The BEST ONE HANDED WEAPONS in Baldur's Gate 3 - Honor Mode Tier List and Guide

[@e-duh3529]

Shoutout to the duellist's prerogative for looking super sick

[@sawyerhackett1509]

One of the best 🔥

[@Cephalopocalypse]

For sure!

[@chanyael]

You say that when you can get the rapier you also have acces to magic weapons, but you get a guaranteed rapier of the death body at the fight against the three int. Devourers right after the nautiloid, so this is before you can get any magic weapons. It's not that long before younget magicnitems, but still means you can use it to free whithers and do the goblin fight before entering the grove.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Good catch!

[@ZZNESSA77]

You can also get one on the Nautileud on a body near the first three imps. But I think not guaranteed. Though, whenever I play as a bard I found one there.

[@donaldcurlee2820]

I think it's guaranteed as a bard

[@mattwithoutfear]

I love the Duellist's Prerogative on a Lore Bard - that extra use of Cutting Words per round is great.

[@vittiu3978]

I have an 11 fighter/1 light cleric build that is insane with it. Just go around smacking people and being pretty much unkillable and annoying because of reactions lol

[@eirh]

Origin Wyll starts with a Rapier (and a special feat giving him Rapier Proficiency), so I think by that technicality it should go into C tier.

[@JoshSweetvale]

Wyll always starts with Rapier proeficiency.

[@pyrflie]

There is also a guaranteed rapier drop on the dead noble where you fight the intellect devourers on the beach, meaning you have access to one well before you get most magical weapons. It could be BiS for several builds for both the goblin fight and Wither's tomb.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

True, good catch!

[@eirh]

@@JoshSweetvale yeah I didn't want to distinguish origin from compation wyll, just saying that wyll can actually use them when a normal human warlock couldn't.

[@shinkamui]

been having a melee sorc run with the 5e spell mod for green-flame blade. It's the best the infernal rapier has ever felt to me. Cranking charisma, necklace of elemental augmentation, draconic bloodline, potent robe, arcane synergy and the Infernal rapier. It hits like a truck.

[@CMiY0]

Lmfao that’s diabolical. How much do you usually do on a swing? I personally use it with the bladesinger 5e mod for the bladesinger extra attack that lets you use cantrips but the sorcerer version sounds crazy for damage in a single strike.

[@peanuts7324]

holy shit thats literally the exact same build im doing right now!

[@shinkamui]

@@CMiY0 It really is disgusting. You easily hit for 40 damage a swing every turn as early as you can get the potent robe. This can also carry divine smite because why not On fights with many enemies, you can also twin the green flame proc, which, as you'd guess, does all those cantrip synergies thing on both targets again, so another 40 damage spread between 2 more enemies lol. i'm dearly waiting for the bladesinger to come to console it looks like so much fun

[@ElliottDent]

@@shinkamui I'm basically doing the same thing unmodded with a Sorlock using the Hellfire Greataxe, because its weapon action counts as a cantrip lol

[@shinkamui]

@@ElliottDent oh thats also really good idea, makes wanna chug a potion of str and pick that one up too

[@david7019]

Duelist Prerogative has so much going for it with each effect being significant on its own. 2 reactions in itself super unique. I personally used it on a pure Paladin for the extra smite crits and for another attack for that LV 11 1d8 radiant dmg.

[@shaunperron7080]

I disagree with your point about not wanting your tank to be easier to hit. The AI in the game tends to go after the easiest target, meaning the most effective "tank" in a party will be someone relatively easy to hit, but sturdy enough to survive it. This is why barbs are so effective at it, compared to other classes, reckless attack's incoming advantage attracts more enemies.

[@ProbeAway]

Yeah, I was a bit confused by that comment! Also the use case for the corrosive flail is for your tank to make an enemy easier to hit for your archers, who have the sharpshooter penalty. I don’t think that makes it a good weapon but D tier is a bit harsh

[@FormOfKorn]

On the Infernal Rapier, here's a little tip I've learned for getting good use out of the cambion - have it drink an Elixir of Battlemage's Power and take advantage of flight and high ground. It's probably still the weakest of the level 6 summons, but it'll make its Rays of Fire spell much more consistent. I still wouldn't use it from the Planar Ally spell, but as a free summon for anybody holding a piece of gear it's probably the best one and still very powerful if you throw it a bone.

[@Jewgubu]

I fully believe and would argue all day the Cambion is better than the deva.

[@Lardo137]

​@@Jewgubu Why?

