Dropping in again,
This is basically exactly the Rock Gnome’s “Tinker” Racial Trait:
You could make Bitur mechanically a Rock Gnome but narratively a dwarf (since the D&D 5E races don’t map exactly onto LotR races). Or you could switch out a dwarven racial trait for Tinker. Or, since this is basically a “ribbon” trait (a trait that adds narrative flavor but no real impact in game mechanics), you could just add it to the character for flavor.
I spent some time this afternoon, looking at the 5E paladin. In our original game, he used a two-weapon style (long sword and short sword); so, to adapt that for this game, I’m thinking that he would use the Defense fighting style, and take the Dual Wielder feat instead of an ability score increase. Of the three Sacred Oaths for paladins in the Player’s Handbook, I think that the Oath of Devotion makes the most sense.
@NAF1138: So we’ll go with a Fighter, Battle Master and possibly the Protection or defense Fighting style. We’ll find some feats for you. Weird option, as you have high Int, go with an Eldritch Knight and thus be a third caster. There would be both offensive and defensive spells though only Cantrips & 1st levels until 7th level.
@Hoopy_Frood: If you went 2 level Rogue & 3 levels fighter you would a lot of skills & expertise, especially with your special ability and sneak attacks & all the basic fighting stuff. Also the cunning actions of Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Dash could be very useful to get into combat quicker. And you can still be armored up massively. The tinker concept is a good one. Nice suggestion. My daughter also suggested it.
@John_DiFool: build using 86 as the base stats, then add race/feat bonuses. The prior characters are really high in stats.
Hit points are max at first and never less than 4 on a D6 per level after 1st. We use all the feats and you’ll get a special ability as a HERO. I’ll generate 3 specials for you to choose from.
@kenobi_65: Paldins aren’t great at Dual Wielder, you might want to look at the Great Weapon Feat instead, I think for Lance & Great Sword it would make up in damage for the one less attack. A weapon & shield will max your defense of course. Oath of Devotion is a great choice.
Gwaelur distrust magic though. So he would not do anything magical.
It makes for weird options as a lot of the feats for fighters seem to be magic based in 5e.
I’m open to suggestions as I very much don’t know what I’m doing in terms of D&D, just suggestions that fit the character better. (sorry)
For the feat consider:
Slasher does a bunch of stuff
If you want to not use the shield, Great Weapon Master Lots of extra damage.
Shield Master
Heavy Armor Master which reduces damage from non-magic by 3 points.
Or Tough just gives +2 hp/level
I like that suggestion. I’ll take the Great Weapon Fighting combat style, and the Great Weapon Master feat, assuming we can translate one of his old weapons into a greatsword or something similar. And, being good with a lance fits well with being a Knight of the Mark, of course!
This is all looking pretty cool.
Hail, Hejren, and well met!
Ok, I get 2 right?
If so, and if my battle axe counts as a great weapon, I’ll go with Great Weapons Master.
If I get a second I’ll take Shield Master.
If my Battle Axe is not a great weapon let me know and I’ll pick something else.
I also have to select maneuvers, I’ll let you know later today. I think I get three to start. Please confirm?
Feats you start with one.
The most basic thing that defines a great weapon is that it is two handed, so precludes use of a shield.
You need a Fighting Style & 3 Maneuvers
I need to translate over your special ability.
It looks like you should have a choice of:
+1 Con: Advantage Poison Saving throws & Poison Resistance;
+1 Con: Advantage Magic Saving Throws for Con, Str & Dex
Or pick one of these new ones.
+1 Dex: Horde Breaker. 1/t get extra attack vs. different creature within 5’ of the original target & in range of your weapon & opportunity attacks vs. you are at disadvantage.
+1 Str/Dex: Knee Capper vs. 1-2 sizes larger creatures; 1/t on a hit, use your Str or Dex vs. their Dex to knock them prone & drop mvmt to 0
.
Oh, OK. I thought I got one to start and one at level 4 and we were starting at level 5. My mistake.
The reason I asked about if my battle axe counted is because it’s a two handed weapon I weild one handed so I wasn’t sure how that worked. It seems like that isn’t a great weapon, so let’s go just with Shield Master.
