If you really want to spice things up: Quicken Eldritch Blast for another four attacks. xD Action: EB(4) R.Act.: EB(4) B.Act.: EB(4) A.Srg.: EB(4) => 16d10+80, without taking into account any preparatory concentration spells you might've cast just before combat starts or for the 1st round of combat.
One thing Chris missed in the video that I feel like is important to talk about - in tier 3 when you hit Divine Soul 5, you go-to spell become upcasted Spirit Guardians. That spell along with your cantrips will give you all the DPR you need while also serving simultaneously as battlefield control (due to halving enemy movement). Also at that point you can either Quicken the Spirit Guardians out followed by cantrips, or Action Surge into cantrips, so you barely lose any damage. In addition, with Spirit Guardians up, your strategy can shift from EB+WarMagic to Twinned BoomingBlade + WarMagic, locking the enemies in your area-of-effect. Finally, the reason I go from Sorcerer 5 back to EK for Eldritch Strike is that Eldritch Strike will continuously give anyone you hit disadvantage to saves, in this case an upcasted meat-grinding Spirit Guardians. In this mode twin Booming Blade + WarMagic become an especially strong option, and you might even consider going to Fighter 11 for more melee attacks to combo with this strategy.
@@einsibongo Thank you. It is a very fun build to pilot, with a ton of options and nuances as well as tactical depth. More so in fact than either a martial that just swings his weapon or a caster that just drops a big gun concentration spell then hides. I think it encapsulates what playing gish is all about.
The intent of the designers for PAM seems at odds with how they made CBE. You can only OA with the polearm, but CBE lets you do all sorts of non crossbow stuff in melee.
Feels like a character where you really are pushing the limits of your action economy. The amount of fuckery can get away with bonus action spells, quickened spells, action surges means this is a pretty advanced build. I'm embarrassed that I've never caught on to the triple threat of War Caster, Polearm Master, and Crossbow Expert with Eldritch Blast. What a sick combo.
@@smokephb991 CBE makes it so you don't attack with disadvantage when you attack an enemy within 5ft of you with a ranged attack. This also counts for spells.
Mechanically I can appreciate how it all ties together. That being said - I can't imagine a single DM in any of my 3 different groups that wouldn't glare at me for asking to play this build.
Yes you can play it as a strictly ranged character. My build for that is EK 8 Hex 2 using a light crossbow with a wand attached as the bottom barrel looking like a tactical pistol with a flashlight. Then tier 3 you can either go straight Whispers Bard for bard smite damage and spell slotr, or you can go Devotion Paladin 3-4 for heavy armor and sacred weapon + sharp shooter into some sort of full caster progression.
It is literally the Ironman subclass. They might as well have come right out and said it. Though before the UA came out I had created a special NPC for my campaign that I run for my kids that was a Gnome Articifer Archivist (from the original UA)/ Warlock GOO that had a mechanical mastiff that would transform into a suit of power armor. His GOO patron was "The Great Mind" an artifical intelligence that was created to gather information that then became sentient and gathered enough power to be a demigod in its own right. With the archivist sublclass mixed with pack of the chain his familiar and homunculus was combined into a nanite creature based on JARVIS that powered the mechanical mastiff.
@@anterosmc6214 the next DnD module, TCoE, will reprint artificer and add an archetype. It's most likely the armorer. So we just have to wait a couple more months :)
I'm normally super excited to see these wild multiclassed builds, but something about this one just doesn't sit right with me. I think it's just because it is actively skirting RAI where it wants to, while other times leaning on it for the build to work (It had to be clarified by Crawford that you can use Eldritch Blast with Warcaster at all because it can target multiple enemies, so if your DM isn't using the developer tweets as guidance then there's also a distinct possibility that they would say you can't use Eldritch Blast with Warcaster at all). I don't know, if people like it and get to play it then awesome, more power to them. For me though, this is the only build I've ever seen on here that feels like it starts to cross that line between optimizing and the sort of rules lawyering where someone can cite specific obscure material to make their build work, but conveniently "forget" the parts that stop them from doing what they want. Not saying that was the intention here, just that it kind of has that vibe. To quote you, Chris, on this particular topic "Theoretical optimization exists where we look for loopholes that maybe can do something that the rules didn't intend, but those are never intended for actual play." EDIT: As a better example of why this feels like picking and choosing when stuff outside the core rulebook counts and when it doesn't, the decision to allow the use of an arcane focus as a quarterstaff seems particularly egregious. There is no indication within the core rules that these are interchangeable in this way, meaning that some tweets are being considered as rule to make this build work while others are not, with the only criteria seeming to be that one ruling is liked and the other is not. I dunno man, it just feels icky to me, like it has the same end goal is optimization, but in a different spirit.
WarCaster working with EB is not leaning on anything - it works RAW irregardless of tweets. “The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.” That reads pretty unambiguous to me.
@@TreantmonksTemple Oh yeah, like it's your channel, show what you want to show. If there are people who will use it and enjoy it, then awesome. It just felt like a bit of a shift away from your usual creative direction and was a bit of a shock to the system is all. Like you said, I just view this as more "theoretical optimization" then practical.
Shane Bernier I made this build knowing that it’s not going to be for every table, and I certainly wouldn’t bring this to a casual game. That said my usual table has a very high power level, and this is in my opinion actually among the weaker builds. So for me personally not only is this build practical but it is also a bit jank.
If a DM had issues with this build, PAM and Crusher with a Quarterstaff does a bit of what this does, to a lesser extent. A single 5 foot push isn't very far, but it's not nothing. It also works with any class. Paladin with Improved Divine Strike and Dueling Combat Style would hit decently and adding Sentinel to the combo is classic. A simple change and addition to the Oath of Glory paladin build onhere. Eldritch Knight with Warcaster and Booming Blade probably could make a better case for fitting within RAI, since your cantrip is an attack with the polearm. You can have all three feats as a single class fighter by level 6. Bounce folks back and if they approach they trigger the boom. Less Iron Man repulsor blasts, more thicc Boba Fett swinging his gaffi stick.
Oof, wrathful smite is really strong when you take into account the Frightened Condition: A frightened creature has disadvantage on Ability Checks and Attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight. Meaning the targets Action to become un-frightened is at disadvantage and if it decides to ignore that and attack anyway, all attacks are at disadvantage too. Eldritch Strike into Wrathful Smite, so good.
This build is an abomination that I would probably would not allow in my games, but I am amazed at the creativity and thought put into it. I think the combination of cantrip eldritch blast multiple beams + bonus melee attack from Eldritch Knight is fantastic.
Even with Mearls and Crawford's responses being upheld you should still be able to use the Warcaster feat to switch from an AoO to a 'reaction cast' as that is an option of the Warcaster feat. So by RAW this is still doable.
Great build, great comprehensive explanation. Compliments to you both. What I like about this tank is that it is good in the damage department. Enemies want to attack the damage dealer (because they don't want to get hurt, duh). You want to be attacked. But it is still not only about those two things; you have other options, you can change your tactics whenever you want. This means, the build fills the requirements for a tank, and has some extra flair. Don't know if it is more effective than other builds, but it sure seems fun to play.
Super hyped for the next episode! I’ve been wanting to make an eldritch Knight for a while, specifically a spring eladrin dex based tank, very specific I know, but a lot of the guides and info out there is several years old and don’t mention all the new books and content that’s been released since then. So thx in advance!
Important tactical considerations to make when playing this build: -Many enemies at higher CR are large or larger if they're melee focused and can attack from more than 5 feet away. Therefore, the repelling blast is not a surefire way to hold them off. -All those free cantrip and spell picks really help you defining an out of combat role. If you're comfortable relying on the area spells for control, you can sub Twinned Spell for Subtle Spell if you take some social environment spells as your Charisma focus naturally lends into a face role. -Remember that the pushing effect of Eldritch Blast can be more important than its damage, so spreading out the hits may actually work in your favor.
Absolutely right. To be honest if Im playing with an optimized party, I don’t really care about damage at all, and focus instead on positional play and controlling an area. IE Tanking. And also I actually use Wrathful Smite early game more than I do Hex, just because generally my crew is dumping more than enough damage.
I actually did a very similar build (hexblade+EK), but with sword and board instead of pam and no sorcerer in the mix. It was a flavor build, intended to mix spell casting and melee combat as much as possible. This is much better optimized though, and doesn't have dead levels like my build had.
I haven't finished the video, but personally I can see a build like this using the cavalier to get OP every turn to blast hords in the face and then forcing them to stand before you as you blast
At 18:10 - GFB has a 5 foot range without the Spell Sniper feat, so you cannot use the extra polearm range to make a GFB opportunity attack at 10 feet.
'Hmm, i dont know if eldritch blast is eligible for warcaster opportunity attacks? it can be targeting up to four different creatures, and warcaster OA spells can't target more than one creature at all?
War Caster says “The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.” Meaning you can EB, but target only that creature. This is different from the Sorcerer’s Twinned Spell wording, which says the spell must be incapable to targetting more than one creature.
27:29 - "even if we only hit them once, it's all reset" - I don't understand, didn't we already burned our Reaction Action for the turn? If they close in again on the same turn, we don't have a Reaction to do it again?
Warforged blood hunter, I wonder how that would work? Like make him a cyborg that has a robotic body and left with a human brain, heart and blood. Like an Alita battle angel-ish. 🤔
Warforged aren't mechanical. They are biological with some metal plating attached on the outside. Their bodies are just made of wood and stone, and not flesh.
@@johnchristernyheim-rusti5342 yeah, but maybe tweak it into something like that. Human died in the battle field, fused his body with magic, rocks, metal etc. You know, being creative?
At 28:20 you say that "this is the first point that we are going to get 3rd level spells". However, if I remember correctly you add together the levels of all of the classes with the spellcasting feature to determine slot levels, with eldritch knight levels counting for 1/3rd of a level each. So, you would have 3rd level spells when you get level 2 sorcerer (you would have them at level 1 sorcerer if the rules didn't specify that the starting spells are 1st level spells.) Unless there is a rule of which I am unaware of course, that is how I read it.
