I know there is a little tension between your DnD fans and your BG3 fans, but I do want to let you know your BG3 builds really helped me a lot with understanding the game and basic 5e mechanics. I still reference those builds to this day. Don't sell these short I'm sure they're helping a lot of people
Tension?! That’s annoying. I’m both and I second this. I went from a week of understanding 3 levels to multiple builds in the bank and greatly appreciate the help. If I JUST did the BG3 stuff in 5e, I’d still be ok. Love this channel lol
@@NAHS1493I dropped in to say exactly what you already did! I look at either type of build as an idea to try on the other... Plus, Colby has that chill demeanor that I kinda dig in explanation type vids!
@@beastslayer8729 There is. If you look at the comment section on some posts there's a little divide. One side says this has always been a DnD channel and BG3 is a fad and not worth the time, and the other have no clue what DnD is about (and want to know) and his BG3 content was the first gateway to experiment. BG3, IMO, is quite possibly the best introduction to DnD ever created and I don't think it's a fad but a great teaching tool/game.
@@Enkarashaddam Thats so weird. I have always seen them as almost exactly the same game. BG3 is just my idea of virtual DND. Sure, there are quite a few rule changes, but the essence of the game is VERY evident. I can't believe people don't see that. 90% of these BG3 builds can be translated to 5e perfectly anyways.
Seriously this channel is just so so good, I was thinking about trying D&D at some point but after checking the stuff here I'm kind of certain of it haha
Modded BG3 content yes please! Also if you ever wanted to just do a playthrough, I'd totally watch! Interested in what sort of character you'd make for a full run and how you would go about the game in general
With regards to Bg3, your videos are the only ones i watch when it comes to BG3. That said, after my 5th campaign ive been taking a break. The game has been out for a while now and i guess its normal for players to move on to the next thing. I just wanted to say its definitely not your fault this is happening. As far as im concerned, there is no channel i would rather watch than this one when it comes to BG3. Thanks man! I hope you still choose to do more bg3 in the future!
On that note, I've always thought it would be super cool to watch a stream/playthrough of him playing BG3 in a similar fashion of one that plays D&D, on character creation, talking about the character background, roleplaying accordingly to their store and alignment, etc. I think many of us would love to watch it.
There's a balance here, as I'd consider items as spoilers as they are often thematically linked to the act you are in and it's a big game that a lot of people are still working their way through.
There are less than you'd think, the item creativity and variety really dries up after ACT1 😢 and then there is that spoiler aspect as well that was already mentioned However, some full builds with items built around the 2 heavily themed elemental item mechanics: Heat and Lightning charges could be great fun to watch and try out 🤔
@@Songfugel hard not to get spoilery here, which i'll avoid but there's tons of stuff around radiant and darkness that you can build a char off of that synergise.
there's a TON of radiant stuff that adds up, the Paladin armor in Act 1 and the Hammer in the Creche all trigger off each other, drop a cleric spell and then wander around the battlefield exploding divine on everything with little balls of light
I love the BG3 videos and hope you draw them out a little longer before going back to your regular content! Recommendations for more BG3 videos: The other companions (Halsin, Minthara, Minsc, Jahira); How to make BG3 builds work in 5e; BG3 Builds around specific items or element interactions.
You don't talk too much. Your videos are honestly the perfect length and amt of depth/explanation. Age 40 and BG3 is the first chance I've had to dip my toe into D&D, despite a lifelong desire. Your content is really helping me understand the game, and very inspiring for role play too! Thank you so much for all that you do. 🖤
Just want to state that regardless of traffic and views, your builds have provided some of the most fun I’ve had not only in bg3 but in RPGs in general. Since I found your channel it has become one of my favorites!
Welcome Home everyone! YES - another D4 Baldur's Gate 3 video. I very much enjoy the way you deliver your videos and describe these characters. I personally would enjoy modded character builds as I play on PC, but I understand that many people do not. So it's a question of interest for yourself and your audience. So count at least 1 vote for an artificer build!
I do believe the modders who added the extra stuff in BG3 used 5e as source material, so you should just be able to reference his DND 5e builds to much success
I hope you can keep producing your BG3 builds. I was already a subscriber before BG3 and will be a viewer no matter what, but right now BG3 is taking up all of my CRPG time. Your takes make fun viewing. Monks are the best martial class in BG3, and that’s in a game where all classes and subclasses can shine. I always like a Bard, and I’m enjoying seeing some love for martial bards. They’re the closest you can get to the F/M/T of my youth.
Love the way you make your builds seem so easy and clear and you don't assume that everyone knows the D&D mechanics as well as you do. For me, watching your content is a breath of fresh air! Originally, I found you for Baldur's Gate content but now I'm going to give tabletop a try again. You're a great teacher!
Thank you for all your excellent videos, Colby! A note on the killer bard, for those that want to play that build: there's a helmet in act two that complements it perfectly - the helmet of arcane acuity. It buffs your spell save DC with every instance of weapon damage, allowing you to land a couple off-hand hits then cast a near-unsaveable control spell in the same turn! Definitely worth going out of your way to pick it up as early as possible.
1. I'm so glad to see you week after week. Your vids might not always fit my needs but just make me feel better. 2. I play BG3 only on GeForce now thus I'm not be able to mod the game too but the more BG3 content the better
Thanks for all the bg3 videos you have done! I hope that you'll post one from time to time, even if it doesn't make sense financially to pump them out regularly
I found your channel through BG3. I really enjoy your videos and will continue watching your builds. Thank you for all the work that goes into making these videos. I just started my 2nd play through, and yes I got some mods running. Party limit begone is my favorite for the companion banter.
Colby your builds are DOPE and you seem like a genuine rad guy. I think you have the potential to grow a massive platform. You are showing a lot of awareness by discussing your mixed thoughts on the content directions with us. I have no doubt you’ll find a way to keep that balance and stay real as your channel goes 📈.
PSA for BG3 players: I recommend two items: Helmet of Arcane Acuity (Act 2) and Band of the Mystic Scoundrel (Act 3). Swords Bard can max stack the helmet turn 1, increasing Spell DC to 23, then use the ring to debilitate someone with an enchantment/illusion spell cast as a bonus action.
I’ve tried so many of your builds but the killer bard is by far my favorite !!! I love all your videos. I appreciate the way you break everything down and explain it in a way where I can actually understand and learn everything !
The bard build is amazing. Pick up some bardic boots, in act 2 in the temple, to have a free refresh of your bardic inspiration for even more flourishes.
I know Colby doesn’t discuss items with his builds, but there is a helmet that really cranks the swords bard to 11 (pun intended!). The Helm of Arcane Acuity gives you 2 turns of Arcane Acuity when you hit with a weapon. You can max this out in one round, giving you a +7 to spell attack rolls and spell save DC. Perfect way to add some reliable battlefield control.
As a relative newbie to DnD, newly hooked on BG3, I hadn’t thought I’d be interested in multi-class builds so soon. But I’ve gained a deeper appreciation and greater enthusiasm for the game through your perspective. Your vids are always educational, entertaining and creative. And, in case no one has mentioned it lately, Colby, your eye candy appeal remains strong. So, thanks for that, too.😊
Absolutely love your BG3 build guides and they are my GO-TO for BG3. Still finishing my first playthrough with the Barbarian/Paladin build you presented in your first BG3 video and LOVE her. I think providing a build guide that would be involved with some mod use would be excellent (especially spellsinger), especially if you took the time to explain how you got your mod, and how you set it up, for those intimidated by mod setup, (and don't want to find other channels to learn how to do it). Keep up the great guides!
Sadly my real life friends do not play D&D but that has never stopped me being interested in it as a whole. I did find your channel through BG3 but have watched many of your videos because frankly it is so "comfy" and I love the theorycrafting and format (and the lovely voice). Have been fascinated specially by your Bladesinger videos. If a full video isn't feasible for mods (them being a niche), please consider if its possible to at least a quickie guide on the Bladesinger and Artificer mods and possible multiclassing, because as we know there's enough difference between 5e and BG3 and I find myself wondering how to build them, specially Bladesinger in BG3 in a game where you can inscribe wiz spells at any level (and yes you can shadowblade booming blade!). Regardless if you keep with the BG3, you have earned a subscriber for life here!
