D&D 5E Suggestions for fun 2-level dip after 10 levels of Battlemaster Fighter?

[Quartz]

I have an interest in playing a battlemaster fighter, but I really don't want to get a 3rd attack,

Does not compute. That's a major, major, debuff. You're also losing the feat at level 12. If what you're after are the BM's manoeuvres then consider taking another class and the Martial Adept feat (possibly more than once if your GM allows it). Paladin and Warlock (PoB) are two very different choices.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

A friend of mine is planning to run a plot-lite, very episodic 5e campaign starting in January, and he complained that we keep ending campaigns around level 10, so he's going to start his at level 12.

I have an interest in playing a battlemaster fighter, but I really don't want to get a 3rd attack, so I want to stop at level 10 and then multiclass. In your opinion, what would be some interesting 2-level dips to tack on to this character? Is there a cool cleric domain that gets fun powers at 2nd level? Should I do rogue for cunning action? Is there an obscure Unearthed Arcana option that would give me neat tricks so I have more options than just putting pointy bits in critters?

Can you explain why you don't want the third attack? It's just a matter of interest, because that 1 level (11) is an absolutely massive DPS and general combat-capability gain. Do you just hate rolling attacks past 2 or something?

 

[Horwath]

Can you explain why you don't want the third attack? It's just a matter of interest, because that 1 level (11) is an absolutely massive DPS and general combat-capability gain. Do you just hate rolling attacks past 2 or something?

this!

take 11 levels of fighter or even 12 for an ASI.
3 attacks + Action surge. That is 6 attacks in a round you need it.

Or just keep 6 or 8 leves of fighter.
4 levels of rogue/ranger is neat.
2(4) levels of War wizard is also good for reactions and some spellcasting

3/4 levels of battlemaster and 8/9 levels of Bladesinger is very good.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I guess you have reasons for your decision... I would however opt out at level 8. You can get more maneuvers and an extra use with the martial adept feat which you get when your 2nd class is level 4.

If however you stick to that exact plan, if you are str based you can be:

• Barbarian 2 with reckless attack and rage. If you don't wear heavy armor, making every attack with advantage
• wizard abjurer 2 with rituals and personal shield you can recharge with ritual spells. Having 3 uses of shield per day does not.
• bladesinger 2 for nearly the same reasons.
• artificer 2 for some technomagic. You don't miss out too much. But you really miss the subclass option.
• twilight cleric 2

If you are dex based:
- rogue indeed does not hurt at all. Cunning action does really improve your maneuverability. Your sneak attack makes up a bit for your lost damage as does the new aiming action.

Level 2 is just a bit low to really get something special, as the subclass choice comes at level 3 mostly.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

this!

take 11 levels of fighter or even 12 for an ASI.
3 attacks + Action surge. That is 6 attacks in a round you need it.

Or just keep 6 or 8 leves of fighter.
4 levels of rogue/ranger is neat.
2(4) levels of War wizard is also good for reactions and some spellcasting

3/4 levels of battlemaster and 8/9 levels of Bladesinger is very good.

Yeah I'm trying to figure it out. I can see lots of reasons to drop Fighter earlier, 3, 4, 6 and 8 are all particularly good points to get off. But 10? I'm not getting it. 11 would make complete sense.

 

[Jacob Lewis]

Bard. So you can taunt your opponents with Viscous Mockery.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Yeah I'm trying to figure it out. I can see lots of reasons to drop Fighter earlier, 3, 4, 6 and 8 are all particularly good points to get off. But 10? I'm not getting it. 11 would make complete sense.

The Battlemaster gets two more maneuvers at 10th level, and their dice jump to d10s.

Staying to 10th as a BM actually makes sense.

 

[Laurefindel]

I'm partial to fighter/barbarian multiclass, because that was my 2nd (and preferred) 5e character. Ask your DM if you can re-fluff rage as a taxing battle stance instead of a frothing-at-the-mouth rage if you want.

You need a STR-based fighter to get the most out of it, but it's best with also a decent Dex (ideally 14) to offset the loss of heavy armour.
Rage bonus to damage and increase in accuracy thanks to reckless attack partially make-up for the loss of the 3rd attack at fighter 11. In some situations it's actually better. It pairs well with 2-handed sword, GWF style, and Great Weapon Master. This also means you'll get hit more, but rage effectively doubles your hp, and doubles the return on in-combat healing.
Of course rage does not help with fireballs, but advantage on DEX saves from Danger Sense helps (save your indomitable for WIS saves).
And of course all the fun stuff with superiority dice and combat manoeuvres...

However, you can only rage twice and they refresh on a long rest...

 

[DEFCON 1]

To answer the question myself... if you're wanting to avoid a 3rd attack, that says to me you are trying to not go overboard on your combat ability. And thus anything that is just going to make you fight better you might as well skip-- Hexblade, Barbarian, Moon Druid etc. etc.

To me, I'd probably go in the direction of getting some cool new stuff that isn't going to be tied directly into just making you a better fighter. So something maybe like an Artificer (getting infusions at 2nd level), a Knowledge Cleric, an Illusion Wizard, A Dreams Druid, etc. Things that'll add other stuff you wouldn't ordinarily get to do as a straight warrior type.

 

[RangerWickett]

Can you explain why you don't want the third attack? It's just a matter of interest, because that 1 level (11) is an absolutely massive DPS and general combat-capability gain. Do you just hate rolling attacks past 2 or something?

Bonus attacks are an exceedingly boring way to use my turn. I don't play the game to make numbers change. I play it for drama and action. If the only way I interact with an enemy is by hitting them for damage, I'll be bored out of my skull.

I want a suite of interesting options that I can use to gain benefits in combat, or to disrupt my foes, or to help my allies, or just to do neat stuff.

I once played a Pathfinder campaign to 17th level, and my character was a Brawler, the class that lets you switch fighting styles by gaining combat feats temporarily. I thought it'd be neat to be able to change my tactics based on what the encounter demanded. Instead, it was almost always optimal to just make as many attacks as possible, to try to do as much damage as possible. Any sort of cleverness was inefficient. I hated it.

So I'm intentionally making a character that doesn't get three attacks, in hopes it will motivate me to do neat stuff in combat.