The 11 BEST BUILDS in Baldur's Gate 3 - Honour Mode Guide

What are the very best, most optimized honour mode builds in the game? Which are the cream of the crop for easy wins? Let's talk through it!
BUILD GUIDES
Lockadin: • BREAK THE LOCK(ADIN) -...
Moon Druid: • The BEST DRUID in Bald...
Assassin Archer: • The BEST ARCHER in Bal...
Fire Sorcerer: • BURN IT ALL DOWN - BG3...
Cleric: • The BEST CLERIC in Bal...
Lightning Lord: • The ONE SHOT LIGHTNING...
Abjuration Wizard: • The Invincible TANK WI...
Berserker Thrower: • The HULKING HURLER - B...
Open Hand Monk: • The BEST MONK in Baldu...
Eldritch Knight Thrower: • The CONSISTENT KILLER ...
Sword Bard Archer: • The BEST CHARACTER in ...
0:00 Intro - What Does "Best" Mean?
4:47 Lockadin
11:08 Moon Druid
16:23 Assassin Archer
22:02 Fire Sorcerer
26:58 Cleric
31:04 Lightning Lord
36:11 Abjuration Wizard
40:03 Berserker Thrower
45:25 Open Hand Monk
50:39 Eldritch Knight Thrower
54:50 Sword Bard Archer

[@geftsu]

"Why top eleven? Because I like to go one step beyond" Man, I am old

[@thepurge7964]

But this one goes to eleven.

[@TylerTried]

You might even be One Step Beyond old tbh ;D

[@mikearrera8672]

But it goes to 11....

[@b3lz3b0b]

do not worry I get it ;p

[@Theonetruefinalboss]

I hate to be a critic of the nostalgia here...but I get it.

[@common_undead]

I love how the broken stuff for swords bard includes "being a swords bard"

[@Cephalopocalypse]

I spent some time trying to think of how to distill that down into individual points and then I was like no, let's just go straight to the heart of the matter

[@r.s.819]

Incredibly charismatic by default of being a bard, multiple areas of proficiencies by default of being a bard, the ability to become experts in several proficiencies by default of being a bard, inspirational because they're bards, full casters because they're bards, with special weapon based attacks only they can do because of their subclasses that can either: -Knock moveable enemies back regardless of their weight (and then teleport to them) -Deal massive amounts of ranged/melee damage -Become nearly unhittable ...with some of the best synergy with some of the most broken equipment available, Swords Bard are peak "I am the main character" energy.

[@LordAryu]

​​@@r.s.819Swords Bard is the Ultimate Power Fantasy Sub-class. I actually ban that subclass unless I'm doing some sort of challenge run because it makes the game trivial once you get Extra Attack

[@r.s.819]

@@LordAryu You could probably nerf swords bard by personally not allowing them to use casting (besides maybe cantrips) but you'd still end up being one of the best weapon fighters, so while it is a nerf, it's not a very big one. Swords Bard make Valour bards obsolete which doesn't feel good for balance. Arcane Acuity is probably the bigger issue at hand since so much of their brokenness comes from combining it with the HoAA. Maybe you could use swords bard but not use AA and while they'd still be broken, they wouldn't be horrifically broken. At least hexblade isn't in the vanilla game, or it'd be even worse, since then you could be even more single attribute dependent.

[@zajxperia3983]

I haven't tried Bard yet (just finished my first playthrough), imagine how shocked I was when I realized that Bard can be a melee class with full casters spell slots xd

[@gaigeriel]

I will say also about the throwserker build, I've been using one on my current honor mode and one thing that can be VERY annoying about the thrown build is sometimes the geometry of areas can be a little weird and wont give you an angle to throw your weapon, typically happens indoors

[@meekrab9027]

Also the returning weapons are janky and sometimes take forever to come back, or deal damage to the thrower when they return(?), and don't seem to return when used to initiate combat, which is a problem if they're your strongest ranged attacker.

[@gaigeriel]

@@meekrab9027 I have found that if you enter an already active combat thru a thrown sneak attack, the weapons do not return for whatever reason. Clearly a bug but they need to fix that

[@Matiargentino100]

​@@gaigerielI came to say this, it's seems to me that the returning property in the weapons is coded to only work if you are in combat, since initiating combat from a throwing attack you are first out of combat it doesn't work, so you always need to initiate combat with another person and then attack in the surprise round with the barbarian

[@jennahinckley8216]

yeah, i always keep a handful of daggers on my throwzerker for this reason--they may not do the same amount of damage as the returning pike or nyrulna, but they are much easier to throw in tight areas.

[@VinhKhanhNgo-rr5vx]

@@jennahinckley8216Lol, same =)) I have stacked so many dagger that when me and my bros reach arc3 and try to pickpockets nine-finger they said I have find my soulmate =))

[@joerundell8197]

Thanks for the video, what I really like about yours is that I have never played the table top D&D, and you take the time to explain the reasons behind the actions. So many videos just say "do this and this, get this skill or attribute" , and no explanation. For months I had no idea what Arcane Aquity was or even how you were suppose to use it. So again thanks, love your guides.

[@scornrose]

I for one would be very interested in seeing you play out a few combat encounters with your favored party build. Your videos have been so helpful but I need it literally spelled out for me sometimes and I think it would be great to see what choices you make to win encounters! It’d be a different kind of video and idk if it would do well but I would be glued to the screen lol

[@ZeceDeZero]

I was just thinking if a video about positioning could work, but this idea is better, since it includes positioning, but so much more.

[@karnazacss]

Great idea, more visual content would be good imo after all the relevant tier lists already done.

[@MartinelliSports]

I would love to see that too; your videos are great but seeing you fight and take advantage of the builds as well as seeing your weapon and equipment for your characters would be amazing

[@alissaholiday3724]

Can we get an equipment ranking vid?

