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[Tallytrev813]

Ok, i've been talking this up in random threads but i think it's a SUPER cool build, so im going to put it in here. The idea is great, it's STRAIGHT Totem Barbarian, so it's simple. You're going to abuse the damage resistance and add a few Feats to become the stickiest, and IMO best, single target tank available.



KING LEONIDAS BARBARIAN:

Variant Human, Start 16/14/16/8/10/8
Feat: Polearm Master

Level 1:
Start with a Spear and Shield
Your AC is 17, you have huge hit die/HP pool, and you get a bonus action attack to abuse RAGE damage.

Your DPS is strong...way strong (1d6+5 + 1d4+5 each turn), your survivability is great.

Level 2:
Reckless Attack and Danger Sense give you solid situational attack buff and great Dex saves.

Level 3:
Choose Bear totem. You're now a Bear, you get 1/2 damage to almost everything.

Level 4:
ASI - Sentinel
You now become pretty sticky as a tank, your HP continues to skyrocket. Non-Casters have trouble getting away from you.

Level 5:
Extra attack + Fast Movement
You're faster, so they cant run. Extra attack now means you're hitting them 3 times per turn, plus utilizing a reaction attack (Either from PAM when they come within range of you, or from Sentinel if they try to run).

Level 6:
Pick whichever path feature you like that fits your campaign. If the DM pays attention to encumbrance or travel a lot, take Bear or Elk. If its a lot of woods and outdoors, take Eagle. If you want skills, Tiger. Pick whichever.

Level 7:
Feral Instinct
Now you have Adv on initiative...meaning theres a good chance you get to go before the badguys...meaning you are in their face before they can hit your party.

Level 8:
ASI: Feat - Mage Slayer
Now, you have become about as sticky as it gets. If they're a melee or Archer, Sentinel locks them down. If they're a caster, Mage Slayer absolutely destroys their concentration spells and provides you AoO's - AND gives you defense against them casting spells on you! You are a monster single target tank, and once you get in a badguys face...they're going nowhere.
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Feel free, from this point on, to build as you see fit.
If you get get a +Strength item (Belt of Giant Strength, Gauntlets of Ogre Power) awesome, it means you can pick up Resilient Feat for Wisdom saves. Your remaining ASI's should go to Strength, Resilient - Wisdom, and/or Con depending on what you want to do (Damage vs tank).

Worth mentioning, when you get to level 14 - take Bear totem. Your already sticky tank becomes unbelievably epicly sticky (Imposes disadvantage when they don't attack you).

Essentially, you're a shirtless Spear/Shield barrel chested human who cant be taken down and stabs the crap out of everyone.

YOU'RE KING LEONIDAS

Love to hear all of your thoughts on this, I love it in theory but havent been in a game thats gotten high enough where im doing this build to use it.

Edit: You could, Techincally, do this without Spear/Shield and go Halbert or something and pick up GWM later to really do a ton of damage, though you'd sacrifice quite a bit of tanky-survivability