Can you really stack all of this on an Opportunity Attack?Do rogues get sneak attack damage added to attacks made outside their turn?Can I trigger an Opportunity Attack by forcing an opponent to move out of my reach?Do bonuses against Opportunity Attacks stack?Nimble Melee Sorcerer HelpCan you use your Attack of Opportunity to Shove?Can you cast the Shield spell against an opportunity attack?Can you combo attacks with the Booming Blade cantrip?For battlefield control, what’s the optimum mix of a Paladin dipping Warlock?Looking for non-overpowered spell-like effects on a weapon instead of +1 weaponCan you react to an opportunity attack?Can you disengage past multiple enemies with no opportunity attack?Can you make an opportunity attack against a moving object?
A newer friend of my brother's gave him a load of baseball cards that are supposedly extremely valuable. Is this a scam?
Example of a continuous function that don't have a continuous extension
How to format long polynomial?
Has the BBC provided arguments for saying Brexit being cancelled is unlikely?
If I cast Expeditious Retreat, can I Dash as a bonus action on the same turn?
Why can't I see bouncing of a switch on an oscilloscope?
Can an x86 CPU running in real mode be considered to be basically an 8086 CPU?
What would happen to a modern skyscraper if it rains micro blackholes?
How to say job offer in Mandarin/Cantonese?
How do I create uniquely male characters?
Prove that NP is closed under karp reduction?
Why doesn't H₄O²⁺ exist?
Why Is Death Allowed In the Matrix?
What typically incentivizes a professor to change jobs to a lower ranking university?
How old can references or sources in a thesis be?
What are the differences between the usage of 'it' and 'they'?
Theorem, big Paralist and Amsart
Is it important to consider tone, melody, and musical form while writing a song?
What does CI-V stand for?
To string or not to string
Minkowski space
Why do I get two different answers for this counting problem?
Why do falling prices hurt debtors?
Do VLANs within a subnet need to have their own subnet for router on a stick?
Can you really stack all of this on an Opportunity Attack?
Do rogues get sneak attack damage added to attacks made outside their turn?Can I trigger an Opportunity Attack by forcing an opponent to move out of my reach?Do bonuses against Opportunity Attacks stack?Nimble Melee Sorcerer HelpCan you use your Attack of Opportunity to Shove?Can you cast the Shield spell against an opportunity attack?Can you combo attacks with the Booming Blade cantrip?For battlefield control, what’s the optimum mix of a Paladin dipping Warlock?Looking for non-overpowered spell-like effects on a weapon instead of +1 weaponCan you react to an opportunity attack?Can you disengage past multiple enemies with no opportunity attack?Can you make an opportunity attack against a moving object?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
$begingroup$
I've stumbled upon a character idea which has quite the potentially to screw someone if they run from you, and I want to know if it is legal in the rules.
A high elf rogue/cleric with the booming blade cantrip and war caster. In theory you get the damage from the weapon, sneak attack (if not used this round), divine strike (if you have it) and booming blade once you hit and the moment he moves...
As example, a rogue 3/cleric 8 character, with rapier would get
7d8 (1 rapier, 2 booming blade, 1 divine strike and 3 once he moves) +
2d6 (sneak attack)
+ dex bonus.
Is everything correct here per the rules?
If so, I think that's pretty insane for something that doesn't really costs any resources.
dnd-5e opportunity-attack
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I've stumbled upon a character idea which has quite the potentially to screw someone if they run from you, and I want to know if it is legal in the rules.
A high elf rogue/cleric with the booming blade cantrip and war caster. In theory you get the damage from the weapon, sneak attack (if not used this round), divine strike (if you have it) and booming blade once you hit and the moment he moves...
As example, a rogue 3/cleric 8 character, with rapier would get
7d8 (1 rapier, 2 booming blade, 1 divine strike and 3 once he moves) +
2d6 (sneak attack)
+ dex bonus.
Is everything correct here per the rules?
If so, I think that's pretty insane for something that doesn't really costs any resources.
dnd-5e opportunity-attack
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
My question is if I'm missing something, cause 9 dice of dmg on a single attack that only costs your reaction seems pretty insane...
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
thanks for clarifying! I have made some edits to your question to help make that clearer so we can get you an answer. :)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
yesterday
5
$begingroup$
You mention War Caster, but you haven't mentioned how you're using it. I think you need to include a bullet-by-bullet explanation of what happens and how you're doing it. Right now, there's no direct indication of how you're making all that stuff happen, just that you're claiming it all happens.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
3
$begingroup$
How is sneak attack used? Does this assume the there is an enemy of the target within 5 feet of them?
