How to Optimize at any D&d 5E table

Happy new year everyone!
For those who want to see the Artichron build by Jinofcoolness:
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Link to discord, patreon and twitter:
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[@carpetdragon6066]

The true optimisation is the friends we made along the way

[@drakeven1332]

Hey, I know you.

[@carpetdragon6066]

@@drakeven1332 Friend!

[@owenyoung5306]

I agree with this statement

[@ohgreatanothergamingchanne3436]

Yep

[@michaelnagel2205]

Absolutely. My best friends, guys that stood up my wedding, were all met at the gaming table.

[@alanschaub147]

I said to my wife the other day, “This might surprise you, but many adults who play D&D are still learning basic social skills.” She laughed. ☺️

[@hieronymusnervig8712]

I always annoy my fellow players by talking about balance issues in the game. I just can't help myself. When there's a certain thing that's cool, and interesting. And it's just obviously trash because WotC couldn't balance their game if their lives depended on it. That's like an itch that needs scratching. I don't mind playing a bad character. But I take psychic damage every time I look at bad subclasses.

[@alanschaub147]

@@hieronymusnervig8712 I think the game is fairly balanced, overall. Can you give me a specific example? Are you thinking of a subclass like the Four Elements Monk?

[@torunsmok5890]

@@alanschaub147 I mean that's one example, there's also the several extremely disappointing and underwhelming sorc and warlock subclasses, there's a reason you usually see the same handful of subclasses used in every build, bc the other ones are just not useful

[@hieronymusnervig8712]

@@alanschaub147 I also believe that the greater part of the game is fairly balanced. But some aspects, like two weapon fighting, thrown weapons, Alchemist Artificer, Sun Soul Monk, Assassin Rogue or Champion Fighter are treated very poorly. There's a lot of subjective strength differences everywhere, e.g. most people would say that Casters are better than Martials, but that's fine. There's different strengths and different weaknesses and my character will still shine. But then there's these objectively weak aspects. They can still be fun to play. But I'll always know that I'm dragging the weight of my subclass or whatever else I chose around with me. And that just hurts the game.

[@hinamiravenroot7162]

@@alanschaub147 compare circle of spore druid to any other druid subclass. I'm surprised your level 14 feature doesn't outright kill your character

[@deanofett]

This is 100% the way, it's not true optimization unless everyone is having fun.

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

Rogue Paladin: "Smike Attack!" Me: "I don't understand Rogue Paladin. But my Eldritch Knight can cast Spells." Wizard: Dies to a 1d4 Heavy Breathing Damage.

[@deanofett]

@@absolstoryoffiction6615 Rogue Paladin sounds stupid fun for just "I do big numbers now". Might keep that in mind, sounds like a laugh and a half.

[@pentiumdeusex-machina4645]

Ultimate minmaxer's tip: always buy pizza for your party. That way, they'll depend on you. The Cleric will give you the first Healing Word, and you'll be right after them in Bless order. The Rogue will leave your possessions for last. The Wizard will make sure you're not in the blast radius before casting Fireball, at least most of the time. Even the DM might knock two or three off the enemies' attack rolls against you and saves against your spells, if they like the pizza enough.

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

You can't have pizza without drinks... Water or soda etc.

[@emmarice6806]

Pizza equals inspiration at my table.

[@ohmygoditisspider7953]

I dm. I'm lactose intolerant and don't eat meat. if my players started favoring the one who brings pizza (when I usually buy it for everyone else, I don't really eat pizza) I would make that player have a lot to deal with. forge your bonds in the fires of conflicts. I am not a spiteful god, but I will test you. so long as everyone has fun, anyway.

[@thecookiemeister5374]

I hate this kind of complex tbh. I want to be treated fairly, like everyone else should be treated. Do i buy food for friends, of course, but i expect nothing if it. I HOPE nothing comes of it

[@woodlefoof2]

@@thecookiemeister5374 Sub-optimal sigma grindset there buddy

[@z4p0tek]

The most important DnD optimization video on youtube. Really heart warming. Thank you Kobold and Gator, we love you. Have a great new year! Byebye!

[@PackTactics]

You too! Happy new year! Bye bye!

[@DungeonseCorujas]

"Builds don't matter much! It's more about knowing what to do" This. This should be written in bold with red glowing letters in the first page of the PHB. I've seen too much people concerned about choosing the best options and always forgetting about making a creative and/or smart use of them. This video in its entirety is good advice and I say put it at front page as featured video, every player needs to hear this or some part of this before starting to optimize. Also, happy new year Kobold! And i'm very glad about your 20k subs, you really deserve it!

