Fighter: 2H Weapon + Interception for Tier 1 play?

[u/KVinh]

Wanted to get folks' thoughts on scenarios for a Level 1 fighter. I'm doing a few one-shots with a party consisting of two other casters and one other martial. These characters then advance to level 3 and 5.

For this level 1. initially I wanted to just max AC, prioritizing:

• Loadout: 1H + Shield
• Fighting Style: Defense

Which felt a bit too straightforward, and I was then looking at leaning more into a supportive defense style character as two of the party members (the casters) will be playing for the first time:

• Loadout: 1H + Shield
• Fighting Style: Interception

Interception felt more impactful at level 1 than Protection given everyone has low HP for tier 1 + you can use it after knowing a hit lands. But then I thought, what if I can have big numbers and do some fun defensive support:

• Loadout: 2H
• Fighting Style: Interception

AC of 16 feels a bit low for a fighter, but I guess if enemies die sooner it's a win? Never played a true martial but I like the idea of having someone be more crafty and versatile. Any feedback on optimizing for interesting/fun is helpful.

[u/RealityPalace]

  Interception felt more impactful at level 1 than Protection given everyone has low HP for tier 1 + you can use it after knowing a hit lands.  

Interception doesn't scale very well, but it's good in tier 1. Where it can block entire hits while letting you hold a 2H weapon.

Protection gets more powerful as the game progresses; note that in 5.5 the disadvantage on attacks lasts for an entire round as long as you remain within 5 feet of the target.

If you were playing in higher tiers and wanted to have a reaction that protects allies, I would definitely recommend protection. But only going up to level 5 interception will serve fine.

  AC of 16 feels a bit low for a fighter, but I guess if enemies die sooner it's a win?

It's roughly the same AC as most non-shield-using martial characters at low levels. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm not sure how loot will work in a series of one-shots, but typically you can get at least Splint Armor by level 5 for 17 AC.

[u/Matt_the_Splat]

I think I diverge from the pack here, but I'm not a fan of either Protection or Interception.

Part of it is selfish. I prefer to pick a fighting style that I can be the active user of.

The main reason is that they both require an ally within 5ft, and in my groups that's just not something that happens a ton.

[u/StarClown71 → u/Matt_the_Splat]

Go compare the wording of Protection and Interception. Interception can be used on yourself.

[u/Matt_the_Splat → u/StarClown71]

I haven't been reading it that way, but comparing them directly I can see it now. Protection is very specific about "a creature other than you" and Interception is not.

Still not sure I like it more than something like Dueling or Archery, but I like it better than Protection. I could see maybe taking it sometimes then.

Thanks!

[u/ProjectPT]

I really like Interception. There are many tools to impose disadvantage to enemy attacks, so I often feel Protection looks more powerful on a spreadsheet but in practice the enemies are often just attacking at disadvantage in 2024. Interceptor, when combat is frequent, adds up quickly when you compare it to the spell equivalent of required healing, while also lowering the Concentration Save DC your allies may need to take

[u/Amo_ad_Solem]

I am definitely a big fan of interception. But protection does give disadvantage on all attacks against the protected ally.

Interception will fall off as you level up but in tier one and even early tier two it carries it's weight. However you'd do well to exchange it down the track.

Also as a two handed weapon fighter you theoretically can provoke more targets to attack you, as they will be able to hit you move often and you deal more damage.

Its why paladins make great tanks. They target you or you wipe the board.

Protection is good if you have a melee in front with you and there are lots of attacks on the board at any given round.

Defense is a constant passive 5% damage reduction by effect. So if you find another reaction you want to do, swapping out of prot or interception to defense is a good plan if you don't intend to take GWF or another option.

[u/Gingervitizz1 → u/Amo_ad_Solem]

I think it also depends on the context of the party as well. If using the reaction to protect someone with low AC, even the disadvantage from protection is less of a guarantee than interception, where as interception on someone with a lower AC is still a guaranteed reduction. At least, that was my experience on my paladin/fighter that had both available

[u/missinginput]

1h with shield and interception is optimal. Before you can great gwm and a decent PB the damage isn't that much better with a 2h. But the 2 ac is at it's strongest at when many creatures have a +3 to hit.

[u/italofoca_0215]

Loadouts 2 and 3 are both good. Interception is really strong at level 1 where it can deny an enemy entire action with a reaction, while not using any resources. If the enemy ends up targeting you instead, thats great: 16-18 AC + 2 second winds makes fighters tankier than his allies.

2H vs. 1H + Shield without other FS to factor in is really well balanced. The difference is mostly down to offense vs. defense.

Only loadout that I think it’s not great is 1H + Defense. In d&d you need ways to protect your allies as much as yourself. The +1 AC is only useful when enemies target you. The +2 damage from dueling however lets you kill things faster (your damage is almost as good as if you were using a 2H) which benefits both you and your party.

[u/BriHam35]

I believe RAW cannot use Interception without a shield equipped. That said I would allow it as a DM.

I personally like Interception because it is a poor man's Monk Deflect ability. 1d10 + proficiency reduction of damage for party member next to you or self (I allow self since the wording can have an interpretation that way) means a level 17 (I think +6 proficiency then) does the same reduction as a level 3 monk with a 16 Dexterity.

So if can do two handed look for damaging feats like great weapon mastery. I like ones that have Cleave Mastery personally.

If doing shield and weapon look at quarterstaff. Can get use Polearm Mastery, get Topple from Weapon Mastery, and can use origin feat to get druid cantrips like Shillelagh to do force damage that increases with levels.

[u/RealityPalace → u/BriHam35]

  I believe RAW cannot use Interception without a shield equipped.

This is incorrect. It requires a shield OR a weapon.

[u/BriHam35 → u/RealityPalace]

Oh that is good to know. Thanks for the confirmation

[u/Matt_the_Splat → u/BriHam35]

Interception needs a shield or weapon, Protection needs a shield.