This build is fantastic. I'm considering a slightly downtuned version. More of an artificer/wizard who kept working on the "mage armor" into more of an iron man solution. No polearm mastery shenanigans but most of the other components. It helps the bargaining with my DM a lot ^^ He doesn't like doing weird stuff with feat-stacking like warcaster -> polearmmastery/sentinel and making them all work together "against intent". DM seems ok with warcaster+sentinel working in full tandem tho which is really thematic! :)
@@M0ebius no booming blade is a spell that has to be used with an attack. the OA is with the polearm not a spell. if you cast a spell (BB) instead of attacking you are bending the rules. its POLEARM mastery so the OA is with a polearm. not an chance to cast a bonus spell as an OA. just because BB triggers an attack doesnt mean you can use it with polearm master OA
I don't get why you want 7 fighter. I could see 6 fighter for the feats, but if you are pushing the enemies with your EB, then you can't bop them with a quarterstaff.
You have to choose between WarMagic and Repel yes, but in practice as a tank you’re not only engaging with just one enemy. So often it could be you Repel one target with your reaction, and engage another target with EB+WarMagic with your Action/Bonus Action. Or sometimes you might twin Booming Blade into WarMagic to lock someone inside a Spirit Guardians. There are just a lot of different combinations of sequences possible with this build.
There's not a rule for using quarterstaff as an arcane focus, but there are rules for improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons. If you're dm tries to argue that a staff isn't similar enough to a staff to use the staff as a staff then I imagine playing with that dm isn't going to be very fun regardless of what build you're playing.
I'd call this build a turret rather than a tank. It's great at choke points and narrow dungeon corridors, but suffers a drop in the ability to protect others in open field situations.
Michael Charlton In an open field 99% of 5E tanks are ineffective - that’s really where control spells come into play. That said, this build can still cover one side of the field with his reaction, and can easily get enemy melees off of your team’s squishies and ranged strikers by EB Repelling with your action. And you have spells like Wrathful Smite, Shield of Faith, Web, Phantasmal Force, and Spirit Guardians to help you do straight control.
So then according to their logic, a war casted booming blade and greenflame blade would totally work with polearm master because they make you attack with your reach weapon.
Chris: I have a Discord account, but I have never used it. When I click the link you shared it opens the app, but says it cannot find the group. Is there another way to search for your Discord group in the app? What’s its name?
I am curious how the character is supposed to be played between levels 1-5 where you don't have warcaster. You are a sword & board, meaning you don't have a free hand. Shield, Absorb Elements, Hex, and Armor of Agathys all have somatic components, and you don't have warcaster to be able to use them yet. For Armor of Agathys or Hex you could drop the weapon during your turn to cast, but Shield and Absorb elements are reactions, so you would have to not pick up the weapon until the start of your turn to cast them, meaning you wouldn't get opportunity attacks with polearm master. Am I missing an interaction somewhere that gets around this, or are you just out of luck till level 6?
I just saw this but i hope its not too late. You only can't cast shield and absorb elements. Hex and armor of agathys has a material component alongside the somatic component. So u can use the quarterstaff as a spellcasting focus for the Material component, as well the somatic component to wave it around. This reddit post sums it up perfectly www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/aik4yu/spell_components_war_caster_and_you/ So your early levels is just hex + damage.. and polerarm master + quarterstaff + shield is already the optimal setup for most martials classes in Tier 1. Minimal overkilling. With Hex only for high hp bosses, your dps is probably near the top for tier 1
Hi Chris, and thank you for another great video (thanks to ronin too). It sounds like RAW this works, but RAI, maybe not. For the similar(ish) ghostlance build, do you think the echo knight/warcaster/eldritch blast combo is legit for both RAW and RAI?
On the fence for this one. Its pretty powerful and taking advantage of a technicality in the rules which isn't meant to exist. That's almost always a red flag for me.
Mister Right You can make a toned down version of this build that’s strictly ranged using Crossbow Expert + Sharp Shooter. It will end up being EB+WarMagic+SS, then in tier 3 transition to Whispers Bard to add Psychic Blade dmg to the crossbow bolt.
Considering that BB and GFB use your weapon as part of the spell attack I guess you could make an argument for them if that was the only restriction but I'm still not convinced it necessarily works RAW for polearms with reach (but it would work with a quarterstaff). A polearm with reach has a 10 foot range, BB/GFB have a 5 foot range (not weapon range), and PAM trigger when they enter your 10 foot range. It seems that by the time BB/GFB have their conditions met you've already past your opportunity to trigger PAM. What does work however is the classic PAM+Sentinel.
Not sure if the halved movement inside Spirit Guardians affects the total movement distance if the enemy ends its turn outside of the sphere again because of EB
It's because it's once per turn and not per beam so it falls out of favor for Agonizing Blast/Repelling Blast. But I agree with you, GoH can be an absolute monster with SG up.
The issue isn’t that Grasp of Hadar isn’t good, it’s that Agonize and Repel are just better, and getting Hadar requires going from a Hex 2 dip to Hex 5.
@@M0ebius I mean, it's your build, you're welcome to your opinion. I'd argue that having SG proc twice is worth the three levels. I'm the kind of guy who would build around GoH and this build is very much the opposite of that. I'm just always surprised that it's never even brought up.
Clyde Actually in the discord this particular tech is brought up regularly, but the general consensus is it’s a better on a sorlock that’s the secondary caster, since for a primary caster it’s more powerful to take more Sorcerer levels for higher level spells and slots (with the slots you can upcast the SG to make up the damage). On this build in particular the progression delay is too severe IMO. One tech that I did consider however is going to Hex 3 for Tome Pact, take Thorn Whip and Twinned Spell for a similar effect without having to go to Hex 5.
Interesting build. I wonder if there's a comparable variation that uses Pact of the Blade with a Reach polearm so you don't need Crossbow Expert. By going Warlock 3 early, you'd get level 2 slots sooner, which could be useful, but I haven't run the numbers to see whether it's worth it. This does help with the problem of large creatures with Reach who don't need to close.
OTOH, crossbow expert helps if you get swamped by enemies, and you want to use EB to clear some space. The relative value depends on how frequent that is and whether soaking an OA for stepping back to fire EB without disadvantage is too painful to risk. (With repelling blast, the first hit means the rest are not penalized). In games where the DM prefers encounters featuring a solo big monster, a reach weapon with Sentinel (and Improved Pact of the Blade with Warlock 5) would be even more effective at this trick, as it guarantees the monster has no more movement.
Really there's nothing to be said once you're doing the Warcaster/Polearm Master cheese. It's just such an obviously powerful cheese that horribly outlcasses so many options. I'd probably file this under something you should just ALWAYS be doing if it's an option. A 2 level dip and a race (whose weakness can be removed by taking a darkvision invocation), and you do decent damage already, just have a way to shutdown any melee near flawless, and can do whatever you feel like with the rest of your levels.
To be honest I think a build like this is still outclassed by armored casters, especially tier 3-4. My original intention in making this build was to make a martial that stays relevant in late tiers, and doing things that are more interesting than just single target damage.
Using "Polearm Master" and "Crossbow Expert" to buff your Eldrich blast seems stupid to me. In my (!) opinion, with this "it is still RAW" kind of rule bending the line between an optimizer and a power gamer is crossed. I love your vids Chris, but this build feels foul.
I kind of agree. It wouldn't be so bad if the build didn't already rely on rulings from outside the rulebooks to make it function (using spell focuses as a quarterstaff), so it doesn't even really work in a setting where sage advice and such are just ignored entirely.
@@sharkforce8147 It is, of course, SIMILAR to a quarterstaff, and for use as am improvised weapon it would make sense to compare it to one. However, the PAM feat states that it mus BE a quarterstaff, not "an object similar to a quarterstaff". Just like how you can't use an improvised weapon for the material component of a blade cantrip, the RAW reading of this disallows the combo going just by what's in the book.
Shane Bernier It is within the rulebook that an arcane focus staff can be used as a quarterstaff, as Sharkforce has explained. But if you actually do care about dev tweets (which I don’t), then there’s also this: mobile.twitter.com/GamerJosh/status/509454115861434368
So if you're using EB to push enemies back and not moving, how are you supposed to benefit from the War Magic bonus action attack? Would you just use that against other/weaker enemies while keeping the higher threat ones pushed away?
Yes you have to decide between WarMagic and Repel based on the situation. But to me that’s part of the fun of this build over normal martials - you have many more relevant decision points than just rolling attacks.
I find it so odd that they are saying RAI pole arm master and war caster shouldn't combo. War caster, on its own, is allowing you to cast a spell as a reaction, based off the reach of your melee weapon. All polearm master does is add another triggering instance. What war caster does makes no logical sense. It seems to be a purely mechanical way to add a feature to a caster. Polearm master on the other hand makes total sense. From a narrative standpoint your character has essentially developed quick reflexes in regards to making attacks against unsuspecting, charging enemies. Why /shouldn't/ that apply to war caster?
M0ebius then how do they keep getting pushed back to trigger his PAM if that isn’t the case? He made it sound like you can PAM Reaction, Action, BA very frequently. Did I misinterpret?
Keegan MBG It’s probably because he hadn’t actually played the build. For me personally, what I try to do as a tank is to engage multiple enemies, locking one down with EB+WarMagic, and EB+Repel another target with my reaction. Of course when there is just one melee target left, then it’s just straight double EB+Repel. And also I play this build with 15 starting STR to avoid the speed penalty and dump DEX. I think initiative is less important for this build, and +1 to DEX saves is not worth the speed penalty.
Y'know... I'm normally a very permissive DM for my players, normally I give more stuff than regular baseline. But not even I would allow you to Warcaster an Eldritch Blast under a Polearm Master AoO. Polearm Master AoO is for the Polearm, you're not keeping them at bay with shiny beams. But on a related question. Does a creature needs to stop moving when it is hit by something (Like a Ready Action or a AoO) that moves it? Like, say I have 50ft of Flight movement, I get into someone's range with 10ft, get pushed back 10ft... What happends to the other 40ft of Flight movement? Does it go away? Do I have to pay for those 10ft I was moved in my turn with my movement too, so I'm only left with 30ft (That would re-engage the target anyways) or do I still have my whole 40ft of Movement? I'd say you couldn't make a target spend its own movement by moving it and you also wouldn't be stopping it completely. But what would be the best ruling there?
