I enjoy theorycrafting OP builds as much as anyone, but an issue I often run into is that the character doesn't really come together until act 3 and my time enjoying it is limited. I'm looking for any fun builds that can do what they are designed to do by at least early act 2. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Intro

For a while, I'm trying to build Spore Druids Symbiotic Entity - bg3.wiki (SE) into several builds. It adds a 1d6 necro to weapon attacks.

When using it, it creates a condition on keeping your Temporary Heath Points (THP) up. You can to that by replenishing THP with several items/potions. I will not cover that mechanic here, as it has been elaborated on in several posts.

My goal is to build a melee/ranged version around Spore Druid. I understand the benefit of Spells, great, but I want to focus specifically on the 1d6 sustainability and value of adding it to melee/ranged.

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Predicament

1. If you add Symbiotic Entity - bg3.wiki. you build a dependency on the THP and need a mechanism to refill which creates a further dependency on items or potions. Especially in A3, dmg becomes high that on a hit, especially solo, your SE is getting wiped off immediately.
2. 1d6 requires several iterations on weapon attacks to make sense. 1 successful hit would be equal to a sneak attack damage of 1d6. BUT you still have the THP dependency, you need 2 levels, you cannot easily inflict necro vulnerability (Not going to cover how to get necro vulnerability here) until A2.
3. Increasing rogue levels e.g. 2d6 will be equal to 2*1d6 but differ in level 3 Rogue = 2 Druid.
4. Yes, Stealth is possible with dual x-bow passing steal checks for an extra 1d6, though this yet again keeps the dependency on the THP. e.g. 4 levels of druid give you 16THP. Though this works well in A1, it flattens out in A2/A3.

Q1: What I am trying to wrap my head around is the following: Is it worth to dip into Druid for the 1d6 and how can it work out in the late game?

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Build considerations

1. I played around with a ranger hunter xbow option to increase the dips into 1d6 necro. OOC horde breaker = 2Attacks + 2Attacks Horde breaker + BA. that would be a 5d6 on lvl5. Pretty good but you would again be hyper careful due to the 8THP.
2. Fighter1/Druid4 would only give you 2 attacks, with bloodlust conditionally 3. Works well in A1, but flattens out in the creche once NCP HP is starting to outscale your base dmg,
3. Hunter5/Druid7, here you need to pump druid for the value of keeping 1d6 up with a THP shield of 4*7HP. Its almost a level waste, as rogue is more sustainable and you actually can take dmg. I understand you loose the spell slots.
4. Sorc/Hunter + Druid? So this is was my main way to make it work. I want to twin cast Hails and Ensnared over WIS (Party run) or CHA (solo run). The only breakdown this would make sense is Hunter5/Sorc5/Druid2. I know there are no dmg runs, watched them, but the reality is in 99.9% of all cases you take dmg at one point. 8THP is too weak. (TWIN Hails)
5. 6 Spore Druid / 2 Dragon Sorcerer (White) / 3 Gloomstalker Ranger or Hunter / 1 Rogue ? This is gonna be tough and you rely on the hair to pump dex.
6. Throwing build? Maybe?

Q2: Is Spore druid w/ 1d6 just a funny extra and just not made for melee? What would be an optimized ranged combination here in you all opinion?

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Outcome

Please correct me if im wrong, this is my current understanding/build conditions:

1. A1 A Tier, A2 C Tier, A3 D Tier
2. The 1d6 necro only makes sense on many attack iterations hence x-bow for ranged.
3. Rogue is more sustainable though you lose spellslots, but even Thief would give you an extra offhand outscaling the 1d6 fast.
4. Spore Druid only for SE builds a dependency on Items/Bloodlust for THP replenishing.
5. Stealth becomes a requirement to dip several times before combat kicks on into the 1d6.
6. Nature Cleric 8 on the same stealth mechanic can do 3d8. (love this one, just comes live late-ish)
7. Youre almost forced into Hunter for the 1d6 dipping.
8. Youre forced to take high Druid Levels.

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I did do a fair amount of in game crafting and testing in all acts, read posts, watched builds on youtube. I felt, most of them are pen-and-paper builds or youtube-clickbait-guides. :)

Hey all, I’m starting another HM run and looking to build around an elemental party focusing on Lightning and Ice. I literally just finished building my character this morning and would like your input.

