Max Damage with a Single Attack

[Aett_Thorn]

Trying to figure out what the highest damage could be from a single attack with a sword (or whatever weapon). I'm sure that there are higher examples out there, but I thought about this while designing a potential character: a High Elf Immortal Mystic/Rogue

The Basics:

9 Mystic/11 Rogue gets you:

1) High Elf Cantrip: Green-Flame Blade (Booming Blade works, too)

2) Psionic Weapon Discipline

3) 6d6 Sneak Attack

I see no reason why all of these can't be combined RAW.


The Math

1) Basic Rapier attack will give me 1d8+5

2) Green-Flame Blade gets me another 3d8

3) Psionic Weapon Lethal Strike Bonus action would add up to 7d10

4) Sneak attack for 6d6

So, 6d6 + 4d8 + 7d10 + 5 damage = 82.5 average, 143 max damage


Not bad for a single rapier stab.

[Mortis_Elrod]

Trying to figure out what the highest damage could be from a single attack with a sword (or whatever weapon). I'm sure that there are higher examples out there, but I thought about this while designing a potential character: a High Elf Immortal Mystic/Rogue

The Basics:

9 Mystic/11 Rogue gets you:

1) High Elf Cantrip: Green-Flame Blade (Booming Blade works, too)

2) Psionic Weapon Discipline

3) 6d6 Sneak Attack

I see no reason why all of these can't be combined RAW.


The Math

1) Basic Rapier attack will give me 1d8+5

2) Green-Flame Blade gets me another 3d8

3) Psionic Weapon Lethal Strike Bonus action would add up to 7d10

4) Sneak attack for 6d6

So, 6d6 + 4d8 + 7d10 + 5 damage = 82.5 average, 143 max damage


Not bad for a single rapier stab.

Could be better. say if you were a soul knife mystic and you apply hone the blade, as well as put your concentration on augmented weapon. thats 7 more damage.

[Easy_Lee]

What about assassin for a guaranteed crit? Also, two levels of paladin gets you access to divine smite, which for your level 1 spell slot grants an extra 2D8 damage, more useful than two rogue levels for dealing max damage with an attack.

[Vaz]

17th level Wizard; Wish

[Specter]

Assassin, Paladin, zzzzz...

[Sage Tellah]

Well, UA seems to be allowed.

Planeshift: Almondcat brings us the cleric's Zeal domain. Its 17th level ability, Blaze of Glory, lets you use your reaction to run at someone who knocked you to 0 hp and swing at them once with advantage. Hitting with this attack deals an extra 5d10 fire damage and 5d10 of the weapons damage. Oof. This can also crit, and the fire damage can be maximized via their Channel Divinity.

And this is on a full caster with 3 levels left over, so I guess tack on 2 levels of paladin for smite and a prepared smite spell to upcast to 9th, and I have no idea what to take as the 20th level. More cleric I guess.

Let's use a greatsword and GWM while we're at it. We're not worried about this actually plausibly happening, right?

Just that gives 11d6+5d8+10d10+10. I guess it's ok.

[Naanomi]

One attack? You will have a hard time overcoming the assassin's 17th level 'double it' ability.

Aasimar race can add another 20 damage...

EDIT: do the rules say the character has to deal all the damage themselves? Or can they have allies casting Enlarge on them and the like?

[Brawnspear]

Don't forget the KnockBack power from Brute Force while concentrating Ogre Form for an addition 7d6 + 2d6, though that assumes damage from a wall being run into counts as one hit. Technically instead of the greenflame blade cantrip, you might be able to finagle the animate weapon from the Mastery of Wood and earth discipline since it's a melee weapon attack. But that would negate the soulknife bonus I think.
Mystic 9+rogue 9 + Pally 2 (dueling)
1d8+7+7d10+7d10+7d6+2d6+5d6+2d8(3d8 if you went arcane trickster)= 146.5(151) avg damage

For the low, low price of 28 (half) of your psi-points and a spell slot.

[Naanomi]

I'll go with a basic build... Aasimar Assassin Fighter 1/ Rogue 19.

Critical because Assassin. Then doubled for Deathstrike.

((Rapier + Booming Blade + Backstab)x2 Crit + Dexterity + Aasimar + Duelist Style) X2 Deathstrike

((8d8+20d6)+27)X2

Averaging...266 damage? Maxing out at 422?

Spells and abilities from other people, poison, magical equipment... all of it could boost this as well

[TheUser]

Trying to figure out what the highest damage could be from a single attack with a sword (or whatever weapon). I'm sure that there are higher examples out there, but I thought about this while designing a potential character: a High Elf Immortal Mystic/Rogue

The Basics:

9 Mystic/11 Rogue gets you:

1) High Elf Cantrip: Green-Flame Blade (Booming Blade works, too)

2) Psionic Weapon Discipline

3) 6d6 Sneak Attack

I see no reason why all of these can't be combined RAW.


