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D&D (2024) "Sword" and Board Build?
- Thread starter Zardnaar
- Start date
Zardnaar
Legend
Basically my opinion. Shillelagh EK is the exception
Shadowdweller00
Hero
Eh, Spear or Quarterstaff with PAM and Dueling fighting style gets you 1d6 + 2 + str (equivalent of a d10 weapon) plus a 1d4 + 2 + str (equivalent of a d8 weapon) bonus action attack. Plus attacks on enemy approach AND shield AC bonus. Two-handed weapon use doesn't really catch up until high level, unless you crit or down an enemy (presuming GWM).
FrogReaver
The most respectful and polite poster ever
A divine favor vengeance Paladin using PAM with a spear and dueling fighting style seems promising.
Raging barbarian is similar but doesn’t scale as well later. Also if as believed that monsters will just apply effects on hit, the higher ac from shield might be really really beneficial.
Raging barbarian is similar but doesn’t scale as well later. Also if as believed that monsters will just apply effects on hit, the higher ac from shield might be really really beneficial.
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Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad
I'd go Barbarian, Berserker or Zealot. The extra damage will make up for the single handed weapon. Probably Zealot. as the self-healing will come in handy as will the save benefit. Goliath likely makes the most sense, though Gnome can give you either advantage or proficiency in every save I believe.
Zardnaar
Legend
I've tested the duel world paladin lvl 12.
Lots of bonus actions so generally didn't smite.
FrogReaver
The most respectful and polite poster ever
Right. The whole point is you don’t need to smite with that version.
Defensive Duelist really limits your weapon choices and it works best when combined with a shield (i.e. single handed).
You are at cross purposes if you are trying to light-nick and use defensive duelist.
mellored
Legend
Defensive Duelist works fine with nick. Any finesse, including scimitar.
The bigger competition is using your reaction. Paladins don't have any so it's quite nice for them, but it's still an upgrade for rogues most of the time, and occasionally useful for Monks if they get surrounded.
But this was supposed to be a sword and board build, so your weapon is already limited. Which is why you go rogue who barely loses any damage doesn't care. Dip for shields.
Maybe rogue / Devotion paladin using Cha Truestrike.
It does work "fine" but mathematically it is most effective at reducing damage when combined with a shield. It is mathematically more powerful when your AC is higher.
Sure it works any Finesse, which means you can use 5 of 20 one-handed melee weapons, or 3 of 8 light melee weapons if you also want to dual wield. It limits your weapon choices, which is what I said.
On a Monk it competes with deflect attacks and as with other classes it dramatically limits monks to 3 out of 13 Monk weapons.
I can't think of a single build where a Monk would want this over another feat, and if he is going to be a weapon user Weapon Master (for nick) will almost always be better.
On a Rogue it competes with Uncanny Dodge. I can see a Rogue having a use for it more than a Monk though, especially if you dip and get a shield. I am not sure the juice is worth the squeeze though compared to other feats.
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