D&D 5E Polearm Master feat: very good?

[plutocracy]

Love it with Paladin, since improved smite/elemental weapon applies to the 1d4!

 

[Quartz]

Shield Master seems a good feat: you get a bonus attack with your shield (the text says shove, but put a spike on the shield...), add the shield AC bonus to your Dex save, and get a Dex save (remember you're adding that shield bonus!) to take half or no damage against many effects (like dragon breath). That's +5 to your save if you have a +3 shield! Add in the Resilient feat and your Dex 11 fighter can end up with +11 on her Dex save.

 

[Skyscraper]

Nice input to all, thanks for your thoughts. Good to see that other feats compare to this one!

 

[Juriel]

Yeah, Polearm Master is very strong, because of the extra attacks (with all modifiers applying to them).

 

[Juriel]

Shield Master is magnificent on Barbarian. Rage for advantage on shoves to knockdown, which gets you advantage on your attacks, and you get Danger Sense for advantage on Dex saves...

In general, the fighting style feats (except for the grappling ones) are superb. Which begs the questions why they are hidden in a system that's presented as optional, when they're so critical for warriors.

 

[Scorpio616]

So this begs the question whether foes can tell they will draw an OA from engaging opponents with Polearm Master or attacking others when near a character with Sentinel?

 

[Blackbrrd]

I do like the idea that it gives one a bit of "battlefield control", in that no enemy can move into a 3x3 square without getting a halberd spike in the gob. For a fighter who likes to wade in and take on all comers, it looks pretty good.

Haven't got the book available, but wouldn't that be 5x5 squares? (Because of reach)

 

[Cannyjiggit]

So this begs the question whether foes can tell they will draw an OA from engaging opponents with Polearm Master or attacking others when near a character with Sentinel?

I would rule no until they have seen it happen just like I wouldn't tell the players if their opponent had such a feat. Even once it has happened, I wouldn't be explaining why or how to players until after the session but would let them draw their own conclusions. I do prefer campaigns where players will try to accurately roleplay their characters knowledge and not know everything just because its open information in the books (this includes knowledge of spells and how to frustrate them such as with Witchbolt unless its a spell available to them)

 

[Cannyjiggit]

Haven't got the book available, but wouldn't that be 5x5 squares? (Because of reach)

In most cases I believe so but the feat also works with a quarterstaff which is why I am considering it for use with a druid (and Shillelagh) if anything unfortunate happens to my current character

 

[Bayonet]

Haven't got the book available, but wouldn't that be 5x5 squares? (Because of reach)

... Yes! Looks like a typo on my part.

Anyway, I think it (and Heavy Armour Master) would really work out for the "tank" style fighter. Get in the middle of things, shrug off damage, attack everything within the bloody room at will, and generally make yourself so much of a nuisance that your companions are left alone to snipe, blast sneak attack and heal at their leisure.


Honestly, all the martial-skewed feats look good. Warms my fighter-centric heart.