Kaladin my Mark of the Passage, Monk 1 Fighter 2 spear fighting Multi-class currently uses the Mariner Fighting Style because of how well it meshes with Monk Unarmored Defense and my Sailor Background... the +1AC is nice (18ac), however my build hasn't quite come online yet and I was wondering if I should change my fighting style to get more out of combat. For recommendations, I'd like people to please consider the following three levels (My Dex is 18 and Wisdom 16):
Level 3 (Current), I use Action Surge when needed but mostly combat consists of a 1d8+4 action and a 1d4+4 bonus action
Level 5 (Monk 2, Eldritch Knight 3), Much the same as above but now I'll be able to Flurry... However, when I can isolate enemies etc. I'll use Booming Blade and Disengage (1Ki)
Level 9 (Kensei 5, Eldritch Knight 4 - with Polearm Master (Lv7) & Warcaster (Lv9)) Fighting enemies who want to stay in base contact with enemies means I have the Nova potential of 4d8+16 + 2d8+8 probably at Advantage with Stunning Strike thrown in... which is decent. However, I will excel at Booming Blade hit and run tactics, any poor mook who tries to approach me will (likely) take a 4d8+4 Opportunity Attack
One thing to note is, when I think I'm going to be attacked and I have Kensei weapons I'll be doing 1 unarmed attack as an action to gain the +2AC
With that all said, as an alternative to Mariner, I see three two plausible Fighting Style options: Dueling, Great Weapon Fighting (unfortunately neither with Unarmed Strikes, but do with the spear Bonus Action from Polearm Master) and Tunnel Fighter (Booming Blade with Warcaster specifically uses the reaction, so I would get very little benefit sadly). Would the benefits of any of these two outweigh the +1 AC and if so at what levels?
I think Mariner is a good and unique choice tbh! If not I would say dueling, you can still do unarmed actions later on with your free hand and still get the bonuses. That being said youll find out your quite squishy and easy to hit if your not being tricky on your feet (from experience) so getting ac where ever you can is good
Kaladin my Mark of the Passage, Monk 1 Fighter 2 spear fighting Multi-class currently uses the Mariner Fighting Style because of how well it meshes with Monk Unarmored Defense and my Sailor Background... the +1AC is nice (18ac), however my build hasn't quite come online yet and I was wondering if I should change my fighting style to get more out of combat. For recommendations, I'd like people to please consider the following three levels (My Dex is 18 and Wisdom 16):
One thing to note is, when I think I'm going to be attacked and I have Kensei weapons I'll be doing 1 unarmed attack as an action to gain the +2AC
With that all said, as an alternative to Mariner, I see
threetwo plausible Fighting Style options: Dueling, Great Weapon Fighting (unfortunately neither with Unarmed Strikes, but do with the spear Bonus Action from Polearm Master)and Tunnel Fighter(Booming Blade with Warcaster specifically uses the reaction, so I would get very little benefit sadly). Would the benefits of any of these two outweigh the +1 AC and if so at what levels?I think Mariner is a good and unique choice tbh!
If not I would say dueling, you can still do unarmed actions later on with your free hand and still get the bonuses. That being said youll find out your quite squishy and easy to hit if your not being tricky on your feet (from experience) so getting ac where ever you can is good
If you want a bit more damage output then Dueling is a good choice for Kensei. You can get both bonus damage and the AC+2.
But not at the same time unfortunately, as Unarmed Strikes don’t work with Duelling
No, but the Kensei use weapons. Which Dueling does work for.