Polearm Master / Sentinel Build - 7 Good Things, 3 Bad, and 11 Solutions.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 ноя 2020
- #UnconventionalDnd #DMTips #Counterspell #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #DnD5E #5ESpells #5E #PowerBuilds
Discord = / discord
The Gamers’ Hall talk about and give some tips on how a dungeon master can help balance encounters vs the power build Polearm Master/ Sentinal as well as dealing with other problems that could happen at your gaming table with someone playing this build. 
Игры
![[ GUILTY GEAR STRIVE: DUAL RULERS ] Teaser Trailer](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/e4TDqaE3XAg/mqdefault.jpg)
Builds like this force DMs too be creative.
Which is a good thing, in my opinion.
We agree. It's not bad at all. The paladin warlock and the decaf coffee lock are real problems though.
As a dm/ caster player. I don’t see this build as annoying, this is a martial doing there job
We agree. By the end of the video we really didn't see that much of a problem. Easy counters and really not a problematic build.
@@RulesLawyerDnD and really, after 8th level or so, if the martials are doing anything other then guarding the casters, there pretty close to useless.
@@Spiceodog Well that depends on the build and also what the DM is throwing at the party. Almost completely agree with that statement though.
As you two point out, this build will only stop one enemy in their tracks, though. You only get one reaction per turn (opportunity attack is a reaction). So if there are multiple enemies, the first one gets stopped, the rest of them aren't stopped. If you used your opportunity attack already, from the Polearm Master, you don't get to use it for the reaction part of the Sentinel feat, as they attack an ally. It's a nice build, but not OP, by any means. And yes, any ranged attack, messes this combo up.
Yeah it's mostly a solo killer at that point. We have seen some things floating around the internet about DM's complaining about this build. So we did a video on it. But we also don't see it being that bad. The next build we are going to talk about can really be a problem though. We hope to see some good comments or and or hope what we say can help with that build. (PallyLock)
Also thanks for watching.
@@RulesLawyerDnD Add the Fighter Cavalier to that build with a glaive and he gets unwavering mark. So you lock down one on the opportunity attack as they get within your range, and with unwavering mark you can mark him and and any others you hit during your turn you can mark. If they attack someone other than you within 5 ft of you they get disadvantage and if they hit, then on your next turn you get a number of bonus attacks up to your strength modifier on the number of them you marked doing bonus damage at half your fighter level. Not used often but in close quarters with your reach if you are beside a team mate or surrounded is can be crazy to get 4 or 5 bonus attacks lol
So you really can hold the line. That is really the epic fighting we are looking for.
if you combine it with echo fighter you can stop 2 enemies per round with this trick, or stop an enemy without even being there, letting your echo do the work for you while you sit back and have a chat with the wizard.
@@hardcorehakon The Echo Knight opportunity attack uses your reaction. So it would still only be one enemy, unless I am missing something.
"When a creature that you can see within 5 feet of your echo moves at least 5 feet away from it, you can use your reaction to make an opportunity attack against that creature as if you were in the echo’s space."
I always roll a d10 because of that sweet nat 0. 👌🏻
It always feels good.
for sentinel the last part of the feat should say within range.
Played a bugbear shadow monk polarm/sentinel and it was a fantastic time. My Dm leaned after the first or second encounter to never leave a guy solo and used a good wave horde play style so we had to use our recourses properly. To this day it was one of our enjoyable campaigns
That's amazing and I'm glad the DM figured out a way to keep it enjoyable for you both.
I find sentinel's only benefit is the speed removal. The increased odds of a reaction are redundant with PAM. As a paladin I'd rather take Inspiring Leader, even at low level.
The meta reason is because it makes the game more fun for the whole table, including the DM. Sentinel is easily enough countered, so I'd rather have the general guaranteed +20-90 party hp. And unlike sentinel, it scales better at high levels.