M0ebius is it though? Even if it was, which is questionable, that isn’t really my issue with it. Off the top of my head, you are selecting options that are only used for a couple levels, there are contradicting actions. You have PAM, but your using it to do EB with a push, but then you want to do a bonus action attack, but now you have to move because your EB opened the distance, then at 11 you start on Divine Soul so this is a weird jumble of classes and it requires all these feats to make work and it just seems like a mess. I haven’t looked at the full build but this really seems it is over the top min/max without any thought except what can I cram in. Personally I don’t really care for that type of character. I min/max, but typically 2 classes that make sense and have a rp reason to be put together.
A G Yes, it is 100% RAW. I double checked and triple checked when making this build. Also none of the chosen features are wasted - PAM/Warcaster/CBE are all used throughout this build’s career, at different points doing different things. Treantmonk haven’t played this build, but the way EB+WarMagic vs EB+Repl is used is that you lock up one target in melee while Repelling another target away from your team, given that this build is designed as a tank. As far as whether this build crosses some min-max line, well I’m sure that it does for some tables. I mean, there are tables where stacking PAM with GWM with Sentinel is considered too much min-maxing. In terms of power however, I will say that at my home game where we run mostly Hexblade multiclassed builds, any optimized armored fullcaster is much more powerful if you know what you’re doing. This is more of a jank build that I made because it’s fun to play rather than for the power. Finally I’m actually a little offended that you said this build was made without any thought. I spent a long time making this particularly build in order to ensure that every detail is 100% RAW legal. Yes it is crammed with many things, and that’s by design - nothing is wasted and everything comes back to use at different points. It might not be to your taste, but no build can satisfy everyone. If triple classing is too much for you, you can easily go dual class EK/Hexblade and still maintain the core build. Anyway before shitting on other people’s work, the least you can do is actually look at the build first. Here’s a written guide if you have actual constructive criticism: docs.google.com/document/d/17CFnAsCBLpzo_nqXII3Ot7IFJcjbBNzVsmE6Rf6jLgI/mobilebasic
@@M0ebius First if you took offense by my comments that was not my intention. I was not shitting on the build, I was simply saying that it seems like it was put together specifically to min/max which is fine if that is what you are doing, I could care less if it crosses min/max, hell, most of the characters that I play can be accused of that, but I build my characters mixing elements that fit the theme that I am going for more so than because it is a powerful build, that isn't my style, but if it works for you and your group great. As to features not being used, that was the impression that you get based on the way it is described in the video if it works in practice ok, but the way the video presents it made it seem otherwise. I am playing a game with the Treantmonk variant and below is the character I will be using (currently 5, this shows at 20) and I am sure people would say he is broken. ddb.ac/characters/34401753/kqwHXy
A G It’s not specifically built to min-max per se. I love gishes, and that’s pretty much the only archetypes I play. The concept behind the build is an arcane spearman/swordsman (with staff reflavored as rune-covered wooden sword or crystal tipped spear) that can project anime-style force slashes (reflavored EB) by swinging his weapon. Later on in tier 3 he learns additional techniques like charging his spear with lightning and rapidly strike twice (twinned Booming Blade), or projecting his chakra as weapons (reflavored Spirit Guardians). Bottomline is I am as into themes, concepts, story, and character as anybody. The version of this build that I actually tabled had things like Lightning Bolt in tier 3 (not exactly optimal) flavored as my character stabbing out with a lance of lightning. But this being a optimization community focused on mechanics, the idea is to present the most optimal version of this build, and the users can tweak it as they see fit.
This bends/abuses a bit too much. Not only the polearm Master but worse the crossbow feat? I wouldn't allow it and none of the other GMs I known would either. I applaud creativity but this is actively abusing the rules a bit hard. Interesting but unusable.
There's no abuse of the crossbow feat, that's 100% in line with RAW and RAI, clarified explicitly in their Sage Advice. "Is it intentional that the second benefit of Crossbow Expert helps ranged spell attacks? Yes, it’s intentional. When you make a ranged attack roll within 5 feet of an enemy, you normally suffer disadvantage (PH, 195). The second benefit of Crossbow Expert prevents you from suffering that disadvantage, whether or not the ranged attack is with a crossbow. When designing a feat with a narrow use, we consider adding at least one element that can benefit a character more broadly-a bit of mastery that your character brings from one situation to another. The second benefit of Crossbow Expert is such an element, as is the first benefit of Great Weapon Master. That element in Crossbow Expert shows that some of the character’s expertise with one type of thing-crossbows, in this case-transfers to other things."
@@unrestrainedreason3210 doesn't really change my or the other GMs position. Even though that was supposedly "clarified" in that manner (poorly from our pov) We just don't allow it. Just like the polearm feat. It muddies up the rules and invites additional abuse. And that is just one element of many we had issues with. You of course, can do whatever you want. It's interesting but definitely not for us.
@@taerog And yours is a perfectly fair position to take, as long as you recognize that your interpretation of Crossbow Expert is a house rule, and you inform your players of it up front. As for this build as a whole, I'd never try to use it either, simply because of the unintended use of Polearm Master.
I think your example for opportunitiy attack is wrong. First of you explicitly only get one (melee) attack for you opportunitiy attack and second the extra attack from fighter states you can only attack more on your own turn.
Poleaarm Master allows you to make an opportunity attack when a creature enters the reach of your polearm, It does not require that the attack be with the polearm, nor that the attack be a melee attack, Warcaster lets you use a spell as an attack of opportunity, so now you can use your spells when something triggers your Polearm Master attack. Eldritch Blast, when cast, always does multiple hits once you are level 5+.
@@shanebernier2483 The RAW is that the OA attack doesn't have to be with the pole arm, but RAI does. I'm still on the fence if using the polearm as a spell casting focus meetings the RAI. It does with BB/GFB, but I'm using it as a casting focus for EB doesn't seem RAI.
I always feel really bad for multiclassing beyond 2 classes, it's just kinda boring and awkward from a story perspective, like ye I'm a fighter sorcerer druid and paladin, how the hell did that even happen, it's going to be a stretch to explain it and if you do it's a whole campaign worth of adventures vs ye I was a rogue but I was murdered in my sleep and strange voice reached out to me to bring me back from the brink, I don't know it just kind of rubs me the wrong way, to be honest. didn't mean for this be a rant XD
why? Fighter, rogue, wizard can be learned and taught, pal2 - you got kicked before you made your oath, sorcerer is just magic randomly awakening, warlock something randomly finding you. Just because it sounds contrived, it isnt impossible - and 20 levels is a lot of time ingame
Could even make for a really interesting arc, you’re a honour-bound soldier from a long lineage of hero’s, you’re learning the art of war to follow in the foot steps of your great family. But you start to feel like you’re not living up to your family name, and just as the self doubt reaches its pinnacle, a dark force promises power beyond you’re wildest imagination, enough to make your family proud and earn your place next to your ancestors. But you feel this dark force corrupting you and after coming to your senses (maybe after committing 1 or 2 atrocities) you vow not to slip further down this path and using what you’ve learned only for good. Then you learn the reason the dark force sought you out is because your ancestors were chosen vessels of a god which your old patron has an intense rivalry with, and you’re it’s current vessel. It hoped to corrupt you into serving it before you realised your innate potential, but then you use your own power and the power it gave you against it. So start out fighter, a couple levels of hexblade, back to fighter for a while before finally going into divine soul
I don’t see how quad classes is going to be more boring than mono-class or dual class. Whether it’s awkward is dependent on your imagination. So for this build in particular, it could be as simple as - you’re a regular fighter that found a wooden sword (reflavored staff) covered in arcane runes, at level 2 the wooden sword speaks to you and offer you power in exchange for being its agent, and at level 11 it turns out the wooden sword is invested with a shard of a legendary weapon of god X, and in exchange for your service a divine spark ignites in you. So on and so forth.
SharkForce It really depends on to what degree the player is required to flavor by-the-books. If the DM is open to reflavoring, the possibilities are endless.
Just to preface - an IronMan build could be possible with official things. But if I ever want to play an IronMan in 5e, I will jump to Kibbles artificer - Warsmith EDIT: I watched it, I disagree with the "iron man" comparison. It only has the "repulsor blasts".
@@oliverneville5012 I only skimmed through the armorer previously, I dont remember much. I do remember what I am missing from 3.5 - choices. And I know which class to look towards that gives me choices
If UA is allowed I actually have a couple of Ironman concepts. One is UA Warforged Envoy dumping STR/DEX, and take Storm Sorcerer 14 Tempest Cleric 2 Lore Wizard 2 Hexblade 2 - you can switch any damage spell to Lightning damage, then maximize it with Tempest Cleric. The other concept is Divine Soul X Hexblade 2 Armorer Artificer 3. You take the power armor, shield, and gauntlets, and you twin Booming Blade with your fist. When you hit, the targets have disadvantage to attacking you, and eat thunder damage if they try to move and attack someone else.
19:35 - I’d argue for taking the Gunner feat over Crossbow Expert here, since if you just want the removal of melee disadvantage, gunner gives that plus +1 Dex.
But here's the thing! If you use pact of the blade, you're able to cast your spell's through your weapon! If you grab Polearm master and war caster there IS a way to use this. Use your ability to create a pact weapon and make a polearm, which you can then cast through. With that done, you can use war caster to cast a spell THROUGH your polearm, still using it.
The problem with this is that you would need to take 3 more levels of warlock just to be able to do this. 1 to get Pact of the Blade, and 2 more to get the Improved Pact Weapon invocation which is what lets you use your pact weapon as a spellcasting focus. Now, you could still do this, as the build itself has 3 free levels you can pick from, but picking these early on will delay other useful/needed features for quite a while. And finally, if your DM is particularly strict, depending on how he sees the intent of the designers, he might still not let you do this. Maybe they consider that PAM's polearm OA when creatures enter your reach is only for the polearm OA and won't allow you to convert that unique OA into a spell/cantrip. I'd say that'd be stretching it a bit and particularly vitriolic on the DM's part, though.
