How to Play Raiden in Dungeons & Dragons (Metal Gear Revengeance Build for D&D 5e)

Today we have a build for Raiden from Metal Gear Revengeance in Dungeons & Dragons. If you want to hack and slash your way through entire armies with a lightning blade and robot body, this is how you make that work in D&D 5e.
Twitter: / tulokthe
Patreon: / tulok

[@kingdomkey01]

This is what we’ve been building up to. Tulok has been showing more and more skin throughout this month, and I have a feeling he’s going to announce an OF where we can find him performing nude cartwheels. Regardless, I might have to hide this build from my players, as corrupt government officials are my go-to BBEGs. I suppose I could just use a vampire instead, though.

[@kingfail3819]

If you don’t “borrow” Armstrong for a boss fight, you’re playing D&D wrong.

[@itwasidio1736]

Imagine a Bear Barbarian noble who harnessed druidic energy for their own ends, making them impervious to physical trauma. "Nanoblights, son."

[@mastermuffles7097]

Ah yes, Raiden in D&D is just as OP as he is in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

[@Skillfulstone]

To be fair, throw a flying enemy at him and he loses most of that ridiculous dps. Otherwise you're right though XD

[@Shadic24367]

@@Skillfulstone jump :D as long as they ain't too high up

[@aliasanonymous5387]

@@Skillfulstone Just like in the actual game

[@rollout9506]

You should totally do Samuel Rodrigues from Revengeance, I'd love to see how you give him the super fast draw!

[@macktheknife2756]

I would say probably do the same build but playing variant human instead of warforged, perhaps taking the charger feat for the quick draw. Gameplay wise Sam and Jack play pretty similarly and I think this build does a very good job of capturing the hack and slash thing.

[@macktheknife2756]

My other suggestion would be something like 12 battle master/4 Gloomstalker/4 assassin. Variant human taking mobile. You could have his sword be a Greatsword and take GWM. This would give you +15 initiative if you can max dex and wisdom and take alert, you move 10 feet faster and make an extra attack on your first turn, all of your attacks have advantage and are auto crits, and you add 10 to each of them with GWM. That would sort of emulate his style of attacking first and hitting the killing blow early.

[@keithgawain3614]

There's a few ways you could build Raiden imo, but this is a pretty fun way to replicate his whole one-man-army vibe that the cyborgs in MGRR have. With all the attacks to slash through enemies, this is a pretty valid build for Raiden. Me? I personally made Raiden as a Warforged 14 Battlesmith Artificer/6 Storm Herald Barbarian. With Artificer, you get all the techy stuff/spells that Raiden gets as a cyborg, with Battlesmith letting you heal by defeating enemies (like absorbing the power cells) as well as Blade Wolf! Even if Blade Wolf doesn't fight WITH Raiden, but he's there. Storm Herald gets Raiden the lightning and I'd definitely call Blade Mode a reflavored Reckless Attack, with Ripper Mode obviously being Rage. Still, really like the build, Tulok! And I can't wait for the inevitable Jetstream Sam and Senator Armstrong builds that people might ask for lol

[@Pomlithe]

That's interesting! I don't know about investing more than 5 levels into Barbarian, though; Raiden doesn't really need a swim speed or waterbreathing, and I think cyborgs are still vulnerable to EMPs. Getting Fast Movement and Extra Attack are definitely good though. Level 9 of Battle Smith for Elemental Weapon and Arcane Jolt is also good. From there, you could get 6 levels of something else, or invest more into the classes for better movement, or enhanced Blade Wolf, or whatever.

[@keithgawain3614]

@@Pomlithe Now that I look back on it, yeah I guess Raiden doesn't need the 6th Level of Storm Herald Barbarian. And he doesn't REALLY need all 14 Artificer Levels either. I suppose the 6 Levels can go into something like Fighter. Some people say Raiden would have Monk Levels, but wouldn't do Monk tho, I don't particularly think Raiden should have high Wisdom considering Ripper Mode is him deliberately losing inhibitions, as well as his naive approach to justice in the prologue before meeting Sam in the duel. Thanks for the reply and suggestions tho!

[@lt.branwulfram4794]

Also, you can grab a Belt of Hill Giant Strength and Amulet of Health to fulfill your attacking modifier and get better AC as a well as either a Ring/Cloak of Protection and Bracers of Protection for some good AC.

