So, I'm building a level 8 Conquest Paladin, mainly sword n board, for an Eberron campaign. So, after TCoE, I was wondering... I'm rolling either a VHuman or a Half-Elf (these are my only two options), yet to be decided: mostly depending on which is best, or more fun, considering I'm planing to be some sort of protector or a tank for my group (4 casters and 2 melee + me):
V-Human:
16, 10, 14, 8, 10, 18
21AC, Defense Fighting Style
Resilient(con), Sentinel, ASI(+2Char)
Or
Half-elf (High-elf variant: Booming Blade as chosen cantrip)
16, 10, 14, 8, 10, 18
21AC, Defense Fighting Style.
Fey Touched (+1Char + Misty Step + Hex) and Warcaster
I'm thinking about Booming Blade as some sort of replacement to Sentinel's effect. Enemies can get away, but will take 2d8 dmg on doing so. Also, Misty Step adds little mobility, and Hex is always nice (even if once per long rest).
I was wondering if Sentinel overlaps with Conquest Aura + Frightening, not sure if we're gonna face too many enemies imune to frightening, though.
Will these work fine, or am I missing something (specially on the Half-Elf build)? For human version, I would dip one level of hexblade, later at level 10. For the half elf, though, paladin all the way.
Honestly I wouldn't go Fey touched just to get Hex. Paladins already have tons of concentration spells that will compete with it (even ones that will do similar damage). Misty step on a melee fighter is not useless but not a critical as on a back lines support character. Warcaster and resiliant con are both good choices. Booming blade is ok, but I think you'd get more mileage out of Fire Bolt. Paladins can struggle with ranged attackers.
Honestly I wouldn't go Fey touched just to get Hex. Paladins already have tons of concentration spells that will compete with it (even ones that will do similar damage). Misty step on a melee fighter is not useless but not a critical as on a back lines support character. Warcaster and resiliant con are both good choices. Booming blade is ok, but I think you'd get more mileage out of Fire Bolt. Paladins can struggle with ranged attackers.
Booming Blade would be more of a replacement of Sentinel, to be used on AoO only. Otherwise, I would not be able to make an extra attack.
But the concentration for Hex is a valid point. It must be really difficult to keep it with several other options that require Concentration.
Yeah I get what you're doing with Booming Blade, but I don't think it's worth it. I'm playing a Paladin now (currently 9th level) and I've only had one instance where I used an opportunity attack. I've used my Fire Bolt (I multi-classed one level of sorcerer) multiple times when I was out of range. Your mileage may vary though.
If your goal is to lock people down, could I interest you in a 1 level dip into Undead Patron Warlock? This wouldnt be super beneficial until you reach level 8 in total, but while your Form of Dread is active, you can potentially frighten every creature you hit with an attack. This would pair super well with your Aura of Conquest, allowing you to reduce a target's speed to zero following a normal weapon attack.
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Yeah I get what you're doing with Booming Blade, but I don't think it's worth it. I'm playing a Paladin now (currently 9th level) and I've only had one instance where I used an opportunity attack. I've used my Fire Bolt (I multi-classed one level of sorcerer) multiple times when I was out of range. Your mileage may vary though.
This is a good point....I would talk with the DM and see how often they tend to have AoO. If its low its probably not worth it overall to do the warcaster route and I would go PAM+ Sentinel instead.
Take one level of Undead Patron Warlock, you get Form of Dread which gives you a reliable way to cause the frightened condition, and give you access to Hex. I would absolutely go with PAM/GWM and Sentinel as another way of stopping your enemy in their tracks and PAM gives you a new way of getting an Opportunity Attack. Oh if Ravnica backgrounds are available take Orzhov Rep as it gives you Spirit Guardians, which is amazing for this build. Lastly go Leonin or Fallen Aasimar for race as it gives you another reliable source of fear. I'd say go with the new dragonborn UA (or hopefully from Fizbans if they don't nerf it from UA), but this build is already VERY feat heavy, and Dragon Fear would make the needed feats 4
Both are quite strong. If you have any desire to multiclass, I'd lean towards the half elf build, because warcaster will be more important to have on the character if you plan to pick up bard, sorcerer, or warlock levels.
