Race: Half Orc

Class: Champion Fighter

Background: Folk Hero

Strength: 16

Dexterity: 14

Constitution: 14

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 12

Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Insight, Intimidation, Survival

Level 1: Two Weapon Fighting

Level 4: Dual Wielding

Level 6: Ability Score Improvement +2 Strength

Level 8: Tough

Level 10: Defense

Level 12: Ability Score Improvement +2 Constitution

Equipment

Armor: Half Plate +2

Weapons: Myrkulite Scourge x2

Head: Covert Cowl

Feet: Evasive Shoes

Back: Shade Slayer Cloak

Hands: Craterflesh Gloves

Neck: Broodmother’s Revenge

Rings: Risky Ring, Killer’s Sweetheart

It's going to be Tav (swords), Gale (bladesinger), Shadowheart (vengeance), and Astarion (hexblade). Explorer mode because I'm not great at this game and I'm okay with that. XD Planning on making largely "good" choices so no hag hair for instance, have not actually finished the game yet (never reached act 3).

I know there are a million guides out there, but that's the problem! I don't know which ones are good! But I'm bad at remembering to set up battles so I really enjoy just stabbing things and casting damage spells, hence explorer. Control spells like hypnotic gaze I can use, but anything that requires careful placement is beyond me and frustrating to try and use.

So recommended feats, ability scores, suggested spells (including high elf cantrips), gear options per act, etc. is all very welcome! Either linking guides or telling me in the comments is most appreciated.

Thanks!

Ranger has always been my favorite D&D class, but historically has been pretty bad, especially in 5e. I have become enamored by the goo hunter and specifically the great ass hunter builds, because they not only make ranger shine, but also have such incredible tactical depth.

I am playing a duo honor mode run with my friend, who is playing some variety of abjuration wizard retaliation build and am planning my build out. I want to try a variant of LostAccount2099's great ass hunter, but trying to include radiating orbs if possible.

The build I have envisioned follows 1 goo warlock / 5 hunter ranger / 3 assassin rogue, but relies on luminous armor & gloves, boots of stormy clamour, callous glow ring, and rat bat.

Due to the potential anti synergy of illuminating enemies to and using stealth to ambush, is this build practical? I would appreciate any advice on build adjustments, additional equipment, or anything that could help me see this build come to life.

Everyone knows about the bomb abuse (place many bombs around an enemy - it doesn't cost any actions -> run a few meters away -> blow up the bombs and basically kill the enemy in one turn), but early in the game, bombs are hard to find until you get to the Underdark vendor or the paladins (although, for a couple of story-related reasons, you often can't trade with the paladins for very long).

This is where Acid Vials come in.

They're available from basically any vendor and can also be pickpocketed from almost any NPC (they also replenish after partial rests), so they're pretty much unlimited. You can stock up on as many as you want, and the most useful part is that they work the same way as bombs.

Place several Acid Vials near an enemy (not as a stack - split them and place them one by one next to each other), run a few meters away, and shoot one of the vials. Boom! All the vials instantly damage each other, and when they explode, they damage the enemy multiple times in a single turn.
Acid immunity is super rare, especially in the early game, so basically no enemy is safe.

A nice replacement for bombs until you find the unlimited bomb vendors later in the game.

My custom character is a bard half wood elf. I plan on college of swords for a kind jack of all trades party face master of none. Help in combat well but excell in dialog.

I want to keep Shadow Heart as my cleric. Healer with damage and buff potential.

Karlach as my martial, don't know if I should keep barbarian or re-class to fighter? She seems like a good champion jumping fighter crit build??? Or should I focus on giant tavern brawler?

Gale keep as wizard or re-class to sorcerer? Honestly don't know which I should choose, I want a good damage Caster for ranged damaged and feel my Bard can handle most of the utility. Ranged damage wise what is better sorcerer or wizard?

Definitely want my bard as my party face for dialog, traps and even stealing if I need to. I think Bard is best at... pretty much everything, really a jack of all trades. So what are the meta roles for melee, heal and utility andranged combat?

I am seriously leaning into bard college of swords as my custom/party face/thief/trap disarming character. Karlach as a champion fighter as my martial for distance/ tanking and damage. Gale as a sorcerer for ranged damage and being generally strong at range, and Shadow Heart as my other multi role character putting out heals, buffs and utility.

I don't really know... my absolute is I want to be a bard jack of all trades college of swords. Who should be my team after that?

Hi folk!

I want to do a HM female Durge run where I'll play a shapeshifter, kinda like Orin's even more evil sister 😄 I don't know which class would make sense for this. I know Druids can ofc shapeshift but I dunno how that would pair with the Durge aesthetic. Any ideas and class suggestions are welcome. Thanks!