samcifer
2018-05-26, 04:04 PM
So after discovering that making a barbarian caster would be tricky, I considered possible alternatives. My reason for avoiding playing plain melee/archer characters is that just shooting/slashing/stabbing is to me a rather boring way to approach combat whereas being a caster lets you do many different things.
Battlemaster is a good way to break the monotony by at least giving me a few different extra effects to add to my attacks. Rogue seems like the best way to add extra damage to my attacks without needing to burn spell slots, and a Swashbuckler seems to give the best way, imo, to virtually guarantee that I can add my sneak attack on every turn. Before anyone compares multiple attacks to SA, I'm already aware that I can only use SA once per turn.
Here's what I'm thinking for the character:
He'd possibly start at lv. 10 (maybe higher, depending on what level my wizard reaches before he dies) and we can have the option to purchase master work weapons for gold that grant a +1-3 to attack and/or hit (you have to pay for each effect separately, but can combine them for, say, a +3 to hit and +2 dmg rapier). I was thinking of starting as a Rogue for the skill proficiency boosts, primarily to stealth) and go to lv. 4 for the ASI, then swap to Battlemaster and go to lv. 6 for another 2 ASIs, giving me three to start with. The reason is because if I roll crud for stat rolls, I can boost them up and if I don't need them as much, I can take a feat or two. If he starts at lv. 11, I'll go Rogue 4 / Fighter 7 and if higher, go up more levels in Rogue to up my SA damage.
As far as race, I'm torn between 3 choices.
Variant Human would offer flexible stat bonuses, the free feat snd an extra skill.
Half-Orc would offer some interesting side benefits in dark vision and the ability to stave off death, but the one that really intrigues me is:
Dragonborn because of the racial feat in XGtE that gives them the Mage Armor effect without needing a spell slot as well as +1 CON or CHA. With max DEX and a shield, I can easily get 20AC (higher if I had a magical shield and a magical item to boost my AC more.) If I get good enough stats, I'd be tempted to go this route as a Dragonborn rogue/fighter could be fun. Also, there's an idea I have that the answer to a question I have blow would determine if I go with or not...
As for not going Elf, Half-Elf, etc. is because the DM allows non-caster characters (including racially-granted spells) the ability to become either a werewolf or a vampire and I'd like to become a werewolf as they get another +1 AC. Because of magic rendering one immune to lycanthropy, I'd be tempted to avoid a casting race to avoid preventing this possibility. Plus I REALLY love werewolves! :)
Now to the question... Sneak Attack requires that you attack with a finesse weapon, but finesse weapons can be used to make attack rolls using wither DEX or STR. As long as the weapon I attack with is a finesse weapon, can I use the STR stat for my attack roll and still apply the SA damage if I hit?
Battlemaster is a good way to break the monotony by at least giving me a few different extra effects to add to my attacks. Rogue seems like the best way to add extra damage to my attacks without needing to burn spell slots, and a Swashbuckler seems to give the best way, imo, to virtually guarantee that I can add my sneak attack on every turn. Before anyone compares multiple attacks to SA, I'm already aware that I can only use SA once per turn.
Here's what I'm thinking for the character:
He'd possibly start at lv. 10 (maybe higher, depending on what level my wizard reaches before he dies) and we can have the option to purchase master work weapons for gold that grant a +1-3 to attack and/or hit (you have to pay for each effect separately, but can combine them for, say, a +3 to hit and +2 dmg rapier). I was thinking of starting as a Rogue for the skill proficiency boosts, primarily to stealth) and go to lv. 4 for the ASI, then swap to Battlemaster and go to lv. 6 for another 2 ASIs, giving me three to start with. The reason is because if I roll crud for stat rolls, I can boost them up and if I don't need them as much, I can take a feat or two. If he starts at lv. 11, I'll go Rogue 4 / Fighter 7 and if higher, go up more levels in Rogue to up my SA damage.
As far as race, I'm torn between 3 choices.
Variant Human would offer flexible stat bonuses, the free feat snd an extra skill.
Half-Orc would offer some interesting side benefits in dark vision and the ability to stave off death, but the one that really intrigues me is:
Dragonborn because of the racial feat in XGtE that gives them the Mage Armor effect without needing a spell slot as well as +1 CON or CHA. With max DEX and a shield, I can easily get 20AC (higher if I had a magical shield and a magical item to boost my AC more.) If I get good enough stats, I'd be tempted to go this route as a Dragonborn rogue/fighter could be fun. Also, there's an idea I have that the answer to a question I have blow would determine if I go with or not...
As for not going Elf, Half-Elf, etc. is because the DM allows non-caster characters (including racially-granted spells) the ability to become either a werewolf or a vampire and I'd like to become a werewolf as they get another +1 AC. Because of magic rendering one immune to lycanthropy, I'd be tempted to avoid a casting race to avoid preventing this possibility. Plus I REALLY love werewolves! :)
Now to the question... Sneak Attack requires that you attack with a finesse weapon, but finesse weapons can be used to make attack rolls using wither DEX or STR. As long as the weapon I attack with is a finesse weapon, can I use the STR stat for my attack roll and still apply the SA damage if I hit?