Yeah, I tried to build in enough stuff to make you as supportive as possible to minimise party tensions, but it does help a lot if there's a friendly Warlock.
Appreciate getting a different perspective on monk builds! I'll definitely play this one after enjoying the new grapple memes with my current shadow monk. Enjoyed your discussion of deviation percent...hope you stick with the UA-cam gig long enough to benefit.
Love the video! All your discussion about saving throws reminded me of something I haven’t seen creators talk about much: a lot of monster abilities (and some PC ones too) that would have required an attack roll and then a failed saving throw (for example, Ray of Sickness) can now deliver a debuff like the poisoned condition with no more than a hit with an attack. Saving throws are of course still really important, but I think AC will play a bigger role in avoiding debuffs than it did against 2014-era monsters. We’re getting a preview video on the new monster manual tomorrow (and I’m guessing some creators have advance copies under NDA) so I hope we get some insight about that trend then.
Seems like a great build! I was right on the same page with Resilient Dexterity, reached the same conclusion as soon as you ruled out the other feats and said one really odd feat. :P I also really liked the selection of background music! Nice video. I'd love more like this.
I enjoyed that and you can almost ignore the weapon juggling. Since we lack the Monster Manual it will be interesting to see how Resistances work out as that may effect the overall efficiency at higher levels. I look forward to having a play around with the mathematics of it later. You mentioned not doubling up on Epic Boons but to me that is the main reason to multiclass! If you do not need 17 Levels in a single Class for Rank 9 Spells then 16/4 or 12/8 seems the optimal combination. The Monk and Barbarian do have good capstones but so few games get that high I am not convinced it is worth waiting.
I think that 12/8 is probably optimal here. Pick up +2 WIS or something. The 11/9 split was a conscious decision to not get the feat. I have many plans for the MM.
So in 2014, it was ok to cast on an object you were holding "If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that isn't being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and moves with it." In 2024 you are right
I thought it was weird that I was seemingly playing this wrong the entire time, but nope, they just sneakily changed it and the_twig was the only one to point that out to me. 😂
Alternatives to the darkness stick not covered in this video: 1) Wear a hat. When you want to cast darkness, use a free object interaction to toss the hat into the air, cast darkness on it, and catch it on your head. 2) Same but with a bracelet if a hat cramps your style. 3) Cast it on one of your weapons that you flip into the air briefly before fighting with it.
If you want to make your DM despise you, pick a flying race or get a method of flight that scales off walking speed somehow. Minimizes negative effects on allies, (just fly up) become a lot more annoying to target, (a lot less likely to get AoE'd when nobody else is nearby) and grounded combatants hate you. Mage Slayer also makes you a god at snapping through concentration. Personal experience speaking, I threw together a chaos gremlin of a fairy shadow monk last minute for a mini-campaign (DM gave mixed signals) and it was a blast. Turned an overleveled precasted 2014 Conjure animals Shepard druid into a laughing stock during a tournament.
Racial Flight is so incredibly strong. It has its weaknesses, like caves, although those aren't so much weaknesses as they are just requiring you to play like a normal person.
Great video. I was under the impression that Epic Boons require the epic boon class feature, not just an available feat and level 19, so multiclassing more than a level actually makes it so you cannot get them. Especially since each class has a feature specifically called Epic Boon, and it's not just a feat requiring level 19.
@@the_twig131 I see I think I was just confused by you begginning the turn with the spear but I just checked the rules and properties of the handaxe on DnD Beyond and everything is clear now. Thanks!
What would the standard deviation be for a Eldritch Knight fighter with three levels and Evoker wizard? For the graze property and the always doing at least half damage on a booming blade?
Every time I see a magic card like silent takedown I think: What does a modal removal spell for limited have to do with a DnD character, then I remember I shouldn't take it that literally
A couple things I may be missing 1. What is the primary point of going more than 4 levels of fighter? 2. Are the ranged weapons mostly just for weapon properties?
1) We get an extra feat, an extra Fighting Style, and more Monk honestly doesn't give us too much outside of just more defences, which we already have shed loads of. 2) The thrown weapons actually do the most damage of any of the available options, and the ability to take either Slow on the Javelin, or alternatively Sap on the Spear gives us a small amount of control as well, which we wouldn't get otherwise.