[@SirPeanutTheFirst]

Yes pls that would add a tone of content 😊

[@j4mt4rt.]

I'm more curious about Ceph's favourite or must have items tbh, there's such a lot of equipment in the game ranking all of it would take forever. Maybe just whatever the S and/or A class equipment is?

[@Subarashii_Nem]

There's so much tho.. And stuff that only works for specific builds but is absolutely game breaking when in that build so where would that go because Band of the Mystic Scoundrel on a fighter is absolutely useless but on a bard is broken beyond belief.. So where would that go on a tier list? Gear is pretty character specific so there's not a good way to do gear and there's only a few pieces of gear you want on EVERY playthrough and everyone already knows what gear that is at this point.. So it doesn't really make for a good tier list since gear is very build dependant.. There's not many pieces of gear that is good for every single character other than what, Ring and Cloak of Protection.. Nightwalkers boots, Click Heels and a couple of other items which are more QoL items than anything else..

[@zorlix130]

Yeah, maybe like one video with the best and most powerful items/item combos in the game, and then one video with Ceph's favorite items.

[@FaultyRanger]

I was actually wondering the same. Even if a full list/ranking would be prohibitive, I’d love to have something going over them in some way. I find myself using the same gear all the time, & I’m sure I’m missing things that are more effective &/or fun.

[@Czesnek]

I like berserker thrower Karlach. It is so much fun to use enemies as improvised weapon.

[@phatdog]

Heads up, there is currently a bug where Karlach will deal double fire damage with her Soul Coin buff when using unarmed attacks making her arguably the highest damaging character in the game apart from Astarion if he's lucky :)

[@MrChuckles90]

I've been playing D&D for over 20 years, in 3rd edition I was extremely knowledgeable about how to make builds. Your content fulfills that for me for BG3 and is really inspiring. Thanks for giving me so much content to listen to at work and guide me in my gaming time.

[@SuperHansburger93]

I would add level specific early game builds. If you focus on builds that only start getting powerful when you're already half-way through act 2, then you're basically ignoring half of the game. For me, there are just a handful of builds to keep in mind when starting the game, and they can make the first levels very easy. At level 2 and 3, you want fighter. A dual-wielding fighter, to be precise. And arm yourself with torches. Torches are VERY powerful early game, because they are constantly on fire. And contrary to the Everburn Blade, they are plenty. This is the safest way to play the game at this very low level imo. At level 4, you want a TB monk, or druid. Tavern Brawler is the single most OP feat in the game, and considering most builds don't come around until level 5, TB is a life saver. Monk is the most common way to use it, but shapeshifting as a druid works almost as good. Then at level 5, most builds will start showing their strengths, and this is where your guide starts becoming relevant.

[@drewrok78]

This is perfect timing. Thanks for the work on this video (and all of your other full build videos).

[@notoriousnomad1541]

My #1 is a dex based 10bard/paladin. You can either just play dex, or use strength elixirs. The ridiculous banishing smite+4th level smite is just amazing, and smiting is fun in general

[@viewershipdown]

Just gotta thank you! Finally beat Honor Mode after failing my first run. -Fire Sorcerer -TB OH Monk -Hulking Hurler -Swords Bard Archer Couldn't have done it without your EXTREMELY well thought out and powerful builds!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Nice, congrats on the win!

[@j4mt4rt.]

I've been so curious about this exact thing! Thanks so much for posting this :D

[@DSAelfchen]

Thank you so much for this video! It was very helpful and I'll start watching your specific build videos right now

[@marjase9172]

Yup the eldritch knight thrower is criminally underrated I am playing it now soloing honor mode I am a bit concerned about the bug for the last boss tho but I will cross that bridge when it comes

[@johnwalker1322]

I used it in my first honour run. Loved it, but sometimes my weapon wouldn't return to me. This even happened with Nyrulna sometimes. Tried weapon bonding AND not bonding Nyrulna and it happened both ways sometimes, it wasn't very often, but it happened during boss fights. But I had an Archer Swords Bard and ice Mage abjuration wizard, so I crushed everyone regardless of bugs.

[@marjase9172]

@@johnwalker1322 Yea what I realize is that if you end your turn before the weapon comes back to you it doesn't come bk so the best thing to do is always wait before you end your turn

[@inderdeepsingh5498]

@@johnwalker1322 Along with what the other person said, it looks like if you initiate combat with a thrown weapon it doesn't return

[@MrKZee]

man.. i was looking for some build and a present surprise for me to hear the voice that guided me through brotato))) fair play, my friend))

[@jennahinckley8216]

i've used the lockadin (not the 3/9 split, but paladin 5/warlock 7), 12 straight levels of moon druid, assassin archer (i actually went ranger 5 rogue 4 fighter 3, but it probably doesn't make much of a difference), the berserker thrower, the OH monk/thief, eldritch knight thrower (12 levels), and swords bard archer. i've never played HM (much more comfortable on tactician), but so many of the builds i've used for my playthroughs have come from this channel. i think your videos also got me to try the roguelock multiclass (assassin/great old one), which has become a favorite of mine.

[@rs8319]

Awesome summary - thanks for sharing these builds, looking forward to trying out some of these 👏💐

[@emperortime4380]

I played Sorc 1/Light Cleric x as a Magic Missile build and it carried me through Honour. MM will get you a ton of Reverb and Orb stacks with the right gear.

