D&D (2024) Fighter, support and defense builds

[FrogReaver]

Protection Style is interesting but probably best made use of by going fighter 1 / full caster X.

Any spell support options are just better with a full caster or even half caster than an ek. Magic initiate just works better with full casting.

I would lean into a Battlemaster archer as my support fighter. The combination of high dex, ambush maneuver and alert feat (for bonus and to let you swap order will pair amazingly with your full caster teammates. Something like manuevering attack seems solid as well. Maybe round it out with precision attack and commanding presence.

Defense here is mostly about maintaining range and allowing caster to blast control in battles as soon as possible.

 

[FrogReaver]

For defense, I think the answer is sentinel. It provides a reaction control style ability. Add in some control spells, good ac, warcaster to maintain your control spells, magic initiate and gnome magical resistance all seem ideal to round this character out.

 

[Zardnaar]

For defense, I think the answer is sentinel. It provides a reaction control style ability. Add in some control spells, good ac, warcaster to maintain your control spells, magic initiate and gnome magical resistance all seem ideal to round this character out.

Sentinel+Sap.

 

[jgsugden]

If you want a 'sticky' defensive fighter, my suggestion is to go Eldritch Knight and look for third party or homebrew spells that your DM will allow that will give you some fun mechanics. I went that route in early 2014 5E and it was fun. The DM was into it and gave me a bunch of overpowered spells (all reactions and bonus actions that were way too strong - like giving me an action on the following turn if I hit with an opportunity attack as a 1st level spell), but the idea was solid.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

Depending on your table it might be worth talking to your DM about whether they would allow giving your inspiration to others as a homebrew modification. It's not allowed per the rules but it's also not particularly overpowered, especially if you modified it to only work on others and never on yourself. I think I would probably allow it if it were clear that the player was aiming for homebrewing a support role and not just looking for some min/max powergaming loophole

I might do this, the DM will stay pretty close to RAW. Though, if I put an ounce of effort into the character, i.e. keep my inspiration/battle-quips, heroic actions handy & reasonably fresh, then he seemingly has no problem handing out inspiration anyway - where he could easily stay in-line with RAW, give inspiration during my turn (that I automatically have already) so I can throw it at another party member. I will just ask him if he could be fast & loose with the inspiration-whoring. Which, with this character, should be pretty easy.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

Sentinel+Sap.

Also, protection+sap has been obnoxious too - Next attack on me.... disadvantage, trying my Paladin friend, instead?... (reaction) also disadvantage.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

If you want a 'sticky' defensive fighter, my suggestion is to go Eldritch Knight and look for third party or homebrew spells that your DM will allow that will give you some fun mechanics. I went that route in early 2014 5E and it was fun. The DM was into it and gave me a bunch of overpowered spells (all reactions and bonus actions that were way too strong - like giving me an action on the following turn if I hit with an opportunity attack as a 1st level spell), but the idea was solid.

I considered the EK. I like the idea of occasionally sacrificing damage to use 'mind sliver' to replace an attack & then going ham with defensive + battlefield control themes. I think EK may lend itself to field control in that way? Shield master & topple & such, then start trying to make enemies fail saving throws from debuffs. Then if they succeed or legendary resist a bunch, I would still have a load of active & passive defensive characteristics to fall back on.

The flavor though... I would probably make an EK some sort of cursed frogurt vendor or a brutish bouncer for some sort of Avalon+magic tavern.

I'm just a much better flavor/RP'er for my gritty champion type. The current guy is a champion to the T. He spends a bunch of gold on his chariot, he wears many gold chains, he has 2 NPC-ladies that he sinks gold pieces into so they can dote over him, he mixes the blood of his enemies with oils so that his ladies can anoint him before quests, he is mostly shameless, very feared, wears a cursed helm that blackens his features. People only ever utter his nickname, despite all the hushed tones & fear: his first name is: Emily..

 

[mellored]

If your willing to go a little outside pure martial.

Human, Cha, Con
Warlock 1 + Devotion paladin
Musician, Alert
Pact the blade
Inspiring leader
Telekinetic
Sentinel

+Cha to land Sap and Sentinel
bonus action to push allies out of harms way (or an enemy, but they get a save).
And some heals as well as bless once per short rest (reflavor as inspiration)

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

It's tempting. I've been trying to avoid multiclassing this time around though. I guess, as an alternative, the Psy-Warrior would function similarly to the above multiclass. Except, possibly more MAD. But, it would be more feats, to fill in the versatility loss a little bit from losing the caster stuff.

 

[Zardnaar]

Martial tank works well. Support not so much. Healer feat and inspiring leader requires effort eg using shillagh.