Eldritch Tempest Build - Over 100 Damage in one Attack! | Nerd Immersion

So you all asked me to dive into doing build videos. Not exactly sure what you wanted, but here's my first shot at it. This video is actually based on a character I played in a campaign and I was pretty excited to see the damage output and utility I had. It's all based around Booming Blade and a Tempest Cleric Channel Divinity. I happened to roll stats well for my example character and had access to decent magic items, but that's not really integral to the build.
Link to my character from the build: ddb.ac/charact...
Link to my pop culture character building series, It Builds Character: • It Builds Character (D...
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[@NerdImmersion]

We have a Patreon now! - www.patreon.com/nerdimmersion Our Gameplay Channel - kzbin.info Nerd Immersion Twitch - www.twitch.tv/nerdimmersion

[@LoudAngryJerk]

It took me longer than I care to admit to realize that the NI in the thumbnail of this video was not referring to this build being about making a knight of Ni.

[@jazzmaradermedia3550]

So this is what people mean when they say that clerics are scary. I kind of liked this video a lot. I hope life is treating you well and keep at it, my dude!

[@jaredpuwalski8545]

Jamal Cheatham I definitely felt like I was sleeping on the cleric class until I actually played one. I did a two level dip in paladin for smite and the defense fighting style and then went Tempest domain. Spirit guardians quickly become one of my favorite spells.

[@TheHorribleCreature]

Even without any powers clerics can still easily send a mob of angry villagers with pitchforks.

[@selwrynn6702]

I found your channel through the “It Builds Character” series.

[@Pyroniusburn]

I thought I might have when he mentioned it but I've only seen someone else do the same concept.

[@martynicholls5689]

I imagine this character walking onto the battlefield and just becoming a whirling tornado of damage.

[@reaumwingblade5783]

think less tornado and more single. massive thunderstrikes

[@jaythomas172]

Treantmonk did a build with tempest and something else where he focused on lighting damage with the knock back. It was interesting, definitely worth a look.

[@hunterfehnel2017]

Jay Thomas it was the new version of bloodhunter, that was an amazing build idea.

[@iLitTheSun]

It’s fun getting a peek at what you’ve actually played in the past. Id love to see more of your past characters analyzed like this and What combos made them effective and fun to play. That could give your build videos a unique voice among the other channels that excel at pop culture character builds or optimizing.

[@mattd404]

I don't want to min/max for min/max sake but understanding how mechanics like these synergies really helps in character creation and helps inspire new character ideas for me outside of the normal structures. I'm looking forward to seeing mechanics as well as interesting interpretations of abilities and character archetypes. Keep making great content

[@Jak5stick]

This was pretty great. Thanks for explaining reasons and combos.

[@jthompson7024]

I just generally like character builds and there surprisingly aren't too many videos on them. I'd enjoy this as a series but make whatever you enjoy creating, I'll be subscribed either way!

[@GAMEH0R5E]

I love DND theory building. Imagining your max damage is always so fun lol

[@nicholas3141]

Yacksort I think I figured out max damage on one hit it’s a double crit smite with swords bards blade flourish which also crits and orcish fury combined

[@jessie-buns839]

My current record is 3600 average damage in one turn, but it does require a level 20 character

[@Archanteater43]

I loved it, felt a tad tricked with "eldritch" cause I thought warlock hybrid but I still highly enjoyed it.

[@jeicastor]

I'm currently playing a Tempest Cleric. Thanks for the extra idea! I love vids like this.

[@Balmung000005]

Cool build. I'm currently playing a Tempest Cleric similar to this. I went with Half-Elf and picked up Booming Blade through the variant racial option.

[@RebelRadios]

This came up on my recommended and I'm so glad it did! Awesome video

[@ircanhaspie]

Great video mate, really knocked it out of the park!

[@jaredpuwalski8545]

I definitely want to see more build videos from you. I’m always looking for more character ideas.

[@SpecialKail]

I love character builds. Be it creating fictional characters, optimizing, or just cool character concepts. I love this build

[@Kusabiii]

that "Fatebringer" gave me instant Vault of Glass nostalgia

[@jand.4737]

As a note: in a recent UA (class feature variants) there is a sorcerer metamagic to change elemental damage types. Since fire spells usually deal most damage, you can changr those into thunder damage for Tempest's channel divinity

[@NerdImmersion]

Yup, alternatively you could have not taken magic missile and have gone for witch bolt. Cast at a high level is a bunch of days. At level 12 (like the original build) you could cast it at 5th level. That would be 5d12 on a hit and since its an attack and can crit, you could deal 10d12 aka 120 lightning damage in one attack and you could push them back

[@YenrocOz]

Yep, great info. This has made me think differently about the Cleric I'm currently playing. This is the first time I'm playing a cleric and I have just been fumbling around but your video has given me more direction on how to play him. Cheers

[@jakesells2379]

Nice! I'm playing a mid level tempest Cleric currently. This is making me consider a dip into fighter.