[@keithgawain3614]

@@lt.branwulfram4794 Oh wow, can you grab those before Level 14 though? By Level 9?

[@lt.branwulfram4794]

@@keithgawain3614 Those 2, the Belt of Hill Giant Strength and the Amulet of Health, are lvl 14 infusions, but if you have Str at 13 or better from the start as an Artificer, the Barbarian multiclass can happen earlier. Also, the Cloak and Ring can be grabbed at Artifcer lvl 10. Enhanced Weapon at the 2nd lvl can take care of magical weapons and even boost your attacking modifer by 2 when you reach Artificer lvl 10 whilst you grab some handy utility Infusions like Goggles of Knight and Helm of Awareness.

[@logandaley1544]

I’ve yet to play a strong martial class in D&D so this is probably going to be my next character for a long campaign. I loved Revengence so this build made me very happy

[@reloadpsi]

As much as I'd have liked to see his MGS2 version leaned into some more, it makes sense for him to restart at level 1 as a warforged.

[@Max2ds]

Zephyr Strike actually _doesn’t_ end after you use the special attack. So for the duration, regardless of when you use it, you ignore opportunity attacks. I’m pretty sure this is the case

[@ajaafive1384]

This is correct. I was just about to comment on this.

[@mitchellenderson7194]

Oh no. I just know one of my players will see this and bring it into the Curse of Strahd game I’m planning. Edit: You’ve successfully turned CoS into MGR:R 2, and I’m honestly living for it.

[@SH-qs7ee]

I'm imagining this guy with boots of speed; throwing haste on this guy and turn him into a human (warforged) blender.

[@Skillfulstone]

Throw in a Bard to "inspire" his attacks and it just becomes even more ridiculous XD

[@Lalatina99]

Awesome build! Definitely gonna try this one

[@LegacyGarunix]

Surprised I didn’t see any barbarian in here for his rage “jack the ripper” mode

[@DalithaMW]

Spooky as heck, I was Just thinking about how to build this guy And then I check twitter, and you've done it

[@TheKillerman3333]

No joke, caligraphy is over powered

[@itwasidio1736]

Moral of the build: Don't mess with a Ranger.

[@girlie_p0p]

If Jetstream Sam isn’t a Samurai Fighter there will be bloodshed.

[@Buggles5123]

Yes now that we have raiden built we need a very important person to build. Senator Armstrong, the man, the myth, the legend.

[@keithgawain3614]

THE TIIIIIIIIIIME HAS COME TO AN EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEND YEAAAAAAH THIS IS WHAT NATURE PLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNEEEEED

[@zacharymichener4687]

I would love love love to see How to Play V from "V for Vendetta"

[@sorrystillthinkingofanamec6735]

That's a nice build Tulok, why don't you make a Senator Armstrong build.

[@treegames6810]

when he doesn't give him 3 artificer levels for the cyborg body

[@БенедиктХристиан]

Thanks

[@multiversalwanderernkx8401]

A splendid build it is! And that ending bit made me snort-laugh! Good stuff good stuff!

[@austrociking4345]

This build rocks, but the Two-Weapon Fighting at Ranger lvl 2 doesn't work with a Longsword. Just because Longsword can be used in one hand doesn't give it the "light" property, and Two-Weapon Fighting requires the "light" property to work.

[@remingtonwright6796]

Someone should probably let Jetstream Sam know that Adam Taurus over in the RWBY universe stole his weapon.

[@skellyton8431]

I am unsure if this would work, but if you went with a greatsword instead of a longsword, and took Great weapon master instead of tough, then that would be stupid with horde breaker.

[@tehhayn2732]

wait, stabbing people hurts them? I'm a monster!

[@gamemasteranthony2756]

At Ranger 7: Who else had "Rules of Nature" going through their heads?

[@zachmcmullen2741]

Ahh wrong again at level 3.... I will predict the build someday, and I'll see Cavalier with its special reaction sometime after that!

[@turktheturkey]

this build is kinda bg3 friendly imma try it out

[@gagedavidson2020]

Ok I wanted you to do Dante and Vergil from devil may cry 5 but I want you to do a Kickstarter to make a 5e book for the subclasses you've made for the patreon. Not putting them down I just want a physical book PLEASE.

