Building a *FUN* character around a Belt of Giant Str

[PeteNutButter]

I have access to a Belt of Hill Giant Strength (21) that I plan to give to my next AL character upon reaching level 5. Due to rebuild in AL, the character need not be playable as is pre-level 5.

So I could just play a typical melee character and dump str and take all feats. That's boring.

I want to play something MAD and not usually feasible/less than viable. I'd also like to consider using a race that doesn't get a strength boost, as it's a unique chance to play a subpar race. I'll still need to point buy a 13 in str if I plan to MC barbarian or paladin.

What I'm thinking so far:

Paladin/Non-charisma Caster
There are a few options here. Druid is a bit tough, but Cleric and wizard offer some opportunities. Cleric would be really cool with the right CD having 3 uses once you get paladin to 3 and cleric to 6, but none of them really stand out as being worth investing in. Maybe redemption Paladin or Tempest Cleric? As for wizard, abjurer is an obvious choice.

Barbarian/Anything
Barbarians don't play all that well with most casters, but there are longterm buffs and things that make certain choices viable. Warlock and monk are already viable without the belt, but could become a bit more efficient. Bladesinger could get ridiculous AC.

1 Fighter/Anything
With a 13 dex, I could take 1st level in fighter and dump str entirely while still wearing heavy armor (cleric can do it too with wisdom). I could rock a Kobold with a 6 str hiding behind that belt. Lancer Kobold?

Strength Ranger? Rogue?

What would you guys do with this opportunity? Remember I don't want a stronger version of a typical class combo, I want something that's normally hard to pull off for MADness or other limitations.

[Sigreid]

I submit kobold fighter/rogue. Perhaps EK/AT for more magic than people expect.

[PeteNutButter]

I submit kobold fighter/rogue. Perhaps EK/AT for more magic than people expect.

Couldn't I just build a dex based kobold fighter/rogue? It's a fine build, but I don't see it really utilizing the item as much as other combinations.

[Nidgit]

Lizardfolk! Maybe a Tempest Cleric to deal powerful electric bites, or the Ranger of your choice for all-around excellence (I'd go Horizon Walker for warping force-damage bites).

You could also generally make for a very effective non-Hexblade Bladelock, especially if you dipped Paladin or Fighter for better armor.

[Kane0]

Lizardfolk! Maybe a Tempest Cleric to deal powerful electric bites, or the Ranger of your choice for all-around excellence (I'd go Horizon Walker for warping force-damage bites).


Sounds like a pokemon


Something like a Dwarf Blade/Valor Bard could be fun, dump Dex and focus on your Con and Cha.

[CTurbo]

Kobold Beastmaster Ranger with a Wolf Companion and TWF. Mounted Combat and Duel Wielder feat. Ride your wolf and use two lances. You both have Pact Tactics so all advantage all the time.

Potentially multiclass into Barb for 5 levels for Rage, Unarmored Defense, and an actual 2nd attack that does stack with the Ranger's level 5 Coordinated attack. So between you and your wolf, you'd have 5 attacks per round all with advantage.

Same thing with 5 levels of Fighter for a second Fighting Style(Defensive), Action Surge, Second Wind, 2nd attack, and probably Champion for extra crits.

Half Plate + Dual Wielder feat = 18AC. Your Wolf will be squishy but as long as you're riding it, it can't be attacked aside from AOE spells. At Ranger 7, the wolf gets proficiency in all saves.

Plate + Definsive Style + Dual Wielder = 20AC

Unarmored Defense wouldn't be worth it over Medium Armor until you could bump Dex or Con.

[Crgaston]

You could do a viable Abjurer PAM build.

Or a Hill Dwarf Draconic Sorcerer PAM build, even.
(Edit: nah, the Hexblade dip makes this too easy)


Vuman Abjurer is probably best. PAM, Warcaster and 20 int by L12.

[CTurbo]

Vhuman EK Fighter with PAM, Warcaster, and Spell Sniper. By level 6, you can using Booming Blade from 10ft away. Especially awesome with the reaction AoO from PAM because 9 times out of 10 they will move for the extra damage or they never get to you lol.

