I was just thinking about how much single target damage level-1 characters can do, here are some likely competitors. Are there any other solid builds mathematically you can think of?
These each have attack rolls. Against AC 15 these have a 45% chance to miss and 25% against AC 11 with two exceptions:
* with Archery fighting style you'd have 10% better hit chance this improves damage depending on AC. At AC 15 you'd deal ~18% more damage comparatively (15.4) At AC 11 ~13% (14.7)
** a level-1 spell can be used to cast Magic Missile instead which, barring Reactions, will always hit: 3d4+3 (10.5) this has ~82% more damage against AC 15 comparatively (19.1) at AC 11 ~33% (14)
*** EB + Hex doesn't beat the baseline at level-1, but worth noting as I suspect it may get discussed as a solid attack above level-1.
I can't remember the exact configuration but I think there's a lvl 1 variant human cleric that you could potentially deal 52/56 damage (YEAH I KNOW!!!)
Hmmm, Forge Domain can use Searing smite at level-1. Using Great Weapon Master you could do 4d6+14 (28) but GWM would reduce your attack bonus by 5. Against AC 15 that's ~36% less damage comparatively (17.7) against AC 11 ~20% less (22.4)
You could guarantee a critical against an unconscious or paralyzed opponent for 7d6+14 (38.5) but that's not really the situation were looking at.
Without GWM: 4d6+4 (18) very solid level-1 spell I'm going to add that to OP.
(Edit: +1 weapon from Blessing of the forge)
(Edit: max damage for a critical Searing Smite with a Great Sword would be 7×6+14=56 so that's probably what you saw. That's a single attack with a bonus action to cast the spell.)
I was just thinking about how much single target damage level-1 characters can do, here are some likely competitors. Are there any other solid builds mathematically you can think of?
Baseline Greatsword: 2d6+3 (10)
Great weapon fighting style: 2d6ro<3+3 (11.3)
Crossbow master (hand ×2): 2d6+6 (13) *
Dual wielder + 2-weapon fighting style: 2d8+6 (15)
Dual wielder + sneak attack: 2d8+1d6+3 (15.5)
Level-1 spell (
Chromatic OrbInflict Wounds): 3d10 (16.5) **Eldritch Blast + Hex: 1d10+1d6 (9) ***
-- Additions --
Forge Domain Searing Smite: 4d6+4 (18)
These each have attack rolls. Against AC 15 these have a 45% chance to miss and 25% against AC 11 with two exceptions:
* with Archery fighting style you'd have 10% better hit chance this improves damage depending on AC. At AC 15 you'd deal ~18% more damage comparatively (15.4) At AC 11 ~13% (14.7)
** a level-1 spell can be used to cast Magic Missile instead which, barring Reactions, will always hit: 3d4+3 (10.5) this has ~82% more damage against AC 15 comparatively (19.1) at AC 11 ~33% (14)
*** EB + Hex doesn't beat the baseline at level-1, but worth noting as I suspect it may get discussed as a solid attack above level-1.
Extended Signature
Humans are OP. Is there another racial feature that improves damage output here?
Extended Signature
I can't remember the exact configuration but I think there's a lvl 1 variant human cleric that you could potentially deal 52/56 damage (YEAH I KNOW!!!)
@Brian_Avery yes that is MAX damage. I'm not sure what the average is...
Im sure if you do some digging on YouTube you may be able to find the video, I'm not sure where I found it.
Hmmm, Forge Domain can use Searing smite at level-1. Using Great Weapon Master you could do 4d6+14 (28) but GWM would reduce your attack bonus by 5. Against AC 15 that's ~36% less damage comparatively (17.7) against AC 11 ~20% less (22.4)
You could guarantee a critical against an unconscious or paralyzed opponent for 7d6+14 (38.5) but that's not really the situation were looking at.
Without GWM: 4d6+4 (18) very solid level-1 spell I'm going to add that to OP.
(Edit: +1 weapon from Blessing of the forge)
(Edit: max damage for a critical Searing Smite with a Great Sword would be 7×6+14=56 so that's probably what you saw. That's a single attack with a bonus action to cast the spell.)
Extended Signature
Of course there are options to use action surge in the options above as well. I've added those now.
Extended Signature
Extended Signature