It’s funny that after so many years playing this game, several different builds, complex spellcasters and deadly Gloomstalkers, just recently I came to realize how simple and powerful is the combination of a melee Fighter alongside two levels of Barbarian for Reckless Attack and some occasional Rage protection.
The basic melee kit of PAM and GWM (achievable at level 6 if you are not vHuman or CL) boosted by two levels of Barbarian is simply insane. You don’t need to Rage all the time, just when the situation really requires. The only “drawback” (if put this way) is that you need to have at least DEX 14 to nail a good AC using medium armor.
However, a funny note: Bear Totem Barbarian doesn’t impose you heavy armor usage. You can even combine it with Heavy Armor Master.
I’m amused how this small but game-changer details pass through us over the years.
It’s okay, the most optimal route, is echo knight + ancestral guardian. You have a way to be melee frontlines while mitigating the downside of reckless attack since the echo is not you. Still doesn’t bridge the martial-caster divide that much but this is D&D so why even optimize that strongly. Here’s a great skeleton to keep a “melee” martial up with a ranged ss/cbe build. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QUNEG_-Wvp2nqqk56fCK9laxxrLp85NYjm7gmT76Jao/edit
It’s okay, the most optimal route, is echo knight + ancestral guardian. You have a way to be melee frontlines while mitigating the downside of reckless attack since the echo is not you. Still doesn’t bridge the martial-caster divide that much but this is D&D so why even optimize that strongly. Here’s a great skeleton to keep a “melee” martial up with a ranged ss/cbe build. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QUNEG_-Wvp2nqqk56fCK9laxxrLp85NYjm7gmT76Jao/edit
Love it, thanks!
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It’s funny that after so many years playing this game, several different builds, complex spellcasters and deadly Gloomstalkers, just recently I came to realize how simple and powerful is the combination of a melee Fighter alongside two levels of Barbarian for Reckless Attack and some occasional Rage protection.
The basic melee kit of PAM and GWM (achievable at level 6 if you are not vHuman or CL) boosted by two levels of Barbarian is simply insane. You don’t need to Rage all the time, just when the situation really requires. The only “drawback” (if put this way) is that you need to have at least DEX 14 to nail a good AC using medium armor.
However, a funny note: Bear Totem Barbarian doesn’t impose you heavy armor usage. You can even combine it with Heavy Armor Master.
I’m amused how this small but game-changer details pass through us over the years.
It’s okay, the most optimal route, is echo knight + ancestral guardian. You have a way to be melee frontlines while mitigating the downside of reckless attack since the echo is not you. Still doesn’t bridge the martial-caster divide that much but this is D&D so why even optimize that strongly. Here’s a great skeleton to keep a “melee” martial up with a ranged ss/cbe build. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QUNEG_-Wvp2nqqk56fCK9laxxrLp85NYjm7gmT76Jao/edit
Love it, thanks!