The Shadow Blade: d4

Our D&D 5e build this week is another attempt to build a character around a particular weapon. Only this time, the weapon also happens to be my favorite spell in the game :).
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Character Concept:(0:00)
Battlezoo! (Sponsor):(4:41)
Level 1:(7:27)
Levels 2-6:(12:10)
Levels 7-9:(26:18)
Levels 10-13:(36:39)
Levels 14-17:(44:13)
Final Thoughts:(47:12)
Outtakes:(50:38)
Math/Graph for this episode: docs.google.co...
Sustained DPR Comparisons (3 Tabs): docs.google.co...
Thanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! forums.giantit...)
Music Credits:
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[@jonathansnow7421]

If I had a nickel for every time this man uploaded a dope character build, I’d have five dollars. While isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened 100 times.

[@ThrawnIsAlive]

Great reference

[@ericharrison4067]

DOOM!

[@lukepoplawski3230]

MATHMATICAL!!

[@rollforbooty]

This is just an A+ comment lol

[@WolfHreda]

You deserve more likes.

[@rosenhell9025]

Congratulations Colby!!! 100 episodes is an awesome accomplishment. Now we have to see what comes next: 100k subs or episode 200. But seriously thank you so much for all the builds and enjoy the R&R with your family!!! We love you man!

[@sansasama299]

Congrats!

[@marcusescandinavo5310]

Congratulations to Brasil Colby for the 100th episode! About this combo, I found a way for it to work via RAW. You need the Weapon Thrower Fighting Style, which allows you to draw a weapon as part of the action used to attack. On your first turn, use the Action for Twilight Sanctuary and the Bonus Action for Bladesong. On your second turn, cast Shadowblade with the Bonus Action and do Attack and Extra Attack with it, then use your Object Interaction to switch hand Shadowblade. On your third turn you can draw a weapon with the Light and Throwing properties as part of the same Action used to Attack with it, thanks to your Fighting Style and since the Bladesinger's Extra Attack allows you and this Weapon provides the necessary material component, cast Booming Blade in this Attack, as you are holding the Shadowblade in your other hand at the time of the first Attack and it is a Different Weapon than the one that generated the trigger, make your Attack with the Bonus Action right after and then freely release the first Weapon on the ground and use your Object Interaction to switch hands with Shadowblade, doing your Extra Attack with it. On your fourth turn, make your Shadowblade Attack and use Object Interaction to switch hands, then as part of the same Action used to make your Extra Attack, draw another Throwing Weapon with the Light property and make your Extra Attack with Booming Blade, thus activating the trigger to make his Shadowblade Attack using the Bonus Action. On your fifth turn do your Attack using Booming Blade with the Weapon you were already holding, which again triggers your Attack with the Bonus Action using the Shadowblade and once again drop the first weapon on the ground freely, use your Interaction with Object to change the hand Shadowblade and make your Extra Attack with it and keep repeating these same steps... So for RAW the combo is 100 percent functional! Note that the Fighting Style requires the Weapon to have the Throwing Property, but doesn't require you to throw it, and Booming Blade requires the Attack to be Melee, so you won't gain the +2 bonus to damage provided by the Fighting Style . I hope I helped, sorry for my bad English and congratulations again for the great work!

[@davidpritchett855]

So something that some folks, I think, undervalue is the fact that shocking grasp removes the targets ability to have a reaction. The main use is so that you can shocking slap an enemy in melee then run and they won't get an attack of opportunity but it also applies when you are doing the opportunity attack. Reaction is refreshed at the start of the turn so if they are running then you can warcaster shocking slap their caboose and they will be so shocked by your actions they will be unable to use shield, uncanny dodge or similar damage mitigation abilities to protect themselves from you or someone else for the next round. This is a great way to shut down a squishy wizard who is dependent on a reaction to avoid damage very quickly.

