How to Play Pearl in Dungeons & Dragons (Steven Universe Build for D&D 5e)

Today we have a build for Pearl from Steven Universe in Dungeons & Dragons. Being the mom friend in D&D is already fun roleplay, but being a Sword Mom Friend will also make combat a riveting experience.
Twitter: / tulokthe
Patreon: / tulok

[@ZanraiKid]

Going to be interested to see how close this is to my Air Genasi Fighter, because when I made him, I realized, “Oh no, I just made Porl.”

[@greghigginbotham3776]

Well? How close was it

[@ZanraiKid]

Edit: First two levels of Fighters were correct, then it deviated with Eldritch Knight and Wizard levels. My Fighter was a DEX/CHA build whose whole deal was “anxiety gay with difficult love life, ballet fighting style, and violently high expectations”.

[@ForenzaAudio]

Heh.....thought it woulda been echo knight OvO. But yeah, she doesnt do more than train with em

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

When Pearl casts Identify, does she use HERSELF as the material component?

[@Xecryo]

Better question if someone else casts identify can they use Pearl as a material component?

[@boopdabeep5300]

@@Xecryo If that is the case, I guess you could say that she is a *Material Girl*

[@itwasidio1736]

@@boopdabeep5300 Considering how well the LGBTQ community has received that song- yes, absolutely.

[@deepseastonecore3017]

A star walks into a black hole but doesn't seen phased. The black hole then turns to the star and says, "I don't think you understand the gravity of this situation."

[@sigurdgram]

fun fact I wanna share: recent math and science developments are saying that black holes as we understand them don't exist. there's still a thing there where we've been saying black holes are, but they aren't black holes as we've defined them; we cannot mathematically justify the existence of a singularity.

[@RobertBass]

Ah, yes, the surprisingly effective Eldritch Knight / Bladesinger multiclass - mixing a wizardly fighter with a fighterly wizard. Nice. Also, IMO the Steven Universe / Super Mario crossover would actually meld surprisingly well, and I'm down for that.

[@mdalsted]

And you likely could pull a crossover like that off in D&D with Tulok's builds!

[@IdiotinGlans]

It's all fun and games until the plumber jumps on somebody's head.

[@sandwichmonster7067]

And all the SU/Mario characters in the crossover are voiced by Chris Pratt

[@RobertBass]

@@sandwichmonster7067 How could you even say that?

[@itwasidio1736]

@@sandwichmonster7067 He could pull off an older Steven, but no way could he do an Italian accent for 2 hours straight.

[@mattt3481]

I know it would be pretty difficult to excuse the other aspects of calling her a warforged, but the sentry's rest perk would be super duper in character

[@JaelynMcgee]

Honestly I'd let her get sentry's rest as a custom lineage perk.

[@feltrix334]

Warforged are actually my pick for a gem race, because all the stuff from Constructed Resilience except the poison resistance is explicitly a gem thing, and I wouldn't be surprised if they also had poison resistance. The only arguable piece is Integrated Protection, and Pearl with studded leather would still be able to enter a bladesong.

[@erikwilliams1562]

Almost 2 years of True Strike....time flies huh? Take it as a compliment. Your stuffs so good, they CANT leave!

[@tulokthebarbrarian2033]

For two years I've heard "I'm gonna steal your show idea and do all the gross anime stuff you avoid, and not be WOKE." As far as I know, none of them have made an impact

[@EsShinkai02]

@@tulokthebarbrarian2033 "gross anime stuff" What are they even on about? Your anime builds are great!

[@marmato9332]

@@EsShinkai02 Tulok took down his Gutsbuild and refused to make a Goblin Slayer build, as far as I remember. Some people didn't like that.

[@CyberBlastoise]

@@tulokthebarbrarian2033 I will admit I considered making a Pathfinder 2e version of Character Builder, tho moreso to showcase the differences and similarities between the two systems after DnD 3.5.

[@TrueWhovian82]

Hey, new watcher here. What's the context of the True Strike joke?

[@Mcl-cg3jd]

Honestly I'm surprised you didn't go with Echo Knight for the fighter subclass. Eldrtich Knight works well enough, but given that one of Pearl's main abilities is creating a clone of herself, it feels like Echo could have worked too.

