Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 AndrewJO Jul 19, 2015 1:22:00	I want to make an agile, defensive character that specializes in one-on-one combat. My goal is to achieve high single target damage while also maintaining a high AC. For the build I was thinking of starting as a human ranger, starting with the defensive duelist feat, wielding a shield and rapier and wearing breastplate(Total AC 18, 20 on a reaction). At lvl 2 I'd take the defensive fighting style, lvl 3 colossus slayer, lvl 4 shield master feat, and at lvl 7 multiattack defense(if an enemy hits you with an attack gain +4 AC against that enemy for the rest of the turn). After lvl 8 I will multiclass into a battlemaster fighter, at least 4 lvls. After that I'd probably multiclass into rogue for the athletics expertise and sneak attack damage. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can improve my build? I'm willing to change classes and feats if necessary. Please don't suggest a build that relies on me finding a specific magic item or using homebrew rules, I play AL so magic items are rare and rules are strictly followed. Thanks for any help
#2 GladiusLegis Jul 19, 2015 5:26:05	Swashbuckler Rogue with 5 levels of Battle Master Fighter, Dueling Fighting Style. Done.
(Reply to #2) AndrewJO	GladiusLegis wrote:
#4 Yunru Jul 19, 2015 6:08:06	Start as a Barbarian. Although the Str requirement to MC is meh, their Unarmored Defense is lovely for a Dex based class.
(Reply to #4) AndrewJO	Yunru wrote:
#6 Vulf Jul 19, 2015 7:05:07	Fighter Rogue is one way to go. Sneak attack represents your deft blade work slipping past defenses to wound vital areas. Remember, you can still use a shield and benefit from the Duelist fighting style. Champion would still be decent for devastating sneak attack criticals. Though Battlemaster lets you display numerous tricks in combat, to trip up enemies or counter attack when they miss you. The riposte maneuver is one way to do sneak attack damage during an enemy's turn, which is great because the restriction on sneak attack damage is once per TURN, not once per ROUND.   2 levels of rogue for cunning action combined with the Mobile feat would give you an incredible range of movement each turn.   Another option would be Paladin with a spash of fighter for an extra fighting style. The Oath of Vengenace is tailored made specifically for one on one fights. This would represent the armored duelist of romantic knight stories. The Duels were fought with a variety of weapons and often with shields.   Some of the greatest heroic characters or Irish history wielded glaive like weapons, and they went unbeaten in all duels they were challenged to.  A polearm would allow the fighter to display his incredible agility as he fought. The polearm master feat will allow you to attack very often, constantly harassing foes and attacking with both ends of the weapon.   Medium armor master is another feat you may be interested in if you want to sneak around while wearing medium armor.
#7 Yunru Jul 19, 2015 7:36:30	Loose Ranger then, it doesn't add too much. :P
(Reply to #7) AndrewJO	Yunru wrote:
#9 Yunru Jul 19, 2015 8:47:09	It adds 1d6 per attack when you can cast it, and only while you can concentrate. It adds a conditional 1d8, which can really easily be replaced by some Rogue. Multiattack defense is simply inferior to Shield. TL;DR: Barbarian/Rogue(/Fighter) fits better than things with Ranger. Anything a Tanger can do a Fifhter can do.
#10 AndrewJO Jul 19, 2015 8:56:01	Multiattack defense doesn't require a reaction, it's a passive bonus. It stacks with shield/defensive duelest ;)
(Reply to #10) Vulf	AndrewJO wrote:
#12 Ghost_Gallus Jul 19, 2015 12:42:35	My suggestion would be drop Ranger or Rogue entirely. Since you can't get Swashbuckler (which makes a great duelist with the martial Ranger), I'd say drop Rogue. I think you'd be better served improving your Combat Superiority. Especially if the goal is to be a duelist,
#13 AndrewJO Jul 19, 2015 19:18:11	Starting with breastplate is a one time reward in Adventure League for DMing.
#14 Elfcrusher Jul 19, 2015 19:30:44	Seems to me that one level of Barbarian for unarmored defense, then Battlemaster the rest of the way makes sense.  All those juicy feats...Shield Master, Defensive Duelist, and Sentinel (I forget...can you use Defensive Duelist with a shield?)
#15 AndrewJO Jul 20, 2015 2:01:52	Yes, you just need a finesse weapon equipped.
#16 Coredump00 Jul 20, 2015 2:17:27	You can do a pretty good Dex based Paladin.
(Reply to #16) Vulf	Coredump00 wrote:
#18 Veleria Jul 20, 2015 8:37:23	Check out Dragon Sorcerer 1-4 levels using the spells for shield, then Battlemaster fighter with a possible 2 splash of rogue for flavor. You will have 13 + dex ac unarmored and all the melee goodies you can handle. Shield would be an expert parry. choose the levels based on your preference. If you go to 5 Sorc you can even haste yourself.
#19 rgoodbb Jul 20, 2015 10:27:37	Agree with above, but why not just 1 level of D. Sorc for the starting AC and 2 Shield spells(parry's) per day.   I think you can even wield a real shield with this one should you become proficient. (depending on ruling of the word armor.)   13 AC + Dex + Real Shield (+2) Base AC   2 x parry's per day   Chuck in Uncanny dodge at 5th rogue.   That's pretty defensive so you can now concentrate on your single damage    You would need a dip in fighter or something for the shield proficiency. but battlemaster is definately cool.   Whatever you go with, hope you Enjoy!
#20 Lindonius Jul 20, 2015 19:25:28	I like the Fighter 4/Rogue3/Paladin13 build on the assassin build thread.....   http://community.wizards.com/forum/player-help/threads/4149876   Does over a 300 damage nova (but uses off hand weapon so damage will be a bit less without the bonus attack).   GladiusLegis wrote:
#21 FrogReaver Jul 20, 2015 19:29:48	AndrewJO wrote:
#22 FrogReaver Jul 20, 2015 19:22:15	I think my suggestion would be to play a fighter till level 5 then take a couple of levels of warlock.  This nets you 2 short rest recharging casts of hex.  Then countinue working on fighter.  Either do that or go straight paladin.
#23 Vulf Jul 21, 2015 7:56:25	FrogReaver wrote:
(Reply to #23) FrogReaver	Vulf wrote: