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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fanaelialae" data-source="post: 6700966" data-attributes="member: 53980">Just wanted to clarify my thinking.I had started out comparing the melee builds of a full Battlemaster to a multiclass Arcane Trickster. I pointed out that since GWM and sneak attack cannot be combined, the Battlemaster would have a clear edge.You then clarified that the Arcane Trickster was intended as an archer, and therefore would have access to Sharpshooter which would put them on equal footing as far as those feats are concerned.Therefore, I was comparing the melee Battlemaster, to your archer AT. Tank vs DPS. Which, in fairness, is a bit like comparing apples and oranges but I think that there is relevant data which can be sorted from the noise in such an analysis. Each has certain advantages that the other won't generally have access to in fulfillment of its role, and in the Battlemaster's case one of those is being able to use Riposte with regularity (should he desire to do so).You are correct. The main purpose of a tank is to be the center of the enemy's attention and attract attacks. However, there are many means to achieve this end. One way is indeed to utilize control to limit an enemy's ability to attack others, like the 4e Defender role typically did. The Battlemaster's maneuvers may be one of the most effective tools in 5e with respect to this.However, another approach is to be such a massive threat that the enemy is between a rock and a hard place. If the Battlemaster can deal damage comparable to the rogue archer, then enemies engaged with the Battlemaster are far less likely to go after the archer. What's the point of wasting time trying to chase down the rogue when a similar threat is right there? If you chase the rogue the fighter will get a free attack and probably chase after you. If you stay he'll probably riposte. For the monsters it's a no-win scenario, which is the best kind from a player's perspective.I was postulating a scenario that is reasonable and likely for an archer, to illustrate that it's unreasonable to assume that the Arcane Trickster would benefit from sneak attack 100% of the time. Obviously that is not a job for a tank. He will have his own challenges to deal with while the archer is taking out the mage.Indeed, thanks for the discussion!</blockquote>

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