bsullivanp
2023-01-27, 11:51 PM
I've been all sorts of indecisive trying to settle on the best build for my upcoming Dungeon of the Mad Mage campaign taking us to level 20.
The party consists of a Padlock, Moon Druid, Glamour Bard, and Death Cleric.
With that lineup, I wanted to play a more mobile striker who could play melee frontline support and an out of combat scout. While I'm not necessarily looking for the "optimized" build, I would at least like it to be a competitive DPR against baseline across all tiers of play (knowing a MC could leave some awkward, dead levels at some point, but hopefully kept to a minimum).
After much exploration, I think I've settled on two builds. Both very similar in nature overall but different enough to give me pause. Out of these options, which would you play?
Common Summary:
Custom Lineage (for Darkvision at level 1)
Starting Stats (after racial bonuses): STR: 13 / DEX: 19 / CON: 14 / INT: 13 / WIS: 15 / CHA: 11
Feats: Sharpshooter (1st), Fighting Initiate - Archery (11th), Mobile (12th)
Fighting Style: Thrown Weapon
Option 1: Bandolier Battlemonk (Kensei / Battlemaster (16/4)
Background: A grizzled disciple of the Yellow Rose, who seeks discipline of both mind and body through strenuous practice. Mastering fighting techniques that push beyond the boundaries of normal mortals.
Summary: Dart throwing Nova damage Monk that uses Sharpshooter, Archery, and Thrown Weapon fighting as main combat technique, but supported by a massive Warhammer. Powered by Battlemaster Maneuvers (Quick Toss, Precision Strike), and Ki (Deft Strike, Ki-Fueled Attack) to ramp up DPR with Short Rest refreshed resources.
Pos:
- Two resource pools, both on SR, allow me to keep up the damage buffs & throw as many darts as possible (with Quick Toss and Ki Fueled Attack)
- Action Surge: Great Nova potential
Con:
- Maneuvers and Ki, while both on SR are also largely redundant
- Not really taking advantage of the dungeon setting with the build.
Option 2: Shinobi (Kensei / Gloomstalker (16/4)
Background: Stealthy stalker that preys upon enemies from the shadows.
Summary: Dart throwing Monk (but first a more traditional longbowman until level 8). Supported by Katana (Longsword), but still leverages Sharpshooter, Archery, and Thrown Weapon fighting as main combat technique. Strikes first and strikes hard.
Pos:
- Invisibility in Darkness, which feels tailor-made for DoMM
- High Initiative
- As long as can remain in darkness, Nova damage is largely resource free at the start of each fight.
- Simple Spells (Absorb Elements, Goodberry, Zephyr Strike/Hunters Mark)
Con:
- Will need to manage Ki more sparingly
- Lags a bit behind in DPR to Option 1 because Ranger fighting style delayed one level vs. fighter (which is a big deal because won't get second MC level until level 8).
- Nova damage not as good vs. Action Surge
Progression:
L1 (Ranger/Fighter 1) > L2-L7 (Monk 6) > L8-L9 (Ranger/Fighter 3) > L10-L11 (Monk 8) > L12 (Ranger/Fighter 4) > Monk L13-L20 (Monk 16)
Again, many may think I'm debating minutia. However, I believe these builds, even built largely the same, will play very differently. Which would you play? Or would None of the Above be your call (please note DM House rules are that I can only MC into ONE other class, so no Monk/Assassin/Fighter type builds).
Thanks.
The party consists of a Padlock, Moon Druid, Glamour Bard, and Death Cleric.
With that lineup, I wanted to play a more mobile striker who could play melee frontline support and an out of combat scout. While I'm not necessarily looking for the "optimized" build, I would at least like it to be a competitive DPR against baseline across all tiers of play (knowing a MC could leave some awkward, dead levels at some point, but hopefully kept to a minimum).
After much exploration, I think I've settled on two builds. Both very similar in nature overall but different enough to give me pause. Out of these options, which would you play?
Common Summary:
Custom Lineage (for Darkvision at level 1)
Starting Stats (after racial bonuses): STR: 13 / DEX: 19 / CON: 14 / INT: 13 / WIS: 15 / CHA: 11
Feats: Sharpshooter (1st), Fighting Initiate - Archery (11th), Mobile (12th)
Fighting Style: Thrown Weapon
Option 1: Bandolier Battlemonk (Kensei / Battlemaster (16/4)
Background: A grizzled disciple of the Yellow Rose, who seeks discipline of both mind and body through strenuous practice. Mastering fighting techniques that push beyond the boundaries of normal mortals.
Summary: Dart throwing Nova damage Monk that uses Sharpshooter, Archery, and Thrown Weapon fighting as main combat technique, but supported by a massive Warhammer. Powered by Battlemaster Maneuvers (Quick Toss, Precision Strike), and Ki (Deft Strike, Ki-Fueled Attack) to ramp up DPR with Short Rest refreshed resources.
Pos:
- Two resource pools, both on SR, allow me to keep up the damage buffs & throw as many darts as possible (with Quick Toss and Ki Fueled Attack)
- Action Surge: Great Nova potential
Con:
- Maneuvers and Ki, while both on SR are also largely redundant
- Not really taking advantage of the dungeon setting with the build.
Option 2: Shinobi (Kensei / Gloomstalker (16/4)
Background: Stealthy stalker that preys upon enemies from the shadows.
Summary: Dart throwing Monk (but first a more traditional longbowman until level 8). Supported by Katana (Longsword), but still leverages Sharpshooter, Archery, and Thrown Weapon fighting as main combat technique. Strikes first and strikes hard.
Pos:
- Invisibility in Darkness, which feels tailor-made for DoMM
- High Initiative
- As long as can remain in darkness, Nova damage is largely resource free at the start of each fight.
- Simple Spells (Absorb Elements, Goodberry, Zephyr Strike/Hunters Mark)
Con:
- Will need to manage Ki more sparingly
- Lags a bit behind in DPR to Option 1 because Ranger fighting style delayed one level vs. fighter (which is a big deal because won't get second MC level until level 8).
- Nova damage not as good vs. Action Surge
Progression:
L1 (Ranger/Fighter 1) > L2-L7 (Monk 6) > L8-L9 (Ranger/Fighter 3) > L10-L11 (Monk 8) > L12 (Ranger/Fighter 4) > Monk L13-L20 (Monk 16)
Again, many may think I'm debating minutia. However, I believe these builds, even built largely the same, will play very differently. Which would you play? Or would None of the Above be your call (please note DM House rules are that I can only MC into ONE other class, so no Monk/Assassin/Fighter type builds).
Thanks.