[@vinspad3]

If you take the Fighter dip for Action Surge I *think* you could do: Attack 1: Shadowblade Attack 2: Booming Blade Bonus Action Weapon Attack Action Surge 1: Shadowblade Attack 2: Shocking Grasp Move Away Now you've (potentially) hit with Booming Blade and moved away without getting Attacks of Opportunity due to shocking grasp. Now, if the creature wants to attack you, they'd need to move setting off Booming Blade's movement damage. I really think a 2 level dip at the end of this character is worth it. The TWF damage works, second wind will be helpful, and action surge with elven accuracy means there's a lot of crit fishing for burst damage potential too.

[@WolfHreda]

The Bladesinger manages to give life to two otherwise bad cantrips: Shocking Grasp and Blade Ward. Being able to prevent reactions or reduce damage while also attacking? Wonderful. Now if only we could save True Strike.

[@comet9864]

@@WolfHreda couldn't an arcane trickster utilize true strike before letting out a sneak attack from stealth before combat starts if the party has the drop on an enemy?

[@averywatts2391]

@@comet9864 I know this has been six months but I would like to mention that advantage does not stack. You either have advantage or disadvantage on an attack, and if you have conditions causing both (no matter how many of each), you roll normally. True Strike would not do anything for your rogue in this situation other than replace what could have been another attack. You already have the advantage from being hidden from your target.

[@JadeHarleyCoffeeMug]

shadow blade flavored into a spear makes a great visual for a thrown weapon too!

[@DaraelDraconis]

While it would remove the free teleport, I really love the flavour of making this character a drow or half-drow, with their bladesinging and their Cleric levels both coming from a faith in Eilistraee. It's a perfect fit for the moonlight blade dancer.

[@givemeanaxe]

That's the way my bladesinger was built and lore'd for avernus. She was uber.

[@ClintonJohnson1]

If someone was building around a spell like shadow blade, I'd probably have them find a hilt that they could channel it through and would give that hilt a gold cost. Now they can definitely get a RAW bonus to their damage. Maybe the hilt is actually a staff and lets their shadow blade have reach. As long as you don't give the item out too early, it could give 1/2 PB bonus to attack and damage (rounding down). Or maybe it provides the dueling fighting style only for the shadow blade.

[@animefan3794]

I feel like if you went one level higher, it should be the 16th level of wizard, and for a feat one should take at that point on this build, you might actually get the most out of Dual Wielder. Replacing your shortsword/scimitar with a rapier, plus getting a small bump to AC when you have both it and your shadow blade, seems like a very natural progression and a decent method for consistency in both damage and survival.

[@Rom2814SK]

I’m usually a RAW kind of DM, but I’m a softy with Shadow Blade - I have a Bladesinger in my campaign, and I let her cast shadow blade OVER a magic sword. So much of the fun of D&D is getting cool magic items and using shadow blade does have multiple costs…

hero we need

[@madwithjacob]

Take as long as you need Colby. You have given us more than enough content these past two years to deserve time off.

[@Bootsofwings]

Randals art never ceases to amaze me, his art always has so much unique character and I love them all

[@McTacoDelight]

Shadar'kai Bladesinger Twilight Cleric? Oh, Colby. The edge lordness is strong in this one.

[@AnoNYmous-bz2ef]

"By shield of day, and shield of night We feed and grow, beyond all sight Your darkest self shall be our knight Wield the sword of unseen light" (I'm playing a Harengon that is this build. 2 Bladesinger, 1 Twilight atm. I might've taken a little it too early but free Sleep is good.)

[@Dave004]

Awesome as always, definitely the highlight of my day when a new build is released! Shadow Blade is such a great spell and I'm addicted to your other Bladesinger/Battlemaster build using Shadow Blade and Quick Toss. You may lose out on some higher Wizard spells in place of 3 levels of Fighter, but dang that consistent high damage (at least 4 rounds) is great and then there is that nova dmg with action surge and...just epic!

[@backlash660]

Congratulations on hitting the century mark Colby . Enjoy your time off with family , we will be here when you come back .