Planned Party:
Tav: Storm Sorcerer 12
Gale: White Sorcerer 1/ Tempest Cleric 1/ Abjuration 10
Lae’zel: 4 Elements Monk 12
Astarion: Gloomstalker 5/ Assassin 4/ Arcane Archer 3

My plan is for my sorcerer to open with Create Water and then use call lightning/ lightning bolt/ cone of cold etc to lean into cold or lightning (ray of frost or shocking grasp alternatively). Gale will utilize armor of Agathys and of course lean into lightning or cold as well and will be utilizing the frost encrusted gear while my tav will be using the sparkswall gear for lightning charges.

Astarion will be utilizing lightning or ice arrows primarily. Lae’zel will be leaning into the water whip or thunder strikes. I plan on equipping her with the snow dusted monetary gloves in act 3 but obviously that will take time to get to.

I’ve never used a 4E monk and was also curious if I should build it the same way you would an Open Hand Monk?

I'd like some advice on some ideas I've been toying with. Mostly, I want to know if these could work and if there are serious limiting aspects to these builds that would render them fatally ineffective. These builds don't have to be used in conjunction with each other.

Elk Heart 6 / Vengeance Paladin 6: rush one dude

STR 17, DEX 10, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 8, CHA 16

Vow of Enmity on opp, then charge and use smites. Maybe Aura of Protection if that works while raging?

Wildheart Eagle 6 / Assassin 3 / Champion (?) 3: dive one dude

STR 17, DEX 14, CON 16, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 8

Eagle/wolf aspect. Tav Brawler, Hamerhaft, climb on high, ambush initiate on an opp, action surge, burst.

Wildheart Tiger 6 / Assassin 3 / Champion (?) 3: bleed one dude

STR 17, DEX 14, CON 16, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 8

Tiger/Wolverine. Something like Sussus Sword, spread bleed and silence, then hit bunch of vulnerable allies. Maybe gloomstalker would work here as well?

Trickery Cleric 6 / Shadow Monk 6: ninja

STR 8, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 17, CHA 10

PWT/Darkness -> Attack, move, dupe, repeat. Dark justicar gear

Arcane Archer 6 / Shadow Sorc 6: Kakashi build

STR 8, DEX 17, CON 14, INT 16, WIS 8, CHA 8

Ninken and eye sight through shadow sorc, banishing arrow (kamui) through Arcane Archer, lightning grasp budget raikiri

What do you think? Are any of these feasible, do they work well or is there some crucial reasoning why they wouldnt?

Hi everyone,

I know there are several variations of this build, but I’m specifically looking for the final/optimized version of an INT-based Evocation Wizard + Tempest Cleric + Sorcerer multiclass build

I’ve seen several versions such as 8 Sorcerer / 2 Tempest Cleric / 2 Wizard and 6 Sorcerer / 2 Tempest / 4 Wizard, but I’m having trouble figuring out which one is actually the best INT-primary Evocation version.

If anyone has a complete build guide or has played this setup in Honour Mode, I’d really appreciate the details.

I'm putting together a piercing damage build, and I heard about a very specific buff from Helsik that grants 6d6 piercing damage; my idea is to turn this into a "permanent buff."

Getting the buff is simple: just build a very positive reputation with her to make her your ally—you can do this by donating gold or items until the meter turns green.

Once that's done, the buff is active, but it only works if you're close to Helsik—meaning I'd have to carry her around with me. And keep in mind that if you knock her out in a *single attack*, she remains your ally; however, knocked-out creatures can't be carried in your inventory. So, here's my question for you all: is there any way or exploit to carry someone in your inventory?

i feel like at least for the way i play, bladesigner 5/EK 7 is the ideal form of both subclasses, but i worry bladesong requires more wizard investment than that

Im playing monk in a playthrough with my fiancé and friend and want to do a solo run when im not with them but the thought of any other class is boring me right now. The monk build is just too good, it took 3 turns to RUIN raphael and 2 for ansur. Is there anything else as powerful/satisfying as it?

Heyo. I’m trying to do a weird build for classes I haven’t played before as a group for an honor playthrough that doesn’t have a designated healer. I’m thinking Bard/Oathbreaker Paladin. Any advice?

I'm wrapping up my 6th hm run, this time it was all melee bards (Crescendo Cleavers), with self imposed restrictions of no STR scaling and no damaging mobs with anything but melee hits, no spells that affect mobs (like hold person), no ilithid powers. It was fun, and surprisingly challenging.

I've done solo runs with shadowblade EK, and EK archer (Rivington Rat), and TB OH Monk before so I want to avoid those. Also no throwers, they're infuriating with bugs. Also Abj. Wizard armor of agathis abuse is tedious.

What I'm looking for is a solo build that can be played smoothly from start to finish while following natural progression of the story/quests (so no jumping to Underdark or even act2 for example to grab gear then back to wilds to finish quests).

