As above. We've already played another adventure so will be starting at level 7.
Right now I've got an oath of vengeance paladin with two levels of hexblade--one level to get Hex Warrior, another to pick up Devil's Sight and Eldritch Mind. My plan is to go sword and board right now. I've picked a Zariel Tiefling--I like the idea of playing a tiefling as it's against type for a paladin.
I'm a little torn because we don't really have a cleric in the party. One guy is taking a level of twilight cleric but is otherwise a diviner wizard. Nobody else is doing divine spells, so maybe it'd be better to be more of a support paladin than a 'kill em all' paladin. I'm open to suggestions...I do want to be effective in combat, but I want to make sure we are prepared against the undead, and that I can be a support if need be.
I think if you want to lean into support, you'll find Oath of Devotion's a good one for curse of stradh. Their channel divinity's awesome! It's a concentrationless version of magic weapon with stronger bonuses to hit. If you want my opinion, you should take all 7 levels into devotion starting out. Next time you level up, then you can get a level in hexblade. But, that charm immunity is too good to pass up, especially against Stradh.
I second the Oath of Devotion as a subclass for CoS. Now call me old fahioned but I believe you can't go wrong with full paladin. Paladins provide great support with their auras and spell options (even though they are half casters). Thanks to Divine Smite you wont find yourself lacking in combat and if you want to shoot for the stars with damage there are plenty of feats to boost you even further (like Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master).
Recently me and my friends started CoS at level 3 (now we are level 5) with the following party composition: wizard bladesinger, fighter rune knight, ranger gloomstalker and sorcerer clockwork soul/bard (multiclass). With me being the sorcerer playing the support role (variant human with inspiring leader plus aid) we are doing just fine surviving and putting dirt in Strahd's minions eyes. My point is if you have a caster and a healer chances are you are already set. It is common knowledge that clerics and paladins will make a campaign with undeads easier for you.
Just play what you wish to play as long as it is a viable option
How about Oath of the Ancients? I am not real familiar with Strahd, but OoA has Turn the FAithless Channel Divinity and Aura of Warding. Not sure, just asking.
This build works best with an elf + elven accuracy + GWM. Since you're a tiefling, you can't get elven accuracy, but you should still consider going with a heavy weapon. As you will almost always have an advantage in your attacks, the -5 of GWM you will not notice. And you're going to do a lot of damage on every hit.
If you go with a shield, my recommendation would be Polearm Master with a spear. Duelist fighting style + PAM + Multiattack + Hunter's Mark + the usual crits with your advantage and the 19-20 of your Hexblade's Curse + your divine smites... In short, a very high damage hope.
Of course, I also tell you that if we take into account that the average combat usually lasts about 3-4 turns, you will almost never be able to do that combo. Both the PAM bonus attack, as well as your Hexblade's Curse and the hunter's mark go with your bonus action. So don't expect to be able to use that combo except on bosses.
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As above. We've already played another adventure so will be starting at level 7.
Right now I've got an oath of vengeance paladin with two levels of hexblade--one level to get Hex Warrior, another to pick up Devil's Sight and Eldritch Mind. My plan is to go sword and board right now. I've picked a Zariel Tiefling--I like the idea of playing a tiefling as it's against type for a paladin.
I'm a little torn because we don't really have a cleric in the party. One guy is taking a level of twilight cleric but is otherwise a diviner wizard. Nobody else is doing divine spells, so maybe it'd be better to be more of a support paladin than a 'kill em all' paladin. I'm open to suggestions...I do want to be effective in combat, but I want to make sure we are prepared against the undead, and that I can be a support if need be.
J
I think if you want to lean into support, you'll find Oath of Devotion's a good one for curse of stradh. Their channel divinity's awesome! It's a concentrationless version of magic weapon with stronger bonuses to hit. If you want my opinion, you should take all 7 levels into devotion starting out. Next time you level up, then you can get a level in hexblade. But, that charm immunity is too good to pass up, especially against Stradh.
I second the Oath of Devotion as a subclass for CoS. Now call me old fahioned but I believe you can't go wrong with full paladin. Paladins provide great support with their auras and spell options (even though they are half casters). Thanks to Divine Smite you wont find yourself lacking in combat and if you want to shoot for the stars with damage there are plenty of feats to boost you even further (like Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master).
Recently me and my friends started CoS at level 3 (now we are level 5) with the following party composition: wizard bladesinger, fighter rune knight, ranger gloomstalker and sorcerer clockwork soul/bard (multiclass). With me being the sorcerer playing the support role (variant human with inspiring leader plus aid) we are doing just fine surviving and putting dirt in Strahd's minions eyes. My point is if you have a caster and a healer chances are you are already set. It is common knowledge that clerics and paladins will make a campaign with undeads easier for you.
Just play what you wish to play as long as it is a viable option
How about Oath of the Ancients? I am not real familiar with Strahd, but OoA has Turn the FAithless Channel Divinity and Aura of Warding. Not sure, just asking.
Oath of Devotion Paladin
Shield master feat
Resilient Constitution feat
High charisma build. CHA>STR>CON priority.
Sword and board with defense fighting style (for the AC) or dueling if you need damage. Blessed Warrior fighting style only if you need the cantrips.
This build works best with an elf + elven accuracy + GWM.
Since you're a tiefling, you can't get elven accuracy, but you should still consider going with a heavy weapon. As you will almost always have an advantage in your attacks, the -5 of GWM you will not notice. And you're going to do a lot of damage on every hit.
If you go with a shield, my recommendation would be Polearm Master with a spear. Duelist fighting style + PAM + Multiattack + Hunter's Mark + the usual crits with your advantage and the 19-20 of your Hexblade's Curse + your divine smites... In short, a very high damage hope.
Of course, I also tell you that if we take into account that the average combat usually lasts about 3-4 turns, you will almost never be able to do that combo. Both the PAM bonus attack, as well as your Hexblade's Curse and the hunter's mark go with your bonus action. So don't expect to be able to use that combo except on bosses.