D&D 5E Sword and Board warrior- no love for constitution

[Lagross]

So, I'm planning to run a Fighter / Barb and start out as a fighter at 1st level up to 6th. In every forum I've read the recommendation is to increase your Str and Con, but I'm thinking of getting a 16 in Str and Dex and a 14 in Con using the variant human rule and getting the Shlield Master feat. Starting 6th level I'll MC to Barb. The reason is that even if I start out with a 16 in Con, up to level 6 I only gain 6 HP compared to the alternative.

This way, I'll be a duelist with rage plus extra dmg of the Battle Master arquetype. Any recomendations?

 

[Sacrosanct]

If you're starting at 1st level and working your way up, I wouldn't worry too much about it now. Let how the game flows dictate how you handle your level ups. Maybe by the time you reach level 6, something may have happened in the game to make you want to do something a bit differently. Maybe the way something has worked in play is a bit different than you were expecting. Lord knows that happens to me all the time. I rarely plan out more than a general concept or 1 or 2 levels in the future lol.

 

[Kithas]

There is almost no reason to have a high str and dex, you only ever use one for your to hit/damage. Even battlemaster stuff can all be str OR dex. Con plays a HUGE role in your overall hp, and especially if you are going to be taking the damage for your team it takes priority over str/dex. You only get 80-140 hp from your class, your con can add 100 all by itself, you can get another 60 from race/feats. Don't disregard your hp!

 

[Lagross]

Although HP is very important, a Str/DEX character will give you some perks.

Take my Fighter/Barbarian with shield master feat. He is attacking with Str and is a duelist, but the shield master feat gives him de chance to have "almost evasion" as long as he makes succesful dex saving throws. Also, in level 7 when he MCs to Barb, he will gain unarmored defense, that stacks with Dex and Con, and advantage on all dex saves in Barb lv2.
Now, I think that I will eventually increase Con stats up to 16 or 18, but having a strong dpr character with good armor class, while having resistance to everything while raging is a good trade I think.

 

[seebs]

I feel I should point out a thing:

A dualist is a character who believes that spirit and matter are separate realms, and that souls are immaterial but still exist.

I think you may be thinking of a duelist.

 

[Lagross]

LOL.. yeap... duelist it is

 

[Wuzzard]

I think someone should write up a dualist class with abilities the separate mind and body.

 

[ExploderWizard]

I think someone should write up a dualist class with abilities the separate mind and body.

Why not combine the best of both worlds!

Create a cleric that practices Zorroastrianism- a duelist religion.