$endgroup$
– GcL
yesterday
$begingroup$
@Bash Please see this meta for why your comment was removed. Thanks!
$endgroup$
– doppelgreener♦
yesterday
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I've stumbled upon a character idea which has quite the potentially to screw someone if they run from you, and I want to know if it is legal in the rules.
A high elf rogue/cleric with the booming blade cantrip and war caster. In theory you get the damage from the weapon, sneak attack (if not used this round), divine strike (if you have it) and booming blade once you hit and the moment he moves...
As example, a rogue 3/cleric 8 character, with rapier would get
7d8 (1 rapier, 2 booming blade, 1 divine strike and 3 once he moves) +
2d6 (sneak attack)
+ dex bonus.
Is everything correct here per the rules?
If so, I think that's pretty insane for something that doesn't really costs any resources.
dnd-5e opportunity-attack
$endgroup$
I've stumbled upon a character idea which has quite the potentially to screw someone if they run from you, and I want to know if it is legal in the rules.
A high elf rogue/cleric with the booming blade cantrip and war caster. In theory you get the damage from the weapon, sneak attack (if not used this round), divine strike (if you have it) and booming blade once you hit and the moment he moves...
As example, a rogue 3/cleric 8 character, with rapier would get
7d8 (1 rapier, 2 booming blade, 1 divine strike and 3 once he moves) +
2d6 (sneak attack)
+ dex bonus.
Is everything correct here per the rules?
If so, I think that's pretty insane for something that doesn't really costs any resources.
dnd-5e opportunity-attack
dnd-5e opportunity-attack
edited yesterday
Rubiksmoose
60.8k10292448
60.8k10292448
asked yesterday
CrazyRabitCrazyRabit
743
743
$begingroup$
My question is if I'm missing something, cause 9 dice of dmg on a single attack that only costs your reaction seems pretty insane...
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
thanks for clarifying! I have made some edits to your question to help make that clearer so we can get you an answer. :)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
yesterday
5
$begingroup$
You mention War Caster, but you haven't mentioned how you're using it. I think you need to include a bullet-by-bullet explanation of what happens and how you're doing it. Right now, there's no direct indication of how you're making all that stuff happen, just that you're claiming it all happens.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
3
$begingroup$
How is sneak attack used? Does this assume the there is an enemy of the target within 5 feet of them?
$endgroup$
– GcL
yesterday
$begingroup$
@Bash Please see this meta for why your comment was removed. Thanks!
$endgroup$
– doppelgreener♦
yesterday
add a comment |
$begingroup$
My question is if I'm missing something, cause 9 dice of dmg on a single attack that only costs your reaction seems pretty insane...
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
thanks for clarifying! I have made some edits to your question to help make that clearer so we can get you an answer. :)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
yesterday
5
$begingroup$
You mention War Caster, but you haven't mentioned how you're using it. I think you need to include a bullet-by-bullet explanation of what happens and how you're doing it. Right now, there's no direct indication of how you're making all that stuff happen, just that you're claiming it all happens.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
3
$begingroup$
How is sneak attack used? Does this assume the there is an enemy of the target within 5 feet of them?
$endgroup$
– GcL
yesterday
$begingroup$
@Bash Please see this meta for why your comment was removed. Thanks!
$endgroup$
– doppelgreener♦
yesterday
$begingroup$
My question is if I'm missing something, cause 9 dice of dmg on a single attack that only costs your reaction seems pretty insane...
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
My question is if I'm missing something, cause 9 dice of dmg on a single attack that only costs your reaction seems pretty insane...
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
thanks for clarifying! I have made some edits to your question to help make that clearer so we can get you an answer. :)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
yesterday
$begingroup$
thanks for clarifying! I have made some edits to your question to help make that clearer so we can get you an answer. :)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
yesterday
5
5
$begingroup$
You mention War Caster, but you haven't mentioned how you're using it. I think you need to include a bullet-by-bullet explanation of what happens and how you're doing it. Right now, there's no direct indication of how you're making all that stuff happen, just that you're claiming it all happens.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
You mention War Caster, but you haven't mentioned how you're using it. I think you need to include a bullet-by-bullet explanation of what happens and how you're doing it. Right now, there's no direct indication of how you're making all that stuff happen, just that you're claiming it all happens.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
3
3
$begingroup$
How is sneak attack used? Does this assume the there is an enemy of the target within 5 feet of them?
