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.

    • @CaptPretentiousEnglish
      2•1 year ago

      I get the same number of feats. With going further in fighter, I gained better jump which allows me to get into position a lot easier. And I wanted the extra attack out of fighter as well. Supreme Sneak wasn’t something I needed or wanted. Most of my team couldn’t keep up with Lae’Zel and Astarion jumping up front and murdering everything in sight.

      So really, I gained more mobility and a full extra attack and all I gave up was a single 1d6 on sneak attack.

        • @CaptPretentiousEnglish
          3•1 year ago

          OH! Yeah I probably could have respec’d at that point. I wanted Uncanny Dodge, but by the end of the game, Astarion had more AC than anyone else on the team… like 26 I think? And most things died rather quickly.