[@PackTactics]

Thats actually a good idea. I might do that. Thank you! Happy new year!

[@toribiogubert7729]

I have a player at one of my tables that jas this problem. Not the interesting part, but the know what to do part. He strugles with his class powers and his turns drag out.

[@johannesstephanusroos4969]

BuT kObOlD, you're not a small lizard man. You're a small dragon man

[@PackTactics]

RAAAWWWWWWRR!!!!

[@alanschaub147]

Here are the biggest challenges I have faced while playing D&D: • Difficulty finding a time that works for everyone • Players not showing up for game sessions consistently • Players not knowing the rules, their character, or not being prepared for their turn • Players fighting over treasure • Players trying to tell their own character story, rather than telling a group story • DMs trying to tell their own story, rather than telling a group story • DMs trying to kill characters, rather than trying to challenge players

[@alanschaub147]

@@Piper-o4j Sure. I had a player who would write multi-page backstories for his characters, and then insist that they be possible that it be incorporated into the campaign. This was a 1st Level character. The amount of experience the character had from the backstory would have made him much older and higher level. I had another player who would run off on his own almost every game session. This would force me to narrate separate events for that character, and the other players would just have to wait around. When it the the main parties turn, this player would try to tell them what to do. Eventually the other players yelled at him that his character was not even present to be offering advice. I had another player who wanted his character to center stage at all times. He played up his optimized character’s role in every encounter, and discounted the other characters’ contributions. All of these things would be fine is they did not detract away from the enjoyment of the other players.

[@alanschaub147]

@@Piper-o4j Precisely. It is a group telling a story together in such a way that everyone feels like a hero, not a collection of prima donnas.

[@supremeduckissupremetheduc9896]

Never had 'being a good player and pleasent person' explained in terms of optimizing, but hey! It works! Keep up the great content, Pack!

[@shorewall]

It kinda reminded me of TierZoo, explaining irl concepts in gamified terms. I really like it. :D

[@Appathas]

it's a great way to draw in (some of) the people that really need to hear the message, and he isn't wrong either.

[@theovernight1915]

I'm really glad that you said "you are suboptimal if.." because many people drawn to D&D can lose sight of how important it is to be a part of the party, rather than just a solo player in an open world - adjacent to some other solo players! So, if a player wants to be truly optimal, they need to play a build and as a character that truly fits at the table you're playing at! Even if someone else at the table doesn't measure up to this standard, you and everyone else will still have more fun when you optimize your play as more than just a solo act.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

This is a positive video to end the year on.

[@rallaa]

The point about optimized builds being non-optimal in the hands of someone who doesn't make use of them, is the most true statement of optimization out there. That's why a lot of optimal stuff is moot to me. Conjure animals or animate objects to get as many little fiddly creatures to control might be the most optimal for damage and area control....But it's just too annoying to actually use imo. I'd rather animate objects on a nearby table and dresser than do the usual shenanigans of trying to animate 10 silver coins or whatever. Or other cases like rest-casting where I'm just like "yeah, that's powerful and cool...But I'd never remember to do that stuff while I'm trying to roleplay as a poor schmuck who is stuck being a tour guide of the prime world for his archfey patron."

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

What you plan out... Vs... What actually happens... Is never the same. I usually plan out my ASI/Feats up to lv15 Fighter/Eldritch Knight. But everything else is... Unknown... Even to me. Not even my Spell choices are optimal but fun.

[@deezboyeed6764]

Personally I take a more fluid route, picking my levels as they come, to fit the character and his experences.

[@jonathanvernon7251]

Warlord in 4E D&D: super-optimal! You get to make attacks with the most optimized character's attacks and they get to shine in the spotlight for doing it. That was always a favorite of mine.

[@imoj]

Yes! Man do I miss warlord.

[@Drekromancer]

@@imoj So does everyone, man. So does everyone.

[@StormTG315]

@@imoj KibblesTasty made a homebrew class of it that's pretty well made if your dm allows anything like that. Obviously it's never going to be a direct translation because the editions are so different, but it brings a few iconic abilities over and definitely scratches the itch of playing a support martial character that 5e all but killed off.

[@AzureIV]

I loved playing the 4e Warlord. I shined by letting other people shine! Also it caused people to do things outside their turn, keeping them invested as other people were taking their turns. I was so sad when 5e removed the Warlord.

[@craigkuhlman6869]

Little compares to the feeling of hitting someone with a barbarian

[@johnrechtoris9796]

"If you are fun to play with, then you are winning D&D." Well said!