[@Slynessity]

Awesome video. Anyone seeing this, for Berserker Thrower, it gets very strong, very early. And then just gets nuttier the more levels you get and better gear you get. The most early power I've felt came from Berserker Thrower, OH Monk and AoA Wizard

[@ssap620]

Great summary. I just entered Act 3 on my HM run and I'm using Ceph's EK throwing build and the Swords Bard archer to make my battles as smooth as possible. I have a few observations on these two builds, a couple he's already mentioned: 1.Throwing builds have a lot of downsides imo and I'm only using it for the sake of getting that golden dice. To get the most power you want to use str elixirs. I find it tedious having to spend time in ACT 1 going to the druid camp every rest and lvl up to stock up on elixirs. If others don't mind, more power to them, but it's not worth it other than HM, imo. As far as weapons go, the Lightning Jabber will, of course, return if you've used your EK weapon binding, but if you're caught unaware (like the scene between ACT 2 and 3) and forget to bind it, then you have to run to get it back, reequip, and bind. Also, there is a bug and the draconic elemental weapon damage does NOT apply when throwing the LJ. I've submitted a bug report, which I'm sure others have, as well. But that's annoying. And then there's Nylruna which is so annoying because of the friendly fire damage, so I find I don't want to keep it equipped, generally. So instead, it looks like I'll need to choose before certain battles to equip and bind it if I don't think I'll need to worry about friendly fire. It's all very tedious. And then that's not even to mention the apparent bug with the final boss. I'm hoping the next patch releases and fixes it before I get to that point 🤦‍♀. 2. Swords Bard Archer - Totally op, but aesthetically, I absolutely love it. It's got a Selene Underworld vibe which I think is so fun. Even if it weren't op like it is I would still love it just for the flavor. Just wanted to make a note that you don't need to worry about taking wearing the gloves of dex if you wear The Graceful Cloth armor. I think it's hideous to look at, especially compared to the Yuan-ti Scale Mail which gives more AC, BUT the character is squishy regardless, so I still prefer to wear the graceful armor to get to 20 dex. That way I can wear Wondrous Gloves. I find the Wondrous Gloves and Boots of Brilliance to be useful since they give a couple extra rounds of attack. For my other two characters I'm using Ceph's Lore Bard/Life Cleric build for heals, which has been brilliant in the times heal were really necessary. It also makes for a great support and main face character. I'd personally recommend playing it on Shadowheart just because she has the perfect sass for Cutting Words and her Origin run has been fantastic so far. Lastly, I'm using Ceph's Barbarian/Warlock build on Karlach. It was a little slow to come online, but with the other builds in the party I wasn't worried, and it wasn't an issue. I like the idea that Karlach picked up fiendish abilities while in the Hells, so I mind canon it as though she innately picked up those abilities. The retaliation damage is great and she's really good at casting Command to control the battlefield before raging and attacking. Also, warlock w/ 2 bards has been great party synergy.

[@vashthafellomen816]

Just completed Honor Mode. Thanks for the tips. Sword Bard Archer was a fun play through. Went with the Gale ending on the last run. Didn’t want to risk it in the last round.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Nice, congrats on the win!

[@NateLyell]

Awesome video. Gloomstalker/Assassin is one of my favorite specs to play and hard carried my first honour mode run. Equipped the Bhaalist armor on a Battlemaster Fighter to give piercing vulnerability to as many enemies as possible in melee and let the Gloomstalker/Assa Rogue with 25% crit tee off on them from the backline. Recently started my third playthrough with the goal of playing four fun, unfamiliar builds without regard to power, but lo and behold, I've created a party with a Lockadin and Moon Druid lol. Lore Bard and Wild Magic Sorc in the remaining two slots ought to keep things interesting though.

[@sneezyfido]

Does assassin work with all forms of advantage? Then I'd add e.g. the shield (feat/ability?) that gives team advantage over adjacent enemies. Or plain old darkness abuse.

[@hopp_sauce]

I'm surprised Sorlock didn't make the list. You can get some amazing burst damage If you go 2 warlock/ 5 sorcerer/ 2 fighter/ 3 thief rogue. Round 1: haste yourself, create sorcery points with a lower level spell slot so that you have at least 6 sorcery points. Round 2: Eldritch Blast as an action, Eldritch Blast with your hasted action, action surge to Eldritch Blast, Quicken Spell Eldritch Blast with your first bonus action, quicken spell Eldritch Blast again with your second bonus action from the thief subclass, if you have a bloodlust elixir you can probably get off another Eldritch Blast. That's a total of 18 Eldritch Blast beams. The big down side is that it uses basically all of your resources, but it hits like a truck.

[@Z200a]

OMG. Another staggeringly high quality video. I think I know why you never respond to any of my comments. You're too busy creating this incredibly high quality content! I found this channel just in the knick of time, as I'm starting my 2nd run through the game. The first run I played blind without any help from the internet. But for the next run I plan to use all the collective wisdom of the BG3 masses, and this channel seems like Ground Zero for that effort. 😂😂

[@faildrian42]

I haven't even seen it yet, but I know this is gonna be a great video! Thank you Cephalo! 👌🏾

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks very much - enjoy!

[@faildrian42]

@@Cephalopocalypse 🖤 I was right btw 🥳🎉

[@mysecretavatar]

You have outdone yourself with this video! Excellent!!!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks very much!

[@markopusic8258]

Funny that, I'm in the middle of doing a quadruple bard HM run with a friend. None of us knew beforehand what Sword Bard could do and luck had it that he went for a double hand crossbow build Sword Bard. Naturally, he took the sharpshooter feat at lvl4 and the game just broke. Even with an average of 35% to hit, he was doing by far the most damage in the squad with absolutely disgusting 20+ dmg shots, 3 times per turn. And reminder that with 4 bards, we get access to 6 short rests per long rest so now that we regain bardic inspiration on short rest... We literally steamrolled through the underdark, I never saw Grymforge get demolished so hard. And yet, despite all of that, we almost wiped against the gith squad on the bridge because I told him it was by far the most dangerous fight of the region and he wanted to see how it would play out. I was reminded soon enough that you do not fight the gith squad, I absolutely loved when Sarth Bareta succeeded on her saving throws, then crit our tankiest bard for over his entire health bar of FORTY FIVE, and sent him to the fugue realm turn 1.

