character optimization

This time around we're talking about incorporating horror and elements of horror into your tabletop games. We discuss how to mix things up with swerves away from the expected, its potential impact on players, and how we tend to view it as a tool for building stronger narrative experiences. ||  Horror in D&D series: franfranatus || False Hydra Mini: Comet Lord Minis || Original False Hydra article: Goblin Punch || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ

This week's episode is a companion piece to episode #11, but we're taking a deeper dive into intertwining play styles between those that min-max their characters for disparate reasons. We talk about how to better engage min-maxers while also spotlighting your more narrative-focused players and how to nip potential discord in the bud. ||  Contest Winner: @DmLiterary || Night's Black Agents AP Pod: @RPGrenadePod || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail.com || YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/papat0k || Logo By O_Oblique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3clQyg-hJNTFNNvydS6fFQ

In this episode, I give myself one rule: my character cannot harm any enemy directly. Instead, they must depend exclusively on their pets/companions for all damage in combat. I was pretty shocked with the results. I think you might be too :).

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Character Concept:(0:00)
Level 1:(8:10)
Levels 2-6:(15:55)
Levels 7-9:(35:15)
Levels 10-13:(45:55)
Levels 14-17:(59:48)
Final Thoughts:(1:05:12)

Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SfSuVc-fuoSNN0MM481tYAnCGZpdAOSc82ADtg89tX0/edit?usp=sharing

Tier 1 Sustained DPR: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Tier 2 Sustained DPR: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-mc7HpcWXX2ebNOasDTgFZX33VkmgefrQwbIe8FMnWY/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?582779-Comprehensive-DPR-Calculator-(v2-0)

Music Credits:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400019
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

As a lot of you know, I keep a spreadsheet/graph that compares my different sustained DPR builds to one another. It's getting crowded on there, so it's time to split them up into two tiers. I thought I'd take a moment to rank them while I do so, just for fun :).

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Intro:(0:00)
Tier 2:(6:28)
Tier 1:(14:16)

The Paladin/Warlock multiclass is an oft-used, well-loved character build in D&D. But what's the best way to get the most out of all those smites?

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Nova vs. Sustained damage:(0:00)
Character Concept:(9:03)
Level 1:(15:06)
Levels 2-6:(23:24)
Levels 7-9:(38:39)
Crit Fishing:(46:53)
Levels 10-13:(49:38)
Levels 14-17:(54:53)
Final Thoughts:(1:01:28)

Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NbfDuN42OqnD2lq97Td4Mc5dK-ZBeJ9Y8zOaYl710EA/edit?usp=sharing

Master Burst/Nova Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?582779-Comprehensive-DPR-Calculator-(v2-0)

Music Credits:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400019
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

You love D&D, but you also love professional wrestling. Is there a character build for you? Yes, my friend, there is. And guess what? It's also the hardest-hitting Monk I've ever seen.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Intro:(0:00)
Levels 1-6:(9:14)
Levels 7-9:(31:32)
Levels 10-13:(40:38)
Levels 14-17:(45:31)
Final Thoughts:(51:50)

Math/Graph for this episode: 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BIPDGJOKmpdBYMTYKLuoiSDWWYC1HD5hKeH5eiRPq6Y/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Music Credits:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400019
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Is the Beast Master *truly* worthless? Not by a long shot. Come learn how to bring both strong sustained damage *and* excellent control to the battlefield as we dive in to the most reviled sub-classes in all of D&D 5e!

Links to math/graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TWf7ujb6YjNLF5JuHUKBaVs2ObXJt7QlsY291yBjYtE/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Finally! Another tank build so we can figure out who's the toughest D&D 5e character to kill (hint: it's this one). Come learn what makes the Tankadin the most durable adventurer in town, and the one *everybody* wants in their party.

Math/Graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11wbFe9UB6qbCWANJheGan6IWZ3eQUt2wI1RDdfbd7rE/edit?usp=sharing

Master Tank Compairson:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19XH-9FK6sPUGjOpFVg81-UXhb81cvg-zCnhbUi_Hxio/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

So you want to be a Cleric. You want to heal, bring your friends back from the dead, and lay waste to the undead. BUT you also want to do as much sustained damage as possible? You're in luck. Come learn about maximizing your damage while reveling in all your Cleric-y glory!