And if the party's split? The paladin's presence is truly missed
Wow that's amazing. We agree with you completely
you only get one bonus action and one reaction per combat round so that limits the strike backs and if there was anything else you wanted to use your bonus action for like a leonin's roar for example, you have to choose that or the polearm bonus attack so i don't think its too overpowered....misty step is a fun spell that can break away from sentinels and there are racial spells and other abilities that are similar to this
We agree with that. Yeah it's not very hard to figure out some way around it. Also thanks for watching and commenting.
Polearm’s attack when they come into range doesn’t use a reaction
@@cadenvanvalkenburg6718 it provokes an attack of opportunity - which is a reaction...you can't kill 20 kobolds coming rushing at you in a line in one round
@@quonomonna8126 ah well.
I saw this build on a video once and now instinctually build it on my paladins
It's a great build
Nicely done good video
Thank you very much. We are glad you liked it and hope it helps in your future games.
@@RulesLawyerDnD playing Polearm Master / Sentinel Build in my current campaign god is it funny to just lock down a zone.
@@brandanbates7622 that's great. We are glad it is being used and that you are having fun with it. Keep it up and tell us your favorite lock down story.
If they get the mage slayer feat as well they can stop the misty step/teleport
Nice catch. We didn't think about that. Great way to really lock down those casters.
One of my favorites right now is Artificer Armorer with Sentinel and Thorn Whip. If they try to go around me, I bring them to me. (I can already do the level 15 ability to bring them to me anyway).
Also, everything you attack with your thunder gauntlets gets the equivalent of Battle Masters 'Goading Attack'. The only thing I'm missing is the polearm master/reach side of things. So it significantly reduces the area I can control.
But then I can follow up thorn whip with booming blade and they're making tough choices if they want to try to move away.
Nice keep them here tactic. Way to be the tank.
Nice I went the other way and went battle smith with a dip in war magic wizard. the extra attack Battle Smith gets is helpful
There's an unearthed arcana fighting style that gives you more opportunity attacks
And thus the build grows
@@RulesLawyerDnD Level 2 Paladin, Variant Human build: Sentinel, Polearm Master, Fighting Style - Tunnel Fighter (UA - Defensive Stance allows Opp Attacks w/out using Reaction).
If that Paladin is Oath of Vengeance, at Level 7 they get to Relentless Avenger, and can move half their movement speed as part of their Reaction to an Opportunity Attack, giving them influence over a LOT of terrain.
Alternatively, Oath of Glory's 7th Level is Alacrity - walking speed increases by 10' and allies get that boost for a turn too.
Lean into Paladin with a righteous spear, can go Batman Build who runs down anyone that tries to escape their wrath, or a Concierge of Chaos who's healing, trapping, and harming as a one-stop shop for battle assistance (even without Tunnel Fighter).
I'm not sure if it was covered as a solution but Saving throws will hurt this build since this is a hold the line character. I'm doing PAM SEN with an artificer with a dip in war magic wizard. it actually comes online when it gets extra attack and with steel defender it does help if youre going 1v1 with a creature
Now that is a first that we've heard. Really nice. Let us know how it turns out in play.
Use a pike, add heavy weapons feat, play as eldritch knight.
edit: the force cage thing is why eldritch knight.
So you can teleport out I'm assuming.
@@RulesLawyerDnD yep. And if dm allows UA fighting styles, tunnel fighter gives you free opportunity attacks. I love this build and when I am dm, I encourage this kind of play
@@factsabouturmum9250 That's Great. I hope you get the chance to experience it with your players.
Well tpk games has optional 5e feats book that I use at my table and one is Combat Reflexes - prereq. Dex 13+ can perform a number of opportunity attacks per round equal to Dex modifier. Gain advantage on all opportunity attacks. A bit op but not as so if you pull the advantage.
We agree that is pretty strong. Taking away the advantage makes it better but I would also say that you couldn't pair it with the polearm master because then you could attack 3 to 5 creatures that move toward you. Combined with the mobile feat would be crazy. Again you can shut it down by just going range.
Or the Tunnel Fighter fighting style (Unearthed Arcana: Light, Dark, Underdark)
Don’t forget about Tunnel Fighting!
Yes!! No one gets past.
