This is not a racial paragon class, this class uses paragon in its name to represent its degree of mastery. You gain the following benefits. The text “within 5 feet of you” has been removed from the second benefit. • When you use a spear, its damage die changes from a d6 to a d8, and from a d8 to a d10 when wielded with two hands. You gain the following benefits: • You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls you make with a spear. Check out our guide on How to Find a D&D Group. When a creature within your reach makes an attack against a target other than you (and that target doesn't have this feat), you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against the attacking creature.Note how these two lovely feats interact. This affiliate disclosure details the affiliate relationships of Blueshift Nine, LLC with other companies and products. Get to within 10 feet of an enemy, make 2 attacks for a total (assuming both hit) of 1d10 + 1d4 + 6. The penalty is reduced by –1 for every four levels beyond 2nd. Below is a list of 12 of the best maneuver options for this build and by the time you reach 15th level and take the Martial Adept feat, you will be able to select all but one of them- while being able to spend 7 superiority dice per short rest! I’d be tempted to make it once per attack action (for synergy with Action Surge). You can't disengage and attack in the same turn ... To answer your question, polearm master's second perk would activate once the enemy enters your reach (10'), and therefore a hit would stop him at that distance. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover. As a little added bonus, our additional d4+strength meets all the requirements for our great weapon fighting style, letting us typically eke out another 1-2 points of damage out of our bonus action attacks. It allows you to shove creatures 5 feet, proning them, as a bonus action. 5e Community. I mean, just look at that thing. Pages on this Service may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this Service, Blueshift Nine, LLC, will make a referral commission. And if you used a trip maneuver, this means that they don’t have the movement to be able to get up that turn and even if they can reach anyone to make a melee attack, those attacks are at disadvantage. “Interesting options” doesn’t mean you skimp on the ability to dish-out damage either and for that purpose, let me introduce you to my friend the ultimate polearm fighter. Consider this build if you like the idea of being a living lightning rod.Is the Build Worth Playing? Your System Come To Life. You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls you make with a spear. A second sen-tence has been added to the first benefit: “This attack uses the same ability modifier as the primary attack.” Both instances of “or quarterstaff” have been changed to “quarterstaff, or spear.” Sentinel (p. 169). Superiority dice are an additional d8 that are typical added to damage rolls, increase to d10 at 10th level, and d12 at 18th level when you use a battlemaster maneuver. Some choices depend on your party’s specific dynamic or Dungeon Master’s encounter building style- trading an attack and bonus action to allow an ally to make an attack as a reaction with commander’s strike generally is poor trade-off. The ability for this build to regularly make d4+str bonus action attacks and situationally make d10+str bonus action attacks combined with the 4 potential ways that an enemy may trigger an attack as a reaction means that it will be commonplace for you to be able to make 6 attacks per round at high-level play. 5E Stats - One Handed or Versatile Simple Weapon, Costs 1 gp and has a weight of 3 lb.Weapon Options: Armour-Piercing Thrust, Blunted Bash, Fearsome Accuracy, Grinding Halt, Phalanx, Pinning Hit,… Polearm Master’s a strong pick because when you’re wielding a glaive or halberd, which has the second highest damage die in the game, a d10, it gives you a d4 bonus action attack that also does your strength modifier in damage and even better still, whenever an enemy enters your 10’ reach, it triggers an opportunity attack as a reaction. One big problem with thrown weapons is action economy. Better still, if an enemy has advantage against you, you can spend a luck point and choose the worst result out of 3d20 for their attack. At this point, it might be wise to hedge your bets on this happening by becoming proficient in wisdom saving throws. One might also consider taking the Resilient feat for dexterity rather than an ability score increase. Pole Fighting ()At 2nd level, as an immediate action, a polearm master can shorten the grip on his spear or polearm with reach and use it against adjacent targets.This action results in a –4 penalty on attack rolls with that weapon until he spends another immediate action to return to the normal grip. While you can use an object interaction to freely draw a weapon, you only get one free object interaction per turn. Now just round it out by strapping on plate armor, carrying a few javelins, and a shield for those enemies you can’t get to just yet! I am very happy with my purchase through Purpleheart Armoury. You’re also limited to a single reaction, so this keep-away battlefield control strategy falls apart if you get swarmed.The build controls a single close-range enemy well, and in a straight dual or any single combat your opponent will be crying “broken” and “OP” after they spend the entire combat locked in place and doing nothing while dying to polearm slashes.The advantage of the build though is how little you give up achieving it. The lucky feat is super handy to have in either circumstance. Short Blades Master: It makes a dagger specialist a lot more viable. Polearm Master (p. 168). He has: An AC of 18. I'd have to think about it. I mean, just look at that thing. Tavern Brawler (p. 170). Free Shipping on All U.S.A. Orders of $75 or