[@ChickenSoupMusic]

Great list! I'd personally add a WHeart Barb reverb build on there as well

[@taylorforsyth4278]

Really enjoy your content, do you think we could get a condition tier list (arcane acuity, heat, lightning charges, etc.,) with a rundown of what each does? I think it'd be really helpful for newer players and I haven't seen anyone do it so far

[@tadeurodrigues2323]

I havent been playing in a while but i always watch your videos and find them very informative

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the support - really glad you're still enjoying the videos! :D

[@revs9623]

Running that rogue / ranger / fighter build with hand bows and durge is pretty next level. Also there is a chest in act 1.5 (monastery) it gives +2 dex and catlike reflexes, it’s low AC but with the invis on kill you aren’t often targeted, JIC you want gloves of dex on someone else. I used that pretty much up till Baahlist Armor in my honor mode game.

[@ObliviousBear]

One extra advantage of going for "native" dex over gloves of dex on swords bard is that late game, you can equip the nimblefinger gloves while disguised as a gnome for an extra +2. With hair and an asi this leaves you 4 dex higher than the dex gloves version, 6 higher with mirror. Obviously this is resource investment but if any character is worth it, the swords bard is

[@cubanriot7152]

The best equipment combo for the swords bard archer (or any archer) is the punch drunk bastard great club and the amulet of the drunkard. 5 rounds of advantage at the cost of a bottle of booze and a bonus action paired with a ton of attacks every turn makes this build a crit machine. By far one of the most fun classes I’ve run. While not required, I did enjoy using the dead shot bow for the practically guaranteed chance to hit. Unfortunately I lost that honor run to Ansur and some poor planning but I’m excited to come back with the helm of arcane acuity. He won’t know what hit him

[@JayBijou]

Thanks for the video, looking forward to my next party of four Swords Bards >:)

[@tombloem1]

Fantastic video well done ❤

[@ultimatequestions._]

AWESOME video as always

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks very much!

[@johanedfors3899]

you can basically make any sorcerer build tanky by just using gloves of dexterity and a race that gives shield proficiency. That's what I did with a recent tempest lightning sorcerer that I wanted to roleplay as a melee shocking grasp fighter. Insane damage as there are a lot of damage modifiers for cantrips that can all be equipped together (Necklace of elemental augmentation, draconic bloodline, Potent Robes, Kereska's favour) in combination with being able to use wet, while also being able to be in the face of the enemy and trigger opportunity attacks with war caster without risking every attack hitting you because of a high armor class given by gloves of dexterity and shield. Shocking grasp with all the modifiers would deal a consistent 60+ damage per cast without using the tempest cleric ability. That then could also be twin spelled and because you are using cantrips you can do that a lot.

[@lawrencefosterjenkins8216]

when i made my swords bard archer (the recommended bard 10 fighter 2) in HM i deliberately didn't use the dex gloves because i actually wanted my dex to be 20 for more accuracy (the risky ring was going to someone else in the party), and i knew i would only get two feats. instead i used the graceful cloth and boosted my AC with a shield and mage armor. Since i was the party face i used auntie ethel's hair to take my CHA from 17 to 18 just to make speech checks a bit easier.

[@zajxperia3983]

Tip for the Druid build: Single level of Barb will add your constituion modifier to AC while shapeshifting, most animal forms add 2 or 3 AC just from this. Of course only works as longs as you dong wear armor, so keep that in mind.

[@AK-bm1yl]

If you combine thrower with a melee with certain armor you get when you decide to yeet BG3's Lulu, damage output is incredible

[@kingofgrim4761]

Also random, what is your most embarrassing loss in honor mode? I was Level 3, me and Shart vs the sleeping bug bear at blighted village… For whatever reason, he was NOT surprised, won initiative against my assassin rogue, and one shot them. Then I hit them, got them to 2 Hp, and he one shot my full health circle of spores Shadowheart… This was in my 1st 2player HM run.

[@tripleaarcade]

Doing the blood of lathander blind and not knowing how to deactivate the weapon. Woops

[@kingofgrim4761]

@@tripleaarcade I was RIGHT THERE!

[@DevinR.90]

Had just hit lvl 5... padlock build all was looking good. I went to save the chancellor from the burning building and mis clicked on hitting the door and hit a friendly and they all immediately agro me and my 4 man is stuck in a burning building, 2 ranged characters that are squishy, and u have like 15 dudes my level or higher 3 of which can 1 shot anyone I had. Well I died and my first play through of honor mode ended

[@alexmashkin863]

I lost honour mode once, to the owlbear, at level 3, I somehow thought it was a good idea, full partywipe while desperately trying to run 😂 My very first honour mode experience 😅

[@quentonrivera9150]

I talked to the minelayer rilled a nat 1 and it was over.

[@hamishian0]

11 top builds, awesome. One for each of my fingers.

[@fangy4510]

Bard 6 / ranger 4 / fighter 2 or whatever you fancy for the last 2 levels is amazing with sharpshooter, crossbow expert and durge aura of murder. The added damage from colossus slayer that comes with ranger/hunter makes incredible bursts in melee, and is very easy to play all game long. Just like your #1 pick, it's a skill monkey, party face, and not rest dependant. What I find weird in these ranged builds is saying dex gloves are required. You can max out dex in all of these, and you can gulp down STR elixirs or use STR items if needed.

[@williamking7800]

I think the solution for the Lightning Lord's "slow early game" can be summed up thusly: Whispering Promise, Wapira's Crown, Twinned Healing Word, Twinned Magic Weapon. I think the name "Lightning Lord" is a little misleading, it's really just a support build designed to compliment 2x Swords Bard Archers with all day Twinned Magic Weapon and no concentration Bless, that happens to set itself up as a prime Markoheshkir user in act 3. Twinned Haste is frankly a bad joke in a game where throwing Potions of Speed is a thing.

