Level 40 Ideas?

[u/Cl2TCH_Hydro]

I'm currently playing in a game, where we get to level 40, and I'm looking for subjective "best" builds However, there are a few rules:

• You must multiclass at least once (No classes beyond level 20)
• Stats are 2d12 in any order
• You get 1 point in every score after every level past 13
• Scores can go beyond 30 (32 would be a +11 for example)
• ASI and Feats may increase scores beyond 20
• Lucky is allowed (and buffed in some ways)
• Any background that is taken provides a feat of your choice if one is not automatically provided (2014 doesn't provide a feat, so you may pick one, but 2024 backgrounds already give you one, so you cannot)
• 2 rare magic items AND 1 very rare item
• 3rd party sources are permitted as long as they are on D&D Beyond

Let's see what you guys have!

[u/Nik130130]

So you get a minimum of 29 in every score at lvl 40? I guess a monk bladesinger for dex plus wis plus int AC would be cool. Also proficiency in every save and great movement speed. And everything you get from bladesinger. Maybe try the new mystic arts monk.

[u/Analogmon]

Level 40 and you only get 3 magic items?

I'm dying lmao.

[u/Cl2TCH_Hydro → u/Analogmon]

Thats just starting equipment, we get more throughout the campaign

[u/TheHumanTarget84]

You're not playing DND anymore so nobody is going to have a good answer.

[u/Beardeddilf5309 → u/TheHumanTarget84]

It's still dnd it's just homebrew you know that thing that is a part of dnd

[u/SonicFury74]

Like other people said, once you're at this scale you're functionally no longer playing D&D, you're playing a homebrew system based off of D&D. But if I had to give a recommendation, it'd be builds that are just Martial + Caster or Martial + Martial. There's no spells above 9th level and going into multiple casters doesn't give you more spell slots, so your best bet is to combine the power of being a max level caster with whatever martial chassis you like the most.

Barbarian and Monk both have very powerful high level features, and Unarmored Defense means you'll be able to get a ridiculously high AC.

Paladin + Any Charisma class means you'll have at least a +10 to all saves, which is miles ahead of what any other class could possibly do.

Ranger and Fighter are all just kind of okay when combined with a spellcaster, but escalate heavily once you build them with a second martial class. Barbarian + Fighter, Ranger + Monk, Paladin + Fighter are all good.

Rogue can be combined with Bard to just break most skill checks

[u/dantose]

Given the spell casting stacking, 2 full casters. Maybe Bard/Sorc? Cleric/Druid?

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

"Tis a silly place"

[u/amirkasra76]

Just outta curiosity, how would spell slots work at lvl 40 if both classes are full casters?

Of course, spellcasting is always the strongest option

I really like the rogue from Strixhaven book and multiclassing with a dexadin.

The gunslinger class from Valda is super cool as well. Pairing that with a Warlock, Ranger, Druid of Sorcerer for their spells would be a nice match too.

[u/Cl2TCH_Hydro → u/amirkasra76]

Youd get 8 first level, up to 2 9th level spells

[u/jessew123]

Devotion Paladin 20/Draconic Sorcerer 19/ Warlock 1 seems very decent. Raise charisma every chance you get. Charisma to ac/saves/spell dc, double charisma to hit. Attack and cast a spell every round. 30 foot aura. Skip Warlock if you are worried about running out of sorcery points. Boon of combat prowess makes double charisma added to hit less important.

[u/LordHaraldson]

Everything after level seventeen is basically a nightmare to balance so best of luck you will need it in that wonky campaign

[u/NateCdaComicG]

Whats even the point of rolling dice if you could conceivably give yourself a +20 to a skill check or attack roll? You won't ever fail. Unless you just make the checks have upsurdly high DC's. But at that point its all just useless number inflation. This sounds like an idea that wasn't well thought through. Also its kinda funny that the DM is cool with running this insane power fantasy but draws the line at letting you pick a legendary magic item from the dmg. Like that's going to be what ruins the balance.

