d4: D&D Deep Dive

We hit 5,000 subscribers! Enough talk ... LET'S FIGHT! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Intro:(0:00) Training:(4:28) Round 1:(13:25) Round 2:(20:10) Round 3:(26:53) Round 4:(32:55) Round 5:(37:50) Round 6:(44:29) Round 7:(49:23) Rounds 8-11:(54:22) Post-Game Analysis:(1:01:25)

There are some problems with Thrown Weapons, and we need to talk about them. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ ​ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... ​ https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Who should describe the combat that takes place in game, the player, or the DM? Both? Neither? Why? Also: does each landed attack cause major physical harm, or is it mostly a series of near misses until the final, fatal blow is struck? Let us know your thoughts! Please follow art.ofavice on instagram and, more importantly, commission some amazing artwork! https://www.instagram.com/art.ofavice/ htt...

Our goal this week: to create a character who is an expert at shutting down enemy spell casters; they can stick to their opponent like glue, shrug off just about any spell that is thrown their way, and lock the Mage down until they take them out.  https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Character Concept:(0:00) L...

Healing Potions as a Bonus Action? Critical Fail tables? Free Feat for everyone? Almost every table has house rules, and some are more common than others. Today we weight in on which ones are our favorites, which our least favorites and why. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

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...

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/dndoptimi...

Wanting to try create your own Homebrew campaign but nervous at the same time? Let my DMs calm your fears. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Blessed Strikes + Reaper?:(0:00) Tips for Homebrew Creation:(9:55) Running the Campaign:(30:04)

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 F...

Gothic Lineages!? New Unearthed Arcana from Wizards of the Coast dropped yesterday and we're here to discuss it all, including impressions, details on how it would impact the game and how to interpret the rules, and what we think it means for D&D 5e moving forward.  Link to the UA: https://media.wizards.com/2021/dnd/downloads/UA2021_GothicLineages.pdf Artist link for Preston's backdr...

Another "Team Up!" episode! What happens when you put an Order Cleric ("The Battery") together with a Phantom Rogue ("The Blender")? Liquified bad guys. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1caHH_NghgZxooQiEx0-Eg8d3VrE...

Today, I pose questions to the Dungeon Mistress about the (theoretical? illusory? actual?) differences between how women and men approach D&D, the dangers of Mansplaining, and my upcoming ASMR video... https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Today we dive into the most commonly requested build I've had to date: a damage-focused small player riding their animal/construct companion as a mount. It's fun, powerful, and, well, adorable. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Math/Graph for this episode:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...

Whew! This is a long one. But it's because Mounted Combat in D&D5e can be so dang vague/confusing! Come listen in as we pick apart all of *my* questions about Mounted Combat, and then let us know your interpretation and questions we didn't get to! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Remember King Midas? This character is kind of like that, except instead of everything turning to gold, it turns into a quivering pile of electrified pain. *Or* health and well-being. Your choice! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Character Concept:(0:00) Levels 1-6:(6:53) Levels 7-9:(26:39) Levels 10-13:(3...

What restrictions, if any, should be placed on multiclassing at your table? What requirements, if any, should a DM make of their players who want to multiclass? Why? Come listen in as I discuss with my DMs, and then join in the conversation! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

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) Leve...

Q: Can the Double-Bladed Scimitar compete with other weapons for sustained damage per round? A: Maybe :) - Come see! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Today, we discuss Magic Items! How should players be rewarded with them? Should players be able to buy Magic Items? Craft them? How? Why? Why not? Come listen in and then join the conversation! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Ok FINE! I'll do an Artificer build! :) And, actually, upon completing it, I'm 100% ready to embrace the Steam Punk. This is one tanky mech suit. Come learn about the Armorer! Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OXM226cIR-fWODYgxMw2nhyAYjAaH2RebBhSyum3EA4/edit?usp=sharing Master Tank Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19XH-9FK6sPUGjOpFVg81...

Wherein I interview the Grand Poo-Bah of all DMs, Cory, and we chat about "Power Gamers" and how to "deal" with them, as well as whether or not the DM should assume the role of antagonist to their player's grand adventure. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/

Can Two-Weapon Fighting ever really compete, damage-wise, with Great-Weapon Fighting in D&D 5e? Let's discuss. Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Time to update the rest of my builds to account for changes introduced with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. Small nerfs for some, big buffs for others - come see who benefits the most! Intro:(0:00) Ep 9 - The Fightarian:(2:54) Ep 10 - The Bard Locker:(9:39) Ep 11 - Sustained DPR Spells:(22:25) Ep 12 - The Death Cleric:(24:25) Ep 13 - The Tankadin:(33:54) Ep 14 - Brainy and the Beast:(40:05) E...

Join me and 3 of my DMs/friends as we discuss our general impressions on Tasha's Cauldron of Everything AND try to answer this pressing question: "Can I take the new Custom Lineage option during character creation and still qualify for a feat that has a racial pre-requisite?" 

So everyone keeps saying that, post Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, the Beast master is fixed now, right? So... is it? Let's find out! 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-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60...