Good nova options discussion

[Spacehamster]

So just made a post about good sustained dpr, this is the same but for nova rounds, same rules: feats, mc and any published books allowed. :)

[tieren]

So just made a post about good sustained dpr, this is the same but for nova rounds, same rules: feats, mc and any published books allowed. :)

In the other thread the key issue was not using any resources.

For this one are you looking for the max that can be done in a single round or does it have to be in the first round of combat? (are there any rules on the amount of prep time)
Do all buffs have to be self supplied or can you get a buff from a party member?
Are we assuming one big target or lots of little targets?

[Spacehamster]

In the other thread the key issue was not using any resources.

For this one are you looking for the max that can be done in a single round or does it have to be in the first round of combat? (are there any rules on the amount of prep time)
Do all buffs have to be self supplied or can you get a buff from a party member?
Are we assuming one big target or lots of little targets?

Most that can be done in one round and use whatever suits the build in mind best, can assume that for big aoe spells 5 targets is a normal max amount. And for assassin builds please post non critical and crit both as you won't be getting the drop on ppl all the time. Self supplied buffs only. :)

[RulesJD]

Most that can be done in one round and use whatever suits the build in mind best, can assume that for big aoe spells 5 targets is a normal max amount. And for assassin builds please post non critical and crit both as you won't be getting the drop on ppl all the time. Self supplied buffs only. :)

Yeah, use the search function. There's about 10 threads on this exact topic. Long story short, some kind of Assassin/Paladin/Fighter. Done.

[Foxhound438]

be paladin. hold person. auto crit your smites. too easy.

[Kane0]

Long story short, some kind of Assassin/Paladin/Fighter. Done.

Also UA Ranger 1 for Ambuscade. In concert with Assassin crits and action surge from fighter you could drop most targets easy, using BM dice and/or Pally smites if that wasn't overkill enough.
Thankfully that hasn't made it into a book.

[Finieous]

be paladin. hold person. auto crit your smites. too easy.

Kinda depends on level, too, doesn't it? A 3rd-level cleric can go Hold Person + Inflict Wounds II for 44 average when the paladin is still dreaming of the day he'll be able to cast Hold Person. If he's a war cleric, maybe he tosses in an auto-crit from his bonus action attack. :smallbiggrin:

[RulesJD]

Kinda depends on level, too, doesn't it? A 3rd-level cleric can go Hold Person + Inflict Wounds II for 44 average when the paladin is still dreaming of the day he'll be able to cast Hold Person. If he's a war cleric, maybe he tosses in an auto-crit from his bonus action attack. :smallbiggrin:

Have to take the Attack action, not the Cast a Spell action, so no, he wont.

[Finieous]

Have to take the Attack action, not the Cast a Spell action, so no, he wont.

Maybe if his god really likes him?

[joaber]

I'm new in 5e, but was trying to make the biggest nova possible. I'm not 100% sure of the math.
I wouldn't play a real game with those PCs too:

biggest nova without external help:

pal 2/ rog 3 (ass) / figher 3 (BM)/ sor 6 (favored soul extra attack)/ bard 6

elemental weapon with magical secrets

half-orc

damage with crit:
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 + 6d4 +15
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 + 6d4 +15
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +6d4 +15
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +6d4 +15
Quick booming blade 3d12 + 16d8 +2d8 +6d4 +15 (+4d8 if move)

total = 579,5 + (+4d8 if move)
without GWM = 524 + (+4d8 if move)

ac 20 (+9) = 75% = 434,625 (+4d8 if move)
ac 20 (+14 without GWM) = 93,75% = 491,25 (+4d8 if move)

pal 6/ rog 3 / figher 4 / sor 7
half-orc
using haste

3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +19
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +19
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +19
3d12 + 10d8 +19
3d12 + 8d8 +19
blom 3d12 + 16d8 +2d8 +19 (+4d8 if move)

total = 624 + (+4d8 if move)
without GWM = 564 + (+4d8 if move)

ac 20 (+6) = 57,75% = 360,36 (+4d8 if move)
ac 20 (+11) = 84% = 473,76 (+4d8 if move)

with assisted ELEMENTAL WEAPON:

3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +6d4 +19
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +6d4 +19
3d12 + 10d8 +2d8 +6d4 +19
3d12 + 10d8 +6d4 +19
3d12 + 8d8 +6d4 +19
blom 3d12 + 16d8 +2d8 +6d4 +19 (+4d8 if move)

total = 732 (+4d8 if move)
without GMW = 682 (+4d8 if move)