I was going to ask about the interaction with tunnel fighting. Seems like some forms of opp attack wouldn't consume the reaction, but others would. With tunnel fighting active, seems like proximity attacks are free but the you attacked him so I attack you are limited to 5 feet and use the reaction. Would love clarification
single monsters are usually ambush hunters. the first attack would not be against the heavy armored tank
That is mostly true unless they have to get past the sentinel character that stops them while trying to advance to other characters or areas.
Good DMs always - always play by the characters' strengths. Wanna be the Spartan and Hold the Door? Go for it. And make it happen, let the player be good at what they're good at. But not all the time.
The thing is, good DMs also play by the characters weaknesses. Put some scattered archers and/or spellcasters sometimes to make the Fighter have to fight at a disadvantage.
It's a collaborative game. I think people (both dms and players) who have an issue with 'balance' often forget this. The DM isn't playing against the players, he's playing with them. And the same goes for the players.
we couldn't agree with you more. This video is more of a way to teach DMs how to challenge those players who are using this build. We don't even think this is a OP build it's just fun. exploiting the weaknesses of this build can help push the PC to either build better or use some different tactics. When the challenge comes up is sometimes when the PC has the most opportunity to shine.
not ahuge issue for me, teleportation spells like misty step gets you past this combo and a few other minor things
That would be correct unless the person adds mage slayer on top of this build. That is why we don't believe that it's really that big a deal and don't think that this build is actually OP.
The goblin horde has been swarm attacking adventuring parties long before the PCs stumbled upon them, even if they don't have a true caster amongst them there is no good reason they wouldn't have magic loot from the other parties they already defeated, wands and staves with fire balls, sickening radiance, prismatic sphere, etc. Horde casts sickening radiance on your front-liners and then traps them in a prismatic sphere, now the PC party has to not only fight the horde but try to save their front-line that is/are trapped in the microwave oven.
Great advice. Thanks a lot for that.
I made a shadar kai (free teleports plus other elf stuff) shadow sorcerer echo knight combo...
SSSSFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSS, lvl 4 get polearm master, lvl 5 pick tunnel fighter fighting style, lvl 7 get echo 8 get warcaster, lvl 10 get sentinel lvl 12 get shadow dog, lvl 14 get mobile, lvl 18 get ritual caster (pick wizard) or gift of the chromatic dragon, lvl 20 get shadow walk.
Polearm master lets me get AoO's on incoming enemies and a bonus action attack (bonus actions and reactions will be heavily utilized with this build)
Tunnel fighter lets me have INFINITE AoO's (only using my reaction when i hit an enemy who hits a target that's not me within 5ft, or if I use some other reaction ability, i can also hit enemies moving around inside my range not just in or out of it...
Echo knight lets me in 2 places at once
Warcaster lets me swap a melee attack for a spell during an AoO
(I have spells like booming blade, shocking grasp and ray of frost) to debuff or otherwise hinder the enemy...
You know what sentinel does
My shadow dog gives my spells advantage against any target within 5ft of it and since it doesn't have sentinel i can park my dog next to target while performing a pincer move on it with my echo, if it attacks my dog i get a free attack
Mobile lets me get out of range of any target i attack that turn (regardless of if i hit or miss)
Ritual caster gives me some good utility spells and gift of the chromatic dragon lets me gain resistance to fire lightning ice and poison as a reaction (i haven't decided which to choose yet)
And shadow walk gives me infinite 120ft teleports (in dim light or darkness)
Being a shadar kai i get the darkness spell and can see through it if its cast using sorcerer points (bargain brand devil sight) and proficiency amount of 30ft teleports (that gives me resistance to all damage till the start of my next turn)
And being a sorcerer i have the shield spell for ranged attacks, and i have kinetic jaunt (a better temporary version of the mobile feat)
I'm using mage armor until i take a level in fighter, but in the meantime i can cast mirror image or darkness (i also took control flames to extinguish lights when i cant cast darkness)
I'm level 3 so far
Oh yea my background (fortunes favor) gave me 3 feats to choose from, i chose the magic initiate feat, i took spare the dying, toll the dead and guiding bolt (which gives advantage to the next attacker if it hits)
Just adding the tunnel fighter fighting style and echo knight to this build drastically improved the whole dynamic
For meta magic I took extended spell and quicken spell so far (I'll take distance meta magic eventually) casting a spell as a bonus action, doubling the duration of spells and doubling the distance (or giving a touch spell 30ft of range) is a game changer
I finally finished my full lvl 20 spell list, if anyone wants to know just ask lol
And even tho I'll lose my 3rd "extra attack" as a fighter i actually get proficiency amount of free extra attacks much quicker with my echo 😂
I'm petty sure i tied up all the loose ends and any immediate weaknesses in the original version of this build (and made it even better in the process)
Let me know if i missed anything, i hope anyone reading this enjoys my build
Being a shadar kai I was born in the shadow fell (praise the raven queen) being a shadow sorcerer my magic also comes from the shadow fell, and being an echo knight is just badass! I RP my echo as a shadow clone
I'll have 3 types of teleports, none of which are spells 😂
I designed this build for self preservation, single target pincer attacks and minor field control (not crowd control)
Cant save your friends if you can't save yourself...
