The Gloomstalker gave me an idea for a burst damage focused character build. So I thought to post it and see, what insane nova-builds others have brewed up. I tried to achieve maximum damage in one turn per official rules with a level 20 character. This is what I have come up with:
The character has 2 attacks base. In his first turn of combat, he does one additional attack when choosing the attack action (Dread Stalker Feat from Gloom Stalker). I understand that you gain the additional attack again if you manage to do two attack actions during your first turn. As it happens, the build includes this possibility (Action Surge/Fighter). So 2x3 attacks. The War Priest Feat (Cleric War Domain) allows for one additional attack as a bonus action, so first turn: 7 attacks max. If he surprises opponents, he does seven crits in the surprise turn.
He gets the Great Weapon Master feat for bonus damage. The War Cleric can use Channel Divinity up to two times to get +10 on an attack roll (usable after the roll) so with the Assassin’s Advantage chances should be high to hit even with -5. I calculate damage based on using a Great Axe (to get the best out of Savage Attacks). As the character has the Great Weapon Fighting Style perhaps using a Greatsword could achieve slightly higher damage (weapon damage per crit 5d6 vs 3d12 with a Great Axe) due to the more frequent rerolls when rolling 1s and 2s. But I did not calculate that…
Couldn't decide what class to be so I decided to be all of them.
Looks like it has some strong burst potential.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
You could go Wizard 2 (war) for some bonus initiative (= to INT mod) and an extra level of rogue, for an extra ASI / one level of paladin for Divine health and sacred oath / fighter, to get acces to the archetype.
BladeLock 17. Four spell slots. Improved Pact Weapon, Thirsting Blade, Lifedrinker, Dex 20, Cha 20. You can cast Hex, short rest, and continue concentrating on it while recovering your spell slot, so you're back up to four slots again. Hex your target, then Hold Monster. You've got three slots for Eldritch strike which will all auto crit.
On a critical hit, your Pact Weapon (rapier) does 2d8+11. (20) Hex: 2d6. (7) Eldritch Smite: 12d8. (54) Total: 243
Not as high as some others, but it's a simple, single-class build that recovers its nova capability with a short rest.
The Gloomstalker gave me an idea for a burst damage focused character build. So I thought to post it and see, what insane nova-builds others have brewed up. I tried to achieve maximum damage in one turn per official rules with a level 20 character. This is what I have come up with:
Fighter 2
Paladin 2
Ranger 5 (Gloom Stalker)
Rogue 3 (Assassin)
Cleric 5 (War Domain)
Race: Half Orc for Savage Attacks
The character has 2 attacks base. In his first turn of combat, he does one additional attack when choosing the attack action (Dread Stalker Feat from Gloom Stalker). I understand that you gain the additional attack again if you manage to do two attack actions during your first turn. As it happens, the build includes this possibility (Action Surge/Fighter). So 2x3 attacks. The War Priest Feat (Cleric War Domain) allows for one additional attack as a bonus action, so first turn: 7 attacks max. If he surprises opponents, he does seven crits in the surprise turn.
He gets the Great Weapon Master feat for bonus damage. The War Cleric can use Channel Divinity up to two times to get +10 on an attack roll (usable after the roll) so with the Assassin’s Advantage chances should be high to hit even with -5. I calculate damage based on using a Great Axe (to get the best out of Savage Attacks). As the character has the Great Weapon Fighting Style perhaps using a Greatsword could achieve slightly higher damage (weapon damage per crit 5d6 vs 3d12 with a Great Axe) due to the more frequent rerolls when rolling 1s and 2s. But I did not calculate that…
So here comes the damage, based on 7 crits:
7x3d12 = 21d12 (weapon damage): 136,5 damage
(6x10d8) + (1x8d8) = 68d8 (smite damage: 10 slots level 4+, 1 slot level 3): 306 damage
4d6 (sneak attack): 14 damage2x2d8=4d8 (Dread Ambusher Bonus): 18 damage
2d8 (Divine Strike/War Cleric): 9 damage
+ (7x4) (Str) +70 (GWM)
+14d6 (if target could be prepped with Hunter’s Mark Spell): 49 damage
Total: 567 damage without, 616 with Hunter’s Mark
All calculations are based on average damage and do not include the rerolls of GW Fighting Style.
EDIT: I did include Sneak attack although a Great Axe is no Finesse Weapon (only nearly ;-)). So no Sneak Attack. I changed the Totals accordingly.
7 crits...
Couldn't decide what class to be so I decided to be all of them.
Looks like it has some strong burst potential.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
You do know that 2+2+3+5+5= 17 right?
You could go Wizard 2 (war) for some bonus initiative (= to INT mod) and an extra level of rogue, for an extra ASI / one level of paladin for Divine health and sacred oath / fighter, to get acces to the archetype.
:)
You could improve the damage with posion (purple worm poison) or magic weapons
:)
BladeLock 17. Four spell slots. Improved Pact Weapon, Thirsting Blade, Lifedrinker, Dex 20, Cha 20. You can cast Hex, short rest, and continue concentrating on it while recovering your spell slot, so you're back up to four slots again. Hex your target, then Hold Monster. You've got three slots for Eldritch strike which will all auto crit.
On a critical hit, your Pact Weapon (rapier) does 2d8+11. (20) Hex: 2d6. (7) Eldritch Smite: 12d8. (54) Total: 243
Not as high as some others, but it's a simple, single-class build that recovers its nova capability with a short rest.
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!
Did you really need to quote his entire original post to say one sentence?