If you'll be staying in paladin, again, both are quite good. I'd personally lean towards the half elf for dark vision - which doesn't always come up but can be a big deal when it does - and Misty Step. Contrary to previous statements, misty step is a Big Deal on paladins, as they can otherwise have difficulty with positioning. Any effect that restricts your own movement, including just a crowd of bodies, is a big problem for positioning your auras and your Fear cones. Plus if a dangerous enemy does get past you then you might be called on to fall back from the front lines to peel them off one of your backline squishies, and Misty Step helps a lot in these situations. Hex I could take or leave. For long fights against frighten immune enemies it is more spell slot efficient than divine smite, which is nice to have I guess, but I'd usually rather save those slots for Wrathful Smite or Bless.
Both options, again, are really strong, though, you really can't go wrong with either. Of course, if you're open to alternative suggestions, you might also want to consider Fallen Aasimar for its strong racial abilities, including a fear burst tied to a damage buff. It has a short, single round duration, is limited to once per day, and isn't party friendly (though aura of courage fixes that at level 10), but it is resisted by charisma saves, giving you a rare and precious frighten effect not resisted by wisdom.
I kind of like the half elf variant. Misty Step is a very nice spell for closing the distance quickly or getting out of a tight spot. Paladins tend to be quite slow and movement fights can be an issue, since they usually lack good ranged combat options. I also like your Booming Blade concept, sort of a soft Sentinel. It doesn't prevent them from moving, but odds are the DM won't have them move just so he/she can avoid taking the damage. You do give up the number of your attacks with Booming Blade, in favor of a single stronger attack. The negatives I can see are losing some damage from Improved Divine Smite (probably not a big deal overall) and with only one attack, if you miss, it's more painful. It's kind of a "all your eggs are in one basket" approach to damage. If it hits, you will be happy. But on the misses, it will be painful to you. I tend to be unlucky though, so want more attacks to try to spread increase my chances of doing some damage in a round. :)
How high a level are you going to? I have heard that at higher levels, conquest paladins tend to run into more and more creatures immune to being frightened. Not trying to discourage you and I have not played Conquest. But I do listen to multiple D&D podcasts and several have said that at higher levels, more of the higher CR monsters tend to have immunity to the frightened condition.
Keep us updated on which you choose and good luck to you.
So, I'm building a level 8 Conquest Paladin, mainly sword n board, for an Eberron campaign. So, after TCoE, I was wondering... I'm rolling either a VHuman or a Half-Elf (these are my only two options), yet to be decided: mostly depending on which is best, or more fun, considering I'm planing to be some sort of protector or a tank for my group (4 casters and 2 melee + me):
V-Human:
16, 10, 14, 8, 10, 18
21AC, Defense Fighting Style
Resilient(con), Sentinel, ASI(+2Char)
Or
Half-elf (High-elf variant: Booming Blade as chosen cantrip)
16, 10, 14, 8, 10, 18
21AC, Defense Fighting Style.
Fey Touched (+1Char + Misty Step + Hex) and Warcaster
I'm thinking about Booming Blade as some sort of replacement to Sentinel's effect. Enemies can get away, but will take 2d8 dmg on doing so. Also, Misty Step adds little mobility, and Hex is always nice (even if once per long rest).
I was wondering if Sentinel overlaps with Conquest Aura + Frightening, not sure if we're gonna face too many enemies imune to frightening, though.
Will these work fine, or am I missing something (specially on the Half-Elf build)? For human version, I would dip one level of hexblade, later at level 10. For the half elf, though, paladin all the way.
What you guys think?
Honestly I wouldn't go Fey touched just to get Hex. Paladins already have tons of concentration spells that will compete with it (even ones that will do similar damage). Misty step on a melee fighter is not useless but not a critical as on a back lines support character. Warcaster and resiliant con are both good choices. Booming blade is ok, but I think you'd get more mileage out of Fire Bolt. Paladins can struggle with ranged attackers.
Booming Blade would be more of a replacement of Sentinel, to be used on AoO only. Otherwise, I would not be able to make an extra attack.