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

RNG: "We don't do that here. Not in my Holy server." Roles a "Natural" 1...

[@deezboyeed6764]

@@absolstoryoffiction6615 god i feel that, last session we all went on seperate spiritual journeys and (manifested as different versions of me) I had to fight my inner demons it was hell seriously six attacks in a row they hit me with crits lol.

[@herrkrabbe148]

This was an important video for the health of the game. It took me years to learn all of these lessons, and i am happy players who haven't learnt them yet can find them in a video.

[@kevingriffith6011]

I've really appreciated this channel as a homebrewer: there's a lot of helpful math here that lets me get to "white-room balance" faster and lets me focus on mechanics without worrying so much about numbers.

[@deezboyeed6764]

Remember interesting mechanics in a battle make it far more memorable then just a stright up fight.

[@kevingriffith6011]

@@deezboyeed6764 Oh absolutely. If I can't come up with at least two high utility mechanics to play around with (and a niche that the other subclasses don't fill) on the subclass then I don't think it's really worth building it.

[@jonathanvernon7251]

Is that a cellphone on the table in front of kobold? SUBOPTIMAL!! Seriously, though, this is one of your most entertaining videos with the most practical information. Thanks!!

[@hodgepodgesyntaxia2112]

Thank you for talking about this. Speaking as a GM, I often run into players who are well versed in the technical aspects of the game, but not the human aspects that matter more. I suspect that it’s a side effect of optimization KZbin channels, where content creators only talk about the mechanical aspects of the game, and I appreciate that you’re bucking the trend. Optimization is a tool. It doesn’t inherently make games better or worse on its own, and the more players who learn that, the healthier the trpg community will be.

[@TheRobversion1]

Agreed with everything said here. i also guess i'm lucky that i play with the table that generally are the same as me (mostly optimizers, prefer the combat pillar the most, likes short campaigns/one-shots). i'm happy that i found this table (as well as a couple of others that i can guest in once in a while) and it has made leaving all those other tables in the past that didn't jive with how i want to play/have fun worth it. only thing i'd like to add is people, especially optimizers, shouldn't feel bad if they want to have fun or have to sacrifice their fun. as long as you're generally nice, friendly, willing to collaborate and make small adjustments you're doing it correctly. you shouldn't compromise why you wanted to play to begin with just to cater to everyone at the table. it just means you weren't a fit for that table and other people weren't willing to adjust to you. find a table that shares your ideals and the fun will be tenfold. and if you can't find that table IRL, there's alot of VTTs now.

[@dbeyette1]

"This was a rant. I feel like a KZbinr" I love this line! You are the best kind of KZbinr, Kobald.

[@someone16234]

As someone who views optimization and min-maxing as an outsider, and runs for a group who really focuses on roleplay, this is an incredible video. Having one very powerful player can be so dangerous unless they’re also lifting up the whole group as well and allowing people moments to shine as well. And that can be really really good when it’s done well, I think there’s a lot to be said for finding a table that matches you, but it can be so fun when you have disparate players who are working together to help each other have fun. Great video.

[@RichardDurham]

Thank you for talking about this! As someone else said this should be covered in session 0.

[@fadeleaf845]

I often get flak from the other side of the community where I constantly see seething hatred for anything (perceived) optimal and effective. I once was in a server for people developing a roleplay system and I pointed out how one particular build direction (based on how the game awards XP and how characters are statted) is mathematically stronger than others. I was told the only proper fix is to smack talk the player for "trying to powergame" instead of something like houseruling the character build options or just designing the game with the expectation you arrange your stats like that.

[@EnraiChannel]

It's kind of weird how some people have hateboner for "powergaming", even weirder are people like the ones you described because they are ready to be toxic against them. In the end it's just knowing how the game works, not some cheat code. Being fun to play with and having a strong character aren't mutually exclusive like some seem to think. And when it comes to roleplaying something weaker/silly, you can still have the stats. Like many have pointed out that you don't need 8 int to play "stupid wizard", just have proper main stat and roleplay the "stupid" part anyway.

[@luminous3558]

I think there is a clear line somewhere when you get to builds that multiclass like 3+ times to do some stuff that probably wasn't intended but a lot of that stuff is the fault of game design even allowing it. 5E kinda just expects the DM to handle everything on their own because WotC couldn't be bothered, which sucks but being aware of it lets you fix it at your tables at least. Its not the player's fault to want to be strong. At the same time each DM and Group can set their own limitations in which designate the acceptable power ceiling. Making sure that the acceptable powerfloor and ceiling are clearly understood should be a priority at every table to avoid ugly confrontations later. It always exists even if you just tell players "oh just bring whatever" you probably don't mean that, what you actually mean is that you haven't thought about it yet and will probably make up your mind later.