Hi Colby. First, I just want to say huge thanks for the bg3 videos! The 4ele monk build got me especially inspired since I was musing over how to build Spore druid and your hex idea fit the halo of spores perfectly. Additionally, bg3 has a lot of items that make the following build work early and make it shine throughout the game. In itemization main focus to get AC high so that you don’t get prioritized by enemies maintaining Halo of spores temporary hitpoints and have some kind of augmentation for Strength score because we’re ultra MAD. So, without further ado: 1 Monk Stats: 16 dex 16 wiz 15 con 2 Monk 3 Monk Way of the Elements: Fangs of the Fire Snake!, Water Whip, Fist of Unbroken Air (one of the very early items to get is Bracers of Defense in Blighted Village giving us 18 AC very early in the game, take that Heavy Armor users) 4 Monk Feat: Tavern Brawler 5 Monk Extra attack (around this time, you need to go to Underdark, particularly Arcane Tower, do the thing, ascend to the top floor, break the chair and get the Club of the Hill Giant Strength (sets your str to 19)) Now here you would stop me and say we're doing unarmed strikes where this club comes from, however, in my testing you can still do the Fangs of the Fire Snake which counts as unarmed strikes while having a club in your main hand. This solves our little MAD problem of having Tavern Brawler with no strength score. Obviously in Act 2 you can just go pure with Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength (21str) but this is reliable act 1 option. 6 Druid 1 7 Druid 2 Circle of the Spores PYF spells and cantrips 8 Druid 3 9 Druid 4 Feat: Wiz +2 10+ Monk Feat: Wiz +2 So overall very synergistic build with high Wiz that helps unarmored defense, all the Druid and Monk abilities, High AC from Unarmored Defense, very high ranged unarmed strike damage output from Tavern Brawler and 4 Elements Monk and nice survivability with temporary hitpoints from Halo of Spores.
Bg3 has been my introduction to dnd. And your videos have helped me get into dnd more. I listen to your videos via podcast everyday (and go back and watch on UA-cam)and I even try to build those builds in bg3. Though, I don’t understand everything. So I appreciate the dnd and bg3 videos. Also, yes I would love to see bg3 builds with mods. I have recently downloaded the psi knife and psi warrior mods for bg3 because of your psi knife build (epi. 73). All and all, I’m looking forward to future videos to come. Thanks for all you do!
Omg.....you're using my build! This is the build I used to play and finish my first BG3 playthrough. Initially, I just wanted to be a rogue, but it's meh at higher levels and I wanted more utility. So, I made rogue to 4 and started buying bard, but in hindsight, I would go 1/1 immediately. I'm trying that now in a multiplayer playthrough with a friend of mine, and she's playing a druid. Slashing Flourish with 4 levels of rogue and 8 levels of bard is straight overpowered. I dunked the last boss in 2 rounds because of it. So, initially, I did not expect this build to be powerful. I expected to have a decent combat character, but was really trying to focus on utility spells and such like feather fall, longstrider, speak with animals, detect thoughts, speak with the dead, invisibility, see invisibility, and hold person. This gives you an incredible arsenal of buffs, damage, healing, and a myriad of skills. I'm so happy you displayed this build, but I do think the 4 rogue/8 bard build is perfect lol... Thank you for once again making me so happy! This FACE bard build was so incredible to play, it felt so good, and you could do anything with it. Again, it really felt...too good. Then you still have snarky rogue and Bard responses. There isn't enough to say about how crazy this build can get.
Def wanna chime in and say your build videos helped me actually start learning how to make builds in BG3 and have made my playthrough a LOT more fun. Going from 1 attack per round to like 5 makes the game a lot more playable in those late game fights with like 20 NPCs.
Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in here. I found this channel because of BG3, I have been a fan of the DnD world since I was in high school over 30 years ago. I haven't played TTRPG's since then, not for lack of interest, just due to crazy demands on my time, be it work or personal life. I have 5e books sitting on my shelves. Just haven't made time or found a group that I could commit to playing with regularly. PC RPG's let me get as close as I can to playing DnD, as I can squeeze in an hour here or there randomly during the week and get my fix. I've played the Divinity games, Solasta, Dungeon Siege, Bard's Tale and Dragon Age, just to name a few and currently Baldur's Gate 3. I love your builds, I am using them to influence my "Tav" build as well as my companions. I joined your channel and even ordered some Magic Spoon cereal for my wife. I know BG3 is kind of your side gig on your channel, but I hope you keep making vids for it. I would love to see some gameplay videos showing optimization and synergy between your builds in combat. Maybe that's a whole can of worms you don't have time for. Just a thought. Thanks for what you do!
*Duel Crossbow Killer:* You get your first "Extra Attack" on LV3, a second Arrow in you main Shot at LV7 and the real extra Attack on LV10. Your shoot 4 times with your main Hand, and 2 times with your off hand. 17Dex, 16Con, 15Cha Starterclass: Rogue - LV1: Expertise - LV2: Hide 'n' Dash as BA - LV3: Thief (2nd BA aka. "Extra Attack") - LV4: Sharp-Shooter Feat. Fighter: - LV5 (F1): Archer Style, Armor and Shield Bard: - LV6 (B1): Instrument - LV7 (B2): Inspiration - LV8 (B3): Way of Swords (2-Weapon) - LV9 (B4): +1Cha & +1Dex - LV10 (B5): Fear oder Hypnotic - LV11 (B6): Main-Hand extra Attack Fighter: - LV12 (F2): Action Search
Colby you've made me feel incredibly validated, I've been playing the swords bard build almost exactly (literally every choice is the same but went fighter 3 at the end for battle master maneuvers so every short rest is even stronger) off and on for the past month and its so strong! Really cool to see you show it off here
love your builds, Colby. *edit* I was having trouble deciding what to do with my already-dex-archery-Fighter Tav. I went with the Killer Bard build from this video and never looked back. What an improvement. She gained utility in dialogue, power in combat, expertise in Sleight of Hand, AND spells, which she really doesn't have much use for, so it's basically a pile of slots for heals outside of combat, so Shart can just keep casting Call Lightning. She's the swiss army knife of the party. Karlach melts single big targets, Shart and Gale sling AOEs, and she does the rest, as well as melting enemies alongside Karlach. She's the trap-and-lock-picker, the talker, AND usually first in combat. Just awesome.
Thank you so much for your BG3 builds. They've been incredibly helpful for someone like me who has absolutely no idea what she's doing and initially just got the game for the hungry wizard and the dashing vampire. I appreciate your explanations and reasoning for every choice. That said, the optimized companion series gave me the (over?)confidence to try a tactician run, something I really have no business attempting, but no one can stop me. So again, thank you, and I can't wait to re-spec my bard tonight
There are specific build concepts I've been looking for that I haven't seen done anywhere, and they all have to do w multiplayer. - 3 builds best suited to join a friend's main BG3 game and support them OUTSIDE OF DIALOGUE. For instance, perception would be more highly valued, maybe investigation. That they be either gear agnostic or that the build options can cover holes in the friend's party. I want friend to feel powerful, and that my build doesnt require play differences like relying on stealth +surprise. - the second concept is the opposide of the one above: never-fail-a-dialogue-roll-ever, I-can-suck-at-combat-and-that's-half-the-fun face. First answered by 'bard', but the spreadsheet analysis I'm looking for are dialogue-specific. Over half of my game time is either dialogue or exploration, and people only build for combat /shrug.
I play both BG3 and D&D. I got here because of your BG3 videos in my recommendations and I stayed because of the amazing D&D content. I love watching both.
Been modding games since High School would love to see modded builds! Edit: Also just now realizing the Arachnophobia build is the Three Bears build but with Spiders. Perfect for spoopy season!
Another thing that's so crazy about monks in BG3 is Step of the Wind: Dash makes your jump a free action. It has no jump cap (Literally free I guess lol) for the duration, and jump distance scales with your strength, so you can jump unlimited times during Step of the Wind: Dash. If you move only by jumping, You can move upwards of 120 meters with verticality included at high strength values, every single turn you use it. Really channel that Air Bender aspect of being the Avatar. When you're hasted or have Enhanced Leap cast on you, it's the most insane amount of movement in the entire game.
I think I've mentioned it before, but as a DM and homebrewer who can't actually play BG3, it's great to hear what changes they made and how people are responding to said changes. It helps me figure out what things I can do to help my group enjoy the game more while also just finding inspiration for new ideas. I mean, heck, hearing how popular and powerful Tavern Brawler is (particularly compared to the Tabletop version) makes me want to either buff it to be in the ballpark of BG3 (though probably not quite as powerful), or just buff unarmed combat for specifically proficient characters (monks, unarmed fighting style) to incorporate some of that fun and make those choices feel really cool.
