Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ThePaleKing Jan 29, 2015 21:34:37	My current pathfinder campaign is being switched over to 5th edition which I voted for, so I am happy about it. Now I do have to convert my character over, class comparison isn't important to me, his imagery and background is. He is a half-elven king who has lead a series of mercenary companies before being crowned, he leads from the front and dual wields hand axes. We're starting at level 6 (we were at level 10 in Pathfinder, but the DM prefers the monster options available at 6th in 5e) and I am wondering how to go about optimizing the dual wielding of hand axes as much as is possible? My current thoughts are Fighter with two weapon fighting style and the battlemaster archetype, and I feel like I may be on to the best build already, but recommendations are very much why I am here.
#2 Plaguescarred4 Jan 30, 2015 2:05:29	Fighter, Barbarian or Ranger could do well as two-weapon fighter, depending on the backstory of your character.
#3 Danny_Montanny Jan 30, 2015 4:00:36	I'd definitely say Battlemaster over any if the other Fighter sub-classes. It will give him an option to help his companions with some of his Maneuvers. If you want to a little more damage, battle axes instead of hand axes are an option, taking the Dual Wielder feat. You could still stay hand axes if you want, the bonus +1 AC along with the dual draw isn't too shabby. Depending on the character, Ranger could be an option if he's that type, but from your description he sounds like pure Battlemaster.   Maybe a Fighter 5 / Barbarian 1? Give ya a little damage bump while still letting you command with Battlemaster while raging. "He's a great commander, but an unholy terror if you make him angry." In this, you could stay hand axes and just take the STR bump at level 4. It might mess up your armor choice though, since you need to be in medium or less armor to get the Rage bonuses.
#4 Cadwyn Jan 30, 2015 4:19:42	Not sure how well it's optimised but a Monk would be good with two handaxes since they are considered Monk Weapons, which would eventually make them d10s of damage.
#5 FabulousRex Jan 30, 2015 19:04:28	I think going heavier on Barbarian would work better, since you need STR to attack with a Handaxe.  Monks can indeed use them, but have no need (beyond style) to actually use 2 of them. Barbs can add static Rage damage, which works well with relatively low damage weapons.  Also can throw them!   Paladins can rock 2 weapons better than all of them, IMO.  Add a Smite to each swing, along with Imporved Divine Simte's +d8, and possibly Divine Favor or Hunter's Mark for even more per swing damage.  Only need 1 fighter level to get 2WF style, but taking 3 for Battlemaster adds alot of diversity.  Paladins also get alot of abilities that protect against Fear, a common 5e condition that can also represent being a Warlord and motivating the troops!
#6 guachi Jan 30, 2015 22:05:38	The attack you get from the second axe will use your bonus action so you might want to stay away from a class or archtype that uses that a lot. The battlemaster has several maneuvers that do use his bonus action but many more that don't. In fact, they don't use any actions at all.   I know a lot of people are down on the champion fighter. But a positive is that zero of his archtype features use any actions whatsoever. In fact, since you start at level 6 you only have to wait one level before the Remarkable Athlete ability kicks in that grants 1/2 proficiency to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution checks (including initiative!) So you could just use zero skills on any of the four str/dex/con skils and put them elsewhere instead.   You could then take a feat that uses your reaction and have one thing to do on your bonus action (an attack with your other weapon) and one thing to do on your reaction (from your feat)
#7 ThePaleKing Feb 01, 2015 19:47:21	Right now I am stuck between going Battlemaster Fighter with the dual wielder feat and two weapon fighting, or Paladin with Oath of Vengeance, sure the Paladin doesn't have the feat and the TWF, but he does have a much stronger nova potential and spells. BTW, for stats we had one 18, one 8 then rolled the rest, I got 18, 16, 12 and 12 for the other stats. Thinking STR20, DEX10, CON16, WIS 12, INT12, CHA 20 for Paladin or STR 20, DEX10, CON16, WIS18, INT12, CHA14 for Fighter.
#8 Undrhil Feb 01, 2015 22:52:20	He's a *KING*.  He *LEADS*.   Fighter 6 (Battlemaster) with Inspiring Leader feat and stat bump in STR.    Are you guys using point-buy or rolling for stats?   You definitely want to put your high scores into STR and CHA.  Your medium scores into DEX and CON.  Drop INT and WIS.    You want STR for damage and attacks, obviously. You want CHA for 'being a leader'. You want CON for health, mostly. You want DEX for Initiative.  A leader should 'lead' and always try to act first.  Eventually, you'll want to take the Alert feat to get that boost in Initiative. You might want WIS for Perception and/or Survival, but I could see a King relying on others for those skills. You might want INT for knowledge skills, but I could see a King relying on other for those skills, as well.
#9 FabulousRex Feb 02, 2015 1:10:18	Fighter for 3 levels to get Manuvers, and then Valor Bard the rest of the way?  Grab Warcaster at some point and you're ready to lead from the front with 2 Handaxes, 2WF Style, and some great stolen spells of your choice.  You'll be flexible because you can throw your weapons as well to do things like trigger Commander's Strike at range, and can throw a number of awesome buff spells on your self and others, like Heroism (very thematic).  You'll be a full caster, but that just adds to the versatility, IMO.