$endgroup$
– GcL
yesterday
$begingroup$
How is sneak attack used? Does this assume the there is an enemy of the target within 5 feet of them?
$endgroup$
– GcL
yesterday
$begingroup$
@Bash Please see this meta for why your comment was removed. Thanks!
$endgroup$
– doppelgreener♦
yesterday
$begingroup$
@Bash Please see this meta for why your comment was removed. Thanks!
$endgroup$
– doppelgreener♦
yesterday
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
You usually get everything but Divine Strike (which only works during your turn)
- The rapier deals 1d8 + Dexterity modifier damage.
Booming blade as an 11th level character deals an extra 2d8 if the character doesn't move (3d8 more if they do).- Sneak attack adds 2d6 even if you've used in a previous turn this round (see below, emphasis mine, and this related question).
Once per turn [not once per round], you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
The only thing you may not be able to apply is Divine Strike which says:
Once on each of the cleric’s turns when he or she hits a creature with a weapon attack, the cleric can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 ... damage to the target.
As such, you can only apply Divine Strike if the enemy is moving away during your turn.
The enemy has to move away for this to work
In order to deal all of this damage, the enemy does have to move away without using the Disengage action (see below). That is not necessarily an common thing to occur.
If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.
There is a great synergy, however, with dissonant whispers:
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you.
This prompts the opportunity attack against the will of the enemy.
The opponent can stop moving at any time
If the enemy willingly provokes an opportunity attack (i.e. isn't moving because of dissonant whispers), and then you hit with booming blade, they can simply stop moving to prevent the extra 3d8 damage. This would be a very sensible thing for an enemy to do if they've witnessed you use the tactic before or if your table uses the Identifying a Spell rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything:
To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.
If the character perceived the casting, the spell’s effect, or both, the character can make an Intelligence (Arcana) check with the reaction or action. The DC equals 15 + the spell’s level. If the spell is cast as a class spell and the character is a member of that class, the check is made with advantage.
Applying Sneak Attack
Don't forget that applying Sneak Attack has it's own requirements:
...if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
While they aren't the hardest requirements to meet, they do limit the application of the damage to some extent.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
2
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
You could get most of it
Unfortunately Divine Strike requires it to be your turn:
Once on each of your turns
when you hit a creature with a weapon attack. you can
cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to
the target.
Which means for it to apply to an opportunity attack, that attack needs to happen on your turn, while not impossible, does limit it to the one instance you would get for your turn anyway (both Divine Smite and Sneak Attack).
So you could get that damage, but is dependent of the creature continuing to run after being hit by booming blade, and on Sneak Attack being applicable (either advantage or by another enemy being within 5 ft. of your target).
As a side note, Sneak Attack will apply on another turn even if you have used it on attack during yours as it condition is:
Once per turn, you can deal an extra [...]
No requirement of it being your turn.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This isn't especially unusual
Booming Blade combined with the War Caster feat is itself already known to be a relatively powerful combo because of how much it allows a character to take full advantage of the features of the spell. So your total damage is
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 1d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +2d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
- +0d8 from Divine Strike, because Divine Strike requires it to be your turn (you may add it if someone triggers your reaction during your turn!)
This is the average DPA (Damage per Attack) for this character's Warcaster Opportunity Attack, assuming a Dexterity of 20.
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textRogue3/Cleric8 & 38.075 & 38.075 & 34.175 & 28.325 & 24.425 & 20.525 & 10.775\
endarray
As always, harass me in chat if you need a breakdown on the methodology here
Now, for the sake of comparison, let's try a different build: a Level 11 Arcane Trickster, having taken the Warcaster feat, who is wielding a Shadow Blade cast from a level 2 Spell Slot.
You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.
—Shadow Blade, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 164
With this, they have
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 2d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +6d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
All of which gives them an average DPA of
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textArcane Trickster 11 & 56.575 & 56.575 & 50.825 & 42.200 & 36.450 & 30.700 & 16.325\
endarray
This is, across the board, roughly a 50% increase in total DPA.