[@MalloonTarka]

Bravo. Often, a character that is suboptimal for combat is optimal for the character you want to play. In fact, for some characters it's useful to know what's optimal in combat so you can avoid it. For others it's useful to know what's optimal in combat because your character knows more about the game world than you do and would make informed, if not intelligent decisions. But always adjusted for your character's personality, backstory, ideals, beliefs, resources and flaws.

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

I just pick Eldritch Knight and add my ASIs/Feats in specific ways with Point Buy + Race. Then hammer this Sub Class until all variations are found. Eberon Warforged, Normal Human, and Variant Human are already completed. 15, 14, 14, 10, 9, 9... Point Buy is a good start for +0 to +5 Modifiers if done well.

[@augustus1138]

I’m well into my 40’s and have been playing DnD and many other games with the same core group since high school, almost every week. THIS is the essence of the game. It’s awesome to gain xp and treasure and fight all sorts of threats, but the fart jokes, and laughing until someone snarfs pepsi through their nose(totally happened!), these are worth WAY more than any vorpal sword or wish granting ring! Like Kobold said, THAT’S how you win DnD. Or Melf’s Minute Meteors, just saying 🤣🤣

[@camerontroscianiec5320]

I'm so glad someone talked about Melf's Minute Meteors. It's so underrated just because fireball exists

[@augustus1138]

@@camerontroscianiec5320 😁😁😁 better damage and no collateral! Win win

[@Hey-Its-Dingo]

@@camerontroscianiec5320 Melf's Minute Meteors is like Fireball for people who actually love their friends' company. Lmao

[@arcticbanana66]

This is why I and many others love Tulok the Barbrarian's builds. He doesn't build the characters to be optimized, he builds them to be as accurate to the original character as possible.

[@IHadLasagna]

I’m not an optimizer, but I love to homebrew. I like learning about optimization because it gives me a better understanding of the game’s design. I’ve never heard a self-identified optimizer acknowledge the truths you acknowledge here. It endears me to you. It’s why I follow you. You bring something different to the table. Happy New Year.

[@franciscofernandez8183]

What a good rant! You have definitely won my subscription Mr Kobold. Also there were so many gems in this video: "You are weird! You are getting advice from a small lizard man" it's gonna live rent free in my mind for who knows how long.

[@louiswillhauck5572]

Lol I love the “play anything you want (except gnomes)” 😂😂😂 Definitely a Kobold 😂👍

[@williamwontiam3166]

What’s the timestamp?

[@louiswillhauck5572]

@8:55

[@charmandenator5686]

I had a Lore Master wizard (the old busted UA) for a while and enjoyed the class, but had to leave the game because the DM unfairly targeted me in every fight, including using antimagic and counterspells at every corner. I tried to communicate but sometimes that doesn't work. All I want to say with this is no D&D is way better than bad D&D, because I'd rather spend my evenings some other way than getting my spells countered literally every fight.

[@chaonis24601]

Was this the subclass that let you change the damage type of spells? Most fun build I've ever played

[@toribiogubert7729]

As a DM I only use Counterspell in rare ocasions. It is easy to frustrate players with that and you can have a callenging fight by just giving healing potions for your badies.

[@lordro256]

In Australia, this came out exactly a minute after midnight on New Years Eve

[@joedan5366]

The best icebreaker video for roleplay

[@ZarHakkar]

Reminds me of the time I created an "unoptimized" character. It was for a one-shot with one other player, and we decided our characters would work together and have a Master Blaster dynamic as a monster hunting duo. My character was Big, a gnoll runt with 7 levels in rogue thief and 2 in fighter. The other character was Tiny, a 9th level loxodon berserker barbarian. I rolled pretty meh stats for Big, but that turned out to be just fine. In the one-shot, we ended up fighting a beholder, and we each fell organically into niches in combat. Tiny was large and beefy, so they were on the front lines tanking and dealing damage. However, Big was quick and versatile, and if it weren't for his/my quick thinking and tactical usage of items, we absolutely would have lost the fight. Things that Big did in the fight that came in clutch: -loading Tiny's siege crossbow (basically a handheld ballista) with an entire quiver of arrows with Fast Hands, then using the Help action to help her fire it straight into the main eye of the beholder, disabling it with a cloud of shrapnel and allowing our kenku phoenix soul sorcerer hireling to use his magic. -Tossing a net onto the beholder, causing it to be locked down twice over when Tiny began grappling it. -Using a crowbar to pry the beholder's minions (floating fleshy masks that were reskinned intellect devourers but targeting charisma) off of Tiny's face. -Usage of a variety of weapons, including a few decent shots with a shortbow. And almost, but not _quite,_ hopping onto the beholder and chopping at its eyestalks with a shortsword like Shadow of the Colossus. There was also a hilarious moment in the dungeon before the fight where Big convinced Tiny that loading Jericho (the kenku) into her siege crossbow and firing him up into a hole in the ceiling was a good idea. The DM asked us to make an attack roll. Nat 20. Jericho was fired up through the hole while _on fire_ and ended up hitting and instantly liquifying a miniboss that was hiding up there. I can't remember exactly what it was called, but it was one of those little baby beholder variant creatures. Ah man, good times...

