Baldur's Gate 3 - The Wandering Swordmaster (Kensei Inspired Build)

Hi all! With today's build, I wanted to try something I thought was an interesting concept. I wanted to combine the two most powerful (IMO) martial feats, Great Weapon Master and Tavern Brawler. Honestly? It was pretty easy to do, and the resulting build is an absolute monster when it comes to damage. I hope you all enjoy this one!
The Wandering Swordmaster
Open Hand Monk 6/Battle Master Fighter 6
Grab the Tavern Brawler Feat
and the Potion of Everlasting Vigour
Weapons:
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
bg3.wiki/wiki/... (for the thunder buff)
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
Armour:
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
then
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
or
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
then
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
Accessories:
bg3.wiki/wiki/...)
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
bg3.wiki/wiki/...
Be sure to join our Discord!
/ discord
Mods I use:
Improved UI - www.nexusmods....
BG3 Mod Fixer - www.nexusmods....
Tav's Hair Salon - www.nexusmods....
Vessnelle's Hair Collection - www.nexusmods....
Native Camera Tweaks - www.nexusmods....
Native Mod Loader - www.nexusmods....
Vemperen's Other Heads Repaired - www.nexusmods....
Faces of Faerun - www.nexusmods....
WASD Character Movement - www.nexusmods....
Basket Full of Equipment SFW version - www.nexusmods....
Tutorial Chest Summoning - www.nexusmods....
Compatibility Framework - www.nexusmods....
Icon and Race Patches for Tav's Hair Salon - www.nexusmods....
Patches for CC Mods (Races Hairs Heads Cosmetic and such) - www.nexusmods....
Baldur's Gate 3 Community Library - www.nexusmods....
Everybody Dyes Unlimited Dyeing - www.nexusmods....
Dissidia's Heads - T2 and T4 - www.nexusmods....
Astralities' Hair Color Supplement - www.nexusmods....
All items (Release ready) - www.nexusmods....
Strong Female Heads - www.nexusmods....
Yves Hair Gallery - www.nexusmods....
Less Wrinkled Expression and Forehead for Face - www.nexusmods....
Dissidia's Hair - ALL BODY TYPES - www.nexusmods....
Lazy's Heads and Hair - www.nexusmods....
No More Dirt And Blood - www.nexusmods....
Faerun Utility - www.nexusmods....
M Half Elf Head E Preset for Other Races - www.nexusmods....
Loiru - Custom Heads for Males - www.nexusmods....
Citizen Outfits as Camp Clothes - www.nexusmods....
Shirts Dresses Corsets - www.nexusmods....
Boring Dyes - www.nexusmods....
Yogurt Heads - Half Orc and Elf Presets - www.nexusmods....
Full Custom Companions (Hirelings) - www.nexusmods....
1XP to Level - www.nexusmods....
The Disgusting Hair of Auntie Ethel - www.nexusmods....
Absolute Tadpole of Illithid Powers - www.nexusmods....
Extra Gear - www.nexusmods....
Yennefer's wardrobe - www.nexusmods....
Respec Spell - www.nexusmods....

[@HoboZone]

A follow up to this build is now available! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIXNpXeHnpV0o5o

[@vooligan9499]

The fact that the Katana wasn't a legendary weapon is such a shame. 🙁

[@shimmyking4]

even more of a shame is that it's basically a decent Act 1 weapon that you can't get until Act 3 it's like going through Doom Eternal, getting all the really cool, badass and powerful weapons, then in the last act of the game you pick up the starter pistol from Doom 2016 to use for the rest of the game

[@IRedpunk]

you can make a mod to tweak a legendary weapon looks or just use the cosmetic slot mod which will let you use a katana visually and mechanically use any weapon you want

[@Tentacl]

I'm pretty sure, like MANY common items with unique looks, it was just a way Larian found to give modders a ton of assets to use.

[@AsherEntropic]

If you want a really cool looking katana mod, the Amakuni Mod is pretty awesome.

[@rontreald]

Oh no I modded that lol

[@drummerguy438]

You could also call this the "aragorn" build. That man loves punching armored faces with a sword in hand more than any character Ive ever seen.