Not only is this character already dealing more damage on their Opportunity Attack, they're also a considerably simpler build, needing only a single class, and they no longer need to be a Variant Human to have the Warcaster feat, since they can just use the Rogue's extra ASI at level 10. This build also has the benefit that they can gain Advantage on their attacks in Dim Light (as an extra feature of the Shadow Blade spell).
Even if we ignore the Shadow Blade (maybe you're in Adventurer's League and your +1 is SCAG?), the damage is still better:
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textAT 11 (No Shadow Blade) & 52.075 & 52.075 & 46.775 & 38.825 & 33.525 & 28.225 & 14.975\
endarray
The point is quite clear: your build is definitely powerful, but it's not outrageous or even uncommon for a level 11 character.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["\$", "\$"]]);
);
);
, "mathjax-editing");
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "122"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f144627%2fcan-you-really-stack-all-of-this-on-an-opportunity-attack%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
You usually get everything but Divine Strike (which only works during your turn)
- The rapier deals 1d8 + Dexterity modifier damage.
Booming blade as an 11th level character deals an extra 2d8 if the character doesn't move (3d8 more if they do).- Sneak attack adds 2d6 even if you've used in a previous turn this round (see below, emphasis mine, and this related question).
Once per turn [not once per round], you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
The only thing you may not be able to apply is Divine Strike which says:
Once on each of the cleric’s turns when he or she hits a creature with a weapon attack, the cleric can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 ... damage to the target.
As such, you can only apply Divine Strike if the enemy is moving away during your turn.
The enemy has to move away for this to work
In order to deal all of this damage, the enemy does have to move away without using the Disengage action (see below). That is not necessarily an common thing to occur.
If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.
There is a great synergy, however, with dissonant whispers:
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you.
This prompts the opportunity attack against the will of the enemy.
The opponent can stop moving at any time
If the enemy willingly provokes an opportunity attack (i.e. isn't moving because of dissonant whispers), and then you hit with booming blade, they can simply stop moving to prevent the extra 3d8 damage. This would be a very sensible thing for an enemy to do if they've witnessed you use the tactic before or if your table uses the Identifying a Spell rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything:
To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.
If the character perceived the casting, the spell’s effect, or both, the character can make an Intelligence (Arcana) check with the reaction or action. The DC equals 15 + the spell’s level. If the spell is cast as a class spell and the character is a member of that class, the check is made with advantage.
Applying Sneak Attack
Don't forget that applying Sneak Attack has it's own requirements:
...if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
While they aren't the hardest requirements to meet, they do limit the application of the damage to some extent.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
2
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
You usually get everything but Divine Strike (which only works during your turn)
- The rapier deals 1d8 + Dexterity modifier damage.
Booming blade as an 11th level character deals an extra 2d8 if the character doesn't move (3d8 more if they do).- Sneak attack adds 2d6 even if you've used in a previous turn this round (see below, emphasis mine, and this related question).
Once per turn [not once per round], you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
The only thing you may not be able to apply is Divine Strike which says:
Once on each of the cleric’s turns when he or she hits a creature with a weapon attack, the cleric can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 ... damage to the target.
As such, you can only apply Divine Strike if the enemy is moving away during your turn.
The enemy has to move away for this to work
In order to deal all of this damage, the enemy does have to move away without using the Disengage action (see below). That is not necessarily an common thing to occur.
If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.
There is a great synergy, however, with dissonant whispers:
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you.
This prompts the opportunity attack against the will of the enemy.
The opponent can stop moving at any time
If the enemy willingly provokes an opportunity attack (i.e. isn't moving because of dissonant whispers), and then you hit with booming blade, they can simply stop moving to prevent the extra 3d8 damage. This would be a very sensible thing for an enemy to do if they've witnessed you use the tactic before or if your table uses the Identifying a Spell rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything:
To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.
If the character perceived the casting, the spell’s effect, or both, the character can make an Intelligence (Arcana) check with the reaction or action. The DC equals 15 + the spell’s level. If the spell is cast as a class spell and the character is a member of that class, the check is made with advantage.
Applying Sneak Attack
Don't forget that applying Sneak Attack has it's own requirements:
...if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
While they aren't the hardest requirements to meet, they do limit the application of the damage to some extent.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
2
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
You usually get everything but Divine Strike (which only works during your turn)
- The rapier deals 1d8 + Dexterity modifier damage.
Booming blade as an 11th level character deals an extra 2d8 if the character doesn't move (3d8 more if they do).- Sneak attack adds 2d6 even if you've used in a previous turn this round (see below, emphasis mine, and this related question).