I just finished the video and I have maybe an odd request. Could you make a video (or reply to this comment if it’s like a 2 sentence thing) explaining how to create and use the spreadsheet you used in this video? I don’t know how to use spreadsheets and I want to do this for builds and homebrew I make. I’m specifically curious about how you calculated the average damage and what things like “Build T1 US DPR” and “Build T2 FoB DPR” mean. Edit: Also the video was great! I would have subscribed if I wasn’t already lol. Sry I forgot to say that the first time.
I'm not going to do a video, since that's a significant amount of work and probably isn't a topic with a massive audience, but I'm happy to explain it. First off, here's a link to the spreadsheet. It's also in the description: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sWL9jVbGVaBAgu6Si0cM52PXlhLSpr2zZcKIG3mcroU/edit?usp=sharing And here's a blank version that you can make your own builds on (although I've not updated the damage baselines and class features for 2024): docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eiGEr61yhKe0y0tyTYDIXZs9fWD7S9sSWyRwRKszMAM/edit?usp=sharing As you'll see, I've added and removed some column from the Black Volley version. You basically just type whatever you get each level and make a build fairly easily. The damage is a bit more complicated. In the top right of the Build tabs, you'll see it hyperlinks to a website called AnyDice, and loads a function library that I've written. Essentially, this is a dice based coding language, although it's fairly janky and a bit difficult to use. The blank version will take you to a slightly simplified library with some examples that my friend made to try and help people learn. I can't really teach you how to use it here, but if you do want to learn, here's some good Reddit posts: www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/9skfiz/anydice_tutorial_part_1_basics_and_damage/ www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/9sv548/anydice_tutorial_part_2_functions_rerolls_crits/ www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/gf111s/anydice_tutorial_part_3_state_the_great_weapon/
Nice build. 😎 Just two comments... I would take the two Epic Boons at 19/20 personally, because if you are lucky enough to play this character to those levels, then why not enjoy the ultimate power! Also, how can you resist the Eleven Accuracy Feat when you have advantage on all 6 attacks and an extended Crit range via Champion. Just think of all the Critical Hits when you are rolling 18 d20's per turn!!! 😲🤣
With epic Boons, I specifically didn't want to, but absolutely yes, it's the best option. As for Elven Accuracy, I don't include any backwards compatible content without specific reason for it.
What do you think about multiclassing with Ranger over Fighter if you start at Tier 2/3? You'd still get the Weapon Masteries and Fighting Style at Ranger 2, and you'd get 1 Expertise and spell slots for your Wood Elf spells.
If you're starting at say, 7+, yeah I can see Ranger. You'd have to change quite a few things about the build, and I'd probably end up going 16 Monk 4 Ranger I think, but it should work fine.
Apologies if I missed it, but did you calculate the maths using Archery fighting style? I would imagine that +2 to hit represents way more damage on average than +2 damage per attack. Advantage on attacks mitigates that variance, but the math should confirm which is better overall, no?
Unfortunately Archery can only be used with Ranged Weapons, which do not qualify as Monk Weapons. Thrown Weapons don't count, except for the Dart. At very low levels, Archery with a hand crossbow might be better, but it gets quickly outclassed.
Yes, but our high speed and ability to ignore opportunity attacks because of Darkness means that we can still always stand at least 20 ft. away from the front line, so don't get in the way of our party.
I absolutely love it, well done. Obvious huge qualifier about being party friendly, and special-sighted enemies, but it still has its place
Yeah, I tried to build in enough stuff to make you as supportive as possible to minimise party tensions, but it does help a lot if there's a friendly Warlock.
Appreciate getting a different perspective on monk builds! I'll definitely play this one after enjoying the new grapple memes with my current shadow monk. Enjoyed your discussion of deviation percent...hope you stick with the UA-cam gig long enough to benefit.
Shoutout to Hades background music, loving it.
I lived for this!
Love the video! All your discussion about saving throws reminded me of something I haven’t seen creators talk about much: a lot of monster abilities (and some PC ones too) that would have required an attack roll and then a failed saving throw (for example, Ray of Sickness) can now deliver a debuff like the poisoned condition with no more than a hit with an attack. Saving throws are of course still really important, but I think AC will play a bigger role in avoiding debuffs than it did against 2014-era monsters.
We’re getting a preview video on the new monster manual tomorrow (and I’m guessing some creators have advance copies under NDA) so I hope we get some insight about that trend then.
