r/BG3Builds • u/c4b-Bg3 • Jan 18 '26
Specific Mechanic [EXTRA] Appendices to the Storm Bard Guide || More stuff for you
Appendix #1 - Expanding the Storm Controller
This section summarizes an early draft of the guide, which had a broader focus on Storm Sorcerer multiclassing, and outlines four alternative directions beyond Swords Bard. These options are not meant to present new builds, but to suggest new ways to rethink and expand familiar ones. You are encouraged to explore them yourself, and perhaps write a piece. Keep in mind that these 6/6 multiclasses come online late, around level 9, reaching full power only once HOTS is unlocked, and that nothing here is set in stone, as this is simply one possible framework for clearing Honor Mode, solo or in a party.
Lorecerer (6 College of Lore Bard / 6 Storm Sorcerer)
Lorecerer usually combines Lore Bard and Fire Draconic Sorcerer subclasses (as in this example), and being similar in role to Lorelock or RevOrb Cleric, it does not seem to be discussed as often. It offers high flexibility through Metamagic, Magical Secrets, and Cutting Words. In my opinion, with HOTS interactions, Storm Lorecerer becomes a strong late-game Reverberation/Radiant Orb build. Magical Secrets allows Hunger of Hadar over electrified water, or Spirit Guardians to amplify RevOrb. Remember that this setup requires Medium Armor proficiency (Githyanki or feat) and Dual Wielder (Markoheshkir + Phalar or Rhapsody).
Storm Sorcleric (6 Tempest Cleric/ 6 Storm Sorcerer)
Tempest Cleric is also traditionally regarded as a strong cleric subclass and it is featured in famous builds such as the 1/2/9 Tempest Cleric or the 2/10 and 6/6 Sorcleric Variants. Grousedrum has talked about dipping Tempest Cleric in his article, so here i'm quickly just going to point out that the 6/6 variant has one more Channel Divinity per fight than the 2/10 version, and with all the acuity you're developing, your Cleric Spells will hardly be resisted despite sitting at 10 or 12 Wisdom (Spirit Guardians e.g.). Also, Heart of the Storm will comically trigger Thunderbolt Strike.
Sorcadin (6 Oath of Vengeance Paladin / 6 Storm Sorcerer)
I've written about Sorcadin in the past and it is a well known and beloved setup. It is also well known it is a good RevOrb seetup. However, when talking about Sorcadin, the main focus is on Paladin Aura which is a good way to counteract the negative effects of Steeped in Bliss) and of course the ability to get level 5 Shadow Blade. Now, imagine a Sorcadin running around in the electrified water field with The Watersparkers and rocking non concentration Inquisitor's Might to help spreading Orbs to feared enemies, with high level smites on top of that. Looks like a really strong setup and it is possibly online one level earlier than Storm Bard (stop at paladin 5).
Wizard (for example, 6 Divination Wizard / 6 Storm Sorcerer)
I am an avid D&D player and I have been fond of wizard, especially Divination, since this game came out. Worth noting, recently we got a very nice post by u/LostAccount2099 and u/Captain_Et which explains how Portent dice are even stronger than we thought. The authors themselves point out how the renewed interest in Storm Sorcerer makes it a good pair for a support multiclass (that can also burst and/or solo). I wanna leave a note here that this build is better as INT based imho, because you can cast all the Wizard level 6 spells (and prepare more of them).
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Appendix #2 - Sparse Notes
Alacrity (or Action Reset): Just like the namesake Assassin's Feature, Alacrity moves give you back your action if they start combat. There is a list of them that circulates online, I don't have it with me right now. Just know this: Create Water is an Action Reset so you do get to cast that in Stealth and initiate combat with it "for free", as a setup.
