[RPG] Which is likely to provide more chances to opportunity attack, Polearm Master or Sentinel (with War Caster)

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I'm wielding a staff focus, which doubles as a quarterstaff; so, it seems that Polearm Master + War Caster allows a PC to cast spells as reactions to enemies that enter its reach.

Similarly, Sentinel + War Caster allows a PC to cast spells as reactions, even when the enemy takes the Disengage action.

Three questions:

  1. Can I combine Polearm Master/Sentinel with War Caster to cast spells as opportunity attacks when an enemy enters my reach (PM) or when they Disengage from reach (Sentinel)?
  2. If I want to maximise how often I can use my reaction to opportunity attack with spells, which is the better pick, Polearm Master or Sentinel? On the face of it, it seems like the former, but I've only started playing, so, not much experience yet.
  3. If Polearm Master is superior (as described above), is there a way to compare the value of Sentinel's "stopping effect" (on a hit, you set the enemy's speed to 0) vs. the added damage? The added element of battlefield control can be quite valuable (though hard to quantify).

Best Answer

  1. Can I combine Polearm Master/Sentinel with War Caster to cast spells as OAs when an enemy >enters my reach (PM) or when they Disengage from reach (Sentinel)?

(note: technically speaking, all of this will be up to your DM)

War Caster with Sentinel, creatures moving away even with Disengage, yes; creatures within 5' attacking a different target no: Sentinel specifies melee weapon attack.

War Caster with Polearm Master, RAI: no, see this link: Mearlsian Q&As

Do Polearm Master and War Caster combine to allow a magic user to make a spell >opportunity attack when they enter reach? No - polearm master applies only if you use the >weapons it lists to make the attack

  1. If I want to maximise how often I can use my reaction to OA with spells, which is the >better pick, Polearm Master or Sentinel? On the face of it, it seems like the former, but >I've only started playing, so, not much experience yet.

If played/ruled RAI, then clearly Sentinel, but if Polearm Master/War Caster spell casting is allowed, it would still very much depend on the DM and campaign/adventures; for example many creatures with the ability to Disengage as a bonus action would heavily tip this in favor of Sentinel.

  1. If Polearm Master is superior (as described above), is there a way to compare the >value of Sentinel's "stopping effect" (on a hit, you set the enemy's speed to 0) vs. the >added damage? The added element of battlefield control can be quite valuable (though hard >to quantify).

Again, this would be far too dependent on the DM/adventure to realistically quantify with any reasonable confidence.

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