[@Nex_Addo]

Amazing. I hope this gets some decent views because this was a really great mix up to add to your types of content. I'm sure you have lots of cool builds in the vault, but would love to see you do an echo knight build. I'm waiting to find a chance to play my echo knight hexblade concept, but haven't seen much theory crafting around the new subclasses yet in general.

[@zirjin]

gonna be hard to beat the barbarian or deepstalker MC, but hexblade is allways gonna be nice.

[@Nex_Addo]

@@zirjin Agreed, but Im looking for versatility over raw damage. HBC and shadowblade for damage, and repelling blast, sentinel and the echos maneuverability for crowd control. Probably not optimal, but definitely fun.

[@Bachlaham]

I like the video and the character concept! The rest will even put as you get used to making these

[@chriscummings98]

I would live to see more like this, pick a base class and show us a couple of the best multi class options. Do one base class per video

[@chriscummings98]

Love*

[@knightghaleon]

I really like this build. It’s the closest to an elemental smiter as you can get with the two classes. Only thing that could put more lightning damage into the build would be arcane weapon from the artificer, but that would require magic initiate or a level dip that might not be worth it.

[@alexfikar7757]

I never looked at tempest but maybe now I might. That seems pretty useful all around

[@arthilas_]

Interesting Buld, I really love storm themed characters and gishes/spellswords like that. I am also playing a melee thunder/lightning build right now, he is one of my two absolute favourite characters (the other one is a bladesinger). He is a scourge aasimar Tempest Cleric 2 / Storm Sorcerer 14, his stats are geared towards melee combat with 21/14/20/11/14/16, 158 HP (got lucky with my rolls...) and the Mobile and Warcaster feats; he will take Great Weapon Master next (we play with Flanking, so advantage is pretty easy to get if needed). He fights with a greatsword and uses Booming Blade with twinned and quickened spell for up to three Booming Blades per turn. His main concentration spell in combat is Haste, which he can twin to support the party while boosting himself. With at least +10 to concentration saves and advantage from Warcaster, his concentration is almost unbreakable and between his high HP, four permanent damage resistances (radiant, necrotic, lightning, thunder), plate armor, spells like shield, absorb elements, haste and counterspell, he basicially throws the prejudices of sorcerers being puny and frail out of the window, being the tankiest character of our party - and we have a minmaxed level 16 paladin as well. I usually use the Channel Divinity to max out lightning/thunder damage with spells like Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, Thunder Step or Thunderwave for almost unmatched AoE burst damage. If he is in an optimal position, he can deal a fixed 80 damage to many characters at once using a maxed Chain Lightning or 8th level Thunder Step, and on top of that he can add his Heart of the Storm AoE and potentially also his scourge aasimar aura, raising the fixed damage to 95 for creatures within his AoE/aura. Once he levels up and gets level 9 spell slots, he also can upcast Thunder Step to 9th level for even more AoE damage, capping out at 109. And the best thing is, that only takes up a bonus action thanks to quickened spell, allowing him to swing his sword for up to three more attacks afterwards (twinned Booming Blade, hasted attack), even paladins will be jelaous about a nova like this... ;-) Other spells he has include Whirlwind, since it is just awesome to have a massive tornado leveling the battlefield, Control Winds and Storm Sphere for theme and utility; I will take Control Weather as a replacement for Control Winds for my next levelup (DM allows me to take that despite it not being a sorcerer spells) and Earthquake, reskinned as a short, but devastating storm. And once I get to level 9 spells, DM will allow me to take Storm of Vengeance. I know, mechanically not the best spell, but thematically awesome.

[@anasb.8647]

I am so about this!!! I want more builds from you mate you're amazing

[@Randomizer411]

Loved this video. I'd like to see you tackle builds that people think are suboptimal, like ranger or grapple builds

[@wingnut1917]

Nice build Hope to see more like this

[@jakeneville363]

first time I've commented on your vids please do make more of these I like hearing a lil about the chars too

[@christopherjonas-hamling9397]

Lol! i just made a Bronze Dragonborn Tempest Cleric 12/ Eldritch Knight 8 for a level 20 one shot that i played yesterday. Hits like a truck!! Edit: After finishing the video The reason i went to level 8 in Eldritch Knight was for the 7th level ability that lets you make a single weapon attack as a Bonus Action if you cast a cantrip. So i do exactly what was said in the video with Booming Blade, my magical maul, Holy Weapon and Divine Strike rerolling 1s and 2s on everything but the Divine Strike and Booming Blade damage. Then i follow it up with a bonus action attack that still has Holy Weapon plus my magical maul rerolling 1s and 2s.

[@masonknight6194]

Nice build. Been playing 5e for a couple of years now and I just can't get away from playing a tempest cleric. I'll dip other classes but tempest cleric is just who I am at our table. Dipped into war mage in our current campaign to get +2 to a.c., (GWM= no shield ), and +4 to saves is nice. Im always using Booming blade, and shield helps. Also been having fun with minor illusions. Yea, maxing out thunder and lightning damage is great. Even if they make their saves it's going to hurt. Spirit gaurdians are hard to beat, especially when upcast. Swinging a great sword with GWM, booming blade, and spirit gaurdians flying around you is HELLA FUN. Makes it worth while sitting through an hour of players practicing their acting skills.