[@Jewgubu]

@Lardo137 deva has a lot of trouble getting to targets as it has no mobility boost. The damage and frightened are fine but they have 1 attack at I think a +8 so they're going to miss a lot of the time. No ranged options at all. Cambion with infinite long range 3d6 scorching ray can reliably take down low health enemies you couldn't quite finish, will hit way more often, and can take away unstoppable stacks which a lot of act 3 enemies have. Deva has 1 decent attack that it might make per round, maybe, Cambion has far more reliable weaker hits.

[@csarmii]

I found the Cambion to be the best of the planar allies as well. It has a reliable ranged attack that you'll always be able use on your enemies. By reliable I mean it is lower variance because it's 3 instances of damage. The Deva just never gets where it's supposed to it and you can just miss your single powerful attack and be in a bad position. The genie is interesting but I tend not to need those actions.

[@Jewgubu]

@csarmii I would say the djinni is the best but I use the cambion more

[@AustinCampion]

Just my usual note of praise and encouragement: Love the history & physics, please do it a lot!

[@stephengibbons4771]

I did my Lae'zel origin run with her as a dual wielder, and she used 2 Myrkulite scourges for the vast majority of Act 3. Add in the Dark Justiciar gauntlets and you absolutely shred anything not resistant to necrotic damage.

[@snakeman830]

The Defender's Flail is also really good for Warding Bond casters. I also love how the Deepdelver compares to the Sword of Screams, considering you get them both in the same room.

[@soccrplayr232]

I was under the impression that the origin of the flail as a weapon was pretty tied to instances of peasants needing a weapon quickly and Threshing Flails being something they had already, like pitchforks. Definitely doesn’t seem the most practical if you actually have good options.

[@andrewgaiennie2002]

So yes, a flail is a farm tool. BUT humans farm way more than we fight, so farm tools have a lot more testing and refinement. The same principles that make a flail a good farm tool also apply to hurting and killing. A common person of the era, typically a farmer, would also understand how to use one AND understand that it hurts.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

I should have specified I was talking about flails as an intentionally designed weapon - what you say about threshing tools is of course correct!

[@woodwart]

FYI, there’s a rapier available on the Nautiloid on a corpse after the first battle so it’s one of the first weapons you can get in the game.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Good catch!

[@olavomendes8560]

Historic note: wooden flails were used by peasants to beat grain like wheat to break it apart from its bran (shell). So it would most likely see combat in very odd situations like defending a farm from a raid

[@Cephalopocalypse]

I should have specified I was talking about flails as an intentionally designed weapon - what you say about threshing tools is of course correct!

[@Zero_Zone.]

Man, I've been sleeping on a lot of good/interesting weapons. Thanks for the awesome and informative tier list.

[@stuminnis4050]

Flail of Ages is yet another example of where the devs took an amazing weapon from BG1/2 and painfully nerfed it. Very frustrating. It’s like a rotten Easter egg for OG BG fans.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Yeah, pretty much.....

[@bentrieschmann]

Makes me super sad.

[@Squaredpaints]

I would make the normal rapier C tier. I believe there is one guaranteed on a body on the Nautiloid meaning you do essentially start with it, and at the beginning of the game I find some spell casters get a bit more reliable damage from it than from cantrips if they have prof

[@drschwandi3687]

As soon as you get Wyll you get a free rapier with him.

[@vrchhu4066]

It's on a body with the three intelligence devourers after crashing on the beach

[@doloresabernathy9809]

The long neglected War-Pick! Thanks for covering this!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

If only there were any good ones in the game! Something for modders to do I guess

[@rubymaes9006]

I'm just here for those moments when he says 'in and of itself'

[@rubymaes9006]

The Rupturing Blade did it

[@MrAshtute]

Flail of ages was a beast in BG2 they shouldn't have nerfed such a beautiful BG2 icon

[@menotyou8209]

2 pros for the flail: it is the shortest to store weapon of its reach, so even lacking the force of follow-through on your hits it is convenient. It also tangles weapons you block with it (i've seen it in a duel) so if you know in a duel that you would lose the sword fight or other, but would win the subsequent pin-and-shank, it can help you skip some unnecessary battering.

[@sadeknight9112]

I agree with you about the flail as a historical weapon. Naturally you’re not going to kit your army with them but a bouncer with one of those at his side might make some miscreants look to cause mischief elsewhere.