The Math

1) Basic Rapier attack will give me 1d8+5

2) Green-Flame Blade gets me another 3d8

3) Psionic Weapon Lethal Strike Bonus action would add up to 7d10

4) Sneak attack for 6d6

So, 6d6 + 4d8 + 7d10 + 5 damage = 82.5 average, 143 max damage


Not bad for a single rapier stab.

Assassin Opener Crit coupled with level 17 Death Strike means a level 20 Rogue can do

11d6 x 2 for crit = 22d6
the target must then make a constitution saving throw at DC 19 with a failure resulting in doubling the damage which is
44d6 + 5 damage

159 average damage
269 max damage.

Not bad for a single short sword stab....

[Easy_Lee]

Suppose I could be cheeky and say Open Hand Monk 17 / Diviner Wizard using Quivering Palm, since it's unlimited damage and you can force a failure.

[CountWolfgang]

Contagion for flesh rot, and slimy doom with meteor swarm. You'll be doing 80d6, with a max of 480. This is assuming you have a cleric high enough to cast 5th level spells twice. And a sorcerer/wizard of at least level 17, or an arcana cleric of at least level 17. You could also do an extra d6 and d8 of damage using hex, and bestow curse at level 5 or up. For a new max of 494, or 499 as evocation wizard with an intelligence of 20.

[Lombra]

Maybe there's a way to synergize ligtning arrow, assassin, and tempest domain's channel divinity...

Edit: nvm, it caps at 168 on a surprised creature: lore bard 7 cleric 2 assassin 11

And that's pretending that SA damage is of the same type of the weapon's damage, not strictly RAW afaik.

[Waar]

Open hand monk with quivering palm, does all the damage :smallwink:

[JohnDaBarr]

I'll go with a basic build... Aasimar Assassin Fighter 1/ Rogue 19.

Critical because Assassin. Then doubled for Deathstrike.

((Rapier + Booming Blade + Backstab)x2 Crit + Dexterity + Aasimar + Duelist Style) X2 Deathstrike

((8d8+20d6)+27)X2

Averaging...266 damage? Maxing out at 422?

Spells and abilities from other people, poison, magical equipment... all of it could boost this as well

Plz add Purple Worm Poison to that!

[Randomthom]

I'll go with a basic build... Aasimar Assassin Fighter 1/ Rogue 19.

Critical because Assassin. Then doubled for Deathstrike.

((Rapier + Booming Blade + Backstab)x2 Crit + Dexterity + Aasimar + Duelist Style) X2 Deathstrike

((8d8+20d6)+27)X2

Averaging...266 damage? Maxing out at 422?

Spells and abilities from other people, poison, magical equipment... all of it could boost this as well

You'd lose Booming Blade in this build since you're not an Elf or an Arcane Trickster.

[Vaz]

Magic Initiate.

[Naanomi]

Magic Initiate.
Or spell Sniper; since aasimar do start with a racial Spell

[N810]

A short shove off a tall cliff.

[Naanomi]

A short shove off a tall cliff.
Max falling damage is 20d6; we are significantly above that already

[N810]

guess we need some traps on the bottom of the cliff...


oh or and you could knock him off with a heavy object,
so it lands on him as he hits the bottom. :xykon:
bonus points if it's a large barrel of black powder or something similar.

[Easy_Lee]

guess we need some traps on the bottom of the cliff...


oh or and you could knock him off with a heavy object,
so it lands on him as he hits the bottom. :xykon:
bonus points if it's a large barrel of black powder or something similar.

If we have a cliff nearby, why not lava? A shadow monk 6 / rogue 2 / barbarian 2 can grapple-shadow-teleport-suplex someone into lava with expertise and advantage.

[strangebloke]

Or spell Sniper; since aasimar do start with a racial Spell
Does Aasimaar give a bigger bonus than the bugbear? Bugbear gives 2d6.

[Naanomi]

Does Aasimaar give a bigger bonus than the bugbear? Bugbear gives 2d6.
Aasimar gives it's level in damage, so 20... which can't be doubled on the Crit so... bugbear has a slightly higher Maximim but lower average. Good catch, I'll add that in to my maths.

-------
Bugbear Paladin 2/Assassin 17

**Equipment:
Purple Wurm Poison: 12d6
Oil of Sharpness +3
Vorpal Scimitar: 1d6+6d8+3

**Personal Abilities
Divine Smite: 2d8
Booming Blade: 3d8
Death Strike: Double all damage
Duelist Combat Style: +2
30 Dexterity (from Manuals): +10
Sneak Attack: 9d6
Bugbear Surprise Attack: 2d6
Trip Attack Maneuver: 1d6
Thunderous Smite: 2d6

**Help From Allies:
Valor Bard, Combat Inspiration: 1d12
Enlarge: 1d4
Crusader's Mantle: 1d4
Elemental Bane: 2d6
Contagion: Flesh Rot: Doubles all damage

**General Mechanical Effects:
Critical Hit: Doubles all dice rolled

-----
Puts us at...
(4d4+60d6+22d8+2d12+18)X4

A maximum roll of: 2376 Damage!