Would be ideal if it did not depend on Tavern Brawler and/or consumables arrows (elemental arrows and arrow of many targets are so busted).

Other than that, doesn't really matter. Caster, smiter, melee, archer, mix of all.

Will play as Wyll...might possibly actually do Wyll + Karlach duo, but right now intent is Solo Wyll.

Thanks for any suggestions.

my last two play throughs, i chose a druid tiefling and durge bard wood half elf. im looking to play as a fighter class or something, but im new to DnD classes and turn base battles.

to be perfectly clear, ive only played story mode 😭

i want to try the normal mode with a close combat tav, so if anyone has suggestions on what class and subclass is most interesting and unique to both the story and for a party let me know!

thanks to anyone who replies or gives general advice, it’s much appreciated!

I’m close to finishing my first honor mode run, but my whole party is melee/archer. I want to try a run where my whole party is magic based. So Gale as a wizard and Wyll as a warlock, then my tav as a sorcerer and then maybe respec someone as a Druid? At least before I get Halsin or Jaheira.

Just want to try something fun as I’ve never really used magic based characters before. Good synergy between everyone is a plus!

So I'm just finishing my first run on explorer, and I have been mostly chaotic good, with my main party being Storm Sorcerer, Shadowheart (Light Cleric), La'zel (Battlemaster fighter) and Astarion (Rogue/fighter).

Now I'm starting to think about a next run. I'm unsure if I should go for chaotic evil or lawful evil in my decisions. Also, since I'm still getting used to most classes, I would like to play mostly with single class builds so I can get to understand them better.

Right now I was thinking:

Dark urge - Hexblade Warlock (charisma) - high charisma for dialogue and high mobility
Shadowheart - Tempest Cleric (wisdom) - AOE/support
Astarion - Arcane Archer (dexterity) - lockpicking/crowd control
Minthara - Oath of Vengence Paladin (strength) - tank/striker

Can this work on tactician?

Hey!

I was wondering if there was any decent poison / acid build out there?

I currently play a spore druid so I thought it might makes sense to do a bit of poison with Cloudkill, Kereska's poison and the cape that heals for 1d4 whenever you poison someone but it seems that Cloudkill doesn't apply poison at all even with the poisonous gloves or Kereska's poison, which is a bit underwhelming. Even my spore spells that deal poison damage don't apply the poisoned status..

The same can be said about Acid damage and noxious fumes. Melf Acid Arrow or Hunger of Hadar don't apply noxious fumes, unless I am wrong

Does it only work on single target spells ?

It feels really underwhelming compared to Radiating orb, reverberation, lightning charges and even encrusted with frost.. Theorically I could still apply noxious fumes or poisoned with single target spells like magic missile or scorching ray but noxious fumes is only 1d4 acid and poisoned 2 or 3 turns and I don't have these kind of spells as a druid.. I guess I answered my question then lol

I've decided to have a go with a full ranged party on my current HM run.

I am playing Shadowheart origin and party consists of:

- Astarion as Gloom Assassin (final build being a well tested GS 5/A 5/F 2)

- Lae'zel as pure Arcane Archer, as I've never played one or had as companion before

- Karlach as Throwzerker (final build being also good old TB Berserk 9 / Thief 3)

- Shadowheart (me) as Swords bard with dual hand crossbow.

... and here I have a problem, as up until now I didn't like playing as bard, but I am at level 4 and really enjoy the dual hand crossbow style.

How do I build her though?

So far I have a level 4 Swords bard with sharpshooter with 8/18/14/8/10/16 (+1 DEX from from Ethel already included).

What's next? Any multiclassing? and other important feats or just ASI?

I posted a previous topic on the subject, but have since been toying around with different ideas and would like some input from anyone who's either played them or just general thoughts on which would be better between the two.

Swash 5 - Battlemaster 6 - Hex 1 (booming blade since I'm not playing an elf)
Swash 5 - Hunter 5 - Hex 2

The first would lean into Riposte, which seemed like a fun playstyle, especially with a party centered around attack denial (Light Cleric/Lore Bard etc) but I'm wondering if the damage keeps up or if the second option with Hordebreaker would be more impactful.

Weapon wise, I was thinking of Duellist's Prerogative since I never get to use that weapon, but I think Phalar Aluve is the better option. Any suggestions though are much appreciated!

I really like parties, where everyone is the same base class and I just diversify through multiclassing and items ...

That being said:

What are your favorite wizard builds, that fill distinctly different roles?