This is a fantastic build. I have no problem allowing it, because the feat-taxes have been paid twice over to make it work. It also outlines an important failing in 5e: We need feats geared toward this kind of spell use, so that we aren't forced to creatively interpret the weapon feats as applying more generally than intended.
Agreed. I definitely feel like there aren’t enough feats for spell casters especially not feat combos on the same level as polearm master and sentinel. Polearm master and war caster is a nice twist though.
Starting Stats: Not to be a contrarian, but it seems to me that Iron Man could be better achieved if one were to play out an Eldritch Knight who made his own gear and got it upgraded over time. Also, it seems to me that Iron is anything but an optimized character. Ultimately, Iron Man is a generalist, and while it is true that he does have certain stand out abilities and traits: Heavily Armored, Can Fly, has the ability to shoot out Repulser Rays. I don't see the need to multi class the character. Also, it seems that Magic Items would augment the character build both Mechanically and Thematically. Here's something to consider: Starting Stats: Str: 15 (+2), Dex: 11 (-), Con: 13 (+1), Int 13 (+1) Wis: 11 (-), Cha: 12 (+1) Lvl 1: Heavy Armor Master: +1 to Constitution Lvl 3: Fighter Subclass (Eldritch Knight): Weapon Bond: Javelin Lightning, Quarter Staff Lvl 4: War Caster Lvl 5: Extra Attack plus Magic Items:Wand of Magic Missiles, Ehlonna's Quiver, Animated Shield, Winged boots of Flying, Ring of Feather Fall Lvl 6: Pole-Arm Master feat Lvl 7: War Magic Lvl 8: Magic Initiate (Warlock) Lvl 10: Eldritch Strike Lvl 12: Eldritch Adept Lvl 14: Gunner: +1 to Dexterity Lvl 15: Arcane Charge Lvl 16: Fey Touched: +1 to Intelligence Lvl 18: Improved War Magic Lvl 19: Shadow Touched: +1 to Intelligence
Might be interesting to go Warlock 3, pact of blade, and skip Xbow expert. At that point, you can use a halberd or something to get your 10' OA reach for EB OAs. Also creates some short rest slots for aid or darkvision for your party. Lose out on AC but this is a plate build with shield spell and strong defensive forced movement, I don't think that's a problem. If gift of alacrity is available, it would be hard to imagine skipping that on a class with short rest slots and poor dex. I'd probably prefer that to mirror image if I could get it. Basic design could also be adapted to start as a dex fighter instead, unless I'm missing something. TCOG opens up good options (as well as closing OA BB/GFB.) Blind fighting would be an especially good choice on a short range cantrip build. Depending on how the GM rules the repelling blast interaction.
I made a similar character but went genie/dao/chain & v. Human crusher feat. Easier to get to 16 strength. That gives a flat +1. You get a +2 from genie damage along with dueling... so you hit hard, albeit no bonus action attack. Eventually you get rune knight for hulkbuster armor. Also... you don't delay spell progression nearly as much. And you get to fly...a prerequisite for an iron man imo... and it's not a spell, not concentration, and happens in mid level, not level 15 (or never)
Spell selections for Eldritch Knight with low intelligence.... Cantrip) Booming Blade, Green Flame Blade 1st) Shield, Absorb Elements, Identify (ritual), Mage Armor if DEX based 2nd) Shadowblade, Misty Step 3rd) Haste 4th) Upcast Shadowblade, Polymorph (on yourself if needed so no save required)
I will need to adjust it a bit to make AL legal but this sounds amazing and AL is RAW so no issue there. But this also got me thinking Cavalier fighter lvl 18 gives a special reaction to only make opportunity attacks. If you have all the feats here with 18 cavalier 2 hexblade you get the damage less options for defense and practically a Legendary Action EB. If you get to play at lvl 20 that could easily be 12-20 attacks before Action Surge a round and at 1d10+5you could average 200 a round fairly easily. You could even focus most of it at one target. Thug A triggers an Op attack EB 1 bolt at him 3 at the Boss so all the troops move and the Boss takes the hits.
For high AC, particularly high AC low dex, And with the benefit of worcaster, in my experience blur is far superior to mirror image. Since the mirror images themselves can end up with a pretty crummy armor class, you prevent way more attacks with blur. Yeah there's concentration, but with full plate, a shield, and the shield spell, You rarely even need to make the rolls anyway
Based on prior videos, I gather that TM's philosophy is that D&D is made to be very beatable for PCs, so optimized characters like these basically dunk on monsters every play session. I think of builds like these as fun theory crafting but probably ruinous to bring to the table.
The polearm master feat states: "While wielding a glaive, halberd, pike, or quarterstaff, other creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter your reach."
I love this concept. As a DM I would allow it purely on the flavor value. I have no problem with "OP" builds. I am the DM, & therefore know all the player's strengths & weaknesses, & can therefore tweak any adventure to suit the players.
cold fusion There’s other things this does better, but the main problem with sentinel + polearm master is that you only get 1 OA from them entering your range and if you miss that you’re screwed, on top of that even if you hit, you’re the one that needs to move next round and that can causing a whole bunch of positioning problems.
The thing I always loved about this build is that it puts together a bunch of really powerful mechanics that look cool on paper. The thing is this works, and it works at every level. On the other hand, it works oh so much better in a full hexblade party.
A mix of Bard/Sorcerer will do well. Take subtle spell and whatever skills, expertises and utility spells tickle your fancy. Disguise/Alter Self, Detect Thoughts, Pass Without Trace (Lore Bard Magical secrets likely), Silent Image and Suggestion are all great spells for an intrigue environment.
I was going to point out that warcaster can't be used with eldritch blast for the same reason it can't be used with the twin spell metamagic; it can potentially target multiple creatures. Then I checked and there's a sage advice where JC says eldritch blast does in fact qualify as long as you target all beams at the creature provoking the opportunity attack. Does anyone else feel like whenever these weird rule discrepancies pop up it's often the sorcerer that gets screwed?
There is a difference in wording. Twinned spell must use a spell *incapable* of targeting more than one creature. This wording is not included in Warcaster.
@@M0ebius An errata was later added to twin spell with a paragraph that explicitly stated that the spell "must be incapable of targeting more than one creature". Without I feel the wording is fairly similar.
Nine attacks per round? Thirteen with Action Surge? Stop! He's already dead!
RIP Monks...
"Do whatever you like with the last three levels" Could go 3 levels of monk, just so you can call the character a "Monk" lol
If you really want to spice things up: Quicken Eldritch Blast for another four attacks. xD
Action: EB(4)
R.Act.: EB(4)
B.Act.: EB(4)
A.Srg.: EB(4)
=> 16d10+80, without taking into account any preparatory concentration spells you might've cast just before combat starts or for the 1st round of combat.
One thing Chris missed in the video that I feel like is important to talk about - in tier 3 when you hit Divine Soul 5, you go-to spell become upcasted Spirit Guardians. That spell along with your cantrips will give you all the DPR you need while also serving simultaneously as battlefield control (due to halving enemy movement). Also at that point you can either Quicken the Spirit Guardians out followed by cantrips, or Action Surge into cantrips, so you barely lose any damage.
In addition, with Spirit Guardians up, your strategy can shift from EB+WarMagic to Twinned BoomingBlade + WarMagic, locking the enemies in your area-of-effect.
Finally, the reason I go from Sorcerer 5 back to EK for Eldritch Strike is that Eldritch Strike will continuously give anyone you hit disadvantage to saves, in this case an upcasted meat-grinding Spirit Guardians. In this mode twin Booming Blade + WarMagic become an especially strong option, and you might even consider going to Fighter 11 for more melee attacks to combo with this strategy.
I can't get enough of this build
@@einsibongo Thank you. It is a very fun build to pilot, with a ton of options and nuances as well as tactical depth. More so in fact than either a martial that just swings his weapon or a caster that just drops a big gun concentration spell then hides. I think it encapsulates what playing gish is all about.
Can't twin BB anymore I heard.
The intent of the designers for PAM seems at odds with how they made CBE. You can only OA with the polearm, but CBE lets you do all sorts of non crossbow stuff in melee.
Exactly! I’ve said the same thing.
What if Ironman were one of us?
Just a character like all of us
Tryin' to adventure with you.
Feels like a character where you really are pushing the limits of your action economy. The amount of fuckery can get away with bonus action spells, quickened spells, action surges means this is a pretty advanced build.
I'm embarrassed that I've never caught on to the triple threat of War Caster, Polearm Master, and Crossbow Expert with Eldritch Blast. What a sick combo.
im not understanding what crossbow expert is for.
@@smokephb991 CBE makes it so you don't attack with disadvantage when you attack an enemy within 5ft of you with a ranged attack. This also counts for spells.
Mechanically I can appreciate how it all ties together.
That being said - I can't imagine a single DM in any of my 3 different groups that wouldn't glare at me for asking to play this build.
Yes you can play it as a strictly ranged character. My build for that is EK 8 Hex 2 using a light crossbow with a wand attached as the bottom barrel looking like a tactical pistol with a flashlight.
Then tier 3 you can either go straight Whispers Bard for bard smite damage and spell slotr, or you can go Devotion Paladin 3-4 for heavy armor and sacred weapon + sharp shooter into some sort of full caster progression.
I feel like if you really wanted to make a build like Iron Man, and also wanted to solve this characters' mobility problems, you should take Fly.
Speaking of Iron man... You should review the UA Artificer Armorer. Its by far my favorite artificer class.
He doesn't do UA. That said, I do like the armorer as well, I hope it gets published soon.
It is literally the Ironman subclass. They might as well have come right out and said it.
Though before the UA came out I had created a special NPC for my campaign that I run for my kids that was a Gnome Articifer Archivist (from the original UA)/ Warlock GOO that had a mechanical mastiff that would transform into a suit of power armor. His GOO patron was "The Great Mind" an artifical intelligence that was created to gather information that then became sentient and gathered enough power to be a demigod in its own right. With the archivist sublclass mixed with pack of the chain his familiar and homunculus was combined into a nanite creature based on JARVIS that powered the mechanical mastiff.
