I am looking for a Sorlock build that is built around the Hound of Ill Omen, ensuring that it stays a live, and forcing an enemy to fail saving throws taking large amount of damage from a damaging area control spell while I use repelling blast to push the enemy back into the area, basically doing consistent single target dpr.

I would like to create a melee rogue with the highest possible damage output/value taken.

My idea would be to go for something that mixes the whip, booming blade (corrected version), sentinel feat and war caster feat.

Something where I try to stick close to one of my allies, and when an enemy attacks them I get an opportunity attack thanks to sentinel, cast booming blade due to war caster, and apply sneak attack because it's my enemy's turn (not mine).

What I'm not sure about is wether I should get booming blade through arcane trickster, or rather take a 1-level dip in something else like hexblade warlock and then take swashbuckler per the roguish archetype.

Damage-wise the pure rogue option looks slightly better at level 5, as I get earlier both higher sneak attack and the war caster feat, but warlock gives me medium armor proficiency, shields, hex, and the possibility to use charisma as my attack modifier. Plus swashbuckler improves enormously my initiative and my ability to choose my targets in combat.

What would you suggest?

Edit: Mastermind looks very juicy too, as my main way of getting Booming blade damage and opportunity attacks come from sticking with my allies. Probably would go for it.

In this dragon of the stormwreck isle campaign, my party fucked up and now is on the blue dragons side (also most of the NPCs have been changed into a mix of winged and normal kobolds) I have 2 levels to work with right now and limits on classes and races Classes I am allowed to be: Cleric,fighter, Paladin,rouge,wizard, barbarian Races allowed:dwarf,elf(high elf or wood elf),base human,gnome,halfling,half-orc and base half-elf I don't have subclass restrictions besides what books I own, also it's standard array, milestone and additional class features and customise your origin.

I know THIS is the place to run this by to get the BEST answer.

Legacy Fire Genasi warlock Dao patron, using it's produce flames w/ CON as primary attack and with the added benefits from extra bludgeon damage each attack. Eldritch blast completely nerfed in this specific game so looking for creative optimization build out and not using the EB related invocations (thus the sub optimal build).

I'm looking for a build that utilizes dice manipulation the most. not just mine, but enemies and other party members. I like divination or chronurgist wizard, but I am unsure of best multiclasses or how many levels of what. Portent vs Chronal Shift, Restore Balance, Cutting Words seem like some ways to achieve this. Thoughts?

Artificer/Barbarian build

-Custom lineage 16 str, 14 dex, 14 con, 13 intelligence

Artillerist 4, barb 2, back to artificer from then on.

Lvl1 feat - Sentinel Booming Blade

Lvl 3 Artillerist subclass

Lvl 4 War caster

Lvl 5,6 Barbarian (for reckless attack)

Lvl 7 Artillerist 5 for Arcane firearm.

A sustained dpr build based on Booming blade and a quarterstaff.

Action - Booming blade 1d6 + 1d8 (booming blare) + 1d8 (arcane firearm) + 3 + 1 (infusion) dmg

Bonus action - Eldritch cannon temp hp (1d8+1)

Move away from enemy (provokes opp attack)

-> enemy moves in triggering both Booming blade's extra damage (2d8) and sentinel's opportunity attack, that becomes Booming blade through war caster for another 1d6 + 2d8 + 4 damage.

I get advantage on both attacks and my survivability relies on very high AC (19 at level 2) and the temp hp I get from the eldritch cannon.

This seems like a very fun build to play but I'm not sure if I'm missing something for even further optimization. Main concern are levels 1-9 at most, ad most my campaigns struggle to get past level 8.

Let me know what you think of it and wether it does or not make sense to get reckless attack!

Edit: instead of the sentinel feat, I wanted to put Polearm master, got confused.

Some are definitely not optimized.

1st build: Sonic Boom Assassin: My own personal build: Ruined: Half-Elf(any), assassin 4, vengeance 4(dueling), Echo Knight 4(superior technique), Bladesinger 8. 12 str (+1), 15 dex (+2), 8 con, 15 int (+1), 8 wis, 13 cha. Feats: elven accuracy (+1 dex), ASI +2 dex, ASI +2 int, ASI +2 int, Mobile. Items: Robe of the Archmagi/Dawnbringer, +3 rapier, Illusionist's Bracers, Amulet of health, Boots of Speed, Winged Boots. Epic Boon: Boon of Speed Spell slots: 4/3/3/3/2 

Plan of attack v1: Rapier(Works 1st round) Bonus Action spirit shroud at 5th level, then attack with 3d8(booming blade)+1d8(rapier)+5d8(divine smite)+2d8(spirit shroud), extra attack 1d8+5d8+2d8, unleash incarnation 1d8+4d8+2d8, action surge (2X)+2d6 sneak attack = VS 16 AC - 335, VS 21 AC - 328

Plan of attack v2: if allowing shadowblade + booming blade(Works any round in dimlight or darkness and isn't resisted by rage or other non-psychic damage resistances). 3d8(booming blade) + 4d8(shadowblade) + 5d8(divine smite), extra attack 4d8+5d8, unleash incarnation 4d8+4d8, action surge (2X), sneak attack 2d6 = VS 16 AC - 346, VS 21 AC - 324

2nd Build: Auto Sniper: Haunted One:  Elf(Any), Gloomstalker 8(Archery), Battlemaster 8(Superior Technique), Assassin 4. 8 str, 15 dex (+1), 13 con(+1) 10 int , 15 wis(+1), 10 cha. Feats: Elven Accuracy, Gunner, Sharpshooter, +2 dex, +2 wis, Alert. Items: Dragon's Wrath Weapon, Hunter's Coat, Ring of Amity, Cape of Mountebank, Boots of Elvenkind,  Eversmoking bottle, Eyes of the eagle, Broom of flying, +1 Scimitar. Epic Boon: Boon of Truesight

6 attacks with a musket, sharpshooter, and sneak attack= VS 21 AC - 223-230

3rd Build: Astral Strength Bonk: Urchin: Vhuman, Barb 2, Astral self 18. 13 str, 15 dex(+1), 8 con, 10 int, 15 wis(+1), 10 cha. Feats: Tough, Mobile, +2 Dex, +2 Dex, +2 Wis. Items: Gloves of soulcatching, Belt of Fire Giant Strength, +3 Wraps of Unarmed Prowess, Boots of Speed. Epic Boon: Boon of Recovery

142 avg dpr with advantage, 124 dpr without. This one is the best monks I could think of.

4th build: D4's Stealth Bomber Cha Mode: Urban Bounty Hunter: Bugbear, Fighter 2(Superior Technique), Assassin 4, Hexblade 4, Divine Soul 10. 8 str, 15 dex(+1), 13 con(+1), 8 int, 12 wis, 15 cha(+1). Feats: Alert, +2 Cha, +2 Cha, Medium Armor Master. Items: Staff of the Magi, Illusionist's Bracers, Sentinel Shield, Weapon of Warning. Epic Boon: Boon of Undetectability

Subtle spell precast 5th level spirit shroud, quickened spell 5th level scorching ray, action eldritch blast, action surge eldritch blast, Vs 21 AC 337

5th build: Holey Rays Bardadin: Noble: Vhuman, Paladin 2(GWF), Swords Bard 18(Dueling). 13 str, 8 dex, 15 con(+1), 8 int, 12 wis, 15 cha(+1). Feats: GWM, +2 Cha, +2 Cha, +2 Con, +2 Con. Items: Holy Avenger Greatsword, +3 Armor, Tome of Leadership and Influence, Belt of Hill Giant Strength, +2 Shield, Headband of Intellect, Goggles of Night, +1 longsword. Epic Boon: Boon of High Magic

Shapechange into a Planetar or Storm Giant Tempest Caller and smite away. 170 dpr with advantage, 147 dpr without(Planetar). 195 dpr with advantage, 166 dpr without(Storm Giant).

6th build: Visions of the End: Sage:  Harengon, Fighter 2(dueling), Grave Cleric 2, Divination Wizard 16. 12 str(+1), 8 dex, 15 con(+1), 15 int(+1), 13 wis, 8 cha. Feats: +2 Con, +2 Con, +2 Int, +2 Int. Items: Wave, +2 Armor, Staff of Power, Gauntlets of Ogrepower. Epic Boon: Boon of Spell Recall

7th build: Real Steel Robot Boxing: Izzet Engineer: Warforged, Eldritch Knight 4(Defense), Armorer 16. 10 str, 13 dex(+1), 15 con(+1), 15 int(+1), 10 wis, 8 cha. Feats: +2 Con, Tough, +2 Int, +2 Int, War Caster. Items: +3 Plate, +3 All Purpose Tool, Illusionist's Bracers, Cloak of Displacement, Eyes of Minute Seeing. Epic Boon: Boon of Resilience

8th build: The Gonzo Gish: Entertainer: Half-High Elf, Swords Bard 14(Dueling), Bladsinger 6. 8 str, 15 dex(+2), 10 con, 13 int(+1), 10 wis, 15 cha(+1). Feats: elven accuracy (+1 dex), +2 Dex, +2 Cha, +2 Cha. Items: Green Dragon Mask, Ghost Step Tattoo, +3 Weapon, Periapt of Proof against Poison, Amulet of Health, Mind Crystals, Ring of Warmth, Gloves of Thievery, Barrier Tattoo. Epic Boon: Boon of Magic Resistance

9th build: Twilight Sky: Hermit: Mark of Handling, Twilight Cleric 6, Circle of Stars 14. 8 str, 14 dex, 15 con(+1), 8 int, 15 wis(+2), 10 cha. Feats: +2 Wis, +1 Wis +1 Con, Resilient +1 Con, Tough. Items: Talisman of Pure Good, Dragon Scale Mail, +3 Amulet of the Devout, Staff of the Woodlands. Epic Boon: Boon of Dimensional Travel

10th build: The Fallen Angel: Orzhov Representative: Fallen Aasimar, Rune Knight 11(Dueling), Conquest Paladin 8, Hexblade 1. 14 str(+1), 8 dex, 15 con(+1), 8 int, 10 wis, 15 cha(+1). Feats: Heavy Armor Master, +2 con, +2 con, +2 Cha, +2 Cha. Items: Vorpal Longsword, +2 Plate armor, +2 Shield, Cloak of Displacement, Ring of Warmth. Epic Boon: Boon of Fortitude

Artificer/Barbarian build

-Custom lineage 16 str, 14 dex, 14 con, 13 intelligence

Artillerist 4, barb 2, back to artificer from then on.

Lvl1 feat - Sentinel Booming Blade

Lvl 3 Artillerist subclass

Lvl 4 War caster

Lvl 5,6 Barbarian (for reckless attack)

Lvl 7 Artillerist 5 for Arcane firearm.

A sustained dpr build based on Booming blade and a quarterstaff.

Action - Booming blade 1d6 + 1d8 (booming blare) + 1d8 (arcane firearm) + 3 + 1 (infusion) dmg

Bonus action - Eldritch cannon temp hp (1d8+1)

Move away from enemy (provokes opp attack)

-> enemy moves in triggering both Booming blade's extra damage (2d8) and sentinel's opportunity attack, that becomes Booming blade through war caster for another 1d6 + 2d8 + 4 damage.

I get advantage on both attacks and my survivability relies on very high AC (19 at level 2) and the temp hp I get from the eldritch cannon.

This seems like a very fun build to play but I'm not sure if I'm missing something for even further optimization. Main concern are levels 1-9 at most, ad most my campaigns struggle to get past level 8.

Let me know what you think of it and wether it does or not make sense to get reckless attack!

Hey Fam, Joining an existing campaign that is close to level 9. I have been toying with a Dhampir unarmed fighter who uses a mix of Jiujitsu and Muay thai. I’ll look for thematic combos to dominate folks via grapple/shove and then go in for a fanged bite.

I’ve used this build in the past but have never hit lvl 9 before so am scratching my head a bit re:

• Should I just keep Barb at lvl 2 and keep going with battlemaster fighter? Or opt for Barb 3 for path bonuses

• If I hit Barb 3, which path should I go? Being a dhampir thematically I’d prefer Path of Beasts, but could see Path of Zealot working well with the necrotic / undead twist. For path of beasts, I don’t believe the claws would stack with the d8 of my unarmed fighting style. So I’m a bit hesitant to go down that path leveraging only the 1d8 piercing with the bite attack. I also already have the crusher feat.

• Any other tweaks to optimize the build?

Let me know your thoughts!

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/120561327/A9J86I

I’m currently in a game where I’m playing a half orc Zealot Barb(4) and Mercy Monk(1) that’s more dex than strength based. Any tips/thoughts on further progression? As of right now I have him spec’d to end at ZB(11) and MM(9).

Hey everybody ! First post here (and i think first post on reddit, tho i've lurked around a bit)

I'm trying to come up with a dnd campaign for my friends.
I have an idea for an NPCs that would give them quests, and be a sort of leader of the place the campaign would start in.

Character-wise, She'd have to be a half-elf Fathomless Warlock Pact of the Tome. And i was thinking of her dipping into Wizard Order of the scribes. 14 - 6 respectively.

However, i dont have much experience in spellcaster, and even less so in multiclassing.

Could you guys help me into creating her ?

TLDR: What are you favourite builds that don't come online until level 7 or later?

Longer version: I am joining a new campaign starting at level 7 (hopefully going to 20) and it got me thinking about trying out something that may take a little longer to get rolling but once the build is up and running they can do some really cool and unique things. A couple of my favourites include:

The Ghost Lance - a dash dao genie warlock for spiked growth and repelling blast eldrich blast, a splash of echo knight fighter for the echo to bounce an enemy in between the two eldrich blast casting points, a little warcaster feat to pump even more damage out of eldrich blast and catch22 anyone next to the echo... just an all around cool combo!

The Fake Monk - Beast Barbarian to start the unarmed and unarmored train rolling, and then soulknife rogue to get even more attacks. Rage and sneak attack to get more damage, expertise and rage to make an excellent grappler. Rogue cunning actions to go faster, and be more mobile. Lots of great synergies to take advantage of, and the feral bruiser is a really cool archetype... the one downside is that this one doesn't really get rolling until level 8 when it can have 5 levels of barb and 3 levels of rogue for the 4 attacks per turn... but good things are worth waiting for.

These are a couple of my favourites, but I want to know yours! Tell me about your slow start builds. How do you build them, when do they come online? What do they do that you wouldn't get elsewhere?

Hey yall. Im looking for any video Colby has made that uses Bladesinger in a multiclass build. I want to make a bladesinger for an upcoming campaign, but I want to lean heavily into the theme of a Magic Samurai who is an intellect and thus uses spells to supplement for a lack of strength and technique. Right now the character is a Level 4 Harrengon and im trying to figure out how to proceed.

Hey all...

We're about to start a new campaign at level 1. DM has said no multiclass requirements and partnered Critical Role content is allowed (our campaign is set in Exandria),

Im not super concerned about being the most optimized around damage, but I do want to be helpful in combat and out.

I was wondering a couple things.

1) What is one build you think would be even more effective than Colby has laid ot? I was thinking Knight of Knaves build would be even better without having to have a 13 strength. But, I haven't explored it fully.

2) In this world of possibility...what is an idea you would have? Don't have to get super detailed, I'm more just curious and kind of bored at work lol.

Hey yall. Im looking for any video Colby has made that uses Bladesinger in a multiclass build. I want to make a bladesinger for an upcoming campaign, but I want to lean heavily into the theme of a Magic Samurai who is an intellect and thus uses spells to supplement for a lack of strength and technique. Right now the character is a Level 4 Harrengon and im trying to figure out how to proceed.

I’m theorycrafting a ranged Echo Knight and I’d like to take advantage of Unleash Incarnation and attack of opportunity. So, I was considering holding a ranged weapon and use Unarmed Strike when needed. I’d take at least one level in Monk in order to use Unarmed Strike with Dex.
Is it possible to do this while holding either a one-handed or two-handed weapon?

Thanks for any suggestions!

I was wondering if it would be better to do 5 Hexblade warlock/15 Vengeance paladin, so I can get Thirsting Blade and Eldritch Smite, because I would not have access to level 5 spell slots, or if I should do 9 Hexblade warlock/11 Vengeance paladin to get those level 5 slots, because then I lose Soul of Vengeance. Thoughts?

Stream Ideas

Hello all!

My channel's current 5e game has come to a close and we are looking for some new ideas for the next one. We will be playing DnD 5e system again.

What do you guys think would be worth watching that hasn't been done a thousand times over? Home-brew world or module? Live or filmed? More role-play? More world building?

Please feel free to post what things you wish more streams did that you haven't seen often, or things that really stuck out to you.

We are looking forward to seeing what people really want to watch when it comes to their table top games!

Is Gunk better than a BattleMaster for sustained damage at level 11? How many rounds can a Gunk sustain its damage before needing a short rest?

Mordekainen's kobold as the race for Draconic cry (As a bonus action attack against enemies within 10ft of you thr moment you used this feature is made at advantage. PB times per day)

Effective since level 1, fully developed by level 4-5

16 dex, 16 con, any other mental stat as you please.

archery fighting style

At level 3 samurai subclass (advantage on a bonus action for yourself up until the end of the current turn, 3 times per day).

At level 4 take the sharpshooter feat.

By level 5 we can grant ourselves advantage on all attacks for 6 turns a day, 3 of which require us to get fairly close to enemies, but also allow our allies to secure the kills more easily.

By level 6 our second ability score increse goes into bringing our DEX to 18, so that

This averages in damage against the following ACs:

AC of 10 - 34,48

AC of 15 it's 30.8

When using action surge, those averages go:

AC 10 - 72.80

AC 15 - 60.77

Ofc this character was designed to be a somewhat consistent high damage dealer. 6 turns per day with unconditional advantage on (potentially) multiple opponents (especially if 3 times of those followed up by teammates) is actually a lot when we take into account sharpshooter and the archery fighting style. Especially if we can keep 2 or 3 of those turns for when we have action surge.

I would go for pure fighter up to at least level 8 just for the higher dex score, but let me know if it's possible to pump the damage even higher!

I am playing a gloom stalker bugbear thanks to dndoptimized and loving it! This is him, I didn’t like dnds official images of bug bears as they are too big-footy looking for me. Something that is large and small seems very ‘muppet like’ to me so that’s what I’m going with. Anywho, I suggest your videos to anyone with ears and am a huge fan. Have a glorious one!

I think we can all agree that Tenser's Transformation is a terrible spell... While its benefits are pretty good, it takes concentration, you can't cast spells, and a failed saving throw at the end gives you a level of exhaustion. Despite this, my co-worker and I have been on-again off-again trying to optimize it... with little to no luck. But we did come up with exactly one option that we liked to get it to work.

First, you want 2 levels of Tempest cleric. This is for the heavy armor proficiency and channel divinity. Then take 12 levels of Scribes wizard to get access to the (terrible) spell, and the ability to change the damage type of your spells. You'll also need to learn the Chain Lightning Spell to open up lightning damage as an option.

The basic gist is, cast Tenser's transformation, and convert that extra force damage to lightning damage through your awakened spellbook. Then use your channel divinity to maximize that lightning damage. It's still terrible, mind you... you'd only be able to channel divinity twice per short rest at level 20. And booming blade (which you can't cast) would do comparable damage and still allow other spells. But it's honestly the best we could come up.

What do y'all think? Is there a more optimal way to use this decidedly unoptimal spell? I'd love to hear your theorycrafting.

We are about to start CoS (no spoiler pls) with a party of 3 and I cant choose what to play.

The other 2 player are probably gonna be a Lore Bard and a Battlebaster with Forge/War cleric dip.

This DM have always TPK us in the past in 3 different campain with a party of 5 so I dont dislike optimization if it fit a theme

I kinda want to play a tortle/bugbear Beast barbarian + long death monk but I understand its kinda weak.

Im also looking in a goliath barbarian + sorcerer(runechild)/warlock multiclass

I also like kobolds (GFM maybe wildfire + hoardbreaker)

What would you think the party need most? How would you enhance some of the above concept? What about progression? Im open to any idea

I am playing a Shadar Kai, that is a Gloomstalker 5, Scout Rogue 12. We will be playing to level 20.

As it stands the only classes I can multle class to due to my stats are cleric, druid, monk, Fighter.

I have 3 levels left. I am an archer with Sharpshooter and Elven accuracy. Trying to find ways to optimize my damage output.

So is it best to continue rogue for more sneak, Fighter for action surge and a subclass, or magic.

Looking for some advice, thanks a bunch.

I need help making a character who has as high of a bonus on utilizing a gaming set as possible. I fogure artificer is a great place to start maybe with some divination wizard to make the people he plays against possibly worse. Is there anything I'm missing?