[MeeposFire]

Just to be different you could go with a heavy armor monk. Essentially you lose martial arts, effective flurry of blows (you can flurry just fine but your unarmed damage will be set at 1 damage unless you pick up tavern brawler), and extra speed. You will be fairly tanky as a whole but you will need to pick out some way to make yourself offensively viable. At really high levels you will be able to get advantage often using empty body but until then it can be quite a drag offensively. Stats can go heavy to con and wisdom.

Easiest ways to get heavy armor would be doing mountain dwarf (or similar) which lets you do it eventually as a single class or you can take any race and start as a fighter and then muticlass into monk though that will force you to take a 13 in dex that you otherwise may not need.

Another option is to go bladesinger and use the very thematic longsword which almost nobody ever does because most baldesingers never get the str to use it effectively which limits them to finesse weapons.

[Boverk]

Grapple wizard
Kobold for Flavor, or lizardfolk for mechanics
Go abjurer or War Wizard for survivability
Use spells for buffing/utility
Hit/bite/punch things for damage
Play it up like the Macho Man Randy Savage
Take 1 level of fighter if you want armor/shield/weapons

[Sigreid]

I submit kobold fighter/rogue. Perhaps EK/AT for more magic than people expect.

Expertise in athletics and be a grappler.

[smcmike]

There are single-class options too, you know. A strength-based Valor Bard is hard to pull off with standard array, but much much easier when you can dump strength. That’s what I would do - athletics expertise and constant boasting from a pipsqueek of a character who puts on his belt and smashes face.

[PeteNutButter]

Lizardfolk! Maybe a Tempest Cleric to deal powerful electric bites, or the Ranger of your choice for all-around excellence (I'd go Horizon Walker for warping force-damage bites).

You could also generally make for a very effective non-Hexblade Bladelock, especially if you dipped Paladin or Fighter for better armor.

I love the idea of lizardfolk, but I don't know if I can actually do anything really special with it, besides just being a lizard. Tiefling Fiendlock would be thematic, and can actually have the strength with the belt...


Sounds like a pokemon


Something like a Dwarf Blade/Valor Bard could be fun, dump Dex and focus on your Con and Cha.

I was considering a Hill Dwarf for something. Free hp and other solid racials.


Kobold Beastmaster Ranger with a Wolf Companion and TWF. Mounted Combat and Duel Wielder feat. Ride your wolf and use two lances. You both have Pact Tactics so all advantage all the time.


Sadly no revised ranger with AL. The base ranger isn't all that viable as a beast master. Perhaps a Paladin would be easier doing the same thing with his steed. If I were to dual wield lances though, I feel like I'd want to get 3 levels of champion in there somehow. Just nasty criticals with those d12s. That'd mean I'd still have to buy a 15(-2 to 13) in str. It is possible. Lances have issues with a mount though, as you can't be within 5ft, so want to have another ally still.


You could do a viable Abjurer PAM build.

Or a Hill Dwarf Draconic Sorcerer PAM build, even.
(Edit: nah, the Hexblade dip makes this too easy)


Vuman Abjurer is probably best. PAM, Warcaster and 20 int by L12.

Already have a PAM abjurer in AL, so solid suggestion.


Vhuman EK Fighter with PAM, Warcaster, and Spell Sniper. By level 6, you can using Booming Blade from 10ft away. Especially awesome with the reaction AoO from PAM because 9 times out of 10 they will move for the extra damage or they never get to you lol.

Just using the belt to get more feats, strong but not what I'm going for.


Just to be different you could go with a heavy armor monk. Essentially you lose martial arts, effective flurry of blows (you can flurry just fine but your unarmed damage will be set at 1 damage unless you pick up tavern brawler), and extra speed. You will be fairly tanky as a whole but you will need to pick out some way to make yourself offensively viable. At really high levels you will be able to get advantage often using empty body but until then it can be quite a drag offensively. Stats can go heavy to con and wisdom.