Great video. You've got incredibly detailed and well laid out explanations. Truly outstanding work.
Seems like a great build! I was right on the same page with Resilient Dexterity, reached the same conclusion as soon as you ruled out the other feats and said one really odd feat. :P
I also really liked the selection of background music! Nice video. I'd love more like this.
Great build! That level 9 feat is hilarious!
I enjoyed that and you can almost ignore the weapon juggling. Since we lack the Monster Manual it will be interesting to see how Resistances work out as that may effect the overall efficiency at higher levels. I look forward to having a play around with the mathematics of it later.
You mentioned not doubling up on Epic Boons but to me that is the main reason to multiclass! If you do not need 17 Levels in a single Class for Rank 9 Spells then 16/4 or 12/8 seems the optimal combination. The Monk and Barbarian do have good capstones but so few games get that high I am not convinced it is worth waiting.
I think that 12/8 is probably optimal here. Pick up +2 WIS or something. The 11/9 split was a conscious decision to not get the feat.
I have many plans for the MM.
So in 2014, it was ok to cast on an object you were holding "If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that isn't being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and moves with it." In 2024 you are right
Came here to say the same thing!
I thought it was weird that I was seemingly playing this wrong the entire time, but nope, they just sneakily changed it and the_twig was the only one to point that out to me. 😂
Same thing brought me here. The new darkness is cast on point, that's what's special about the monks ability to move the darkness.
Alternatives to the darkness stick not covered in this video:
1) Wear a hat. When you want to cast darkness, use a free object interaction to toss the hat into the air, cast darkness on it, and catch it on your head.
2) Same but with a bracelet if a hat cramps your style.
3) Cast it on one of your weapons that you flip into the air briefly before fighting with it.
I can’t wait until we get to see the new animals in the Monster Manual.
If you want to make your DM despise you, pick a flying race or get a method of flight that scales off walking speed somehow. Minimizes negative effects on allies, (just fly up) become a lot more annoying to target, (a lot less likely to get AoE'd when nobody else is nearby) and grounded combatants hate you. Mage Slayer also makes you a god at snapping through concentration.
Personal experience speaking, I threw together a chaos gremlin of a fairy shadow monk last minute for a mini-campaign (DM gave mixed signals) and it was a blast. Turned an overleveled precasted 2014 Conjure animals Shepard druid into a laughing stock during a tournament.
Racial Flight is so incredibly strong. It has its weaknesses, like caves, although those aren't so much weaknesses as they are just requiring you to play like a normal person.
Oh, hey, the_twig!
Harengon Shadow Monk/Assassin Rogue
It feels surprisingly disorienting to call them "focus points" rather than "ki points."
Loving this video, by the way. Thanks for the great work.
Yeah, I know, took me a bit to get used to. I do think that I like Focus more though. It's a more generic term, which I think is good.
I was really hoping for the Gloom Stalker/Shadow Monk for the ultimate Ninja 🤘
Great video. I was under the impression that Epic Boons require the epic boon class feature, not just an available feat and level 19, so multiclassing more than a level actually makes it so you cannot get them. Especially since each class has a feature specifically called Epic Boon, and it's not just a feat requiring level 19.
Weirdly, the Epic Boons' only prerequisite is 19th level. You can still get them by multiclassing. I agree that that's bizarre.
Cool build! What about elven accuracy? Wouldn’t that be great with perma advantage?
Yeah, absolutely. I don't include any backwards compatible content in my videos without specific reason though, so I didn't pick it.
@@the_twig131 fair enough, makes sence
Cool video although I got a little confuse at the combat turn at 2nd level. ¿How do you manage to get 3 attacks in a sinlge turn?
A Handaxe and Nick Dagger let you make two attacks without using your Bonus Action, then I used Martial Arts to make a BA Unarmed Strike.
@@the_twig131 I see I think I was just confused by you begginning the turn with the spear but I just checked the rules and properties of the handaxe on DnD Beyond and everything is clear now. Thanks!
This looks fun, but I am waiting for druid, huge fan from the 2e era ❤
What would the standard deviation be for a Eldritch Knight fighter with three levels and Evoker wizard? For the graze property and the always doing at least half damage on a booming blade?
Every time I see a magic card like silent takedown I think:
What does a modal removal spell for limited have to do with a DnD character,
then I remember I shouldn't take it that literally
Yeah, it's just a cool picture of a guy throwing a kunai.