Math/Graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LGcXASn0zEHg47il_dqXV5beibhdK9dFsIuK9C-6kOc/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Have you ever wanted to know which spells were most efficient for sustainable damage per round in D&D 5e? Well, wonder no longer! This episode, we break down which spells are going to give you the most damage out of your precious spell slots for both area and single target damage.

Math/Graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B40XLwIE19qgxWI8TQ_lpUDzQJHgOKQmOg5R3lAeVqc/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Is it possible to be a Bard *and* do great sustained damage? I submit that it is. Come learn about the Bard Locker build and be the all-singing, all-dancing, crap of the world, while simultaneously filling your enemies full of holes.

Links to math/graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MeFd1tv_o4Xe-avjrS1QZJP-sMrbL27jeNsKCk0KL0M/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Fighter vs. Barbarian! Which strength-based character does the *best* sustained damage per round (DPR) in D&D 5e? Which one takes best advantage of the famous Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master feats? Or is there a way to multi-class them to be better than either alone? Come find out on this week's episode!

Links to math/graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Cnv72-B5ZT3JMiDpcPAPf3mWrXizWllBFZfgpYLUnqU/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

A melee wizard!? Impossible, you say? I say it's the best sustained damage dealing character build in all of D&D 5e. And also the most fun I've ever had in combat in Dungeons and Dragons. Come learn about the dancing, singing, death-dealing, probably overpowered Bladesinger.

Links to math/graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19M-Nd_9TYqiSY6esAhORthAnBresUTY991Z9KOjpIeQ/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

So you want to be a Sorcerer, but you want to do strong sustained *and* Nova damage without expending your spell slots, instead saving them for heals, buffs, utility, defense, aoe, and fun? Then this is the build for you. Come learn about how to build the Eldritch Sorcerer!

Links to math/graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vQgSCo8i0S9TfbyFgIJ7UAOMFjm2NwfljiIGEcsFwRk/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Master Nova Damage Comparison:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Our first Nova or Burst damage build! Come learn how to create the most powerful Assassin possible in D&D 5e; by multiclassing this Rogue build with Sorcerer and others, your character can potentially do hundreds of damage in a single round - yes, even to a Tarrasque.

Link to math/graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rDwq2NkPSauQapLs6oMhUGVH0Y3H2ycrGr0fjiAchaM/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison Charts:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

We take a deep dive into the Monk with a multiclass dip into Ranger (or Warlock) to squeeze the most sustained damage as possible out of this incredibly fun and versatile class. If you love being a Kung Fu Warrior who is at one with the universe, but want to get as much sustained damage as possible out of it in your Dungeons and Dragons campaign, then this episode is for you!

Link to the math/graphs for this episode:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WlzLh--9tkdWHapm3qVvwphIl2XxGqvsDa36-VpyyLs/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison Charts:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

We take a deep dive into the Bear Totem Barbarian: A tanky beefcake that exercises a huge zone of control, locking down their opponents to protect their allies, while soaking up damage from the enemy, infuriating them with their inability to take the Barbarian down! We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your Bear Barb.

Link to Math/Graphs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18TXtNWe30z8dkBk-5uaLDdb-G0L7cLMSOMrCHfa2_3k/edit?usp=sharing

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

We take a deep dive into the PAMlock: a Hexblade Warlock who covers themself in darkness and wields a Polearm into battle, dishing out as much sustained Damage Per Round (DPR) as any character build in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your Warlock.

Link to Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zKRR9gPU1C98MsMAWc5xRwRNbRbF7FdYrc_NSaTaWsk/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison Charts:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

We take a deep dive into the Crossbow Fighter: a Ranged Attacker who stands in the backline, filling his foes with more crossbow bolts than they can count. Few builds, if any, will deal as much sustained weapon damage from range in D&D 5e. We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your ranged Fighter.

Link to Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GrUQK-m1osS-QDVDqy48rihQn7YbvnqXwMN3TsA3QZI/edit?usp=sharing

Master Sustained Damage Comparison Charts:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
https://www.instagram.com/dndoptimized/
https://twitter.com/dndoptimized