[@LongToungedLiar]

Thanks for the video man.

[@Cabbbage7]

I love to see you do different stuff!

[@David25512]

Shock and awe? Thunder from down under? Live wire? Thunder Lord? Theory crafting builds is always fun!

[@David25512]

Also Ted, check out Hero Forge. Frog folk are now a thing. I basically made Frog from Chronotrigger

[@NerdImmersion]

Oh trust me, heroforge and I are working together on some stuff. Be sure to stay tuned...

[@riccardoconti6682]

Amazing!!! I really like this new format 💪

[@superbabygyangye]

Really cool thank you for listening to feedback! Next time you should try to take the character from level 1 to level 20 or what ever level you wanna, just a thought tho, keep doing your thing and thanks

[@marvynkawano3090]

Awensome video AND character! At least I want more videos like this

[@burns1489]

been running a dex based lvl 9 high elf tempest cleric w/ booming blade and this will make get into battle more never thought of running spiritual weapon to make it the equivalent of two attacks per round and saving these for crits instead of aoe spells awesome video/build need to decide if i go straight cleric or take two levels of fighter to tank up a bit

[@JackOfHearts42]

I loved "It Builds Character", but at the tail end I found that the characters become more and more obscure, which I attribute to the requests you were taking. I would like to see more character build videos : )

[@NerdImmersion]

They really really did lol

[@stugod5000]

Awesome concept, I'm usually scared of playing cleric, the closest I go is a paladin so this is really helpful

[@SpecialKail]

Clerics are friggin awesome

[@antongrigoryev6381]

Clerics are, for me, the easiest caster class. They can change their spells on long rest, so you can't choose wrong spells and stuck with them for the entire game, like in case of Sorcerer and Warlock (and Wizard, if your GM doesn't give you scrolls you want), and unlike Druid, you don't have a Wild shape that you need to carry lots of beast stats for (or just forget about it).

[@ryanrex297]

Character builds are a cool idea. Great video and channel.

[@ChrisTheGoodGuy]

2 levels of paladin, 2 levels of fighter, and 16 levels of sorcerer is pretty op melee damage. Divine smite, shadowblade, booming blade, empowered spell, and quickened spell makes for pretty awesome attacks. Also you get action surge, and Dueling and Defense fighting styles. If you take all your spell slots and turn them into sorcerer points save for a few 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th spell slots you get about 51 sorcerer points to spend freely on the quickened spell. At MOST it looks like (71 Psychic + 48 Thunder (+8 for movement) + 80 Radiant) damage 3 times in a turn, which is 621 damage (avg of 58.3 on a hits)(avg critical 110) . of course this is level twenty stuff which isn't played much, but I think its still cool, especially if you get a simulacrum that can do pretty much the same thing as you. Also if you ever get around to having feats, elemental adept can slightly boost the damage of booming blade.(slightly)

[@zai8068]

I ran a small variation of this. I took magic initiate wizard as variant human but still kept the fighter levels, going champion. Which makes it so when I do have advantage the chance to get that insane crit is doubled

[@liammeisgood8665]

I can’t wait for these videos 😁

[@benconsidine7990]

Yes, more builds. Love your content, thank you.

[@PANDAXD001]

Great build. Its given me a few more ideas for a character I was thinking about, an eldritch Knight/Bladsinger multiclass named Thaddeus who uses thunder and lighting magic (and the obligatory fireballs cause who casts arcane magic and not fireball). After watching your bladesinger video (youtube sending me bladesinger v eldrich knight from nerdarchy), and your 30k q&a it just made me love the character idea more. Constructive criticism (despite being late to the video party): over all I think it just needs a bit more organization/formatting. Most definitely want more of these since I miss your "it build character series." Outside of a more concrete format (not that this one was bad by any means, no one is perfect the first try) I think the only thing could be touching on magic items that fill gaps and some that help maximize the character for the min/maxers out there. Great video, hope for more

[@DrAndrewJBlack]

“It builds Character” is a great name

[@ATinyWaffle]

If you want this concept but you want to do more damage through spells instead of attacking with a weapon, take 2 levels of Tempest Cleric/18 levels of Storm (or lightning dragon) Sorcerer so you can get access to Lightning Bolt and eventually Chain Lightning. Even with just a basic Chain Lightning and Destructive Wrath at level 13, you can do 80 damage to 4 people and a minimum of 40. A storm sorcerer will deal half their level to anyone within 10ft and a lightning dragon sorcerer can turn that 80 damage per person into 85. At low levels you can twin chromatic orb, and use Destructive Wrath on Thunderwave (16), Shatter (24), and Lightning Bolt (48). I've played this to level 20 and I still remember one time at level 7 I twinned chromatic orb to do lightning damage against some efreeti. I upcast it to 3rd level and hit one and crit the other. Using Destructive Wrath I did 80 damage to one and 40 to the other. At character level 7!

