The d4 Network

d4: D&D Deep Dive

Leisure EN ↓ 381 episodes

Welcome to the D&D Deep Dive, or D4. This is a place where you can find D&D content for all interest and experience levels; from Live Play games to Optimized character builds to D&D related news and educational "How To" videos, there's something here for everyone!

Author

The d4 Network

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

D&D:O Episode 24 - The Sorcerer with the Magic Touch 12.01.2021

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...

D&D:O - Slidin' Into My DMs #5: Multiclassing 08.01.2021

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

D&D: Optimized Episode 23 - The Grappler Monk 05.01.2021

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...

D&D:O Shorts #2 - The Double-Bladed Scimitar 31.12.2020

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

D&D: Optimized Slidin' Into My DMs #4 - Magic Items 30.12.2020

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

D&D: Optimized Episode 22 - The Armorer Artificer 22.12.2020

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...

D&D: Optimized - Slidin' Into My DMs #3 18.12.2020

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/

D&D: O Shorts #1 - Two-Weapon Fighting vs. Great Weapon Fighting 17.12.2020

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

D&D: Optimized Episode 21 - How Tasha's Changes Everything Pt 2 15.12.2020

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...

D&D: Optimized - Slidin' Into My DMs #2 10.12.2020

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?" 

D&D: Optimized Episode 20 - The Beast Master 2.0 08.12.2020

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...

D&D: Optimized - Slidin' Into My DMs 02.12.2020

You've been wanting to slide into my DMs, haven't you. Well, here's your chance.

D&D: Optimized Episode 19 - The Bladesinger 2.0 01.12.2020

Finally! It's time to update the Bladesinger, which is both the character I've had the most fun playing in D&D, and also the one that was most impacted by the changes from Tasha's Cauldron of everything. Interested in doing *amazing* sustainable damage each round while also having access to the best spell list in all of D&D? Then you want to be a Bladesinger. Come find out w...

D&D: Optimized Episode 18 - How Tasha's Changes Everything 24.11.2020

Wherein I definitively prove that I am not, in fact, Homelander. And also discuss Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, with a general overview and an update for my first 6 builds :). Updated Master Sustained Damage Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized https://twitt...

D&D: Optimized Episode 17 - The Swashbuckler 16.11.2020

Rogues are only good for burst damage, right? WRONG! Shocking even myself, if you build them right, and, of course, if things go according to plan in combat (which they *always* do... right?) the Rogue can put out sustained, single-target damage per round on par with OR EVEN BETTER THAN any build out there. Don't believe me? Come see. Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spre...

D&D: Optimized Episode 16 - The Yin Yang Team 10.11.2020

Two similar builds; one light, one dark. Fighting side by side, they are an incredibly destructive team, with capabilities to wreak havoc on the battlefield, while also providing support to their companions when needed. Who's the best teammate to pair with the powerful Hexblade Warlock? Come find out. Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14xwOrgJO3nZ8WRt0cpLMJV...

D&D: Optimized Episode 15 - The Support Lore Bard 03.11.2020

In our first ever build optimized for support/healing, we dive into the Lore Bard and wind up with a character that buffs, debuffs, controls, heals, inspires, leads, sings, and dances. This one does it *all* (except damage, which is totally overrated). Come check out the Lore Bard and be the companion that *every* team of adventurers wishes would pick them! Math for this episode: https://docs.goog...

D&D: Optimized Episode 14 - Brainy and the Beast 27.10.2020

You asked, so here it is: our first ever episode optimized for team tactics as opposed to optimized for a single character. Today we discuss one of the best Area of Effect, Damage Over Time combos in all of D&D 5e: the Chronurgy Wizard and the Land (Underdark) Druid. One gets to be the anvil, one gets to be the hammer, and together, they lay waste to hordes of enemies simultaneously, by first...

D&D: Optimized Episode 13 - The Beast Master 19.10.2020

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: h...

D&D: Optimized Episode 12 - The Paladin Tank (Tankadin) 08.10.2020

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 Compairso...

D&D: Optimized Episode 11 - The Death Cleric 28.09.2020

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?u...

D&D: Optimized Episode 10 - Sustained DPR Spells 22.09.2020

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/...

D&D: Optimized Episode 9 - The Bard Locker 09.09.2020

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 Co...

D&D: Optimized Episode 8 - Fighter vs. Barbarian, the GWM Showdown! 31.08.2020

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/...

D&D: Optimized Episode 7 - The Bladesinger 24.08.2020

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_9TYqiSY6esAhORthAnBresUTY...

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