[@ReludedVoltage]

This seems like a lot of fun. Also, I prefer this combat showcase over the Steel Watcher one, it really lets the build shine, both against single targets and against AoE

[@aidanru.2469]

Baldur's Gate 3 is about to be like Elden Ring for me where I experiment like crazy with various build ideas and you're helping a lot with that. Definitely trying this build out

[@Ilestun]

I wish BG3 will get add ons like Neverwinter nights 2 did, pushing the max level further and opening more and more possible builds. Also if you love cRPGs and experimenting countless build ideas, I recommend Pathfinder WotR.

[@PonchoGbriel]

Baldurs gate 3 is an amazing game by itself, but you do an amazing job at making it even more fun with your builds! great videos as usual!

[@harley3211]

wow, so many builds! I love kensei, so this'll be sick

[@bennyb.1742]

Kensei Mage in BG2 was hilariously broken.

[@alicelufenia3648]

For awhile I had wanted to make Zenos from ff14 as a durge, but all I could think to do was use the samurai subclass mod, which has gone unupdated for months. Not only does this fit thematically of "scary badass in heavy armor and wielding a katana" but even fits in the way that GWF + Monk TB literally breaks the number game, matching with him being freakishly strong. The Risky Ring even works with his personality of "what if ennui was a person and he was obsessed with fighting you" as he takes on every challenge just to feel something.

[@dotsonci13]

This build is dope I hope we get to see an Oni build in the future maybe using barbarian and wrath to stack up some damage with monk

[@immaalwaysbeme2252]

Love the build and i had a similar build but instead I used 5 open hand 4 battle master and 3 thief. The topple furry of blows into a sneak attack is a really nice combo

[@kippeake]

Thank you for explaining how Monk Weapons work. I thought it was any weapon that you were proficient in... now understand why it wasn't getting the Dex to work my fighter.

[@HereAndThere-o4j]

30 strength (devilfoil mask, lost promises), great weapon master, balduran's giant slayer, and magic weapon upcast as a level 6 spell create a +6 weapon with +36 extra base damage.

[@kirkvanallen5202]

If you want you can give up a feat go 6 OHM 4 BM 2 barb. Use med armor and dex gloves and rage will give you resistance to all physical attk. You’ll get free advantage, open up a ring slot and do 2 bonus flat damage on all attacks. You’re not losing as much dps as you think by not putting an asi into wis.

[@homemtortoo4315]

It feels like a perfect solo build

[@spctvl03]

"Throw a goblin or two... it's cathartic" chokes on coffee 🤣 LOVE the wandering swordmaster angle, I am going to do an RP run of Dammon romancing Karlach (and when we see real Dammon I'll be like "oh hey a forge how handy, I will fix you muscle mommy") So I think I just found his class 😍

[@Tentacl]

The funny part is, I'm not even sure this build needs GWM. It's ultra powerful in early game, but have diminishing returns once your attacks receive more and more bonuses from various items at later levels and while less damage overall grabbing savage attacker + two weapon fighting gives basically +35% overal damage with a lot more consistance (unless you have like 95% to hit with GWM anyway due to advantage, not even talking about hold person partie comps).

[@clevergoblin1714]

It's like an Oni Fighter

[@flibbernodgets7018]

This looks really fun, just pure martial prowess. 27:52 I don't see how the mod makers have a leg to stand on here. I thought it was a given that patches break mods, it's just a thing you have to deal with as part of the hobby. And it's important to remember it is a hobby, they shouldn't get some sort of privilage for it. It's not like the game is being held together by mods like some Bethesda title either, though even in that case I don't think modders should feel entitled to anything since everything they do is still voluntary, not contracted in any way.

[@HoboZone]

Upon further reading, that's not what the issue is at all. There's a lot more to it.

[@balduri45]

This build works perfectly good dark urge playthrough 😊

[@balduri45]

which weapon do you recommend at the beginning of the game act 1 and act 2 ?