[@shanenicholls4351]

This is literally the first thing I thought to do when I saw the tempest cleric

[@TCC180]

love doing sorc/tempest cleric. up-casting Chromatic Orb, and use the Chanel divinity to max the damage. always super cool.

[@neomustang6653]

loved doing that with a storm sorc. one of my favorite builds dwarf his goal was getting the hammer of thunderbolts.

[@lostlune]

great video. i think what people are looking for is like a level by level and stat priority etc. what spells are good

[@mikecarson7769]

nice idea of a character and informative to follow your thought process - - one question = did the character need to use the "Warcaster feat" in order to cast somatic components of spells while holding two-handed weapon? sorry if i missed this part during your video

[@antongrigoryev6381]

Af far as I know, it isn't stated anywhere. Though I think you can cast with a 2-handed weapon. It requires two hands to attack, but if you just hold it (while casting a spell) I think one hand will be enough.

[@NerdImmersion]

Its confirmed that you only need to use 2 hands for actually making the attack. So you can hold it with one hand to do the somatic components of the spell

[@NerdImmersion]

Correct!

[@mikecarson7769]

@@NerdImmersion thank you for the clarification here in for making the extra content in your follow-up video - - solved a problem that has emerged at our table occasionally

[@valvadis2360]

Do you think the Valor Bard needs "fixing" after the Sword Bard came out? Or is the subclass still worth it/has it's own niche?

[@NerdImmersion]

It's tricky. I might make a comparison type video in the future. I've ran games for a Valor bard but never Swords, so I'd need to look into it more

[@jaredpuwalski8545]

Nerd Immersion a comparison video would be nice. I think each subclass has its own merits. Swords definitely pushes you into being a frontline fighter type while Valor feels more like a spell caster that can get up close kinda like the more martial clerics.

[@castleskyle]

I like Valor more than swords. It has the highest AC of a single class bard (swords doesn't get shield proficiency), and makes a great skald type character. You have more flexible bardic inspiration uses: can buff party AC and damage where swords does a little extra damage on its own attacks and some additional riders. Swords is also tied to melee where a Valor bard can wield a bow. End of the day you're still a full caster so probably only using the attack action as a fallback. By that nature the 14th level feature on Valor (allowing you to make a bonus action attack when you cast a bard spell) does a better job of mixing spells and martial prowess. Where swords is still tied to a melee attack action on a full caster. All personal opinion though. I just think they fill different niches but get compared because both get extra attack. (Edited for typos)

[@binolombardi]

Kyle Castles All of the sword bards features work with ranged weapons, except the fighting styles.

[@binolombardi]

The Sword bards features seem to focus its abilities to slightly boost damages with extra attack and fighting styles to make up for no damage decent cantrips available. The base flourish for using the attack action greatly increase this bards maneuverability. The “on hit” effect flourishes usually don’t seem to make as much impact if used just for direct damage boosting, like smites. Mobile flourish can be devastating if used in conjunction with ongoing spell effects, and can be used with ranged weapon attacks. The swordbard I’ve played with has had slot more fun with it after pushing creatures through walls of fire, off cliffs, or into the clerics spirit guardians.

[@joshuazemanek5809]

I like watching character builds. I watch Nerdarchy and Tuloc the Barbarian. I have several lvl 20 builds of my own on Fantasy Grounds that i would love to one day play. i'd like to show them off, but idk how to do so. I have a Warforged Shock Trooper build, a Psycho Mage Kalishtar build, a Ninja Demon Hunter Teifling build inspired by Talki of SoulCalibur 6.. just to name a few builds :)

[@zwordsman]

Neat video idea. Hmmm. I think I'd love to see what you'd do with an Alchemist Artificer. Weird subclass

[@richardhealy]

"And don't get me started on what happens if you have a grave cleric in the party." Oh no please start. As I play a grave cleric (just hit lvl 3 and took spiritual weapon) I'd by interested to know what I can lookforward to.

[@NerdImmersion]

Haha, I meant if you have a Tempest and grave cleric combo. Eventually grave clerics can apply vulnerability to an enemy. So whatever damage they take is doubled. So imagine the high end damage i discuss...then double it

[@xenoexe4954]

I Like It, hope to see more of these videos.

[@Scahrossa]

Combo this with Absorb Elements as thunder is one of the elements. Having a team member drop something like a shatter on you and the enemy, since you are in melee and as a melee, a con save shouldn't be to hard. Absorb and save for quarter damage and your next turn you can very much drop the hammer.

[@NerdImmersion]

Good point!

[@Nukestarmaster]

And get a weapon that adds 1d8 thunder damage to damage rolls.

[@GM_Ryu]

Another way of doing it without having to rely on your team members, use call lightning and target yourself and hopefully anything around you within 10 ft. Use your reaction on your turn to cast Absorb Elements(as high level as you can for maximum effect) then immediately use your action to attack. Just have to be careful cause 3d10 is nothing to scoff at depending on how much hp you have.

