Interesting discussion. It had to be a fair duel without racial advantages or disadvantages and only with normal non-magical items. Perhaps it's really random, and the turn based combat with initiative is not the best environment for fair duels, I think.
BTW, since a chest once stole my greatsword, I always have two spare +1 twohanders prepared in addition to the equipped weapon.
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I want to point out something else the dps and survival race isnt favouring both paladin and barbarian.
The winner is Larian's Beast Master Ranger. With 5 attacks unlimited animal companion / frenzy raging boar with dex save prone . He have always advantage and hunters mark is unlimited. And can also dump dexterity to use heavy armor.
Currently nothing can beat the beast master with great weapon master + hunters mark.
You mean in combat against NPCs? Sounds so, although I find a Strength based Ranger boring and onesided, a bit like a Barbarian without the rage mechanic. In a duel against a player? The boar has 11 hp and AC 11, and the Ranger has no resistances against physical damage. Hmm.
