Bonus Actions: When do PCs get them?
Feb 9, 2017 11:26:15 GMT -8
Post by lowkeyoh on Feb 9, 2017 11:26:15 GMT -8
Let's drop a little bit of crunch.
Assumption: You're a first level character with a 16 in your main attacking stat.
The best damage you can get on a light weapon is 1d6(3.5) The best damage a bow gets 1d8(4.5) and the best damage a two handed weapon gets is 2d6(7) The best damage a one handed weapon gets is 1d8 (4.5)
Wielding a greatsword you're pumping out 10 damage an attack (2d6+3) A two weapon fighter gets 10 damage an attack (1d6+3+1d6) and an archer gets 7.5 damage an attack (1d8+3). A sword and board is pumping out the same damage as an archer at this stage in the game.
However those numbers shift when you add in Fighting Styles. Archery stays the same, but hits 10% more often. Sword and Shield gets +2 damage. Great Weapon on a Greatsword increases average roll from a 7 to a 8.333. Two Weapon Fighting adds strength to damage.
By the time you hit fifth level you gain your second attack and generally speaking your attack stat is +2 giving you an 18. With second attacks the table becomes.
At 11th level you get your third attack and two ability score increases. Surely your main attacking stat is maxed at 20 now.
As you can see, Two Weapon Fighting doesn't scale as well as the other styles. It also has the downside of burning your bonus action every turn. It dilutes the potency of Superiority Dice from the Battlemaster, and makes War Magic from Eldritch Knight useless as that's powered by bonus actions.
Archery is going to hit 10% more often than you.
Sword and Shield is going to give you 2 more AC
Greatsword is going to outdamage you in the long run.
Protection is an easy way to grant enemies disadvantage which is WAY more powerful than any of the math here.
Defense gives you +1 AC and use a two handed weapon, which generally isn't as good as the +2 damage from Dueling and getting to use a shield for +2 AC
HOWEVER
None of this fucking matters because no campaigns ever get to fucking 11th level. Furthermore at lower levels, especially before level 5 Two Weapon Fighting is going to fucking wreck shop. If you were playing another class that relies on bonus actions (Bard, Cleric, Rogue) it's not the best call. But as a stock Fighter, your only bonus action ability is Second Wind, which literally every fighter ever forgets they have and literally never uses.
So ultimately, none of it matters, just don't pick Defense
Assumption: You're a first level character with a 16 in your main attacking stat.
The best damage you can get on a light weapon is 1d6(3.5) The best damage a bow gets 1d8(4.5) and the best damage a two handed weapon gets is 2d6(7) The best damage a one handed weapon gets is 1d8 (4.5)
Wielding a greatsword you're pumping out 10 damage an attack (2d6+3) A two weapon fighter gets 10 damage an attack (1d6+3+1d6) and an archer gets 7.5 damage an attack (1d8+3). A sword and board is pumping out the same damage as an archer at this stage in the game.
However those numbers shift when you add in Fighting Styles. Archery stays the same, but hits 10% more often. Sword and Shield gets +2 damage. Great Weapon on a Greatsword increases average roll from a 7 to a 8.333. Two Weapon Fighting adds strength to damage.
1st Level | Average Damage |
Archery | 7.5 |
Sword and Shield | 9.5 |
TWF | 13 |
Greatsword | 11.333 |
By the time you hit fifth level you gain your second attack and generally speaking your attack stat is +2 giving you an 18. With second attacks the table becomes.
5th Level | Average Damage |
Archery | 17 (18.7) |
Sword and Shield | 21 |
TWF | 22.5 |
Greatsword | 24.666 |
At 11th level you get your third attack and two ability score increases. Surely your main attacking stat is maxed at 20 now.
11th level | Average Damage |
Archery | 28.5 (31.35) |
Sword and Shield | 34.5 |
TWF | 34 |
Greatsword | 40 |
As you can see, Two Weapon Fighting doesn't scale as well as the other styles. It also has the downside of burning your bonus action every turn. It dilutes the potency of Superiority Dice from the Battlemaster, and makes War Magic from Eldritch Knight useless as that's powered by bonus actions.
Archery is going to hit 10% more often than you.
Sword and Shield is going to give you 2 more AC
Greatsword is going to outdamage you in the long run.
Protection is an easy way to grant enemies disadvantage which is WAY more powerful than any of the math here.
Defense gives you +1 AC and use a two handed weapon, which generally isn't as good as the +2 damage from Dueling and getting to use a shield for +2 AC
HOWEVER
None of this fucking matters because no campaigns ever get to fucking 11th level. Furthermore at lower levels, especially before level 5 Two Weapon Fighting is going to fucking wreck shop. If you were playing another class that relies on bonus actions (Bard, Cleric, Rogue) it's not the best call. But as a stock Fighter, your only bonus action ability is Second Wind, which literally every fighter ever forgets they have and literally never uses.
So ultimately, none of it matters, just don't pick Defense