Shield proficiency for arcane caster

[Karina]

Is one level dip into fighter or paladin worth it? Just for shield proficiency and maybe medium armor. I know that cleric would be a much better choice, but thematically it does not fit dragonborn.

Or maybe even one level barbarian dip. I get shield proficiency AND unarmored defense.

[Spiral_Architect]

You may be set on a particular race, but that is also an option for shield proficiency.

[Lex]

Humans and half-elves get both light armor and shield proficiencies.

[Karina]

That not what i was asking.

[Hobocop]

If you're going to give up a level of spellcasting progression, fighter probably gives you the most bang for your buck between medium armor, shields, and Defense fighting style.

Edit: Though there might be a case for Ancients Paladin just because Healing Radiance is just that efficient for a bonus action AoE heal, though it'll be held back pretty hard without more paladin levels.

[Lex]

Originally posted by Esteban Failsmore:

That not what i was asking.

LOL. Then what class are you even? Because if you're a full caster the answer is no. It'll mess up your spell progression.

[Karina]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

If you're going to give up a level of spellcasting progression, fighter probably gives you the most bang for your buck between medium armor, shields, and Defense fighting style.

What about paladin? Does 1 level into paladin grants spell slot progression? Or its every 2nd level.

[Hobocop]

Originally posted by Esteban Failsmore:

Originally posted by Hobocop:

If you're going to give up a level of spellcasting progression, fighter probably gives you the most bang for your buck between medium armor, shields, and Defense fighting style.

What about paladin? Does 1 level into paladin grants spell slot progression? Or its every 2nd level.

Paladins get spells at 2nd level.

[Sol]

In regards to

Originally posted by Esteban Failsmore:

I know that cleric would be a much better choice, but thematically it does not fit dragonborn.

I feel like even though most Dragonborn don't really follow Gods, a Dragonborn may still align themself with Tyr or Helm due to their strict codes of conduct. As the wiki notes: "If they did join the faithful, dragonborn could become quite devoted in their chosen church, craving the direction and purpose it gave them. Likewise, paladins, unlike clerics, represented an almost martial career path and one that blended well with the militaristic culture of the race."

[jonnin]

dare I say to just get the moderately armored feat? It has med armor & shield. I am trying to think whether a level of caster lost is worse than a feat lost or not, and its a tough call.

I am pretty sure dragon sorc & barbarian do not stack AC bonus, nor does monk/caster. It just takes the best one.

Drac sorc with 16 dex and a shield is better armored at level 1 than anyone else, unless you go shield with lazel instead of the firey 2h, and then its close enough. Wizards lag behind sorc in most ways, AC is one of them. The only advantage wizard seems to have is knowing more spells that you don't use anyway. For a wizard, a 16 con & your barbarian idea looks really good.

[Karina]

Originally posted by jonnin:

dare I say to just get the moderately armored feat? It has med armor & shield. I am trying to think whether a level of caster lost is worse than a feat lost or not, and its a tough call.

I am pretty sure dragon sorc & barbarian do not stack AC bonus, nor does monk/caster. It just takes the best one.

Drac sorc with 16 dex and a shield is better armored at level 1 than anyone else, unless you go shield with lazel instead of the firey 2h, and then its close enough. Wizards lag behind sorc in most ways, AC is one of them. The only advantage wizard seems to have is knowing more spells that you don't use anyway. For a wizard, a 16 con & your barbarian idea looks really good.

You need to get light armor proficiency to take moderately armored first though. Dip into bard will give light armor proficiency as well as spell progression, but im not sure its worth it.

Im not a dragon sorc, im a storm sorc.

[jonnin]

ah, then same as wizard, you are gonna want the barbarian idea if you want to max out AC, I think.
I forgot about it needing light armor... so yea, that won;'t help at all. I keep seeing it on mine but its half elf, so /facepalm of shame

until very late you won't find magic light armor good enough to offset bracers of defense.