[@michaeldenzer5042]

I really like the look of cleric 11, monk 1. Restricted to robes and not using shield, but with dextrous attacks and unarmored defence you could go for high dex and wis, so this might be an interesting dual wielder (the feat) with staffs.

[@SuperHansburger93]

For the Fire Sorcerer, there are 2 items in the game (one in act 2, one in act 3) that give a free fire ray spell that refreshes on short rest. So if you have a Bard or 2 in your party, these can greatly mitigate the reliance on sleep. Bard is so broken, it makes other broken builds even more broken just by being nearby them XD

[@SyckestBlah]

May I add Hamrhraft Monk ( or Barb)/Rogue into the mix? The first act might be a bit rocky, but as soon as you hit level 6, your power is through the roof. Your normal encounter damage is already quite high. If you add Grant Flight and/or Hastened to the jumper, you clear almost all encounters on the first turn. And starting with act 3, you can have Fly available at all times without any cost. So, if you want your teammates to assist the jumper, a Transmutation Wizard can add a movement speed stone and cast Flight/Haste/Longstrider, Minthara can Soulbrand, everyone can drop Potions of Flight/Haste (which a Transmutation Wizard can create more efficiently). And if you like to cheese and abuse exploits, a level 6 Barbarian in your party that's not the jumper having Aspect of the Elk aura can let you have infinite damage, literally. All the while the jumper's abilities don't matter in combat, so you can go high dex for lockpicking and such, and also go charisma to be a party face. Up to Tactician, the build is absolutely broken, dealing at least 5 damage per jump and having at least 188 jumps per turn. In honour mode, the damage suffers a bit from some damage riders not being counted, but it's still at least 3 damage per jump. The scariest mandatory enemy on the whole run is Ketheric, as he reduces all damage taken by 2. On Tactician, that's not a problem at all, as the Ring of Absolute Force + Elemental Adept: Thunder guarantees 3 damage per jump, so Thorm takes at least one damage. On honour mode, I ran the numbers, and if you have optimal starting positions and don't waste any movement, you should usually still be able to kill him on the first turn, with some damage to spare. (Personally, I had a barbarian nearby for infinite damage, as I didn't want to leave my first honour mode run to chance and me making absolutely no mistakes.) Ansur is the only enemy I'd skip (reduces damage by 4, making it impossible to deal any damage on honour mode, and BEST CASE 1 damage on Tactician and lower), and I don't know exactly how well Thisobald would go on honour, I made use of my charisma and dex to avoid the fight, but I know that on Tactician, if you have the Ring that deals 2 damage to illuminated targets, Thisobald is dealt those 2 damage even when he takes 0 damage from the jumps due to his thunder immunity. Sorry for gushing about this, I spent a lot of time perfecting this build, and while it sometimes feels quite sluggish to issue 200 jumps per turn, I still love the build with all my heart, and the damage it can deliver just trivializes almost all of the combat encounters. Also fits your criteria for "Best": Power is at least 500 damage per turn that can be distributed around the battlefield, minimizing wasting damage. As soon as you have Alert as a feat and 18 dex, you're pretty much always going first, so even if you manage a bad roll with your high CHA and DEX scores, combat won't be punishing, and as there is only one turn anyway, it's not likely you have to recover on the next turn. Also, all of Hamrhraft's and Reverberations' damage is guaranteed, no dice rolls needed, so even if you're unlucky, the build's damage is always reliable (the saving throw on reverb is only for falling prone or not). And it is easy to play: apply any of the two power buffs before or during combat, just make sure to have Longstrider on you all day, and maybe remember giving that movespeed stone to the jumper. Then, in combat, all you have to do is Step of the Wind: Dash, main action Dash (x2 if Hastened), Click Heels, jump/fly all around. With Fly, you do have to be cautious to not fly further than 1m, or you're wasting damage - but you should have more than enough, even if not going infinite.

[@angelfigueroa2870]

I used assassin archer for my Durge run. I can attest to how powerful and fun this build is. Might considerl using it for my honor mode run :)

[@KasumiRINA]

It's important to have something be easy to play: Clerics, for example, were broken in 3.5 edition, but casting all these buffs before start took more time than the fight itself, so playing something like a Paladin was faster. I had a multiclass with Favored Soul (Sorc version of Cleric) in NWN2, and at some point I debated between not casting most buffs or just keep loading them up as enemies die around me. One of the reasons I like Paladins so much is that you can JUST FIGHT instead of micromanaging all. In fact, I added Sorc level to my pally so I can jump and feather fall on will, out of ALL spells, having Wyll and Gale get where I want them too is far more important than another Magic Weapon or Bless, even if everything stacks now (except concentration, learned the hard way with Guidance canceling Eagle's Splendor).

[@Prometheusforliberty]

I could've watch a top 20 lol. Great stuff

[@Itsyoboyjy]

1. Freedom accent. 2. hono”u”r. My guy is Canadian. Thanks for this great lecture. I’m new to the game and stumbling around. I’ll keep these ideas in mind and try one of these next run.

[@pizzashiny7018]

Im act 3 for my first playthrough (and the first is in honor) with a 1beastmaster ranger and 3 moon Druid for the "every one is my pet" and it is pretty easy without any spoil Myrkul was a danger, but other is a breaze for now 🎉

[@devilmikey00]

3 swords bards and a ranger5/sword bard 7 so you can just hide in fog cloud from beginning to end. Just drop fog cloud with ranger, pop out to shoot then run back into fog cloud. Gear doesnt really matter since nothing will live so just throw all your best gear on your main and whatever is left over on the rest.

[@thedarudecactus3179]

One that I think you critically missed is crit fish eldritch blast. 4 Warlock, 4 Fighter, 4 Sorcerer. up to 9 eldritch blasts per turn, 13 or higher to crit, 10+2d10+2d6 force per blast that combines fear and prone to nullify enemies outright, and a fantastic option to use ilthid powers in the party. Combine this with cull the weak and bonus action illithid abilites as well as reactions, it can destroy things outright, or crowd control by knocking back enemies and take out targets. Gets online at level 2 and builds up from there. Only downsides is somewhat of a glass cannon, but it's control features are so strong.