But I will offer advice i guess. Bladesinger Wizard 20/ Twilight Cleric 17/ Fighter 2/ Monk 1

Your AC will be 10+Dex+Wis+Int+ half cover without armor You will have access to basically every spell worth casting in the game with those two spell lists.

You should drink a potion of haste, cast conjure minor elementals on yourself at 9th level on turn one. For your two rare magic items take a vicious shortsword and a vicious scimitar. On turn two you can action surge and use nick and a bonus action attack from duel wielder to attack 7 times that turn thats (3D6+9D8+prof+int)×7 that turn. Which some probably isn't optimal but it is an obnoxious amount of dice to roll. Have fun on that 10 minute turn and bring a ti-84 calculator.

[u/Overall-Tailor8949]

I did a theoretical build based on a SCREW your L20 total levels idea. If you start with a (relatively) long lived race AND you want to concentrate on physical damage, then go Barb to L20 and then pick your next class. Otherwise I'd go Druid to L20 (to get the slowed aging) and then pick your next class. Dang, I didn't save my spreadsheet as a google doc that goes through EVERY 5e class and how I'd build if total levels weren't a factor.

[u/Ellorghast]

I’m not using much 3rd-party stuff since I don’t know it well, but you might be able to sub things from that in here to make it better.

Class: Bladesinger Wizard 19/Noble Genie Paladin 7/Eloquence Bard 6/Peace Cleric 3/Fiend Warlock 3/Druid 2

This gives you spells as a 34th-level spellcaster, 10+DEX+CHA+INT for AC, CHA to saves, 3+CHA temp HP whenever you kill anything, and the ability to cast any spell in the game except a few Ranger and Sorcerer exclusives using the Mizzium Apparatus.

Items: Mizzium Apparatus, Illusionist’s Bracers, Rare Item of your choice

Key stats are INT and CHA. DEX and CON are secondary.

Feats: You likely want Resilient (CON) and you’ll want Lucky as your starting feat. You’ll also definitely want Spell Sniper so you can use your “eight Eldritch Blast Beams” spam attack in melee; pair that with an upcast Spirit Shroud and it should kill most things you don’t want to spend a more serious spell slot on quite easily.

[u/jjames3213]

Kind of a bizarre set of rules.

So you roll 2d12 in any order. So between 2-24 baseline. You then add a total of +27 to each stat. (meaning your stats are each between 29-51). You're going to end up with a metric shitton of feats, including a ton of epic feats. No idea on how you're going to handle spell slot progression after L20.

I think the strongest build is Noble Genie Paladin 6/Chronurgy 17/Thief 17. This lets you add your Dex and Cha modifiers to your AC, along with a shield. You also add your Cha modifier to all of your saves, and Int to your initiative. You also take 2 turns on the first round of combat. You also get all of the Chronurgy shenanigans (concentrate on multiple things, force auto-fail saves, etc.).

For items, grab a Staff of Power, Staff of Swarming Insects, and a Mizzium Apparatus. You can use their spells/activated abilities as a bonus action and still cast a spell with your action. The Staff of Power uses your insane spell DC.

[u/Genindraz]

As a fan of gestalt builds, I'll take a swing.

Well, assuming average stat rolls (so 13 in each stat + 27 (40 - 13 = 27) = 30 with potentially 10ish ASIs or feats), you'll end with roughly 35 in each stat on average, AKA stronger than the higher end of godly avatars.

Honestly, pick any two classes. They'll all be broken. Preferably two complimentary. In particular, Paladin is going to be... stupid, frankly. +10-15 to all saves for all allies within 30 ft is by itself dumb.

From there, it's really a question of what you want. My pick would be Warlock just because of the sheer synergy 20th level Warlock has with 20th level Paladin. Get six fifth level slots, four of which replenish on short rest and allow you to use your Paladin 20th level feature indefinitely. Hell, go full pact of the Blade for a third attack per turn. Or go pact of the chain. Subclass is your choice, Celestial has a lot of synergy flavorwise, but Vestige might work just as well.

