D&D 5E Tankiest 5th-level PC

[MrHotter]

Have you decided on your uncommon magic item yet?

I was thinking gauntlets of ogre strength so you can pump up your dex and con instead of str. That would work well with a barbarian for AC and HPs.

Other options could be +1 shield, Adamantine Armor, Periapt of Wound Closure, or a Cloak of Protection.

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

I define tanking not by the ability to sustain heavy punishment (most "warrior" classes in 5e can do enough of it), but by the ability to remove threats to your allies through some battlefield control and by being yourself a significant threat.

In my own playing experience, I've found a sword and shield battlemaster to be the strongest tank, thanks to the protection fightning style, goading attack (to punish enemies for ignoring you) and maneuvering attack (for helping allies getting out of the way). A different build I'm looking forward to see in actual play is an eladrin (variant from the DMG) EK, which gets additional mobility and appears to be a stronger option for tanking multiple opponents. In either case, shield master further increases your battlefield control, you should take it ASAP.

 

[Satyrn]

A raging barbarian / battlemaster with the parry maneuver can take a lot of hits without suffering a lot of damage, and even has a bit of healing with second wind.

Add in the Protection fighting style and you're providing "armor" to your melee partners.

I think barbarian 1 /fighter 4 would be the right combination, so you can snag another feat (and maybe even make that Martial Adept for the extra superiority die - and thus another parry - the maneuver is the equivalent of a healing spell)

 

[Yunru]

Nah, grappling Barbar for sure. Sentinel for OA control, grappling for just shutting down an opponent in general, plus the resistance needed to stand there holding onto a guy while hitting another guy with a stick so he doesn't move.

 

[iserith]

Thanks for the ideas, all - and keep 'em coming. This is an interesting read.

I am now leaning toward light or no armor because of the swamp (good idea) and the gauntlets of ogre power is also a good call so I can dump Strength and put some points somewhere else.

Is everyone more or less in agreement that variant human is the way to go here?

 

[iserith]

Nah, grappling Barbar for sure. Sentinel for OA control, grappling for just shutting down an opponent in general, plus the resistance needed to stand there holding onto a guy while hitting another guy with a stick so he doesn't move.

That was going to be my initial choice as I've played that build before - "Immovable Rod" Manleigh, a folk hero bear totem barbarian with Tavern Brawler, winner of Lawfulmania XXIII. I think that's best for a five-PC party because the damage output is godsawful. Great for setting up others to do the damage though, provided they aren't ranged.

Some other options in this thread are intriguing though.

 

[Satyrn]

Thanks for the ideas, all - and keep 'em coming. This is an interesting read.

I am now leaning toward light or no armor because of the swamp (good idea) and the gauntlets of ogre power is also a good call so I can dump Strength and put some points somewhere else.

Is everyone more or less in agreement that variant human is the way to go here?

Well, if you can dump Str and still get a high Strength, I'm loving my barbarian/battlemaster suggestion. Especially since you can go completely unarmored (still with shield! ) by pumping your points into Dex and Con for a high AC

(I'd have multiclassed my gnome battlemaster with barbarian if it didn't require Strength for all its ragey recklessness.)

Variant human works

 

[iserith]

Well, if you can dump Str and still get a high Strength, I'm loving my barbarian/battlemaster suggestion. Especially since you can go completely unarmored (still with shield! ) by pumping your points into Dex and Con for a high AC

(I'd have multiclassed my gnome battlemaster with barbarian if it didn't require Strength for all its ragey recklessness.)

Variant human works

That reminds me and I don't have my books in front of me: Are there any fiddly rules about prerequisite ability scores for multiclassing and ability enhancing magic items?

 

[Satyrn]

Oh, right.

That's the reason I can't multiclass into barbarian.

 

[Yunru]

Nope. As long as you have the item in effect when you would have leveled up.