[@Dead_Hitori]

Thanks, gonna make this to cosplay Angel from Buffy

[@mrriiiooot]

This is much like your Warlock build. 1 fighter, 5 or 6 warlock and the rest monk. I enjoy it nonetheless

[@NaveSutlef]

Wait what did I actually spoil Mondays build?! Also once again Hobo coming in clutch and and making a build just days after I start thinking of it.. getting spooky now. 😂

[@HoboZone]

Yeah I'd literally recorded it that day lol Spooky

[@atdeacon]

Would work well with a Dwarf, ultimately using the dwarven thrower instead of a longsword, as warhammers are versatile and not 2 hander and has its returning thrower stuff

[@KirDmA]

One clarification - if you use hellduck armour, it doesn't prevent you from benefits of monk unarmoured movement speed bonuses. If you don't use any other "armour" classified equipment pieces or shield. You even can benefit from bracers of defence if you want(totally unnecessary, but sometimes extra AC is a good thing).

[@HoboZone]

That interesting. So the Helldusk Armour doesn't count as armour?

[@KirDmA]

@@HoboZone For some reason it has some wierd interaction with equipment and class features, but it is armour. Because you cannot raging in it(and don't have extra movement speed bonuses from barbarian class), I think that hellduck armour is coded as "heavy armour", but not have some base "armour" tag.

[@Sierra_Vice]

Cool theme with your build, I also use the Fighter/Monk Multiclass on my githyanki tav, that fits really nice. Basically the same as yours except for the Katana and Tavern Brawler Feat. 😅

[@dexushun32]

Bit late to the party, but nonetheless here. Honestly when i saw the title i was expecting a Dex based build, but its an interesting take on it though, and a welcome one at that.

[@moth-queen]

I need to figure out how to make hexblood as a race to build my rune knight character in my table top campaign.

[@onyx9292]

Hello Hobozone, ive been watching your origin builds for a while, and, i had an idea for a build What if you centered a build around Yrre the Sparkstruck's equipment, with storm sorcery or tempest cleric. Just an idea

[@HoboZone]

I was thinking of making a Lightning Charge themed speedster build. Could be fun.

[@Astaerel]

So I've been trying to come up with a goblin/hobgoblin build for a durge playthrough. I took oathbreaker paladin, and spore druid. Its pretty fun 😅. The race doesn’t really matter. But I did half-elf drow. I was gonna do orc or gith but I like drow dialogue.

[@damned0wl]

I'd love to see a build that uses the wooden Practice Sword(s), like a samurai who refuses to unsheath their weapon kind of thing :)

[@Matriarchator]

Oh, this build reminds me. I'm sorry if you would prefer it if I posted it on Discord, but Risky Ring would be rather interesting for build idea I posted there (since playing that build should feel like gambling).

[@HoboZone]

I like it!

[@Matriarchator]

@@HoboZoneListen, if you're genuinely interested. I would say it this way: The way I would add "ailments" is through Bleeding or Heat status (granted Bleeding would require you to have a Companion to inflict it on a character - unless you'll find some other way to do it consistently and not only in some battles). Otherwise, I would just settle on Heat, since it's easier to inflict.

[@Matriarchator]

Apparently I'm faster than your Discord notifications.

[@madmanthepope6448]

Perfect samurai build

[@valquines5067]

This looks fun, I have just recently played BG3 and I was also experimenting with a martial arts type character that can use Arnis/eskrima kind of gameplay. A fighter/monk class dual wielding clubs. Hoping you have a better idea that can make it more viable since I think clubs are a bit meh than other weapons 😅

[@HoboZone]

You would need high monk levels to make the clubs a d8 weapon instead of a d4. You could also use the twincast Draconic Elemental Weapon to give both a +1 and an extra d4 of damage. Get the Darkfire Shortbow to give yourself haste and use the strange conduit ring to give yourself an extra d4 of psychic damage. That's what comes to mind off the top of my head, but it's a lot of work to make clubs even slightly close to the power of other weapon types.

[@valquines5067]

@@HoboZone Thanks for the advice, I will try to implement it in my build. Hope for more success in your vids and more power to you ☺

[@jakeparkinson8929]

Now you need to do whatever a "gnome-matic" build is...

[@HoboZone]

Gnome Armourer Arrificer "AUTOGNOMEATIC"

[@jakeparkinson8929]

​@@HoboZone Ahem, for 5e it would be... 6 forge domain cleric, 2 fighter, rest armorer atificer. Forge cleric is a +2 boost to ac if you use blessing of the forge, and benefit from the heart of the forge passive at level 6. 2 Fighter for action surge (maybe 3 for eldritch knight and shield), and the defense fighting style. +1ac while wearing armor. When wearing plate armor, thats a variable 21-25 ac when shield is cast. Or a possible 20ac as soon as level 2. Never played artificer, you tell me.