But the concentration for Hex is a valid point. It must be really difficult to keep it with several other options that require Concentration.
Yeah I get what you're doing with Booming Blade, but I don't think it's worth it. I'm playing a Paladin now (currently 9th level) and I've only had one instance where I used an opportunity attack. I've used my Fire Bolt (I multi-classed one level of sorcerer) multiple times when I was out of range. Your mileage may vary though.
If your goal is to lock people down, could I interest you in a 1 level dip into Undead Patron Warlock? This wouldnt be super beneficial until you reach level 8 in total, but while your Form of Dread is active, you can potentially frighten every creature you hit with an attack. This would pair super well with your Aura of Conquest, allowing you to reduce a target's speed to zero following a normal weapon attack.
Three-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
This is a good point....I would talk with the DM and see how often they tend to have AoO. If its low its probably not worth it overall to do the warcaster route and I would go PAM+ Sentinel instead.
Take one level of Undead Patron Warlock, you get Form of Dread which gives you a reliable way to cause the frightened condition, and give you access to Hex. I would absolutely go with PAM/GWM and Sentinel as another way of stopping your enemy in their tracks and PAM gives you a new way of getting an Opportunity Attack. Oh if Ravnica backgrounds are available take Orzhov Rep as it gives you Spirit Guardians, which is amazing for this build. Lastly go Leonin or Fallen Aasimar for race as it gives you another reliable source of fear. I'd say go with the new dragonborn UA (or hopefully from Fizbans if they don't nerf it from UA), but this build is already VERY feat heavy, and Dragon Fear would make the needed feats 4
Both are quite strong. If you have any desire to multiclass, I'd lean towards the half elf build, because warcaster will be more important to have on the character if you plan to pick up bard, sorcerer, or warlock levels.
If you'll be staying in paladin, again, both are quite good. I'd personally lean towards the half elf for dark vision - which doesn't always come up but can be a big deal when it does - and Misty Step. Contrary to previous statements, misty step is a Big Deal on paladins, as they can otherwise have difficulty with positioning. Any effect that restricts your own movement, including just a crowd of bodies, is a big problem for positioning your auras and your Fear cones. Plus if a dangerous enemy does get past you then you might be called on to fall back from the front lines to peel them off one of your backline squishies, and Misty Step helps a lot in these situations. Hex I could take or leave. For long fights against frighten immune enemies it is more spell slot efficient than divine smite, which is nice to have I guess, but I'd usually rather save those slots for Wrathful Smite or Bless.
Both options, again, are really strong, though, you really can't go wrong with either. Of course, if you're open to alternative suggestions, you might also want to consider Fallen Aasimar for its strong racial abilities, including a fear burst tied to a damage buff. It has a short, single round duration, is limited to once per day, and isn't party friendly (though aura of courage fixes that at level 10), but it is resisted by charisma saves, giving you a rare and precious frighten effect not resisted by wisdom.
I kind of like the half elf variant. Misty Step is a very nice spell for closing the distance quickly or getting out of a tight spot. Paladins tend to be quite slow and movement fights can be an issue, since they usually lack good ranged combat options. I also like your Booming Blade concept, sort of a soft Sentinel. It doesn't prevent them from moving, but odds are the DM won't have them move just so he/she can avoid taking the damage. You do give up the number of your attacks with Booming Blade, in favor of a single stronger attack. The negatives I can see are losing some damage from Improved Divine Smite (probably not a big deal overall) and with only one attack, if you miss, it's more painful. It's kind of a "all your eggs are in one basket" approach to damage. If it hits, you will be happy. But on the misses, it will be painful to you. I tend to be unlucky though, so want more attacks to try to spread increase my chances of doing some damage in a round. :)
How high a level are you going to? I have heard that at higher levels, conquest paladins tend to run into more and more creatures immune to being frightened. Not trying to discourage you and I have not played Conquest. But I do listen to multiple D&D podcasts and several have said that at higher levels, more of the higher CR monsters tend to have immunity to the frightened condition.
Keep us updated on which you choose and good luck to you.