Questions tagged [optimization]
For questions pertaining to the positive aspects of character optimization, often abbreviated as CharOp. (If dealing with player problems relating to optimization, use the [powergaming] tag instead.)
1,117
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Is there enough disparity between the classes to put them into tiers?
I'm interested in the balance of this new edition's classes. Are casters still noticeably more effective in almost all situations than non casters?
4
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1
answer
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Pathfinder 2e help with a kobold draconic instinct barbarian build [closed]
Hello all I'm new to Pathfinder 2e and wanted to make a melee kobold barbarian with Dragon Instinct for the Crown of the Kobold King adventure. I'm not sure if its viable? We are using point by in the ...
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1
answer
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How does Anarchomancer handle a high Leadership score?
In Dragon Magazine #315, a prestige class called
Anarchomancer
was introduced.. It comes with a class feature called "Ritual of the Dark Infiltrator", which is described thusly:
Ritual of ...
15
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3
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Can a "theurge" prestige class increase the level of a different "theurge" prestige class?
Consider a build something along these lines:
Wizard (some levels)
Cleric (some levels)
Mystic Theurge (advancing Wizard and Cleric spellcasting)
Binder (some levels)
Anima Mage (advancing Binder and ...
5
votes
2
answers
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How to capitalise on high Charisma in a melee build?
I'm building a Knight Commander. I want him to be a melee support character, passively improving the performance of his party by auras, a fair deal of tankiness and a reasonable damage dealing ...
16
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5
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What is the lowest-level character that can unfailingly beat the Beginner Box starting encounter?
This is the PF2e version of my similar question on D&D 5e's Starter Set.
For a lot of players, the Pathfinder Beginner Box was their first 2e adventure. The first encounter from the included ...
5
votes
1
answer
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Can a Beguiler benefit from Greyhawk Method?
Beguiler
The Beguiler class is a fixed-list spontaneous arcane caster; a Beguiler PC gets access to spells from the Beguiler list as it levels up and can cast them spontaneously.
A beguiler casts ...
35
votes
5
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What is the lowest level character that can unfailingly beat the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure's starting encounter?
For a lot of players, Lost Mine of Phandelver from the D&D Starter Set was their first 5e adventure. The first encounter from that adventure is rather swingy, like many level 1 combats. PCs may ...
2
votes
1
answer
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Is it a viable tactic to use a flurry of blows monk to mass grapple a single target?
Can anyone help illustrate or explain the statistical advantages or disadvantages in using flurry of blows to make multiple grapple attempts against a target in the hopes of overwhelming them and &...
6
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2
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What is the greatest number of flowers I can create within a week?
After I had some issues following the and perhaps driven by visits of my mother-in-law (and again), this year she decided to pay me a visit on valentines day, which means I have a whole week (7 days) ...
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What options do non-Gunslingers have to mitigate the Reload property?
I’m building a character for an Alkenstar based campaign that is going to want to use a firearm. But, I’m not building a Gunslinger. Gunslingers have access to a Slinger’s Reload, which provides ...
67
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Is Greatsword superior to Greataxe?
Greataxe
6.5 (1d12) slashing Heavy, Two-Handed
Greatsword
7 (2d6) slashing Heavy, Two-Handed
This is why I think Greatsword is superior to Greataxe:
Slightly higher average damage
Higher ...
4
votes
1
answer
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How can an epic spell-to-power erudite manifest 9th-level spells?
Is there a way that an erudite (Complete Psionic 153-6) with the expanded class option convert spell to power (The Mind's Eye Web column "Expanded Classes, Part Four: Ardent, Divine Mind, Lurk, ...
5
votes
1
answer
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Adding more spells to champion of Gwynharwyf spell list
I have an interest in the champion of Gwynharwyf’s ability to cast its spells while raging.
Furious Casting (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a champion of Gwynharwyf can cast her champion spells even ...
3
votes
1
answer
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"Free" Metamagic for necromantic incantatrixes?
Weird, weird combination with many splat-books and Dragon magazine, with a heavy focus on Libris Mortis.
Preface
Fell Frighten (Libris Mortis, p27) feat:
You can alter a spell that deals damage to ...
2
votes
2
answers
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Bard Feat Optimization: Buff/Control/Face
I'm building a bard for DND 3.5. I am trying to plan my feats out into the future. We expect to play this campaign to level 20 over the course of 5-6 years.