@@anterosmc6214 the next DnD module, TCoE, will reprint artificer and add an archetype. It's most likely the armorer. So we just have to wait a couple more months :)
@@alexlockwood9847 Already confirmed to be the Armorer. But still, we'll have to wait until the books release to see what's been changed since UA.
The Arty Armourer in now in Tashas.
I'm normally super excited to see these wild multiclassed builds, but something about this one just doesn't sit right with me. I think it's just because it is actively skirting RAI where it wants to, while other times leaning on it for the build to work (It had to be clarified by Crawford that you can use Eldritch Blast with Warcaster at all because it can target multiple enemies, so if your DM isn't using the developer tweets as guidance then there's also a distinct possibility that they would say you can't use Eldritch Blast with Warcaster at all).
I don't know, if people like it and get to play it then awesome, more power to them. For me though, this is the only build I've ever seen on here that feels like it starts to cross that line between optimizing and the sort of rules lawyering where someone can cite specific obscure material to make their build work, but conveniently "forget" the parts that stop them from doing what they want. Not saying that was the intention here, just that it kind of has that vibe.
To quote you, Chris, on this particular topic "Theoretical optimization exists where we look for loopholes that maybe can do something that the rules didn't intend, but those are never intended for actual play."
EDIT: As a better example of why this feels like picking and choosing when stuff outside the core rulebook counts and when it doesn't, the decision to allow the use of an arcane focus as a quarterstaff seems particularly egregious. There is no indication within the core rules that these are interchangeable in this way, meaning that some tweets are being considered as rule to make this build work while others are not, with the only criteria seeming to be that one ruling is liked and the other is not. I dunno man, it just feels icky to me, like it has the same end goal is optimization, but in a different spirit.
Agreed. As a DM I wouldn’t allow it and as a player I would feel dishonest even asking to use it.
If it's not a build you would allow or play, then consider this a theoretical optimization vid - still a cool build I think either way.
WarCaster working with EB is not leaning on anything - it works RAW irregardless of tweets. “The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.” That reads pretty unambiguous to me.
@@TreantmonksTemple Oh yeah, like it's your channel, show what you want to show. If there are people who will use it and enjoy it, then awesome. It just felt like a bit of a shift away from your usual creative direction and was a bit of a shock to the system is all. Like you said, I just view this as more "theoretical optimization" then practical.
Shane Bernier I made this build knowing that it’s not going to be for every table, and I certainly wouldn’t bring this to a casual game. That said my usual table has a very high power level, and this is in my opinion actually among the weaker builds. So for me personally not only is this build practical but it is also a bit jank.
Really cool to see you covering a fan build from discord, will you be covering any others in the future?
Possibly here and there. This is the 2nd fan build - the first was the 1000+ damage in a round vid (also a fan build)
If a DM had issues with this build, PAM and Crusher with a Quarterstaff does a bit of what this does, to a lesser extent. A single 5 foot push isn't very far, but it's not nothing. It also works with any class.
Paladin with Improved Divine Strike and Dueling Combat Style would hit decently and adding Sentinel to the combo is classic. A simple change and addition to the Oath of Glory paladin build onhere.
Eldritch Knight with Warcaster and Booming Blade probably could make a better case for fitting within RAI, since your cantrip is an attack with the polearm. You can have all three feats as a single class fighter by level 6. Bounce folks back and if they approach they trigger the boom. Less Iron Man repulsor blasts, more thicc Boba Fett swinging his gaffi stick.
Oof, wrathful smite is really strong when you take into account the Frightened Condition: A frightened creature has disadvantage on Ability Checks and Attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight.
Meaning the targets Action to become un-frightened is at disadvantage and if it decides to ignore that and attack anyway, all attacks are at disadvantage too.
Eldritch Strike into Wrathful Smite, so good.
This build is an abomination that I would probably would not allow in my games, but I am amazed at the creativity and thought put into it. I think the combination of cantrip eldritch blast multiple beams + bonus melee attack from Eldritch Knight is fantastic.
Not the first time my builds have been called an abomination. Probably won’t be the last.
@@M0ebius do not take it wrong, I still think it is great and I congratulate your creativity. :) Abominable, yes, but also pretty smart.
Even with Mearls and Crawford's responses being upheld you should still be able to use the Warcaster feat to switch from an AoO to a 'reaction cast' as that is an option of the Warcaster feat. So by RAW this is still doable.
Great build, great comprehensive explanation. Compliments to you both.
What I like about this tank is that it is good in the damage department. Enemies want to attack the damage dealer (because they don't want to get hurt, duh). You want to be attacked. But it is still not only about those two things; you have other options, you can change your tactics whenever you want.
This means, the build fills the requirements for a tank, and has some extra flair. Don't know if it is more effective than other builds, but it sure seems fun to play.
Super hyped for the next episode! I’ve been wanting to make an eldritch Knight for a while, specifically a spring eladrin dex based tank, very specific I know, but a lot of the guides and info out there is several years old and don’t mention all the new books and content that’s been released since then. So thx in advance!
Important tactical considerations to make when playing this build:
-Many enemies at higher CR are large or larger if they're melee focused and can attack from more than 5 feet away. Therefore, the repelling blast is not a surefire way to hold them off.
-All those free cantrip and spell picks really help you defining an out of combat role. If you're comfortable relying on the area spells for control, you can sub Twinned Spell for Subtle Spell if you take some social environment spells as your Charisma focus naturally lends into a face role.
-Remember that the pushing effect of Eldritch Blast can be more important than its damage, so spreading out the hits may actually work in your favor.
Absolutely right. To be honest if Im playing with an optimized party, I don’t really care about damage at all, and focus instead on positional play and controlling an area. IE Tanking.
And also I actually use Wrathful Smite early game more than I do Hex, just because generally my crew is dumping more than enough damage.
I actually did a very similar build (hexblade+EK), but with sword and board instead of pam and no sorcerer in the mix. It was a flavor build, intended to mix spell casting and melee combat as much as possible. This is much better optimized though, and doesn't have dead levels like my build had.
Just wanted to say in the dmg under staffs pg140 magic items it does say that's staff and a quarterstaff are the same unless it says different.
This feels like a great template for a Harry Dresden character, an unconventional wizard
Although suspected he isn't a warlock though :P, He's a warden.
I haven't finished the video, but personally I can see a build like this using the cavalier to get OP every turn to blast hords in the face and then forcing them to stand before you as you blast
At 18:10 - GFB has a 5 foot range without the Spell Sniper feat, so you cannot use the extra polearm range to make a GFB opportunity attack at 10 feet.
'Hmm, i dont know if eldritch blast is eligible for warcaster opportunity attacks? it can be targeting up to four different creatures, and warcaster OA spells can't target more than one creature at all?
War Caster says “The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.” Meaning you can EB, but target only that creature. This is different from the Sorcerer’s Twinned Spell wording, which says the spell must be incapable to targetting more than one creature.
@@M0ebius Ah, thats right, that was probably what i was remembering.
27:29 - "even if we only hit them once, it's all reset" - I don't understand, didn't we already burned our Reaction Action for the turn? If they close in again on the same turn, we don't have a Reaction to do it again?
I just realized that you do not need a free hand to cast Silvery Barbs, like you do with Shield and Absorb Elements.
Warforged blood hunter, I wonder how that would work? Like make him a cyborg that has a robotic body and left with a human brain, heart and blood. Like an Alita battle angel-ish. 🤔
Warforged aren't mechanical. They are biological with some metal plating attached on the outside. Their bodies are just made of wood and stone, and not flesh.
@@johnchristernyheim-rusti5342 yeah, but maybe tweak it into something like that. Human died in the battle field, fused his body with magic, rocks, metal etc. You know, being creative?
At 28:20 you say that "this is the first point that we are going to get 3rd level spells". However, if I remember correctly you add together the levels of all of the classes with the spellcasting feature to determine slot levels, with eldritch knight levels counting for 1/3rd of a level each. So, you would have 3rd level spells when you get level 2 sorcerer (you would have them at level 1 sorcerer if the rules didn't specify that the starting spells are 1st level spells.) Unless there is a rule of which I am unaware of course, that is how I read it.
Other than the heavy armor and action surge, what is fighter bringing to the table that sorcerer and hexlock can’t?
Was going to write a huge paragraph, but all I wanted to say was, “play how you CAN play”. Work with your group and ask for them to work with you.
The entire game is make believe. It’s all pretend. Make your own class features.
This build is fantastic. I'm considering a slightly downtuned version. More of an artificer/wizard who kept working on the "mage armor" into more of an iron man solution. No polearm mastery shenanigans but most of the other components. It helps the bargaining with my DM a lot ^^
He doesn't like doing weird stuff with feat-stacking like warcaster -> polearmmastery/sentinel and making them all work together "against intent". DM seems ok with warcaster+sentinel working in full tandem tho which is really thematic! :)
My DM would not allow using the PoleArm attack with anything but the polearm. So, this would not work in my group. And personally, I would not either.
you and your DM would be correct...
Even then this build is still perfectly viable. You just replace the reaction cantrip with Booming Blade instead of Eldritch Blast.
@@M0ebius the reaction should be with the polearm though not a cantrip that then also gives a bonus attack. its not cantrip mastery
G Welch Booming Blade IS an attack using your polearm, which satisfies the RAI.
@@M0ebius no booming blade is a spell that has to be used with an attack. the OA is with the polearm not a spell. if you cast a spell (BB) instead of attacking you are bending the rules. its POLEARM mastery so the OA is with a polearm. not an chance to cast a bonus spell as an OA. just because BB triggers an attack doesnt mean you can use it with polearm master OA
I don't get why you want 7 fighter. I could see 6 fighter for the feats, but if you are pushing the enemies with your EB, then you can't bop them with a quarterstaff.
