Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 bdubgnarkill Jul 13, 2015 14:33:37	My idea for a Dwarf Tempest Cleric   14 Str 10 Dex 15 Con 8 Int 15 Wis 8 Cha   Tempest domain   Sailor background.   My idea behind the build, get in the fray, be very tanky, use the shield master to knock enemies over.    I have one question that keeps coming up. I see everyone when they build their clerics, they go Dex over str. When building a dwarf, this just seems wrong. I know if I am a dwarf, I can wear huge armor and ignore the penalties so I dont need str. I also know I will not be doing much damage anyway, so I dont need to worry about it.    Dex will offer me better AC with med armor, a better dex save, better use of a crossbow or finesse weapon   Str offers me better use of a warhammer (which is the way to go in my mind for a gnarly dwarf). Use for shield master.    After I get plate armor, wouldnt the dex bonus become useless? So are there any advantages that I am missing about the dex over str?  I would like to use the Shield Master
#2 getouttadodge01 Jul 13, 2015 16:18:56	We've got nearly the same character build!   14 Str 10 Dex 14 Con  +2 (hill dwarf) 8 Int 15 Wis + 1 (hill dwarf) 10 Cha   You still need to pass the dex save on spells to negate all damage with your shield.  Having a higher dex score (lets say modifier of +2) with shieldmaster gives you +4 to dex saves.  Heavy armor in 5e doesn't limit your dex modifier, it just limits the amount of dex you can use to apply to your AC.   The one thing I've seen is having a +2 dex modifier, taking a rapier and going human for defensive duelist feat with a shield.  By wearing scale mail you get 14 AC (armor) + 2 (shield) + 2 (dex) + 2 (duelist if they hit you and you spend reaction).  20 armor with good dex saves at level 1 is no joke.  Add in shield master later and you'll be an agile-ass cleric swatting away fireballs and dragon breath.   This however is 100% un-dwarfy.  Having 18 AC and the use of a hammer with all kinds of thunder and lightning damage seems too cool to pass up.