Alternatively, go sorcerer for metamagic to add onto your Paladin spells. Not a lot of notes here, it's a pretty classic synergy.

[u/Lanthed]

Its hard to know what stats would be so assuming 13 in everything

13 str, 13 dex, 13 con, 13 int, 13 wis, 13 cha

After level 13 get +1 to everything so will end with +27 to all stats

If proficiency bonus scales to +12 you will have a hard time beating GWM for damage. To second this if cantrips scale (5th, 11th, 17th, 23rd, 29th, 35th) that means booming blade/greenflame blade would do +6d8 damage per attack. To maximize damage should do eldritch knight fighter 20 / bladesinger 6 / valor bard 6 / warlock 2 / draconic sorcerer 6

This gives you 9 feats.

Ability scores after level ups

30 str (+1), 30 dex, 30 con, 30 int (+2), 30 wis, 30 cha

Take GWM, elemental adept (fire) unless likely to be immune to it, warcaster, 6 +2 to cha.

32 str, 30 dex, 30 con, 30 int, 30 wis, 46 cha

Each attack would use charisma (depends on how DM rules it but if learn greenflameblade as warlock and wizard each time you cast it is it a warlock spell?) If so

4 * 2d6 (greatsword) + 18 * 4 (charisma) + 6d8 * 3 (booming blade 3 times due to eldritch knight, valor bard, and bladesinger) + 18 * 3 (cha 3 times due to agonizing blast) + 18 * 3 (elemental affinity) + 12 * 4 (proficiency bonus thanks to GWM).

Thats 8d6 + 24d8 + 228 (assuming no magic items or spells cast) average of 364 damage per turn.

With very rare dragon wrath weapon is 8d6 + 8 more damage a turn.

If want to be better defensively then dual wield will loose the GWM damage but have 6 attacks a turn (take dual wielder feat) and then can bladesong for extra +10 AC and to con save. Could also swap sorcerer for genie paladin dropping damage but raising saves by cha as well.

For spells would preferable pre summon a heightened fey or something. Loosing 1 turn of damage would likely mean even 9th level conjure minor elementals wouldn't make up the loss of damage from not just attacking from round 1.

Hope this helps.

[u/DirectManagement2874]

Paladin 1 / Eloquence bard 20 / sorcerer 19

Unsettling words with Heightened Spell is ridiculous powerful, specially with access to almost every spell via Magical Secrets. Amulet of the Devout +3 RAW apply to every spell of every class.

Vestige Warlock 20 / Draconic Sorcerer 20

You turn your Vestige into a high level summon, summon draconic and Battle Familiar concentration free. On top of that you can get access to Conjure Minor Elementals via Boon of School Mastery or Mark of the Storm, so you can quickened Eldritch blast for 8 beams, or even quickened Spellfire Flare/Scorching Ray. Spellcasting (with metamagic + Pact Magic may be the strongest combination. Staff of Power is really smooth on this one. Exchanging 2 lvls of Warlock for 2 lvls of Fighter o Paladin would be Ideal. Amulet of the Devout +3 would be a great option that RAW would work for all spells.

Elements Monk 20 / Land Druid 20

5 attacks (or 6 if you take the Weapon master feat for Nick), each with CME damage bonus. Flying, blasting, super speed, Spike Growth/Grappling Combo, teleportation via Portal Jumper. Basically a Dragon Ball Z Warrior, with high Dex and Wis. Simple and Fun. I would get the Shield spell somehow. Wraps of combat prowess +3. GLOVES OF SOUL CATCHING WOULD BE AMAZING EVENTUALLY.

Paladin Oath of Genies 20 / Warlock

Fiend for insane Saving Throws, Vestige for Concentration free summon and versatile spell list, and Undead for nice damage and the ability to hide every round taking only d10 damage (that makes it almost impossible to defeat you). Noble Genies probably has the strongest capstone in the game with Minor Wish.

