Best defender build?

[JamesT]

What class and feat combination makes for the strongest defender build in 5e?

[neonchameleon]

What class and feat combination makes for the strongest defender build in 5e?

There isn't really one. One reaction per round simply isn't enough to hold a line without the DM throwing softballs. There is however a feat called something like Sentinel that gives you an OA to cut someone open when they attack an ally of yours while adjacent to you. There's also the Polearm Master who controls a nice area (the Barbarian Polearm Master is especially nice).

[JamesT]

I can't help but feel that that Polearm Master feat can serve as a deterrent from attacking you, actually. If I was a monster, I wouldn't want to approach the character that smacks anyone that comes near him/her. :)

[Naanomi]

Almost certainly not what you are looking for but... Beastmaster ranger with a giant crab pet could lock down 3 or so combatants compared to the single opponent a polearm master/sentinel would be capable of. Of course, don't dismiss the shield specialist fighter who just shoves up to 5 people over a round, or a Battlemaster tripping everyone for similar effect. There is also stunning fist which can serve similar purposes if you want.

[DrLemniscate]

Do you want a meat shield?

Barbarians can get 24AC, and resistance to all non-psychic damage.

Fighters can get as high, but provide more utility and protection to the group.

Do you magic meat shield?

Abjuration Wizard, casting Shield (+5AC) every reaction without using spell slots, and having resistance to spells. Optimally start as a Fighter for Heavy Armor and Defense Fighting Style.

Life Clerics can wear Heavy Armor + Shield, and also heal themselves when they heal others (healtank!). War Clerics can get resistance to damage, as well as make attacks (probably) miss.

Druids can eventually have near infinite life, and can take various forms with huge amounts of HP or AC. I don't know the stats on an Earth Elemental, but it is probably rather tanky.

Do want an anti-magic meat shield?

Abjuration Wizards work too.

Rogues can be built to pass nearly every saving throw.

Do you want to defend other things?

Polearm Master + Sentinel can be a scary combination. Fighters get more feats/ability score increases than other classes (7 instead of 5; rogues get 6). Add Human on top of that, and you can build a versatile kit with ... Polearm Master + Sentinel + Mage Slayer + Mobile, or whatever fits your style best.

[JamesT]

Abjuration Wizard, casting Shield (+5AC) every reaction without using spell slots, and having resistance to spells. Optimally start as a Fighter for Heavy Armor and Defense Fighting Style.

What do you mean by "without using spell slots?" How is that possible?

[Symphony]

What do you mean by "without using spell slots?" How is that possible?

Spell Mastery Class Feature at level 18, allows you to choose one first and second level spell to cast at will. Just pick Shield (and probably Mirror Image for even more defense).

[OldTrees1]

Paladin of the Ancients with the Protector fighting style
Sentinel, Polearm Master and Martial Adept(1d6, Maneuvering Attack, another Manuever)

Paladin of the Ancients adds your charisma modifier to saves of allies(including yourself) within 10ft/30ft and provides resistance to spell damage to those same allies.
Protector can impose disadvantage with your 1 reaction
Sentinel can end an enemy's movement with your 1 reaction
Maneuvering attack(1/short rest) can allow an ally to move with their reaction

[andhaira]

Paladin with spell 'Compel Duel'

/thread

[Giant2005]

Paladin with spell 'Compel Duel'

/thread

That spell isn't really very good...
It seems almost certain that every single player in the world insists on attacking the target of that spell and breaking it.

[cobaltstarfire]

Life Clerics can wear Heavy Armor + Shield, and also heal themselves when they heal others (healtank!).

Just remember Life Clerics don't heal themselves like that until level 6.

[OldTrees1]

That spell isn't really very good...
It seems almost certain that every single player in the world insists on attacking the target of that spell and breaking it.

Why would they do that? Wouldn't the players be better off attacking the enemy without disadvantage than attacking the enemy with disadvantage?

I think Compel Duel is a good addition.

[Gnomes2169]

Why would they do that? Wouldn't the players be better off attacking the enemy without disadvantage than attacking the enemy with disadvantage?

I think Compel Duel is a good addition.

*Blue*You forgot that if you put a group of players in a room with a box of rocks and then start a combat session, that the box will be the smartest individuals there. Especially if you have an evocation wizard.*/blue*

Soooooo many misplaced fireballs/ lightning bolts... So many...

[Yenek]

*Blue*You forgot that if you put a group of players in a room with a box of rocks and then start a combat session, that the box will be the smartest individuals there. Especially if you have an evocation wizard.*/blue*

Soooooo many misplaced fireballs/ lightning bolts... So many...

Doesn't Evoker get a class feature, to, idk, ignore friendly fire? IIRC it works wonderfully in this situation - just tell your Fireballs to ignore the Paladin, Paladin's target and w/e other melee ally you have.

[Giant2005]

Doesn't Evoker get a class feature, to, idk, ignore friendly fire? IIRC it works wonderfully in this situation - just tell your Fireballs to ignore the Paladin, Paladin's target and w/e other melee ally you have.

If he actually uses it like that maybe... But I have never known a Wizard that would be willing to have an enemy not effected by his Fireball.
Hell I'm not even sure I have known a wizard that would be willing to let a civilian escape their fireball.