I think he would be a rogue, and the closest I can get is:
Variant Human- Feat "Tandem Tactician" or "Observant"
Inquisitive Rogue
Stats in order of highest to lowest: Wis(obesrvation), Int(Investigation), Dex, Str (Unbends a steel poker at a point), Con, Cha(sometimes socially inept)
Personally I would put Intelligence higher, since his skill is in investigation, and piecing clues together. The class, subclass, feat and race are all thematic.
I agree with INT higher to start. His mind is like a steel trap. But both INT and WIS should eventually be 20.
Great job catching his high STR! Many people miss that, whereas nothing in the lore says he isn't a glass cannon (except perhaps the Reichenbach incident...spoilers).
I could see CHA being Holmes' (or BBC Sherlock's, for that matter) dump stat, so long as he has proficiency/expertise in Deception and the disguise kit. His amazing disguises and deceptive ability are part of his legend, due to his expert observation & study of human nature. The Actor feat is an alternate approach, though this takes away from important ASIs.
Observant feat for sure, but probably not Tandem Tactician. Any guidance he gives Watson is in advance, not in the thick of a scuffle.
You might also need to account for Holmes' skill in baritsu (unarmed martial art), possibly with a fighter/monk dip, the UA Fighting Initiate feat (for Unarmed Fighting style), or perhaps the Tavern Brawler feat. Holmes' singlestick ability closely resembles the rogue's rapier proficiency, so no worries on that.
You may want the Prodigy feat to fill in the corners of his talents: alchemist's tools for his expertise in chemistry, Elvish for all the French phrases he peppers his speech with like a proper Victorian gent, and even more expertise than your average rogue (at least 5: Insight, Perception, Investigation, thieve's tools, Deception, and possibly Athletics, Sleight of Hand, or Medicine).
He's something of a Marty Stu, but with plenty of lovable faults that nobody seems to mind. One of my favorite characters. I'd love to watch a Holmes-like D&D campaign.
But if you don't want to watch the video, using the standard point array, intelligence 15, wisdom 14, dexterity 13, constitution 12, strength 10, charisma 8, variant human with +1 to wisdom and intelligence and the keen mind feat. From there, mostly inquisitive rogue but with one level of monk thrown in for unarmored defense.
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=========================== Laugh at life or life will laugh at you.
Current D&D Characters: Kromen Flintfist, Hill Dwarf Order of the Scribes Wizard/Armorer Artificer Eiphrok, Half-Orc Oath of Glory Paladin/Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer
I believe it is an established part of his character that he is deliberately well-rounded. By no means a Gym Rat, but constantly active, except when he's not.
However, beyond his actual physique, I think it would be reasonable to speculate that his neuro-divergence also contributes to his apparent abilities. He constantly craves stimulants, and may be continuously stressed with adrenaline or norepenephrine, hypothetically allowing him to tap into "Hysterical Strength" at will. Or rather, every action may be an act of restraint.
This might put his strength at +1 and give him advantage on Strength checks.
This could be emulated with the Wild Talent (UA) feat to boost his ability checks, and having regular access to the Enhance Ability spell.
Or he may even have a familiar named "Mind Palace" that he can use to Help himself.
I think he would be a rogue, and the closest I can get is:
Variant Human- Feat "Tandem Tactician" or "Observant"
Inquisitive Rogue
Stats in order of highest to lowest: Wis(obesrvation), Int(Investigation), Dex, Str (Unbends a steel poker at a point), Con, Cha(sometimes socially inept)
Is there anything that could make it closer?
Personally I would put Intelligence higher, since his skill is in investigation, and piecing clues together. The class, subclass, feat and race are all thematic.
I agree with INT higher to start. His mind is like a steel trap. But both INT and WIS should eventually be 20.
Great job catching his high STR! Many people miss that, whereas nothing in the lore says he isn't a glass cannon (except perhaps the Reichenbach incident...spoilers).
I could see CHA being Holmes' (or BBC Sherlock's, for that matter) dump stat, so long as he has proficiency/expertise in Deception and the disguise kit. His amazing disguises and deceptive ability are part of his legend, due to his expert observation & study of human nature. The Actor feat is an alternate approach, though this takes away from important ASIs.
Observant feat for sure, but probably not Tandem Tactician. Any guidance he gives Watson is in advance, not in the thick of a scuffle.
You might also need to account for Holmes' skill in baritsu (unarmed martial art), possibly with a fighter/monk dip, the UA Fighting Initiate feat (for Unarmed Fighting style), or perhaps the Tavern Brawler feat. Holmes' singlestick ability closely resembles the rogue's rapier proficiency, so no worries on that.
You may want the Prodigy feat to fill in the corners of his talents: alchemist's tools for his expertise in chemistry, Elvish for all the French phrases he peppers his speech with like a proper Victorian gent, and even more expertise than your average rogue (at least 5: Insight, Perception, Investigation, thieve's tools, Deception, and possibly Athletics, Sleight of Hand, or Medicine).
He's something of a Marty Stu, but with plenty of lovable faults that nobody seems to mind. One of my favorite characters. I'd love to watch a Holmes-like D&D campaign.
Here you go, already planned out and built up to level 20. Feel free to make your own changes, however.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNM81itzE0E
But if you don't want to watch the video, using the standard point array, intelligence 15, wisdom 14, dexterity 13, constitution 12, strength 10, charisma 8, variant human with +1 to wisdom and intelligence and the keen mind feat. From there, mostly inquisitive rogue but with one level of monk thrown in for unarmored defense.
===========================
Laugh at life or life will laugh at you.
Current D&D Characters:
Kromen Flintfist, Hill Dwarf Order of the Scribes Wizard/Armorer Artificer
Eiphrok, Half-Orc Oath of Glory Paladin/Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer
My suggestion: 8 levels rogue, 2 levels knowledge cleric.
Variant human starting out with prodigy
Lvl 4 feat: observant
Lvl 8 feat: skilled
If going higher than level 10, look at monster hunter ranger. Hunters sense is a very Sherlock-ian ability.
Background: Waterdeep detective.
Here's my Sherlock rogue. Barnabus Dartallion: Consulting Detective
I'm going to give this a try on a Kenku rogue. We're starting a RP heavy campaign and this seems like a lot of fun.
On the Topic of Sherlock Holme's strength,
I believe it is an established part of his character that he is deliberately well-rounded. By no means a Gym Rat, but constantly active, except when he's not.
However, beyond his actual physique, I think it would be reasonable to speculate that his neuro-divergence also contributes to his apparent abilities. He constantly craves stimulants, and may be continuously stressed with adrenaline or norepenephrine, hypothetically allowing him to tap into "Hysterical Strength" at will. Or rather, every action may be an act of restraint.
This might put his strength at +1 and give him advantage on Strength checks.
This could be emulated with the Wild Talent (UA) feat to boost his ability checks, and having regular access to the Enhance Ability spell.
Or he may even have a familiar named "Mind Palace" that he can use to Help himself.
This is my version of Sherlock Gnomes
https://ddb.ac/characters/57603106/oAj5qS
I LOVE this name!
Thanks, I accidentally deleted him so the link doesn't work anymore
definetly agree on the deception