You have to choose between WarMagic and Repel yes, but in practice as a tank you’re not only engaging with just one enemy. So often it could be you Repel one target with your reaction, and engage another target with EB+WarMagic with your Action/Bonus Action. Or sometimes you might twin Booming Blade into WarMagic to lock someone inside a Spirit Guardians. There are just a lot of different combinations of sequences possible with this build.
There's not a rule for using quarterstaff as an arcane focus, but there are rules for improvised weapons that are similar to actual weapons. If you're dm tries to argue that a staff isn't similar enough to a staff to use the staff as a staff then I imagine playing with that dm isn't going to be very fun regardless of what build you're playing.
I'd call this build a turret rather than a tank. It's great at choke points and narrow dungeon corridors, but suffers a drop in the ability to protect others in open field situations.
Michael Charlton In an open field 99% of 5E tanks are ineffective - that’s really where control spells come into play.
That said, this build can still cover one side of the field with his reaction, and can easily get enemy melees off of your team’s squishies and ranged strikers by EB Repelling with your action. And you have spells like Wrathful Smite, Shield of Faith, Web, Phantasmal Force, and Spirit Guardians to help you do straight control.
There are way, way to many “ask your DM if you can do this non RAI thing” for me to consider this build either viable or optimized.
One?
I suppose with Tasha’s you could use TCL instead of VHuman
So then according to their logic, a war casted booming blade and greenflame blade would totally work with polearm master because they make you attack with your reach weapon.
Chris: I have a Discord account, but I have never used it. When I click the link you shared it opens the app, but says it cannot find the group. Is there another way to search for your Discord group in the app? What’s its name?
I am curious how the character is supposed to be played between levels 1-5 where you don't have warcaster.
You are a sword & board, meaning you don't have a free hand.
Shield, Absorb Elements, Hex, and Armor of Agathys all have somatic components, and you don't have warcaster to be able to use them yet. For Armor of Agathys or Hex you could drop the weapon during your turn to cast, but Shield and Absorb elements are reactions, so you would have to not pick up the weapon until the start of your turn to cast them, meaning you wouldn't get opportunity attacks with polearm master.
Am I missing an interaction somewhere that gets around this, or are you just out of luck till level 6?
I just saw this but i hope its not too late. You only can't cast shield and absorb elements. Hex and armor of agathys has a material component alongside the somatic component. So u can use the quarterstaff as a spellcasting focus for the Material component, as well the somatic component to wave it around. This reddit post sums it up perfectly
www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/aik4yu/spell_components_war_caster_and_you/
So your early levels is just hex + damage.. and polerarm master + quarterstaff + shield is already the optimal setup for most martials classes in Tier 1. Minimal overkilling. With Hex only for high hp bosses, your dps is probably near the top for tier 1
Seeing his baseline reminds me of one game where my parties fighter dropped 95 damage in 2 rounds... we were all lvl 4
Sportsnut14 Is it PAM + GWM + Battlemaster Riposte?
Hi Chris, and thank you for another great video (thanks to ronin too). It sounds like RAW this works, but RAI, maybe not.
For the similar(ish) ghostlance build, do you think the echo knight/warcaster/eldritch blast combo is legit for both RAW and RAI?
Dewey Cheatem and howe! I love cartalk!
On the fence for this one. Its pretty powerful and taking advantage of a technicality in the rules which isn't meant to exist. That's almost always a red flag for me.
Mister Right You can make a toned down version of this build that’s strictly ranged using Crossbow Expert + Sharp Shooter. It will end up being EB+WarMagic+SS, then in tier 3 transition to Whispers Bard to add Psychic Blade dmg to the crossbow bolt.
Considering that BB and GFB use your weapon as part of the spell attack I guess you could make an argument for them if that was the only restriction but I'm still not convinced it necessarily works RAW for polearms with reach (but it would work with a quarterstaff). A polearm with reach has a 10 foot range, BB/GFB have a 5 foot range (not weapon range), and PAM trigger when they enter your 10 foot range. It seems that by the time BB/GFB have their conditions met you've already past your opportunity to trigger PAM. What does work however is the classic PAM+Sentinel.
I agree that GFB/BB would not work with a reach polearm (unless you had Spell Sniper)
Not sure if the halved movement inside Spirit Guardians affects the total movement distance if the enemy ends its turn outside of the sphere again because of EB
Sorcadin builds pls 😇😇😇 pally 2 / sorc X, sorc 3 / pally X, etc and rate the best! Would be a fantastic vid thx
I wonder why he chose a quarterstaff instead of a polearm? It looks like the quarterstaff is a better choice only at low level.
Yet another divine soul sorlock that doesn’t acknowledge the power grasp of hadar with spirit guardians.
It's because it's once per turn and not per beam so it falls out of favor for Agonizing Blast/Repelling Blast.
But I agree with you, GoH can be an absolute monster with SG up.
The issue isn’t that Grasp of Hadar isn’t good, it’s that Agonize and Repel are just better, and getting Hadar requires going from a Hex 2 dip to Hex 5.
@@M0ebius I mean, it's your build, you're welcome to your opinion. I'd argue that having SG proc twice is worth the three levels.
I'm the kind of guy who would build around GoH and this build is very much the opposite of that. I'm just always surprised that it's never even brought up.
Clyde Actually in the discord this particular tech is brought up regularly, but the general consensus is it’s a better on a sorlock that’s the secondary caster, since for a primary caster it’s more powerful to take more Sorcerer levels for higher level spells and slots (with the slots you can upcast the SG to make up the damage). On this build in particular the progression delay is too severe IMO.
One tech that I did consider however is going to Hex 3 for Tome Pact, take Thorn Whip and Twinned Spell for a similar effect without having to go to Hex 5.
Inspired me to work on a Mega Man X/Zero build.
Interesting build.
I wonder if there's a comparable variation that uses Pact of the Blade with a Reach polearm so you don't need Crossbow Expert. By going Warlock 3 early, you'd get level 2 slots sooner, which could be useful, but I haven't run the numbers to see whether it's worth it.
This does help with the problem of large creatures with Reach who don't need to close.
OTOH, crossbow expert helps if you get swamped by enemies, and you want to use EB to clear some space. The relative value depends on how frequent that is and whether soaking an OA for stepping back to fire EB without disadvantage is too painful to risk. (With repelling blast, the first hit means the rest are not penalized).
In games where the DM prefers encounters featuring a solo big monster, a reach weapon with Sentinel (and Improved Pact of the Blade with Warlock 5) would be even more effective at this trick, as it guarantees the monster has no more movement.
Really there's nothing to be said once you're doing the Warcaster/Polearm Master cheese. It's just such an obviously powerful cheese that horribly outlcasses so many options. I'd probably file this under something you should just ALWAYS be doing if it's an option. A 2 level dip and a race (whose weakness can be removed by taking a darkvision invocation), and you do decent damage already, just have a way to shutdown any melee near flawless, and can do whatever you feel like with the rest of your levels.
To be honest I think a build like this is still outclassed by armored casters, especially tier 3-4. My original intention in making this build was to make a martial that stays relevant in late tiers, and doing things that are more interesting than just single target damage.
I think don’t work. Eldritch blast can hits different targets, that means can’t be used with warcaster
If he had a DEX of 8 along with an INT and WIS of 8 he could be "Flounder" from Animal House
th-cam.com/video/mkoPq5AOCOA/w-d-xo.html
LMAO!
I need to get in that Discord, I have a dinomancer build I'd like to get your take on optimizing!
Using "Polearm Master" and "Crossbow Expert" to buff your Eldrich blast seems stupid to me.
In my (!) opinion, with this "it is still RAW" kind of rule bending the line between an optimizer and a power gamer is crossed.
I love your vids Chris, but this build feels foul.
I kind of agree. It wouldn't be so bad if the build didn't already rely on rulings from outside the rulebooks to make it function (using spell focuses as a quarterstaff), so it doesn't even really work in a setting where sage advice and such are just ignored entirely.
@@sharkforce8147 It is, of course, SIMILAR to a quarterstaff, and for use as am improvised weapon it would make sense to compare it to one. However, the PAM feat states that it mus BE a quarterstaff, not "an object similar to a quarterstaff". Just like how you can't use an improvised weapon for the material component of a blade cantrip, the RAW reading of this disallows the combo going just by what's in the book.
Shane Bernier It is within the rulebook that an arcane focus staff can be used as a quarterstaff, as Sharkforce has explained. But if you actually do care about dev tweets (which I don’t), then there’s also this:
mobile.twitter.com/GamerJosh/status/509454115861434368
I love this, its so dumb, but I love it
So if you're using EB to push enemies back and not moving, how are you supposed to benefit from the War Magic bonus action attack? Would you just use that against other/weaker enemies while keeping the higher threat ones pushed away?
Yes you have to decide between WarMagic and Repel based on the situation. But to me that’s part of the fun of this build over normal martials - you have many more relevant decision points than just rolling attacks.
This is more like Orisa from Overwatch than iron man if you ask me.
I find it so odd that they are saying RAI pole arm master and war caster shouldn't combo.
War caster, on its own, is allowing you to cast a spell as a reaction, based off the reach of your melee weapon. All polearm master does is add another triggering instance.
What war caster does makes no logical sense. It seems to be a purely mechanical way to add a feature to a caster. Polearm master on the other hand makes total sense. From a narrative standpoint your character has essentially developed quick reflexes in regards to making attacks against unsuspecting, charging enemies. Why /shouldn't/ that apply to war caster?
Homebrew invocation: when unarmored your ac is 13 plus charisma modifier.
Maybe I missed it Chris but how are you hitting the target with your BA if they got pushed back 30 ft and your movement speed is 20?
You can’t WarMagic and Repel same turn, you have to pick one or the other based on the situation.
M0ebius then how do they keep getting pushed back to trigger his PAM if that isn’t the case? He made it sound like you can PAM Reaction, Action, BA very frequently. Did I misinterpret?
Keegan MBG It’s probably because he hadn’t actually played the build. For me personally, what I try to do as a tank is to engage multiple enemies, locking one down with EB+WarMagic, and EB+Repel another target with my reaction. Of course when there is just one melee target left, then it’s just straight double EB+Repel.