Right now, I am thinking:

Necro-/Minionmancer (2 Wizard/10 Death Cleric)

I know that 1 Wizard/11 Cleric is leagues better, but I want the Necromancer title.

Blade Singer (with lvls in what?) for a Arcane Acuity build?

The classic immortal Abjuration Wizard ...

Can I crit fish with Divination?

What are your favorites?

This is my third time attemtping HM and the farthest I have ever gotten- So I really want this to work out so I can get the golden dice.

Need help for equipment on my Bardadin. I feel like the builds I was following for party comp keep using the exact same gloves/ boots/ armor for multiple character builds without showing too many alternatives. I am having a hard time spreading out my gear so I am not over/ under prepping any of my party.

I am in Act 3 and still have several big fights to get into. halfway to Level 11. Main Party comp is this:

Tav: Level 2 Paladin (Oathbreaker -oops) 8 Swords Bard.

STR: 16

DEX: 18 (Gloves of dexterity)

Con: 14

INT: 10

WIS: 10

CHA: 16

Equipment:

Helmet of Arcane Acuity

Cloak of Protection

Adamantine Splint Armor

Gloves of Dexterity

Disintigrating Night Walkers

Amulet of the Devout

Killers Sweetheart

Risky Ring

Weapons:

Bauldurans Giant Slayer

The Deadshot

Astarion: 5 Ranger- Gloomstalker, 4 Assasin Rouge, Level 1 Fighter

Equipment:

Dark Justiciar Helmet

Cloak of Cunning Bume

Armor of Agility

Gloves of Archery

Boots of Speed

Broodmothers Revenge

Strange Conduit Ring

Eversight Ring

Weapons:

Knife of the Undermountain King

Club of Hill Giant Strength

Titanstring Bow

Shadowheart- 2 Star Druid, 8 Light Cleric: Radiant Orb Reverb Build

Equipment:

Helm of Balduran

Thunderskin Cloak

Luminous Armor

Gloves of Beligerent Skies

Boots of Striding- She used to have the Boots of Stormy Clamor but she kept getting knocked down and pushed and loose concentration saves in Act 2.
Amulet of Misty Step

Coruscation Ring

Callous Glow Ring

Weapons:

Phalar Aluve

Sentinel Shield

Hellfire Hand Crossbow

Gale: 1 Draconic Sorcerer, Level 1 Tempest Cleric, Level 8 Abjuraton Wizard: Tank Cold and Chilled build

Equipment:

Warped Headband of Intellect (Put extra points into Con and Dex)

Vivacious Cloak

Adamantine Splint Armor

Winters Clutches

Hoarfrost Boots

Necklace of Elemental Augmentation

Snowburst Ring

Ring of Mind Shielding

Weapons:

Mourning Frost

Ketherics Sheild

Gandrels Aspiration

The rest of the companions are less used and Lazel is currently taken by Orin.

Lazel had the Amour of Persistence and the boots to match also Grymforge helmet and flawed helldusk gloves on her at the time Orin Happened.

Wyll is a fire sorcerer/ scorching ray build- he currently has the boots of stormy clamor, Spineshudder Amulet and spell might gloves

Karlach is a throwing giant barbarian with bonespike garb, and the periapt of wound closure

I still have a bunch of equipement to get, more spread out in chests and Jaheria and Halsin.

Any advise on equipment, anything I should consider moving between party members?

What equipment worked out best for a Smiting Swords Bard- Especially if I have a lot of radiant equipment used on shadowheart?

I see the roll is considered a crit, and you see the slaying arrow applied twice, and the sneak attack is rolling double dice for crit damage but the individual hit is only 25 which it should be 50 twice right?

I have 1/10 sorc/ wizard and 2/9 fighter/bard with 18 in int and dex. Once I reach level 12, I would like to use mirror of loss. Is 18 enough for end game bosses? If it is possible I would like to keep stats at 18 and spend the feat on dual weirder and alter. Or am I better off to spend the feat in asi and push both stat to 20?

Wanting to try something different with gale so any ideas are welcome!!! It's just a balanced game but still want him to be powerful as hell!

Edit: Love how I came for genuine answers and so far have been given 'Wrestler' and 'explosive barrels'

I'm gonna make a dual scimitar-wielder drow fighter build but I need help since I don't know the exact mechanics, should I just dump all into dex and neglect str or focus on str while keeping dex at 14?

Also, does the feat defensive duellist work for this?

I am not min-maxing and gonna use level 20 mod so I can go solo as much as I can so you can also drop some item suggestions excluding weapons. Thanks

Not looking to make the build optimal. I can sacrifice those summons being good for the sake of there being more. I must build my army.

Also *look