I’m considering maneuvers still.
Fighting style I have a few questions. I can take it to PM if that’s better so we don’t clog the thread up.
I think it is just as well here. It might answer questions for others too. Plus, I’m not really as expert at 5e as I was with 1e. Difference of 2 years of mostly playing vs. 40 years of playing & DM’ing 1st Ed.
Ok, first, would my shield count as a weapon?
Second, I have my crossbow which was used more than anything in previous campaigns. It’s a fantastic ranged weapon and I’m trying to figure out how to balance that with everything else as the rules feel like they are pushing me to pick between a mele fighter and a ranged fighter. I don’t want to lose Gwaelur’s ranged ability, but if I have to pick I think mele is probably more useful since I don’t think we have a lot of that in the party.
I am leaning towards deuling if the shield doesn’t count as a weapon, or if it does Defense or maybe two weapon if the shield does count as a weapon.
I’m also open to general suggestions based on overall part balance.
Once I know fighting style I’ll have a better idea of maneuvers.
Generally the Shield isn’t really a weapon any more. 2 weapon fighting is much more minimized in 5e than the 1e game I ran. If you have Shield Master Feat you can use the shield to shove your opponent, but that isn’t worth a lot in combat. If you did take that, you would want to take the Fighting style Two Weapon Fighting so that you can add your Str mod to the dam you do with the shield at least.
For the Crossbow, you could take the Fighting style Archery which gives a +2 to hit with ranged weapons. The Feat Sharpshooter makes all ranges short effectively, ignores partial cover and gives an option for a -5 to hit for +10 damage. So very similar to Great Weapon master but for ranged weapons.
The biggest decision is probably:
Is the Crossbow the primary weapon or Axe?
. . If Axe, will you use it 2-Handed or 1 Handed with a Shield?
. . . . If with Shield, is the shield a weapon or just defense?
For Thoroncir, @Elendil_s_Heir
Trying to migrate your special ability:
+1 Int; Speak with Animals. 1 Language per level, Druids learn 3/ level but @9th all known. Witches 2/ level @14th all known.
+2 Cha: Project Voice & Orator: Adv. Persuasion speaking to crowds/troops. Get Persuasion Skill. Can go to 22 Cha.
Or choose from these:
Mind Blank: Immune to Psychic damage and advantage vs. Illusions & Charms.
+1 Dex or Wis: Battle Ready: advantage Initiative. Take a free bonus before initiative roll.
Speak with Animals as to horses, please, and Battle Ready sounds good. Thanks!
Well, I think Axe is primary weapon.
It’s listed as a two handed Axe that I can weild with one hand without penalty, so I don’t know what to do with that. That seems like a DM call to me. I mean, I would love to get all the benefit of two handed weapons but only use one hand if you allow it. Something tells me you won’t.
You tell me if the shield is a weapon. I think I would ideally like to use it for secondary damage with the Sheild Master feat, but have it not count as a weapon and go with a more up close and personal fighting style and manouvers. I am leaning this way because I believe our party already has a number of ranged attack options. If I’m wrong we can talk, and it’s not like my crossbow doesn’t work if I don’t specialize in it.
OK, so I assume one point per stat, not weighted? Do I then get some for levels 2-5, or did you include those in said total?
Still mulling over my feat in the PM…
The Dwarven Axe can be used 1 hand by someone super strong but then it won’t count as a great weapon. You are correct. We probably have enough ranged capability, the Wizard especially should add to this. They usually do.
No points by level and no weighed points. You do get either a Feat or a +2 for stats. You get the racial stat bonuses (+2 Dex & +1 Wis). And one of the specials I sent over include a stat bonus.
I’m thinking duelist fighting style and Precision attack, menacing attack and riposte as my manouvers.
Thoughts? I’m very on the fence about some of these.
Sounds Melee heavy and sounds good. I would probably also go with using the Axe 2 handed most of the time and pick up the Great Weapon Master feat.
Nice part is if you’re fighting things not too hard to hit, you can dish out a lot of extra damage but if your fighting something powerful, go to 1 hand on the Axe and pull your shield out and up your defense by a nice amount. Less damage, but you’re much better protected.