D&D 5E Anyone want to help with a new character?

[Fenris-77]

I really like Halfling Diviners. With the CON you could be the tough-as-nails wanderer in search of the arcane, unafraid to stick you nose anywhere in search of an interesting bit of lore, a spell, or just plain curiosity. While the rest of the party is still laboring up the hill, you're perched on a boulder at the top enjoying a well-earned pipe and not the least bit out of breath. Goblins? Hah! I'll give 'em a whack with my staff and we'll be eating jam and crumpets by second breakfast.

I'm picturing a pint-sized Teddy Roosevelt who casts spells and enjoys a good constitutional after dinner.

 

[Blue]

Strength-Based Loxodon Monk. Loxodon have an unarmored AC of 12+CON. Don't go for subclasses with a lot of WIS requirements.

Gnome Abjurer wizard, using INT for Light, Medium & Heavy Armor proficiency as per your houserules. Between gnome magial saves, high AC, high HPs, good CON saves, and Arcane Ward, you will be the most unbreakable gnome wizard evah! (Wait, what do you mean gnome wizards aren't known for unbreakability?)

Halfling Artificer (Battlesmith). (Or Armorer if UA is allowed.) Leverage that INT and CON, plus Halfling Lucky. (Alternately, if INT would act as STR for them, go for a medium sized race and take a two handed weapon for the bonus damage.)

vHuman Polearm/Sentinel fighter. Use ASIs (including fighter extra ones) to grow STR since you'll already have the feats you need.

Wolf Totem Barbarian. Reckless attack helps you hit with 14 STR, 18 CON, d12s and resistance to B/P/S means you won't drop. And while everyone loves the wide resistances of Bear Totem, Wolf Totem has dragon hordes of party synergy as long as there are other melee attackers. Half Orc with a greataxe if you like cliches'. Tiefling with a maul if you don't.

 

[FrogReaver]

Your stats fit Paladin most naturally. IMO. 16str + 18con + 14 cha. Throw on some of the better str or charisma feats.

I like the idea of HAM + PAM (halberd).

Fighter makes a good alternative if you dislike Paladins and the same feats work.

 

[FrogReaver]

Alternatively play a grappler barbarian. Use a 1 handed weapon and a free hand. Max Con. Take the human expertise feat for expertise athletics.

 

[Fenris-77]

Sometimes it takes a thread like this to remind me that I really don't build characters like a lot of other people. I always work the concept first to find something that will be fun and interesting to play. After that I'll work some optimization in. Picking a class to work a feat combo sounds immensely boring to me. YMMV of course.

 

[FrogReaver]

Sometimes it takes a thread like this to remind me that I really don't build characters like a lot of other people. I always work the concept first to find something that will be fun and interesting to play. After that I'll work some optimization in. Picking a class to work a feat combo sounds immensely boring to me. YMMV of course.

Or pick the mechanics you want to use and create a fun and interesting to play character after that's out of the way. I can make characters either way.

 

[Fenris-77]

Or pick the mechanics you want to use and create a fun and interesting to play character after that's out of the way. I can make characters either way.

Of course. My post wasn't meant as a criticism of you or anyone else. And don't get me wrong, I'm a power gamer from back in the day, so I'm not holding my nose up in the air because people like characters that hit as hard they can. I just usually start with the non-mechanical concept stuff, then pair up some likely stuff about play style and mechanical needs, and then start picking race and class combos that might get done what I want. It's my process man, don't hate on my art!

 

[DND_Reborn]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

@FrogReaver : correct. Yes -feats, No- Multiclassing.

There are only three PCs in this game when it finally runs. We have a Ranger and a Paladin already, a wood elf and a high elf IIRC. So, no full spellcasters, but that is what I usually play (along with rogues), so I was leaning towards Barbarian or Fighter, and I have a PAM concept I never got to play so that could be fun.

@Blue, I love the Loxodon idea! I could see some cool things doing the spear/shield PAM, going with Fighter for EK or Barbarian (don't know exactly which path though...).

If I went with Barbarian the Loxodon's natural armor with shield would give me an AC 18 and great HP with raging to boot. The idea of the charging elephant seems cool. Normally passive and thoughtful and intelligent, but with a temper that flies off the handle when it happens. The best part is also grappling, since I could keep the spear and shield and grapple with the trunk.

Or, I could go with the Fighter (EK), and with the high INT that would work well. I could use heavier armor, still go with PAM, and use spells to a point.

Are there any spellcasting subclasses for Barbarians? I don't know of any, but I know there are official sources I am unfamiliar with (like I never even thought of Loxodon!).

From a story line perspective, I could come up with something really great for this, too!

Yet, the idea of the short (halfling or gnome--maybe deep gnome?) character with a two-handed battleaxe or even as the PAM as well. I could see that as being fun, too.

 

[FrogReaver]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

@FrogReaver : correct. Yes -feats, No- Multiclassing.

There are only three PCs in this game when it finally runs. We have a Ranger and a Paladin already, a wood elf and a high elf IIRC. So, no full spellcasters, but that is what I usually play (along with rogues), so I was leaning towards Barbarian or Fighter, and I have a PAM concept I never got to play so that could be fun.

@Blue, I love the Loxodon idea! I could see some cool things doing the spear/shield PAM, going with Fighter for EK or Barbarian (don't know exactly which path though...).

If I went with Barbarian the Loxodon's natural armor with shield would give me an AC 18 and great HP with raging to boot. The idea of the charging elephant seems cool. Normally passive and thoughtful and intelligent, but with a temper that flies off the handle when it happens. The best part is also grappling, since I could keep the spear and shield and grapple with the trunk.

Or, I could go with the Fighter (EK), and with the high INT that would work well. I could use heavier armor, still go with PAM, and use spells to a point.

Are there any spellcasting subclasses for Barbarians? I don't know of any, but I know there are official sources I am unfamiliar with (like I never even thought of Loxodon!).

From a story line perspective, I could come up with something really great for this, too!

Yet, the idea of the short (halfling or gnome--maybe deep gnome?) character with a two-handed battleaxe or even as the PAM as well. I could see that as being fun, too.

No spell casting Barbarian subclasses. Though the ritual caster feat could feel pretty cool there as many of their rage abilities feel semi-magical.

 

[DND_Reborn]

No spell casting Barbarian subclasses. Though the ritual caster feat could feel pretty cool there as many of their rage abilities feel semi-magical.

Oh, good idea!

Ritual Caster would fit in well for a non-Cleric "shaman"-style Barbarian, especially since we house-ruled Ritual Caster can learn rituals from any class (you don't have to pick just one). I would probably start with it and pick up PAM at level 4 since the other two PCs are good fighting types already.

I wonder what path would go well with that? Maybe path of the storm herald, focusing on tundra and make the the loxodon more mammoth-like...