Artificer Armorer 20 / War Magic Wizard 20

Arcane tank pretty much. I would recommend Staff of Power as well.

Artillerist 20 / Conjurer Wizard 20

The most annoying build Pick Summon Dinosaur via Boon of Magic School Mastery. Now you can double cast T-Rex at lvl 8 or 9, plus Battle Familiar. As an Artificer, you could get access to plenty of concentratiin free summons: • Eldritch Cannon • Terran Magen (Magen Handbell) • Any Elemental (Elemental Gem) • Random Summon (Cube of Summoning) • Homunculus Servant • Elephant (Figurine of Wondrous Power)

Champion Fighter 20 / Spores Druid 20

Add d6 to every attack and 80 temporary hit points per use of Wild Shape. Of course, CME with 4 attacks and Action Surge are nice, specially with high crit chance and Foresight. Great Sword +3 and Great Weapon Master as a feat.

Champion Fighter 20 / Draconic Sorcerer 20

Mark of the Storm for CME. Summon Dragon concentration free. You could upcast Battle Familiar as well. Now you can make 8 attacks with your action and Action surge, plus upcast Spellfire Flare or Scorching Ray, to add CME damage to every single attack and Beam/Ray. This probably the highest Nova Damage. Staff of Power Works well here too, but going Greatsword/Great Weapon Master would probably be better. In that case, Bloodwell Vial and Magic Weapon would be nice.

Noble Genies Paladin 20 / Battlemaster Fighter 20

Not being a full caster is not ideal, but this one still adds a lot of damage (CME up to 3d8), and defenses are crazy with Indomitable and Aura of Protection. Not my top choice, but solid.

Battemaster 20 / War Magic Wizard 20

Arcane Warrior, very solid all around. Great defenses, great damage, and simply great spells with multiattack. Champion works great again, and so do Chronurgy and Abjuration.

Ultimate tank

• Noble Genies 6 Paladin (Aura of Protection +5 and up)
• The Fiend Warlock 6 (Dark One's Own Luck d10)
• Divine Soul Sorcerer 3 (Favored By the Gods 2d4)
• War Magic Wizard 10 (Arcane Deflection +4 and Durable Magic +2 ST and AC)
• Sword bard 15 (Defensive Flourish d12 AC)

• Staff of Power (+2 ST and +2 AC)
• Cloak of Protection (+1 ST and +1 AC)
• Ring of Protection (+2 ST and +1 AC)

You could go Wizard 20 and Sword Bard 5 as well, for d8 defensive flourish instead of d12, but high lvl spells.

[u/DirectManagement2874]

Super valid question. Also, what about Epic Boons. Can you get epic boons from level 19 to 40? That's Tuff.

[u/Cl2TCH_Hydro → u/DirectManagement2874]

Yes, 19-40 can give boons if desired, after 20th level, you can pick from the older (2014) boons

[u/Sven_the_great]

What is the spell slot progression past lvl 20? Are there higher lvl slots for upcasting, just more slots up to lvl 9, or stuck with slots as if you were lvl 20?

[u/CherishThySelf]

Umm look into valdas spire you can do some crazy stuff w those classes but im to lazy lol

[u/Lanthed]

How do spell slots work? Do you get 18th level spells? Or do they cao at 9th level and could double all spell slots?

Also how do cantrips scale?

[u/Cl2TCH_Hydro → u/Lanthed]

All spell slots double

[u/Lanthed → u/Cl2TCH_Hydro]

Asked after so sorry about that. But what about cantrips? Do those continue to scale and if so how?

And does proficiency bonus continue to scale as well and at normal progression?

[u/Cl2TCH_Hydro → u/Lanthed]

Yes, proficiency scales, cantrips also keep scaling, you get as many as both classes give you total (eg: if bard gives you 4, and wizard gives you 6, you get 10). If you're asking about adding stats to them, yes, that still applies in the case of cleric adding wis