[@dimKiriyenko]

Wait, how's Blood of Lathander not a Morningstar? I've even checked the wiki, and indeed it's not. I wonder, did the developers who were writing it, never talked to developers who were drawing it? Also: there is a unique use case for harmonic dueller. The damage it adds (from the offhand to main hand) is typeless, so it inherits the base type. For most of the cases it's useless, but there's one exception - psychic blade or how it is called. In this case it adds psychic damage and is best in slot from minmax damage perspective for psy blade build.

[@dorithegreat6155]

It might have been downgraded to a mace when playtesting? Blood of Lathander with the super weapon action from morningstars sounds absolutely OP and it might have been changed to a similar but less amazing weapon type without changing its model

[@jaystrickland4151]

It is a Mace the image is similar but the stats are different

[@alexsamurai1230]

Can't quite get my head around that the Shattered Flail isn't a flail

[@dorithegreat6155]

@@alexsamurai1230 as I understand it, the shattered flail was once a flail, but then it broke, and now it's only a stick, so it's now more of a mace than a flail

[@alexsamurai1230]

@@dorithegreat6155 Yeah that makes sense

[@OriginalityIsnt]

Since you mentioned that Bards and Rogues have proficiency with Rapiers, I think you should also mention that Clerics have proficiency with Flails and Morningstars. This is a departure from tabletop rules, where Clerics are either limited to Simple Weapons or granted access to Martial Weapons depending on their domain.

[@davidwagner3710]

The sacred star is one of my favorite weapons in the entire game

[@jordanmoyes7883]

Dex based battlemaster fighter w/ swords bard goes INSANELY HARD with Duelist Prerogative. AC30, two reactions, sneak on the cheeky band of mystic scoundrel and helm of arcane acuity. Action economy is your oyster at that point.

[@ProbeAway]

I’m pretty certain the Infernal Rapier DOES use your spellcasting modifier for damage rolls too. The melee caster description doesn’t say it but the wiki does

[@janarussell3515]

I'm looking forward to the versatile weapons video! One day I hope to see a Wyll video that includes warlock and ranger. After finding out he is canonically a ranger at the end of my first play through, I decided to spec him that way on my current run. Went with Gloomstalker 5/Pact of the Blade 7, but curious to see how you would build it.

[@backslash4141]

If you're going for character accuracy, then I feel hunter ranger would be the better choice of subclass.

[@janarussell3515]

@backslash4141 Hunter is a good choice, too. I went with Gloomstalker because it felt pretty thematic as well.. Wyll would be hunting and ambushing his prey from the shadows. I think both would fit him, but Hunter just isn't as strong a subclass (unless you take it all the way to 11). Getting an extra attack at level 3 and Misty Step at level 5 sold GS for me.

[@Pink_Justice]

I plan on using the infernal rapier in the next playthrough I'm thinking of doing. A pact of the blade dual weild warlock/rogue, can use this in the off hand to still attack with charisma.

[@predwin1998]

27:12 On Rupturing Blade being a decent alternative to Phalar Aluve for Rogues and Bards it's worth noting that both classes do actually get longsword proficiency as well, so both can still use Phalar (if it's not taken). That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the coding in BG3 would prevent Phalar and other finesse longswords from working with Sneak Attack, but I don't know if that's the case.

[@1000fix]

About the Flail, its origin is the "Drescher" aka "Dreschflegel" which was a Farming tool for processing Grain and was used as an improvised weapon by peasants/farmers. The second wooden part was covered with spikes and later replaced with a morningstar-like spiked iron ball.

[@joecouture1880]

One thing I like for the defender flail is that both benefits persist in wild shape, so a circle of the moon Druid gets hella tanky with its wild shapes getting an extra armor class and -1 damage!

[@Temeluchas]

Well, in Russian studies, the theory of flails being a "less-lethal" weapon is mainly based on two arguments: 1) "Nagaikas", used by cossacks and nomads, are similar to flails: they are very short and thick whips, usually with a weight on the end. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, cossacks were routinely used to suppress revolts and riots, and nagaikas were their signature "riot control tools". However, I think the argument "if an object was used this way in the 19th century, a similar object had to be used in the same way 600 earlier" is rather weak. 2) A much stronger argument. Across "The Great Steppe", there are a lot of findings of flails (and their parts) with ropes instead of chains and bone weights. These were used at least from the 12th to the 17th century (naturally, the later the period - the more surviving examples) and there are more findings of them than of "proper" flails. And the only reasonable explanation of these things is "a thing to quickly incapacitate but not to kill". After all, taking slaves was a major objective of any raid. Why else would a horseman use this thing alongside proper weapons like bows, swords and lances? (these bone flails are often found in burials alongside "normal" weapons). Probably, the objects we know as "normal one-handed flails" were fancier and scarier versions of this "utility weapon". Besides, for horsemen, especially for light horsemen, flail being garbage for defence isn't that big of a deal. They don't want to stick around in melee anyway =)

