As the title says, I have an idea for the ultimate mage slayer and wanted to share the idea! And I want you to share your favorite mage slayer builds below!
Race: Yuan-ti Class: Rogue (Soulknife for the utility, or Arcane Trickster to eventually get Counterspell, and invisibility to advantage) 4th Level Feat: Mage Slayer
So, obviously, Yuan-ti have the magic resistance where they have advantage on any spell. Then Rogue gets Evasion, helping to avoid big AOE spells. Getting counterspell would be great unless you get spell scrolls that would be a later game ability. The Mage Slayer feat is self explanatory, stop magic users from using magics because Reaction attack (rogue sneak attacks can be on reactions) and invisibility gives advantage even if they have see invisibility RAW. Later on you can get MetaMagic adept for silent spell to avoid counterspells.
What do you think? What is your ultimate mage slayer build?
The idea of a mage slaying PC is a nice idea to build around. I think rogue is a decent choice for finding ways to end concentration reliably with the sneak damage.
Mage slayer feat itself can be somewhat problematic IMO because of its wording and actual timing. The reaction attack as a result of the enemy casting trigger wouldn’t happen until the spell is cast and resolved. If it’s a non teleport spell, then it can be punished after the trigger. If it’s a teleport spell, there’s a likelihood the caster is out of your melee range anyways and your reaction can’t be taken.
I think yuanti for the magic resistance makes sense.
IMO the ultimate mage hunter would be some flavor of sorcerer, probably the aberrant mind for more subtle casting, to gain access the required tool kits.
counterspell ASAP. Quicken and subtle metamagics. metamagic adept feat for more points and other options maybe.
will quickly run out of resources but can very reliably shut down a caster for multiple rounds. Subtle counters if necessary which can be done over distance. Higher level spell counters can be rerolled upon failure with magical guidance feature from Tasha’s.
spend action to cast shocking grasp on target caster. If the target tries to counter your cantrip they succeed but use their reaction. If the cantrip is ignored and hits they lose their reaction. Then quicken a leveled spell that the target probably can’t react to. Psionic sorcery can help effectively subtle your quickened spell if necessary.
If you can get it off against a caster, Magic Missile could be an easy way to destroy concentration. It'd be a concentration check per missile, a minimum of 3. They could use a reaction to shield, but then they can't Counterspell that round. Or vice versa.
I think Mage Slayer gives disadvantage on the concentration check as well? So whatever mage slayer build you're going for, Magic Missile imo is a cheap investment that works heavily with the build. That or a Wand of Magic Missiles.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
I’d think an ancients paladin could be a good contender. Half damage from spells, good saving throws, misty step to get close when needed. And smite work with every attack they take, where rogue only gets one per turn, and only one attack, and has to find a way to proc their sneak attack.
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As the title says, I have an idea for the ultimate mage slayer and wanted to share the idea! And I want you to share your favorite mage slayer builds below!
Race: Yuan-ti
Class: Rogue (Soulknife for the utility, or Arcane Trickster to eventually get Counterspell, and invisibility to advantage)
4th Level Feat: Mage Slayer
So, obviously, Yuan-ti have the magic resistance where they have advantage on any spell. Then Rogue gets Evasion, helping to avoid big AOE spells. Getting counterspell would be great unless you get spell scrolls that would be a later game ability. The Mage Slayer feat is self explanatory, stop magic users from using magics because Reaction attack (rogue sneak attacks can be on reactions) and invisibility gives advantage even if they have see invisibility RAW. Later on you can get MetaMagic adept for silent spell to avoid counterspells.
What do you think? What is your ultimate mage slayer build?
The idea of a mage slaying PC is a nice idea to build around. I think rogue is a decent choice for finding ways to end concentration reliably with the sneak damage.
Mage slayer feat itself can be somewhat problematic IMO because of its wording and actual timing. The reaction attack as a result of the enemy casting trigger wouldn’t happen until the spell is cast and resolved. If it’s a non teleport spell, then it can be punished after the trigger. If it’s a teleport spell, there’s a likelihood the caster is out of your melee range anyways and your reaction can’t be taken.
I think yuanti for the magic resistance makes sense.
IMO the ultimate mage hunter would be some flavor of sorcerer, probably the aberrant mind for more subtle casting, to gain access the required tool kits.
counterspell ASAP. Quicken and subtle metamagics. metamagic adept feat for more points and other options maybe.
will quickly run out of resources but can very reliably shut down a caster for multiple rounds. Subtle counters if necessary which can be done over distance. Higher level spell counters can be rerolled upon failure with magical guidance feature from Tasha’s.
spend action to cast shocking grasp on target caster. If the target tries to counter your cantrip they succeed but use their reaction. If the cantrip is ignored and hits they lose their reaction. Then quicken a leveled spell that the target probably can’t react to. Psionic sorcery can help effectively subtle your quickened spell if necessary.
If you can get it off against a caster, Magic Missile could be an easy way to destroy concentration. It'd be a concentration check per missile, a minimum of 3. They could use a reaction to shield, but then they can't Counterspell that round. Or vice versa.
I think Mage Slayer gives disadvantage on the concentration check as well? So whatever mage slayer build you're going for, Magic Missile imo is a cheap investment that works heavily with the build. That or a Wand of Magic Missiles.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
I’d think an ancients paladin could be a good contender. Half damage from spells, good saving throws, misty step to get close when needed. And smite work with every attack they take, where rogue only gets one per turn, and only one attack, and has to find a way to proc their sneak attack.