Now I really want to see everyone's munchkins with constraints for D&D 5e Adventurer's League. Let's restrict it further to only tiers 1 or 2 and no magic items outside of what a class specifically gets (like a Cleric of the Forge using Blessing of the Forge on his weapon). Multiclassing is allowed of course so that should cover everything.
What's your best character build? What's its role in a party? Do y'all prefer to play tanks, healers, dps, CC, any combination of the above, or something else?
I could use some new character ideas.
Not sure how late I am to this, but I usually play low level campaigns, where 'high level characters' for me is anything above level 5. So here is a build that comes online at level 2, and focuses on survivability via overwhelming AC.
Note: I only use the Core Books, and mainly the PHB, so this can definitely be improved via non-core stuff.
Shield Maiden
Cleric 1 (Life), Wizard X (Divination)
Mandatory Spells: Shield Of Faith, Shield.
Suggested Spells: Find Familiar, Sanctuary, some healing, tons of utility Rituals.
REALLY Helpful Feats: Lucky (consider Variant Human to get this at level 1), Shield Master (Fluffy, useful if there's lots of Dex saves, makes you even harder to kill).
Stats (Most Important To Least): Str or Dex (so you can use your armor. Dex for better saves, Str for better AC), Int (min 13, more is better), Wis (not really necessary, but nice), Con (Concentration checks), everything else.
AC When Going All Out (Str build): 16 (Chain Mail) + 2 (shield) + 2 (Shield Of Faith Spell) + 5 (Shield Spell) = 25
This build is designed to get the highest AC it can in the fewest levels it can. It makes no provision for offense, as it is designed purely with defense in mind. It boasts 25 AC along with being able to reroll up to 3 crits per day, and having a Familiar to use Help action. It will gain spell slots faster than an Eldritch Knight, which is nice, and can heal itself to make up for lower HP. Depending on the exact build the character can be a healer/buffer, a battlefield controler, AoE damage, or melee damage dealer., although the original idea was to Dodge action every turn and draw attacks (either stand in the front in a narrow hallway/choke point, or ask the DM to allow insulting enemies to draw agro).
Fluff:
Every Shield Maiden carries around a large, white shield. Every Shield Maiden takes great pride in keeping their shield pristine and white. This is not because of vanity or cleanliness, but rather because of what a clean shield represents to them. A Shield Maiden's job is to protect their comrades. Whenever a Shield Maiden fails to do so and an ally dies, a Shield Maiden will perform a ceremony where they dip their finger into the dead ally's blood and draw a short line at the edge of their shield. This Line represents a life cut short, and is a way of remembering and paying respect to the fallen. A Shield Maiden will never intentionally wipe away a Line, and instead will wash arounnd it when cleaning their shield. If a Line is accidentally washed off by rain or some other natural phenomenon, the Shield Maiden will replace the Line with mud or some other readily available material. If the person a Line represents is resurrected, then the Shield Maiden will perform a ceremony where they use some of the ally's blood to cross out the Line, and will not replace the Line when it washes away naturally. The method of acquiring blood to cross out a Line is often that the Shield Maiden will draw blood from the party member with a ceremonial dagger (or whatever sharp object they have on hand). Among Shield Maidens, this is known as a 'Friendship Poke.' Among other adventurers, it is more commonly referred to as 'holycrapAliceistryingtostabmeAaah!'
Although many Shield Maidens are pacifists by nature, it is not a requirement for Shield Maidens, and some do recognize that it is possible to protect their allies through 'preventive measures' (killing everything in the area BEFORE it can hurt their allies). Regardless, most Shield Maiden training focuses on the use of a shield, spells, and defensive measures, and it is heavily frowned upon for a Shield Maiden to try to seek glory in combat through killing.
