Nature's Beast (The Tenacious Half Orc Barbarian/Paladin 5e multiclass build)

Want to be the toughest character on the battlefield, able to withstand any punishment available to you? Then this may be the build for you. This build combines the toughness of the Half Orc and the most defensive abilities possible in the Player's Handbook - it sacrifices most of its damaging potential of Barbarian and Paladin for pure survival skills. Constitution, Dexterity and Charisma are the most favored ability scores.

The core abilities of this build are:

• Rage (Bear Totem) - this ability gives you resistance to piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing damage. At Barbarian level 3 it gives you resistance to all damage (except for psychic).
• Paladin Spells - paladin spells, particularly Shield of Faith, grant powerful effects for survival tactics.

The strategy:

• Rage frequently when in combat and always remember to attack each turn to keep Rage up.
• While rage is down, make use of Paladin spells, keep up Shield of Faith as often as possible.
• It is good to keep Antitoxins and any items that can increase your ability to recover from conditions.

The weaknesses:

• This build doesn't allow much room for customization or damage - so if your allies aren't pumping out enough damage each turn you might find yourself in a bad situation
• Conditions that affect your character will be the biggest weakness to your character.

The beginning levels can be taken in either class, however early access to defensive fighting style, and the option for starting with lower Charisma is favorable. This also gives you the ability to heal yourself with a bonus action on your turn, if needed. After second level put 4 levels into Barbarian. Subsequent levels should be taken in Paladin for increased self healing and damage mitigation. This build has a more set path and so instead of 'Powerful additions to this build' I decided to go with...

Sequence to this build:

1. Choose Con as your most important Stat. Dex is a close second so that you gain as much AC as possible, shoot for 16. Charisma is a distant 3rd - as each are important against spells. Just make sure you have enough stats to take levels in Barbarian (13 str).
• Str 11 / Dex 14 / Con 15 / Int 10 / Wis 10 / Cha 12 (using 27 point buy system), +2 Strength, +1 Con from racial traits bumps Strength to 13 and Con to 16
• Ability score increases: +2 Dex, Medium Armor Master, +2 Con, +2 Con, Tough Feat
2. Take the first two levels in Paladin and take the Defensive fighting style at the 2nd level. Take the starting wealth option rolling for (5d4x10, averaging 150gp). Buy the following equipment:
• Scale Mail, Shield, 3 handed weapons (bludgeoning, slashing and piercing), any other equipment needed for survival (packs good if you can afford it)
• Save up for half-plate as soon as possible, in normal circumstances you should get the money for this around level 5, depending on the campaign style your in.
3. Take the following spells in respectful priority for 1st level spell options at 2nd level Paladin: Shield of Faith, Heroism, Protection form evil.
4. Take the next 4 levels in Barbarian and choose the Bear Totem at level 3 Barbarian.
5. Next take the rest of the levels in Paladin, at 3rd level take the Oath of the Ancients. This gives a constant resistance to spells at 10th Paladin level and an additional 'Relentless Endurance-like ability at Paladin level 15. As well as it gives the remaining 4 Ability score increases and options for spells that further increase the character's toughness.
6. The following are powerful spell options for this build:
1. Lesser Restoration
2. Aid
3. Aura of Vitality
4. Death Ward
5. Aura of Purity
6. Aura of Life

Level progression should look something like the following list for your AC, HP, and defensive options. This list doesn't account for defensive magical options you might come across, potentially giving you more AC (+1-3 AC, as well as a +1 AC from Cloak of Protection).

1. AC: 18 (Shield, Scale mail), HP: 13, Relentless Endurance
2. AC: 21 (Shield, Scale mail, Shield of Faith), HP: 22(+9), Spells, Defensive Fighting Style
3. AC: 21 (Shield, Scale mail, Shield of Faith), HP: 32(+10), Rage (Resistance to non-magical damage)
4. AC: 21 (Shield, Scale mail, Shield of Faith), HP: 42(+10), Danger Sense, +2 Dex
5. AC: 22 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 52(+10), Bear totem (Resistance to all damage, except psychic)
6. AC: 22 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 62(+10)
7. AC: 22 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 71 (+9), Divine Health
8. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 80 (+9), Medium Armor Master
9. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 89 (+9), Level 2 Paladin spells
10. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 98 (+9), Aura of Protection
11. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 107 (+9), Aura of Warding
12. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 128 (+10), +2 Con (+12 hp)
13. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 138 (+10), Level 3 Paladin spells
14. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 148 (+10), Aura of Courage
15. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 158 (+10)
16. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 184 (+11), +2 Con (+16 hp)
17. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 195 (+11)
18. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 206 (+11), Cleansing Touch
19. AC: 23 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith), HP: 217 (+11), Undying Sentinel
20. AC: 28 (Shield, Half-plate, Shield of Faith, Defensive Duelist), HP: 228 (+11), Defensive Duelist

The result is an awesome build that can withstand almost any form of punishment.