AC 20 (+9) = 75% = 411,75 (+4d8 if move)
AC 20 (+14) = 93,75% = 639,375 (+4d8 if move)

best without assassin crit:
I could play with this one
fig 11 (EK)/ pal 3 (oath of devotion)/ sorc 6 (Dr)
V-human
haste

2d6 +5d8d +20
2d6 +5d8d +20
2d6 +5d8d +20
2d6 +5d8d +20
2d6 +5d8d +20
2d6 +4d8d +20
2d6 +4d8d +20
bloming quicked 2d6 +6d8d +25 (+4d8 if move)

total = 457,39 (+4d8 if move)

ac 20 (+6) = 57,75% = 264,142725 (+4d8 if move)
ac 20 (+11) = 84% = 317,0076 (+4d8 if move)

with assistence of elemental weapon +3

elemental weapon + 3

2d6 +5d8d +3d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +3d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +3d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +3d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +3d4 +20
2d6 +4d8d +3d4 +20
2d6 +4d8d +3d4 +20
bloming quicked 2d6 +6d8d +3d4 +25 (+4d8 if move)

total = 529,39 (+4d8 if move)

ac 20 (+9) = 75% = 397,0425 (+4d8 if move)

sem GWM = (+14) = 93,75% = 421,303125 (+4d8 if move)

fig 11 (EK)/ pal 3/ bard 6
V-human
elemental weapon (+2 attack)

2d6 +5d8d +2d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +2d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +2d4 +20
2d6 +5d8d +2d4 +20
2d6 +4d8d +2d4 +20
2d6 +4d8d +2d4 +20
2d6 +4d8d +2d4 +20

total = 408,331

ac 20 (+8) = 69,75% = 284,8108725
ac 20 (+13) = 91% = 307,88121

[Foxhound438]

Kinda depends on level, too, doesn't it? A 3rd-level cleric can go Hold Person + Inflict Wounds II for 44 average when the paladin is still dreaming of the day he'll be able to cast Hold Person. If he's a war cleric, maybe he tosses in an auto-crit from his bonus action attack. :smallbiggrin:

extra attack at 5 plus smites makes pal do 8d8+8d6+8 (gr8 dmg m8) for an average of 72 without GWS or 83.3 with. at L11 he gets improved ds and has 3rd level slots, so 8d6+16d8+10 for 110 damage. PAM paladin can do better in both cases since he has a third attack to use.

[CantigThimble]

Battlemaster 3/Monk 5/Paladin 2/Sorcerer 7/Swashbuckler 3

2 Shortsword Attacks+Action Surge 2 Short Sword Attacks+2 Unarmed Attacks+4 Manuvers+6 Level 4 Smites+Sneak attack

You burn all your lesser spells and sorcery points for level 4 slots, you take the dueling fighting style.

1d6+5d8+7+1d8+2d6 (44.5)
1d6+5d8+1d8+7 (37.5)
1d6+5d8+1d8+7 (37.5)
1d6+5d8+1d8+7 (37.5)
1d6+5d8+5 (31)
1d6+5d8+5 (31)

Total 219 Average Nova without your target needing to fulfill any special conditions. You don't need surprise, a turn to set up or your target to fail a saving throw/not have legendary saves.

Edit: Whoops, included favored soul which was non core content. Lost a die of sneak attack but improved the martial arts to compensate mostly.

[Finieous]

extra attack at 5 plus smites makes pal do 8d8+8d6+8 (gr8 dmg m8) for an average of 72 without GWS or 83.3 with. at L11 he gets improved ds and has 3rd level slots, so 8d6+16d8+10 for 110 damage. PAM paladin can do better in both cases since he has a third attack to use.

So you would agree it depends on level, then? BTW, at 11th level, the tempest cleric can use your paladin's best 5th level spell, maximize half the damage, and do 48 to every enemy within 30 feet of him. According to the OP's criteria (5 targets), that's good for 240 (or 120 if all them make their DC 16 save). The cleric can do it again the next round, and doesn't have to waste a round trying to stick a hold person. Not to fear: Your paladin can do the same at 17th level, though he won't be able to maximize half the damage. :smallbiggrin:

These discussions get silly.

[MaxWilson]

extra attack at 5 plus smites makes pal do 8d8+8d6+8 (gr8 dmg m8) for an average of 72 without GWS or 83.3 with. at L11 he gets improved ds and has 3rd level slots, so 8d6+16d8+10 for 110 damage. PAM paladin can do better in both cases since he has a third attack to use.

You don't need Polearm Master to dual-wield with your bonus action. Polearm Master gets to add his Str but if you're doing a smite nova with high-level slots, the Str bonus is small potatoes.

It doesn't synergize with Great Weapon Fighting style cheese, but that's cheese that won't fly with many DMs anyway.