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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ezo" data-source="post: 9453611" data-attributes="member: 7037866">Ok, so this is a different way of looking at it, but here you go...Key: this is a average "round to round" comparison of one style to another. A negative (-1) is good for the first style as it means they will deal enough damage to the other to defeat them with 1 round to spare (i.e. they are also 1 round away from defeat by their opponent style). This is the average result, always rounded up, since you can't have "part of a round"--you are either in it or not.The red (1) means that style lost by just one round to the other style (again, on average).A zero (0) means it comes down to initiative on the final round as to who hits and would likely defeat the other. In other words, the styles are pretty well even--luck is the factor.[ATTACH=full]379060[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]379063[/ATTACH](Note: I multiplied the sums by -1 to make them positive for the chart above.)Dueling: d8 weapon and shield (+2 damage from style)Defense A: d8 weapon and shield (+1 ac from style)Defense B: 2d6 weapon, no shield(+1 ac from style)GWF: 2d6 weapon, no shield (minimum 3 roll on d6s)TWF: 1d8 weapon, 1d6 weapon (light)Ranking order by specific levels:Level 1TWFDuelingDefense B/ GWFDefense ALevel 5DuelingGWF/ TWFDefense BDefense ALevel 10DuelingDefense B/ TWFGWFDefense ALevel 15DuelingDefense BGWFTWFDefense ALevel 20DuelingDefense B/ GWFTWFDefense ASummary:By column, Level 1 has TWF clearly beating most others and tying Dueling style. The additional attack via the bonus action is obviously the main factor early on in the game.However, by 5th level when everyone has Extra Attack, the combination of the bonus damage from Dueling along with the shield vaults it into the lead position, where it over all remains, althougth TWF remains strong compared to the others. We see Defense B and GWF starting to come into play as contenders.By tier 3 (15th level and earlier, really), TWF starts to fall short compared to Defense B and GWF where the higher damage of the heavy weapons given so many attacks begin to really beat out TWF.Final Thoughts:It seems to me that TWF is a good way to go early on if you won't use your bonus action for anything other than the additional attack. Now, as I understand it in 2024 (but I could be wrong since I am not really following it), using your bonus action for the additional attack is no longer a requirement...?Regardless, in a head-to-head competition, Dueling is best over all once Extra Attack comes online at 5th level.However, both Defense B and GWF offer opporunities for real knock-down hits giving the high damage potential of the 2d6 weapon, so can be very appealing and are decent over all other wise.Obviously, Defense A is the loser all the time. If you want to go sword and board, DO NOT TAKE Defense style! The +1 to AC is just not worth the damage bump IMO. However, if you plan to be more versatile (doing ranged), than it can be solid. Of course, if you plan to be primarily ranged... you go with Archery style.Notes on the sim:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">At level 1 I assumed +3 STR and +3 CON, at level 5 those increased to +4, and at level 10 were +5.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Level one use chain mail armor not plate. However, at level 5 and thereafer plate armor is assumed.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Critical hits ARE factored in.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Initiative is 50/50 for which style goes first. No ties.</li> </ul></blockquote>

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