Easiest ways to get heavy armor would be doing mountain dwarf (or similar) which lets you do it eventually as a single class or you can take any race and start as a fighter and then muticlass into monk though that will force you to take a 13 in dex that you otherwise may not need.

Another option is to go bladesinger and use the very thematic longsword which almost nobody ever does because most baldesingers never get the str to use it effectively which limits them to finesse weapons.

This is possible, and might work best with the aforementioned lizardfolk for the 1d6 bite damage. My biggest problem is there are a fair amount of dead levels for little benefit. No movement speed boost, no scaling damage die. What do I actually gain from using armor, besides a better AC at low levels? Better than a blade singer with a longsword, how about a bladesinger with a magic staff and PAM.


Grapple wizard
Kobold for Flavor, or lizardfolk for mechanics
Go abjurer or War Wizard for survivability
Use spells for buffing/utility
Hit/bite/punch things for damage
Play it up like the Macho Man Randy Savage
Take 1 level of fighter if you want armor/shield/weapons

Rwar. I like the idea of a non-monk character that doesn't actually use weapons, just for the luls.

[Unoriginal]

Tiefling Fighter/Swashbuckler

[Grear Bylls]

I have access to a Belt of Hill Giant Strength (21) that I plan to give to my next AL character upon reaching level 5. Due to rebuild in AL, the character need not be playable as is pre-level 5.

So I could just play a typical melee character and dump str and take all feats. That's boring.

I want to play something MAD and not usually feasible/less than viable. I'd also like to consider using a race that doesn't get a strength boost, as it's a unique chance to play a subpar race. I'll still need to point buy a 13 in str if I plan to MC barbarian or paladin.

What I'm thinking so far:

Paladin/Non-charisma Caster
There are a few options here. Druid is a bit tough, but Cleric and wizard offer some opportunities. Cleric would be really cool with the right CD having 3 uses once you get paladin to 3 and cleric to 6, but none of them really stand out as being worth investing in. Maybe redemption Paladin or Tempest Cleric? As for wizard, abjurer is an obvious choice.

Barbarian/Anything
Barbarians don't play all that well with most casters, but there are longterm buffs and things that make certain choices viable. Warlock and monk are already viable without the belt, but could become a bit more efficient. Bladesinger could get ridiculous AC.

1 Fighter/Anything
With a 13 dex, I could take 1st level in fighter and dump str entirely while still wearing heavy armor (cleric can do it too with wisdom). I could rock a Kobold with a 6 str hiding behind that belt. Lancer Kobold?

Strength Ranger? Rogue?

What would you guys do with this opportunity? Remember I don't want a stronger version of a typical class combo, I want something that's normally hard to pull off for MADness or other limitations.

Edit: Hill Giant Belt, not storm, my bad

If you got a Title Belt of Giant Strebgth, one thing you must do...

PRO WRESTLER!!!!

V human, pick up tavern brawler and athlete, go barbarian 5, sword Bard 5, rest in barb. By level 8, you have 50 speed, expertise AND advantage in athletics (average of 26-28 on checks), Resistance to all damage, inspiration which can be used to buff damage and AC, a climb speed, healin, flavorful spells, like pyrotechnics for setting the tone for a pro wretler, and decent damage (2d4+24). Lastly, if you get someone grappled, try pulling off this epic move: go to a wall, climb it 10 ft, drop enemy, fall on him, punch him, regrapple after standing up, climb wall AGAIN, drop him AGAIN, fall on him AGAIN, stand up, and regrapple or Punch for about 2d4+4d6+24 if a creature takes damage from a 300 lb character falling on them from 10 ft in the air.

However, most importantly, this build is FUN. It has good Damage and control, but I like playing this character because it's a wrestler piledriving dragons and suplexing liches. Stats should be: 18 Str, 12 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 8 Wis, 14 Cha by level 8

[saucerhead]

Halfling barbarian1/drunken master

[nickl_2000]

Stout Halfling Naked Barbarian would be the way I would go. You can keep your strength low since you are making up for it, and therefore you have the ability to put your stats into dex and con and therefore you don't need armor ever.

Act like a little weakling most of the time, then go nuts, rage, and throw a tree at them.

