D&D (2024) "Sword" and Board Build?

[CreamCloud0]

Because hitting a target that is further away requires some training.

aren't spears one of the most useful weapons in history due to a combination of their ease of use and greater range?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Would you consider wand and shield? That opens up some options.

Because they have a -20 move speed from whip and slasher (with damage from sneak attack / Smite).

Add in spiritual guardians, plant growth, or other difficult terrain to immobilize.
Or Ensnaring Stike.
Or Guardian Artificer.
Or world tree barbarian.

Even without an OA there are plenty of ways to keep them close.

And then the bard can drop Cloud of Daggers on top of them since they can't move.

Most people think Shield a top tier spell. I've seen people use a feat to get it.
So why wouldn't Defensive Duelist be bad?

Reminder that it's not just 1 attack anymore.

To be sure. My n was a fat finger space. Yes. Defensive duellist is a good feat. I agree. With the right setup you can still be sticky. I still think it does not have to be first priority on a tank.

Since you listed ranger spells, I don't consider ranger a tank but till level 10 or so a damage dealer/controller.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Why shouldn’t they?

Because you are to hard to hit and you can't react anymore.

It’s one of the better ones, even for tanks.

I would prefer heavy armor mastery. Especially since I prefer str on melee characters.
But if you are dex based, like melored's tanky ranger, defensive duellist is top.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

aren't spears one of the most useful weapons in history due to a combination of their ease of use and greater range?

Sure, but those spears are about 6 ft. long. Longer reach than a dagger, but not 10ft worth.

It becomes much more difficult to manoeuvre a spear that is considerably longer than your height. Plus it gets heavy if it’s not going to bend or snap. Even with training it’s only really effective set into the ground to receive a charge.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Sure, but those spears are about 6 ft. long. Longer reach than a dagger, but not 10ft worth.

It becomes much more difficult to manoeuvre a spear that is considerably longer than your height. Plus it gets heavy if it’s not going to bend or snap. Even with training it’s only really effective set into the ground to receive a charge.

be that as it may, i feel the absence of mechanical options is a greater loss to the game than what is gained by such adherence to real world physics and weaponry, especially given some of the hunks of metal other characters end up swinging about.

 

[mellored]

Since you listed ranger spells, I don't consider ranger a tank but till level 10 or so a damage dealer/controller.

I was more thinking oath of the ancient.
Ensnaring stike, plant growth,, and a Restrain channel divinity.

Ancient 5/Arcane Trickster 5, using whip, slasher, and cunning strike trip.

I agree ranger probably isn't the best tank. Though Defensive Duelist is still a good feat for them if they are dual wielding.

I wish rangers could take Ensnaring Stike as their free spell.

 

[mellored]

despite the improvements provided by weapon masteries i still think the '24 weapons table is quite lacking in areas, especially for simple weapons

Simple weapon are a hold over from previous editions. It was a way for casters to deal less damage than martials. But now casters have at-will cantrips. So they no one uses them.

Personally, I would rather scrap the simple/martial groups all together and shorten the list, and just gave a minimum Str score.

I can't figure out why the blowgun exsists.

heavy finesse weapon?

It's a way to separate Str and Dex builds. Which i think is good.

 

[Mistwell]

Yes. And Thanks Captain Obvious.

It's a new game and new rules for that feat. Not obvious to most readers. Most of us have not memorized the changes. No reason to be rude about it.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I was more thinking oath of the ancient.
Ensnaring stike, plant growth,, and a Restrain channel divinity.

Oh. That sounds good.

Ancient 5/Arcane Trickster 5, using whip, slasher, and cunning strike trip.

Seems nice

I agree ranger probably isn't the best tank. Though Defensive Duelist is still a good feat for them if they are dual wielding.

Yes. Question is if dual wielder is better... Depends on the party composition I guess... Maybe both. First defensive duellist. Then dual wielder. And a last one to push dex to 20 at level 12... probably speedy.

I wish rangers could take Ensnaring Stike as their free spell.

They have enough spells to cast it as often as they need.

 

[FrogReaver]

It's a new game and new rules for that feat. Not obvious to most readers. Most of us have not memorized the changes.

Sorry, but what you said about it was obvious. It’s always added AC. It’s always been a reaction. It’s always cost a feat.

No reason to be rude about it.

You know what, you are right. Sorry for being rude.

But there also was no reason for you to be rude either by quoting a post that you only responded to with a few obvious points, and none of which had any actual bearing on what I actually said in the post you quoted.

Can I get an apology now too?