This channel and bg3 really introduced me to the dnd world and I love it! I added 5e spells mod, cleric subclasses mod, and Druid wildfire mod, and built one of your dnd wildfire builds in baldurs gate and it has been so fun! Thank you for all your videos! Truly the best channel for both baldurs gate and dnd!
Love your builds for BG3 . I have watched your D&D videos . i haven't played D&D in years . My last campaign was my kids. So grateful for your builds & thoughts on D&D / BG3 . I played vanilla my first play through in BG3 no mods. My 5 next playthrough currently at 84 mods & growing. Playing Artificer, Bloodhunter multi-classes. I will be downloading Bladesinger . Thank you for this . Keep on keeping on . I've found your videos amazing & informative.
as a fellow bladesinger stan can confirm, the bladesinger mod(along with booming blade and green flame blade and all the other juicy spells they missed) is as obscenely powerful in game as it is on the table-top, also making a prediction(i'm at the start of the video) that your killer bard is 10 swords bard/2 pal, which was my first playthrough build and OMG going full dex and being the face/rogue, weiding the sword of screams for most of the game, same level of crazy as the blagesinger, also, bladesinger/paladin is very fun too, love your work dude, follow for the dnd, bg3 content is good too
Finally got my friends on BG3 and I'm loving builds like Arachnophobia. Thank you so much for the effort and time. PS: Feel free to do a few more with your infinite spare time and lack of other more important responsibilities.
I did thief/swords bard for Astarion on my main playthrough. Level 7 bard for greater invisibility and the rest rogue for lots of expertise and focused more on daggers but definitely did some dual crossbow action as well
Thank you for the BG3 videos! Your videos have helped me to understand the WHY behind build/spell choices and have helped me to have a smoother playthrough.
The Titanstring Bow is an amazing longbow to use for a ranged build instead of dual hand crossbows. You get +str to damage in addition to normal bonuses. Add in Diagram of Arcane Synergy to also add casting modifier to weapon damage, you get a lot of solid flat damage. For a single weapon ranged build, Bard 8, Ranger 4. Hunter Ranger gets Horde Breaker which tags all enemies within a range of your target so that you can attack each of them as a free action. Gets 3 feats, Archery fighting style, caster level 10 for extra spell slots, and spells off both the Ranger and Bard spell lists. Since it's a single weapon, no offhand means the Thief extra bonus action can be skipped for either Fighter(for Maneuvers) or Ranger (for Hunter or Gloom stalker bonuses) levels instead.
I love and always loved your work for D&D and, now, for BG3 as well. Just one thing on magic items (which is less important in D&D where the master has a say on it and you can craft your own weapon or having NPCs crafting them for you): in BG3 magic weapons are just the ones you find in game and many are quite OP for a 12 Lvl CAP (in my campaigns certain BG3 weapons would never find a place until very late, like last couple of sessions); they are so powerful you may think to alter perfectly logical builds just for the sake of them. The OP hand crossbows mechanism, at a later stage, suffers from not having many good options in terms of weapon equipment.
Colby, thanks again! I subbed a long time ago for your D&D content, as I've been a forever DM for, well......ever, and I use your optimized builds to prepare for different scenarios. However, I really appreciate your BG3 videos, because BG3 freaking rocks. I don't understand why the two fan groups have to be mutually exclusive. I'll hold down the barbed wire, and invite the crews to intermingle! You rock, Colby!
As a fan of both DnD & BG3 and finding your channel has really helped with character ideas and builds to compete with my friends powerful builds when I would play what felt like underpowered characters. Having your insight on both is great. Thank you for producing your videos.
Just coming to add to comments that your builds have been a ton of fun and honestly I find way more thought out than others I've seen! Coming back for a second playthrough now only to see you crafted up quite a few other builds since then!
I’ve been playing the armorer 5e build in a bg3 modded run with a friend and it’s been sooo fun! Excited to see some modded builds as well. Keep up the great content as always Colby!
BG3 builds is how I find you and subscribed right away and watched all your video. I just love the details you put into your builts. I really hope you don't stop doing BG3 builts. I'm starting a new campaing with my daughter and will go killer bard with Arachnaphobia, that will be a great synergy. Keep up the good work.
Found Colby by BG3 but love this channel so very much. I seriously think I will play D&D after as I just love this content. Finding it hard to watch other BG3 channels. Keep up the great work.
After my first play-through I've been waiting until I can jump back in again. These BG3 videos have been great to watch while working but I also started to enjoy the DND character builds. Either subject, keep up the awesome videos!
This has got to be my favorite ep of this series yet! All these builds are so cool! I've been especially loving the ranged bard build on my tactician run, Astarion is using that build and it feels fitting and his innate ability to get +1 to attack rolls with Happy is a nice little bonus for the build!
Absolutely stoked to hear of your trip to go see Kelly and Monty up in Toronto! Your channels are so great to follow hope to see more collabs in the future!
I've been playing around with a ranged damage-dealing bard, and my friend pointed me this video and this is so much better than anything I was coming up with! Thanks so much, this is awesome and I'll definitely be checking out your other builds
The bard is a great user of the arcane acuity helmet and the band of the mystic scoundrel. Turn that BA into an irresistible hypnotic pattern or hold person.
For the uninitiated. That helm gives 2 spell attack roll/difficulty class stacks for each weapon attack (max 7) and the ring let's you use an ench/illusion spell as a bonus action after doing a weapon attack. It's essentially +hit spell accuracy. In other words it's hilariously easy for a killer bard to max stacks in one turn and end said turn by making sure your strongest insult lays them low after turning them and their friends into pin cushions or mostly assuredly lock down that one tough guy or a whole group of tough guys after wiping out half of them.
I would be interested in a video that explores combat and gives examples and detailed strategies. Also, a side-by-side comparison of the combat abilities of the different classes.
Omg, I heard "We get Second Wind at this level which allows us to Pee ourselves a little bit as a bonus action..." I had to do a double take and go back to make sure you actually said "heal ourselves." This is a sign I need more coffee. 🤣🤣🤣
In regards to modded builds, i feel a great way to go about them would be to tack an extra modded build at the end of these types of videos. That way you wouldn't have to make full videos just for people who mod the game. Love the vids btw
I love these style of building guides. You crunch the numbers for what multiclass options work well. And let me play the game with a good foundation and find items and tweak and optimize. Thanks! 🙏
Totally understandable cutting back on the BG3 videos, although that is how I found your channel! Perfect timing for me, as BG3 has got me and my friends back into DnD, and you've definitely helped! Modded BG3 content would be absolutely incredible, if you don't think it will be worth your time then don't do it, but I know I'll be watching every Tuesday from now on!
Ugh, I am jealous! I love Kelly and Monty and it has always been a dream of mine to meet them :), and you just get to hang out with them! So not fair :).
Awesome content! Just a heads up for those interested in dual wielding hand crossbows. The off hand attacks are currently bugged as they include the ability modifier for damage and maybe even hit chance as far as I've seen, unless already fixed by latest patch. This means that hand crossbows are some of the strongest weapons to use on any dex heavy build just because of how easy they are to optimize. Even full casters can make use of that bonus action full damage attack which can synergize with lots of magical item effects.
Two things: 1) for monks, gloves of dexterity are great for that boost to AC and still feeling like a monk on a strength based monk. I know it means you can’t use gloves that boost unarmed attack damage but I’d rather have the dex 2) I’d love a mods focussed video! I only use one mod and it’s the one that allows you to punch even if you have a weapon equipped like you can do in D&D. It means you can still get the bonuses from equipping magic items :)
Just a little encouraging comment (though you’re probably big enough not to read them all lol): I’m a teacher and I’ve always played my d&d on computer (bg1 and 2 mainly but also Neverwinter and a couple of others). I run the d&d group at school because they’re my kind of nerds - but I’ve never been a *good* DM until playing bg3 and watching videos highlighting the similarities and differences between bg3 and tabletop. I think your content - both bg3 and d&d - has made me a better DM for my students. I understand the game better and I can react better to what the kids do. So thank you ☺️ I appreciate you.