More! It'll deal 1d6 and can be thrown, but it doesn't have any extra reach and doesn't qualify for the effects of the Polearm Master feat. If you get ambushed or have any scenario where your enemies begin the combat in melee of you, the whole gimmick of your feats don’t really have a chance to shine. Spear on foot with shield: no penalty While on foot, polearm attacks can stop horses and cause them to rear, regardless of damage dealt, target speed, or the horse's Charge attribute. Spear Master: I’m not sure this is necessary as Polearm Master has been errata’d to include the spear… Should you play one? Polearm Master’s a strong pick because when you’re wielding a glaive or halberd, which has the second highest damage die in the game, a d10, it gives you a d4 bonus action attack that also does your strength modifier in damage and even better still, whenever an enemy enters your 10’ reach, it triggers an opportunity attack as a reaction. You also get to add your shield's AC bonus to Dexterity saving throw effects that target only you. Upon selecting this archetype you get to select 3 maneuvers, are able to choose 6 more as you gain levels, and since as a battlemaster you get the most out of superiority dice, you should strongly consider taking the Martial Adept feat for an additional 2 maneuvers and superiority die. For melee I would sub-divide into two weapons. Can Warlock with the Polearm Master and War Caster Feats cast Eldritch Blast as an Opportunity Attack while wearing a shield, RAW? You gain the following benefits: • You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls you make with a spear. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Validated User. Due to the fact that this build utilizes a bunch of feats for optimal effect, you don’t get to allot many ability score increases and going the half-orc route only gets your fighter up to having an 18 strength and the human build only gaining a 20 strength at 19th level. Dungeons and Dragons - Mystara Weapons Mastery - Spear This is usually a wooden shaft with a pointed tip designed for melee and throwing. Spear and shield is a lower damage option that has no real benefits to it in 5e. It also does little to nothing about ranged combatants. You gain the following benefits: When you take the Attack action and attack with only a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a bonus action to make a melee attack with the opposite end of the weapon. It also often makes a lot of sense to use a maneuver when you score a critical hit- 1d10 becomes 2d10 (or 3d10 if you also happen to be a half-orc)! It allows you to shove creatures 5 feet, proning them, as a bonus action. This ability is incredibly good, as melee attacks made against a prone creature have advantage. Powered by Shopify. Imagine a scenario in which an enemy is locked in place, 10 feet from you, they can’t run away from you or get into melee with you and you can stab them safely from 10 feet away. Prerequisites: Ability to use Spear, Strength of 15 or Dexterity of 19 After many years of practice and experience in battle, You have gained true understanding of the way of spears. Shield Master. He's looking at a first round DPR of 16.2, and all other rounds he's looking at 2d8+1d4+9 for a DPR of 11.85. Polearm Master. So, to conclude, Polearm Master is considerably less situational than Spear Mastery, allowing it to be used more frequently, and, as you level, it will become superior in every way. Some DMs will even call it overpowered or broken. A little fairer than the knight, but still based on creating a 10 aura of pain around you and locking your opponent out of reach. Roll20 for Android. If you fail your typical dexterity saving throw, you take twice as much damage. 9 min read. Whether you chose half-orc or human as your race, your first feat choice that I’d recommend is the Polearm Master, the difference being whether you have access to this feat at 1st level as a human or 4th as a half-orc. By using the affiliate links, you are helping support the Service, and we genuinely appreciate your support. • When you use a spear, its damage die changes from a d6 to a d8, and from a d8 to a d10 when wielded with two hands. Check out our guide on. You could choose to trade-out a feat or two for more ability score increases or delay taking a couple of feats to boost your strength earlier, but that only makes you 5-10% better at attacking and likewise the difference of maximizing your battlemaster maneuvers at a DC of 17 versus 19 will seldom make the difference. Lastly, this feat gives us yet another fail-safe to use in conjunction with Great Weapon Master’s -5 attack penalty. And as someone who has always thought glaives were more elegant than halberds, one to which I wish I had an answer. Better still, if an enemy has advantage against you, you can spend a luck point and choose the worst result out of 3d20 for their attack. Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu, A column with no settings can be used as a spacer, Link to your collections, sales and even external links, by Michael Brown With Shield Master, you become a shoving machine. Awlpike on foot without shield: no penalty; Spear on foot with shield: no penalty; While on foot, polearm attacks can stop horses and cause them to rear, regardless of damage dealt, target speed, or the horse's Charge attribute. A case can be made for also taking this feat for dexterity saves, but reducing the risk of being turned against the party is more beneficial. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers. Are you making an attack at disadvantage? Our polearm fighter’s obvious choice for a 1st level fighting style is going to be great weapon fighting, allowing us to reroll the first 1’s or 2’s that are rolled, which will greatly help increase the average damage output. With the simple goal of two feats in mind, for the optimal build of a polearm master, choose the following: That’s what you can consider the core of the build, and beyond that you have a lot of wiggle room to customize. 