[@mysecretavatar]

Duellist’s Prerogative’s Challenge to Duel is more powerful than Paladin’s Compelled to Duel because it is a bonus action that does not require concentration. Duellist’s Prerogative is a seriously powerful weapon, especially for support paladins. I am running a Devotion Paladin and Eldritch Knight archer multiclass that is primarily used to support the ranged party with Aura and Duellist’s Prerogative’s Challenge to Duel, as well as command and scrolls of Hold Monster using Arcane Acuity. Totally OP.

[@cof1sro]

With the Flail of the ages I wouldn't do all 3 elements cause I dont think Fire burning effect and cold chill synergies well. With Burning giving immunity to wet. However cold/acid or fire/acid do sync very nice. I tend to lean more the cold/acid to stun and lower ac. The Caustic Band mix with the cold elemental damage does it nicely. Another little trick I noticed for nature clerics at level 8 get divine strike: elemental fury where once per turn they can add fire, cold or lightning to their attack. So if ya give the flail acid elemental damage, then hit with divine strike cold you can get both conditions freeing up a ring slot for another effect if you want. And I think divine strike also can be added on reactions so if enemy trys to run from you or escape ya spirit guardians just fo wack a mole on them for effects. Or make sure the user of the flail has sentinel feat for the retaliation attack if enemy attacks an enemy. Sentinel if hit can stop them from moving too. Like you said wont be doing big damage I think the flail of the ages can be a good tank or conditions stacking weapon to stun lock enemies all together. Sorry for the rambles. Always enjoys ya content. Great tier list.

[@anonymone453]

I took the Defender Flail to the endgame on Karlach as a dual-wielding fighter/barbarian. Iirc her AC was something like 24 or so, i stacked every AC-improving item i could find along with the Graceful Cloth. She wasn't my best damage dealer, but I really wanted melee dual wield to work and she was pretty decent. Probably could've slapped a level of Draconic sorceror on her for even more AC and potential utility

[@top5g04t]

I've been trying to theorycraft for duellist's prerogative, but with an empty offhand, it's now competing with 2-handers like Balduran's Giantslayer (which still often gets a bonus action attack via great weapon master) + elixir of cloud giant strength for basically any martial or part martial build, and it almost never comes out on top. The only good build I can think of off the top of my head for which this isn't true (and is actually using the duellist's prerogative to bonk things) is the gloomstalker assassin. I also saw people talking about it on lore bard but it's very hard to imagine it outperforming something like markoheshkir + rhapsody Here's what I came up with: Using duellist's prerogative with viconia's shield actually feels like an incredibly powerful option: simply drop all of the bonus effects from having an empty offhand cus it's good but not a full item good. You can build your character to maximize tankiness while spamming compelled duel. I haven't tested this so I'm not sure if you can have multiple enemies challenged at once, but if you can that'd be even better (and you can grab 3 levels in thief rogue to do it twice per turn). All this while still dishing out a nontrivial amount of damage simply from the weapon being a +3 1d8+1d4 weapon.

[@missing_links]

It's bug abuse, but you can do silly things with the duelists' extra reaction and sentinel. Sentinel, if procced on your own turn, gives you a full attack action like an action surge would. With a high dex party, you can get sentinel to trigger twice via two different enemies by forcing attacks of opportunity and get 9+bonus attacks per turn, every turn with a fighter. Of course, you could get 6+bonus attacks every turn with a GWM weapon and this is easier, more consistent, and deals more damage, but it _feels_ way cooler and less busted when using the prerogative.

[@callmeconvay7977]

Using Duellist's Prerogative on a martial is, in my opinion, at its best on a Battlemaster Fighter specced for tons of AC. With the Cloak of Displacement and a high AC which can be reached cheaply in a number of ways, you can consistently proc two Ripostes reasonably safely on each of your turns, which brings the total number of attacks you can make round 1 (with Action Surge, ofc) to 9 without any other buffs at LVL11. I haven't crunched the numbers, but I'm pretty confident that this kind of setup will out-scale even GWM + Elixir abuse builds so long as you have a source of Piercing vulnerability in your party, which is similarly game-breaking when compared to (STR) Elixir Abuse. And when you're not abusing fundamentally unbalanced mechanics it's still one of the better DPS setups in the game, comparable to HCB dual-wielding, Sharpshooter/GWM builds, monks, barbs, etc.