[@tobiasschmid9216]

Wonderful video! Please more of it

[@filipszweda2904]

Thats a cool build idea. As for suggestions: maybe work out some structure to presentation? Let us know what options are recommended for races and why, how to setup at lvl one, are any ability score thresholds important for specific build? Is any feat very important to have early on. When multiclassing what order of class levels do you suggest. What spells are best early on. Any tips like you gave with boomin blade synergy are great.

[@CHEEKYHAMST3R]

At lv10 my current character will be quite similar to this: Monk 3 (Kensei) / Cleric 2 (Tempest) / Fighter 5 (Eldritch Knight) except I’m using dex and can disengage as a bonus action - with Polearm Master (Spear) and War Caster... Currently I’m only 1/1/4 but despite not having reached certain milestones yet, I’m still happily keeping up with my party.

[@lamarwashington2718]

Crazy, I just did a Paladin 2/ tempest Cleric 8 build that was a half high elf with booming blade. On crit could do max 72 Thunder dmg with booming blade + thunderous smite + divine strike, and then use 4th level divine smite for +10d8 with a greatsword 4d6+5. Never happened in game, but boy would that be sweet. The build had 18 str, 20 wis, and 14 Cha.

[@paulbarton1119]

I recently played a Hill Dwarf Tempest Cleric in a Lost Mines Campaign enjoyed the concept but found him a little squishy. What races would you recommend for Tempest Cleric Ted?

[@nathanward117]

I think Hill Dwarf is the best since the get +2 con and they also get an additional 1 hp per level. They are easily the most bulky race in DND. Is your con not a minimum 14(+2) so you get +3 to your hitpoints not including the d8 you roll for the hitdie

[@NerdImmersion]

Well hill dwarf is solid (that extra 1 HP per level definitely helps!) Plus that poison resistance is big. That's probably one of the best. It's really up to your ability scores. Half-orc has solid survivability, plus this build would increase damage a bit thanks to Savage Attacks. A High Con + Tough is solid to boost that HP too. What caused your squishyness. Can you give an example?

[@kronosDking]

Squishy how? He literally has an AC of 20 with Plate Armor + Shield. Were you using heavy armor + shield?

[@TommyTheCat83]

Hill dwarf tempest cleric is one of the least squishy builds in the game... if it is too squishy for you then try a bear totem barbarian.

[@paulbarton1119]

@@NerdImmersion I guess my squishiness was more of a perceived thing as I was the only one in the party that went unconscious and I was really trying to avoid that as a healer lol but the twice it happened was: 1) A crit from an Ogre took me out in one swing. 2) A fireball from the cursed skull. Both times I think I had Aid up increase my HP a further 5 points. Used Standard Array to build and had a constitution of 13 (so 15 with Racial). It's probably just that I got unlucky but I didn't feel like anything was actually hitting me to trigger Wrath of the Storm and most of the fights I seemed to be casting rather than actually smacking things so I've been thinking of going a Grave Domain the next time I play a Cleric.

[@TheDarkEmporer]

Is the only reason he chose fighter for flavor? There are other ways to get booming blade for less investment imo. Very cool build and synergy with booming blade though.

[@jadude378]

What would you miss out on if you just went straight cleric and got magic initiative wizard with booming blade and find familiar? Is a feat really worth 3 levels?

[@NerdImmersion]

No, there are ways to do it easier like with magic initiate for sure, or a race that gives a cantrip. For those 3 levels though you're getting proficiency in Con saving throws, a fighting style, a small self heal, action surge, and access to the shield spell

Awesome combo!!!

[@zwordsman]

Overall I quite like the idea. it was a bit long. But. there isn't much to cut from. So its more on my end--I have a hard time finding time to watch stuff haha. I think this is a good idea for a series.

[@Ajmes]

The strongest spell in the game is an upcast 'Call Lightning' by a Tempest Cleric. Cast it at 8th level(9th would be a waste), and it does 8d10 in a small AOE every round. Every Channel Divinity with it does 80 damage. You can do that 3 times. 240 damage in 3 rounds with nothing else done.

[@NerdImmersion]

Well other than a tempest cleric with Witch bolt. At 8th level it would be 8d12 but it can also crit, doing 16d12 aka 192 damage, no saving throw, just an attack

[@antongrigoryev6381]

@@NerdImmersion And without crit (c'mon, you have only 5% for it) it would be only 96 damage. One time without AoE and with no damage on a miss.

[@NerdImmersion]

@@antongrigoryev6381 well Call Lightning is a Dex save and also subject to Magic Resistance and Legendary resistance (further increasing their chances if getting half damage) It also requires you to use your Concentration on it. Also an 8th level spell is more likely to be Counterspelled than a cantrip. Also there are only 4 creatures immune to Thunder and 22 that are resistant. There are 25 that are immune to lightning and 91 that are resistant, even further increasing the chance that monsters take half or even a quarter damage instead

[@antongrigoryev6381]

​@@NerdImmersion I was comparing to Witch Bolt, which you mentioned higher. It's still a spell that deals lightning damage and it still requires concentration, but Call Lightning seems much better if you can use it. The Booming Blade is your usual damage-dealing method, yes, but you need to spend spell slots somehow, right? And Call Lightning seems a pretty solid choice for me.