[@TxarlesN]

What source book is Echo Knight from?

[@doimanator9999]

I was looking for this before I posted it myself. I would go echo knight and perhaps a bit of artificer

[@o0bookwyrmknight0o]

@@TxarlesN Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount

[@TxarlesN]

@@o0bookwyrmknight0o , thanks.

[@vennom14]

Pearl is the perfect representation of a bladesinger, makes so much sense

[@burrito9327]

Best Crystal Gem, yeah you heard me. Wait a minute, non-human humanoid, summoning swords, cool music, smartest one in the group? Pearl is Vergil if he was a good dad!..... a stretch i know but let me have this.

[@aetherspiralknight]

Since gems hatch out of the earth and don't technically have physical (humanoid-shaped) bodies... does that mean Pearl is the Light that got Buried?

[@ethanbynon4680]

While I love this build, I am eternally disappointed that you did not pick up Simulacrum for traumatizing Steven. C H A L L E N G E R. D E F E A T E D

[@elib6465]

Tulok: clearly sending signs that he doesn't like bigots Bigots: That sign can't stop me cause I can't read.

[@fightingfalcon777]

“If those children could read, they’d be very upset with you!”

[@matthewboyd68]

@@fightingfalcon777 Doesn't Surprise me that that the ones who burn books can't read

[@Xecryo]

As I have become fond of saying among my D&D friends: when someone attacks the party, we all roll initiative.

[@BlairWasTakenAlready]

I love this channel and Tulok’s methodology and sense of humour and the true strike bits ❤️ Can’t wait for the day Tulok can stop making the True Strike joke, even if it always makes me laugh

[@sandwichmonster7067]

There are always gonna be That Guys in the DnD community unfortunately, but hey, more True Strikes for us :D

[@SP-po9sr]

Good sir Tulok. keep on being intolerant of the intolerant. At this point its just a running gag and its very humorous seeing adults have temper tantrums about what they dont see as a viable build. for all you jokesters comin at tulok, if you dont like what he does do your own channel.

[@Rain593]

Nothing beats the duel wielding bladesinger with Shadow blade and booming blade shenanigans 👉😎👉

[@robinquartz884]

I've been waiting so long for this and it was worth it. I'm 100% using this build.

[@ettinakitten5047]

I really think warforged is the perfect fit for a gem race. Not only do gems not eat, sleep or breathe and aren't subject to most human illnesses, they're also deliberately created for a specific purpose, so they're basically androids in-universe.

[@Technodreamer]

Finally, the base Crystal gems are complete! Now how about that Peridot and Bismuth?

[@randomim42]

And Lapis?

[@Technodreamer]

@@randomim42 I am ashamed for forgetting Lapis

[@valiensr1037]

Despite knowing true strike is bad, I acknowledge that it has some fun flavor to it. Plus, if your DM is flexible, you could work it so that you can cast it as a bonus action.

[@lunchboxcomiks]

it having concentration still hurts it. I like the idea of letting others use it as well but it tread on the ground of help actions

[@schwilliamb3914]

Ah yes, one of my favorite cartoon moms who is also one of the most relatable chars I've seen. Ty for the hard work and build as always king

[@0_Body]

Pearl Player: Ok did everyone bring their weapon? Party: 1. Mine fell down a pit, 2. Lost it from being disarmed 3. Stolen Pearl Player: Uh, you need to be more responsible let me grab some spares from the sword closet NPC: *scuttles up on all fours "I will be a fine addition to your collection"

[@bloomp9676]

PLEASE the Game Changer clip at the very beginning… video is already immaculate.

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

She's a real gem

[@Rubymagicalgirl88]

Bladesinger is such a good class it's so fun.

[@mdalsted]

*Pearl* A [custom lineage] wizard (with levels in fighter) with near-absolute loyalty to the one known as Rose Quartz and by extension, her son, Steven Universe. Moves with ballet-like grace across the battlefield, spear in hand.

[@Biggggg5]

The: “it could even be a boat” is legit the peak of family guy’s jokes.

