After an unfortunately long hiatus, here are the tanks of Overwatch as 5e Dungeons and Dragons characters. My constructions are, of course, simple approximations of a similar theme and gameplay style and I welcome any ideas for other classes that might fit a character better. As always, I think it'd be fun to play this with other races. A hafling D.Va, a half-orc Roadhog, or a dragonborn Zarya all sound fun.
Level 1 Human Artificer
Background: Gladiator
Str 14 (+2), Dex 16 (+3), Con 11 (+0)
Int 15 (+2), Wis 9 (-1), Cha 13 (+1)
HP 8, AC 14 (leather armor), HD 1d8
Saves: Con +2, Int +4
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Elvish
Skills: Arcana +4, Acrobatics +5,
Performance +3, Investigation +4
Proficiencies: dice set, vehicles (land),
tinker’s tools
Weapons
Light Crossbow +5, 1d18+3 piercing, range (80/320), two-handed, loading
Mace +4, 1d6+2 bludgeoning
makeshift wand Dex, 1d8 lightning or thunder,
Weapons
Light Crossbow +5, 1d18+3 piercing, range (80/320), two-handed, loading
Mace +4, 1d6+2 bludgeoning
makeshift wand Dex, 1d8 lightning or thunder,
range 60
Spells (+4, DC 12)
0 – light, makeshift wand, mending
1 – jump, shield of faith, expeditious retreat
Abilities
Artificer Knowledge
Leveling D.Va:
So the whole reason in making her an artificer is to give her the Tradition of the Bulwark that I made for Ironman. It gives her heavy armor with cool powers, so it just makes the most sense. Her spells should focus around movement, shielding, and big explosions.
Spells (+4, DC 12)
0 – light, makeshift wand, mending
1 – jump, shield of faith, expeditious retreat
Abilities
Artificer Knowledge
Leveling D.Va:
So the whole reason in making her an artificer is to give her the Tradition of the Bulwark that I made for Ironman. It gives her heavy armor with cool powers, so it just makes the most sense. Her spells should focus around movement, shielding, and big explosions.
Reinhardt
Level 1 Human Fighter
Background: Soldier
Str 16 (+3), Dex 11 (+0), Con 15 (+2)
Int 9 (-1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 13 (+1)
HP 12, AC 18 (chainmail, shield), HD 1d10
Saves: Str +5, Con +4
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Skills: Athletics +5, History +1,
Intimidation +3, Insight +4
Proficiencies: playing cards, vehicles (land)
Weapons
Warhammer +5, 1d8+3 bludgeoning,
Background: Soldier
Str 16 (+3), Dex 11 (+0), Con 15 (+2)
Int 9 (-1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 13 (+1)
HP 12, AC 18 (chainmail, shield), HD 1d10
Saves: Str +5, Con +4
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Skills: Athletics +5, History +1,
Intimidation +3, Insight +4
Proficiencies: playing cards, vehicles (land)
Weapons
Warhammer +5, 1d8+3 bludgeoning,
versatile 1d10+3
Abilities
Fighting Style: Protection
Second Wind
Leveling Reinhardt:
Reinhardt is all about defense. The Battlemaster archetype would be a good idea to knock people prone, but the same could be said for Eldritch Knight and its ability to conjure shields, charge, and shoot out gouts of flame. Battlemaster or Champion is closer to his personality, and don’t require a high Intelligence, so are preferable. No matter what archetype you pick, use feats and ability score bumps to make him as tanky as possible.
Roadhog
Level 1 Human Paladin
Background: Outlander
Str 16 (+3), Dex 14 (+2), Con 15 (+2)
Int 9 (-1), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 11(+0)
Abilities
Fighting Style: Protection
Second Wind
Leveling Reinhardt:
Reinhardt is all about defense. The Battlemaster archetype would be a good idea to knock people prone, but the same could be said for Eldritch Knight and its ability to conjure shields, charge, and shoot out gouts of flame. Battlemaster or Champion is closer to his personality, and don’t require a high Intelligence, so are preferable. No matter what archetype you pick, use feats and ability score bumps to make him as tanky as possible.