[@benjaminholcomb9478]

This is a 12:38 masterpiece. Exactly what we need to close out the year.

[@jb123581]

Thank you for this video, Kobold. It really helps to know that even when you putting out optimization videos you recognize that the spells you pan aren’t necessarily bad at every table if everyone is having fun. (Except Find Traps. That spell is irredeemable)

[@Greywander87]

I wish we saw more stuff on team optimization. Everyone is always only looking at a single character, and not how multiple characters could work together to multiply their strength. One such team build that I've found consists of an Artillerist artificer, who gives temp HP (and later, half cover) to the whole party every round as a BA using their protector cannon, a paladin (maybe Devotion for charm immunity aura), whose aura buffs everyone's saves, and a Life cleric, who heals any damage that gets through. Everyone has excellent AC, buffed saves, and gets temp HP every round. You can have everyone take HAM (if in heavy armor) to further reduce damage, and Shield Master, to get pseudo-Evasion against AoEs. I wish we saw more stuff like this.

[@Drekromancer]

This would be disgusting if it wasn't based in the power of friendship.

[@ZarHakkar]

Dang, now I have a hunger for party optimization content. One might say content like this could be referred to as... Pack Tactics.

[@deezboyeed6764]

Our party is interesting, they develop their own skills and such (usually based on their adventure) but they tend to develop ideas together in the heat of combat. (like the ground human missile where bard poly morphs the ranger so he can yeet me as a human missile)

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

Thank you. I needed this. I’m a newbie player in a group of newbie players who all started together less than a year ago. Our last session was a single four-hour battle, ending mid-combat with nowhere to run and us dangerously close to a TPK. I happened to level up at the end of the session, so have been searching desperately for some new optimized spell or feat that might save the day. But this reminded me that it’s more about the players than the characters. If we die, at least we’ll die together. Edit: We survived! For like the first time ever we strategized together as a team to take down the boss! It was so epic!

[@renatocorvaro6924]

How to win DnD: have fun with people. It's a co-operative storytelling game, try being co-operative with people's storytelling.

[@sesimie]

That Sorcadin build from Treantmonk is what I'm playing right now :) Also his Diviner Wizard and soon Arcane Trickster. Love your videos Pack Tactics. I Appreciate the time you take to make these vids!

[@Grorl]

Huzzah! Lol just had this conversation with the wife. She sees me optimize/theory craft all the time, but noticed that I never play these builds in games. I told her it was simply because I see dnd as a team game, I want everyone to have their time in the spotlight. The one time I did play an optimized character (kobold gloomstalker/scout) i outskilled the pure rogue and out damaged the paladins and other players. So I retired the character from the campaign and played a cleric. Lol. While "optimized" builds are cool and all, optimized tables are the most fun. The investment in others really brings life to a game.

[@FrostTurnip]

When you scout ahead and tell the barbarian where the biggest enemy is and they run up and throw something heavy at it. Good times.

[@leonardoconde8930]

I had an campaign with a lot of strength characters and throwing marble tables at enemies became meta for a session XD

[@ohgreatanothergamingchanne3436]

This channel is one that has inspired me to make a dnd channel I like your content and I hope that I can put out as much effort as you do in your videos

[@PackTactics]

Its work. Lol, it really is.

[@margaretmyklebust2577]

I know nothing about D&D.. but I listen to every video you put out. This is the first one I really understood. I actually enjoyed listening to this one. Good job!

[@burningtrait]

This is the true reason spellcasters are busted. They have spells that promote teamplay.

[@PackTactics]

You are actually not wrong.

[@OniNoSweeney]

"This was a rant; I feel like a KZbinr." Fucking gold...give that Kobald a play button!

