Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Emily_Cook Jul 17, 2015 11:13:12	(Variant) Human with Shield Master Feat Barbarian level 1: Rage, Unarmored Defense AC 18, 15 HP   Strength 14 (+2)   Save +4 Dexterity 16 (+3)   Save +3 Constitution 16 (+3)   Save +5 Intelligence 8 (-1)   Save -1 Wisdom 10 (0)   Save 0 Charisma 8 (-1)   Save -1   Athletics +4, Intimidation +1, Perception +2, Stealth +5, Survival +2 Shortsword, longbow, javelin Unarmored with shield   Advancement: Level 02 Barbarian 01/Fighter 01: Duelist Fighting Style Level 04 Barbarian 01/Fighter 03: Battle Master Archetype: Parry, Precision Attack, Riposte Level 05 Barbarian 01/Fighter 04: +2 Dex (18) Level 07 Barbarian 01/Fighter 06: +2 Dex (20) Level 09 Barbarian 01/Fighter 08: Defensive Duelist Feat Level 13 Barbarian 01/Fighter 12: +2 Con (18) Level 15 Barbarian 03/Fighter 12: Totem of the Bear Level 17 Barbarian 03/Fighter 14: +2 Con (20) Level 19 Barbarian 03/Fighter 16: Tough Feat Level 20 Barbarian 03/Fighter 17: Done!     Any advice on how this build could be further optimized? Changing one feat for another, for instance, or rearranging the level advancement. Perhaps changing a maneuver, or which ones to add at higher levels? Disarming Attack came to mind.   I'm looking to play a melee warrior with high survivability (defense), whilst still dangerous in his attacks (offense).   All suggestions are welcome!
#2 carnage221 Jul 17, 2015 17:36:25	i was building something similar in my head a while back. how i would change it is at lvl 8 fighter i would take the sentinal feat instead of defensive duelist. if someone attacks you and hits you have parry for a reaction. if you get missed you have riposte as a reaction. with sentinal they attack someone near you you hit them back as a reaction. increase in damage right there.  after that i was gonna finish with rogue 11. miss out on one attack but man do your attacks hurt.  the extra damage from sneak attack will really make you a threat. you gain a few more bonus action options that can actually come in handy. dash to get into the fight, or disinguage just to change to a higher priority target.  with the first level of rogue i would take expertise in athletics to help with the bonus action attack of shield master. prone gives advantage for easy sneak attack.
#3 Emily_Cook Jul 18, 2015 0:26:26	carnage221 wrote:
#4 Vulf Jul 18, 2015 0:47:06	You really married to the shield? Maneuvers can accomplish everything you would want the shield to do in combat, and don't use bonus actions. You could take Defense or Mariner fighting style for +1 to armor class. If you go medium or heavy armor, use a strength weapon instead and benefit from the bonus Rage damage.   The Polearm feat will give you plenty of Reaction attacks, especially when combined with Sentinel, and your bonus action each turn can be used for d4+mod attack.   It seems silly to take a fighting style for +2 damage while being unable to take advantage of the +2 damage from rage because you are making Dex attacks. Just what I think, but if it fits your concept of using a finesse weapon for sneak attack damage with some Rogue levels instead of Barbarian. The Mobile feat would let a level 2 rogue use a bonus action combined with their move to travel 80' while ignoring difficult terrain. 120' in a turn where you double moved.
#5 Emily_Cook Jul 19, 2015 3:49:06	Vulf wrote:
#6 Yunru Jul 19, 2015 4:00:22	I run a similar build. Try checking my guide for further advice. Shield Master is great for a Dex Barbarian. Might want to pick up Expertise Athletics for when you're not raging to ensure you can prone though.
#7 carnage221 Jul 22, 2015 10:15:24	sorry been a way for a while.  never got to try the build my friend made something so similar that i made a different one.  his works really well by the way.  well if you really want tanky then go and pick arcane trickster for the rogue path.  only problem you will have is that the shield spell will be fighting for your reaction use. no need to worry about int as a stat either. shield doesn't need it blur doesn't need it. spells would be more for buffing and out of combat fun.  starting as a fighter or barb gives you con save prof so that is also a nice boost.  assassin is my least favorite path, thief gives added utlity and more bonus action competition.  barb 3 in nice but barb 2 is wasted on you since you can't get the advantage on dex attacks.  and as far as i am concerned taking no damage is still better then taking half damage.  shield expertise a good dex save with evasion is great verse aoe attacks.  your build is solid so any options or just keeping what you got it should work out very well.     oh yeah one last bit of advice. for tons of fun get yourself a whip. reach weapon you can sneak attack with. also does slashing if you ever run into the rare monster that doesn't care about piercing damage. plus you get tons and i mean tons of puns and sayings. they pretty much write themselves.   have fun