[@StriderZessei]

He already did Dante and Nero, but yeah, Vergil is a popular request.

[@devildham]

But what sourcebook had "Nanomachines" as a feat?🤔

[@Sharkakaka]

*RULES OF NATURE!*

[@keithgawain3614]

AND THEY RUN WHEN THE SUN COMES UP

[@Rock-Falcon]

Wait, didn't Vergil win the Pole in your Patreon?

[@wryykosworld4458]

If I wanted to make my character like Sundowner would I replace ranger with Artificer?

[@Eramiserasmus]

Cyborg! And more Metal Gear shenanigans.

[@alexandercross9081]

Shame you didn't pick up Slasher feat, would go great with the build

[@shorg984]

now make one for jetstream sam

[@jaketorres2648]

please do senator armstrong

[@Mr.HootieHooRDK]

Awesome

[@moody6143]

I think this build will be good Edit: Yep, this build is dope as fuck

[@SuperSparDante]

wait how does this build get 19 attacks in a turn? O_O missed that part

[@drewburke97]

Jet Stream Sam WHEN??

[@MABfan11]

please make Reihard Van Astrea or Rimuru Tempest in DnD

[@0_Body]

I am here for Raiden build When do we get an elektric personality? Are you saying I am lost and should consult the elder gods for directions?

[@snazzyfeathers]

Shoe swwwwwoooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrddddddssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!

[@SelkieGirl]

RAiden, and REiden

[@drasticplastic1218]

Personally, I love the different ways you can go about making raiden. 17 lycan blood hunter/ 3 bear totem barbarian 15 samurai fighter/5 bladesinger wizard However, this build seems quite fun too!

[@DStrormer]

How can you split up the Super Londor Bros!? Dragonslayer Pikachu and Executioner Snorlax must be faced together! With Super forms!

[@miles6283]

FINALLY

[@Eldrad235]

Here is an Idea Spike from cowboy bebop

[@mon0lithic629]

But like, Raiden doesn't actually damage with the lightning - the effect is just a byproduct of his sword's high frequency vibration. So, if we're going elemental weapon, Thunder damage would be more appropriate. Plus, Raiden IS a Thunder God

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

But he is lightning. The rain transformed.

[@deweyjones8560]

Extra attack doesn’t stack?! More attacks always stack. 😰

[@kronos1794]

Maybe next year...

[@FungusDisgusticus]

Day two of politely asking for another JoJo poll. still a dandy fine show without JoJo polls, but I am a bit biased. love your work!

[@broey1841]

Can you try a build for Adam Jensen from deus ex? 👀

[@roberthebert2826]

speaking of Jack the Ripper, do Jack the Ripper from Record of Ragnarok at some point

[@vennom14]

Riposte is french: rip-po-say Think fencing

[@rhiarose9436]

No one cares

[@vennom14]

I know, but... it sounds so bad if you know how it's supposed to sound. Though, he obviously read it as printed, just posting for the pronounceiation

[@17joren]

Why do you still bother with racial stats?

[@keklord5817]

Really amateurish build, why are you even pumping con instead of str all the way

[@New_Nova]

I'm sorry to put this here, but youtube wants creators to be family friendly for monetization but then go recommending an actual hentai manwa to me "Learning the Hard Way."

[@natesnarrations7215]

Still no goblin slayer.

[@werewolfjedi38]

honestly, I"m not a fan of this build. since you missed that all important ripper mode. it needs 3 levels of barbarian!

[@PhantomSavage]

.. so you're saying Raiden can hack away Michael Myers entire hit point pool in *one* round. Holy shit. .. assuming Raiden can hit half those attacks, Michael is a surprisingly dodgey boi.

[@Deliriumend]

Not really. Whirlwind attack is 1 attack / enemy around you, you don't get to aim the attacks. He's an army buster more than a 1v1 machine.

[@jamescampbell2353]

@@Deliriumend if you get a bunch of people with magic and shoot him from range, then you’re probably good. Good luck keeping a ranger from approaching you :smile:

[@szayelapporograntz3276]

@@jamescampbell2353 with Longstrider and Zephyr Strike giving 50ft of movement before items (60ft with Ashardalon's Stride from Fizban's Treasury), Raiden can close distances pretty easily when he dashes. Rangers also have access to Wind Wall if the enemy mostly uses bows. Though you really shouldn't be fighting in an area without cover; hopefully you have an ally who can alter the terrain!

