D&D 5e Paladin multiclass advice?

[DarklordKyo]

Recently, as per my party's suggestion, I multiclassed my Paladin into Barbarian because I tend to play meat shield for the group (and the rage mechanic halves melee damage against me, along with increasing weapon damage, and along with it comboing well with my Paladin's Necrotic Shroud as a turn 1 buff).

That said, while I plan to get at least ten levels in Paladin (since the courage aura cancels out the negative aspects of NS), I have a few choices as far as further customization goes. I could get farther into Barbarian (at least three for Bear aspect to become tankier, four for an ASI), or I could get some levels in Sorcerer because it, apparently, combos very well with Paladin (not just because both use Charisma, shield can help with tanking, and Green Flame Blade adds d8s and mild AoE to melee attacks).

All things considered, what do you doods think I should do? Put things into perspective, Tarvos is a Vengeance Paladin who wields a greatsword.

 

[Souplex]

Barbarian doesn't multiclass well with primary casters as rage prevents casting/concentrating on spells. It doesn't prevent smites though.
As I always say: "Unless you've got a weird theme in mind, (What ratio of Assassin rogue/Vengeance Paladin would be right to make a 4E Avenger?) multiclassing is for Munchkins".

 

[Sonmi]

Gotta echo Souplex here, not a fan of Multiclassing unless the character is conceived around it. Role-playing trumps gaming as far as I am concerned.

Just started an Scourge Aasimar Vengeance Paladin personally, having plenty of fun with it.

 

[SupahEwok]

I don't think the Sorceror could work with the paladin, I don't have books in front of me but I think you need to have a free hand that can interact with your arcane spellcasting focus. You might be able to make it work by making your focus a staff and using it as a melee weapon, but one handed that's rolling d6's.

Or maybe that's just wizards.

Barbarian doesn't multiclass well with primary casters as rage prevents casting/concentrating on spells. It doesn't prevent smites though.
As I always say: "Unless you've got a weird theme in mind, (What ratio of Assassin rogue/Vengeance Paladin would be right to make a 4E Avenger?) multiclassing is for Munchkins".

Shadow Monk with 4 levels in Rogue Assassin and 2 levels in Warlock with that invocation that lets you see through magic darkness makes for a great classic ninja feel.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I don't think the Sorceror could work with the paladin, I don't have books in front of me but I think you need to have a free hand that can interact with your arcane spellcasting focus. You might be able to make it work by making your focus a staff and using it as a melee weapon, but one handed that's rolling d6's.

Actually, a properly built Sorcadin is apparently pretty broken (according to a couple of sources). The level in Barbarian was mostly because I tend to play tank.

 

[Souplex]

I don't think the Sorceror could work with the paladin, I don't have books in front of me but I think you need to have a free hand that can interact with your arcane spellcasting focus. You might be able to make it work by making your focus a staff and using it as a melee weapon, but one handed that's rolling d6's.

Actually, a properly built Sorcadin is apparently pretty broken (according to a couple of sources). The level in Barbarian was mostly because I tend to play tank.

Also, flavor-wise multiclassing into a sorcerer is kind of stupid.
You don't become a sorcerer through training, you simply are a magical X-man.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Also, flavor-wise multiclassing into a sorcerer is kind of stupid.
You don't become a sorcerer through training, you simply are a magical X-man.

To be fair, you could say that your dragon blood was dormant, and you became a late bloomer because you got in contact with some font of magical energy, or because your god did it because you demanded more power, or that you're simply a late bloomer, and it manifested naturally.

 

[Saelune]

I don't think the Sorceror could work with the paladin, I don't have books in front of me but I think you need to have a free hand that can interact with your arcane spellcasting focus. You might be able to make it work by making your focus a staff and using it as a melee weapon, but one handed that's rolling d6's.

Actually, a properly built Sorcadin is apparently pretty broken (according to a couple of sources). The level in Barbarian was mostly because I tend to play tank.

Also, flavor-wise multiclassing into a sorcerer is kind of stupid.
You don't become a sorcerer through training, you simply are a magical X-man.

To be fair, multiclassing in a game with xp doesnt make sense. Its why I like Elder Scrolls. I hate "I punched enough goblins, now I can shoot magic!"

 

[DarklordKyo]

To be fair, multiclassing in a game with xp doesnt make sense. Its why I like Elder Scrolls. I hate "I punched enough goblins, now I can shoot magic!"