For the first build it’s worth noting that sneak attack does the same thing that the fire snake does proccing hex an extra time. If you could slap on some finesse weapons you could be triggering another two possible hex pops and having better action economy to move hex around. Does feel very Zuko as well if you go with something like scimitars(optimal obviously would be the crit range extenders of course.)
If you plan on running with the bladesinger expansion mod, it requires the 5e spells mod which brings in the greenflame blade and booming blade cantrips into the game! But they work weird, if you take the attack action, it lets you make your second attack as one of those cantrips (like how blade singer works) but bladesinger lets you make both attacks with those cantrips. So you could cast both on the same turn if you wanted. Also, spirit shrowed and shadowblade are both added into the game. Also also, hexblade warlock subclass with expanded invocations are 2 great mods to look at
Just wanted to drop in and aay i found your channel because of the Bg3 stuff but equally now love the d&d. Will stick around whatever you do from now because its a lovely channel. Do what makes you happy/whatever is most lucrative!
I was a 5e only stan, but after getting into BG3 (late to the game), and your fun builds definitely helped push me to embrace a new game and your new content
I have found that my Beast Master 8/Thief Rogue 4 with Wolf Spider Companion is good enough. The spider throws out Web every turn, while your main character double hand crossbow Sharpshooter with four attacks every turn (hoping to get Advantage against the Enwebbed target).
One thing I found useful with Step of the Wind is that jumping no longer cost a bonus action, and it then only cost 10ft per jump. So using Step of the Wind Dash, you can jump 5-6 times, which was quite useful when escaping a certain laser within 4 turns. :)
I've said it before and I'll say it again you are a delight sir I'll be subscribed forever and even if I stopped playing BG3 I'd just watch your videos for how chill they are. Big love from the UK
14:00 Both of them also allow you to jump for free, and the only limitation is the amount of movement you have. with how the jump works in BG3- ie it always costs 3meters of movement but you can jump even 14 meters per jump (at 21 strength with Gracious Cloth (the one from Lady Ester), Corvid Token (amulet you can buy from Mattis in Rivington) and Swiresy shoes (In Goblin Camp) or Bonespike boots(Rivington)), that means that for that 1 bonus action you can then jump several times, and traverse a several times longer distance than what any rogue could ever dream of- even assuming no movement bonuses, after taking that "disengage" you can then traverse 42 METERS via jumping, add a longstrider and Crushers Ring and now it's 70 meters, add a dash, and now it's 140 meters worth of distance IN A SINGLE TURN- I mean sure you used both action and bonus action, but whenever that character was, now it's on the other side of the fing map- and mind you that's assuming you used the "disengage" one, with the "Dash one" you get 280 meters worth of distance IN 6 SECONDS. That's 170 kilometers per hour (105 Mooses Per Hamburgers for the americans)
As someone who started watching you because of BG3, I reeeeally appreciate your DND knowledge coming through to make some awesome BG3 builds and hope they continue!! ❤️
So I know you probably already know this, but I'm gonna throw it out there. You can multiclass into ranger instead of starting at level one with it to still get heavy armor proficiency in BG3. Love your content. Keep up the good work.
Good news! You don’t need two weapon fighting to add your DEX mod to your offhand attack with a hand crossbow. I don’t know if it’s a bug but in BG3 you only need it for melee weapons. I took duelling instead at level 3 because my Bard uses a shield, and if he’s ever stuck in melee range that extra damage is nice. I also went 8 Bard 1 Fighter 3 Rogue - it means I miss out on action surge but I just wanted to feel more… Bardy. Confusion and Greater Invisibility are fun spells. Plus you get an extra Bardic Inspiration charge at Bard 8
I really enjoy the BG3 content and D&D content equally. I don’t have as much time to work out builds for either these days, and I’m still putting equal play time into both. I’m happy with any content on this channel that is positive for you as the creator.
Running Karlach with your Avatar and holy crap is it so much fun and so dang powerful. I really only use fire fang and flurry blows so she is more Zuko than avatar but I find that fitting
I absolutely found your channel via the BG3 videos and hope they continue i was totally new too dnd jumping into bg3 and your videos have helped me out. Build suggestion, front line dual mace wielding str cleric 😊
I love the idea of builds that don't need great gear to work. It takes a lot of time exploring and finding all the gear in the game. So with these builds I can focus on what my character wants to do.
I have loved your BG3 builds! Your videos have added so many hours of fun for me by inspiring me to try different builds that I had never considered. Thank you so much for you efforts!
I truly enjoy both your DnD and BG3 builds! Thank you for everything you do! Your light cleric and tempest cleric 11 wizard 1 builds are making one of my BG3 runs so fun!
My thoughts on your intro: I had never touched DnD until BG3. The combat has interested me, when usually I'm more into storytelling in games rather than the combat, so I found your channel when trying to figure out ideas for my characters. It has helped a lot! I am about to start a multiplayer playthrough on tactitian for the first time so came to your channel to flesh out my storm sorcerer plans. I think the hard part for you is then - from my perspective either two things happen after this. Either I find a good build that I want to try and then I leave to try it and don't need to come back for more build ideas because I've got what I need for the next 100 hours of gameplay, OR I don't find a build that fits the character I'm trying to make and I end up searching on reddit or something instead. I don't know what the right answer is for you based on that, but figured I'd offer my perspective in case it's useful. One thing I'd love, if you're able to do it without too much extra crazy effort, is some visuals of the spells that you recommend while you're talking about them. I'm a visual person so sometimes it's hard for me to focus when I'm just listening. I'd especially love this if you tried out a modded class, so I can see what it looks like before I decide to download (or not). I recognize this could be a big extra step in making videos, though, so I won't be offended if you don't decide to go for that. :)
First time playing a DnD themed game like bg3 and you have been more than crucial to help em learn and understand the game and builds and this world in general. Cant recommend your videos enough
That Warlock dip in the Avatar build was actually genius. I experimented with a monk build for one of the characters and ended up with Open Hand Monk 6/Battle Master Fighter 3/Thief Rogue 3. I feel like that one-level Warlock dip would have worked better for me than Fighter 3 because most Battle Master maneuvers don't seem to work with unarmed attacks. With all the items you can get, monks can dish out some amazing damage. It was honestly pretty funny just having a heavy-armored strength-based monk punch things with an empty fist for one hand and have a shield in the other. The Four-Elements Monk optional ally was legitimately pretty disappointing in terms of damage though despite how much hype they had, but I guess it worked fine as somewhat of a "straight class" showcase character.
One thing to keep in mind when going with STR monk and wearing heavy armor. Your movement might suffer BUT you can jump really far. I made an open hand/thief rogue monk build and using step of the wind you can jump multiple times without using a bonus action beyond step of the wind. Easily the most mobile character I've played to date.
I think what I like about your BG3 videos over your 5e ones is that I can get the same build in less time. Having multiple builds per video really helps me get through it better. Even if the videos are the same length. I can pay attention easier when there's more builds in a single one. I'd also love to see you start building with 3rd party content from folks like the Dungeon Dudes, Indestructoboy, & Laserllama
I know there is a little tension between your DnD fans and your BG3 fans, but I do want to let you know your BG3 builds really helped me a lot with understanding the game and basic 5e mechanics. I still reference those builds to this day. Don't sell these short I'm sure they're helping a lot of people
Tension?! That’s annoying. I’m both and I second this. I went from a week of understanding 3 levels to multiple builds in the bank and greatly appreciate the help. If I JUST did the BG3 stuff in 5e, I’d still be ok. Love this channel lol
@@NAHS1493I dropped in to say exactly what you already did! I look at either type of build as an idea to try on the other... Plus, Colby has that chill demeanor that I kinda dig in explanation type vids!
Is there really? I like all this man's content equally.
@@beastslayer8729 There is. If you look at the comment section on some posts there's a little divide. One side says this has always been a DnD channel and BG3 is a fad and not worth the time, and the other have no clue what DnD is about (and want to know) and his BG3 content was the first gateway to experiment. BG3, IMO, is quite possibly the best introduction to DnD ever created and I don't think it's a fad but a great teaching tool/game.
@@Enkarashaddam Thats so weird. I have always seen them as almost exactly the same game. BG3 is just my idea of virtual DND. Sure, there are quite a few rule changes, but the essence of the game is VERY evident. I can't believe people don't see that. 90% of these BG3 builds can be translated to 5e perfectly anyways.
