With the 2024 updates, to me Protection feels a bit better, since it now applies to all attacks made against the target of the triggering attack for the rest of the round, as long as you stay next to them. Interception still only works against one attack. So, Protection is going to be more help against enemies with multiple attacks, or groups of enemies attacking the same target.
The other downside of Interception is that while it reduces damage, it doesn't help with any other effects that the triggering attack might have. There are a lot of creatures out there that impose various harmful conditions on you when they hit you, and those things still happen even if Interception reduces the damage all the way down to zero. And in the 2024 world, a lot of those things don't even allow a saving throw to avoid them anymore. Protection, on the other hand, makes it less likely that they hit you at all.
With the 2024 updates, to me Protection feels a bit better, since it now applies to all attacks made against the target of the triggering attack for the rest of the round, as long as you stay next to them. Interception still only works against one attack. So, Protection is going to be more help against enemies with multiple attacks, or groups of enemies attacking the same target.
The other downside of Interception is that while it reduces damage, it doesn't help with any other effects that the triggering attack might have. There are a lot of creatures out there that impose various harmful conditions on you when they hit you, and those things still happen even if Interception reduces the damage all the way down to zero. And in the 2024 world, a lot of those things don't even allow a saving throw to avoid them anymore. Protection, on the other hand, makes it less likely that they hit you at all.
Ohhhh, I didn’t realize Protection was now on all attacks versus a target. That’s a big improvement and makes it more worth playing. Interesting.
It’s all attacks against them until the start of your next turn (not theirs) so the initiative order can have a big impact on how useful it is in any given moment, but it’s still a big upgrade over the 2014 version.
What’s been described above is great advice as well, but it also depends on who you’re planning on defending:
Interception can be good if you’re trying to protect someone with terrible AC, like a sorcerer/wizard without mage armor, or a barbarian using reckless attack
Protection is more useful if you’re trying to protect someone with decent AC, like a ranger or a fighter, because disadvantage is more potent the higher your AC is
If the enemy with a +9 to hit is going to attack your sorcerer with 12 AC, disadvantage from Protection won’t help very much, chances are they’re going to hit regardless. But reducing how much damage they take with interception will always be useful.
They're both really useful. One difference is that Protection requires that you have a shield equipped. So if you want to use a two-handed weapon, or if you want to dual wield, then Interception would be your only choice. Either way, your teammates will greatly appreciate the help!
Really, part of it just comes down to your personal preference for results- Protection can have a stronger impact, but there's also the chance it will completely whiff and some people will be frustrated their attempt to tip the scales came to nothing. Interception always has some effect, but it tends to be less dramatic so there's the risk of feeling underwhelmed by the effect anyways.
Also, it's worth noting that Protection needs to be declared before you know the result of the triggering attack, so depending on the number of attacks incoming it can feel like you jumped the gun if the incoming attack gets two low rolls anyways.
Overall Protection is probably better for a dedicated tank build trying to minimize damage to allies, and Interception is better if you took a subclass like Champion or spend an ASI on a second Fighting Style since it can be used by pretty much any melee weapon user, including great weapons or twf.
Which one is better is level-dependent. Interception is generally better at low levels because it's resolved after the attacker rolls to hit (so you can save your reaction if it isn't needed), but 1d10+PB damage prevented is rather irrelevant at high levels.
Which one is better is level-dependent. Interception is generally better at low levels because it's resolved after the attacker rolls to hit (so you can save your reaction if it isn't needed), but 1d10+PB damage prevented is rather irrelevant at high levels.
With respect to that, it's worth pointing out that 2024 Fighters (but only Fighters) can swap out one Fighting Style feat for another whenever they gain a Fighter level.
I used Protection a ton on my 2014 sword + board paladin - we also had a fighter and a rogue that usually got up next to me so I always had options of friends to use it on. I guess it partially depends on your group and how many allies you'd expect to have around, but I was able to make great use of it.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
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What do folks like & dislike about these two fighting styles?
I think the biggest problem is they only work when you have an ally within 5’ of you. It happens very rarely, so neither style gets used much.
But I must admit that’s theory. I’ve never seen someone have that style in actual play, so maybe it works in practice.
Totally. Didn’t use either on my current (1st) build.
But if one had to choose?
With the 2024 updates, to me Protection feels a bit better, since it now applies to all attacks made against the target of the triggering attack for the rest of the round, as long as you stay next to them. Interception still only works against one attack. So, Protection is going to be more help against enemies with multiple attacks, or groups of enemies attacking the same target.
The other downside of Interception is that while it reduces damage, it doesn't help with any other effects that the triggering attack might have. There are a lot of creatures out there that impose various harmful conditions on you when they hit you, and those things still happen even if Interception reduces the damage all the way down to zero. And in the 2024 world, a lot of those things don't even allow a saving throw to avoid them anymore. Protection, on the other hand, makes it less likely that they hit you at all.
pronouns: he/she/they
Ohhhh, I didn’t realize Protection was now on all attacks versus a target. That’s a big improvement and makes it more worth playing. Interesting.
It’s all attacks against them until the start of your next turn (not theirs) so the initiative order can have a big impact on how useful it is in any given moment, but it’s still a big upgrade over the 2014 version.
pronouns: he/she/they
What’s been described above is great advice as well, but it also depends on who you’re planning on defending:
Interception can be good if you’re trying to protect someone with terrible AC, like a sorcerer/wizard without mage armor, or a barbarian using reckless attack
Protection is more useful if you’re trying to protect someone with decent AC, like a ranger or a fighter, because disadvantage is more potent the higher your AC is
If the enemy with a +9 to hit is going to attack your sorcerer with 12 AC, disadvantage from Protection won’t help very much, chances are they’re going to hit regardless. But reducing how much damage they take with interception will always be useful.
They're both really useful. One difference is that Protection requires that you have a shield equipped. So if you want to use a two-handed weapon, or if you want to dual wield, then Interception would be your only choice. Either way, your teammates will greatly appreciate the help!
Anzio Faro. Protector Aasimar light cleric. Lvl 18.
Viktor Gavriil. White dragonborn grave cleric. Lvl 20.
Ikram Sahir ibn-Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad. Brass dragonborn draconic sorcerer Lvl 9. Fire elemental devil.
Wrangler of cats.
Really, part of it just comes down to your personal preference for results- Protection can have a stronger impact, but there's also the chance it will completely whiff and some people will be frustrated their attempt to tip the scales came to nothing. Interception always has some effect, but it tends to be less dramatic so there's the risk of feeling underwhelmed by the effect anyways.
Also, it's worth noting that Protection needs to be declared before you know the result of the triggering attack, so depending on the number of attacks incoming it can feel like you jumped the gun if the incoming attack gets two low rolls anyways.
Overall Protection is probably better for a dedicated tank build trying to minimize damage to allies, and Interception is better if you took a subclass like Champion or spend an ASI on a second Fighting Style since it can be used by pretty much any melee weapon user, including great weapons or twf.
Which one is better is level-dependent. Interception is generally better at low levels because it's resolved after the attacker rolls to hit (so you can save your reaction if it isn't needed), but 1d10+PB damage prevented is rather irrelevant at high levels.
With respect to that, it's worth pointing out that 2024 Fighters (but only Fighters) can swap out one Fighting Style feat for another whenever they gain a Fighter level.
pronouns: he/she/they
I used Protection a ton on my 2014 sword + board paladin - we also had a fighter and a rogue that usually got up next to me so I always had options of friends to use it on. I guess it partially depends on your group and how many allies you'd expect to have around, but I was able to make great use of it.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?