[@FaceD0wnDagon]

This is why being an "overpowered support" is the optimal build for going absolutely bonkers in terms of optimization. You might be carrying the team, but as long as Bob the Barbarian is getting to smack the bad guy for big damage and is happy, it won't matter to him that your character is absolutely necessary for making that possible. The only time this isn't the case is if there's a less optimal support who will feel bad if you "support better." Even then, you can allow them to do their niche and use different, non-competing avenues of support. Happy hunting!

[@randyfool2065]

Have fun everyone, be nice, and help your friends :) The thumbnail is a rainbow to represent the Rainbow Connection between players in a table. 🌈

[@captainpandabear1422]

That Artichron build is ludicrous! XD But some of the tips in there are just super fun, while others are things no DM would allow.

[@Squaredasher]

The most important number on an optimized character sheet is the one above your proficiency bonus.

[@czcrossman]

“This was a RANT! I feel like a KZbinr!” Lol you’re the best Kobold I know. Happy New Year buddy!

[@jgpta2]

Great video that every party should watch at session zero! Very wholesome.

[@MichaelPiraino]

This. this needs to be required viewing for all players. These are common sense things, but like most things that appear to be common sense, if people aren't told these things they don't know it! Everyone knowing these things would make the community a better place!

[@slightlysaltyy]

As a beginner in the Dnd world with only a couple games with friends under my belt I'd like to say thank you Pack! Your advice is helping understand sooo much about not only dnd but how to be a quality player. Even if im not optimizing, even if i dont know what I can and cant do sometimes, even if some of my abilites are just flavor! At least I can be a good teammate where it counts most, being friendly and having fun 😌 glad i found your channel!! PS: Im in my 2nd campaign rn and im playing a kobold monk! I've had to do a ton of research on bolds, abilities, and monks which has been a lot but suuper entertaining!

[@deroestheknight7853]

100% Agree, some of my buddies will give me shit for "min/maxing" because I even have the habit from playing MMOs but they trust me to do it because they have faith over the now year+ campaign (although our pace has been worse than the abyss but we have been speaking up about it so it's getting fixed), My rule of thumb is simple. Optimizing a character is fine, fun even. But NEVER Forget you are a CHARACTER not just a stat sheet in a video game, it keeps me in check so I can either make a build based off of a concept or do it in reverse, my current Character is based off of the Anime variant of King Arthur, Who is going to be a Paladin, Sorcercer, Warlock. BUT I made certain to give him reasons to have those abilities and classes in the first place. I even told the DM when we started that I would never iniate my own mini nuke combo of Hold Person on a bonus action to then max lvl Crit smite whatever I'm hitting cause that's no fun. Finally my only advice is to keep an Open Mind, if you notice the DM is struggling or they come up to you and say you are too powerful but you know there's weakness in your playstyle or build that they may just not see, Tell them about it or impose self restrictions to think of yourself of this Master of Magic/War who only uses their full powers when needed not because they can. Is it cliche? yeah but it is at least an effective temp Solution. TL:DR: Remember that you are a character in a group with other people and not some stat sheet in a video game, It'll be fun!

[@Zarzapan]

Wow, I love your channel. You really helped me refocus on making sure I was engaging with my team when I was playing. I have fun with mechanically strong characters, and kinda forgot not to overshadow the others.

[@PerditiousSooth]

This is my favorite optimization video on the Internet, not just because I agree with it, but also because it speaks to two things that have always struck me as weird about optimization discourse. 1. That people forget the game is a collection of subjective experiences played by impressionable humanoids. Like, yeah, doing an extra 1.5 damage per round is nice, but creating a moment that makes people go "That was awesome!" and leaving a memorable impression at the table is going to do more for you both in terms of getting the most out of the game and also, probably, ensuring that you will stay to see the conclusion. 2. People ask for strong builds with no context and get told "Play this, don't play this." I get it but context is everything, even social context and the player's own expectations and the expectations of their group. Like, does a brand new player who is just now learning D&D really need to dive into playing something with 3 different classes and build combinations that rely on specific mechanics? Is that really going to be the best build for them and is it going to improve their experience of the game? Thanks for the quality content!

[@coobbyo]

This is why I love your videos. You really focus in on the concept of teamwork and team play more than most "Build" videos I have seen. I also haven't seen any of the creaters you mentioned, but that is a mistake I can still rectify.

[@ehd.f4269]

Happy new year, Kobold!

[@BraveBucket]

THANKS! I think a lot of people need to hear this! D&D is all about optimizing fun. Everyones fun at the table - not just your own.