The best thing about BG3 was finding this channel. What a breath of fresh air.
Glad you could join us. Welcome home!
Seriously this channel is just so so good, I was thinking about trying D&D at some point but after checking the stuff here I'm kind of certain of it haha
💯%
"Your 4 elements monk will look a little less like Aang and a little more like Zuko..."
Most Avatar fans: "I see this as an Absolute Win."
I came here to say this, but I knew in my heart it had already been said
But you’re trying to keep the absolute from winning lol
Hello, Zuko here.
Modded BG3 content yes please! Also if you ever wanted to just do a playthrough, I'd totally watch! Interested in what sort of character you'd make for a full run and how you would go about the game in general
up
Agreed. Test the bladesinger please!
Disagree (PS5 player)
Would love to watch a playthrough. A Stream, a BG3 game, a TT game, a VTT game lol.
With regards to Bg3, your videos are the only ones i watch when it comes to BG3. That said, after my 5th campaign ive been taking a break. The game has been out for a while now and i guess its normal for players to move on to the next thing. I just wanted to say its definitely not your fault this is happening. As far as im concerned, there is no channel i would rather watch than this one when it comes to BG3. Thanks man! I hope you still choose to do more bg3 in the future!
On that note, I've always thought it would be super cool to watch a stream/playthrough of him playing BG3 in a similar fashion of one that plays D&D, on character creation, talking about the character background, roleplaying accordingly to their store and alignment, etc. I think many of us would love to watch it.
I haven't even finished act 1...
Because of how much more you can build around items in BG3 than 5e, it would be cool to see some videos that incorporated them
There's a balance here, as I'd consider items as spoilers as they are often thematically linked to the act you are in and it's a big game that a lot of people are still working their way through.
There are less than you'd think, the item creativity and variety really dries up after ACT1 😢 and then there is that spoiler aspect as well that was already mentioned
However, some full builds with items built around the 2 heavily themed elemental item mechanics: Heat and Lightning charges could be great fun to watch and try out 🤔
@@Songfugel hard not to get spoilery here, which i'll avoid but there's tons of stuff around radiant and darkness that you can build a char off of that synergise.
sod it, if people that haven't finished BG3 are reading this deep into youtube threads thats on them
there's a TON of radiant stuff that adds up, the Paladin armor in Act 1 and the Hammer in the Creche all trigger off each other, drop a cleric spell and then wander around the battlefield exploding divine on everything with little balls of light
I love the BG3 videos and hope you draw them out a little longer before going back to your regular content! Recommendations for more BG3 videos: The other companions (Halsin, Minthara, Minsc, Jahira); How to make BG3 builds work in 5e; BG3 Builds around specific items or element interactions.
BG3 builds ported to 5e would actually be pretty cool as far as a building challenge goes.
You don't talk too much. Your videos are honestly the perfect length and amt of depth/explanation. Age 40 and BG3 is the first chance I've had to dip my toe into D&D, despite a lifelong desire. Your content is really helping me understand the game, and very inspiring for role play too! Thank you so much for all that you do. 🖤
Just want to state that regardless of traffic and views, your builds have provided some of the most fun I’ve had not only in bg3 but in RPGs in general. Since I found your channel it has become one of my favorites!
Facts!!!!!!!!
Welcome Home everyone! YES - another D4 Baldur's Gate 3 video. I very much enjoy the way you deliver your videos and describe these characters.
I personally would enjoy modded character builds as I play on PC, but I understand that many people do not. So it's a question of interest for yourself and your audience. So count at least 1 vote for an artificer build!
I do believe the modders who added the extra stuff in BG3 used 5e as source material, so you should just be able to reference his DND 5e builds to much success
I hope you can keep producing your BG3 builds. I was already a subscriber before BG3 and will be a viewer no matter what, but right now BG3 is taking up all of my CRPG time. Your takes make fun viewing.
Monks are the best martial class in BG3, and that’s in a game where all classes and subclasses can shine.
I always like a Bard, and I’m enjoying seeing some love for martial bards. They’re the closest you can get to the F/M/T of my youth.
Tuesday is my favorite day of the week since finding D4.
Love the way you make your builds seem so easy and clear and you don't assume that everyone knows the D&D mechanics as well as you do. For me, watching your content is a breath of fresh air! Originally, I found you for Baldur's Gate content but now I'm going to give tabletop a try again. You're a great teacher!
Thank you for all your excellent videos, Colby! A note on the killer bard, for those that want to play that build: there's a helmet in act two that complements it perfectly - the helmet of arcane acuity. It buffs your spell save DC with every instance of weapon damage, allowing you to land a couple off-hand hits then cast a near-unsaveable control spell in the same turn! Definitely worth going out of your way to pick it up as early as possible.
1. I'm so glad to see you week after week. Your vids might not always fit my needs but just make me feel better.
2. I play BG3 only on GeForce now thus I'm not be able to mod the game too but the more BG3 content the better
Thanks for all the bg3 videos you have done! I hope that you'll post one from time to time, even if it doesn't make sense financially to pump them out regularly
I found your channel through BG3. I really enjoy your videos and will continue watching your builds. Thank you for all the work that goes into making these videos.
I just started my 2nd play through, and yes I got some mods running. Party limit begone is my favorite for the companion banter.
Colby your builds are DOPE and you seem like a genuine rad guy. I think you have the potential to grow a massive platform. You are showing a lot of awareness by discussing your mixed thoughts on the content directions with us. I have no doubt you’ll find a way to keep that balance and stay real as your channel goes 📈.
PSA for BG3 players: I recommend two items: Helmet of Arcane Acuity (Act 2) and Band of the Mystic Scoundrel (Act 3). Swords Bard can max stack the helmet turn 1, increasing Spell DC to 23, then use the ring to debilitate someone with an enchantment/illusion spell cast as a bonus action.
Honorable mention to Act 3 Helldusk Gloves, because for some reason it provides +1 to weapon Attack Rolls as well as +1 to Spell Attack Rolls and DC
I'm excited for any bg3 build each week, they've been so helpful... and really fun
Don't stop the BG3 videos please! I'm having so much fun exploring your builds! This has become one of my favorite channels for BG3 content. You rock!
I’ve tried so many of your builds but the killer bard is by far my favorite !!! I love all your videos. I appreciate the way you break everything down and explain it in a way where I can actually understand and learn everything !
What race did you go with for your bard?
@@Egzackt half elf - sub race: wood elf :)
I'm trying the killer bard. Sounds awesome!
I play killer bard with my duegar, he just invis + sneak and start every fight with suprise
The bard build is amazing. Pick up some bardic boots, in act 2 in the temple, to have a free refresh of your bardic inspiration for even more flourishes.
I know Colby doesn’t discuss items with his builds, but there is a helmet that really cranks the swords bard to 11 (pun intended!). The Helm of Arcane Acuity gives you 2 turns of Arcane Acuity when you hit with a weapon. You can max this out in one round, giving you a +7 to spell attack rolls and spell save DC. Perfect way to add some reliable battlefield control.
As a relative newbie to DnD, newly hooked on BG3, I hadn’t thought I’d be interested in multi-class builds so soon. But I’ve gained a deeper appreciation and greater enthusiasm for the game through your perspective.
Your vids are always educational, entertaining and creative. And, in case no one has mentioned it lately, Colby, your eye candy appeal remains strong. So, thanks for that, too.😊
Absolutely love your BG3 build guides and they are my GO-TO for BG3. Still finishing my first playthrough with the Barbarian/Paladin build you presented in your first BG3 video and LOVE her. I think providing a build guide that would be involved with some mod use would be excellent (especially spellsinger), especially if you took the time to explain how you got your mod, and how you set it up, for those intimidated by mod setup, (and don't want to find other channels to learn how to do it). Keep up the great guides!
Sadly my real life friends do not play D&D but that has never stopped me being interested in it as a whole. I did find your channel through BG3 but have watched many of your videos because frankly it is so "comfy" and I love the theorycrafting and format (and the lovely voice). Have been fascinated specially by your Bladesinger videos.
If a full video isn't feasible for mods (them being a niche), please consider if its possible to at least a quickie guide on the Bladesinger and Artificer mods and possible multiclassing, because as we know there's enough difference between 5e and BG3 and I find myself wondering how to build them, specially Bladesinger in BG3 in a game where you can inscribe wiz spells at any level (and yes you can shadowblade booming blade!).