[@missing_links]

The harmonic dueler is a key upgrade on the 8/4 oathbreaker thief kit that's among the strongest non-GWM melee builds in the game. Likewise, its damage buff inherits a weapon's primary damage type, which allows it to amplify the shadow blade on a variety of builds, e.g. lockadin with PotB where it can be a double or triple dip on cha-based psychic damage. I don't think it belongs in C tier, since these uses, although narrow, are strong enough to justify a B or A tier placement.

[@Archigosai]

On the non magic rapier, you have a guaranteed one on a corpse where you fight the Intellect devourers as soon as you land from the nautiloid, conveniently right besides Astarion, so I think it's above a D solely cuz it's probably the best non magic weapon you're 100% guaranteed to get before even entering the grove, and makes Astarion deal basically twice as much damage vs the gate goblins and the fights before withers

[@xenomorphgirI]

I dont think you know but the corrosive flail special weapon attack is an aoe circle with no target cap. its good if you group up enemies with minor illusion or use it once surrounded because it just does weapon damage plus acid damage to all enemies in a quite a big aoe area. which makes it unique for a one handed weapon and also makes it good for applying on hit effects

[@stankrom]

Come for the deep insight into BG3, stay for the fascinating asides on the history of weapons

[@sinner5452]

So, Twist of Fortune. Base average for 1d8 is 4.5. Passive, in roll cases 1 and 2, will roll the same dice again, leaving us with 4.5 average. In cases from 3 to 8 it does nothing. Thus, new average would be (4.5+4.5+3+4+5+6+7+8)/8 = 5.25 damage. So that ability adds 0.75 points of damage in average. Yeah, question "why that passive exists" is yet to be answered :D

[@northofself]

Harmonic Dueller slaps on an Oathbreaker, dual wielded with Shadow Blade and holding the Resonance Stone

[@bermpitybermp33]

Damn, was hoping you would put defender flail in B tier. My next run was going to be a B tier and below run based on your tier lists and this was going to go on my warding bond cleric. Back to the drawing board...

[@Jewgubu]

I love that you gave Infernal Rapier an S, thank you, but I am once again here to stan the Cambion. I fully believe the Deva is the weakest of the 3. They are slow, have no ranged options, and have trouble hitting even if they can get into range. The revivify is not very useful and I don't really care about the hp. The chad Cambion has infinite 3d6 scorching ray at a good range, which is perfect for plinking finishing low-health enemies, reducing unstoppable stacks. Still would agree the Djinni is the best though.

[@geheimgeheim6639]

1:42 Is that THE Joshua Schmidt? He is using the Duelists Prerogative for sure.

[@BookDancing]

Used the sacred star last playthrough on my radiating orb build. It was the real deal.

[@alexmashkin863]

Here in Russia, what's written about flails indicates mostly it's use as civilian weapon and a cavalry weapon for more of a policing capacity, less so a combat one. It has quite long history, there are archeological examples almost in every historical museum here. Last documented use is attributed to Moscow cavalry in XVI century. So I'm not sure what 'flail mystery' are you on about. But I'm of course not historian, maybe I misunderstood you.

[@sinner5452]

Actually there are much more to it. There is a document that restricts citizens of Saint-Peterburg to carrying a flail, dated 1902 year. It may be not used in battle very often, but as civilian and anti-civilian weapon it was pretty popular up to modern times.

[@JoshSweetvale]

Flails are a tool for hand-threshing grain. Their use as weapons was always 'grab the best club available' Dedicated war flails may or may not have been used to bypass shields.

[@alexmashkin863]

@JoshSweetvale There are two different things, both are flail in English. One is цеп it's a tool, other one is кистень it's a weapon.

[@michaelnadler596]

Another request, post the weapon lists your doing now, of a thrown weapons list.

[@theta1672]

I can imagine flails be more prevalent as a "for show" tournament weapon more than anything else, but that is absolutely only my own hypothesis and not based in facts whatsoever :) Now to your list, wouldn't a war pick be good for characters who also knock prone as the enemies need to spend movement to get up, but won't be able to as they can't move? Would be a bit of a meme, but hilarious to have a battlemaster fighter who knocks people down and dual-wields war picks (with deep delver the way you said) and then just go ham with multiple melee attacks xD

[@Hekk.]

Regarding the polearm "flail" - it was repurposed farming equipment :)

[@beebee3293]

If I recall correctly the normal rapier is always lootable on a body past the imp fight on the nautiloid if you start as a certain class or race (I know for a fact this happens when you start as a bard), so in a way it is kinda a starter weapon

[@blackomega34]

There's also one on a noble corpse at the crash site so yeah starter weapon.

