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Obvious synergies you never realized
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<blockquote data-quote="RogueJK" data-source="post: 7894302" data-attributes="member: 170"><p>Yep, you sacrifice the Reach of a two-handed polearm for the extra AC bonus of the shield and a bit more damage on the bonus attack. Base damage of the primary attack is the same, with 1d10 averaging 5.5 and 1d6+2 averaging the same. Damage on the bonus attack is +2 higher. And in a pinch, you can throw the spear.</p><p></p><p>However, there are some downsides. The effective AC bonus is actually only +1, compared to a two-handed polearm user with Defensive fighting style. And if you're a spellcaster, this may force you into having to take Warcaster, since you won't have a free hand like a two-handed polearm user. Plus you can't use Great Weapon Master with the spear/shield combo, which limits a dedicated melee fighter's potential damage output.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>One synergy that I rarely see discussed is a Dwarven Monk with the Dwarven Fortitude feat. This combo allows you to spend 1 Ki point to gain a Bonus Action Dodge plus 1 HD of healing. Combined with the Extra HP and higher CON of a Hill Dwarf, and the extra tankiness of the Long Death Monk, it could make for a quite tanky Monk.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RogueJK, post: 7894302, member: 170"] Yep, you sacrifice the Reach of a two-handed polearm for the extra AC bonus of the shield and a bit more damage on the bonus attack. Base damage of the primary attack is the same, with 1d10 averaging 5.5 and 1d6+2 averaging the same. Damage on the bonus attack is +2 higher. And in a pinch, you can throw the spear. However, there are some downsides. The effective AC bonus is actually only +1, compared to a two-handed polearm user with Defensive fighting style. And if you're a spellcaster, this may force you into having to take Warcaster, since you won't have a free hand like a two-handed polearm user. Plus you can't use Great Weapon Master with the spear/shield combo, which limits a dedicated melee fighter's potential damage output. One synergy that I rarely see discussed is a Dwarven Monk with the Dwarven Fortitude feat. This combo allows you to spend 1 Ki point to gain a Bonus Action Dodge plus 1 HD of healing. Combined with the Extra HP and higher CON of a Hill Dwarf, and the extra tankiness of the Long Death Monk, it could make for a quite tanky Monk. [/QUOTE]
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