[@Morathor]

BIRD MOM! I forgot today was Pearl's video, I have been looking forward to this for so long and the build does not disappoint. Went in some directions I didn't anticipate, but they definitely made sense and we end up with a very streamlined build. Plus, I just love bladesingers, and it suits Pearl so very very well to be a battle ballerina.

[@pokekid9000]

I'm just commenting to say Weapon Bond + Catapult is a heckin genius idea I would've never thought of and you should be very proud of it *claps*

[@hydrastuff8029]

Honestly, these latest videos just go to show how far your comedy's come in addition to your builds

[@logans.7932]

Oh I JUST binged this entire series yesterday. Hell yeah. Give me my war criminal twink

[@qixl8237]

My first character was very loosely based on her. But more in backstory than anything else. He is a high elf dex based paladin with double fighting rapiers. I didn't know enough about d&d to get all the multiclassing or subclasses, just paladin goes fighty with spells

[@IdiotinGlans]

Breaking Character Fight Pitch: Pearl vs Weiss vs Seprioth

[@ladyvictoria820]

I'd pay to see that shit.

[@itwasidio1736]

You've finished all the Crystal Gems, whoo! (holding back the urge to ask for a Lapis, Peridot, or Jasper build since they're the extended team)

[@JaelinBezel]

What about Bismuth?

[@crunch1216]

I was thing 3 levels for echo knight for le clone things. Then 17 levels of sorcerer for flame blade, shadow blade, blade of disaster and other worldy guise(for extra attacks). But sorcerer can be dropped for bladesinger for that modikenins sword and being a blade singer

[@MetaGrave]

Part of me thinks Echo Knight would have worked for the fighter subclass, but Eldritch Knights yeeting rapiers with Catapult and calling them back is an entertaining thought... XD

[@agarnes100]

Was that a slick Mordin Solus reference at the beginning there?

[@chasebladesword1211]

I'm mildly curious if we can ever see Hank J Wimbleton built, I feel like he would be pretty easy to make being that he is a combat oriented character (which if you know what series es from makes a whole lot of sense), it's be even better if we got Sanford and Deimos too, though I have no idea how Sanfords hook would be implemented

[@pederw4900]

Pretty funny how your two Bladesinger builds are Sephiroth and Pearl

[@MelStone]

finally, my pearl 😭😭😭

[@tulokthebarbrarian2033]

I was gonna message you when it went live! But then it went live an hour early for some reason 😐

[@2passing]

Finally, we have the whole gang together

[@hydrastuff8029]

Now to add the 3 sad people Steven adopted into the group!

[@Darksnowman13]

I completely agree with Tuloks interpretation on what Legend Lore should give. That said, I'm not a good enough DM to give that level without wrecking my game. But that's a me problem, and I make sure to inform my players that it's gonna fall short BEFORE they start creation. If you need to change rules, make it clear at the front end. Transparency is important for DMs.

[@BJGvideos]

Fair enough.

[@PharaohOfTheDamned]

I'm so sorry (yet appreciative) that you gotta keep making the true strike joke...

[@NyxTheScary]

I'd love to see you do Beowulf or Big Band from Skull Girls

[@aetherspiralknight]

In before Big Band with no bard levels XD

[@byrdsfly]

"Custom lineage could be anything. It could even be a boat. You know how bad I want one of those." Going Merry/Thousand Sunny build when?

[@ZhongliArchonofSwag]

I have to imagine the fact that Bigots keep finding your videos is a clear sign they’re continuing to reach new people. It’s not like you’re subtle. So on the bright side it’s a sign that new people are being exposed to your stuff, even if an unfortunate byproduct of that is that a portion of those new people are idiots. That’s still a sign of progress. … or the same old people aren’t getting the hint, but, let’s be optimistic.

[@BrenGamerYT]

All moms should own swords.

[@channelx8254]

Ah yes the game changer clip for the opening. Sensational.

[@christopherrobinhood9802]

Brennan?

[@gerardlacroix6015]

I'm so hoping for Gally / Alita... That would be a fun build.

[@BossALKENO]

Pearl is an elf: she’s graceful, slender, magical, and doesn’t sleep

[@Hobofish11]

I may not like Steven Universe very much, but this is a great build. I'm pro True Strike 👍

[@AZDfox]

Jesse Faden also summons a variety of weapons that she can make a lot of attacks with.