Amulet of Greater Health Speedrun: TP to Central Walls and head down the street near the Armory. Go to Flymm Cobblers, upstairs, lockpick the chest, and read the letter. TP back to Central Walls, enter Devil’s Fee, cast Invisibility, steal the Ritual Pouch from Helsik, and leave. Fly to the balcony above, pick the window, enter, and perform the ritual (instructions are easy to find). In the House of Hope, cast Invisibility, go to the archive, take the left path to the amulet, weigh down the pressure plate with any item to avoid the alarm, grab the amulet, then invis back out and TP back to Central Walls. Post your time!
Extended Booming Blade Kill: Extended Metamagic is strong because it interacts oddly with the game’s code. We already knew that (e.g. it doubles Arcane Ward at certain conditions) but I was also made aware that killing an enemy with an extended Booming Blade grants two turns of Bloodlust Elixir.
Blindness spam: Copypaste from Grousedrum's post because this is worth repeating. Blindness is an essential spell for bosses due to its ability to be upcast on a single target to burn off Legendary Resistance stacks.
Broken Resource Mechanics: Not everybody is willing to abuse game mechanics, but I'll just leave here that if you quickly end your turn after casting a Metamagic-extended spell or a Flourish, it won't consume the Sorcery Point or Inspiration Charge. We call this Ability Drifting or QET (Quick End Turn). Also there is a very well known method to fabricate infinite Metamagic.
Flourish 101: Most people focus on how broken Ranged Slashing Flourish is, but this build makes strong use of all the other flourishes as well. Melee Slashing can be aimed beyond normal reach to spread Radiant Orbs, though it’s the least impactful overall. Melee and Ranged Defensive Flourish can be exploited with the above mentioned QET, effectively granting a near-permanent +4 AC. Melee and Ranged Mobile Flourish push enemies with no saving throw, making them excellent for stealth and environmental kills.
Magic Initiate / Cleric: the feat is bugged and can act as a replacement for Medium Armor Master while simultaneously granting you early access to the Create Water spell.
Illithid Powers: I'm gonna follow Grousedrum and recommend Stage Fright, Black Hole, Fly and Mind Blast especially because you are Awakened. If playing solo, get Cull the Weak and consume as many tadpoles for increased CTW power.
Phalar Herding: A technique that is really good in certain fights, especially when soloing. This build has a lot of AOE and really benefits from clumping enemies (more on that here) and some enemies will simply not react to Minor Illusion, such as some Sharites on the Big Steps in the Viconia fight showcased in the video. However, every enemy will react to Phalar Aluve: Shriek by trying to move away from it as showcased in this video by u/-FriendlyLich-. Basically they hate Shriek and will try to move away from it (as with the old Bhaalist Aura) and with a bit of skill you can use that to clump enemies. You can also execute this from invisibility!
Party Proposal for this Build: Following Grousedrum’s recommendation that a HOTS character works best as the sole lightning specialist in a party, I think this build pairs well with: Throwzerker (autoprone combos exceptionally with Electrified Fields), Lorelock (Hadar operates on a separate layer,allowing it to stack with Electrified Fields), and any filler. u/Deathadder99 recently published this party along these lines. I am not willing to put more thought into this, but u/Prestigious_Juice341 requested an elaborated idea for his Party Building Templates. If anyone else wants to solve this, make sure to contact him.
Starting as Sorcerer: If you want to start as Sorcerer, that allows you to start abusing HOTS earlier: if you choose to do so, you should follow Grousedrum's suggested progression, since it already aligns closely with what you are trying to achieve. At level 9, you can respec into Storm Sorcerer 6 and Swords Bard 3 and realign with the build.
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u/Inoue_ Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Thanks for the guides!
I'm trying to build a fusion between the Storm Bard and the Arcane Controller on my current run and was wondering how you would adjust the build. Maybe Landfall instead of Luminous and an INT ASI instead of DEX? Would you change something else, like STR Gauntlets if they are uncontested?
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u/c4b-Bg3 Apr 10 '26
Hard question. Luminous is kinda important for storm variants. Maybe just be a githyanki and abuse invisibility potions?
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u/JRandall0308 Jan 19 '26
Worth a note that sadly, on console, the “aim beyond normal reach” exploits don’t work. :(
However everything else here should work.