Regardless if you keep with the BG3, you have earned a subscriber for life here!
Hi Colby. First, I just want to say huge thanks for the bg3 videos! The 4ele monk build got me especially inspired since I was musing over how to build Spore druid and your hex idea fit the halo of spores perfectly. Additionally, bg3 has a lot of items that make the following build work early and make it shine throughout the game. In itemization main focus to get AC high so that you don’t get prioritized by enemies maintaining Halo of spores temporary hitpoints and have some kind of augmentation for Strength score because we’re ultra MAD. So, without further ado:
1 Monk Stats: 16 dex 16 wiz 15 con
2 Monk
3 Monk Way of the Elements: Fangs of the Fire Snake!, Water Whip, Fist of Unbroken Air
(one of the very early items to get is Bracers of Defense in Blighted Village giving us 18 AC very early in the game, take that Heavy Armor users)
4 Monk Feat: Tavern Brawler
5 Monk Extra attack
(around this time, you need to go to Underdark, particularly Arcane Tower, do the thing, ascend to the top floor, break the chair and get the Club of the Hill Giant Strength (sets your str to 19))
Now here you would stop me and say we're doing unarmed strikes where this club comes from, however, in my testing you can still do the Fangs of the Fire Snake which counts as unarmed strikes while having a club in your main hand. This solves our little MAD problem of having Tavern Brawler with no strength score. Obviously in Act 2 you can just go pure with Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength (21str) but this is reliable act 1 option.
6 Druid 1
7 Druid 2 Circle of the Spores PYF spells and cantrips
8 Druid 3
9 Druid 4 Feat: Wiz +2
10+ Monk Feat: Wiz +2
So overall very synergistic build with high Wiz that helps unarmored defense, all the Druid and Monk abilities, High AC from Unarmored Defense, very high ranged unarmed strike damage output from Tavern Brawler and 4 Elements Monk and nice survivability with temporary hitpoints from Halo of Spores.
Bg3 has been my introduction to dnd. And your videos have helped me get into dnd more. I listen to your videos via podcast everyday (and go back and watch on UA-cam)and I even try to build those builds in bg3. Though, I don’t understand everything. So I appreciate the dnd and bg3 videos. Also, yes I would love to see bg3 builds with mods. I have recently downloaded the psi knife and psi warrior mods for bg3 because of your psi knife build (epi. 73). All and all, I’m looking forward to future videos to come. Thanks for all you do!
Omg.....you're using my build! This is the build I used to play and finish my first BG3 playthrough. Initially, I just wanted to be a rogue, but it's meh at higher levels and I wanted more utility. So, I made rogue to 4 and started buying bard, but in hindsight, I would go 1/1 immediately. I'm trying that now in a multiplayer playthrough with a friend of mine, and she's playing a druid.
Slashing Flourish with 4 levels of rogue and 8 levels of bard is straight overpowered. I dunked the last boss in 2 rounds because of it. So, initially, I did not expect this build to be powerful. I expected to have a decent combat character, but was really trying to focus on utility spells and such like feather fall, longstrider, speak with animals, detect thoughts, speak with the dead, invisibility, see invisibility, and hold person. This gives you an incredible arsenal of buffs, damage, healing, and a myriad of skills.
I'm so happy you displayed this build, but I do think the 4 rogue/8 bard build is perfect lol...
Thank you for once again making me so happy! This FACE bard build was so incredible to play, it felt so good, and you could do anything with it. Again, it really felt...too good. Then you still have snarky rogue and Bard responses. There isn't enough to say about how crazy this build can get.
Def wanna chime in and say your build videos helped me actually start learning how to make builds in BG3 and have made my playthrough a LOT more fun. Going from 1 attack per round to like 5 makes the game a lot more playable in those late game fights with like 20 NPCs.
Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in here. I found this channel because of BG3, I have been a fan of the DnD world since I was in high school over 30 years ago. I haven't played TTRPG's since then, not for lack of interest, just due to crazy demands on my time, be it work or personal life. I have 5e books sitting on my shelves. Just haven't made time or found a group that I could commit to playing with regularly.
PC RPG's let me get as close as I can to playing DnD, as I can squeeze in an hour here or there randomly during the week and get my fix. I've played the Divinity games, Solasta, Dungeon Siege, Bard's Tale and Dragon Age, just to name a few and currently Baldur's Gate 3. I love your builds, I am using them to influence my "Tav" build as well as my companions. I joined your channel and even ordered some Magic Spoon cereal for my wife.
I know BG3 is kind of your side gig on your channel, but I hope you keep making vids for it. I would love to see some gameplay videos showing optimization and synergy between your builds in combat. Maybe that's a whole can of worms you don't have time for. Just a thought.
Thanks for what you do!
*Duel Crossbow Killer:*
You get your first "Extra Attack" on LV3, a second Arrow in you main Shot at LV7 and the real extra Attack on LV10. Your shoot 4 times with your main Hand, and 2 times with your off hand.
17Dex, 16Con, 15Cha Starterclass: Rogue
- LV1: Expertise
- LV2: Hide 'n' Dash as BA
- LV3: Thief (2nd BA aka. "Extra Attack")
- LV4: Sharp-Shooter Feat.
Fighter:
- LV5 (F1): Archer Style, Armor and Shield
Bard:
- LV6 (B1): Instrument
- LV7 (B2): Inspiration
- LV8 (B3): Way of Swords (2-Weapon)
- LV9 (B4): +1Cha & +1Dex
- LV10 (B5): Fear oder Hypnotic
- LV11 (B6): Main-Hand extra Attack
Fighter:
- LV12 (F2): Action Search
Colby you've made me feel incredibly validated, I've been playing the swords bard build almost exactly (literally every choice is the same but went fighter 3 at the end for battle master maneuvers so every short rest is even stronger) off and on for the past month and its so strong! Really cool to see you show it off here
love your builds, Colby.
*edit* I was having trouble deciding what to do with my already-dex-archery-Fighter Tav. I went with the Killer Bard build from this video and never looked back. What an improvement. She gained utility in dialogue, power in combat, expertise in Sleight of Hand, AND spells, which she really doesn't have much use for, so it's basically a pile of slots for heals outside of combat, so Shart can just keep casting Call Lightning. She's the swiss army knife of the party. Karlach melts single big targets, Shart and Gale sling AOEs, and she does the rest, as well as melting enemies alongside Karlach. She's the trap-and-lock-picker, the talker, AND usually first in combat. Just awesome.
Thank you so much for your BG3 builds. They've been incredibly helpful for someone like me who has absolutely no idea what she's doing and initially just got the game for the hungry wizard and the dashing vampire. I appreciate your explanations and reasoning for every choice. That said, the optimized companion series gave me the (over?)confidence to try a tactician run, something I really have no business attempting, but no one can stop me. So again, thank you, and I can't wait to re-spec my bard tonight
I would love to see a mod-based video! It would also be cool to see some builds based around some of the game-changing weapons you get access to.
That Karlach berserker thrower build you had is insane. She does so much damage that it makes every fight easy.
It's even better after the latest update because enraged throw no longer causes frenzied strain. So broken.
There are specific build concepts I've been looking for that I haven't seen done anywhere, and they all have to do w multiplayer.
- 3 builds best suited to join a friend's main BG3 game and support them OUTSIDE OF DIALOGUE. For instance, perception would be more highly valued, maybe investigation. That they be either gear agnostic or that the build options can cover holes in the friend's party. I want friend to feel powerful, and that my build doesnt require play differences like relying on stealth +surprise.
- the second concept is the opposide of the one above: never-fail-a-dialogue-roll-ever, I-can-suck-at-combat-and-that's-half-the-fun face. First answered by 'bard', but the spreadsheet analysis I'm looking for are dialogue-specific. Over half of my game time is either dialogue or exploration, and people only build for combat /shrug.
I play both BG3 and D&D. I got here because of your BG3 videos in my recommendations and I stayed because of the amazing D&D content. I love watching both.
Been modding games since High School would love to see modded builds!
Edit: Also just now realizing the Arachnophobia build is the Three Bears build but with Spiders. Perfect for spoopy season!
Another thing that's so crazy about monks in BG3 is Step of the Wind: Dash makes your jump a free action. It has no jump cap (Literally free I guess lol) for the duration, and jump distance scales with your strength, so you can jump unlimited times during Step of the Wind: Dash. If you move only by jumping, You can move upwards of 120 meters with verticality included at high strength values, every single turn you use it. Really channel that Air Bender aspect of being the Avatar. When you're hasted or have Enhanced Leap cast on you, it's the most insane amount of movement in the entire game.