Holy &$#@ that's a crazy build you have there. I can only say wow and if you ever played that I bet it was fun.
@@RulesLawyerDnD lol thanks, I'm actually playing this character in 2 different campaigns, in one I'm lvl 3 so far and I can pretty much do whatever I want (UA spells, tunnel fighter which is UA and I rolled for my stats) but the other campaign I'm lvl 4 so far and I don't have access to UA stuff, so I chose blind fighting (fighting style) helps with when I use my darkness spell and I had to use point buy for my stats...
@@RulesLawyerDnD the only thing I forgot to mention in my build are my 3 magic items, I chose the archmagi's robe, the ring of spell turning and the belt of giant strength (storm preferably) also getting The Tome of Leadership and Influence would be nice...
Other than that I've optimized this build as much as I could 😂 and I did finish putting together my lvl 20 spell list (which was a headache) but it's very well thought out
Dropping darkness and just jacking creatures up..nice.
In my opinion, this build is a very powerful niche build. Its whole main purpose is to lock down an area in melee and is specialized to do so. I have zero issues with this build save for one, and it isn't even the fault of the build rather than a fault with the Sentinel feature itself.
My problem with Sentinel (and this might just be a complete oversight by WotC themselves) is the lack of size limitation on it, and I typically houserule it to only be automatically effective against creatures same sized or lower, requiring a Strength contest on creatures one size larger, and automatically fails against creatures two size larger or more. This also allows for effective teamwork via a wizard casting enlarge on the sentinel to really work with the build and lots of fun stuff!
On the other hand, one of my builds that actually examplifies the potential power of this build is the additional class and subclass selection of Cavalier Fighter with their neigh unlimited number of reactions per round, along with great weapon master due to the large number of ASI fighters get. (Given the unlimited reactions only occur a lot further down the line, making the character effectively a end game paragon at holding the line. Fitting, really.)
:EDIT: On an additional note, shocking grasp is shockingly effective against this due to the very probable chance that a character with this build is likely a strength character wearing metal armor. Slow on the other hand targets the typically weaker spell saves that tanks usually have and will cripple a fighter by limiting them to one attack per round and no reactions.
We like the way you think.
When you try to DM D&D and end up having to play magic the gathering.
Hahahaha
I personally love this build.
To be fair i only have one character that'll use this build so far wich doesn't have the sentinel feat yet.
My big boi Bulgo Facesmash is a character both me and my Dm love.
level 5 hexblade warlock bugbear with a glaive and polearm master.
If i were a dm i probably wouldn't mind any of my players using this feat combo or just min/maxing in general as long as it doesn't detract from the character's personality
We agree with that and so much so that we are about to shot a video on something very close to the comment you just said.
I know I can trust you because I see you have kobald press
Thanks we like to have material other than official 5E as well.
She. He. They. Stop with pronoun nonsense.
Ok bro.
Zeros on a ten sided dice is really nice. Eldritch blast damage.
Always