A few months ago I was searching for a podcast that focused on D&D character creation, optimization, and theorycrafting. I was frustrated at the apparent lack of content out there on the subject (at least in podcast form), so I decided to make it myself. 3 months and a few hundred YouTube subscribers later, and I seem to have found a group of like-minded individuals! I'd love for you to come check it out as well and see if it scratches your itch :).
This is episode 1 - The Hexblade Warlock:
We take a deep dive into the well known and well loved (and hated) Hexblade PAM/GWM Warlock; they cover themselves in darkness and take a Polearm into battle, dealing out as much sustained damage as just about any character build in D&D 5e. We'll discuss why that is, crunch the numbers, and go through the build level by level to help you get the most out of your character.
In Episode 2, we take a deep dive into the Crossbow Fighter: a Ranged Attacker who stands in the backline, filling his foes with more crossbow bolts than they can count. Few builds, if any, will deal as much sustained weapon damage from range in D&D 5e. We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your ranged Fighter.
In Episode 3, we take a deep dive into the Bear Totem Barbarian: A tanky beefcake that exercises a huge zone of control, locking down their opponents to protect their allies, while soaking up damage from the enemy, infuriating them with their inability to take the Barbarian down! We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your Bear Barb.
In Episode 4, we take a deep dive into the Monk with a multiclass dip into Ranger (or Warlock) to squeeze the most sustained damage as possible out of this incredibly fun and versatile class. If you love being a Kung Fu Warrior who is at one with the universe, but want to get as much sustained damage as possible out of it in your Dungeons and Dragons campaign, then this episode is for you!
Episode 5 is our first Nova or Burst damage build! Come learn how to create the most powerful Assassin possible in D&D 5e; by multiclassing this Rogue build with Sorcerer and others, your character can potentially do over 1,000 damage in a single round - yes, even to a Tarrasque.
Episode 6: so you want to be a Sorcerer, but you want to do strong sustained *and* Nova damage without expending your spell slots, instead saving them for heals, buffs, utility, defense, aoe, and fun? Then this is the build for you. Come learn about how to build the Eldritch Sorcerer!
Episode 7: 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. (soon to be updated for Tasha's!)
Episode 8: 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!
Episode 9: 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.
Episode 10: 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.
Episode 11: 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!
Episode 12: 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.
Episode 13: Is the Beast Master *truly* worthless? Not by a long shot (no pun intended). Come learn how to bring both strong sustained damage *and* excellent control to the battlefield as we dive in to the most reviled sub-class in all of D&D 5e!
Episode 14: 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 locking them down, then subjecting them to withering damage over time spell effects, all at the cost of minimal resources.
Episode 15: 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!
Episode 16: 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.
Episode 17: Rogues are only good for burst damage, right? WRONG! 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 that keeps up with all but the highest DPR builds out there. Don't believe me? Come see.
Episode 19: 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 why.
Hi everyone,
A few months ago I was searching for a podcast that focused on D&D character creation, optimization, and theorycrafting. I was frustrated at the apparent lack of content out there on the subject (at least in podcast form), so I decided to make it myself. 3 months and a few hundred YouTube subscribers later, and I seem to have found a group of like-minded individuals! I'd love for you to come check it out as well and see if it scratches your itch :).
This is episode 1 - The Hexblade Warlock:
We take a deep dive into the well known and well loved (and hated) Hexblade PAM/GWM Warlock; they cover themselves in darkness and take a Polearm into battle, dealing out as much sustained damage as just about any character build in D&D 5e. We'll discuss why that is, crunch the numbers, and go through the build level by level to help you get the most out of your character.
The podcast version is available *wherever* you get your podcasts. Here's a link to the website if you'd rather not look at my face :). https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/4570442-d-d-optimized-episode-1-the-pamlock
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized-100733548377750
Or Twitter: https://twitter.com/dndoptimized
Thanks and I hope you enjoy the show!