[@randomim42]

Heck yeah! I love pearl. I don't know if pearl or Peridot is my favorite gem but pearl is amazing

[@exqueue3813]

Less optimal but I would have gone hexblade/sword bard and a battlemaster dip. Going warforged with platemail and defense fighting style gets you 20AC before spells.

[@danielmcpherson3891]

I can't remember if the first true Strike bit was the catra video or not. Speaking of Bigotry: I remember there being something in show about Pearls being artificially created compared to other gems. So custom lineage is actually MORE in character, but you may want to be careful about playing in a game where that's a reoccurring theme.

[@randomim42]

It wasn't because Catra isn't a spellcaster. If I recall she's like a barbarian?

[@DParkerNunya]

Oh my God I know exactly what moment of Game Changer that was

[@CameoAmalthea]

OH! I've done a build like this, mine's a Warforged Ballerina built by a toymaker for his daughter who was too ill to leave the house, she then wanted to go search for a cure for her 'sister' and was upgraded to fight. Blade Singer Wizard/Fighter is fun! Mine is a Battlemaster, AC is crazy!

[@lukevolts9005]

It's been so long since a True Strike joke I thought all the nasty people had left 😭

[@justanotherdude3256]

I like the way you did this one. Personally I wouldve done warforged as the race, it helps the ageless part and intergrated weapons explains her pullib weapons out of herself. Still nice job though!

[@thepaintrain8465]

Hooray I was hoping for a Pearl build! My version was Warforged Monk 1/Bladesinger 13/Echo Knight 6 (Monk to use her superior Dex on her spear and Echo Knight for Holo Pearl fun) but this looks pretty cool too!

[@zimattack9994]

Yet a another great build keep up the great work

[@CosmereInformant]

Loved the gamechanger reference

[@LupineShadowOmega]

Bladesinger can use light armor, so Warforged would be fine, but fair anyway. XD

[@ajh22895]

Sword Mom. Shows a naginata in the art.

[@aetherspiralknight]

2:36 I don't understand this reference so I'm just going to put a picture of Pearl over Leslie Knope and say "I feel -swords- in this Chili's tonight!"

[@CameoAmalthea]

Oh! I've been waiting for this!

[@k0pstl939]

Bird mom!

[@ultimateninjaboi]

THIS IS NOT CRITICISM: I feel like this could easily be an Aereni High Elf and still work. You still get +2 Dex, and all the benefits of Skill Expert and Customs skill prof (Perception proficiency, +1 INT from Elf, and History proficiency/expertise from Aereni High). PLUS you get Darkvision, Trance/not being able to be magic slept (Pearl doesnt like to sleep), and a bonus Cantrip (Booming/GreenFlame Blade are always fun with Bladesingers). Plus, now you can get the benefits of Custom Lineage with Skill Expert, but then take Skill Expert ON TOP OF IT, not to mention now having access to Elf Feats (Elven Accuracy is pretty thematically appropriate). And Pearl just REEKS of Elf-ness, in general. Oh. And it prevents a stingy DM from complaining that "Bladesinger is restricted to Elves." Although thats really not my reasoning for bringing this up. More of a bonus.

[@lead_downpour8854]

A Brennan intro, good taste

[@QuaintAmerican]

Been waiting for this one!

[@hexshadowman]

So many swords........ I love it

[@frank._.lotion]

can we get a Paul Atreides build 👀

[@RayneGrimm1]

Yes! Love it when you do gem builds!

[@aetherspiralknight]

True Strike is love, True Strike is life

[@giacomofinali992]

Hey Tulok. Great video as usual. You should do a Finn/Fiona the Human from Adventure Time build sometime in the future as that show was heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons.

[@gamemasteranthony2756]

At beginning: (chanting) Echo Knight...Echo Knight...Echo Knight... FIGHTER 3: HUH?!? Darn it...I was sure we were going there after seeing Pearl's dupes!

[@Krakenborn654]

Who else thought Pearl was going to be an Elf?

[@JaelynMcgee]

Ok, I've been wondering this for a while now. Is the nothing personal kid line a reference to something?