I think I've mentioned it before, but as a DM and homebrewer who can't actually play BG3, it's great to hear what changes they made and how people are responding to said changes. It helps me figure out what things I can do to help my group enjoy the game more while also just finding inspiration for new ideas. I mean, heck, hearing how popular and powerful Tavern Brawler is (particularly compared to the Tabletop version) makes me want to either buff it to be in the ballpark of BG3 (though probably not quite as powerful), or just buff unarmed combat for specifically proficient characters (monks, unarmed fighting style) to incorporate some of that fun and make those choices feel really cool.
This channel and bg3 really introduced me to the dnd world and I love it! I added 5e spells mod, cleric subclasses mod, and Druid wildfire mod, and built one of your dnd wildfire builds in baldurs gate and it has been so fun! Thank you for all your videos! Truly the best channel for both baldurs gate and dnd!
Love your builds for BG3 . I have watched your D&D videos . i haven't played D&D in years . My last campaign was my kids. So grateful for your builds & thoughts on D&D / BG3 . I played vanilla my first play through in BG3 no mods. My 5 next playthrough currently at 84 mods & growing. Playing Artificer, Bloodhunter multi-classes. I will be downloading Bladesinger . Thank you for this . Keep on keeping on . I've found your videos amazing & informative.
as a fellow bladesinger stan can confirm, the bladesinger mod(along with booming blade and green flame blade and all the other juicy spells they missed) is as obscenely powerful in game as it is on the table-top, also making a prediction(i'm at the start of the video) that your killer bard is 10 swords bard/2 pal, which was my first playthrough build and OMG going full dex and being the face/rogue, weiding the sword of screams for most of the game, same level of crazy as the blagesinger, also, bladesinger/paladin is very fun too, love your work dude, follow for the dnd, bg3 content is good too
Finally got my friends on BG3 and I'm loving builds like Arachnophobia. Thank you so much for the effort and time.
PS: Feel free to do a few more with your infinite spare time and lack of other more important responsibilities.
I did thief/swords bard for Astarion on my main playthrough. Level 7 bard for greater invisibility and the rest rogue for lots of expertise and focused more on daggers but definitely did some dual crossbow action as well
Thank you for the BG3 videos! Your videos have helped me to understand the WHY behind build/spell choices and have helped me to have a smoother playthrough.
The Titanstring Bow is an amazing longbow to use for a ranged build instead of dual hand crossbows. You get +str to damage in addition to normal bonuses.
Add in Diagram of Arcane Synergy to also add casting modifier to weapon damage, you get a lot of solid flat damage.
For a single weapon ranged build, Bard 8, Ranger 4. Hunter Ranger gets Horde Breaker which tags all enemies within a range of your target so that you can attack each of them as a free action.
Gets 3 feats, Archery fighting style, caster level 10 for extra spell slots, and spells off both the Ranger and Bard spell lists.
Since it's a single weapon, no offhand means the Thief extra bonus action can be skipped for either Fighter(for Maneuvers) or Ranger (for Hunter or Gloom stalker bonuses) levels instead.
I love and always loved your work for D&D and, now, for BG3 as well. Just one thing on magic items (which is less important in D&D where the master has a say on it and you can craft your own weapon or having NPCs crafting them for you): in BG3 magic weapons are just the ones you find in game and many are quite OP for a 12 Lvl CAP (in my campaigns certain BG3 weapons would never find a place until very late, like last couple of sessions); they are so powerful you may think to alter perfectly logical builds just for the sake of them. The OP hand crossbows mechanism, at a later stage, suffers from not having many good options in terms of weapon equipment.
Colby, thanks again! I subbed a long time ago for your D&D content, as I've been a forever DM for, well......ever, and I use your optimized builds to prepare for different scenarios. However, I really appreciate your BG3 videos, because BG3 freaking rocks. I don't understand why the two fan groups have to be mutually exclusive. I'll hold down the barbed wire, and invite the crews to intermingle! You rock, Colby!
As a fan of both DnD & BG3 and finding your channel has really helped with character ideas and builds to compete with my friends powerful builds when I would play what felt like underpowered characters. Having your insight on both is great. Thank you for producing your videos.
Just coming to add to comments that your builds have been a ton of fun and honestly I find way more thought out than others I've seen! Coming back for a second playthrough now only to see you crafted up quite a few other builds since then!
I’ve been playing the armorer 5e build in a bg3 modded run with a friend and it’s been sooo fun! Excited to see some modded builds as well. Keep up the great content as always Colby!
BG3 builds is how I find you and subscribed right away and watched all your video. I just love the details you put into your builts. I really hope you don't stop doing BG3 builts. I'm starting a new campaing with my daughter and will go killer bard with Arachnaphobia, that will be a great synergy. Keep up the good work.
The middle one sounds good for a Lolth Drow.
Found Colby by BG3 but love this channel so very much. I seriously think I will play D&D after as I just love this content. Finding it hard to watch other BG3 channels. Keep up the great work.
After my first play-through I've been waiting until I can jump back in again. These BG3 videos have been great to watch while working but I also started to enjoy the DND character builds. Either subject, keep up the awesome videos!
This has got to be my favorite ep of this series yet! All these builds are so cool! I've been especially loving the ranged bard build on my tactician run, Astarion is using that build and it feels fitting and his innate ability to get +1 to attack rolls with Happy is a nice little bonus for the build!
Absolutely stoked to hear of your trip to go see Kelly and Monty up in Toronto! Your channels are so great to follow hope to see more collabs in the future!
I've been playing around with a ranged damage-dealing bard, and my friend pointed me this video and this is so much better than anything I was coming up with! Thanks so much, this is awesome and I'll definitely be checking out your other builds
The bard is a great user of the arcane acuity helmet and the band of the mystic scoundrel. Turn that BA into an irresistible hypnotic pattern or hold person.
For the uninitiated. That helm gives 2 spell attack roll/difficulty class stacks for each weapon attack (max 7) and the ring let's you use an ench/illusion spell as a bonus action after doing a weapon attack. It's essentially +hit spell accuracy.
In other words it's hilariously easy for a killer bard to max stacks in one turn and end said turn by making sure your strongest insult lays them low after turning them and their friends into pin cushions or mostly assuredly lock down that one tough guy or a whole group of tough guys after wiping out half of them.
i originally came for the BG3 builds but im staying for the wholesome vibes and crazy creative builds :)
I would be interested in a video that explores combat and gives examples and detailed strategies. Also, a side-by-side comparison of the combat abilities of the different classes.
Omg, I heard "We get Second Wind at this level which allows us to Pee ourselves a little bit as a bonus action..." I had to do a double take and go back to make sure you actually said "heal ourselves." This is a sign I need more coffee. 🤣🤣🤣
I think "peeing yourself is a free action" Hahaha
😂😂
In regards to modded builds, i feel a great way to go about them would be to tack an extra modded build at the end of these types of videos. That way you wouldn't have to make full videos just for people who mod the game.
Love the vids btw
I love these style of building guides. You crunch the numbers for what multiclass options work well. And let me play the game with a good foundation and find items and tweak and optimize. Thanks! 🙏
Totally understandable cutting back on the BG3 videos, although that is how I found your channel! Perfect timing for me, as BG3 has got me and my friends back into DnD, and you've definitely helped!
Modded BG3 content would be absolutely incredible, if you don't think it will be worth your time then don't do it, but I know I'll be watching every Tuesday from now on!
Ugh, I am jealous! I love Kelly and Monty and it has always been a dream of mine to meet them :), and you just get to hang out with them! So not fair :).
Awesome content! Just a heads up for those interested in dual wielding hand crossbows. The off hand attacks are currently bugged as they include the ability modifier for damage and maybe even hit chance as far as I've seen, unless already fixed by latest patch. This means that hand crossbows are some of the strongest weapons to use on any dex heavy build just because of how easy they are to optimize. Even full casters can make use of that bonus action full damage attack which can synergize with lots of magical item effects.