[@BLynn]

Congrats on your 100th episode. Level 1:(see above) [wizard 1 & race] Level 2:(see above) [wizard 2 & sub-class] Level 3:(@16:23) [wizard 3] Level 4:(@18:47) [wizard 4 & ASI] Level 5:(@20:29) [wizard 5] Level 6:(@24:10) [wizard 6] Level 7:(see above) [cleric 1 & sub-class] Level 8:(@31:02) [cleric 2] Level 9:(@34:23) [wizard 7] Level 10:(see above) [wizard 8 & ASI] Level 11:(@37:43) [wizard 9] Level 12:(@41:19) [wizard 10] Level 13:(@42:08) [wizard 11] Level 14:(see above) [wizard 12 & ASI] Level 15:(@44:26) [wizard 13] Level 16:(@44:58) [wizard 14] Level 17:(@45:43) [wizard 15]

[@thatoneguy1284]

You are a legend

[@kablueyjoe]

Took a bladesinger to level 20. Used many of your tips and tricks; and we are Eberon Adventure League with enforced RAW. One of the take always I learned is Glyph of warding is amazing. If you have access a bag of holding put a token inscribed in the bag with single charge of shadow blade or spirit shroud or any other concentration Bladesinger friendly spell on it. Two concentration spells or get to full power quicker. We took this one step farther and made a Demi plane with Glyphs with a verbal activation. Cheesy but fun single round one shot.

[@marchilber3021]

Colby hitting the centennial barrier, what an optimised optimiser! I have loved most episodes and liked the rest. Thank you for all of them and congrats.

[@cyrusrushton284]

Can’t believe we’re at 100 episodes, I remember stumbling upon some of your builds when we were still in single digits lol. Congratulations and I hope the future holds more amazing content as always!

[@gweria]

Honestly I was almost tearing up at the beginning as well 🥺 and honestly it's a huge milestone, it's okay to feel emotional about that. We love you Colby ❤️

[@DiscoCokkroach]

I'm not super deep into DnD 5e (I'm still playing through my first ever TTRPG campaign in 5e), so thank you explaining all of the abilities and such. It helps people like me to not be completely lost and have to look up everything. A very entertaining and informative watch! :D

[@cultivatedjerk5574]

Shadarkai + shadow blade for the 100th episode feels so right.

[@joshd4119]

this channel has brought me so much joy 100 episodes in a row

[@ErikkuBlade]

My sorlock just got a belt of frost giant strength, and I'm about to start using Shadow Blade, it really is a cool spell! I love how you used your 100th episode for one of your favorite spells! Fantastic video, these builds are always super fun! Enjoy your vacation, and looking forward to all your future builds!

[@peterthompson760]

Congratulations on Episode 100 and 50k+ Subscribers! "If you build it they will come." Twilight Sanctuary is a dynamic way to consistently gain advantage. Personally, if I'm going to use Booming Blade, on the round that I use Bladesong I up cast Bestow Curse (1d8 Necrotic Damage per attack) to 5th level to bypass concentration when available. Great video as always. I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

[@jeffadams9807]

This Is Now, My FAVORITE Of ALL Of Ur Bladesinger Builds, Great Job, Colby...

[@jesse1018]

I always wish Shadow of Moil was 1) non-concentration, and 2) accessible to a Shadow Blade build. They work so well together.

[@ProtoFire8]

I actually was surprised by your race! First, it was Wizard, then you still didn't choose Variant Human or Custom Lineage! Also, I really hate that Booming Blade with your off-hand weapon would definitely allow a Bladesinger to attack with Shadow Blade with two-weapon fighting. But it is an amazing combo!

[@MD-zi9if]

I'm playing a long bow focused Twilight Cleric right now. At level 2, we were crawling through a partly collapsed mine and I was using eyes of the night to drop Kruthiks at 150ft.

[@williambowen8054]

I was genuinely touched at the opener. Also not worried if you take a vacation. I'll be too busy playing my own shadow blade character.

[@alexbrekelmans3444]

100 episodes! Congrats Colby and thank you for continuing to inspire this wonderful community. Keep it up!

[@pnpgamer3934]

One good houserule related to shadowblade is would be to allow wand of the war mage or similar magic items to function into the shadowblade. Like maybe the wand fuses into the shadowblade, and you get the bonuses.