And also I play this build with 15 starting STR to avoid the speed penalty and dump DEX. I think initiative is less important for this build, and +1 to DEX saves is not worth the speed penalty.
M0ebius that makes far more sense in my mind. Ok, thanks for clearing that up.
Y'know... I'm normally a very permissive DM for my players, normally I give more stuff than regular baseline. But not even I would allow you to Warcaster an Eldritch Blast under a Polearm Master AoO. Polearm Master AoO is for the Polearm, you're not keeping them at bay with shiny beams.
But on a related question. Does a creature needs to stop moving when it is hit by something (Like a Ready Action or a AoO) that moves it?
Like, say I have 50ft of Flight movement, I get into someone's range with 10ft, get pushed back 10ft... What happends to the other 40ft of Flight movement? Does it go away? Do I have to pay for those 10ft I was moved in my turn with my movement too, so I'm only left with 30ft (That would re-engage the target anyways) or do I still have my whole 40ft of Movement? I'd say you couldn't make a target spend its own movement by moving it and you also wouldn't be stopping it completely. But what would be the best ruling there?
Just listening to this build a number of problems jump out at me, but I haven’t the time to go into now.
It’s 100% RAW legal.
M0ebius is it though? Even if it was, which is questionable, that isn’t really my issue with it. Off the top of my head, you are selecting options that are only used for a couple levels, there are contradicting actions. You have PAM, but your using it to do EB with a push, but then you want to do a bonus action attack, but now you have to move because your EB opened the distance, then at 11 you start on Divine Soul so this is a weird jumble of classes and it requires all these feats to make work and it just seems like a mess. I haven’t looked at the full build but this really seems it is over the top min/max without any thought except what can I cram in. Personally I don’t really care for that type of character. I min/max, but typically 2 classes that make sense and have a rp reason to be put together.
A G Yes, it is 100% RAW. I double checked and triple checked when making this build. Also none of the chosen features are wasted - PAM/Warcaster/CBE are all used throughout this build’s career, at different points doing different things. Treantmonk haven’t played this build, but the way EB+WarMagic vs EB+Repl is used is that you lock up one target in melee while Repelling another target away from your team, given that this build is designed as a tank.
As far as whether this build crosses some min-max line, well I’m sure that it does for some tables. I mean, there are tables where stacking PAM with GWM with Sentinel is considered too much min-maxing. In terms of power however, I will say that at my home game where we run mostly Hexblade multiclassed builds, any optimized armored fullcaster is much more powerful if you know what you’re doing. This is more of a jank build that I made because it’s fun to play rather than for the power.
Finally I’m actually a little offended that you said this build was made without any thought. I spent a long time making this particularly build in order to ensure that every detail is 100% RAW legal. Yes it is crammed with many things, and that’s by design - nothing is wasted and everything comes back to use at different points. It might not be to your taste, but no build can satisfy everyone. If triple classing is too much for you, you can easily go dual class EK/Hexblade and still maintain the core build.
Anyway before shitting on other people’s work, the least you can do is actually look at the build first. Here’s a written guide if you have actual constructive criticism: docs.google.com/document/d/17CFnAsCBLpzo_nqXII3Ot7IFJcjbBNzVsmE6Rf6jLgI/mobilebasic
@@M0ebius First if you took offense by my comments that was not my intention. I was not shitting on the build, I was simply saying that it seems like it was put together specifically to min/max which is fine if that is what you are doing, I could care less if it crosses min/max, hell, most of the characters that I play can be accused of that, but I build my characters mixing elements that fit the theme that I am going for more so than because it is a powerful build, that isn't my style, but if it works for you and your group great. As to features not being used, that was the impression that you get based on the way it is described in the video if it works in practice ok, but the way the video presents it made it seem otherwise.
I am playing a game with the Treantmonk variant and below is the character I will be using (currently 5, this shows at 20) and I am sure people would say he is broken.
ddb.ac/characters/34401753/kqwHXy
A G It’s not specifically built to min-max per se. I love gishes, and that’s pretty much the only archetypes I play. The concept behind the build is an arcane spearman/swordsman (with staff reflavored as rune-covered wooden sword or crystal tipped spear) that can project anime-style force slashes (reflavored EB) by swinging his weapon.
Later on in tier 3 he learns additional techniques like charging his spear with lightning and rapidly strike twice (twinned Booming Blade), or projecting his chakra as weapons (reflavored Spirit Guardians).
Bottomline is I am as into themes, concepts, story, and character as anybody. The version of this build that I actually tabled had things like Lightning Bolt in tier 3 (not exactly optimal) flavored as my character stabbing out with a lance of lightning. But this being a optimization community focused on mechanics, the idea is to present the most optimal version of this build, and the users can tweak it as they see fit.
This bends/abuses a bit too much. Not only the polearm Master but worse the crossbow feat? I wouldn't allow it and none of the other GMs I known would either.
I applaud creativity but this is actively abusing the rules a bit hard.
Interesting but unusable.
There's no abuse of the crossbow feat, that's 100% in line with RAW and RAI, clarified explicitly in their Sage Advice.
"Is it intentional that the second benefit of Crossbow Expert helps ranged spell attacks?
Yes, it’s intentional. When
you make a ranged attack roll within 5 feet of an enemy, you normally suffer disadvantage (PH, 195). The second benefit of Crossbow Expert prevents you from suffering that disadvantage, whether or not the ranged attack is with a crossbow.
When designing a feat with a narrow use, we consider adding at least one element that can benefit a character more broadly-a bit of mastery that your character brings from one situation to another. The second benefit of Crossbow Expert is such an element, as is the first benefit of Great Weapon Master. That element in Crossbow Expert shows that some of the character’s expertise with one type of thing-crossbows, in this case-transfers to other things."
@@unrestrainedreason3210 doesn't really change my or the other GMs position. Even though that was supposedly "clarified" in that manner (poorly from our pov) We just don't allow it. Just like the polearm feat. It muddies up the rules and invites additional abuse.
And that is just one element of many we had issues with.
You of course, can do whatever you want. It's interesting but definitely not for us.
@@taerog And yours is a perfectly fair position to take, as long as you recognize that your interpretation of Crossbow Expert is a house rule, and you inform your players of it up front. As for this build as a whole, I'd never try to use it either, simply because of the unintended use of Polearm Master.
I think your example for opportunitiy attack is wrong.
First of you explicitly only get one (melee) attack for you opportunitiy attack and second the extra attack from fighter states you can only attack more on your own turn.
He's using War Caster + Eldritch Blast
Poleaarm Master allows you to make an opportunity attack when a creature enters the reach of your polearm, It does not require that the attack be with the polearm, nor that the attack be a melee attack,
Warcaster lets you use a spell as an attack of opportunity, so now you can use your spells when something triggers your Polearm Master attack.
Eldritch Blast, when cast, always does multiple hits once you are level 5+.
Warcaster is the key here.
Ah yes i missed that part about Eldridge Blast
@@shanebernier2483 The RAW is that the OA attack doesn't have to be with the pole arm, but RAI does. I'm still on the fence if using the polearm as a spell casting focus meetings the RAI. It does with BB/GFB, but I'm using it as a casting focus for EB doesn't seem RAI.
Rules lawyering builds just get under my skin...as a player...a dm... and a viewer.
Problem with your example of play. Large creatures have reach, they're not going to trigger the Polearm Master AoO...
I always feel really bad for multiclassing beyond 2 classes, it's just kinda boring and awkward from a story perspective, like ye I'm a fighter sorcerer druid and paladin, how the hell did that even happen, it's going to be a stretch to explain it and if you do it's a whole campaign worth of adventures vs ye I was a rogue but I was murdered in my sleep and strange voice reached out to me to bring me back from the brink, I don't know it just kind of rubs me the wrong way, to be honest. didn't mean for this be a rant XD
why? Fighter, rogue, wizard can be learned and taught, pal2 - you got kicked before you made your oath, sorcerer is just magic randomly awakening, warlock something randomly finding you.
Just because it sounds contrived, it isnt impossible - and 20 levels is a lot of time ingame
Could even make for a really interesting arc, you’re a honour-bound soldier from a long lineage of hero’s, you’re learning the art of war to follow in the foot steps of your great family. But you start to feel like you’re not living up to your family name, and just as the self doubt reaches its pinnacle, a dark force promises power beyond you’re wildest imagination, enough to make your family proud and earn your place next to your ancestors. But you feel this dark force corrupting you and after coming to your senses (maybe after committing 1 or 2 atrocities) you vow not to slip further down this path and using what you’ve learned only for good. Then you learn the reason the dark force sought you out is because your ancestors were chosen vessels of a god which your old patron has an intense rivalry with, and you’re it’s current vessel. It hoped to corrupt you into serving it before you realised your innate potential, but then you use your own power and the power it gave you against it. So start out fighter, a couple levels of hexblade, back to fighter for a while before finally going into divine soul
I don’t see how quad classes is going to be more boring than mono-class or dual class. Whether it’s awkward is dependent on your imagination. So for this build in particular, it could be as simple as - you’re a regular fighter that found a wooden sword (reflavored staff) covered in arcane runes, at level 2 the wooden sword speaks to you and offer you power in exchange for being its agent, and at level 11 it turns out the wooden sword is invested with a shard of a legendary weapon of god X, and in exchange for your service a divine spark ignites in you. So on and so forth.
SharkForce It really depends on to what degree the player is required to flavor by-the-books. If the DM is open to reflavoring, the possibilities are endless.
@@M0ebius Absolutely, 100% agree. A warlock can be relavored as anything. You don't need a pact to make he class work mechanically.
If you are going to cheese this much, then you might as well build a new class / subclass. 3/10
Absolutely NO DM would rule polearm to work with war caster. Stopped the video as soon as I heard that. Dislike
Due to the expresed intent of the Designers my DM prohibited my from this Idea :(
But I love it nonetheless!
Just to preface - an IronMan build could be possible with official things. But if I ever want to play an IronMan in 5e, I will jump to Kibbles artificer - Warsmith
EDIT: I watched it, I disagree with the "iron man" comparison. It only has the "repulsor blasts".
texteel the UA armorer artificer is also very Ironmany
@@oliverneville5012 I only skimmed through the armorer previously, I dont remember much.