[@faye8291]

One of my all time fave characters, and one of my all time fave builds!

[@TheShreksecution]

Ehhh I wouldn't say the fighter levels are useless. Pearl shows aptitude with multiple different swords on top of her spear, which also arguably gets turned into a trident in the last seasons. I'd say only the 4th level of fighter is unnecessary as you'd already be fairly accurate and song of victory just turns that to 11. Then you can take the anime spell foresight, the blade of disaster for the ultimate sword, or shape change, to signify that you're finally over your shape-shifting trauma!

[@jackalope2302]

I was thinking Earth Gensai. But it's a square race, round character class.

[@GoblinLord]

I'm gonna be completely real with you, True Strike honestly works with Bladesinger? like generally Green Flame Blade or any of the other Blade attacks are better, but like, you can use an Attack with a Cantrip due to Bladesinger, meaning you can (if hitting twice wouldn't help much due to say a creature imposing disadvantage), you can give yourself free advantage to make sure you hit them, and you can do it every turn and benefit from it ON that turn

[@norikwiese8900]

Except you cant benefit from it ON your Turn because true Strike explicitly Grants Advantage for an Attack during your NEXT Turn So you actually need to Attack and then Set Up true Strike for the next Round which means a couple of Things: A) it wont give you Advantage during your first Combat Round B) youll lose the Advantage If your target dies or leaves the 30ft range

[@renegadebond3603]

I'm here for the Simpsons boat reference

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

I regret to inform you that it was Family Guy

[@paladia_gorom1973]

2 years since the first true strike joke. Wow, just wow.

[@nicolasvillasecaali7662]

Helicopter mom alert! Pearl is here and in her duty to protect Steven she would kill everyone of us... and then herself (girl have some SERIOUS problems on her mind!) Even widouth the entire catalog of sharp blades I'm sure that, just like a certain lemur who's name starts with Tangle, who I'm hoping gets a build soon, Pearl would fight with all she got for the people she care for, she however should see some therapy assistance to help her move on, she improved her self-esteem by herself but i think just like most of the cast need some serious psychological aid.

[@friedrin999]

oo yes, the crystal gems are finally complete [or a least the core 4].

[@burrito9327]

Also I'm trying to remember when was the first true strike joke? If I where to guess, it was either in a build for a female character, or a star wars character build, obvious reasons.

[@remingtonwright6796]

Is it bad that I recognize and could probably name half the swords in the scene where she organizes her collection?

[@aetherspiralknight]

No, it means you're a good mom.

[@dustindroney5116]

Love these character builds! Would you be able to do a leprechaun character build?

[@brianformica2599]

Aaaaah I love blade singers

[@GoldDragon527]

Did you make the Mario bros joke because you knew you would be posting this on MAR10 day?

[@SilentSooYun]

Personally, I'd have made her either an Earth Genasi or possibly a Goliath. Both are reasonably stone-adjacent, and even though neither are a *perfect* fit, it gives some very interesting options

[@DamnSelene]

Ultimate brainy sword lesbian build for the ultimate brainy sword lesbian character. I love this build so much.

[@HiloHello]

Important Question: Have you ever heard of Lupin the Third? No reason.

[@petbird19]

OMG I'm so excited!

[@Lazarus1095]

Why haven't they made a Takarazuka musical based on Steven Universe yet?

[@thomasdevine867]

Still pulling for Eglantine Price (Bednobs and Broomsticks), Winifred Sanderson (Hocus Pocus), Prince Voltran (Flash Gordon), Counselor Troi (Star Trek: tNG), Mary Poppins, and the Reverend Doctor Syn (The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh). Bugs Bunny would be wonderful. Sir Dragonet King Arthur's court jester (Idylls of the King/Morte d'Arthur) would be good too.

[@zenebean]

I could never play Pearl, I don't have enough game But you could flavor shadowblade as her spear, since she collects swords but just sorta apparates the spear from her being

[@TenThousand77]

Johnny Silverhand from Cyberpunk!

[@seg_ge6777]

You should do a new/updated version of your Batman build!

[@xenoexe4954]

Man almost 400 episodes. How you feeling man, hows ya day?