[@hammock329]

Not me adding two levels of barbarian

[@SleepyOwley]

See I was thinking something like that. BUT what about 2 levels in warlock for rebuke and armor of agathys just for some none action related damage??

[@nielsa1747]

Pick dwarf as a race, then the throwing pike act1, then the dwarven thrower. With the same build you now have a versatile thrown weapon, enjoy.

[@lostsoulman]

Hi thx for the video. I might add another katana to the game. Anything from 5e or homebrew that should be added?

[@HoboZone]

I'd love a +2 variant that can inflict bleed on hit failing a CON save.

[@BlessTheBlades]

Any chance we can get written guides for these?

[@Aluukard]

where did u get the black casual ronin outfit tho i need it😂

[@Alexander_Preuss]

4:53 Pretty sure Athletics doesn't influence jumping or throwing, only stregth does that. AFAIK Athletics is only for shoving and not getting shoved, as it says in the tooltip. This build sounds somewhat interesting, but there is a bit too much redundancy for me, 2 extra attacks that don't do anything, much of the Monk features are not useable... dunno, might test it.

[@HoboZone]

STR alone is what affects jumping, but Athletics is involved in throwing enemies and using improvised weapons.

[@brynwtsn]

So, are you doing your great weapon Master weapon attacks with your action, then flurry blows with your bonus action? And if you kill somebody or crit with your action, thus giving you the great weapon Master bonus action attack, would you use that, or flurry blows?

[@HoboZone]

I'd use GWM bonus attack to save Ki points.

[@TheOnlyRinzy]

if you were to be using the 13-20 mod for this build, would you go to 11 in fighter for the 3rd extra attack, or go further in monk for the bonuses that gives? or just go 10/10 lol

[@HoboZone]

The third extra attack sounds worth it.

[@TheOnlyRinzy]

@@HoboZone Thank you for the response! ^^

[@TheShadow1Assassin]

Could you make a sensei maybe monk \knowledge cleric

[@JotapeRR]

What if i tell you that i did this build on my Lae'zel on my current campaing. But instead of open hand, i chose the four elements. I equipped an item where the character's weapons gain the elemental property of the spell you used.

[@HoboZone]

Then I'd be a bit confused because the Ring of Elemental Infusion doesn't work with Four Elements spells as far as I know? Since they're not actually spells but class actions (which let's them be used in rage too).

[@kree197238]

Curious wh yrake great weapon fighter if we are not using two hander ?

[@HoboZone]

You are. As long as you don't have a shield, you use versatile weapons with two hands.

[@kree197238]

Curious of taking great weapon fighting does it work with versatile or just 2 handers

[@HoboZone]

Works with versatile as long as you use 2 hands. So no shields or dual wielder

[@johnbryant6690]

does sweeping attach ONLY do the 1d8 or does it do weapon plus 1d8?

[@HoboZone]

It's an additional d8 on top of any other damage you're already doing.

[@johnbryant6690]

@HoboZone that tool tip stinks then, others say 1d8 additional, it says roll 1d8 for damage, so I thought it was sort of useless unless you wanted low damage to apply to multiple targets. This build is interesting with Phalar Aluve, as well as some of the other Longswords and short swords. Could rotate through the short rest effects each battle.

[@user-ro1me8tu8g]

Will the dexterity being low be an issue ?

[@HoboZone]

As long as you wear heavy armour, no.

[@BC7277]

Hey do you know when we (consoles) are gonna get mods?

[@HoboZone]

I've not got insider info, no. I'm guessing Patch 7 but I have no idea when that'll release.

[@BC7277]

Thanks Bro! I'm excited! I'm about to wrap up my first playthrough. Think I'm gonna do an evil run next. Any suggestions for build type? Keep up the good work! Love your work!

[@HoboZone]

@@BC7277 Check some of my dark urge builds. My Alfira build is my favourite.

