D&D 5E Fighter/cleric multi-classing-where to go?

[asjwolverine]

I am playing a Mountain Dwarf Polearm Master and want to multi-class with the war or tempest cleric. How many levels of fighter should i take before taking the first level of cleric and how many levels should i take as a cleric and still build the fighter side? I am wanting the ability to cast spells to protect myself and inflict additional damage. I am at level 4 for fighter and thought that multi-classing with a cleric would add a side to my character to help absorb some damage, heal wounds and deal extra damage.I know that sounds "all over the place" but I am wanting to build a bad ass character that has some magic ability while specializing in Polearms

 

[bid]

Do you have Wis13 or better? You need it to MC.
Do you have Wis16 or better? You need a good DC to attack with spells.

You should get fighter 5 for extra attack. The rest can wait.

For damage, you want to reach cleric 8 for divine strike. You will do less damage than fighter 11, but you will have spells to compensate.

Tempest domain has fog cloud and shatter. The level 1 feature is nice defense. Destructive wrath is used when the target miss his save.

War domain has magic weapon and crusader's mantle. The level 1 feature uses the bonus action, but you will have polearm master. Guided strike works well with GWM -5/+10.

 

[asjwolverine]

I have a 14 wisdom. should i bump that up then? Maybe stop taking fighter levels after 5? i just like the idea of being a "terrifying" type fighter

 

[bid]

I have a 14 wisdom. should i bump that up then? Maybe stop taking fighter levels after 5? i just like the idea of being a "terrifying" type fighter

It's not that bad. Some features will be limited to twice per long rest, your heal spells will only get a +2, and you cannot attack enemies with spells.

General spells:
- cure wounds heals for 1d8+2
- command has a DC of 12-13
- spiritual weapon hits on +4/+5

Tempest:
- wrath works twice per day, good enough for a defensive feature.
- fog cloud works perfectly
- shatter has a DC of 14-15, you will do half-damage.

War:
- war priest works twice per day, but you don't use it because you have polearm master.
- magic weapon works perfectly
- crusader's mantle works perfectly


I would stop at fighter 5, reach cleric 4 to boost Wis16. If your DC is still too low for your need, use fighter 6 to boost Wis18. Otherwise, delay it until you need a feat.

so:
- fighter 5
- fighter 5 / cleric 4
- fighter 6 / cleric 4 (fighter 6 if necessary)
- fighter 5? / cleric 8


You didn't say if you went champion, battle master or eldritch knight.
You didn't say if you are Str16 or Str18.
You didn't say if you have polearm master.

 

[asjwolverine]

I went battle master. I have polearm master and str. 18. Go tempest?

 

[zaratan]

you can get shillelagh too, use quarterstaff and dump str, but you'll not get reach.
you can dump (only 13) Wis too, if you're not use spell to attack, but I don't think you would for tempest cleric in that case.

 

[bid]

I went battle master. I have polearm master and str. 18. Go tempest?

Pick the one you like best, both choices are fun.

[MENTION=6810501]zaratan[/MENTION], he's already battlemaster 4, no point in rewriting the past.

 

[mellored]

I have a 14 wisdom. should i bump that up then? Maybe stop taking fighter levels after 5? i just like the idea of being a "terrifying" type fighter

Plenty of cleric spells don't requires Wis, so it's not much of a necessity. Like bless, sanctuary, create food and water, guidance, revivify, etc...

Plus any spell that does 1/2 of a miss (spiritual guardian), isn't hurt too much by lower Wis.

 

[asjwolverine]

so it looks like I should go to fighter 5 before taking any cleric levels? I really like the idea of a Fighter/Cleric and want to go more offensive spells to boost the fighter part.

 

[mellored]

Fighter doesn't really need more offense, they can deal the most damage in the game. Taking cleric only reduced offense to gain support.