[@jamescampbell2353]

@@szayelapporograntz3276 imagine have to deal with an enemy who exclusively uses the telekinesis spell and has non-concentration flight. Gosh that would be come on like a flood of rage.

[@szayelapporograntz3276]

@@jamescampbell2353 pretty sure he has a fight like that in one of the games XD Which is why he uses guns too lol

[@perihelion1225]

This was one of the first characters I tried to build on my own. You have always been a great inspiration for me, and I can’t thank you enough!

[@jeepersmcgee3466]

my first was Jin Sakai. This channel has reshaped how I view and construct characters in dnd

[@Reverse_Hood]

Same, all my attempts always involved monk though

[@Nastyn1nja808]

I had no.idea all these builds existed lol.

[@RamielEdits]

My character ended up being a way of the Kensei Monk, who mains a katana and darts, who was pretty close too raiden imo because of how many times he could slice something in one turn if he used all of his ki points

[@wrightcore3367]

“Red Steel on the Wii but good” Yeah, that’s called Red Steel 2.

[@jamesbeattie8800]

A badass game Red Steel 2 and Madworld are my favorite hack and slashers on the Wii.

[@austinhaltiner1489]

I was expecting a one level dip in barbarian for Ripper mode but this is a good build. Just turn into a blender and let er rip.(Also it's nice for ranger to be brought up and not be immediately be followed by "dont play ranger its bad")

[@frenchfriedbagel7035]

Ripper mode in the game is used in short bursts. So I think action surge can be RP’d as Ripper mode maybe.

[@werewolfjedi38]

@@frenchfriedbagel7035 the ripper mode can last a whole fight its very easy to chain it.

[@hekonaleeinos5510]

"It's just like my Japaneses anime" is such an incredible line ; it should get old, but it doesn't.

[@kingfail3819]

I love Japan.

[@TheMARStudios]

Revengance is such a fun ride with an awesome sound track. Hope ya had some fun and made your own fun with the game. Totally thought this would be like a Dragon Monk/Samurai Fighter combo but this is a total army killer. Be a blast to play in a minion heavy campaign.

[@mason-.]

Why is it called metal gear? Aren't most gears made of metal?

[@kingdomkey01]

And most metals are solids. The plot thickens.

[@budinhapalmieri]

I heard there are some guilty ones

[@lucasm.3864]

This might as well be called a “Leeroy Jenkins” build, because that’s always the first thing you’ll ever say when rolling initiative.

[@DoctorMcHerp]

I think you missed something very crucial in this build. In order to play as Raiden in D&D, you have to have a Bard sidekick to play you a badass rock song whenever you're fighting. Every. Single. Time.

[@kingfail3819]

While probably not better from an optimization perspective, I think it would be more appropriate for the character to have somewhere between 1-3 Rogue levels in place of some Ranger levels at the front of the build. To represent his experience with the Big Shell incident, and all.

[@TheRawrnstuff]

Tie that in to the custom background.

[@leothewhiteranger]

I'd argue honestly that Samurai would fit better, for more attacks, but BM also works

[@fearanger1]

... The idea of races in DND being so heavily modified they're more Warforged than anything else is really badass.

[@Pomlithe]

IT'S HERE! TIME TO *LET 'ER RIP!* I've been looking forward to this build ever since Snake!

[@rararasputin8608]

I played Agni Kai you know! Try the Fire Nation, could've become the Fire Lord if I hadn't left the army. Didn't want to be one of those beltway pansies... don't f*ck with this Uncle! Uncle Iroh please, because he hardens in response to upcoming eclipses.

[@rookie2128]

i was literally preparing for a dnd session and wondering what character to make. The cyborg femboy ninja will be perfect.

[@jackbaccarat4084]

How to build Demitri Maximoff of Darkstalkers, the vampire lord of Capcom's second most requested game next to dino crisis.

[@bahamutfateburn6091]

Here would be another fun one for you to do, if you ever get around to it Zero from Drakengard. I feel she'd probably be some monstrous abomination of Zealot Barbarian, Some sort of Warlock (probably Undying Hexblade because of the whole flower thingy), and a Bard of some kind, as much as barbs don't do well with magic.