No, it makes perfect sense. You build enough heat in your fists, due to the accumulated friction because of the repeated punching, and you gain the ability to blow stuff up with the snap of your fingers.

It's basic science from the College of Psuedoscience, lol

 

[DarklordKyo]

Barbarian doesn't multiclass well with primary casters as rage prevents casting/concentrating on spells. It doesn't prevent smites though.
As I always say: "Unless you've got a weird theme in mind, (What ratio of Assassin rogue/Vengeance Paladin would be right to make a 4E Avenger?) multiclassing is for Munchkins".

To be fair to the first point, it could be like a Stance System in a video game. According to a Sorcadin guide I read, Greatsword Sorcadins are pretty good damage dealers, and Rage increases my resistance to multiple damage types, so I could use Rage when tanking, and don't when DPSing down trash groups.

 

[TheFinish]

If your aim is to be a better tank, why not Fighter? Preferably with the Defense or Protection style. You keep BAB, get more attacks, same HD.

 

[DarklordKyo]

If your aim is to be a better tank, why not Fighter? Preferably with the Defense or Protection style. You keep BAB, get more attacks, same HD.

A couple of D&D experienced friends of mine recommended a level in Barbarian because rage gives resistance (and, thus, effectively doubles my HP in a lot of situations). They also threw out the idea of 3 or 4 in it for Bear Aspect and more health.

 

[TheFinish]

If your aim is to be a better tank, why not Fighter? Preferably with the Defense or Protection style. You keep BAB, get more attacks, same HD.

A couple of D&D experienced friends of mine recommended a level in Barbarian because rage gives resistance (and, thus, effectively doubles my HP in a lot of situations). They also threw out the idea of 3 or 4 in it for Bear Aspect and more health.

The main issues I see with dipping only one level in barbarian are:

- Rage doesn't let you cast spells.
- You can't take advantage of both the Paladin's Heavy Armour Proficiency and Unarmored Defense.
- Only two rages per day.

Still, resistance is pretty good, and it's not a bad choice. I still think Fighter is better for defending other people, but still.

Also I wouldn't recommend Sorcerer. If you're sword and board, you can't cast spells in combat since you have no hands free. You can finagle it if you're using a two hander though.

 

[DarklordKyo]

The main issues I see with dipping only one level in barbarian are:

- Rage doesn't let you cast spells.
- You can't take advantage of both the Paladin's Heavy Armour Proficiency and Unarmored Defense.
- Only two rages per day.

Still, resistance is pretty good, and it's not a bad choice. I still think Fighter is better for defending other people, but still.

Also I wouldn't recommend Sorcerer. If you're sword and board, you can't cast spells in combat since you have no hands free. You can finagle it if you're using a two hander though.

I wield a greatsword, and couldn't a sword and board wear their symbol on their shield, and a focus around their neck?

Also, to be fair, apparently Smite doesn't technically count as a spell.

Besides, the fact that Rage doesn't allow spells is why I suggested treating it as a "tanking stance" kinda thing.

 

[TheFinish]

The main issues I see with dipping only one level in barbarian are:

- Rage doesn't let you cast spells.
- You can't take advantage of both the Paladin's Heavy Armour Proficiency and Unarmored Defense.
- Only two rages per day.

Still, resistance is pretty good, and it's not a bad choice. I still think Fighter is better for defending other people, but still.

Also I wouldn't recommend Sorcerer. If you're sword and board, you can't cast spells in combat since you have no hands free. You can finagle it if you're using a two hander though.

I wield a greatsword, and couldn't a sword and board wear their symbol on their shield, and a focus around their neck?

Also, to be fair, apparently Smite doesn't technically count as a spell.

Besides, the fact that Rage doesn't allow spells is why I suggested treating it as a "tanking stance" kinda thing.

You could maybe put the holy symbol on their shield. I'm not sure if 5th Edition allows it (it's an option in Pathfinder at least), but wearing the focus around your neck doesn't work, since the Focus works instead of the Material Component, and that requires a free hand.

And the biggest problem the sword board sorcerer runs into is the free hand required for all spells, because they have Somatic components, and those, like Material, require a free hand (although you can use the same hand for Material and Focus components).

As I've said, it's not a bad combo. It suffers from lack of synergy in certain areas, which the Paladin/Fighter combo doesn't, but it's not bad by any means. I do think if you're set on Barbarian, go at least Barbarian 3 for Bear Totem. There's no reason not to, and you get one more Rage for your trouble.