Battle Master/Abjurer: Build Comparison (Please Help)

July 2024 ยท 5 minute read
Hi all, I need some help from the math-geeks among us in order to determine which of the following choices is the most optimal path for my upcoming D&D Adventurers League character. At its core, the character will fight with a greatsword + haste, and so in many respects will be similar to the various Eldritch Knight builds; the main difference however being that this character will have at least 7th level spellcasting (compared with an EKs 4th level), and will come online that much sooner.

This character will fill the same party role as an Eldritch Knight (self-buffs; secondary caster; primary attacker).
Unlike a true EK however, this character can easily step into the role of primary spellcaster if required by the party; this also grants me the versatility of playing a switch-hitter and dropping to the back row if I take too much of a beating, or the encounter is not optimal for a frontal assault (unlike an EK who doesn't have as much built-in versatility).

Level 1-6:
1 - V. Human Fighter. Great Weapon Fighting, Great Weapon Mastery (feat). Greatsword
2 - Fighter 1/Wizard 1
3 - Fighter 1/Abjurer 2; Arcane Ward: Upon gaining this ability, every wizard level grants effective HP (4+CON +2/Level Ward) equal to that of a fighter level (6HP+CON)
4 - Fighter 1/Abjurer 3; Will use blur at this level to help boost survival.
5 - Fighter 1/Abjurer 4; Warcaster: This will let me use BB in place of an opportunity attack, while also allowing me to cast shield without removing grip on my greatsword.
6 - Fighter 1/Abjurer 5; Haste: At this point the build comes online granting me a GFB/BB + regular attack each round, and an AC of 20 (with plate).

I am uncertain, but the next 3 levels will most likely consist of:
7 - Fighter 1/Abjurer 6; This is optional, however choosing this route will let me cast Haste 4x/day (including Arcane Recovery).
8 - Fighter 2/Abjurer 6; Action Surge
9 - Battle Master 3/Abjurer 6; 2 manuevers + Precision Attack: This maneuver will offset the penalty from GWM power attack.

Build Options
This is the point where I am uncertain where to go next. I have five options:

Battle Master 11/Abjurer 9
This build will be the most similar to an EK; granting me extra attacks (3); 5th level spellcasting; and 5 Feats/ASIs (6 inc. human). The main difference between this build and a dedicated EK is that haste comes online much sooner in the build, and the character has more spell slots. In this build, the Abjurer is taken primarily to keep HP equivalent with a pure-class fighter compared with other wizard traditions.

Battle Master 12/Abjurer 8 (unlikely option)
This build is almost identical to the above, except that it trades off 5th level spellcasting in order to gain an additional ASI/Feat. It will otherwise play identically.

Battle Master 6 / Abjurer 14
This build will grant me extra attacks; 7th level spellcasting; 5 feats/ASIs (6 including human feat) and spell resistance as a capstone ability (alternately, it may be obtained earlier if I am willing to push back extra attacks). Simulacrum comes online at either 16th or 19th level allowing me to double my damage output as long as I bring a second greatsword & plate armor.

Battle Master 3 / Abjurer 17
This build will grant me 9th level spellcasting; 4 feats/ASIs (5 inc. human feat), spell resistance, and Wish + Shapechange as a capstone (allowing me to cast simulacrum for free). Simulacrum comes online at 16th level, and is upgraded to free casting at 20th level (assuming that I use wish to cast simulacrum).

Comparison Required (Please Help)
I need help to crunch the numbers as to which is my most optimal combat strategy of the following (as this will help determine whether I choose the first or second build). Assume 16 STR until such times as reaching either Fighter 4, or Wizard 8; after which STR will be maxed at next two bumps. If possible, can you please account for Precision Attack (4/rest) & GWF in all DPR calculations.

Option 1 (Cantrip + Haste)
If I choose the BM 3/Abjurer 17 build, this will be my only option. If I choose the BM 6/Abjurer 14 build, I will use this option if it provides higher DPR than Option 2 (below). The DPR output of both builds will help me decide which option I like best.


Option 2 (Extra Attacks + Haste)
If I choose the BM 6/14 build, I will only use this option if it provides higher DPR than Option 1 above. As such, I need a comparison between these two options.
Option 3 (Extra Attacks + Haste)
This option will only be available if I choose to pursue a more EK-style build (either the BM 11/Abjurer 9 or BM 12/Abjurer 8). If possible, I would like to see what expected DPR of this build would be so that I can compare it with the above two options.
Again, please remember that precision attack and great weapon fighting are online in this build which will skew the math accordingly. Any help you number-crunchers can give me in order to help me decide which options will result in higher DPR would be most appreciated.

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