A couple things I may be missing
1. What is the primary point of going more than 4 levels of fighter?
2. Are the ranged weapons mostly just for weapon properties?
1) We get an extra feat, an extra Fighting Style, and more Monk honestly doesn't give us too much outside of just more defences, which we already have shed loads of.
2) The thrown weapons actually do the most damage of any of the available options, and the ability to take either Slow on the Javelin, or alternatively Sap on the Spear gives us a small amount of control as well, which we wouldn't get otherwise.
I just finished the video and I have maybe an odd request. Could you make a video (or reply to this comment if it’s like a 2 sentence thing) explaining how to create and use the spreadsheet you used in this video? I don’t know how to use spreadsheets and I want to do this for builds and homebrew I make. I’m specifically curious about how you calculated the average damage and what things like “Build T1 US DPR” and “Build T2 FoB DPR” mean.
Edit: Also the video was great! I would have subscribed if I wasn’t already lol. Sry I forgot to say that the first time.
I'm not going to do a video, since that's a significant amount of work and probably isn't a topic with a massive audience, but I'm happy to explain it.
First off, here's a link to the spreadsheet. It's also in the description:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sWL9jVbGVaBAgu6Si0cM52PXlhLSpr2zZcKIG3mcroU/edit?usp=sharing
And here's a blank version that you can make your own builds on (although I've not updated the damage baselines and class features for 2024):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eiGEr61yhKe0y0tyTYDIXZs9fWD7S9sSWyRwRKszMAM/edit?usp=sharing
As you'll see, I've added and removed some column from the Black Volley version. You basically just type whatever you get each level and make a build fairly easily.
The damage is a bit more complicated. In the top right of the Build tabs, you'll see it hyperlinks to a website called AnyDice, and loads a function library that I've written. Essentially, this is a dice based coding language, although it's fairly janky and a bit difficult to use. The blank version will take you to a slightly simplified library with some examples that my friend made to try and help people learn. I can't really teach you how to use it here, but if you do want to learn, here's some good Reddit posts:
www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/9skfiz/anydice_tutorial_part_1_basics_and_damage/
www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/9sv548/anydice_tutorial_part_2_functions_rerolls_crits/
www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/gf111s/anydice_tutorial_part_3_state_the_great_weapon/
@@the_twig131Thank you! :3
This is all I could’ve asked for! Also sorry for not seeing the link from the description
Nice build. 😎 Just two comments...
I would take the two Epic Boons at 19/20 personally, because if you are lucky enough to play this character to those levels, then why not enjoy the ultimate power!
Also, how can you resist the Eleven Accuracy Feat when you have advantage on all 6 attacks and an extended Crit range via Champion. Just think of all the Critical Hits when you are rolling 18 d20's per turn!!! 😲🤣
With epic Boons, I specifically didn't want to, but absolutely yes, it's the best option.
As for Elven Accuracy, I don't include any backwards compatible content without specific reason for it.
@the_twig131 Ah that makes sense. A 5.24 build. 😎
What do you think about multiclassing with Ranger over Fighter if you start at Tier 2/3? You'd still get the Weapon Masteries and Fighting Style at Ranger 2, and you'd get 1 Expertise and spell slots for your Wood Elf spells.
If you're starting at say, 7+, yeah I can see Ranger. You'd have to change quite a few things about the build, and I'd probably end up going 16 Monk 4 Ranger I think, but it should work fine.
Apologies if I missed it, but did you calculate the maths using Archery fighting style? I would imagine that +2 to hit represents way more damage on average than +2 damage per attack. Advantage on attacks mitigates that variance, but the math should confirm which is better overall, no?
Unfortunately Archery can only be used with Ranged Weapons, which do not qualify as Monk Weapons. Thrown Weapons don't count, except for the Dart.
At very low levels, Archery with a hand crossbow might be better, but it gets quickly outclassed.
Neat build. Don't you have to run into melee every turn to do your furry of blows?
Yes, but our high speed and ability to ignore opportunity attacks because of Darkness means that we can still always stand at least 20 ft. away from the front line, so don't get in the way of our party.
level 9 is genius hahaha
I knew I had to pick that when I realised it was an option.
Do beastmaster ranger
the monk is overbuilt-too much to keep track of lol
I found the straight-class barbarian!