[@fenrismarks876]

My way around having Shadow Blade not work with booming blade is one of my characters that uses it has their spell focus is a gemstone inlaid inside a hilt of a dagger that is what they Channel through so having that item be their Channel effectively means that the weapon that they're channeling and casting the spell through the dagger just ends up becoming the Shadow Blade

[@xxtrczlmjrxx]

Congrats on 100 episodes, Colby! I just recommended your content to my players since they're all first timers and you explain everything so well. I really hope to see this channel grow even bigger

[@Stupacalypse82]

Colby, not only are you one of the most informative and entertaining D&D content creators on this platform, you are also the most welcoming, friendly, and wholesome. Congrats on 100! Here's to 100 more. We love ya, bud!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Thank you!!! :)

[@tsukikonosennin]

Congrats on 100 episodes!! I can’t believe you’ve made it this far! Here’s to 100 more episodes! Every time Colby brings up how common darkvision is my human, Kalashtar, variant human, tortle, and warforged party cries

[@mitchhaelann9215]

I did a Shadow Blade build for a game once, it was Bugbear (long reach and surprise attack) Warlock (Hexblade, pact of the Chain) with a 3-level dip of Rogue (Inquisitive) and a 6 level splash of Fighter (Echo Knight, Dueling) Warlock spell slots auto-scale, and they get Armor of Agathys. So Armor Up and conjure your blade first round, then go to town.

[@Narctic]

I recently started my first campaign as a bladesinger. I've watched all your videos on them and they seemed amazing I was just to shy to try it. Ofc I was going off of bladesinger 2.0 and was scratching my head with the dim/darkness for advantage. Turns out, without any coordination, my party member went twilight cleric.. now every combat is in dim or darkness. It's great! Thanks so much for your videos and Gratz on your 100th episode!

[@Inshokuten69]

Current character I am playing is a Bladesinger at level 10. Able to use booming blade etc with Shadowblade, and have Illusionist Bracers so I can repeat Boomblade hit with Shadowblade with bonus action. So I get 3 Shadowblade attacks, two of them stacking Booming Blade. It's glorious.

[@jimmyfreniere4335]

I'm curious as how you get your third Shadowblade attack ?

[@Inshokuten69]

@@jimmyfreniere4335 Illusionist Bracers is a magical item that lets you repeat a cantrip cast on your action using your bonus action.

[@jimmyfreniere4335]

@@Inshokuten69 serioulsy gonna look to get a pair of those ... forgot that it was cast on the Shadowblade for third attack 🤦‍♂

[@Inshokuten69]

@@jimmyfreniere4335 Just need a DM that lets you use the blade cantrips with shadowblade, and a party where you won't completely overshadow them. It's quite a large buff to damage, especially if you already have double/triple advantage, so if your other players aren't min maxed it can cause a lot of drama.

[@Honorablediscord2]

I am a fan of buying a scabbard and cast contingency and shadow blade on it in my down time with the trigger of placing my closed fist over it to speed up getting my spells up. great vid once again.

[@professionalbutler533]

Ever since I began my dnd journey, I’ve loved shadow blade and used it in many campaigns (one with an extremely similar build to this). I’m glad to see a video highlighting this spell.

[@airone8893]

Missing the usually scheduled episode today. I shall just listen to this one again😁

[@zicky8685]

Congrats on the 100 episodes Colby! I hope you enjoy your well-deserved break, and thank you for making such great content for us

[@linuxpenguin823]

Been watching you since the first Tasha’s builds! Thanks Colby for everything you do! Congrats on 100!