[@isaz2425]

Lol, 3 of those were in my party for my first playthrough (tactician) . no wonder it went so smoothly.

[@SamCastaneda87]

If you use Minthara for your Eldrich Knight thrower you also get to abuse her Sould Branding special ability.. As a bonus action it gives an extra 2d8 damage to your weapon and lasts 3 turns but your next attack consumes it however throwing your weapon doesn't count in that so you keep the 2d8 for the entire 3 turns. I guess your build with 1 War cleric mittigates the need for that with the war priest charges but otherwise I like it for more hybrid EK builds that don't generally get great uses for the bonus action.

[@marjase9172]

Wow I didn't even know that thanks for sharing the eldritch thrower is criminally underrated

[@yautjamerk9159]

53:44 Removing spacebar from your shortcuts should be the first thing any player does when first launching the game ! 😂 I think I did remove it in the first hour. In any way, Bards are OP. Free short rest is totally broken in and of itself, they make the best "face" for your team and are unable to fail any dialogue option (mak of the shifter, guidance and all your broken bonuses make sure of that). Quite funny how they went from being a tabletop joke to being an absolute beast in BG3 Great video as usual ✌

[@danking1668]

Great stuff, per the norm. 👍

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks!

[@Cpt_JohnRackham]

The Blinding Radiance Paladin is INCREDIBLE.

[@BilliamTorpedo]

My first honor mode run was 4 moon druids who started with 1 level of draconic sorc for Armor of Agathys. 99% of my in combat actions were just basic attacks, for both my main party and my summons. Very relaxed playthrough.

[@ladycerisebeckett3031]

Yeah but isnt it boring though ?

[@pizzashiny7018]

I run the same with a ranger Beats master Tav

[@phatdog]

Your Open Hand Monk build (3) can easily be improved by speccing at least 1 level but preferably 3 levels of Barbarian as that will give you an extra 2dmg on your crazy amount of Monk attacks and you'll be able to half all physical damage received while raging plus the Barbarian Unarmored Defense is arguably better then the Monks version as it benefits from Con allowing you to buff both you health and AC. If you go 3 levels your can either halve ALL damage except for Psychic or go Frenzy for drastically increased thrown damage with tavern Brawler and easy ranged prone attacks too :)

[@Jewgubu]

I think machine gun MM or EB could easily replace something on this list. Stacking lightning charges and reverberation with either the vest from alfira or level 10 Evocation absolutely one-shots any mook in Act 3. I combined it with open hand monk to one-round Orin in one turn, and that includes the Unstoppable charges she has. The weakness to these builds is itemization but they come online fairly early into the game.

[@rachelc8368]

Thanks you for video

[@Colm1800]

a very fun abjuration build i did was abjuration githyanki wizard, lvl 4 took heavy armour profiency used the adamantine plate first and later the blade ward armour from act 3 dammon made it so i was just entirely unkillable

[@AirLancer]

An annoying thing about thrown weapons is the multiple bugs that result in your weapon NOT returning to you like it should.

[@fennyfenris]

It's weird but everytime I watch your guides it feels like I'm in an online class listening to a teacher.

[@daveyfunk]

Feel there could/should have been a criteria for the build being based as strong on the build itself without any support/reliance on items. Gear is different, but where open hand monk is undeniably OP, it's OP abusing strength potions to allow you to spread ability points. Best early build I've found is using Sorcerer to extend blur spell mixed with War Cleric for heavy armour and war priest charges for extra attack. You have the magic potency from Sorc along with being virtually unhittable with high AC/blur and also 'limited' extra attack. The best mechanic in the game is...respeccing

[@Steampunk_Wizard]

Do you think you might be overvaluing the returning property on thrown weapons? Finishing up act 1 in the Creche I noticed that my throwzerker Karlach was getting downed a LOT due to poor AC, which made me re-evaluate the cost of using both hands to equip the returning pike. In the end I decided to simply throw items from my inventory and equip a shield and the Defender Flail as a stat-stick. It seems like the choice is between combining the returning pike with the bracers of defense, or ditching the pike and leaving gloves open for the +1d4 throwing boost. Am I missing something? Outside of Act 3 is there any actual weapon that you'd benefit from throwing every attack, as opposed to just chucking a hoard of +1 spears and javelins from the inventory? As far as I know, outside of generic damage boosts like the radiant hammer, not a single weapon enchantment actually triggers when thrown at an enemy, severely limiting the build choices of theoretically versatile throwers like Eldritch Knight. Sacrificing the throwing gloves for the pike+bracers is a statistical downgrade (because 1d10 is very slightly worse than 1d6+1d4) but even in other situations I think the extra AC from a shield is far superior than a tiny amount of damage. And yes this is all a moot point because Nyrulna is Versatile and can be combo'd with a shield anyway in act 3...

[@chilledSounds]

Exactly what i needed, just started a duo honor run with my mate and we still couldnt figure out who to choose besides bladedancer, monk and cleric goodness , lets try some of these out see if one of them fits , great content

[@beardannyboy]

For Lockadin I personally went Paladin 2, Warlock 9, and I took War Cleric for the final level. I found the gains of 3rd level paladin to be marginal. Also I did pure paladin for the first 7 levels then re-built into the build of 2/6. Too painful to delay extra attack on a melee focused character. Very difficult to play without a rebuild as you'll have mismatched ability scores or a lack of proficiencies at certain levels, or be forced to severely delay key features.