Two things:
1) for monks, gloves of dexterity are great for that boost to AC and still feeling like a monk on a strength based monk. I know it means you can’t use gloves that boost unarmed attack damage but I’d rather have the dex
2) I’d love a mods focussed video! I only use one mod and it’s the one that allows you to punch even if you have a weapon equipped like you can do in D&D. It means you can still get the bonuses from equipping magic items :)
Just a little encouraging comment (though you’re probably big enough not to read them all lol):
I’m a teacher and I’ve always played my d&d on computer (bg1 and 2 mainly but also Neverwinter and a couple of others). I run the d&d group at school because they’re my kind of nerds - but I’ve never been a *good* DM until playing bg3 and watching videos highlighting the similarities and differences between bg3 and tabletop.
I think your content - both bg3 and d&d - has made me a better DM for my students. I understand the game better and I can react better to what the kids do.
So thank you ☺️ I appreciate you.
This made me so happy to read! Thanks! And keep it up!
For the first build it’s worth noting that sneak attack does the same thing that the fire snake does proccing hex an extra time. If you could slap on some finesse weapons you could be triggering another two possible hex pops and having better action economy to move hex around. Does feel very Zuko as well if you go with something like scimitars(optimal obviously would be the crit range extenders of course.)
If you plan on running with the bladesinger expansion mod, it requires the 5e spells mod which brings in the greenflame blade and booming blade cantrips into the game! But they work weird, if you take the attack action, it lets you make your second attack as one of those cantrips (like how blade singer works) but bladesinger lets you make both attacks with those cantrips. So you could cast both on the same turn if you wanted. Also, spirit shrowed and shadowblade are both added into the game.
Also also, hexblade warlock subclass with expanded invocations are 2 great mods to look at
Just wanted to drop in and aay i found your channel because of the Bg3 stuff but equally now love the d&d. Will stick around whatever you do from now because its a lovely channel. Do what makes you happy/whatever is most lucrative!
I was a 5e only stan, but after getting into BG3 (late to the game), and your fun builds definitely helped push me to embrace a new game and your new content
I have found that my Beast Master 8/Thief Rogue 4 with Wolf Spider Companion is good enough. The spider throws out Web every turn, while your main character double hand crossbow Sharpshooter with four attacks every turn (hoping to get Advantage against the Enwebbed target).
One thing I found useful with Step of the Wind is that jumping no longer cost a bonus action, and it then only cost 10ft per jump. So using Step of the Wind Dash, you can jump 5-6 times, which was quite useful when escaping a certain laser within 4 turns. :)
I've said it before and I'll say it again you are a delight sir I'll be subscribed forever and even if I stopped playing BG3 I'd just watch your videos for how chill they are. Big love from the UK
14:00 Both of them also allow you to jump for free, and the only limitation is the amount of movement you have. with how the jump works in BG3- ie it always costs 3meters of movement but you can jump even 14 meters per jump (at 21 strength with Gracious Cloth (the one from Lady Ester), Corvid Token (amulet you can buy from Mattis in Rivington) and Swiresy shoes (In Goblin Camp) or Bonespike boots(Rivington)), that means that for that 1 bonus action you can then jump several times, and traverse a several times longer distance than what any rogue could ever dream of- even assuming no movement bonuses, after taking that "disengage" you can then traverse 42 METERS via jumping, add a longstrider and Crushers Ring and now it's 70 meters, add a dash, and now it's 140 meters worth of distance IN A SINGLE TURN- I mean sure you used both action and bonus action, but whenever that character was, now it's on the other side of the fing map- and mind you that's assuming you used the "disengage" one, with the "Dash one" you get 280 meters worth of distance IN 6 SECONDS. That's 170 kilometers per hour (105 Mooses Per Hamburgers for the americans)
As someone who started watching you because of BG3, I reeeeally appreciate your DND knowledge coming through to make some awesome BG3 builds and hope they continue!! ❤️
Love the Baldur's Gate 3 Videos. Really fun to try new things that have been Tested with out relying on the Gear. Which is awesome.
So I know you probably already know this, but I'm gonna throw it out there. You can multiclass into ranger instead of starting at level one with it to still get heavy armor proficiency in BG3. Love your content. Keep up the good work.
Good news! You don’t need two weapon fighting to add your DEX mod to your offhand attack with a hand crossbow. I don’t know if it’s a bug but in BG3 you only need it for melee weapons. I took duelling instead at level 3 because my Bard uses a shield, and if he’s ever stuck in melee range that extra damage is nice.
I also went 8 Bard 1 Fighter 3 Rogue - it means I miss out on action surge but I just wanted to feel more… Bardy. Confusion and Greater Invisibility are fun spells. Plus you get an extra Bardic Inspiration charge at Bard 8
I got here entirely through bg3 and really appreciate what I’ve learned about how the game, my new hyperfixation, works.
As long as you make videos about dnd or BG3 of this quality I’ll continue to watch. You’re one of my favourite UA-camrs
I am norwegian and totally new to DD games. I love BG3 and find your videos very entertaining and fun to watch. Thank you for your work!
I really enjoy the BG3 content and D&D content equally. I don’t have as much time to work out builds for either these days, and I’m still putting equal play time into both. I’m happy with any content on this channel that is positive for you as the creator.
Running Karlach with your Avatar and holy crap is it so much fun and so dang powerful. I really only use fire fang and flurry blows so she is more Zuko than avatar but I find that fitting
I absolutely found your channel via the BG3 videos and hope they continue i was totally new too dnd jumping into bg3 and your videos have helped me out. Build suggestion, front line dual mace wielding str cleric 😊
I love the idea of builds that don't need great gear to work. It takes a lot of time exploring and finding all the gear in the game. So with these builds I can focus on what my character wants to do.
Thanks for these builds. Once again, I appreciate that your builds are not dependent on items and/or elixirs.
I have loved your BG3 builds! Your videos have added so many hours of fun for me by inspiring me to try different builds that I had never considered. Thank you so much for you efforts!
I truly enjoy both your DnD and BG3 builds! Thank you for everything you do! Your light cleric and tempest cleric 11 wizard 1 builds are making one of my BG3 runs so fun!
My thoughts on your intro: I had never touched DnD until BG3. The combat has interested me, when usually I'm more into storytelling in games rather than the combat, so I found your channel when trying to figure out ideas for my characters. It has helped a lot! I am about to start a multiplayer playthrough on tactitian for the first time so came to your channel to flesh out my storm sorcerer plans. I think the hard part for you is then - from my perspective either two things happen after this. Either I find a good build that I want to try and then I leave to try it and don't need to come back for more build ideas because I've got what I need for the next 100 hours of gameplay, OR I don't find a build that fits the character I'm trying to make and I end up searching on reddit or something instead. I don't know what the right answer is for you based on that, but figured I'd offer my perspective in case it's useful.
One thing I'd love, if you're able to do it without too much extra crazy effort, is some visuals of the spells that you recommend while you're talking about them. I'm a visual person so sometimes it's hard for me to focus when I'm just listening. I'd especially love this if you tried out a modded class, so I can see what it looks like before I decide to download (or not). I recognize this could be a big extra step in making videos, though, so I won't be offended if you don't decide to go for that. :)
First time playing a DnD themed game like bg3 and you have been more than crucial to help em learn and understand the game and builds and this world in general. Cant recommend your videos enough
That Warlock dip in the Avatar build was actually genius. I experimented with a monk build for one of the characters and ended up with Open Hand Monk 6/Battle Master Fighter 3/Thief Rogue 3. I feel like that one-level Warlock dip would have worked better for me than Fighter 3 because most Battle Master maneuvers don't seem to work with unarmed attacks. With all the items you can get, monks can dish out some amazing damage. It was honestly pretty funny just having a heavy-armored strength-based monk punch things with an empty fist for one hand and have a shield in the other. The Four-Elements Monk optional ally was legitimately pretty disappointing in terms of damage though despite how much hype they had, but I guess it worked fine as somewhat of a "straight class" showcase character.
One thing to keep in mind when going with STR monk and wearing heavy armor. Your movement might suffer BUT you can jump really far. I made an open hand/thief rogue monk build and using step of the wind you can jump multiple times without using a bonus action beyond step of the wind. Easily the most mobile character I've played to date.
I think what I like about your BG3 videos over your 5e ones is that I can get the same build in less time. Having multiple builds per video really helps me get through it better. Even if the videos are the same length. I can pay attention easier when there's more builds in a single one.
I'd also love to see you start building with 3rd party content from folks like the Dungeon Dudes, Indestructoboy, & Laserllama