[@jacobbroom9771]

Thank you for making such good content this year. It's been so entertaining to watch you and I love the way you see the game keep up the good work. I can't wait to see what you do next year

[@luiken3]

This is possibly the most important video you've put out. Good on you for making sure to mention that you have to make sure the table is happy to have you is just as important, or even more important, than strong builds.

[@megamarkread]

Shout out to Colby at the D4 network. He has a huge library of very entertaining optimised builds and is a really lovely guy and his videos are a pleasure to watch.

[@SunspotSolarbird]

Hey Kobold! Thank you so much for being a positive influence in this space. I hope you have a wonderful day! :)

[@crunchevo8974]

making a character that is fun to play and goes along well with the party is the most important part of optimization.

[@Kylora2112]

I love my current table. We have a new player (mostly an anime nerd, hasn't played a [TT]RPG before, V-human Champion Fighter), a fun builder who loves RP (Tiefling Death Domain Cleric), another fun builder who loves RP (human Glamour Bard [actually a true polymorphed Red Dragonborn...basically playing Kuzco from The Emperor's New Groove]), and me, the power gamer (Tiefling PAM Hexblade Warlock). Our RP is fun as hell, we're all getting awesome character moments, and the four of us plus our GM (a mutual friend of all of us, but none of the players had met before Session 0) are having an absolute blast! That's an optimal table in my book!

[@kidvandal4955]

This should be a featured video - it’s so well executed, an insightful re-watch, and definitely earns a channel subscription :)

[@chriswalker7555]

Ah, you sound fun to play with! I have a similar thing for Lizardfolk that you have for Kobolds. I've subscribed because you laid out what game groups (and weird player/DM meltdowns and high-school feuds) are about: have fun while supporting others having fun (and memorise flexible spells, predict what's going to happen, and drop your bombs at the right time and place!).🦎

[@stanleylee5358]

This is the only video I've seen where someone has mentioned that if you are well loved by the table and DM, the story begins to bend around your character, you get Inspiration, and you get greater leeway with magic items requested, "extra" feats or perks granted outside of leveling, etc.

[@DragonUmbra]

I’ve learned so much from this channel. It’s often made me rethink how I play dnd for the better.

[@thecookiemeister5374]

I feel like optimization is actually very important. You want someone to be a combat god in your party, so you can be a diplomat, or a con artist, or a spy, or a utility caster, or any other number of things. A good party is full of diversity, a power-gamer is part of that diversity. Combat counters are much more fun if you can rely on someone to beat the hell out of a creature.

[@Michael-gq9cd]

I needed this. I've actually been asking myself all day why I'm more excited by min-maxing/optimisation/power gaming.. I have a lot of fun learning new mechanics and dynamics of D&D and building a player that is interesting and also very functional, powerful and versatile. I'm currently making a lvl 6 Sorcadin Dhampir (Oathbreaker 5, Aberant Mind 1) for my 3 player table (excluding DM.) The other guys are a rogue and a warlock. We are all starting as vampires. I don't really want to smite all the time so the Sorc dip is more for flavour and versatility. A warlock dip seems to be more functional and economical.. but I don't want to step on toes. I only really just discovered how good Polearm Mastery is so I'll likely try to build for that. Thanks for reminding me that the game is more than numbers.

[@sharkynuman4758]

the best kind of powering gaming, how to optimize fun on the table

[@brendankinahan8484]

Pack Tactics, a channel about COMBAT optimization, gives the only real advice. It's true be strong or be weak, as long as people are having fun!! 10/10 Video

[@tacnomel2591]

I thought this was going to be a meta build for the actual table layout itself. I really need that because it can get crowded with the minis, maps, dice towers, stat papers, and the guacamole.

[@ContinuumOfHarmony]

Thanks for saying this. Honestly, I am going to just drop this video in the discord of every game I am in and join. Have a happy new year.

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

As Soren Johnson said about X-Com, "Given the opportunity, players will optimize the fun out of a game." Given an informed choice between mechanical optimization and fun, I'll always choose fun. That said, D&D's an infinite game. There is no winning, and the only losing move is not to play. In the interest of fairness, breaking a game can be its own kind of fun.

[@DeathMonky22]

This is my favourite video of yours. It's actually beautiful ❤️ I hope you and yours, have a great new year!

[@Sparda11222]

Best Optimization advice ! Thank you kind sir.

[@byrongsmith]

Yes - best advice from any optimization vid I've ever seen.