[@BC7277]

@@HoboZone will do

[@keyanmoore916]

I've done this it's fun with githyanki

[@Jamelon]

one hand to miss them all and other - to hit them all

[@rodneyharris3470]

Seems like you just gave the meta feat combo a back story

[@MadMantis13]

Use timestamps, bro.

[@ShayGamerD3]

While I understand that you want to provide modded builds in the future, imho this would derail the entire concept of your previous builds. So far, you tried to offer builds which offered some interesting solutions within constraints of the vanilla game. With mods, there are classes and races which are totally OP. Also, while you go with modded classes, why not modded gear? Modded spells? Modded game entirely? Most of modded classes require many other mods, including spells and so on. In the end, with modded content there are no limits: you can have characters of level 20, 30, or even 300; you can have weapons doing insta kill of every boss in the game. So there is really no purpose whatsoever to make modded builds videos. Whatever you decide to use in terms of modded content, you open the flood gates. With mods you can do showcases, like this is a really cool mod, you can do this and that, and whatever. But really doesn't make sense to make build videos. Whatever we can say about Larian, vanilla game is somewhat balanced. A single mod, even very simple, throws that entire balance out of the window. You can explore and role-play in modded game, but doing combat stuff is just no challenge at all, since there is no limits what you do with your character. Self-imposing constraints do not work, since there is not a universal baseline for which everybody agrees. There is no other standard than vanilla game. So interesting challenge within the vanilla game makes sense, since you deal with constraints imposed by the developer. If you mod the game, where you put the baseline which is acceptable for everybody? Only some mods are allowed and others not, but which ones? And there is also a matter of trust: how we can know what mods you have installed, and if the build you are showing really works as described, or the results you have are because of some mod? You can easily fool yourself: many mods modify things you're not aware of, things which might be necessary for the mod to work, but not acknowledged by the author (and yeah, modders often provide only an elementary description for the mods). So easily you can find yourself in the situation that you're certain you have nearly vanilla game, but that one mod you have modifies something which changes the entire experience from vanilla, but you don't know that. And I am writing that having like 300 mods installed in my game right now, so not that I don't like the mods, I love them. But modded builds are just a nonsense.

[@HoboZone]

Your concerns and opinions are totally valid, but I think you're overthinking this a bit. If you look at how this channel is structured, you'll see that these videos are not replacing vanilla content. Up until recently, I've only been uploading 3 times per week. These modded builds are extra videos that are going up outside of the usual upload schedule. I have to look at the vanilla classes, subclasses, equipment, etc. every single day pretty much. I've been doing this for over half a year now, and have made over 100 builds with almost all of them being vanilla. For the sake of my sanity, I want to explore more options and be creative in new ways. And I agree that having to many mods can totally make the game a cakewalk, but there's still fun and interesting challenges that arise from having more options and seeing what creative characters and themes can come from them. Yes, some modded classes are overpowered, but half the time it's because they're the more powerful classes from DND 5E anyway, so that just comes with the territory. That being said, I do have strict rules to keep the spirit of the original game's balance while making modded builds: 1. Only classes and subclasses from official 5E content. While there are some minor changes to these classes to make them work with BG3 logic, they still have gone through the vetting process for balance. 2. No weapon, armour, or race mods. Most of these mods are too overpowered for BG3, as they have too many different things that makes them overpowered. The only exception is the Firearms from the Artificer mod and cosmetic mods. 3. The only spell mod is 5E Spells. No overpowered spells that aren't 5E original. This is a well made mod, with most of the spells being very balanced. So balanced in fact, that I rarely take them over the vanilla spells anyway. It's also required for a lot of other mods. 4. No level cap mods. This game is balanced around level 12, and that's what I build for. No exceptions. You say there is no standard for modded builds, but this is mine. These are the rules I operate by. I'm not just diving into this without thought or care, introducing modded builds to this channel wasn't something I did because I felt like it. Hell, I even tried to avoid doing it originally and instead just do straight up DND builds, but they performed poorly and as such I had to change approach. At the end of the day, I'm doing this whole KZbin thing because I want to. It's a hobby, and I want to keep it a fun hobby. Modded builds will be a part of this channel, and you don't have to like that, but vanilla builds won't ever leave. That I have decided. And besides, I've been using mods to make these build from day 1. If you don't trust me with mods, then all of the videos on this channel are invalid to you.