[@papervoxels]

First off, I just want to say this man is a witch lol Around a month ago I was talking with my buddies on discord about level 10 builds that I thought would be really powerful, the first of which was a Shadow Blade character, which is the reason I'm commenting today, but the reason he's a witch is because of his mention of his Shaman build lol After I detailed my level 10 Shadowblade build that day (and a level 10 artificer build that I won't go into) I became inspired to create my own custom D&D 5e class that was meant to be a caster version of a Barbarian, but primarily focused as a support class that I named the "Shaman", and around a week after I shared my class doc with my friends on our private server, this being from the deep posted his Shaman build and made me think I had lost my mind! lol I took psychology in my college days, so I know it's just parallel thinking brought on by Jung's theory of the collective unconscious, but I prefer to believe this man is an eldritch being that absorbs our creative thoughts through the internet lol As for my Shadow Blade build: Race: Dragonborn (I haven't picked up Fizban's, so I don't know if there's a better subrace that was added, but black or blue probably makes the most sense) Class: Level 10 Bard/College of Swords Fighting style: Dueling (I don't know if it works for shadow blade, but it's extra damage per hit prior to level 10) Extra Attack Feats: Defensive Duelist, Dragon Hide Magical Secrets: Shadow Blade, Spiritual Weapon (bonus action, no concentration) Combat setup: round 1 - upcast Spiritual Weapon at 4th level, round 2 - upcast Shadow Blade at 5th level Damage potential: 8d8 psychic damage + 2d8+(1 to 4) force damage per round base, potentially plus flourish damage, though just like dueling I don't know if flourishes can be applied to Shadow Blade. Grats on 100 episodes, and stay out of my brain! ;-P

[@Gunslinger199]

My new favorite build.

[@bigbbrendan]

I got into d&d not long after you started your channel. It's been an amazing journey getting to learn the intricacies of building characters through your very in depth analysis. I've watched every single episode and can't wait to see more of what you got cooking up!! Please continue sharing your knowledge with the community as it only helps it grow and thrive. I've learned so incredibly much from you and other KZbinrs and couldn't have gotten into the job y without you!

[@tobiasschmid9216]

This build is so inspirational! I had ideas for 3 different characters while you explained it!

[@X20Adam]

Congratulations Colby! I've been watching these since the beginning, and I've seen every episode so far. Excited to see what the next hundred have in store!

[@darthterrex861]

Congrats on the century mark Colby. Thanks for the dedication to quality content. Makes my drives to work go faster. At my table we allow booming blade and shadow blade to work as we think it should. Weapons are weapons. However we also allow a lot of other pretty crazy stuff, like no multiclass requirements. So ya Im playing a bladesinger with a 2 lvl dip in pally for smite and its glorious ! Congrats again!

[@ErikLeone]

Messed around with combining hexblade/twilight cleric on d&d beyond. Nasty combo.

[@robertsilvermyst7325]

My Sorcadin mains Shadow Blade as his primary weapon. I've two turn bloodied an ancient dragon between a lv 5 Shadow Blade and lv 4-5 smites on each attack (one of which crit). Plus being an Aberrant Mind Sorc, a quickened Dissonant Whispers has gained me an Attack of Opportunity on my opponents more often than not, which pairs amazingly well after you have Shadow Blade up. A quickened Lightning Lure is also great for pulling in enemies into melee range if you don't have the movement speed to reach them.

[@bewtybandit7975]

When you said Wisdom early on I knew you were gonna go Cleric, your previous builds inspired me to do something very similar. So glad you did as it helped finalize how I wanted to build mine. Love the channel BTW! I’m new to DND and your videos have helped me look really good at my table when they all thought I’d be a noob :)

[@charliebohnsack3461]

I'm actually playing in a game where I get to play two characters at once and I went with a fighter/bladesinger that uses shadowblade and a twilight cleric and the synergy is really nice!

[@phillipheaton9832]

Shadow Blade has to be cast at 5th level before it exceeds the damage output of the Flame-Tongue Great Sword. Not so! The trebuchet does way more damage and it is a non-magic, non-futuristic weapon. Make the assumption. Ensure everyone in the party has darkvision and always adventure at night. The you will always fight with advantage. Okay, okay, use prestidigitation on small fires and Darkness as necessary.

[@yodaleiaheehoo9960]

Some old school Enya surprising and awesome! Love this build there is just something about the rp of a character that can manifest their weapons, it’s why I really enjoyed your soul knife build as well.

