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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ECMO3" data-source="post: 8391416" data-attributes="member: 7030563">Not really.   Not without using limited resources. A Bladesinger at 9th level with a rapier is doing abase 4d8+2xdex (28) using booming blade and extra attack or 5d8+2dex+int (35.5) using GFB.  A fighter or Barbarian with GWM wielding a longsword in 1 hand is doing 2d8+2str (19). A Barbarian is doing another 8 (27) if he is in rage. Now both of them have subclasses that boost that over the base noted, but the most powerful damage boosts come from battlemaster and are limited use.  The Barbarian is also getting hit a lot more even if he does not use reckless attack.Also you need to use an action to don or doff a shield.  So it is not free in combat (admitedly niether is casting a defensive spell on the first turn).Yes it does.  Shield is going  to prevent a minimum of 1 hit every time it is cast.  I said it was about 20hps per casting in tier 2 (CR5-CR8).  From the DMG CR5 should haverage 22-28 dpr, CR8 should average 51-56 DPR.  Now that is per turn, not per attack.  Per attack is going to be lower because many of those have multiattack, but I am confident in that tier it is saving on average 20 points or better per casting.For example, using the first three CR 6 monsters called out on page 308 of the DMG:If a sheild stops 1 hit from a Chasme it will save you 40hpsIf  a shield stops 1 hit from a Chimera it will save 10hps on a horn attack or 11 hps on a bite or clawIf a shield stops 1 hit from a Cyclops it will save 19hps if it was a club attack or 28 hit points if it is a rock attackThat is if the casting only stops that one attack that caused the reaction.   Those numbers go up if it stops a multiattack or another creature later in the order from hitting.If you don't like the 20 that I noted, what number do you think is appropriate in tier 2?  How many hit points do you think shield saves on average when cast during tier 2 and give me an example of the enemy you are talking about.Reckless attack is awful of you are trying to tank, but a Barbarian wielding a pole arm with reckless attack is very effective if he has a character like a bladesinger engaged to keep the enemies from attacking him.I agree about making enemies "care" but  a hit with booming blade does damage if the enemy moves move without using her reaction at all and if the bladesinger is a human with warcaster she can choose hit the enemy with it again.  That is 2d8 right off the bat and another 38 if she chooses to use the reaction.  So it is not as easy or free as you make it sound.  Altternatively a human with sentinel can do weapon damage and stop moving with a reaction.  That of course uses a reaction which if it is early in the initiative order is a high price to pay.  But if the enemy in question goes right before the bladesinger it is almost free.I absolutely agree though a DM is going to try to attack others, just like they are going to try to do if the tank is a high-AC fighter or cleric.  The DM won't do that if your "tank" is a 16AC Barbarian using reckless attack.  In that case they are going to attack the Barbarian.A tank is a character that stands in the front of melee and absorbs attacks so squishier strikers or controllers like  barbarians, Rogues and other caster and can move  hit enemies of their choice for powerful damage or debilitating spells. Having a bag of hps is one way to tank, but not the most effective way and is generally inferior to using a high AC and other methods to absorb damage.</blockquote>

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