Roleplaying wise, my character is the ...
3
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2
answers
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Is there any reason not to put the +1 level of existing class features from Uncanny Trickster into Uncanny Trickster?
The members of our group always take infinite effective levels of Uncanny Trickster when they take the second level of the class, in addition to the +1 to whatever other class they're exceeding the ...
6
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2
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What is the highest single-target damage possible in a nova round by a solo character at level 7?
Assuming the following;
No magic items
No pre-combat preparation outside of very-long duration buffs
No aid by party members
The character starts within movement range of the target
The target has 16 ...
4
votes
2
answers
676
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Is this armor the best my character can get?
I have an epic character in a game where epic armors and shields can go up to a +20 effective bonus and up to a +10 enhancement bonus at most, with enough money to buy a +20 armor and eventually a +20 ...
4
votes
1
answer
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Optimizing challenge: Oozemorph - Making the most of Fluidic Body and only 1 level of Shifter
I'm playing an unconventional Oozemorph, specifically the rules are:
No house rules.
A maximum of 1 level of Oozemorph Shifter.
1st party Paizo Pathfinder releases, no 3rd party.
The Oozemorph ...
6
votes
2
answers
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How quickly can a Plant Companion of a Druid manifest new abilities through Natural Selection?
The Natural Selection of the Plant Companion ACF reads, in part:
Each new ability has a delay in levels between when you select it and when your plant companion gains it. You may select a new ability ...
3
votes
1
answer
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Could both sides of a multi-caster gestalt use Cleric Spell Access from the Rainbow Servant PrC?
The capstone ability of the Rainbow Servant prestige class states:
Cleric Spell Access: A 10th-level rainbow servant can learn and cast spells from the cleric list, even if they don't appear on the ...
14
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2
answers
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Gaining the maximum bonus to your Counterspell check?
Counterspell checks are unmodified Ability Checks made when the spell you are attempting to stop is higher level than your Counterspell:
If it is casting a spell of 4th level or higher, make an ...
9
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2
answers
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What is the highest level 1 persuasion bonus you can have?
I'm going to start playing a one shot where the DM told us to make the most annoying level 1 characters we could, so I thought that you guys could help me out with finding the highest possible level 1 ...
26
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2
answers
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How does a damage dealing Wizard use higher level spell slots optimally?
In D&D 5e, one of the neat features for spell casting is the ability to cast spells at higher levels than the spell is originally set at. For Clerics, this makes it handy such that Cure Wounds, ...
3
votes
2
answers
318
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What are the best "Gatekeeping" feats to take for use with the Chameleons Floating Bonus Feat?
Context:
So my old group finished our last short campaign and I'm in the process of doing character planning - this time I'm leaning towards a Chameleon. Either a Human Chameleon or a Changeling ...
13
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2
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I want to optimize a combat summoner, viable from level 1-20
What I'd like out of the build
The Goal of this Build is to create a Demon/undead focused summoner any and all optimization suggestions should be made with that as the end goal.
This is for pathfinder ...
7
votes
2
answers
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How to optimise an elven melee bard?
The challenge here is creating a bard character that has to be some flavor of pure blooded elf and utilises that to help in its melee abilities.
I was thinking Valor with maybe High Elf for booming ...
3
votes
2
answers
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Is there a way to mix Unarmed Strike Damage with Natural Attack Damage or vice versa?
I want to maximize my damage output on my character by Finding a way to add his Unarmed Strike Damage to his Natural Attacks.
If there are ways to do this I would also Like to know at what levels it ...
6
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1
answer
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How high can a PC jump given the following constraints?
My Grappler Bard player wants to do a Seismic Toss and I want him to achieve this. My question is, how high can a PC jump when grappling a medium-sized creature, given the following constraints:
...
4
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1
answer
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What is the maximum achievable height of a creature self-concentrating under the spell Fly?
How high can someone go using only one (1) fly spell? No other means of movement or ways to change your position are allowed besides movement under fly. Assume a level 20 character with all stats at ...
3
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1
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Does the Dueling Fighting Style deal more damage than an ASI?
The Fighting Initiate feat from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything allows anybody proficient with a martial weapon to pick up a Fighting Style option from the fighter class.
For someone who does not ...
4
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4
answers
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How does the Ranger Whirlwind Attack feature compare to the Volley feature?