[@bluexdalek1997]

Anyone know how Tulok got 23 AC from this? I am confused on how it works, trying to build this in game for future anime themed DnD one-shot, but I am not getting a 23 AC.

[@szayelapporograntz3276]

Something a lot of people forget about: using Zephyr Strike's advantage+1d8+30ft actually DOESN'T end the spell afterwards; you are still immune to opportunity attacks until you lose concentration.

[@RealMiniLink]

Huh, I didn't realise that, I think I'd still prefer Hunter's Mark but it's got an interesting niche. If we play as a tabaxi, take a 2 level dip in ranger and 1 in rogue, take zephyr strike and longstrider, we can go 280 feet in one round, or 31 miles per hour, not bad for some first level spells

[@szayelapporograntz3276]

@@RealMiniLink I played a lv7 Bladesinger+Gloom Stalker in a one shot once, Zephyr Strike really saves the day when you're extra squishy XD

[@cregg1926]

While I’d love to see a Senator Armstrong build, I know it would kinda just be a re-flavor of Luke Cage. So instead I devote my prayers to a Sundowner build.

[@keithgawain3614]

Warforged Desert Storm Barbarian for his explosive shields? Give him high CON so his AC makes him FUCKIN INVINCIBLE

[@bellumdorf3360]

I've seen a thread somewhere on reddit where it was variant human with the tough feat(If dipping into fighter) or Fighting Initiate: Unarmed Fighting(If going full 20 into Barbarian), other than that's it's bear totem barbarian(Rage acts as nanomachines)

[@cybemi5710]

Can't wait for an senator armstrong build

[@eror404acountnotfound9]

Surprisingly accurate raiden is stated to have a lower then average iq by wolf

[@unironicallylikesranger7122]

Raiden is a human, if we're only counting the jaw up. And also not counting blood

[@xaviersoto6269]

Can an one explain how you get 19 attacks

[@zacharywimer6708]

Harmy the Army is going to be the name of my next character. Absolute gold.

[@Reverse_Hood]

Not sure how you're arriving a 19 attacks Whirlwind Attack while surrounded - 8 attacks Action Surge - 16 attacks Horde Breaker - 17 attacks Two weapon Fighting - 18 attacks Edit: never mind, just played this in a one-shot and found the 19th attack comes from Riposte

[@kyteavytrius4194]

I definitely need to use this build, Raiden is a favorite! But Alucard (Hellsing) build when?

[@hoshitetashimura]

Finally my favorite fictional character

[@otakuragenation7853]

I only have one thing to say.... Zephyr Strike *does not* end early if you use the advantage and bonus d8 force. Its just that you can only do it once per casting of the spell. So you can hit hard and continue running like the wind for more Animemes!

[@bricenduff2030]

Kin want to see a Zhongli build, I'm curious how one would go about making the tankiest polearm user possible

[@FlamingKittenOfDoom]

interesting build! i would have pegged raiden as a kensai monk because of all his crazy acrobatic nonsense but i guess jumping is all strength in 5e

[@Yxazel]

No metal chin for jokes ain't my raiden. Still, i wasn't this hyped since a lot with one of these builds

[@dyproxus1806]

Hell yeah! I've been waiting for this one!

[@weirdguy1495]

Episode 334 of the Fire Emblem stats: Raiden. Specifically MGRR Raiden because MGS2 Raiden is very boring. Raiden is very good with heavy armor, swords, and bows (guns). He's bad with both types of magic, riding, and authority. His attack, dexterity, and HP are high but his luck and magic are bad.

[@vanitas2017]

I absolutely loved this video and will give it a shot someday. A character I would love to see and would be awesome to see if u can make for D&D is Susano'o from the BlazBlue series

[@Jian13]

Yeah but that version of Metal Gear Rising was never gonna come out due to technical limitation and the dev team's lack of experience cause Kojima wasn't there to work on it. Platinum Games working on it was the best thing for MGRising. Now if only we could get the franchise away from Konami and back in control of Kojima, not so he can make more games, but so he can maybe let Platinum make anohter Rising.

[@austindubbs8554]

Half the commentors: complaining about Calligraphy being bad. Tulok: Uses Calligraphy to forge a letter that Senator Armstrong never paid his taxes.

[@EndChineseGenocide]

I can't believe we aren't getting a double feature for ornstein and smough :(

[@werewolfjedi38]

Well arent you in for a surprise.