d4: D&D Deep Dive

Three words: Spreadsheets of Desire. Also... what makes a good session 0? Why and how do you run one? Come join the conversation! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndo...

Previous version got cut short - apologies! Great sustained DPR, survivability, support, and utility all in one build!? Today we combine two subclasses that were new to Tasha's Cauldron of Everything into a regular Jekyll and Hyde - Path of the Beast Barbarian + Circle of Spores Druid = The Spore Beast! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-1007335483777...

Today we discuss the most recent Unearthed Arcana announcement - the Fey Folk! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Intro:(0:00) Quick Ruling: Smiting:(1:56) Our upcoming campaign!:(8:10) Fey Folk:(11:38) Fairies:(13:58) Hobgoblins:(29:17) Owl Folk:(39:09) Rabbit Folk:(44:53...

You are dark, you are brooding, you are *not* Batman. You're a Blood Hunter. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/101DFHEjSEX8JKXX0Ao-putc42BbTsiE7bnUS8c-V1GU/edit?usp=sharing Tier 1 Sustained DPR: http...

So, we have a new reigning champion of survivability. And they're a Wizard.  https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UwX6zBcw2Gu6IPo-uTpIWXIFn6BGb9W1R5Ysacxu9nM/edit?usp=sharing Master Tank Comparison: ht...

How do you deal with conflict between your players' characters in game? Do you encourage it? Help resolve it? How do you avoid letting it spill over and into conflict between your players themselves? https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Custom Origin/Racial Feats:(0:00)...

Well, our call to action worked! Crap! :) Actually, I'm pretty ok with this ruling, even if it surprises me. Come see why. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized

This week we're trying something new: recreating a character from non-D&D fiction as a D&D character—namely: Kaladin Stormblessed from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive. I had a lot of fun creating it, and am *very* interested in knowing your thoughts so please let me know! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://t...

Today we pause for a moment to ask Colby and friends a bunch of fan-submitted questions: How do you come up with your builds? What are your favorite in-game moments? What are your plans for the channel in the future? Do you even lift, bro? And many, many more.  https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.t...

Wizards of the Coast announced their new book this week: Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. Come join me and my DMs as we take a look at what we know about it so far, and attempt some really corny humor along the way! https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized

Wait, you did all that damage with ... darts? Yup. Darts. Turns out, thrown weapons can be really, really good. https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750 https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Character Concept:(0:00) Level 1:(6:54) Levels 2-6:(12:42) Levels 7-9:(27:32) Levels 10-13:(35:10) Levels 14-17:(42:21) Final Thoughts:(47:57) Math/Graph for this...

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