[@clarencewalters338]

I'm fairly sure the Eldritch Knight doesn't give the weapon thrown property, it just makes it return to your hand. that's kinda limiting in how many extra things can take advantage of the throwzerker synergy

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Yep, that's right - you need a weapon with the thrown property but it doesn't need returning, so there's a few extra options you get (stuff like the Lightning Jabber, which they didn't fix the drs bugs on and still does way too much extra damage)

[@bkg5494]

he strikes again!

[@ironbar2009]

A few notes: Build 7: Cleric should have heroes feast, Planar Ally, and DI mentioned as strengths as these are great late game buffs that keep the cleric relevant even if the damage/debuffing from spirit guardians starts falling off Build 5: Wizards get globe of invulnerability which is the most broken spell in the game. If you are doing a play through where you don’t abuse scroll casting, then having a wizard is mandatory/extremely beneficial for a lot of late game encounters. Build 1: Not sure if it would be in the same category as the archer SB, but a melee Bardadin (10 SB, 2 Pally) gets crazy damage numbers with Bhallist armor and the late game short swords, smiting with high level Bard spell slots

[@jayellgee]

I’m not quite to act 3 yet, but what short swords do you prefer? I plan on grabbing Wyll’s quest rapier tonight, wasn’t sure if anything in 3 was going to top it. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for other weapons, though!😊

[@ironbar2009]

@@jayellgee One of the weapons may be a dagger but shortsword versus dagger doesn’t really make a difference. The best items for a melee dual wielder in act 3 is the Crimson Mischief in mainhand combined with Bloodthirst in offhand. Both are obtained by completing a story quest so I won’t spoil but they are definitely better than Wyll’s rapier (unless the summon is really important to you)

[@ironbar2009]

@@jayellgee In act 2, best weapons are the Render of Body and Mind and Knife of the Under Mountain King

[@JawsXXIV]

It's funny, before watching your video after reading the title, I did my own tier list of top 11 builds. It looked like this: Open hand Monk Throwbarian Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorc Light Cleric Rad. Orb Swords Bard Gloom Stalker Assassin 11 Level Fighter 1 Level War Cleric Abjuration Wizard Paladin Bard Arcane Acuity Sorlock Bearbarian? Pretty similar to me :D

[@SuperHansburger93]

I disagree with you saying that Dex Gloves are required for Gloomstalker. In fact I think they're pretty bad because you can't get your dex to 20 with the Graceful Cloth if you get your 18 from the Dex Gloves. Same with the Sword Bard. You do NOT need Dex Gloves. It's useful, and it makes the build slightly better by allowing you to point in Constitution, but it's not a requirement imo. In fact, the item requirement for a sword bard build is so low, you can have 2 of them and steamroll honor mode. You can even probably just duo the game just with 2 bards, and still not struggle. And I of course agree that it should be the #1 on the list. Sword Bards are insane. They can do EVERYTHING, and they can do it extremely well at that :)

[@alexw4482]

It’s noteworthy for the lightning sorc build, you can actually take your levels 1 sorc, 2 cleric, 2 wiz, rest sorc. Stack int instead of charisma, and use scrolls to learn all your lightning spells. You need to take wiz as your last class so that the saves are based on int. This gives you access to things like chain lightning without markoheshkir.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Correct - see my build guide for the character! (slightly better is sorc 1, cler 1, wiz 1, cler 2, wiz 2, sorc 2-8 so you get access to scribing earlier)

[@cjrkiller5115]

I'm surprised not to see the Sorlock Darkness Eldritch Blast Machine Gun.

[@chocolaterain5097]

The comedy is on point in this one! Im not done watching, but I'm expecting a True Strike troll comment 🤣

[@nanwvwat9540]

The bard 10 fighter 2 is a different split than you put in the video for how to build it, is there a reason you changed your mind on that?

[@James-gf4wh]

If they ever did more work on BG3, Larian should hire you

[@joerundell8197]

As a follow-up to my comment on the video, how about a video on all the attributes, how you would implement or use them to your parties best advantage and so on.

[@mod5000]

Can we get more in depth magic item advice for the builds? As well as a deeper look into feats.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Check the individual build guides for each character!

[@jonathanphelps2625]

Another thing about the Eldritch knight thrower is they get an additional feat at level six

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Yep exactly - that's why I say that berserker has to delay taking Alert but EK doesn't really, even though you need tavern brawler at 4 it only costs you two levels instead of 5 before you can pick it up

[@thomasgormly6941]

My only issue with the Eldridge knight thrower builds is that both weapon bond and returning spear doesn't always return leaving you unarmed for opportunity attacks and wasting actions to chase down your preferred throwing weapons, but if you add the bonus of height damage and utility of what you can throw (acid vials, poison vials, alchemy flasks, and void bulbs) it's still a great build. I basically one turn ended the knolls by the cave by void bulbing everything into a casted cloud of daggers with a follow up smoke powder bomb.

[@lawrencefosterjenkins8216]

It only doesn’t return when you use it out of combat, so not the most ideal for attacking by surprise. That’s why my throwzerkers and eldritch knights always have spare spears and daggers in their inventories for fights like that.

[@thomasgormly6941]

@@lawrencefosterjenkins8216 I use it out of combat all the time and it returns fine. In combat it's about 50/50 on returning. I'm doing a blade dancer build for fun duel welding a ritual dagger and a hunter's dagger for the bonus to attack rolls and the rupture status as a Eldritch fighter/thief rogue multiclass with a dip in spore druid for buffs/debuffs.

[@thomasgormly6941]

@@lawrencefosterjenkins8216 I always keep spare hunter's daggers to throw but I'd rather pop the ritual dagger for the 1d4 attack bonus before the rest of the turn.

[@lawrencefosterjenkins8216]

@@thomasgormly6941 I…have never had that problem.

[@thomasgormly6941]

@@lawrencefosterjenkins8216 lucky you... There are definitely bugs I've seen. Produce flame doesn't always give the hurl flame option so you have to register it on the radial selector nearly every time. I'm playing on PS5. What are you playing on?

