Level Up (A5E) Help with build

[PauloR]

Hello all

What do you think would be good combat traditions and maneuvers for a full tank sword and board fighter (which may or may not multiclass to herald in the future)

I like planning my character concepts to levels 10-12 even if im starting at level 1, so feel free to include level 2 and 3 maneuvers.

Thanks for the help

 

[W'rkncacnter]

adamant mountain is a pretty solid tradition. catch your breath to regain hitpoints, heavy stance to resist maneuvers, shrug it off to ignore some conditions, warding wield for extra AC are all great for a tank build. reactive knockdown to punish enemies for trying to get to the backline and lean into it to hamper their mobility are also good options.

tempered iron also has some good options for locking down enemies (imposing glare to frighten, gaze of conviction to force one to fight you, stunning assault is just broken), punishing casters (purge and break magic), or resisting effects (faith within, defy magic).

mirror's glint has some good control (knockdown assault for an extra proning option, leading throw to keep enemies back, warning strike to REALLY screw an enemy trying to run from you, off-balancing strike for more mobility hampering, flowing form to take advantage of your AC to punish attackers, redirect to turn enemies against each other), but probably the best maneuver there is heightened reflexes (for EXTRA REACTIONS).

sanguine knot has a couple decent options (shield wall for more AC if other party members have shields, shoulder check to get attackers away from allies, back to back for extra AC and an extra reaction with another frontliner, follow-up topple for easy prone, look at me for helping an ally get away from an enemy - probably best if you have a rogue in the party, since they get an expertise die to attack the creature as well).

i'd probably go with 3 of those traditions, personally.

 

[PauloR]

Thanks for the tips! I had my eye for the ones you mentioned as "broken" (the extra reaction one and stunning assault), but i was thinking there would be maneuvers to help me be more effective with a shield. I completely miss those, unless they are in a supplement somewhere.
I was thinking of attacking more effectively with a shield, or protecting an ally with a shield, blocking a spell with a shield, these kind of things.

 

[Anonymous3]

Fighting Style - Protection.
Heavy/Tower shields.
Weapons with the Defensive weapon property. You can make attacks with the shield BUT they are considered improvised so no proficiency on the attack (see p317 of the AG).

I think multiclassing into Marshal would be better for tanking because you can you can use your actions to help your allies get out of harms way or kill the enemy. An even split 6/6 is pretty solid and you still benefit from all extra attacks - three total.

Razor's Edge - Drive Back maneuver is gold for a tank build. Every melee attack pushes the target 10ft - no save; any creature size! Use this to reposition enemies away from your squishy ally.
Razor's Edge - Practiced Roll: move without opportunity attacks for getting to allies.
Mirror's Glint - Warning Strike can be combined with the above for more control.

Consider Street Fighter (provides improvised weapons; and using unarmed attacks for grappling and control) or Shield Focus as feats.

 

[Selganor]

Another option would be the "Selfless Sentinel" Combat Tradition (from "Secrets of the Selkies", recently reprint in "Martial Artistry" - which also offers more "defensive" options)

The maneuvers (1.-3. degree) are:
1st: Bodyguard Stance, Selfless Shove, Stay Close, Take the hit
2nd: Bond Breaker, Catch Ally, Look out!
3rd: On duty, Not another Step, Evacuate

Can't get more "hit me instead/get out of danger" than this.

 

[PauloR]

Wow. Thanks a lot guys. I will have a look at that supplement, a tanking tradition is enough of an incw tive to buy a new book. I was thinking of protection fighting style, but haven't considered marshal to multiclass. That's interesting, I will.have a read.
Awesome tips, hats off for this community

 

[lichmaster]

On top of the other great suggestions, I think a Juggernaut Berserker (Dreadnought) would make for an excellent tanking multiclass. Besides the ever so useful rage, some furious crits can really be useful for battlefield control and inflicting conditions on the enemies, and Leveling Charge or Standing firm would really be useful to become a moving bulwark/wrecking ball