Once per turn [not once per round], you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
The only thing you may not be able to apply is Divine Strike which says:
Once on each of the cleric’s turns when he or she hits a creature with a weapon attack, the cleric can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 ... damage to the target.
As such, you can only apply Divine Strike if the enemy is moving away during your turn.
The enemy has to move away for this to work
In order to deal all of this damage, the enemy does have to move away without using the Disengage action (see below). That is not necessarily an common thing to occur.
If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.
There is a great synergy, however, with dissonant whispers:
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you.
This prompts the opportunity attack against the will of the enemy.
The opponent can stop moving at any time
If the enemy willingly provokes an opportunity attack (i.e. isn't moving because of dissonant whispers), and then you hit with booming blade, they can simply stop moving to prevent the extra 3d8 damage. This would be a very sensible thing for an enemy to do if they've witnessed you use the tactic before or if your table uses the Identifying a Spell rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything:
To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.
If the character perceived the casting, the spell’s effect, or both, the character can make an Intelligence (Arcana) check with the reaction or action. The DC equals 15 + the spell’s level. If the spell is cast as a class spell and the character is a member of that class, the check is made with advantage.
Applying Sneak Attack
Don't forget that applying Sneak Attack has it's own requirements:
...if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
While they aren't the hardest requirements to meet, they do limit the application of the damage to some extent.
$endgroup$
You usually get everything but Divine Strike (which only works during your turn)
- The rapier deals 1d8 + Dexterity modifier damage.
Booming blade as an 11th level character deals an extra 2d8 if the character doesn't move (3d8 more if they do).- Sneak attack adds 2d6 even if you've used in a previous turn this round (see below, emphasis mine, and this related question).
Once per turn [not once per round], you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
The only thing you may not be able to apply is Divine Strike which says:
Once on each of the cleric’s turns when he or she hits a creature with a weapon attack, the cleric can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 ... damage to the target.
As such, you can only apply Divine Strike if the enemy is moving away during your turn.
The enemy has to move away for this to work
In order to deal all of this damage, the enemy does have to move away without using the Disengage action (see below). That is not necessarily an common thing to occur.
If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.
There is a great synergy, however, with dissonant whispers:
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you.
This prompts the opportunity attack against the will of the enemy.
The opponent can stop moving at any time
If the enemy willingly provokes an opportunity attack (i.e. isn't moving because of dissonant whispers), and then you hit with booming blade, they can simply stop moving to prevent the extra 3d8 damage. This would be a very sensible thing for an enemy to do if they've witnessed you use the tactic before or if your table uses the Identifying a Spell rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything:
To do so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast.
If the character perceived the casting, the spell’s effect, or both, the character can make an Intelligence (Arcana) check with the reaction or action. The DC equals 15 + the spell’s level. If the spell is cast as a class spell and the character is a member of that class, the check is made with advantage.
Applying Sneak Attack
Don't forget that applying Sneak Attack has it's own requirements:
...if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
While they aren't the hardest requirements to meet, they do limit the application of the damage to some extent.
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
David CoffronDavid Coffron
39.5k3135280
39.5k3135280
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
2
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
2
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok there is one thing I have a question about. Traditionally to get an opportunity attack, the target has to move outside of my melee range. So he is, atleast in theory, already moving when I hit him with booming blade. Does that mean that he takes his 5 feet and stops just outside of my reach, or is it like sentinel where he stays in melee with me unless he wants to suffer another 3d8 dmg?
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
@CrazyRabit I was mistaken.It stops them just before leaving reach. The rules on opportunity attacks say "The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach." Since War Caster replaces that attack with the spell, the creature will have to stop moving before it leaves your reach
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
2
2
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
Semantically, Booming Blade does 2d8 damage, and an additional 3d8 if they move after being hit. Your bullet point sounds like it always does 5d8, but that damage can be lessened.
$endgroup$
– MivaScott
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
@MivaScott good point. inverted
$endgroup$
– David Coffron
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
$begingroup$
Don't forget Disengage...no Opportunity Attacks at all if they Disengage before moving away from you.
$endgroup$
– guildsbounty
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
You could get most of it
Unfortunately Divine Strike requires it to be your turn:
Once on each of your turns
when you hit a creature with a weapon attack. you can
cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to
the target.
