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Feat synergy question regarding polearm master
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<blockquote data-quote="RogueJK" data-source="post: 8871827" data-attributes="member: 170"><p>Not really.</p><p></p><p>Shield Master doesn't do much of anything to help a PC with a low DEX save to be able to succeed on more DEX saves. The +2ish bonus is minimal, and only rarely applies. Keep in mind that the shield bonus strictly applies to DEX save effects that target <strong>only you</strong>. Many/most of the DEX save effects are AoEs.</p><p></p><p>And the "no damage on a save" part is predicated on you actually being able to pass the save in the first place (see above point). It's not the same as Evasion, where you're taking half damage even on a failed save. Evasion is still useful on a low DEX save character; Shield Master not so much.</p><p></p><p>As a result, Shield Master is typically only a good pick on shield-using characters who <em>already</em> have a good DEX save bonus due to a high DEX and/or DEX save proficiency, and who also have a decent STR or Athletics bonus, but who don't have access to Evasion. Something like a DEX-based melee Ranger or Valor Bard with a moderate STR and Expertise in Athletics.</p><p></p><p>Although in this particular case of a Paladin, even though they're unlikely to have a high DEX and don't have DEX save proficiency, there might still be a bit of use for it beginning after Paladin 6, when they start getting +CHA to DEX saves thanks to their Aura. That'd make it a bit more likely for the "no damage" effect to trigger after a successful save, with it being even a bit more likely in the rare cases that the "shield bonus to DEX save" part actually applies. Still not a slam-dunk pick, though. Especially since the character already has a reliable and better use for its Bonus Action every turn.</p><p></p><p></p><p>To the OP: No, I don't think PAM's Reaction attack alone is worth spending an entire feat. Your ASI would be better spent boosting your STR and/or CHA, or taking another feat from which you would get full usefulness like Inspiring Leader.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RogueJK, post: 8871827, member: 170"] Not really. Shield Master doesn't do much of anything to help a PC with a low DEX save to be able to succeed on more DEX saves. The +2ish bonus is minimal, and only rarely applies. Keep in mind that the shield bonus strictly applies to DEX save effects that target [B]only you[/B]. Many/most of the DEX save effects are AoEs. And the "no damage on a save" part is predicated on you actually being able to pass the save in the first place (see above point). It's not the same as Evasion, where you're taking half damage even on a failed save. Evasion is still useful on a low DEX save character; Shield Master not so much. As a result, Shield Master is typically only a good pick on shield-using characters who [I]already[/I] have a good DEX save bonus due to a high DEX and/or DEX save proficiency, and who also have a decent STR or Athletics bonus, but who don't have access to Evasion. Something like a DEX-based melee Ranger or Valor Bard with a moderate STR and Expertise in Athletics. Although in this particular case of a Paladin, even though they're unlikely to have a high DEX and don't have DEX save proficiency, there might still be a bit of use for it beginning after Paladin 6, when they start getting +CHA to DEX saves thanks to their Aura. That'd make it a bit more likely for the "no damage" effect to trigger after a successful save, with it being even a bit more likely in the rare cases that the "shield bonus to DEX save" part actually applies. Still not a slam-dunk pick, though. Especially since the character already has a reliable and better use for its Bonus Action every turn. To the OP: No, I don't think PAM's Reaction attack alone is worth spending an entire feat. Your ASI would be better spent boosting your STR and/or CHA, or taking another feat from which you would get full usefulness like Inspiring Leader. [/QUOTE]
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