What is the most fickle/exploratory build?

[Garresh]

Due to time constraints I might be locked into one character for a while. I am pretty fickle, and I like games and classes that you can "explore". Basically I like constantly finding new uses for existing mechanics, analyzing situations, and trying things out. Since I'll be locked into one thing for a while, I want to try something that won't bore me after a while. In the past, I've found Sorcadins to be fairly deep in the sense that experimentation with metamagic can keep me engaged. But the limited spell selection means the luster wears off after a while. Moon druids are always fun since you can pull different forms all the time. Bards have the most potential to reward creativity with their wide skill base and strong illusions. And wizards have a truly insane selection of spells, which I still haven't had a chance to try out every one of their spells.

Ideally, I'm looking for something that has a lot of room in one build. I am NOT looking for a generalist or a versatile character necessarily. It can do just one thing if there's a lot of room to "explore" that one thing. Just need something that won't get tedious mechanically after a while, and has some room for experimentation and shenanigans.

[Aett_Thorn]

Go Bard. They're the most versatile. (ducks and runs)


But on a more serious note. I would either vote for a Circle of Dreams Druid to give you some more tactical options, or an Arcana Cleric, which will allow you to have a few additional options, and allows you to fill in for a Wizard just a bit.

Runners up would be a Knowledge Cleric (for their shifting skills), and a Kensei Monk, where you could switch from being a ranged character to a melee one as you saw fit.

[Alatar]

Battlemaster might keep you engaged for a while. They get a collection of tactical tools, Combat Superiority maneuvers. Wizards are also quite versatile, or can be, depending on the choices you make.

[Garresh]

Go Bard. They're the most versatile.


REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
(You're probably right though.)

[Aett_Thorn]

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
(You're probably right though.)

Actually, in this case, I don’t think so. You can only switch out a Bard spell on level-up. Druids and Clerics can switch out spells prepared after each long rest. They might be better choices.

[BigONotation]

Wizard every day of the week. Most varied spell list that produces the most differentiated results. Will keep you exploring for 20 levels.

[Garresh]

Actually, in this case, I don’t think so. You can only switch out a Bard spell on level-up. Druids and Clerics can switch out spells prepared after each long rest. They might be better choices.

I meant moreso in the creativity aspect. Bards are not the modt versatile, but creativity can keep you busy. Having access to maxed social skills and expertise, along with illusions means an incredible amount of reward for creativity.

[Darth_Versity]

I wanted something similar in my friends game, so my current character is a Changeling Bard (Valor) who is constantly changing to different people by using her shape change and Glamoured Studded Leather.

I switch from a cleric, to a huntress, to a nobleman, to a... You get the idea. Using a variety of spells that cover several roles (enhance ability is a godsend) I can become pretty much anyone I want.

It isn't an extremely powerful build, but for social encounters, as well as espionage, it's top notch and allows constant variety in the way you handle each situation.

[LordNibbler]

I love my shadow monk. There’s nowhere he can’t get to. Between shadow step, high speed, and the ability to run up walls and over liquids, he goes everywhere. He can access towers. He can break into prisons. He can get to the back lines in combat. He can cross moats and lagoons. He can sneak. And he can get out in one piece. He’s a lot of fun to play.
For shenanigans: wood elf + mobile feat + boots of speed = you have the range of an arrow.

[Grod_The_Giant]

I think you're probably looking at some flavor of Wizard (big varied spell list) or Druid (also a big varied spell list, plus Wild Shape).

[Alainpp67]

Xanathar’s expanded on rogues (thieves tools users) ability to not only undo traps but also to craft them over a short rest with items you acquire or have on your person.

Combine it with the Rogue thief’s Fast hand Ability and see what sort of devices you can build during your rest and then activate using a bonus action in combat.

Admittedly it may be as much about playing with the mechanics as it is playing with your DM’s flexibility but if you have a fun loving dm there’s a lot of enjoyment to be had.

[Nifft]

Moon Druid - You get a different character sheet every time you use Wild Shape.

Shadow Monk - Take Magic Initiate to get some Wisdom-based Cantrips, either Toll the Dead or Thorn Whip. Between teleportation, some strong tactical spells like silence, your melee martial arts, and your Cantrips, you'll have stuff to do every round.

Lore Bard - All the cool kids are doing Bard. Don't you want to be cool like us? C'mon, first Bard is free.

[MrStabby]

I would vote enchantment wizard.

Firstly you can explore lots of aspects of the game - charm your way through social situations, explore the world by instructing others to tell you what they know and the at-will in combat ability can make a nice change from cantrips when you want to conserve resources and it is appropriate.

Wizard is great as a base. Loads of spells and can constantly change them out for other things as you get bored. Arcana cleric might do a little of the same and has an advantage of not needing to find scrolls to learn them from but ultimately is a little more restrictive.

Wizard ritual casting is really solid - picking up these spells gives you a lot of options for solving problems. Finding inventive ways to change the world around you could be a good fun and varied use of class abilities. Pact of the Tome Warlock can do rituals better, but practically not by that much.

Intelligence is a great, fun stat. What others use charisma for you can use magic to do but intelligence lets you explore the world, deduce facts about it and generally be a smart-ass. Ingenious, fun and over-complicated plans can be engaging and are entirely likely to be in keeping with many high int characters.

[Mortis_Elrod]

i have some suggestions people have not used.


The first is something you may want to talk to your DM about first. and that is Mystic. Anyone of them will do and theres alot to explore with just the features for some of the subclasses (awakened and nomad and wujen being the top 3 for this) and there is also alot to fiddle with he disciplines. Just think hard before doing this option (if its even available ) and talk to your DM. Make sure you both have a very strong grasp of the rules because remember this is playtest material. First tip I have is to remember to moderate yourself if you're the kind of person to take advantage of RAW for some really optimized shenanigans. If you stop yourself you wont have to be stopped by them DM thus no conflicts.


The second suggestion i have is Warlock. Now. Hear me out. I know that the warlock is traditionally viewed as a specialist but with the inclusion of Xanathar's and even SCAG the warlock has some pretty unique things he can do that can be fiddled with. I find taking a fun invocation or boon or patron or spell choice to have alot more option than people think. For instance the warlock is the True weapon master in 5e thanks to hexblade. He doesn't have a style but he can literally use any weapon with Hexblade +Blade Boon + Improved Pact Weapon, with his charisma. He has an at will Death Grip via Grasp of Hadar and Lethargy invocations, allowing the slowing and pulling of anybody he can hit with EB. He has the best ritual casting with Tome + BoA. Has Amazing scouting potential with Chain and various invocations as well as GOO telepathy.


But yeh Warlock and Mystic. very fickle and Exploratory depending on how you want to play. Mystic gives you every option and can potentially be crazy with a couple. Warlock lets you do a couple things that nobody else can. I particularly like Wall Mystic (grab all the elemental disciplines and just make walls to solve problems. ) or Illusion specialist warlock . (minor illusion cantrip + silent image at will)

[wilhelmdubdub]

Go for an elven accuracy + shadow blade build, how many ways can you get advantage? Hexblade for darkness/devils sight, crit on a 19-20, Paladin for smite, samauri for rounds of advantage on all attacks with action surge, owl familiar for flyby, or tiny servants to aide.. have fun trying to get that triple advantage.