[@Nerdality_Florian]

Why do you think Booming Blade interacts with crits? BB's damage is conditional on enemies moving, which means that it: A) doesn't trigger at the time you hit your target, so it is not part of the crit damage and doesn't get doubled. B) most of the time doesn't trigger at all because the enemy just stands still and hits you back.

[@NerdImmersion]

Again...read the spell, for the 1000th time. "This spell's damage increases when you reach higher levels. At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage to the target, and the damage the target takes for moving increases to 2d8. Both damage rolls increase by 1d8 at 11th level and 17th level."

[@Nerdality_Florian]

@@NerdImmersion THANK YOU!!! This makes the spell so much better than I thought. And I am actually sure I have had read it 999 times already, lol. Cudos to you, really enjoy your work (and calm response to my smart assery).

[@hanoirox]

Did you roll super well for this character? Those stats seem really high.

[@Wolfbane971]

This was great, a bit biased from me though cause I love the Temptest Cleric + anything

[@varietasVeritas]

I like your build. Thunder damage with a maul is a great idea. I would go fighter 6 cleric 14. Extra attack, extra feat. Could you do a ultimate blaster build? Hexblade 5 sorcerer 15 maybe?

[@moonadon1]

I'm currently Lore Bard 6, Tempest Cleric 2. It's very VERY fun to support and just nuke for one round.

[@reaumwingblade5783]

you can do this build. just the same with a dip in sorerer/wizard or Magic Initiate I had a tempest cleric who went and dipped sorcerer for utility and Booming blade. it... was freaking crazy

[@PaoloMurphy21]

Great video!

[@Mr911superstar]

Don't forget, Holy Weapon is 5th level so it fits in a ring of spell storing and someone can concentrate on it for you 😉

[@NerdImmersion]

Better yet let the paladin put thunderous smite in the ring for 24 thunder damage on a crit

[@Mr911superstar]

@@NerdImmersion it makes a better singular hit but it takes your BA and doesn't stick around. Definitely a great flavour option though

[@antongrigoryev6381]

@@NerdImmersion Why are you so focused on crits? It's just a 5% possibility (10 if you have an advantage). I don't have much experience, but I don't think that's something you can rely on unless you are using some specific features (Elven accuracy plus Champion or Samurai fighter, for example).

[@jeffreyanderson667]

I liked it. I'd watch more. 👍

[@aodhfyn2429]

That is a cool build.

[@quinnlee-newbury9003]

There's a tempest cleric fighter human in one of my campaigns. Very cool character

[@Hadorus1]

Im building a Eldritch knigjt Tempest but im going grabbing 2 lvls in Cleric and rest in EK any tips?

[@isaacdixon3289]

I have a suggestion/idea for you. My DM is planning a home-brew campaign were we're not allowed to multiclass; But we get to pick two archtypes of our chosen class. What would you pick? I already have a Idea of what I want to play Monk(Drunken Master / Way of Four Elements) or Cleric (Arcana / Prophesy ). It would tickle me greatly to see a video or discussion on this.

[@NerdImmersion]

Do you get all the abilities of the subclasses at the same time?

[@isaacdixon3289]

@@NerdImmersion Yes the only exception being there are no sorcerers in this world except one which will be central to the story .

[@wills8611]

So how would you make eldritch knight/grave domain cleric work? Would it be more of a tank or dps?

[@mugoblk3535]

What method do you use for generating your ability scores at level one? Those are some crazy good rolls or a point buy system with 57 points? Maybe something I'm not familiar with, but that level one stat spread is pretty beastly.

[@NerdImmersion]

Because that was a campaign I was playing in and that was my character, those were my rolls that I actually used in the campaign.

[@mugoblk3535]

@@NerdImmersion You sir, are a lucky man! Wish my luck was that good! :)

[@hanoirox]

@@NerdImmersion What were the starting Stats?

[@cristianmejia8610]

Maybe building from lvl one in dnd beyond? I like the concepts tho

[@ikeillue8385]

I can definitely relate to the whole attack role vs saving throw thing. Especially because Dms that I've played with have had a problem with, I guess you could say, wanting to have their NPC's in control of the situation, until the story dictates that the players win. IE, if the BBEG of the story shows up to taunt the players, it doesn't matter what they do, the BBEG will always come out on top, and, if any pc tries to do something to undermine him, then the players will be made to look the fool. This same concept goes for all NPC's, except for those who were literally designed to be jokes. Unfortunately, its given me an innate distrust of DM's, which means I generally avoid the all or nothing save spells, because the effect may be game changing, but if the DM is going to say they saved, regardless of what was rolled, I just wasted a known/prepared spell. On a different note, the highest damage I've ever had a character able to do (which is admittedly as situational as it comes), was as a level 12 hex blade warlock. We were playing curse of strahd, and my hex blade weapon, a scythe (used quarter staff stats, with slashing damage) ate an anti strahd sword (as warlock weapons do... >.>), and took on its attributes (turning it into a +2 d10 weapon, that does 4d6 damage specifically to strahd). I had pole arms master, the extra attack invocation, life drinker invocation, and a shield guardian. Essentially, in one turn against strahd(with a bit of set up), I could swing at advantage (because of the guardian flanking with me), and do 2d10 plus 1d4 plus 15d6 plus 38 damage, giving a solid average of 104 damage in a turn, with no crit, and considering that hex blade's curse lets you crit on a 19, that is actually not a terribly unlikely scenario, bolstering my average to 170 damage. Unfortunately, when the time came, I only got to attack him one turn, because, despite easily having the highest damage output against him, I had to play support, dispelling his magical effects, and repositioning the party. Though, I nailed him for 68 damage in that one turn, because I missed one hit (I couldn't fit my shield guardian in to get advantage, sadly), so I'd say I more than pulled my weight as far as damage on the boss.