[JellyPooga]

Kobold Monk/Thief Rogue

Be a Gummy Bear; jumping here and there and everywhere!

[Boverk]

Kobold Conquest Paladin. Who's cowering now?

your stats could be

21 Strength(Belt), 10 dex, 16 con,14 wisdom, 10 int, 16 charisma, by using your ASI for +1 con, +1 Cha

Play it up as the kobold found the belt, decided to go the batman route and conquer his fear and use it against others.

edits: Realized I mistook the belt for gauntlets (21 vs 19 str) and misspoke about the ASI

[Diebo]

Tabaxi Monk.

Monk needs Dex, Wis, Con. Usually dumps strength.

How about an extraction specialist? 20 STR means you can still get +5 hit/damage and not max Dex right away. Take mobile feat at 4th.

Tabaxi can move 2x speed, doesn't take action/bonus action. Plus monk speed, plus mobile. Plus dash as bonus ki action.

Run up to somebody (say that opponent wizard). Stun or grapple, drag back to friends to concentrate attack, or climb up a cliff and drop (and body surf them, as you won't take damage falling). Your tabaxi movement cancels out the half movement from dragging.

You need the strength for the carrying capacity, but also so you keep to hit/damage up and can afford mobile early.

Maybe 1-2 level dip in rogue, but not necessary. Stunned opponents means you automatically succeed grapple. Level 1 gets expertise in athletics. Level 2 gets cunning action to save on ki points.

[GlenSmash!]

I'd go Strength Ranger. GWM Gloomstalker or Monster Hunter. Or If i was feeling really weird a Longsword wielding Grappler Ranger with either Rogue dip, or Prodigy for Expertise in Athletics.

[CTurbo]

Tabaxi Monk.

Monk needs Dex, Wis, Con. Usually dumps strength.

How about an extraction specialist? 20 STR means you can still get +5 hit/damage and not max Dex right away. Take mobile feat at 4th.

Tabaxi can move 2x speed, doesn't take action/bonus action. Plus monk speed, plus mobile. Plus dash as bonus ki action.

Run up to somebody (say that opponent wizard). Stun or grapple, drag back to friends to concentrate attack, or climb up a cliff and drop (and body surf them, as you won't take damage falling). Your tabaxi movement cancels out the half movement from dragging.

You need the strength for the carrying capacity, but also so you keep to hit/damage up and can afford mobile early.

Maybe 1-2 level dip in rogue, but not necessary. Stunned opponents means you automatically succeed grapple. Level 1 gets expertise in athletics. Level 2 gets cunning action to save on ki points.


I like a variation of this. You go Monk/Barbarian. Stat your character like you're just a Monk with 16 Dex and 16 Wis and stay unarmored. If you have the belt to start, take Barb for your first 3-5 levels and then Monk from there. You can use Str for all of your attacks if you want to. I love the idea of being really fast, grappling an enemy, and then dragging them around either back to your party prone, or to throw them off a cliff, into lava, etc...

Barbarian gets you advantage on Str/Grapple checks and bonus rage damage to your unarmed attacks. Wolf Totem lets your party all have advantage on all attacks against whoever you're grappling or standing beside. Elk Totem gives you an extra 15ft movement when you are raging.

For Monk, Open Hand would be really good for this, or Long Death for the temp hp on a kill and the fear ability. You could rush in and grapple the boss, then scare everybody else away.

For Race, Tabaxi's silly movement would be fun, Lizardfolk would be fun. Grapple an enemy and then bite them 3 or 4 times for 1d6+7 damage. Vhuman with a feat like Mobile, Alert, or Tavern Brawler for +1 Con and a bonus action grapple.

[Snowbluff]

I have a character named Tormaigh.
He was made with a Gauntlets of Ogre Power and a +2 Shield of Warning (it has a specific name, but IDR) that I got through DMing AL.

So he's a Storm Sorcerer 1/TempestCleric5 right now, using the stat spread not investing in Str allows him. He combines Booming Blade and Spirit Guardians to control enemies as a sort soft tanking build. It's cool.