Best Level 1 Sword & Board build?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

DateOfLies

Aug 06, 2014 12:01:04

I'm about to play a one-off (first time playing 5e) and I'm wondering how to tweak a fighter build to make it as optimized and balanced as possible. I believe I read that while two-handed weapon fighting is the most DPR, it's not worth the cost of losing a shield.

 

Feel free to go into specifics as I am not all that familiar with the edition yet (you can point me to a build as well)

 

Thanks a lot in advance and I look forward to contributing to this forum as soon as I get a hold of 5e!

#2

kanageddaamen

Aug 06, 2014 12:20:50

DateOfLies wrote:
#3

DateOfLies

Aug 06, 2014 12:27:39

I love balance but if you pushed me I'd say I would rank my priorities as:

1) DPR

2) Durability

3) Defending

#4

mellored

Aug 06, 2014 12:51:06

Variant human, with heavy armor mastery, greatsword, and great weapon style.

Str and Con should be your stats things.  Followed by Wis, and Dex.

 

 

Should be a good balance between damage and defense.

Of course, the best at level 1 isn't neccicaray the best at level 20.

#5

Thank_Dog

Aug 06, 2014 12:53:50

Optimum Generica

Fighter 1 (Duelist)

Human

 

Str 14

Dex 14

Con 14

Int 11

Wis 14

Cha 14

 

AC 18

 

HP 12

 

Initiative: +2

 

Attacks: Longsword, +5, 1d8+4.

 

Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, Survival.

 

Tool Proficiencies: Gaming Set (dice), Vehicles (land).

 

Equipment: Chainmail, Shield, Longsword, Dungeoneer's Pack, Gaming Set.

#6

DateOfLies

Aug 06, 2014 13:57:49

Thanks to all for the advice, I went with the Variant human, with heavy armor mastery, greatsword. If someone could let me know if I did this right, that would be great.

 

STR: 16 (includes: +1 racial, +1 feat)

DEX: 14

CON: 16 (includes: +1 racial)

INT: 8

WIS: 13

CHA: 8

 

AC: 16 (Chainmail)

HP: 13

Speed: 30 ft

 

Greatsword Attack bonus: +5

 

Feat: Heavy Armor Master (resist 3 to non-magical weapon damage, +1 STR)

 

Background: Acolyte

 

Gold: 27.5 (15.5 after buying dungeoneering pack)

 

Skills:

Acrobatics (trained): 4

Animal Handling: 1

Athletics: 3

Insight (trained): 3

Medicine: 1

Perception (trained): 3

Religion (trained): 1

Sleight of Hand: 2

Stealth: 2 (but with disadvantage because of armor)

Survival: 1

 

All untrained INT and CHA skills: -1

 

 

#7

kanageddaamen

Aug 06, 2014 15:22:17

Great Sword is not going to be a Sword and Board build though.

If you still want the shield, I would go Longsword + Dueling fighting style, human varient with either Shield Master or Heavy Armor Master

#8

mellored

Aug 06, 2014 15:55:12

kanageddaamen wrote:
#9

DM_HEEGZ

Aug 06, 2014 21:03:17

Yeah, um that is not a sword and board style. There has been a very noticeable difference at my table between an AC 16 and an 18 or 19. I would definitely suggest going with shield and longsword with Duelist or the +1 to AC. You can still dish out a lot of damage with a 16 Str and a longsword. If you need to pump more damage, drop the shield and two hand the longsword at 1d10.

#10

kanageddaamen

Aug 07, 2014 5:51:13

mellored wrote:
#11

mellored

Aug 07, 2014 6:46:54

kanageddaamen wrote:
#12

Undrhil

Aug 07, 2014 8:59:44

Does the Heavy Armor Master feat have a prerequisite for being proficient with Heavy Armor?  I'm just curious if it could be useful for someone besides a Fighter, such as a Cleric or a Ranger.

#13

kanageddaamen

Aug 07, 2014 9:10:19

Undrhil wrote: