For my first run, I focused largely on engaging the roleplay elements and didn’t worry too much about optimization.
For my tactician run, I’m attempting to utilize about as much OP shenanigans in my party as possible, and I’m having a great time with it so far. What are your favorite OP builds to actually play?
Bonus points if they’re viable all the way through the game without respec-ing.
My party:
Smiter: Paladin 5 / Warlock 7
Progression: P2 -> W5 -> P5 -> W7
Starting stats: 16, 10, 14, 8, 10, 16
Feats: PAM/GWM/Cha+2, Cha+2
Equipment: 2H weapon, best heavy armor, anything that grants advantage
Notes: Smite with warlock slots. Subclasses don’t matter much, but choose Pact of the Blade (extra attack stacks with Paladin’s).
Alternates: P5/W5/F2 for action surge.
Thrower: Berserker 6 / Thief 3 / Champion 3
Progression: B5 -> Ro3 -> F3 -> B6
Starting stats: 17, 14, 16, 8, 10, 8
Feats: Tavern Brawler (Str+1)
Equipment: Sword-and-board, best medium armor, throwing bonuses
Notes: Throw everything and everyone. Keep a few nice magic 2H weapons for bonus throws.
Alternates: B6/R4/F2 or B8/R4 for additional feats.
Sniper: Assassin 3 / Gloomstalker 5 / Champion 4
Progression: Ro3 -> Ra5 -> F4
Starting stats: 14, 16, 16, 8, 12, 8
Feats: Sharpshooter, Dex+2
Equipment: Dual hand crossbows, best light armor (until later…), anything sneak- or surprise-related
Notes: If surprising a group, drink a haste potion and end the encounter solo.
Alternates: Any combination of A3/G5/F2 or A3/G3/F5 seems viable.
Bear: Moon Druid 12
Starting stats: 14, 10, 17, 8, 16, 8
Feats: Tavern Brawler (Con+1), Warcaster, Wis+2/Resilient (Con+1)
Notes: Be a bear. Enough said.
Alternates: D7/C5–cast Spirit Guardians before assuming bear form.
I recently discovered the Radiating Orb build, that thing is busted! Together with the Cloak of Displacement you’re basically untouchable! Everything around you will have around 8 Orb stacks permanently, and every stack reduces their attack rolls by one, on any target! It also does a nice bit of passive radiant damage, but that’s honestly just a bonus.
I’d say the bread and butter of this are the helm and the chest armor:
- Holy Lance Helm: Cause radiant damage to enemies who miss attacks against you
- Luminous Armor: Whenever you deal radiant damage, trigger a shockwave that applies Radiating Orb in an area
Other items then synergize with this setup and make it even stronger:
- Luminous Gloves: Radiant damage applies Radiating Orb
- Callous Glow Ring: Cause 2 extra radiant damage when illuminated
- Coruscation Ring: Any spell damage applies Radiating Orb when illuminated
- Cloak of Displacement: Enemies have disadvantage until first hit every turn
- … anything that does radiant damage or reduces enemy hit change
So enemies miss their attack, everyone gets damage and Orb stacks, and that causes even more misses, damage and stacks.
Gloves of the belligerent skies let’s you stack reverberation when you do radiant damage, it’s a fun addition. Then you can add the ring of spiteful thunder and the boots of stormy clamor and there’s a cloak that also synergies well IIRC.
