Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 FactOfFiction May 27, 2015 23:43:12	Hello everyone,   I have been considering my options for an upcomming high level sesion, and I have set my mind on one of the following 2 characters (Please note that we start with an extra feat):   Variant Human Fighter 1/Infernal Warlock 2/Fire Dragon Sorcerer 12 Fighting Style: Defensive Equipment: Heavy Armor and Shield Ability Scores: Str 8, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 20 Feats: Sentinel, War Caster, Crossbow Expert Evocations: Agonizing Blast, Repeling Blast Metamagic (12 sorcery points): Quickened Spell, Heightened Spell, Twinned Spell Spells: Shield, Scorching Ray, Fly, Dispell Magic, Lightning Bolt, Counterspell, Improved Invisibility, Banishment, Animate Objects, Hold Monster, Dominate Person, Teleportation Circle, Hex, Armor of Agathys Skills: Perception, Intimidation, Deception, Persuation, Arcana   At-will dps: 42 and push 30 ft. (hex, eldritch blast) Encounter nova: 90 and push 30 ft. (hex, eldritch blast, quickened lvl 3 scorching ray) Daily nova: 120 and push 30 ft. (hex, eldritch blast, quickened lvl 6 scorching ray) Sentinel or AO attack: 31 and push 30 ft. (warcaster, hex, eldritch blast) AC: 21+5 (shield spell for all attacks this round)   Variant Human Battlemaster Fighter 5/Swashbuckler Rogue 10 Fighting Style: Defensive Equipment: Medium Armor, Rapier and Shield Ability Scores: Str 8, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14 Feats: Sentinel, Defensive Duelist, Medium Armor Master, Mage Slayer Maneuvers (4d8 superiority dice): Disarming Attack, Riposte, Pushing Attack Sneak Attack: 5d6 Skills: Perception, Stealth (exp), Persuation (exp), Acrobatics (exp), Athletics (exp), Deception   At-will dps: 37 (1 normal, 1 sneak attack) Encounter nova: 55 and push 15 ft. (1 normal, 1 sneak attack, 1 riposte, 2 maneuvers) Daily nova: 83 and disarm and push 15 ft. (3 normal, 1 sneak attack, 1 riposte, 4 maneuvers) Sentinel or AO attack: 10 damage (normal attack) AC: 21+5 (defensive duelist for one attack)   Both calculations assume 100% hit rate which is of course unrealistic, but since they have the same chance to hit - it gives the right perspective for comparison. I guess the rogue has a tiny advantage here, since the bulk of his damage (sneak attack, maneuvers) can be alocated to successful attacks. Other that that - I really want to give the swashbuckler a chance, but just don't see a situation where it can shine. His damage is less (much less), with fewer effects attached and in melee range. His defenses are comparable, but shield + armor of agathys really put the sorcerer far ahead when it matters. The sorcerer is also close to picking at-will flight and if has the option to get action surge as well for really scary nova. Mage Slayer + Sentinel gives the rogue some utility against spellcasters, but the sorcerer can just counterspell. Panache is nice of course, but hard to compare against twinned dominate person. The warlock is a bit vulnerable to fire resistance, but he can just animate objects and go town. Assuming 4 encounters and 1 short rest per day as we play - the rogue hardly has more stamina. Is there some major mistakes in my build or rogue advantages that I miss to see? As I said, I feel playing a swashbuckler and in the end I'll go about playing it I guess, but the sorcerer just seems objectively better.
#2 FrogReaver May 28, 2015 0:31:58	FactOfFiction wrote:
#3 FactOfFiction May 28, 2015 1:43:34	Hmm, yeah, maybe I am underestimating the flexible damage application importance, but on the otherside - the sorcerers multiple damage instances greatly reduce the overkill chance. Do we have some benchmark values for expected enemy AC and hp over the levels?
#4 Danny_Montanny May 28, 2015 4:56:20	Or you could play what concept seems the most fun to play. Combat is one thing, but if you're not enjoying role playing a character for the sake that they're better in combat, you're not gonna have as much fun.
#5 BoldItalic May 28, 2015 7:51:58	Sorcerer or Rogue? We can't tell you - we need more information. We need to know what you want to achieve. Let's start with the end of the story and work backwards.   How you want your character to die at the end of the session, and how you want him to be remembered afterwards? What perils do you want him to survive, but just barely? Which gods will he call upon in extremis and what qualities do they most admire? What does he most admire in his companions? What notable acts of selfless heroism will he display to save his companions from annihilation? ​And above all, which one do you want to play ?
#6 FunkySpunk May 28, 2015 20:45:06	If you want to boost that first characters damage, a second level of fighter would help.
#7 FrogReaver May 29, 2015 12:06:55	Now that I actually have time to devote to this thread.   I would recommend Fighter 6 rogue 9 human variant dual wieldier.   Human Variant: Dual Wielder Feat Level 1:  Take the two weapon fighting style and use rapiers   Damage:  7.5 * 2.   Leather Armor puts AC at 11 + 3 + 1 = 15 AC.     Level 4: (+2 dex) Damage:  8.5 * 2   Leather armor AC = 16 Studded leather AC = 17   Level 5: (extra attack) Damage:  8.5 * 3   AC = 16 or 17     Level 6 (+2 dex) Damage:  9.5*3   AC 17 or 18     (You can get slightly better results with the crossbow expertise feat and a hand crossbow but i thought you wanted the rapier flavor so I kept that as best as I could).   --------------------------------------------------------------------------   Now you add rogue levels and get lots of sneak attack damage that has a very good chance of applying since all you need to do for it is hit on 1 of your 3 attacks.  I'll post some level 15 numbers in a few.