I’m waiting for the PS5 release because no PC atm but I’ve decided to play Ranger/Fighter on my first playthrough and really want to try monk/Barbarian on my second playthrough but wondering how hard it be to make it viable.
I’m waiting for the PS5 release because no PC atm but I’ve decided to play Ranger/Fighter on my first playthrough and really want to try monk/Barbarian on my second playthrough but wondering how hard it be to make it viable.
Barbarian 2/Open Hand STRonk 10 with Tavern Brawler is one of strongest builds in the game. It’s DPR is comparable to a GWM Barbarian.
The only builds that consistently do more DPR are Ranged Swords Bard/Thiefs and Ranged Champion Fighters.
Imo the spicier build is OHMonk 9/thief rogue 3. You lose reckless attack, but with tavern brawler’s extra 5 to-hit, accuracy is already fantastic. You lose 2 damage per strike, but gain an entire extra bonus action that is resource free. That’s two more strikes with flurry of blows, an additional topple or push check, etc.
It also gives you cunning action, which is bonus action dash/disengage without costing ki. The downside is your stats are more tight, and less AC, but I was still able to get to 20 with the right gear.
So just make a strength focused monk? Also what stat should I use for unarmored defense?
Unarmored defence is CON for barbarians.
But for monks it’s dex or wisdom so one of those might be better?
Dex is always part of the equation for unarmored defense. Con is superior for defensive, since it also increases your HP.
And you won’t use wis for much anyway – is there anything other than Stunning Strike DC affected by wis?
Ki Resonation, but you will probably never use that. The build basically uses all it’s Ki points on Flurry of Blows to make an ungodly # of attack that due to all the extra damage are hitting for something like 2d8+1d10+12 by the end of the game.
What’s the build for (ranged not) ranger sword bards look like? I’m level 6 as a sword bard and just got some gloves that set my Dex to 18 and add +1 to attack so I’m feeling pretty stabby right now.
Edit: ranged, not ranger
Thief Rogue is a way better dip for a Swords Bard.
Ranger is pretty disappointing as a dip unless you want just 1-2 lvls for a Fighting style and Heavy Armor Proficiency. Hunter is pretty mid, Gloomstalker was nerfed from the Tabletop version, and Beastmaster is really meant to be single class.
Shoot sorry that definitely was supposed to be ‘ranged’ sword bards
Ahhh, no worries.
The Ranged Swords Bard is a Double Handcrossbow Sharpshooter build. There are a bunch of lvl splits you can do but Swords Bard 8/Thief 3/Fighter 1 is the best I’ve found so far. 8 Swords Bard for 2 ASIs (18Dex/Sharpshooter) and 4 lvl spells (Dimension Door/Greater Invisibility are the big ones), 3 Thief for Cunning Action, 2 Experitise, and an extra Bonus Action, 1 Fighter for Shield Proficiency and the Archery Fighting style. Generally speaking I prefer to reach 18 Dex via the ASI or Hag’s Hair rather than the Gloves as the extra Bardic Inspiration from the Wonderous Gloves is a pretty big boost to damage output every Short Rest, but if you were willing to sacrifice that ASI you could pick up an extra Fighter lvl for Action Surge.
That sounds super fun, I’m going to have to play around with some respects. Thanks!
It is.
I used a version (SB 8/TR 4) on my first run for Astarion and it was so effective I decided to use the variation above for my Dark Urge run. I also prioritized skill Proficiencies and Expertise. Right now I’m about 1/2 way through Act 2 and I think I’ve only failed one skill check in dialog. And that’s on top of doing 100-200 dmg per round at lvl 9(without Haste or Elixir of Bloodlust).
I plan to write up a build guide but I’m having too much fun playing it.