[@evanantor3402]

Colby, I would love to see a gunslinger build. If you could make one, that would be awesome! :) Have an amazing break with your family!

[@stephennapier9076]

I recently made a Shadar Kai Lvl 5 Hexblade Warlock . At lvl 1 we got a free feat and Eldridge Adept is what I got so I got an invocation at lvl 1 . The Dm allowed my character to invocation into class skills abilities ( but they don't lvl up.) I chose Echo Manifestation from Echo Fighter. My DM allowed the echoes to give advantage so it helps both me and my party members along with scouting and possibly having an enemy waste a turn on something I can just summon back for free. Even if any other DM does not allow what I was given the echo manifestation itself is amazing. Id love to see your take on the class with how you strategize. I recently found your videos a couple months ago and appreciate everything I've learned from you do. Thank you very much Hexblade has never been more fun

[@timovandervalk679]

My prediction for the build is a Bladesinger Twilight Cleric, for always having advantage inside the twilight sanctuary. Also since Spiritual Weapon does not requie concentration, you could also flavour it as your second magic sword, dual wielding blades made of shadow and light, that would be awesome! Edit: Spoiler: - - - - - - - Nice, I was halfway right. It is a shame Spiritual Weapon would use WIS in this case. But Maybe something similar would be possible with a Warlock/Divine soul Sorcerer? It would still require DEX for Shadow Blade and CHA for the Spiritual Weapon, at least not also int.

[@dragonhearthx8369]

My prediction is shadow sorcerer rouge. So you can twin cast shadow blade. But if you switch rouge for twilight cleric that would be better.

[@Darkcur]

@@dragonhearthx8369 you can't twin shadow blade 😭

[@dragonhearthx8369]

@@Darkcur why not?

[@Darkcur]

@@dragonhearthx8369 I don't remember why but I remember that you can't.

[@dragonhearthx8369]

@@Darkcur if it has to do with concentration, then that is false. You can twin concentration spells its just that both go away when you break concentration.

[@WRCannon]

I didn’t start playing D&D until mid-2020 and I remember your early builds were my first taste of optimization. Very much looking forward to the next 100

[@wacpas]

I love the shadow blade and so far was able to convince my DMs to let me use it with BB/GFB :D

[@PjotrV1971]

I had a lot of fun with Shadow Blade on my half-drow Divine Soul. Took it mostly because it doesn't require material components and we started the campaign in the Underdark - where basically it's always dim light!

[@lkeasbey1]

I would like to quote the PHB in my green flame shadow blade defence: >Hiring someone to cast a relatively common spell of 1st or 2nd level, such as cure wounds or identify, is easy enough in a city or town, and might cost 10 to 50 gold pieces (plus the cost of any expensive material components). As we can see, a second level spell slot is worth more than 1sp. Because shadow blade costs a second level spell slot, it is worth more than 1sp.

[@seancohen339]

I just created a character with this guide as a focus and I am really liking the thematic of using darkness with the twilight cleric and using dim lighting for advantage with shadow blade

[@AgentForest]

With Twilight Sanctuary, I felt the best way to deal with the lighting issue is to just make the "overriding rules" from other light/dark spells universal. Darkness says that it will overpower any natural light source, or any magical light source of a lower level. Daylight is the same, overpowering any source of magical darkness of a lower level. I just apply that philosophy to all magical light. The highest level spell wins out. Since this is a magical effect, but not a spell, it's basically above natural lighting, but below magical lighting. If a torch enters Twilight Sanctuary, it can't give off light above "dim". If the Light cantrip is cast in the area, its radius would overpower the dim light. Any spell affecting light would overpower the aura's dim light (but not the benefits granted by Twilight Sanctuary like temp HP). I feel like this is a fair trade for such a strong ability.