[@ACaskanette]

Blood of Lathander? Did I miss it? OH.. it's a mace. If anyone else is looking for it, it was 3 weeks ago in the other 1-handed video!

[@Marianojoey]

Your videos are good, but when you do History Lessons, they are awesome. :D Thanks for the class. :D

[@daytonbenson1203]

War picks are really awesome, i wish we had a good one

[@obadakhalid713]

I am certain you can get a rapier before magical weapons because there is one on the nautiloid

[@eduardorickrot4763]

I made a very fun character with the duellist prerrogative as my Tav for honor mode. Halfling, 6 levels of lore bard, 6 levels of paladin. High charisma, strenght elixir, constitution amulet, some other stuff to take less damage and inflict conditions on enemies. Having the lower AC from lack of shield didn't hinder her much, as the character had absurd constitution saves and very high hp. I actually had her go alone on the torch trial and do absolutely nothing, and she didn't drop concentration. So the character is very hard to kill, close to impossible to incapacitate, and can deal astounding amounts of damage through smite on enemies afflicted with aura of murder. And has hunger of hadar as a possible concentration for good measure, when not hasting with that one bow. Then you add the two reactions, and I can just cutting words and counterspell as I wish. Even using a reaction for that extra bit of damage was useful sometimes, due to cull the weak. It was really fun slowly killing Raphael and his goons while they weren't able to complete a single action.

[@TsymeArtem]

I used it on a Spore druid =)

[@cyrt2889]

Wouldnt the Infernal Rapier be quite good as the weapon for a oathbreaker paladin? you can max out your charisma and get aura of hate bonus damage and the damage from the weapon and the cambion, even though its not that great at doing it, can use the aura of hate since it has a weapon and benefits from the aura, a build for oathbreaker paladin that could be solid would be like a paladin using a stat line similar to a bard so you get initiative and also get up to 24 charisma as your main attack stat and also get a +7 to melee damage and saving throws and also bonus to spell save dc

[@ElliottDent]

So Harmonic Dueller is one of my pet favourites. I genuinely spent about 3 or 4 different playthroughs trying to make it work and finally got there. The build was an Oathbreaker/BladeLock with Dual Wielder, Ravenguard's Longsword, and Ability Drain + Ring of Arcane Synergy (edit: i meant the Diadem) to hit 24 Cha and stack that +7 modifier 4 times onto every attack (Once from Blade Pact, once from Harmonic Dueller, once from Aura of Hate, once from Arcane Synergy). It genuinely ended up as one of the best builds I've made for doing resource-free consistent damage. If anyone wants a more detailed build, let me know and I'll put exact details in the replies.

[@Lardo137]

Ability drain doesn't increase your own ability scores. Unless youre referring to a previous patch.

[@ElliottDent]

@Lardo137 Ability Drain is the most reliable way to proc Arcane Synergy with an attack, that's why it's there.

[@missing_links]

There's a better version of this same build. You probably meant the diadem of arcane synergy, not the ring - the ring only procs on casting a cantrip - but aside from that, rogue thief instead of bladelock works better. 8/4 split oathbreaker/thief with dual wielder and 2 ASI - you can still reach 24 cha without ravengard's. The extra offhand attack more than makes up for attacking with dex instead of cha since you get a fourth application of damage per turn (assuming you are playing HM, since potb extra attack doesn't stack there), your best mainhand is Orin's crimson mischief, and since both CM and dueler are piercing, you can double it all with the bhaalist armor.

[@ElliottDent]

@missing_links I did mean Diadem, yeah. My mistake. I use both pretty often so I got confused.

[@ElliottDent]

@missing_links This build sounds awesome, thank you! I'll definitely give this version a try at some point. Think the reason I didn't do something like this before was because the Hair was claimed by another party member, so the Longsword was the only way to hit 24. Although I will admit that access to Eldritch Blast, Hex and attacking off of that Cha was really nice as well. Does your version use the Dex gloves to make the attack rolls decent?

[@psimas1982]

Obligatory Algorithm comment. Great work. Love your tier lists

[@se7enspac3s]

Thanks!

[@Jamisen22]

I want to love the Sacred Star, but I feel like any character I would want to use it with, I just end up keeping Blood of Lathander instead. I mean +3 and passive always AOE blind is really hard to pass up :/

[@Darkkamikazegirl]

im not 100% sure for the rapier but i belive bards start whit them and u can find them on the nautiloid on the very first encounter.