-Colby
In Episode 2, we take a deep dive into the Crossbow Fighter: a Ranged Attacker who stands in the backline, filling his foes with more crossbow bolts than they can count. Few builds, if any, will deal as much sustained weapon damage from range in D&D 5e. We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your ranged Fighter.
The podcast version is available *wherever* you get your podcasts! Or just go here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/4570409-d-d-optimized-episode-2-the-crossbow-fighter
In Episode 3, we take a deep dive into the Bear Totem Barbarian: A tanky beefcake that exercises a huge zone of control, locking down their opponents to protect their allies, while soaking up damage from the enemy, infuriating them with their inability to take the Barbarian down! We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your Bear Barb.
Podcast available wherever you get your podcasts! Or here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/4642253-d-d-optimized-episode-3-the-bear-totem-barbarian
In Episode 4, we take a deep dive into the Monk with a multiclass dip into Ranger (or Warlock) to squeeze the most sustained damage as possible out of this incredibly fun and versatile class. If you love being a Kung Fu Warrior who is at one with the universe, but want to get as much sustained damage as possible out of it in your Dungeons and Dragons campaign, then this episode is for you!
Podcast available wherever you get your podcasts or here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/4837622-d-d-optimized-epidosde-4-the-monger
Episode 5 is our first Nova or Burst damage build! Come learn how to create the most powerful Assassin possible in D&D 5e; by multiclassing this Rogue build with Sorcerer and others, your character can potentially do over 1,000 damage in a single round - yes, even to a Tarrasque.
Podcast available wherever you get your podcasts or here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/4941968-d-d-optimized-episode-5-the-assasserer
Episode 6: so you want to be a Sorcerer, but you want to do strong sustained *and* Nova damage without expending your spell slots, instead saving them for heals, buffs, utility, defense, aoe, and fun? Then this is the build for you. Come learn about how to build the Eldritch Sorcerer!
Podcast available wherever you get your podcasts or here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5002973-d-d-optimized-episode-6-the-eldritch-sorcerer
Episode 7: 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. (soon to be updated for Tasha's!)
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5131711-d-d-optimized-episode-7-the-bladesinger
Episode 8: 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!
Podcasts available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5226964-d-d-optimized-episode-8-fighter-vs-barbarian-the-gwm-showdown
Episode 9: 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.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5370988-d-d-optimized-episode-9-the-bard-locker
Episode 10: 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.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5544724-d-d-optimized-episode-10-sustained-dpr-spells
Episode 11: 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!
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5647978-d-d-optimized-episode-11-the-death-cleric
Episode 12: 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.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5807800-d-d-optimized-episode-12-the-paladin-tank-tankadin
Episode 13: Is the Beast Master *truly* worthless? Not by a long shot (no pun intended). Come learn how to bring both strong sustained damage *and* excellent control to the battlefield as we dive in to the most reviled sub-class in all of D&D 5e!
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/5969458-d-d-optimized-episode-13-the-beast-master
Episode 14: 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 locking them down, then subjecting them to withering damage over time spell effects, all at the cost of minimal resources.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/6081175-d-d-optimized-episode-14-brainy-and-the-beast
Episode 15: 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!
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/6206524-d-d-optimized-episode-15-the-support-lore-bard
Episode 16: 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.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/6300181-d-d-optimized-episode-16-the-yin-yang-team
Episode 17: Rogues are only good for burst damage, right? WRONG! 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 that keeps up with all but the highest DPR builds out there. Don't believe me? Come see.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/6406357-d-d-optimized-episode-17-the-swashbuckler
Sounds cool! Will try listening tonight.
When players get creative.
Episode 18: Wherein I prove that I am, definitively, NOT Homelander. And also talk about Tasha's Cauldron of Everything :).
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/6532831-d-d-optimized-episode-18-how-tasha-s-changes-everything
Episode 19: 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 why.
Podcast available everywhere and here: https://dndoptimized.buzzsprout.com/1193507/6639859-d-d-optimized-episode-19-the-bladesinger-2-0