[@Trollie2000]

I was overjoyed when you said 'twilight cleric', Thank you for the amazing builds you've made so far

[@brucemartin1420]

I love that you take into account different tables and how dms might play. I’ve seen some videos that are obviously misuse of rules I comment how I would deal with it at my table and I get really negative responses As long as a player has good reasoning (and it’s not explicitly against the rules/ hidden behind class abilities or feats.) I let them do it. Saying that… SB into booming into SB checks out 👍

[@Veledan]

Colby you made it to 100! Fantastic work my friend. Not a day goes by that I regret being a supporter of your work and channel, and I've used several of your builds already in my campaigns. My brother in Bladesinging, I wish you ever increasing success for your next 100 episodes, and I know I'll be there for every single one of them. Cheers!

[@windrunner617]

I play a blade singer with a shadow blade, and all the other guides I saw said I shouldn’t. But like you shadow blade is one of my favorite spells. Then I found your original blade singer video and you always seem to have the same tastes as me. Congrats on 100!

[@GryphonDes]

100 Episodes is FANTASTIC! Grats! Heck of a build to celebrate with ! Enjoy your vacation too!

[@dicksonmattxenoblade6491]

Nice video. Unfortunately it looks like my Spiritual Weapon and Shadow Blade build suggestion (which I have dubbed the Double Lightsaber) will have to wait another day. This video might still be helpful for that build though. Still a great video as always Colby. Congrats on 100 episodes. Edit: Spoiler for Video 46:11 Apparently they didn’t think anyone would use Shadow Blade with a 9th Level slot, but definitely thought people would use Spiritual Weapon with a 9th Level slot.

[@Sethern]

Yesssss I love love LOVE shadow blade! I love brainstorming builds around it, can’t wait to see your take!

[@joshuadefriese1907]

Colby, your channel has given me a lot of inspiration for characters and story ideas, and I’m always motivated to break out a new character sheet after a video of yours. Thanks for doing what you do, and congratulations on 100 episodes! Glad to be here for so many more!

[@themightymoose5047]

#100 episodes people! Thanks for all your hard work Colby! I love these episodes. They've become my treat to listen to while mowing the lawn haha. Have you thought about doing some optimized party builds? Maybe less in depth on each character, but finding groups of builds that work well together.

[@DnDDeepDive]

Thought about but haven’t yet committed to more than two for any one episode ;)

[@themightymoose5047]

@@DnDDeepDive I loved the mount and blade - I don't have any party members that way to try it, but I may try to just rock the mount part with a halfing on a mastiff for our next one shot. Maybe go paladin just to get find steed for scaling.

[@OrangeKnightStretch]

Woohoo! Congratulations and enjoy the vacation. This will be a great period of time for me to go back and enjoy some older character concepts I haven’t watched yet.

[@kristianwilliams6665]

Congratulations on 100 episodes Colby! You will always be my favorite D&D build channel. Probably my favorite D&D channel out there! Keep up the amazing work my dude!

[@Calebgoblin]

Dude even though I don't really like optimizing I just like to listen to your voice for DnD asmr

[@MihaiBathory]

Love your videos - now I have to go back and make sure that I've 'liked' and commented on all the ones I've seen.

[@DnDDeepDive]

Thanks!

[@Flamingtaco109]

Grats on the 100 episodes! Your channel has help me get through the lonely days of remote working! Im actually playing a drow full bladesinger that focuses on shadowblade/physic damage through curse of stradh. One of the other players is playing a drow twilight cleric and in game our characters often clash in ideals and actions we take (we communicate with each other and the dm when the rp gets heated) Definitly would've been interesting to multiclass in that domain like your build. Well done and thanks for the amazing content

[@Onorel]

Enjoy your vacation Colby!

[@RulesLawyerDnD]

So you were right. I was wrong. This combo works with two weapon fighting and is in fact RAW. Because there are no rules for main and off hand. I was in fact mistaken. Sorry and congratulations this is an amazing build.

[@dragos26]

Congrats for 100 episodes💪 I ve seen all of them and the "evolution" of your videos is amazing. Already can't wait for the next one

[@scalpmountain]

Holy shit!! I joined when you had like 1.5K and now you're on 51K subs. Well done lad. Can't wait for the 100k special.