[@Avoncarstien]

I didn't know you could cheese elemental age with dual wielding, that's hilarious XD

[@GuyNamedGray]

I feel like you get the Pelorsun Blade wayyyy too late. Sure, it's extra radiant damage against vampires, but it's only a +1, and it would have had a significantly bigger and better impact if you got it in Act 2, where it would be as much of an S tier/almost mandatory pick as Shadowheart and Spirit Guardians. Be neat if you got it somewhere in the Shadowlands or the Temple of Shar as an old war trophy or something.

[@obi-wan-jacobi840]

I think rapiers would’ve made more sense being grouped with the daggers and shortswords, but this video has a small enough niche that I understand why it was done this way.

[@missing_links]

I feel like the most useful grouping of weapons would be in terms of their use. Groupings like "Stat sticks for ranged characters" or "weapons for casters" or "gish fodder" or "there are feats other than GWM?" would reflect how builds are actually made better. Most of the time you start with the build concept and you find the gear that suits it, rather than the other way around.

[@obi-wan-jacobi840]

@@missing_linksExactly. Even other gear slot categories such as rings would be better grouped by what builds it suits rather than as a general tier ranking. Maybe class-specific itemization videos would be more useful.

[@missing_links]

@@obi-wan-jacobi840 I think class-specific falls into a lot of the same pitfalls, though. Essentially the same set of ranged weapons are going to be attractive to any ranged fighter and especially EK, ranged weapon bard, ranger, or rogue (to a slightly lesser degree). By the same token, most of your two-handed smackas and versatile weapons are equally sought after by fighters, non-throwing barbs, bladelocks, paladins, melee rangers, etc. Only a few items in such lists will really differ by class, and these are easy enough to point out - the finesse versatile/two-hander being very unusually attractive to rogues, for example. But yes, some sort of alternative groupings would probably reflect how the game is played more.

[@catrissia]

Is there really alot of psychic damage immunity? I am thinking all undead, but I am not aware of the others. I ask because of the modded Mystic class who rely on psychic damage. being a major benefit for them.

[@Cyberlucy]

How come you didn't include the Shattered Flail? Also there is a rapier available from a dead thrall on the beach after the attack by the intellect devourers. I usually take and use that until I get to the Hollow. And the Rupturing Blade...I usually get that WAY before Phalar Aluve becomes available.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

The Shattered Flail is a mace! (It was a flail, then it broke, now it's just a stick)

[@Cyberlucy]

@Cephalopocalypse didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@kevinlindmark4499]

@@Cephalopocalypse Thinking about it, there's probably still a way to get the Chaos Flail from Flind if you make them into a spore servant with Glut, and swap it with a weapon that can be equipped up by spore servants through interaction, like the Phalar Aluve, then throw it. (though back in EA, using the Chaos Flail would crash the game)

[@FamilyAccount-rf8rg]

Thanks!⬇

[@FamilyAccount-rf8rg]

