Well-trod question, but wanted to ask specifically for 2014 Fighter, how folks think to best construct a Polearm build?
Ideally want a reach weapon to get most out of range. Otherwise I’m tempted by spear & shield / Dueling.
Big question: when to take GWM? It seems requisite for a 2-hand build, but I don’t have a reliable source of advantage. Mainly just Precision Strike from Battlemaster to add hit. At the moment, inclined to take Polearm Master first, then Sentinel, then GWM or STR ASI?
Species: Varient Human gets feats quicker. Bugbear gets me crazy reach and some cool perks.
PAM first. The extra BA attack and reaction when they enter reach is too good to put off. Then probably sentinel. Or asi then sentinel. Then maybe GWM; you want a better to hit before you start taking that -5.
The bugbear reach is nice (especially with PAM/sentinel), but don’t count on lots of those bonus damage die. I played in a game level 1-9 with 2 bugbears, and I think I can count on one hand how often they (combined) got to use that feature. Str based characters often have mediocre initiative, and it just didn’t work out for them to get in those early attacks as much as it seemed like they would.
PAM first. The extra BA attack and reaction when they enter reach is too good to put off. Then probably sentinel. Or asi then sentinel. Then maybe GWM; you want a better to hit before you start taking that -5.
The bugbear reach is nice (especially with PAM/sentinel), but don’t count on lots of those bonus damage die. I played in a game level 1-9 with 2 bugbears, and I think I can count on one hand how often they (combined) got to use that feature. Str based characters often have mediocre initiative, and it just didn’t work out for them to get in those early attacks as much as it seemed like they would.
That makes sense. DM is giving us limited feat to start, so if I went Bugbear, I’d definitely take Alert (2014 version so +5 to Initiative). Also noticed its extra reach is only on its turn (not affecting Reactions really).
One reason I’m considering something other than Vuman or Custom Lineage, is cuz we are rolling stats, and I may need to round off a couple stats with a +2 and a +1.
PAM first. The extra BA attack and reaction when they enter reach is too good to put off. Then probably sentinel. Or asi then sentinel. Then maybe GWM; you want a better to hit before you start taking that -5.
The bugbear reach is nice (especially with PAM/sentinel), but don’t count on lots of those bonus damage die. I played in a game level 1-9 with 2 bugbears, and I think I can count on one hand how often they (combined) got to use that feature. Str based characters often have mediocre initiative, and it just didn’t work out for them to get in those early attacks as much as it seemed like they would.
That makes sense. DM is giving us limited feat to start, so if I went Bugbear, I’d definitely take Alert (2014 version so +5 to Initiative). Also noticed its extra reach is only on its turn (not affecting Reactions really).
One reason I’m considering something other than Vuman or Custom Lineage, is cuz we are rolling stats, and I may need to round off a couple stats with a +2 and a +1.
Do you get to roll your stats before you pick your race? If you do, you may want to consider Custom Lineage. That bonus feat is really hard to ignore. If you happen to roll an 18 for your Strength, you could start out with your Strength capped at 20 (with +2) and still start with PAM. After you take Sentinel and Great Weapon Master at levels 4/6, your entire build will be online with your primary ability score maxed...at only level 6. Something to think about.
Choosing VarianHuman or CustomLineage PAM at Lvl0 and GWM at Lvl4 maximizes your damage per round better than any STR increase. Make sure you attack at 5ft distance and move back so the target is out of reach. This way it might approach you and you can trigger the PAM extra attack in your reaction. ;-)
When should you attack -5atk/+10dmg from GWM? Since you hit less but deal more damage there is a break even point compared to your normal attack. This page answers when to attack with your GWM power attack. I calculated with 65% to hit and got similar results. Good rule and simple to calculate!
PAM+Dueling+Shield is nice for improving 'damage dealt vs. damage taken'. However, you can almost achieve this result with Defense from a dip Fighter Lvl1. Sentinel and PAM are a strong combo against a single target but you can only stop one target or attack once because you have only one reaction. Consequently, it is not so effective against a crowd. IMHO not my top tier feat because it is well... situational.
Well-trod question, but wanted to ask specifically for 2014 Fighter, how folks think to best construct a Polearm build?
Ideally want a reach weapon to get most out of range. Otherwise I’m tempted by spear & shield / Dueling.
Big question: when to take GWM? It seems requisite for a 2-hand build, but I don’t have a reliable source of advantage. Mainly just Precision Strike from Battlemaster to add hit. At the moment, inclined to take Polearm Master first, then Sentinel, then GWM or STR ASI?
Species: Varient Human gets feats quicker. Bugbear gets me crazy reach and some cool perks.
Thoughts?
PAM first. The extra BA attack and reaction when they enter reach is too good to put off. Then probably sentinel. Or asi then sentinel. Then maybe GWM; you want a better to hit before you start taking that -5.
The bugbear reach is nice (especially with PAM/sentinel), but don’t count on lots of those bonus damage die. I played in a game level 1-9 with 2 bugbears, and I think I can count on one hand how often they (combined) got to use that feature. Str based characters often have mediocre initiative, and it just didn’t work out for them to get in those early attacks as much as it seemed like they would.
That makes sense. DM is giving us limited feat to start, so if I went Bugbear, I’d definitely take Alert (2014 version so +5 to Initiative). Also noticed its extra reach is only on its turn (not affecting Reactions really).
One reason I’m considering something other than Vuman or Custom Lineage, is cuz we are rolling stats, and I may need to round off a couple stats with a +2 and a +1.
Do you get to roll your stats before you pick your race? If you do, you may want to consider Custom Lineage. That bonus feat is really hard to ignore. If you happen to roll an 18 for your Strength, you could start out with your Strength capped at 20 (with +2) and still start with PAM. After you take Sentinel and Great Weapon Master at levels 4/6, your entire build will be online with your primary ability score maxed...at only level 6. Something to think about.
Hi DrakojaPax.
Choosing VarianHuman or CustomLineage PAM at Lvl0 and GWM at Lvl4 maximizes your damage per round better than any STR increase. Make sure you attack at 5ft distance and move back so the target is out of reach. This way it might approach you and you can trigger the PAM extra attack in your reaction. ;-)
When should you attack -5atk/+10dmg from GWM? Since you hit less but deal more damage there is a break even point compared to your normal attack. This page answers when to attack with your GWM power attack. I calculated with 65% to hit and got similar results. Good rule and simple to calculate!
PAM+Dueling+Shield is nice for improving 'damage dealt vs. damage taken'. However, you can almost achieve this result with Defense from a dip Fighter Lvl1. Sentinel and PAM are a strong combo against a single target but you can only stop one target or attack once because you have only one reaction. Consequently, it is not so effective against a crowd. IMHO not my top tier feat because it is well... situational.
Check out one of the best optimization pages out there for builds:
Cheers