NOTE: I still need to go through the monster entries to see if any monsters might help boost that higher

[Haydensan]

Aasimar gives it's level in damage, so 20... which can't be doubled on the Crit so... bugbear has a slightly higher Maximim but lower average. Good catch, I'll add that in to my maths.

-------
Bugbear Fighter 1/Assassin 19

**Equipment:
Purple Wurm Poison: 12d6
Oil of Sharpness +3
Vorpal Scimitar: 1d6+6d8+3

**Personal Abilities
Hex: 1d6
Booming Blade: 3d8
Death Strike: Double all damage
Duelist Combat Style: +2
30 Dexterity (from Manuals): +10
Sneak Attack: 10d6
Bugbear Surprise Attack: 2d6

**Help From Allies:
Valor Bard, Combat Inspiration: 1d12
Enlarge: 1d4
Crusader's Mantle: 1d4
Elemental Bane: 2d6
Contagion: Flesh Rot: Doubles all damage

**General Mechanical Effects:
Critical Hit: Doubles all dice rolled

-----
Puts us at...
(4d4+56d6+18d8+2d12+18)X4

A maximum roll of: 2200 Damage!

NOTE: I still need to go through the monster entries to see if any monsters might help boost that higher

What happens if you cut some of the fighter levels to be Treachery Paladin and use the Channel Divinity: Poison Strike to add another 2d10+paladin level or 20 +Paladin level?

You could probably drop the fighter levels for this if you want cause you would pick up dueling along the way plus smites

[Naanomi]

What happens if you cut some of the fighter levels to be Treachery Paladin and use the Channel Divinity: Poison Strike to add another 2d10+paladin level or 20 +Paladin level?

You could probably drop the fighter levels for this if you want cause you would pick up dueling along the way plus smites
I only have one level in Fighter; and that is only because level 20 Rogue doesn't give a damage boost. I am almost certain that nothing is going to beat the Assassin level 17 ability to double everything... so if you can squeeze more out of there levels than (2d6*2)X4 then it would help. I didn't look at UA content for my build since I never personally use it

EDIT: Paladin can indeed add more than the rogue levels! Editing post...

EDIT: Paladin of Treachery, if allowed, would add another 2d10+3 base damage... increasing the overall total to 2548

[Sir cryosin]

Suppose I could be cheeky and say Open Hand Monk 17 / Diviner Wizard using Quivering Palm, since it's unlimited damage and you can force a failure.

Oh that's nasty I never thought about that combo.

[Trampaige]

Contagion for flesh rot, and slimy doom with meteor swarm. You'll be doing 80d6, with a max of 480. This is assuming you have a cleric high enough to cast 5th level spells twice. And a sorcerer/wizard of at least level 17, or an arcana cleric of at least level 17. You could also do an extra d6 and d8 of damage using hex, and bestow curse at level 5 or up. For a new max of 494, or 499 as evocation wizard with an intelligence of 20.

Hex wouldn't work, only attack rolls count. Bestow curse should be fine, though.

[Citan]

Aasimar gives it's level in damage, so 20... which can't be doubled on the Crit so... bugbear has a slightly higher Maximim but lower average. Good catch, I'll add that in to my maths.

-------
Bugbear Paladin 2/Assassin 17

**Equipment:
Purple Wurm Poison: 12d6
Oil of Sharpness +3
Vorpal Scimitar: 1d6+6d8+3

**Personal Abilities
Divine Smite: 2d8
Booming Blade: 3d8
Death Strike: Double all damage
Duelist Combat Style: +2
30 Dexterity (from Manuals): +10
Sneak Attack: 9d6
Bugbear Surprise Attack: 2d6
Trip Attack Maneuver: 1d6
Thunderous Smite: 2d6

**Help From Allies:
Valor Bard, Combat Inspiration: 1d12
Enlarge: 1d4
Crusader's Mantle: 1d4
Elemental Bane: 2d6
Contagion: Flesh Rot: Doubles all damage

**General Mechanical Effects:
Critical Hit: Doubles all dice rolled

-----
Puts us at...
(4d4+60d6+22d8+2d12+18)X4

A maximum roll of: 2376 Damage!

NOTE: I still need to go through the monster entries to see if any monsters might help boost that higher

I'm sorry, where is that Death Strike coming from? First time I heard of it...

[Naanomi]

I'm sorry, where is that Death Strike coming from? First time I heard of it...
Rogue: Assassin level 17 ability

[Chugger]

My little Gnomish fist!

You're laughing SO HARD that I'd attack you this way that you don't notice how many rounds you've let me hit you - it all sort of morphs in a way that's "just wrong" into one big attack, though, and you're at zero before you know what's happened. GNOMERCY!