I do remember what I am missing from 3.5 - choices. And I know which class to look towards that gives me choices
If UA is allowed I actually have a couple of Ironman concepts. One is UA Warforged Envoy dumping STR/DEX, and take Storm Sorcerer 14 Tempest Cleric 2 Lore Wizard 2 Hexblade 2 - you can switch any damage spell to Lightning damage, then maximize it with Tempest Cleric.
The other concept is Divine Soul X Hexblade 2 Armorer Artificer 3. You take the power armor, shield, and gauntlets, and you twin Booming Blade with your fist. When you hit, the targets have disadvantage to attacking you, and eat thunder damage if they try to move and attack someone else.
19:35 - I’d argue for taking the Gunner feat over Crossbow Expert here, since if you just want the removal of melee disadvantage, gunner gives that plus +1 Dex.
But here's the thing! If you use pact of the blade, you're able to cast your spell's through your weapon!
If you grab Polearm master and war caster there IS a way to use this. Use your ability to create a pact weapon and make a polearm, which you can then cast through. With that done, you can use war caster to cast a spell THROUGH your polearm, still using it.
The problem with this is that you would need to take 3 more levels of warlock just to be able to do this. 1 to get Pact of the Blade, and 2 more to get the Improved Pact Weapon invocation which is what lets you use your pact weapon as a spellcasting focus. Now, you could still do this, as the build itself has 3 free levels you can pick from, but picking these early on will delay other useful/needed features for quite a while. And finally, if your DM is particularly strict, depending on how he sees the intent of the designers, he might still not let you do this. Maybe they consider that PAM's polearm OA when creatures enter your reach is only for the polearm OA and won't allow you to convert that unique OA into a spell/cantrip. I'd say that'd be stretching it a bit and particularly vitriolic on the DM's part, though.
Can you do a video on best spell combos or contingency combos? For groups of casters or a wizard with a simulacrum or ring of spell storing
This is a fantastic build. I have no problem allowing it, because the feat-taxes have been paid twice over to make it work.
It also outlines an important failing in 5e: We need feats geared toward this kind of spell use, so that we aren't forced to creatively interpret the weapon feats as applying more generally than intended.
Agreed. I definitely feel like there aren’t enough feats for spell casters especially not feat combos on the same level as polearm master and sentinel. Polearm master and war caster is a nice twist though.
Echo Knight makes this build bonkers.
Also, Custom Lineage.
It goes from being an extremely good battlefield control build to being oppressive.
Could you make the DMG Calculations with the Baseline public so we can do them on our own builds as a benchmark ?
This video goes over calculating baseline damage: th-cam.com/video/zg0bAl1WPGQ/w-d-xo.html
Starting Stats:
Not to be a contrarian, but it seems to me that Iron Man could be better achieved if one were to play out an Eldritch Knight who made his own gear and got it upgraded over time.
Also, it seems to me that Iron is anything but an optimized character. Ultimately, Iron Man is a generalist, and while it is true that he does have certain stand out abilities and traits: Heavily Armored, Can Fly, has the ability to shoot out Repulser Rays. I don't see the need to multi class the character.
Also, it seems that Magic Items would augment the character build both Mechanically and Thematically.
Here's something to consider:
Starting Stats:
Str: 15 (+2), Dex: 11 (-), Con: 13 (+1), Int 13 (+1) Wis: 11 (-), Cha: 12 (+1)
Lvl 1: Heavy Armor Master: +1 to Constitution
Lvl 3: Fighter Subclass (Eldritch Knight): Weapon Bond: Javelin Lightning, Quarter Staff
Lvl 4: War Caster
Lvl 5: Extra Attack plus Magic Items:Wand of Magic Missiles, Ehlonna's Quiver, Animated Shield, Winged boots of Flying, Ring of Feather Fall
Lvl 6: Pole-Arm Master feat
Lvl 7: War Magic
Lvl 8: Magic Initiate (Warlock)
Lvl 10: Eldritch Strike
Lvl 12: Eldritch Adept
Lvl 14: Gunner: +1 to Dexterity
Lvl 15: Arcane Charge
Lvl 16: Fey Touched: +1 to Intelligence
Lvl 18: Improved War Magic
Lvl 19: Shadow Touched: +1 to Intelligence
Might be interesting to go Warlock 3, pact of blade, and skip Xbow expert. At that point, you can use a halberd or something to get your 10' OA reach for EB OAs. Also creates some short rest slots for aid or darkvision for your party. Lose out on AC but this is a plate build with shield spell and strong defensive forced movement, I don't think that's a problem.
If gift of alacrity is available, it would be hard to imagine skipping that on a class with short rest slots and poor dex. I'd probably prefer that to mirror image if I could get it.
Basic design could also be adapted to start as a dex fighter instead, unless I'm missing something.
TCOG opens up good options (as well as closing OA BB/GFB.) Blind fighting would be an especially good choice on a short range cantrip build. Depending on how the GM rules the repelling blast interaction.
I made a similar character but went genie/dao/chain & v. Human crusher feat.
Easier to get to 16 strength. That gives a flat +1. You get a +2 from genie damage along with dueling... so you hit hard, albeit no bonus action attack.
Eventually you get rune knight for hulkbuster armor.
Also... you don't delay spell progression nearly as much.
And you get to fly...a prerequisite for an iron man imo... and it's not a spell, not concentration, and happens in mid level, not level 15 (or never)
I would prefer to make a custom feat instead of making that jank interaction between POM and war caster work
So on crossbow expert what is the wording that allows eldritch blast opportunity attacks 18:21
This class build with the kender race....
Spell selections for Eldritch Knight with low intelligence....
Cantrip) Booming Blade, Green Flame Blade
1st) Shield, Absorb Elements, Identify (ritual), Mage Armor if DEX based
2nd) Shadowblade, Misty Step
3rd) Haste
4th) Upcast Shadowblade, Polymorph (on yourself if needed so no save required)
I will need to adjust it a bit to make AL legal but this sounds amazing and AL is RAW so no issue there. But this also got me thinking Cavalier fighter lvl 18 gives a special reaction to only make opportunity attacks. If you have all the feats here with 18 cavalier 2 hexblade you get the damage less options for defense and practically a Legendary Action EB. If you get to play at lvl 20 that could easily be 12-20 attacks before Action Surge a round and at 1d10+5you could average 200 a round fairly easily. You could even focus most of it at one target. Thug A triggers an Op attack EB 1 bolt at him 3 at the Boss so all the troops move and the Boss takes the hits.
Hm, rewatching this, I think per errata/tweet it's said you can't use PAM to make OAs with cantrips, only with polearms.
For high AC, particularly high AC low dex, And with the benefit of worcaster, in my experience blur is far superior to mirror image. Since the mirror images themselves can end up with a pretty crummy armor class, you prevent way more attacks with blur. Yeah there's concentration, but with full plate, a shield, and the shield spell, You rarely even need to make the rolls anyway
Based on prior videos, I gather that TM's philosophy is that D&D is made to be very beatable for PCs, so optimized characters like these basically dunk on monsters every play session. I think of builds like these as fun theory crafting but probably ruinous to bring to the table.
Wait why do you get an opportunity attack for the creature coming up you? that doesn't make sense.
Yeah that was my confusion as well, I have never said that moving into range provokes opportunity attacks
The polearm master feat states:
"While wielding a glaive, halberd, pike, or quarterstaff, other creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter your reach."
I love this concept. As a DM I would allow it purely on the flavor value. I have no problem with "OP" builds. I am the DM, & therefore know all the player's strengths & weaknesses, & can therefore tweak any adventure to suit the players.
Anyone else feel like it should be a bar graph for damage?
Thanks for sharing this with us! I enjoyed learning about this build a lot.
Keep in mind that Booming/Green Flame Blade don't play well with reach weapons.
Matthew Craig This build doesn’t use a reach weapon.
How does this compare vs the standard sentinel feat? Seems to me it's a lot of effort multiclassing when sentinel does basically the same thing...
cold fusion There’s other things this does better, but the main problem with sentinel + polearm master is that you only get 1 OA from them entering your range and if you miss that you’re screwed, on top of that even if you hit, you’re the one that needs to move next round and that can causing a whole bunch of positioning problems.
oliver neville I will note that Mobile removes all the issues of moving and is no heavier in Feat Tax than what Chris Presented.
I love it. So much Cheese.
If this player casts eldritch blast as a reaction, would you allow the extra beams to target only the enemy that incurred the AoO?
Per the restrictions of warcaster, the spell can only target the creature that provoked the attack of opportunity,
yes
The thing I always loved about this build is that it puts together a bunch of really powerful mechanics that look cool on paper.
The thing is this works, and it works at every level.
On the other hand, it works oh so much better in a full hexblade party.
Everything works better in a full Hexblade party.
All you're builds are very combat focused. id like to see how youd optimaise a carecter for a combat lite campaign, such as a intrigue campaign
A mix of Bard/Sorcerer will do well. Take subtle spell and whatever skills, expertises and utility spells tickle your fancy. Disguise/Alter Self, Detect Thoughts, Pass Without Trace (Lore Bard Magical secrets likely), Silent Image and Suggestion are all great spells for an intrigue environment.
I was going to point out that warcaster can't be used with eldritch blast for the same reason it can't be used with the twin spell metamagic; it can potentially target multiple creatures. Then I checked and there's a sage advice where JC says eldritch blast does in fact qualify as long as you target all beams at the creature provoking the opportunity attack. Does anyone else feel like whenever these weird rule discrepancies pop up it's often the sorcerer that gets screwed?
I mean the wordings are unambiguously different between WarCaster and Twinned Spell.
There is a difference in wording. Twinned spell must use a spell *incapable* of targeting more than one creature. This wording is not included in Warcaster.
@@M0ebius An errata was later added to twin spell with a paragraph that explicitly stated that the spell "must be incapable of targeting more than one creature". Without I feel the wording is fairly similar.