[@thevigilmain6628]

cephalo I beg you can you PLEASE make an illithid powers tierlist?

[@ironbar2009]

AestusRPG has one that I recommend

[@danielhoffmann7138]

I was thinking of running a Lockadin control build Paladin Oathbreaker 8 Warlock Pact of the Blade 4 with the Sentinel feat (and the rapier that gives you two reactions). To fit Sentinel in you really need to go 8/4. It is bit limited burst damage (no lvl3 slots), but locking people into darkness with sentinel sounds like a lot of fun on top of +5 (+6 with items) aura of protection. You miss out on hunger of hadar but you do have a lot of spell slots to spend on Command, Darkness and Misty Step, but really the maxxed out aura of protection is worth it, you are basically invincible while inside darkness.

[@jejo63660]

I like the darkness idea and have been trying to figure out ways of using darkness or cloud conditions combined with surfaces that make it hard to leave the darkness. Sleet Storm and Hunger of Hadar was a really fun combo. I really like the Paladin playstyle and ran an oath of ancients to 12, but one thing I was kind of suprised about is how small the radius of the auras is, they have to basically be within a spirit guardian’s radius of a distance from you to get the benefit. So it does require very close positioning of the other party members but it was a fun challenge to sort of have the whole team move in unison with the paladin.

[@cannyvalley8522]

Not having 3rd lv pact slots really hurts lockadin. By some design limitation, if you have level 2 warlock spell slots as well as normal lv2 spell slots, you cannot smite with pact slots before you expended all your normal spell slots. Or possible a bug.

[@danielhoffmann7138]

@@cannyvalley8522 oh wow I didn't know about this, this sucks. I might go classic 7-5 then and just live with 18 CHA

[@danielhoffmann7138]

@@jejo63660 yeah aura of protection is more of a self buff, but if you go full darkness party it might be reasonable to stack everyone together inside the darkness

[@cannyvalley8522]

@@danielhoffmann7138 Warlock 8 Paladin 4 could work, extra attack from pact of the blade and 3 feats

[@BryeGuy]

I love your videos

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks!

[@xtine579]

Are you a contractor bc your presentations got me like….. lol, sorry had to donate again for a good presentation. Love it

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the support :D

[@robbtc6419]

on the throwing knight, sometimes the bound weapon does not seem to return and you must spend an action to equip another weapon....is this a bug, can you prevent it?

[@notCalle]

If you combine #1 with #11 you get a Smite Swords Bard. Seems about right.

[@brunotassone4000]

I've been watching your videos for quite some time now, and I have a question: Are you a mathematician (or something of the sort)?

[@travishartzler9155]

I love throw builds, but sometimes the weapon coming back damages your character. I assume it's a glitch. But several times Karlach (or whoever) has gone from over half health to down for the count just because the weapon came back. And sometimes the weapon doesn't come back like it should, no matter how long wait. And if you've ever lost the pike or Nyrulna, it feels like a run-ender. Despite that, I almost always have a thrower on my team.

[@grittywaffle]

HELL YEAH

[@DanTheSupport]

11 Warlock guy, 10 Early game then druid guy, 9 Astarion, 7 Light Shadowheart, 6 Gale, 4 Karlack, 3 Me after level 4, 2 Laizel, (Ignore this comment. Its for my power builds runs.)

[@webdove123]

Hi. There is something about the PC build videos and party build videos that I do not understand. They describe the starting level classes for individual PCs or parties using origin characters (e.g. Gale) or companions (e.g. Jaheira). I don't understand how to create a starting party at level one using a combination of origin and companion characters where I get to choose their initial class and stats. Can you help me with that process?

[@webdove123]

I guess for the starting characters Withers appears during level 1, but for Jaheira how does one play her at her levels 1-3 of the game?

[@daveyfunk]

Surely the going to 11 has to be a Spinal Tap reference!!!

[@myfavoriteviewer306]

Most blokes, ya know, will be stopping their lists at 10. 10 here, list over, list over, list over. When you need your list to get that extra push off the clif... you put it to 11. 😂

[@YouWantIt1Way]

I think 9 Paladin/3 warlock should also be considered for the Lockadin. Level 3 spell slots, level 2 warlock spells, devils sight, and pact of the blade probably better than Paladin 12 if we’re going oathbreaker as well since we’re SAD.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Basically any level split can work! As long as you hit lock 3, pal 2 and at least 5 in one of them, your character will work fine

[@YouWantIt1Way]

@@Cephalopocalypse I agree though the higher warlock splits offer more flexibility with higher level spells

[@WhitneyHempsey]

Rogue Monk build is so fun to play

[@fahrenheit1304]

Everyone is talking about playing in honor mode. Tell me which class fun to play for the first playthrough? I plan to take Karlakh, Astarion into the party... Maybe Minthara. I don’t want to have restrictions in the form of oaths.

[@turbotime7605]

Just what ever you want. First play through should always just be doing your own thing and having fun.

[@VinhKhanhNgo-rr5vx]

If you play on Balance or Tactical then no need to care cause you have most powerful ability: save-scum. With that, you can play whatever you want without consequences so play everything you like and have fun. BG3 is a vast game so there will be many different interaction and you can try it all out.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Honestly I think you should just pick whatever you think looks coolest, you'll have the most fun exploring with something you feel drawn to. BUT I also did a whole series about this! You can find it under "totally objective fun tier list" :D

[@fahrenheit1304]

@@turbotime7605 But they say that fun can only happen if you choose classes with high charisma. Without charisma I will suffer in dialogues. A warrior or a wizard, for example, only have high intelligence. And am I forced to be a healer if I don’t take Shadowheart on the team?

[@fahrenheit1304]

@Cephalopocalypse And am I forced to be a healer if I don’t take Shadowheart on the team? Is it true that fun can only happen if you choose classes with high charisma for dialogs?