[@iainmuir6116]

I think everybody needs to know what to do in order to optimize their character. Once you know that, you can just ignore that in making decisions that favor a character's choices specifically. You just have the option to pursue those choices if the occasion calls for it. I made a rogue that was Indiana Jones, they used a whip and a hand crossbow with neither crossbow expert nor sharpshooter.

[@kinghtstemplar]

That last part really felt like it came from your heart, you earned a sub.

[@Jezroth]

Honestly, this is a great video about optimization etiquette. Something that is rarely spoken about online in my experience.

[@urDM2nite]

This video is going to be mandatory watch at every session zero from here on.🤗🤝👏🤘👊

[@robertpena1890]

Best darn advice for playing d&darn I've ever heard.

[@dylanbeauhart9936]

You know, your point near the end about the player being more important than the build, really hits home, I'm the second most read player at my table shy of the DM and it really shows, everyone's kind of playing bash the bad boys and I'm copying my spell to scrolls and handing some to the arcane trickster.

[@nerfherder5211]

Optimizing for a long campaign should be increasing the levels of fun for the entire table. If it's just making you strong and overshadows other you have failed miserably. DND is not about winning the encounter or "beating" the other players at the table. For oneshots, play your munchkin 200dmg 1 turn lvl 5 build. It will be a lot of fun. For the long campaign, sit down with dm and the other players and meld with them your ideas and create a character that will during the coarse of the campaign start somewhere but end up somewhere else. Let the wind take you. That is what my experience has lead me to. It is what I have enjoyed the most. Do not just create a full concept for a long campaign. You do not know what will happen. The biggest experiences in your characters life should be ahead of you. Let them paint the picture. Let it create the character along with you. Let it affect the choices. The mechanics are fun. You can still do them, but with the limitations of staying true to the flavour and certain ingame choices, you can optimize around that. Just for the love of god don't "beat" the other players. Do not aim to play top internet builds at casual tables. It's deeply disrespectful and frowned upon unless otherwise agreed upon before game. Most tables are casual. To play on casual tables, I set a few restraints and optimize after that. The end result will be a cool builds exploring mechanics from a different perspective. Another take is crazy powerful supportbuilds that gives the rest of the table fun, like powerful buff spells to give to the non-optimized barbarian and make them feel like the god while you practically play their patron :'D hillarious. The best end product that you can "win" at a table is to laugh and have fun with the other players. With your friends. Do not "beat" them.

[@salamaneinglorion5956]

This was the most wholesome D&D video I watched this year. Bravo, little guy. Bravo!

[@aodhanmorrissey]

Everyone who watched this just gained the "Good friend" feat IRL. (If already acquired this feat has no effect. You're already great enough)

[@TheZandaz]

Part of the reason I like mechanical optimisation is it allows others to not worry too much about it. I know how to build classes and how to utilise them to be devastating in combat if I need to be, but most of the time I don't bc people are generally effective enough. When the chips are down though and people may have not made the most tactical choices (build or turn wise), coming out and trying to save the day and other people's characters is fun. I think people worry about 'outshining' others in combat, but ultimately as long as no one is actively hindering anyone it doesn't matter too much. Plus particularly in games with mixed experience/knowledge, having some more 'optimal' characters and strategies can help show newbies aspects of the game they might not be aware of. Just don't berate anyone for a decision they make if they did it earnestly and without ill intent.

[@TheLikkittysplitt]

The enthusiasm and message of this video is flippin beyond rad

[@wolfpack8450]

Happy New Year! Yeah, I remember constructing an optimized build that mainly focused on getting all the optional PhB languages as early as possible. Sadly it only pops off at level 11. (P.s: It can't do anything else except deal with conversation)

[@SavageGreywolf]

I love how this is a 'don't be That Guy' rant disguised as a min-maxing guide

[@mikecarson7769]

Great advice for optimising the fun for everyone in the game! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrDerfus]

This is like the 5th video of yours I've watched and the one that had me emphatically sub to your channel

[@cloneryman3748]

There bagpipes playing in the background, I love it

[@sheywithrow9387]

Thanks for the video, you are the perfect channel, kobold for life

[@TheMariosack]

I have met so many players that needed a vid like this, I hope it gets a ton of attention. Thanks for making it dude

[@TheTimeice]

This was very wholesome to watch :3 I do appreciate your channel for the math! You're right that the player matters the most haha

[@textoffender3410]

I love making optimised characters, using the rules of a game to make a character as powerful as posssible (within the architype I want to play as) is something I do in every game, not just DnD, but that doesn't mean I can't still role play and have a character beyond the build that they're attatched to.

[@coffeetoaster]

Other Player: How did you learn about that? Me: Oh a kobold in a kilt told me