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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ashrym" data-source="post: 7437708" data-attributes="member: 6750235">Except I haven't found defensive builds to be vastly inferior.Generally, it's 2 AC for the shield, 1 AC for the fighting style (because the offensive builds take the offensive fighting style), and shield master (because feat for a feat).  If we include feats and fighting styles for offensive forms then we include feats and fighting styles for defensive forms.  A magical shield increases that gap if it's included.  The evasion like ability that comes with shield master is much better than not evasion type abilities.I don't disagree that there's a lot of damage out of GWM and SS.  That's why I had a house rule to improve TWF as a style if a fighter wanted to go that route.  If the argument is that "not all fighting styles are created equal" then I support that argument.In my experience, S&B is viable in 5e.  Try a high level dex fighter with shield master.  If he's champion he can have defense and dueling fighting styles.  Dueling has the same benefit of bonus damage through multiple attacks (even if it's a smaller bonus, tbf) as other abilities.  If you want, skip shield master and use defensive duelist instead.  2-3 AC difference plus prof bonus to AC once per turn if as needed is better than the 1-2 AC to which you referred.</blockquote>