There are a couple of changes I would like some clarification on to see if they can help with my build.
Great weapon master no longer has the -5 thing that always confused me, but I'm still not %100 sure how I'm supposed to use it properly. If I understand correctly, when I make an attack (and only on the attack option on my turn) I deal extra damage equal to my proficiency bonus. And I assume this is a passive ability where whenever I make a normal attack I'll be able to get that extra damage in with a heavy weapon? Hopefully I explained that well enough.
Second, Heavy armor master looks REALLY good now as it now reduces bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage (by the proficiency bonus) regardless if it is a magical attack or not. Seems simple enough, but I want to make sure I'm getting it right.
Third, Great weapon fighting (the fighting style) got buffed, but I question if it's worth it. I mean, taking a 1 or a 2 and turning it into a 3 sounds nice, but I know that the extra +1 AC from the defense style is nice.
I ask this because I'm thinking of becoming an eldritch knight with war caster and several other feats such as GWM, Heavy armor master, and perhaps even crusher (I'd like to use a maul, but I don't know if taking crusher is all that good or necessary)
Had a look at the feats and as far as I can figure out:
1) Yes, with the new GWM you get to add your proficiency bonus in damage to any attack with a heavy weapon. It doesn't say only once per turn so I presume it's every attack which can definitely start to mount up for Fighters as they gain extra attacks
2) Yes, you're right it reduces all damage from bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing so long as you're in heavy armour. Doesn't say anything about excluding magic so it would count against magic weapons too so long as they do one of those three types
3) It's entirely personal preference which of the fighting styles you prefer, personally I'd go for the +1 to AC too but that's because my DM rolls really lucky on attacks
Personally I think the +1 AC from Defense is worth more, especially if your AC is already high from using heavy armor. Great Weapon Fighting raises the minimum and average damage a little, but not by much, and it doesn't increase the maximum damage, so I've never really thought it was worth it.
There are a couple of changes I would like some clarification on to see if they can help with my build.
Great weapon master no longer has the -5 thing that always confused me, but I'm still not %100 sure how I'm supposed to use it properly. If I understand correctly, when I make an attack (and only on the attack option on my turn) I deal extra damage equal to my proficiency bonus. And I assume this is a passive ability where whenever I make a normal attack I'll be able to get that extra damage in with a heavy weapon? Hopefully I explained that well enough.
Second, Heavy armor master looks REALLY good now as it now reduces bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage (by the proficiency bonus) regardless if it is a magical attack or not. Seems simple enough, but I want to make sure I'm getting it right.
Third, Great weapon fighting (the fighting style) got buffed, but I question if it's worth it. I mean, taking a 1 or a 2 and turning it into a 3 sounds nice, but I know that the extra +1 AC from the defense style is nice.
I ask this because I'm thinking of becoming an eldritch knight with war caster and several other feats such as GWM, Heavy armor master, and perhaps even crusher (I'd like to use a maul, but I don't know if taking crusher is all that good or necessary)
Had a look at the feats and as far as I can figure out:
1) Yes, with the new GWM you get to add your proficiency bonus in damage to any attack with a heavy weapon. It doesn't say only once per turn so I presume it's every attack which can definitely start to mount up for Fighters as they gain extra attacks
2) Yes, you're right it reduces all damage from bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing so long as you're in heavy armour. Doesn't say anything about excluding magic so it would count against magic weapons too so long as they do one of those three types
3) It's entirely personal preference which of the fighting styles you prefer, personally I'd go for the +1 to AC too but that's because my DM rolls really lucky on attacks
Personally I think the +1 AC from Defense is worth more, especially if your AC is already high from using heavy armor. Great Weapon Fighting raises the minimum and average damage a little, but not by much, and it doesn't increase the maximum damage, so I've never really thought it was worth it.
pronouns: he/she/they
It’s worth noting that there doesn’t seem to be magical PSB damage as of ‘24, or at least I’ve yet to see anything that checks for it.
ah, thanks guys. I Think I'll go with the defense fighting style