D&D 5E Warcaster, polearm master and learning to love the optimizing?

[Imaro]

With both hands on his halberd/glaive/pike he's going to have a hard time using material components. Eldritch blast is going to be fine, but something like Hold Person would not. AoO on approach in exchange for being unable to cast a sizable portion of your spells is a fair trade in my mind. If he tries taking a hand off his weapon, then he's no longer wielding it, and loses his AoO (I'd let the player know this ahead of time).

I think the warcaster feat allows him to cast with a weapon in both hands... of course I agree with many of the other posters, it doesn't seem like that powerful of a combo for the price...

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Though against Mearl's RAI clarification, I'd certainly let him cast any of the touch cantrips as an AoO with scaling, eldritch blast scaling another issue. I'd certainly allow one singular blast though. IMO, Eldritch blast really should have been a warlock class ability, rather than a cantrip and that would fix a lot of issues with it (multiclass, loss of class identity with multiclassing, etc). Its the only reason this is problematic (getting 4 attacks for 1d10+5 each as an AoO is just too much though).

I'd also allow the player a full rebuild.

Though I'm curious why people are assuming a low AC. If he took 1st level fighter, he has the same AC as any other 2 handed fighter since he has heavy armor proficiency.

 

[Jaelommiss]

I think the warcaster feat allows him to cast with a weapon in both hands... of course I agree with many of the other posters, it doesn't seem like that powerful of a combo for the price...

"You can perform the somatic components of spells even when you have weapons or a shield in one or both hands."

I should have been more clear. I was trying to say that he'd be fine for cantrips and some spells, but anything requiring material components would not be possible.

 

[Imaro]

"You can perform the somatic components of spells even when you have weapons or a shield in one or both hands."

I should have been more clear. I was trying to say that he'd be fine for cantrips and some spells, but anything requiring material components would not be possible.

Ah, got you...

 

[koga305]

Of course, next question is going to be how to be on upping my DM combat tactics game, but that's for another thread.

First of all, your solution sounds great! Letting the player give it a shot, provisionally, then deciding if it's worth it after seeing it in action, sounds like a good plan.

Second, I know you haven't gotten the other thread up and running yet but if you're talking DM combat tactics/encounter building I would have a look at the Angry DM's website. His writing style is... unique, but he has a really good three part series on how to effectively use terrain and monsters as a DM. Might be worth a read!

 

[MacMathan]

Clearly against rules as intended as verified by the sage. Tell him to rebuild or move on as it sounds like his style doesn't mesh with the rest of the group and that there is only pure roll playing going on with this character no narrative, nothing interesting ,therefore not a player I would mind loosing..

 

[DaveDash]

Though against Mearl's RAI clarification, I'd certainly let him cast any of the touch cantrips as an AoO with scaling, eldritch blast scaling another issue. I'd certainly allow one singular blast though. IMO, Eldritch blast really should have been a warlock class ability, rather than a cantrip and that would fix a lot of issues with it (multiclass, loss of class identity with multiclassing, etc). Its the only reason this is problematic (getting 4 attacks for 1d10+5 each as an AoO is just too much though).

I'd also allow the player a full rebuild.

Though I'm curious why people are assuming a low AC. If he took 1st level fighter, he has the same AC as any other 2 handed fighter since he has heavy armor proficiency.

Depends what his strength is. He could indeed have enough strength for the heavy armours, but then his constitution isn't going to be that great using standard array (13).
He could go 15 10 15 8 8 14 say, and his wisdom saves will be OK due to proficiency bonus, but not that great. This could cause him serious problems down the track, and he has no real way of buffing Wisdom due to his heavy feat selection. He's also still not as durable in melee as a mountain Dwarf or Half Orc (or even hill dwarf for those tanky builds with a splash of wisdom).

Basically the point is, he is a little too MAD, and won't be as survivable as a pure melee combatant (Fighter or Paladin) despite his damage.

Also the wording of Agonizing Blast is a bit curious. The trigger is "When you cast eldritch blast, add your Charisma modifier to the damage it deals on a hit". You could argue that this is only one flat +cha bonus when you cast the spell, instead of per blast. Honestly though I get a different answer in my head every time I read it, but I feel that this is more in line with other cantrips and class abilities (potent spell, for example).

 

[Paraxis]

"You can perform the somatic components of spells even when you have weapons or a shield in one or both hands."

I should have been more clear. I was trying to say that he'd be fine for cantrips and some spells, but anything requiring material components would not be possible.

Not in the rules mind you, but many people online seem to talk about letting the pact of blade warlock use his bound weapon as an arcane focus, not doing this hurts two-handed and sword/shield builds, and fits the fluff of the class instead of making them use wands. Just mentioning it because that might be in play with this character.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Clearly against rules as intended as verified by the sage. Tell him to rebuild or move on as it sounds like his style doesn't mesh with the rest of the group and that there is only pure roll playing going on with this character no narrative, nothing interesting ,therefore not a player I would mind loosing..

I don't think its necessarily fair to typecast the player without knowing him. Also, there's nothing wrong with building a character mechanics first, or roll playing as its called (and lets not pretend you cant role play an optimized character). It really depends on the group - I'd certainly play with a close friend who doesnt RP much or well because I like hanging out with my buddies and throwing some dice. The OP already indicated he's a valued member of the group, so why tell him to hit the road?

Though to me it makes narrative and thematic sense, particularly if he's a pact of the blade warlock. You summon your magic glaive, spin it around, and fire off some bolts of energy almost instinctively as your quarry closes in on you. Lunge with the staff end as it crackles with energy and smack the bad guy with a channeled shocking grasp.

 

[redrick]

Not in the rules mind you, but many people online seem to talk about letting the pact of blade warlock use his bound weapon as an arcane focus, not doing this hurts two-handed and sword/shield builds, and fits the fluff of the class instead of making them use wands. Just mentioning it because that might be in play with this character.

Yes, he is using his halberd as a focus. Generally, I take his word on this stuff, because he's as quick to remind me of raw that works against him or others as to remind me of favorable raw. The only reason this issue came up is because the raw pretty clearly allows the feat combo.

And hey, while its clear some of y'all don't want to go anywhere near an optimizer of any stripe, this guy is a good dude and a welcome member of our group and I'm not going to kick him out because he knows how to read a rulebook. I might limit some stuff because it doesn't fit the game I'm running, but I'd rather expand my own horizons and learn how to play the game a little differently. I believe that he would do the same for me.