1. Spear; Trident of Fish Command; Trident of Warning; Back to Main Page → System Reference Document → Weapons. A short spear that does 1d6 and can be used with a shield 2. You gain the following benefits: • You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls you make with a spear. Essentially, Polearm Masters who attack with a polearm (spear, quarterstaff, halberd, glaive) can attack with the other end of the weapon as a bonus action. When you take your 3rd level in fighter, you’ll gain access to the core feature of the battlemaster fighter archetype, maneuvers. As long as you're wielding a polearm, polearm master allows you to make an extra attack as a bonus action on each of your turns. Their range and impact (with enough force, some could penetrate armour) made many polearms successful weapons against mount… This attack uses the same ability modifier as the primary attack. Polearm Master (p. 168). Polearms are, along with Spears, the largest weapons in the game with the most reach. Combine this with an early successful trip maneuver attempt and you have a fighter that effectively controls the battlefield while consistently dishing-out upwards of 80 points of damage per round! Then there’s the fact that if an enemy chooses to attack anyone other than you, you’ve another way to make them pay: when an enemy within 5’ of you attacks an ally, you get yet another way to use your reaction and can make an attack on them. A second sen-tence has been added to the first benefit: “This attack uses the same ability modifier as the primary attack.” Both instances of “or quarterstaff” have been changed to “quarterstaff, or spear.” Sentinel (p. 169). Newer Post →, Thinking about other classes? Your group will love these, New to find a D&D Group? The shield master feat is only applicable to a character who uses a shield, obviously. +5 to hit. Polearm Master should be usually better, but Spear Mastery has the potential to deal more damage on early levels Both weapons will deal 1d10 damage on hit. Posted by Andrew E. on September 17, 2019. 5 answers; The Polearm Master feat (PHB, p. 168) says: While you are wielding a glaive, halberd, pike, quarterstaff or spear, other creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter the reach you have with that weapon. Compendium Character Vault Manage Audio Roll20 for iPad and Android Token Marker Library. If a creature is frightened of you, its speed is reduced to 0 while in the aura, and that creature takes psychic damage equal to half your paladin level if it starts its turn there. All told, you will have access to 11 maneuvers to use under a range of circumstances by the time you reach 15th level. It is covered by the Open Game License v1.0a, rather than the Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike License.To distinguish it, these items will have this notice. Jump to: navigation, search. The text “within 5 feet of … Otherwise, this attack functions just as if you attacked with the weapon in question. Check out our giant list of, Hungry for Adventure? website (the "Service") is for general information purposes only. Source: Player’s Handbook. Jan 29, 2017 #7 Sardan said: The spear was pretty commonly used throughout history but seems well below par in 5e. result out of 3d20! Spear Mastery gives +1 on the modifier and allows you to use your Bonus Action + Reaction to attack … To accompli… [New] Polearm Master (p. 168). Streamlined for … Polearm Master is looking at 1 attack at 1d8+3 from the Gladiator closing with him, followed by 2 attacks of 1d8+3 and 1 attack of 1d4+3 on his turn. Considering the weapon is Heavy AND Two-handed, I think they wouldn't have a free hand to clutch the holy symbol. New to find a D&D Group? If I were to steal this for running 5e I would probably just have it give the spear finesse permanently, and then the bonus action could give the reach property, + 1 AC, or the ability to use your reaction to make an opportunity attack against someone entering your reach like with polearm master. While you can noodle with the configurations to your taste, a heavy-weapon fighter’s going to require a high strength and since you’ll be up in the thick of melee combat, a high constitution score is also important (not to mention among Monster Manual monsters, it’s one of the highest represented saving throws). You gain the following benefits: Ability to use ANY spear weapon - one handed. While Great Weapon Master’s ability to make an attack as a bonus action when you reduce an enemy to 0 hp or score a critical might feel redundant to Polearm Master’s benefit of an d4 attack, it’s the difference of occasionally being able to trade-in that d4 for a d10. While wielding a glaive, halberd, pike, or quarterstaff, other creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter your reach. Then there’s the other massive benefit of this feat, opting to take a -5 to attack for an additional +10 to damage, which is still an option when you make your d4 attack, and if you miss by a narrow margin, the penalty can likely be mitigated by expending a superiority die to activate precision attack. Additionally, once per round you also have a reaction… if an opponent’s action triggers it...but here’s a spoiler alert: with this build, there’s many instances that will! The “standard” or “vanilla” build of polearm master is usually what people are talking about when they reference the build. Name to represent its degree of Mastery at your earliest opportunity his quarterstaff ( a weapon... ” feat inevitably comes up whenever people discuss optimized fighter builds is free of viruses or other harmful.. Taken to Master it we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers fighter VIDEO. 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