ability checks.
Rebuke of the Talisman lets you deal Reaction Psychic damage to your ward's attacker, and push them away 10ft.
Protection of the Talisman (Invocation; 7th) gives your ward +d4 to Saving Throws.
Bond of the Talisman (Invocation; 12th) lets you teleport to eachother's side from anywhere on the same plane.
You could multiclass as a Padlock and largely stick to your original plan.