[@marcgeisinger9021]

Love your proton pack

[@valasafantastic1055]

Next time include more RP and backstory information and in world themes. This was mostly all just number crunching with no story or individual personality. Include a few bits of in game examples of actual uses of the powers and anecdotes from the actual campaign! That would improve the series. Great video, thanks.

[@NerdImmersion]

Well this happens to be one of the few times I've gotten to play in 5e (I've only had 5 actual characters since 5e started and most were short lived series) so 95% of these builds will be entirely made up for the purpose of the build, so not a ton of examples or anecdotes/actual campaign experience. I'll try and do more personality stuff, but ultimately that is entirely up to the person playing, the build happens outside of any RP stuff. I'll see what I can do in future videos!

[@valasafantastic1055]

@@NerdImmersion Consider more examples of the feeling intent and character ideas. Just emphasize that its' "one example" and people building their own are welcome to do as they please! Some examples are more interesting. If it IS a character that has seen actual play please do include some snippits from the real campaign for interest. Thanks.

[@dylanpruitt2309]

I disagree. Crunch all the way thru build videos. Stories for other videos.

[@valasafantastic1055]

@@dylanpruitt2309 I was thinking to add 10% story and keep 90% crunch or 20/80 at most for variety and interest. But hey we all have different opinions and desires!

[@AllThingsFascinate]

@@NerdImmersion I think adding some story concept, intent, or ideas, would be amazing! Thinking about the feel or thematic direction for a character is so helpful for getting excited about it, getting inspired, to then do our own thing.

[@Wolfie-gj9ch]

The Mobile feat would be better than Great Weapon Master for this build. Mobile would allow you to attack and then move out of the enemies range without taking an opportunity attack and then they would have to move to hit you with a melee attack which would proc the booming blades movement damage. Which the average of 3d8 from the movement damage would be higher than the +10 from GWM.

[@NerdImmersion]

Eh, I don't like mobile and this character wasn't the kind to run away from an enemy

[@The482075]

I was wondering about Final Fantasy builds. Based on classes that appear in Final Fantasy games, their MMO's, the Tactics games and Bravely Default series. Black Mage, White Mage, Red Mage, Time Mage, Green Mage, Summoner, Geomancer, Blue Mage, Sorcerer, Monk, Thief, Archer, Warrior, Berserker, Ranger, Samurai, Ninja, Dragoon, Chemist, Beastmaster etc. Sone of these are easier than others. Blue Mage would be tricky.

[@shanekayat3217]

Blue Mage immediately makes me think of Warlocks (Great Old One), Bards' Magical Secrets, and Arcane Tricksters' Spell Thief ability, although none of them work in the same way. A Blue Mage class that copies from other casters as it goes along could be so cool, but would probably have such a weird application and depend heavily on designing a campaign around that kind of stuff.

[@shanekayat3217]

Black Mage could be an evocation wizard or similar, White Mage a Life Cleric. I actually just recently finished playing through Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark, and was considering how some of the classes might translate into 5e (Warmage = Bladesinger?) It also got me thinking more about a trapsmith for 5e when playing the Peddler class.

[@The482075]

@@shanekayat3217 I like your thinking. I have an unauthordox suggestion for Summoner. Evoker Wizard. Reflavour all of the spells so that an Eidolan appears to deliver the damage. E.g. Every time you deal a fire damage spell, Ifrit appears to deliver it. Shiva will appear every time you deal cold damage. Rammuh for lightning. Your support spells from school of Abjuration could be Carbuncle. The Enchantment spells could be Siren. Titan would be the Earthquake spell etc. Mechanics would be identical but the descriptions could be different.