[@GaryBoyles342]

A break after 100 is totally reasonable! You deserve it, considering how hard it can be to create new and unusual things all the time.

[@MenschWerdeWesentlich]

I love this build and I’ve been looking forward to playing it again ever since I came up with almost exactly the same build for my first character in D&D nearly two years ago. Shadar kai bladesinger with twilight dip. Itemwise a cloak of the bat (we made the of the raven) is my favorite for this character.

[@noelkreher1955]

I recently played an Arcane Trickster Rogue in a Oneshot and my DM allowed Booming Blade in Combination with Shadow Blade which felt awesome!

[@azidal3755]

I think the funniest thing is you discussing different issues to keep in mind in your many, many other bladesinger videos.

[@SilasC]

Some DMs will say that the bonus attack has to be with the normal sword. You take the attack action with the Shadow Blade so you use the bonus attack with the blade in the other hand. (although you had an attack using the other blade in the middle - so it will be Shadow Blade + Blooming Blade Normal Sword + Normal Sword)

[@SilasC]

The opposite would be Normal Sword + Blooming Blade Normal Sword + Bonus action Shadow Blade (same result)

[@pierfrancescorubini2899]

Coolest weapon? Shadow blade , right for the success of your show

[@stephenchisholm3288]

Have a great holiday, you got all emotional when saying thank you, we love you too

[@KevinGarrisonVA]

At my table, I'd probably rule that you could use booming blade/green flame blade with shadow blade, but you'd have to pay the 1 silver (which the spell consumes) every time you wanted to use it. So effectively, a silver piece would be another form of material component.

[@gregcampbell2977]

Love you too Colby. Your videos are fun, informative and entertaining 👏 Congrats on your Century! Many more to come I hope!! Enjoy your time off with your family. Cherish it ❤️

[@matthewbouboulis4840]

Before I even watch congratulations on 100 build videos 50k subscribers. Hope you had a great vacation. Thank you. Kudos to you.

[@skullmonkey3047]

interesting solution for the "magic weapon" issue. You're Patron is the Raven Queen (very lore friendly for a Shadar Kai) and as part of your pact you're able to wreath your weapon in the energy of the shadowfell thus allowing you to use your pact weapon as a "shadowblade" but with the + to hit and + damage bonus granted to you by your pact weapon (the weapon's base damage is replaced by the shadowblade's damage). A small change but surprisingly potent.

[@comfortablegrey]

Grats on 50k and 100 episodes! There is a lot of harmony to this being your 100th.

[@phillipheaton9832]

Woo Hoo! !00 Character builds! Congratulations Colby!

[@justinaakre2705]

100!!! Congrats Colby!

[@TheNerd389]

You could always try a house rule where you cast Shadow Blade on top of an existing weapon such as a dagger (to match the simple/finesse/light/thrown properties) or short sword (you could fire the shadow from it to add the thrown property). The spell does not require that the hand you create the blade in to be empty, after all. This would circumvent the issue with "1 silver piece" and Booming Blade. The flavor opportunities are pretty strong if you do that as well.

[@TheNerd389]

Or use a fancy hilt to create the blade on. Shadow Saber anyone?

[@couver73]

Congrats on the 100th build! In other news, I did wanna state something regarding the Shadow Blade+Blade Cantrip combo: Players, *ask your DM* if you can use the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide version of Booming/Green-Flame Blade instead of the one in Tasha's. If they say yes, then you have solved the biggest issue with the combo. Because with how it is RAW in Tasha's, it's explicit that you must use a melee weapon with the 1 SP cost and attack with it. No room for interpretation. Hopefully that solves your problems.

[@MacMcNurgle]

As a player I like this channel. As a DM I like it more. The encouragement to drive for a thematic character is awesome. Some DM's I've played with feel threatened by powerful builds. When I ask, they mention that it makes encounter design harder. Pshh. I make my monsters thematic as well. Once did a campaign where teh bad guy monks got stronger as their buddies were killed off. Fun! Thanks.

[@TheChocoXCheese]

Idk why, but you always telling yourself "don't say that yet" in the bloopers at the end never gets old.