The goal of this question is to compare both Ranger level 11 features Whirlwind Attack & Volley and examine their comparative strengths and weaknesses for Rangers.
Whirlwind Attack
You can ...
1
vote
1
answer
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How do class features interact in Gestalt?
Under the Gestalt rules, how does class features of one "side" affect the class features of the other?
To illustrate the question, and in my specific case, let us look at a Wizard 2//...
15
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How to optimize a TWF Barbarian Elf
A little backstory:
One of my earliest DnD characters was a Two-Weapon-Fighting Purple-haired Barbarian Elf. He was immensely popular due to his unorthadox nature as a war-loving elf that embraced ...
24
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2
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Create the most broken race that is 'balanced' according to Detect Balance
Any discussion for a homebrew race will always have Detect Balance used to calculate how balanced the race is. I'm curious to see how much the tool can be abused.
Thus my challenge is to create a ...
24
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4
answers
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What is the maximum possible Stealth bonus?
I realised we do not have a version of this rather (in)famous optimization problem: What is the maximum possible bonus to a Dexterity (Stealth) check?
Bonus is here taken to mean anything that is ...
18
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4
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Does the Ranger's Companion synergize with the Ranger?
The Ranger Beast Master subclass gets an animal companion under the ranger companion ability, which for free can move about the battle field, or using the Ranger's action can make an attack. Being a ...
5
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4
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Gold Dragonborn Sorcerer level 3. ASI or Elemental Adept at level 4?
My Gold Dragonborn Sorcerer is level 3, 18 CHA, +4 modifier.
I'm trying to build Pyro from Team Fortress 2 in D&D 5e, and I'm optimizing for high fire damage.
Should I take the ASI to get a +7 ...
3
votes
1
answer
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What is the expected hit chance?
(inspired by this answer)
A cursory look thru the Bestiary has shown values ranging from 12 to 19 (plus level).
Did anyone collect the data, or has seen any guidelines from the creators?
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2
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What are the best buff spells for a 10th level party to use on a fighter for a 1v1 arena vs a dragon?
A party consisting of a 10th level fighter, wizard, druid, and cleric are in a situation where the fighter will be planeshifted into a planar arena to fight a dragon. They don't know the nature of ...
5
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1
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What means exist to increase more than three skills to Expert/Master/Legendary?
As a character levels up in Pathfinder 2e, at every odd numbered level, they can increase their level of training in one skill. From Untrained to Trained, or, starting at level 3, from Trained to ...
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In what circumstances (if any) is Fighter 3 a good level to take?
I've heard a lot about how Fighter 3 is a bad level to take. However, are there ever any circumstances in 3.x where it is a good idea for optimisation purposes?
I'd appreciate hearing the reasoning ...
13
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5
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How can I build a tank out of the fighter class?
I need to build a tank for a party limited to the classic four: cleric, fighter, rogue, wizard. He should have following abilities:
Prevent other party members from harm in direct martial ...
9
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6
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How to calculate the added expected damage from critical hits?
When optimizing character builds, it is common to use the average expected damage to estimate damage output. Calculating the average of a single die is simple, fixed modifiers are then added to it to ...
2
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2
answers
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When does Polearm Master deal more damage than an ASI?
Would a fighter deal more expected damage by picking the Polearm Master feat at any point before they maxed their Strength, or is it better to first always increase your Strength in terms of damage? ...
5
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Does Great Weapon Master deal more expected damage than an ASI?
Some people claim that an ASI normally contributes more than any given feat. It is nearly always better than the Dual Wielder feat. However, the Crossbow Expert feat is better damage than an ASI (at ...
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3
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If the campaign ends at level 4, does it make any sense to take level 4 of Paladin compared to multiclassing as Warlock?
My current mini-campaign has come to it's finale and we just advanced to level 4 ahead of the final episode. My Paladin has been doing great so far, but when looking at what he gains at level 4 ASI ...
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Is Electric Arc much stronger than other cantrips?
Electric Arc seems to be much stronger in combat than other cantrips. Damage and DPR for it and some select comparisons:1
Cantrip
Damage
DPR
Range
Electric Arc
3d4 + 4 (11.5)
( 0.05 × 2 + 0.45 + 0....
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What's the earliest a champion can have a focus pool of 3?
In Pathfinder 2e, some classes have access to a focus pool. Each pool has a certain number of focus points, which can be used to cast spells.
I'm playing a champion and intending on making extensive ...