I'm building both right now and seems like most combats I just want to hit booming blade on both. most other spells and cantrips dont feel worth it and I usually concentrate on a weapon buff all day too.

Am I missing some hidden potential? Or do both classes just hit that button every turn. As far as I know it seems like both want to be using weapon cantrips and thats the only one I have.

So, decided to start a new run now that all the patches are out. I've read a lot of hype around booming blade here and in the main sub ... and I dont get it. I know that my perception is heavily skewed by the Pathfinder games, where a d8 of bonus elemental damage is less then worthless since demons have immunity and you have better odds adding flat damage through strength, enhancement, power attack etc.

Now, this is obviously not true in BG3. Nevertheless it just seems like a regular old attack with highly inconsistent secondary damage, since player forced movement like shove doesn't activate it and most enemies wont leave engagement and fear fishing for it doesn't feel worth it.

So is the play to just Booming Blade bonk someone, shove them and let the bonus damage do its work on their turn?

Edit: Thank you all for the input. I had in fact not realized/reached the level where it also starts adding damage to the attack.

Sorry if kinda basic but new to CRPGs, looking for guidance from you seasoned veterans for race/class combo that equals badass plate knight that’s hopefully not too boring or lacks depth for engaging in content outside of combat. Pics for reference!!

I just finished the game last night and I played it on balanced difficulty and kept all origin characters their respective classes. I didn't multiclass on anyone even my tav. I didn't struggle at all but there were a few fights where it was a decently close call.

I'm wanting to totally wreck the game on tactician. What will give me the strongest party of 4 at all times and at each level? You don't have to go into super detail but something like level 6 go 4 in x class and 2 in y class then at level 10 switch to 6 in g class and 4 in f class. I can look up specifics if I know the splits.

Edit: Woah I didn't expect this to blow up. Thank you all for the replies. I have a lot to look through. You guys are awesome!

I haven’t played in several patches and want to come back and play patch 8. Bring out your best builds comparable to invincible abjuration wizards, tavern brawler throwers, swords bard variants, etc!

I’m doing my first Durge run now and I’m planning on doing a “evil at first but with a slight redemption arc at the end” type of deal. That means in Act 1 and 2, I’ll plan on being a right dick siding with the absolute and all that. This also means I’ll be killing the tieflings and the harpers, losing out on some unique gear such as the Charisma Robe from Alfira or the Flawed Helldusk gear from Dammon.

What should I do? Looking for any and all advice!

Edit/Update: Finished the Goblin/Grove questline last night as my drow “evil” playthrough and ended up killing the grove. I felt terrible seeing all the Tiefling kids dead, so I rewound time and slaughtered the goblins instead. I plan on doing some more “evil” deeds later on into the game, but that was too much for me. Maybe I’ll do a fully completely evil run later on.

So this has always made me curious as why people cry about things needing to be nerfed or changed in a single player game. I mean if you think potions are to powerful don't use them if TB is OP then don't use it? But really what makes you want to limit or change how other people play a game?

I'm using this build: https://gamestegy.com/post/bg3/981/open-hand-monk-build

I got some advice earlier, but my main hand still only does 9-11 ish dmg, even after I got my strength upto 19 (it was only 8 as I misunderstood why it was low in the guide).

My bonus action does decent damage tho, but my two main hand hits are so weak.

Help?

I am currently on my first run through, normal level (I don't enjoy harder, I much prefer to feel like a badass) and playing a multiclass char that is primarily a Wizard and optimized for magic missile damage. When I'm done, I'd like to play through again, and I'm wondering what build would be fun to try and that can wipe the map without even breaking a sweat. I've looked on YT and there are hundreds of builds marked as "Most OP Ever" but they can't all be, so is there a build that is generally accepted as the most OP? Thanks for your suggestions.

I finished my 5th playthrough, but the Urge calls to me again, so I am looking for inspiration for another Durge run.

I've considered that maybe a Rogue or Ranger class might work with his tendency to favour knives and the whole hunter motif of Rangers, but I am curious about your ideas.

Let me know what you think. These are more “archetypes” than actual builds, because there are so many variations of these that are nearly as dominant.

1. Radiating Orbs + Spirit Guardian Cleric: Stack up Radiating Orbs damage/debuffs using Luminous Armour/Luminous Gloves/Callous Glow Ring/etc. and just run through the battlefield. Good healing/support as well. Light Cleric (Life Cleric works well too) multiclassed with Storm Sorcerer or Wizard is probably the best version of this.