[@shanekayat3217]

@@The482075 that's so cool xD honestly all that requires is some reskinning of existing spells and a homebrew setting

[@The482075]

@@shanekayat3217 I like it. White Mages in the games only wield staffs. A Divine Soul Sorcerer could work. Black Mage - Evoker Wizard Green Mage - Abjurer Wizard Geomancer - Druid Circle of The Land Time Mage - Chronomancy Wizard White Mage - Life Domain Cleric or Divine Soul Sorcerer Ninja - Arcane Trickster Rogue Beastmaster - Beastmaster Ranger is a bit feeble. Multiclass Beast Master Ranger with Circle of the Shepherd Druid. Sorcerer - There is a Bloodhunter ability that allows you to cast through your weapon. Or you could multiclass Eldritch Knight with Sorcerer for quicken spell. Red Mage is a Bard. Stylishly dressed with a diverse spell list. College of Swords could be the MMO Red Mage who has some fencing abilities. However most Red Mage depictions are magic user who happens to wield a rapier. Lore Bard fits better in my opinion. Summoner - Reskinned Evoker Wizard. Eidolans cast your spells for you. Mechanically the same but with more theatrics. These classes are similar to D&D 5e: Thief, Warrior, Viking (another fighter), Ranger, Beastmaster, Samurai, Monk etc. However I do think the Kensai Monk is a better representation of the Final Fantasy Samurai. Auron and Cyan for example wear no armour. For some of the strange magic/martial classes such as Kaiser and Yokai from Bravely Second, I think Eldritch Knight multiclassed with other Casters could do the job.

[@nicolasmilani8055]

Don't quite get the bit about extra attack allowing for a second cast of booming blade. It's still a spell, or are you implying that it doesn't wear off after the first attack?

[@NerdImmersion]

No my point was you're only using booming blade, so there's no point to go 5 levels in fighter, because it doesn't make sense to use extra attack.

[@nicolasmilani8055]

@@NerdImmersion oh, that sounds logical. My bad. Great video btw. Love builds content. And fixing classes, those are my favourite.

[@NerdImmersion]

@@nicolasmilani8055 I definitely could have articulated that better. Maybe I'll make a follow up

[@GSho22]

Curious on your view of attack rolls vs save spells. So for my groups understanding the DM is supposed to roll in front of the players. How does your dm fudge that if the players see the roll?

[@NerdImmersion]

Nothing states you roll "in front of your players", the DM just rolls. The whole existence of a DM screen besides having quick reference material is also to be able to shield your rolls from the players

[@GSho22]

@@NerdImmersion I guess so, wow, really makes those abilities to change results suck if you can't see the roll. Glad my group rolls openly. Fair enough.

[@TJ-pk3wl]

Would like to see your take on Conan in 5e

[@bv331910]

I need to throw this out there, that is not how booming blade works. You ONLY do the thunder damage if the target moves by choice, you do not add any thunder damage to the attack's damage.

[@NerdImmersion]

Omg no, for the thousandth time. READ THE SPELL. "This spell's damage increases when you reach higher levels. At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage to the target, and the damage the target takes for moving increases to 2d8. Both damage rolls increase by 1d8 at 11th level and 17th level."

[@bv331910]

@@NerdImmersion You are correct

[@Fallout2008]

Pretty sure all dice are maxed when you use destructive wrath. This means that the maul dmg is maxed. Ref: www.sageadvice.eu/2018/04/22/green-flame-blade-hex-divine-smite-how-many-damage-rolls-are-there/ The really nasty stuff is a high level rogue with destructive wrath and booming blade. Hit with booming blade and all dice, sneak included, are maxed. If you crit, cough cough assassin, its game over. I know assuming you win initiative. I've seen swashbuckler being much better to guarantee the sneak attack on 1v1 situations.

[@ZeroGForce]

Somehow, "100 damage in one attack" doesn't seem like a very substantial feat when most, if not all 5E classes have some group of abilities that slowly get more and more grossly overpowered as time goes on. Like, most of them have something to the effect of _"Okay, here's an ability that lets you add 5d8 to your weapon damage... another 3d10 here... add double your proficiency bonus to damage... use your spellcasting mod instead of your Strength mod for damage... oh, and this lets you conduct eight attacks per round with an enhanced critical threat range."_ It's like they designed every class to be able to OHKO a Tarrasque by Level 20, and if you can't, then you did something wrong.

[@NerdImmersion]

True, but all of those for the most part, require you to roll dice and roll well. This is a build with static numbers rather than relying in rolls

[@PhoenixBladeInfinty]

forge cleric + warlock as a weapon master. With pact of the blade, and its improvements you can make quite the master of weapons. But also wanted the character to have healing capabilities. Paladin just didn't "master" enough weapons. Idk I thought it was cool during theory crafting but as I began to put it together it sort of fell apart.

[@antongrigoryev6381]

There's Celestial warlock for you. Though I like an idea of Forge Cleric/Fiend Warlock, who's patron and diety (clerics can worship anything) is a demon blacksmith.

[@Horusbonrea]

At lv4 with a theurgy wizard i hit over 100 damage on a critical up cast chromatic orb on a target i marked with the grave cleric channel divinity

[@MickyPyra]

I used like every time the tempest cleric and I don't understand why, with all classes you chose fighter. Also booming blade is an warlock, mage or sorcerer cantrip. So it was better to multiclassing sorcerer to be a fullcaster or warlock to regain some slot every short rest like channel divinity. There are also some thunder warlock and sorcerer. Unfortunately for us not with lightning damage to use level 6 cleric's trait and booming blade damage for the movement. I don't thing that the fighter is the right multiclassing for a cleric. You loose a lot of important spells because fighter is not a fullcaster.