Okay dude - first, small token of thanks only, but for me that's like 10% of my fortnightly income so it means more than it seems. If you are going to thank me on your vid, thank "JACK" as this is a shared account. No care if you don't. 2nd: As I can't give you appropriate compensation for maybe 50 hours or so of entertainment so far, let me apply what little I can of my intellect - not to be immodest, just saying I'm offering all I can. a) Feedback: I didn't like you at first. Too drawn out, but this is not criticism as I grew to appreciate your style over time. As a man with an insane history with CRPGs as well as every RPG (though mostly 2e and 3e in D&Ds case) I know more than most so it makes sense that your style appeared a bit stunted, though was actually just comprehensive. No idea how that info might help, but its my feedback nonetheless. I not only watch every one of your BG vids in preference to most others, but then rewatch them most. Should note that my PC playthrough on tactician is at 150 hours and early in Act 3 and my xbox honour mod playthrough is early in Act 1 (just defeated goblins) at 60 hours. I don't understand how all you whipper-snappers play so fast but all good. You are a sharp guy and you have my full attention when I watch. b) Some ideas for you that I would like to see, but that you may not have thought of yet - in case any are helpful: i) Tier lists for which class and/or subclass best suits each NPC. e.g. I currently have on my xbox play Asterion as a straight class Ranger Beastmaster and my lockpicker after changing him from Rogue 1/Land Druid 3 when he made level 5 and he's sooooo much more effective as a ranger and his bite helps. I have Karlach as War Cleric 1 Divine Wizard 3 going to Divine wizard 5 just now and feel I have downgraded her. I picked it for her cos of her fire resistance. So a useful video for someone like me (experienced, was once smart, now drug and alcohol abused brain damage lol) to rate which classes best suit which NPC would be awesome. I wanted Minthara but killed her yet again by accident in my xbox playthrough. I hate Asterion and Wyll so want to replace them both (replaced Wyll with Shadowheart but still stuck with Asterion - wanted an all female party, go girl power lol). ii) Another suggestion I have is for you to consider making Role Play party composition/build videos. e.g. I say this having built and run a NWN RP server for many years with well over a thousand regular players. Most of those attracted to mine wanted to role play an actual character. 20% were power build monkeys and added nothing to the experience of others. You have the skills of the powerbuilder but they are to some extent wasted on BG3 which is ultimately a game you can play 4 Monks or 4 Bards on, drink 6 beers before each honour mode game, and still ultimately win without death. However, your knowledge, while awesome and completely pointless for the powergamer crowd, could still have a niche practical passion for the RP crowed. Here are some examples of videos that only you could uniquely produce well: 1) A Poseidon(esque) play through: Main character is a water demi-god/youth. Best tridents and how to find them. Best spells and skills to support water sports. Which 3 NPCs might make the best party for him? And what might there classes/subclasses/skills/spells/gear look like? 2) A Hades(esque) play through: As above but for a lord of hell/fire demo-god. In same vein - Hercules, Hades, hell Xena Warrior Princess. 3) Or how about a Horseman of apocalype playthrough. What would your main character as Pestilence be? What spells and equipment focused on poison and disease? Who and how would War, Famine and Death be represented? 4) Or any other RP based themes where power and 'winning' arent the objectives as much as how to do utilise BG3 to play your Game of Thrones idea, or Indian/Roman/Egyptian/etc. Pantheon. How about a party comprised of the son's or daughters of Myrkle, Bane, etc. instead? Best I can offer in genuine thanks beyond just saying thank you Ceph, your videos have been entertaining, informative, helped me sleep when I wanted lol, but helped me craft the BG3 experience I wanted and helped me return to the game when I had gotten bored of it (on PC). Cheers for your hard work :)

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thank you so much for the support! I really appreciate it - it really means a ton for you to choose to share your money with me. Please take care of yourself, I'd never want donating to be a hardship! Definitely appreciate the feedback and thoughts - glad you came around after I wore you down ;) I definitely want to explore more different types of builds in the future! Thanks so much again!

[@benjaminbaygul-stevens4262]

Do bards start with a rapier or have I imagined that?

[@SpookyGman]

Those historical flails belonged to the anime nerds of the time.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Genuinely possible! A systematically underrated explanation for why historical people did something is "because it was cool"

[@Noobgamer0325]

I think twist if fortune gets an increase of .75 damage on average, for a new average damage of 5.25

[@peanuts7324]

no history on morningstars, rapiers or warpicks?

[@michaeledwards5545]

Im sure in my last play through only Wyll could use the infernal. am i missing something?

[@davidwagner3710]

The infernal rapier would be so much better if it gave a +1 to spell attacks

[@hypernerdman]

25:10 If you are HOPPY and you know it, give him a like for that joke

[@kato0122]

So what’s the difference between a mace and Morningstar? 🤔

[@blackomega34]

Gameplay wise, Bludgeoning 1d6 simple vs Piercing damage 1d8 martial + Heartstopper. Morningstars are a subcategory of maces, featuring spiky heads. Maces IRL have an extreme variety of shapes.

[@Zackary1005]

Lets goooo

[@csquared4538]

Reactions tier list?

[@thumaso]

Yussss

[@christianwilke305]

My theory is that the flail is just ancient mall ninja shit.

[@Jess-hg7ii]

There's a. Rapier on one of the corpses on the nautiloid

[@Turantula]

I thought Wyll specifically started with a rapier

[@Turantula]

Nvm already pointed out should have read the other comments first. Ummm more engagement for the algorithm!

[@giorgioguerriero6922]

Deva mace?

[@magedude999]

They used the flails on unarmed peasants.

[@FeniceFamigerata]

First. Boom, think I've seen every tier list now.

[@Luckmann]

The Blood of Lathander...?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

try the maces tierlist for maces

[@RovingPunster]

Adamantine Scimitar for the win. Deva Mace for honorable mention.

[@olavomendes8560]

This is like that drawer where you put all the things that dont fit a category big enough to have its own drawer

[@ALbino998]

Thanks!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thank you so much for the support! I really appreciate it - it really means a lot :D