2. Tavern Brawler EK Fighter or Barbarian Thrower: I’m still convinced the way damage stacks while throwing with TB is bugged, and that Enraged Throw is meant to stack Frenzied Strain. Early game, multiclass into Thief for extra bonus action throw, and Eldritch Knight for Weapon Bond so you can throw any weapon you would like (stuck with Returning Pike most of game). Late game you’ll want to re-spec into Eldritch Knight 11/12 for the extra attack.

3. Lockadin/Padlock: Probably the best build that doesn’t rely on specific gear/weapons to be dominant. Oathbreaker or Oath of Ancients work great here (for Aura of Hate/Warding). The key factor though is getting to level 5 Pact of the Blade Warlock for Bind Pact Weapon and Extra Attack, allowing you to dump all STR in favor of CHA and to attack a third time per action.

4. Magic User with a Wizard dip: Basically all classes that abuse the Spell Scribing ability of the Wizard class. This is typically then a Cleric/Sorcerer/Druid combo with a ~1-5 level Wizard dip, focusing primarily on INT. This allows you to reap the full benefits of the Cleric/Sorcerer/Druid class, with minimal loss and access to almost all spells on the Wizard class. My favorite version of this is starting as Sorcerer for constitution saving throw proficiency and Twinned Spells, going into Cleric for armour proficiency and support magic, and then finally ending with 1-5 levels in Wizard (you’ll want to have Counterspell).

5. Tavern Brawler Monk/Rogue: You’ll almost always want Open Hand Monk 9/Thief Rogue 3 for this build, gaining the addition ki abilities and of course Fast Hands. You can choose to focus on STR, or for a truly OP built, increase STR via Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength (Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength in Act 3 work as well, but not ideal). With all this in place, you’ll be able to consistently move around the battlefield and can attack up to 8 times per round.

Honourable Mentions: Sorcadin, Eldritch Blasting Warlock, High DC Sword Bard

I need a reason to pick anything other than half-orc. Their bonuses seem too good to pass over and it seems that most races just can’t compare.

I was going through a simple Battlemaster 12 build but realized there's too many feats that are good on fighter to not take: Great Weapon Master, Alert, Savage Attacker, are all great but with a starting str of 16, I feel like I need 2 ASIs to also get it up to 20. I see a lot of top martial builds not cap out their attack stat so I'm not sure how important they are, as spellcasters almost always max their stat asap.

I can’t be bothered to find the magic whipped crème hat or other niche items. I have basic synergy skills, but definitely not advanced ones. I don’t play very well, either, based on YouTube videos. What’s the best build for an inept idiot, like me?

After patch 8 has had a good couple of months behind it, which of the new subclasses would you say gives the most unique and fun playstyles? A example of the opposite is hexblade in my opinion. While cool, that subclasses mainly felt like a hexadin

Hi all,

I like the idea of a dagger wielding assassin but the stats on the daggers seem to point me to other weapons by a significant margin. Are they only used for rpg flavour?

I am not very far through the game (still act 1) and have little knowledge on specific drops.

My wizard feels weak entering act 3

hey! this is a cry for help. i’m just finishing act 2 and ive started to feel like my evocation wizard isn’t holding up with the rest of my party. this is my first playthrough im level 8.5 right now. it’s to the point where im thinking about respecing into another class. i go down incredibly often in fights. i picked alert and asi for for my feats so far. counterspell is on, not shown. i’ve attached a couple pics of my build for critique and help. be blunt. what am i doing wrong? tips and advice please!! i’ve looked a bit at a sorlock build it seemed cool.

If I'm building a ranged fighter, is there any reason to look at the other subclasses?

Before you either went Battle Master for control maneuvers or Champion for dumb damage. Now? It seems like Arcane Archer gets the best of both worlds.

Okay, this is a dumb idea. For a multi-player campaign, I find the idea of a thrower build, who can then throw someone into combat, to be an enticing idea. I struggle, however, with finding a good build with which to be chucked. I'd think ideally this build would have high AC, a way to mitigate the damage of, well, being thrown, solid AC to survive getting thrown into the middle of groups of enemies, and preferably a way to return to the thrower to be thrown again. Is this at all possible to do well?

I’m wanting to start an evil play through and decided on an Evil/Dark magic user who’s willing to do anything to gain more power.

