I was inspired by the gish thread and started playing around with the following. I know the build itself isn't the most optimized build there is but I thought I'd ask for help on how to optimize this particular build, if you get my meaning. It won't really come fully online until level 12 at the earliest but I think it works even if you don't go all the way to level 20.
This is what I've got so far. Half-elf for lineage to get some extra skills and to be able to start with Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 10 and Charisma 16 (yes, it's a himbo). Starting class Barbarian for Con saves and more HP. We're aiming for heavy medium armour, a D8 versatile weapon and shield. After that it doesn't really matter but what I need from this build up until level 12 is Barbarian 3, for survivability through Bear Totem, Bard 3 for the Sword bard subclass which grants us one more skill, Jack of all Trades to make us better on those skills we don't have proficiency with and the Dueling fighting style as well as flourishes. From Paladin we want 6 levels for Smites, Extra Attack and Aura of Protection. Paladin will also give us the Protection fighting style to offset our low-ish Dex. The ASi we get from Paladin 4 will most likely be used on Charisma.
This brings us to what I need some help with. Where do we take it from here, assuming "here" is level 12. Do we go straight to Bard level 5 for more spell slots, spells and inspiration dice that re-charges on a short rest instead of a long rest? At Bard 4 we can cap of Charisma which makes this even better. Do we take Bard 4 followed by Barbarian 4 to get more ASIs? Also, what Paladin subclass should we get? We don't really need Vengeance since we can get advantage in other ways. Maybe Conquest for Armor of Agathys and Spiritual Weapon (none of which are concentration which means that we can use them while raging)?
I’m picturing a support warrior. Wolf is a great option for totem barbarian depending on party make up, gives all your Allie’s advantage on attack rolls vs any enemy creature your next to while raging. Is melee stack rolls so could be spells too. This extends to the creatures your party might be able to summon.
Im also a sucker for the ancestral guardian barbarian. The rage effect seems to make every member in the party tankier than you when taking into account AC, disadvantage, and resistance vs them.
regarding the paladin subclass choice, watchers is incredible if you make it that high for initiative. Works on you and the party and the benefit is immediate at the start of battle. Then your team can scatter if necessary and get into advantageous positions before enemy movements. Effectively extra turns for the whole party is powerful.
5 levels total in bard is a definite. Refreshed bardic die are super helpful and Tasha’s lets your caster friends now add the inspiration die to their spell damage. Great for AOEs. Perhaps lean more heavily into rituals since your combat casting is likely limited by a few rages?
polearm master w/a spear or quarterstaff squeezes out some. Onus action damage, makes use of the dueling damage, and also benefits from your range bonus. Reaction attack is nice too.
thise stats are hard to make work. Definitely serviceable but it just feels off. Half elf eases that burden I suppose.
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Hello y'all.
I was inspired by the gish thread and started playing around with the following. I know the build itself isn't the most optimized build there is but I thought I'd ask for help on how to optimize this particular build, if you get my meaning. It won't really come fully online until level 12 at the earliest but I think it works even if you don't go all the way to level 20.
This is what I've got so far. Half-elf for lineage to get some extra skills and to be able to start with Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 10 and Charisma 16 (yes, it's a himbo). Starting class Barbarian for Con saves and more HP. We're aiming for
heavymedium armour, a D8 versatile weapon and shield. After that it doesn't really matter but what I need from this build up until level 12 is Barbarian 3, for survivability through Bear Totem, Bard 3 for the Sword bard subclass which grants us one more skill, Jack of all Trades to make us better on those skills we don't have proficiency with and the Dueling fighting style as well as flourishes. From Paladin we want 6 levels for Smites, Extra Attack and Aura of Protection. Paladin will also give us the Protection fighting style to offset our low-ish Dex. The ASi we get from Paladin 4 will most likely be used on Charisma.This brings us to what I need some help with. Where do we take it from here, assuming "here" is level 12. Do we go straight to Bard level 5 for more spell slots, spells and inspiration dice that re-charges on a short rest instead of a long rest? At Bard 4 we can cap of Charisma which makes this even better. Do we take Bard 4 followed by Barbarian 4 to get more ASIs? Also, what Paladin subclass should we get? We don't really need Vengeance since we can get advantage in other ways. Maybe Conquest for Armor of Agathys and Spiritual Weapon (none of which are concentration which means that we can use them while raging)?
Hit me with your best ideas!
Yeah, I of course meant medium armour, silly me. Thanks for noticing.
I’m picturing a support warrior. Wolf is a great option for totem barbarian depending on party make up, gives all your Allie’s advantage on attack rolls vs any enemy creature your next to while raging. Is melee stack rolls so could be spells too. This extends to the creatures your party might be able to summon.
Im also a sucker for the ancestral guardian barbarian. The rage effect seems to make every member in the party tankier than you when taking into account AC, disadvantage, and resistance vs them.
regarding the paladin subclass choice, watchers is incredible if you make it that high for initiative. Works on you and the party and the benefit is immediate at the start of battle. Then your team can scatter if necessary and get into advantageous positions before enemy movements. Effectively extra turns for the whole party is powerful.
5 levels total in bard is a definite. Refreshed bardic die are super helpful and Tasha’s lets your caster friends now add the inspiration die to their spell damage. Great for AOEs. Perhaps lean more heavily into rituals since your combat casting is likely limited by a few rages?
polearm master w/a spear or quarterstaff squeezes out some. Onus action damage, makes use of the dueling damage, and also benefits from your range bonus. Reaction attack is nice too.
thise stats are hard to make work. Definitely serviceable but it just feels off. Half elf eases that burden I suppose.