Roadhog
Background: Outlander
Str 16 (+3), Dex 14 (+2), Con 15 (+2)
Int 9 (-1), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 11(+0)
HP 12, AC 16 (scale mail), HD 1d10
Saves: Wis +3, Cha +2
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Orc, Giant
Skills: Athletics +5, Survival +3,
Nature +2, Insight +3
Proficiencies: drum
Weapons
Greataxe +5, 1d12+3 slashing, heavy, two-handed
Abilities
Divine Sense
Lay on Hands
Leveling Roadhog:
Paladin may seem like a strange choice for Roadhog, but I think it is useful for creating a boar-loving bringer of the apocalypse. Give him the Oath of Light to get some cool grabbing (similar to his hook) and healing spells that he only uses on himself. Smites are another good use of spells. Feats should focus on toughness and damage. Ranger, Barbarian, and Fighter are also good options, but none of them fit amazingly so I figure Paladin of the Apocalypse sounded good.
Saves: Wis +3, Cha +2
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Orc, Giant
Skills: Athletics +5, Survival +3,
Nature +2, Insight +3
Proficiencies: drum
Weapons
Greataxe +5, 1d12+3 slashing, heavy, two-handed
Abilities
Divine Sense
Lay on Hands
Leveling Roadhog:
Paladin may seem like a strange choice for Roadhog, but I think it is useful for creating a boar-loving bringer of the apocalypse. Give him the Oath of Light to get some cool grabbing (similar to his hook) and healing spells that he only uses on himself. Smites are another good use of spells. Feats should focus on toughness and damage. Ranger, Barbarian, and Fighter are also good options, but none of them fit amazingly so I figure Paladin of the Apocalypse sounded good.
WinstonLevel 1 Bugbear Fighter
Background: Sage
Str 15 (+2), Dex 12 (+1), Con 14 (+2)
Int 13 (+1), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 12 (+1)
HP 12, AC 16 (chainmail), HD 1d10
Saves: Str +4, Con +4
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Gnomish, Elvish,
Dwarvish
Skills: Arcana +3, History +3, Stealth +3
Acrobatics +3, Athletics +4
Weapons
Greatsword +4, 2d6+2 slashing, heavy, two-handed
Skills: Arcana +3, History +3, Stealth +3
Acrobatics +3, Athletics +4
Weapons
Greatsword +4, 2d6+2 slashing, heavy, two-handed
Abilities
Darkvision
Long-limbed
Powerful Build
Sneaky
Surprise Attack
Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting
Second Wind
Leveling Winston:
Bugbear from the recent Volo’s Guide to Monsters is the closest I could get to a gorilla, but half-orc or orc could also work. Go Eldritch Knight for lots of abjurations spells and a few electric shocks. The archetype is also useful for copying his crazy jumps (with a jump spell). Feats should focus on casting spells and athleticism.
Zarya
Background: Soldier
Str 16 (+3), Dex 14 (+2), Con 15 (+2)
Int 9 (-1), Wis 11 (+0), Cha 13 (+1)
HP 12, AC 16 (chainmail), HD 1d10
Saves: Wis +2, Cha +3
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Skills: Athletics +4, Insight+2,
Intimidation +3, Persuasion +2
Proficiencies: playing cards, vehicles (land)
Weapons
Halberd +5, 1d10+3 slashing, heavy, reach,
two-handed
Abilities
Divine Sense
Lay on Hands
Leveling Zarya:
Zarya should take the Oath of Devotion to get lots of shielding and empowered strikes. Spells should focus around shields and smiting, and feats should improve toughness and proficiency with that amazing polearm. I could also see Zarya as an Eldritch Knight, but there is something about being devoted to her country that feels right.
