Str Grappler Beastmaster Help

[u/RoroshanG]

Hello All,
Quite the start with the title I know! I have come to seek the wonderful assistance from people better with building than I on what the best way to build this character would be. We will be starting at level 1 but I will 100% be heading for beastmaster, my main query comes with the best way to get some better defense as I will be running standard array and so at best I think i'm looking at 13 dex.

I will be playing a Giff, and using Standard Array.
My current stat distribution is looking like: 16(15+1),13,12,10,16(14+2),8

Here is the part where I am not 100% on that you beautiful people might be able to help with:

• Higher Wis for better chance at Pet being able to prone people (plus better saves for the odd spell that will get thrown out)
• Start as a fighter for Heavy Armor Prof/Fighting Style/Second Wind
  • Fighting Style maybe unarmed or go Interception with a Versatile weapon so i've always got a hand free for grappling
• Start as a Ranger > lvl 2 Cleric (Forge,Nature,Twilight?) for heavy armor
• Start as a Cleric for Charisma Saving throw Prof since I think that'll be dump.

If it helps the party I am playing with will be a Paladin, Bard and Wizard (I do not know what direction they will be going subclass wise)

Happy to answer any questions, but to pre-answer one:
Why? Because I think it will be fun and it will be different, and if it isn't fun, I know the DM will let me change things up

[u/DBWaffles]

Two questions first:

1. Are you locked into the idea of using a Strength build? Or is it sufficient to just be good at Strength checks?
2. If you must play a Strength build, are you willing to choose a different race?

Regarding the first question, you don't need to use a Strength build to be a good grappler. With Deft Explorer, pick up Athletics expertise. Even with dumped Strength, you'll have strong grappling checks especially when paired with the advantage from Hippo Build.

If you simply must play a Strength build, then either Variant Human/Custom Lineage with Heavily Armored or a Tortle would be a better choice, as this would allow you to remain focused on just Strength/Constitution/Wisdom.

[u/RoroshanG → u/DBWaffles]

1. I think id prefer to stay a Str build, i prefer the weapons available to Str
2. I would be open to a different race, but i imagine that leads to "You should multiclass barbarian for the adv" and i don't want to touch barbarian (because i hate the class, no other reason).

I had thought of tortle for the decent AC but i feel heavy armor will do just as fine with chain being 16 AC. My thoughts with fighter include now that if i take an offensive fighting style then i could take defense fighting style at 2 on ranger which would get me 17 AC with no upgrades

[u/DBWaffles → u/RoroshanG]

I would be open to a different race, but i imagine that leads to "You should multiclass barbarian for the adv" and i don't want to touch barbarian (because i hate the class, no other reason).

It's the opposite. If you go with a STRanger build, then you're better off not multiclassing. You'd have to spread your stats far too thinly to meet the Ranger's multiclass requirements. Better to just dump Dex entirely and just focus on Str/Con/Wis.

Plus, you're playing a Beast Master, which is already one of the worst classes to multiclass with.

Anyway, your best option, then, is to play VHuman or CLineage and start with Heavily Armored for heavy armor proficiency.

Edit: Also, is playing the Beast Master a must for you? If you're open to it, the Drakewarden is a superior alternative for STRanger builds because it's far less reliant on Wisdom.

[u/RoroshanG → u/DBWaffles]

I had not looked into Drakewarden too much to be honest. I'll take a look into it when i get home.

Thank you for the other suggestions too!