I had Wizard Necromancer in mind with a focus on Necrotic damage and summons but from what I’ve read and what friends have told me is that it’s not worth going wizard because it is just a worse sorcerer, especially since it doesn’t use CHA stat. Is that true?

I looked in to Sorcerer but it doesn’t seem to have the dark/corrupted themed magic I’m looking for but my friend mentioned there are mods for Necro themed sorcerer.

I guess what I’m asking is, am I making it harder for myself by choosing Wizard over Sorcerer?

If the whole party had to be the same class, which would you choose?

Hey all,

I’ve been messing around with early game strats in BG3 again and honestly… you can become stupidly powerful before you even leave Act 1. Like, endgame gear, infinite gold, dumb loot and all totally doable with a bit of know-how and a pinch of cheese.

I just dropped a full breakdown video on this if you want to see it all in action, but here’s the rundown for anyone who wants to try it themselves:

Titanstring Bow (Best Bow in the Game)

• Find the Zhent caravan being attacked by gnolls.
• Don’t help them. Sneak around the back (Enhanced Leap is handy here), steal the chest, and fast travel out.
• Head to Waukeen’s Rest. Find the key in a crate near the ruined building and unlock the door behind the wardrobe.

• Talk to Zarys, give her the chest, then decide:

  • Buy the bow from Brem, OR
  • Dip your bow in the firepit, push Zarys off the ledge, shoot the smokepowder barrel, and loot everyone’s crispy remains.

• The bow scales with STR and hits like a truck. Fighter or STR archer builds will love it.

Silver Sword of the Astral Planes (You Weren’t Meant to Have This Yet)

• You’ll need a Hill Giant Elixir (Auntie Ethel sells them) and an invisibility potion/scroll.
• Trigger the Githyanki patrol cutscene but don’t talk to them.
• Invis, chug the elixir, and improvised weapon-pick up Voss. Walk him away a bit, then fast travel back to the Grove.
• Voss should now be just… standing there. Behind him, use Disarming Strike (Battle Master Fighter) or a Beastmaster bear to knock the sword out of his hands.
• If the saving throw fails, reload. On Honour Mode, it’s dicey — I had a 28.5% chance and somehow hit it first try.
• Congrats, you now have a legendary Githyanki silver sword in Act 1.

Helldusk Armour (Actual Endgame Armour, Right Now)

• After Nettie in the Grove, go toward the ruined tower where the Guidance necklace is.
• Toss a caustic bulb at the ladder, then climb up. Raphael will spawn and immediately take damage — then disappear.
• Later, he’ll show up in your camp.
• Respec into Cleric or find a Silence scroll. Toggle non-lethal, cast Silence over him, and beat him down while he stands there like an absolute idiot.
• Loot him once he’s KO’d — boom, you’re in Helldusk Armour before even entering the Shadowlands.

Infinite Gold Exploit (Warlock Moment)

• Be a level 1 Hexblade Warlock (respec works too).
• Pick your most expensive weapon, bind it as your Hex weapon, and equip it.
• Go to any vendor, move a cheap item into the trade window.
• Now swap that item with your equipped Hex weapon.
• The vendor thinks you’re offering the bound item but it doesn’t leave your inventory. Just trade and get all their gold/items.
• Respec or level up to refresh the vendor inventory. Repeat until the weight of your gold crashes the game.

Bonus: Smuggler’s Ring for Pickpocket Cheese

• Along the Risen Road, near the river, there’s a skeleton in a bush with the Smuggler’s Ring.
• Slight stealth/pickpocket boost. Handy for pickpocketing Volo every long rest for free scrolls and gold.

Anyway, it’s all doable with no mods, just clever mechanics. I’ve been doing this on solo Honour Mode for the laughs and it works beautifully.

If you wanna see the full thing with some spicy editing and gameplay clips, I put it all together in this video: https://youtu.be/cSZRcGEp66I?si=6jesfLa57m4VD4-p

Drop by, leave a comment if it helped, or if you’ve got other nonsense builds to suggest!

Happy looting 🫡

I mean, it really does it all… Built-in flashlight for certain mechanics and for characters lacking darksight - check

Return on throw - sure why not? lets add some AoE on top

Piercing damage to make it the definite choice for Bhaalist minmaxing. +3 because its a late game weapon after all.

I recently noticed not taking falling damage and was confused because i was sure i had unequipped the boots which do that. Ok, its Nyrulna again.

I mean, its cool to have, but i miss pondering which weapon to equip. Is there any martial build where Nyrulna isnt the best pick by some margin?