Which means for it to apply to an opportunity attack, that attack needs to happen on your turn, while not impossible, does limit it to the one instance you would get for your turn anyway (both Divine Smite and Sneak Attack).
So you could get that damage, but is dependent of the creature continuing to run after being hit by booming blade, and on Sneak Attack being applicable (either advantage or by another enemy being within 5 ft. of your target).
As a side note, Sneak Attack will apply on another turn even if you have used it on attack during yours as it condition is:
Once per turn, you can deal an extra [...]
No requirement of it being your turn.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You could get most of it
Unfortunately Divine Strike requires it to be your turn:
Once on each of your turns
when you hit a creature with a weapon attack. you can
cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to
the target.
Which means for it to apply to an opportunity attack, that attack needs to happen on your turn, while not impossible, does limit it to the one instance you would get for your turn anyway (both Divine Smite and Sneak Attack).
So you could get that damage, but is dependent of the creature continuing to run after being hit by booming blade, and on Sneak Attack being applicable (either advantage or by another enemy being within 5 ft. of your target).
As a side note, Sneak Attack will apply on another turn even if you have used it on attack during yours as it condition is:
Once per turn, you can deal an extra [...]
No requirement of it being your turn.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You could get most of it
Unfortunately Divine Strike requires it to be your turn:
Once on each of your turns
when you hit a creature with a weapon attack. you can
cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to
the target.
Which means for it to apply to an opportunity attack, that attack needs to happen on your turn, while not impossible, does limit it to the one instance you would get for your turn anyway (both Divine Smite and Sneak Attack).
So you could get that damage, but is dependent of the creature continuing to run after being hit by booming blade, and on Sneak Attack being applicable (either advantage or by another enemy being within 5 ft. of your target).
As a side note, Sneak Attack will apply on another turn even if you have used it on attack during yours as it condition is:
Once per turn, you can deal an extra [...]
No requirement of it being your turn.
$endgroup$
You could get most of it
Unfortunately Divine Strike requires it to be your turn:
Once on each of your turns
when you hit a creature with a weapon attack. you can
cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to
the target.
Which means for it to apply to an opportunity attack, that attack needs to happen on your turn, while not impossible, does limit it to the one instance you would get for your turn anyway (both Divine Smite and Sneak Attack).
So you could get that damage, but is dependent of the creature continuing to run after being hit by booming blade, and on Sneak Attack being applicable (either advantage or by another enemy being within 5 ft. of your target).
As a side note, Sneak Attack will apply on another turn even if you have used it on attack during yours as it condition is:
Once per turn, you can deal an extra [...]
No requirement of it being your turn.
edited yesterday
David Coffron
39.5k3135280
39.5k3135280
answered yesterday
Someone_EvilSomeone_Evil
796214
796214
1
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
1
1
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
I think the OP is implying that they use War Caster to cast booming blade... but you might want to clarify if that's what they mean. It's ambiguous in the question.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Re: taking an OA with a cantrip : they have the war caster feat
$endgroup$
– Pierre Cathé
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Missed the war caster feat, correcting
$endgroup$
– Someone_Evil
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
Ok, so in the end it would be 6d8 + 2d6 + dex bonus, which is still pretty gnarly
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This isn't especially unusual
Booming Blade combined with the War Caster feat is itself already known to be a relatively powerful combo because of how much it allows a character to take full advantage of the features of the spell. So your total damage is
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 1d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +2d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
- +0d8 from Divine Strike, because Divine Strike requires it to be your turn (you may add it if someone triggers your reaction during your turn!)
This is the average DPA (Damage per Attack) for this character's Warcaster Opportunity Attack, assuming a Dexterity of 20.
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textRogue3/Cleric8 & 38.075 & 38.075 & 34.175 & 28.325 & 24.425 & 20.525 & 10.775\
endarray
As always, harass me in chat if you need a breakdown on the methodology here
Now, for the sake of comparison, let's try a different build: a Level 11 Arcane Trickster, having taken the Warcaster feat, who is wielding a Shadow Blade cast from a level 2 Spell Slot.
You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.
—Shadow Blade, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 164
With this, they have
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 2d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +6d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
All of which gives them an average DPA of
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textArcane Trickster 11 & 56.575 & 56.575 & 50.825 & 42.200 & 36.450 & 30.700 & 16.325\
endarray
This is, across the board, roughly a 50% increase in total DPA.
Not only is this character already dealing more damage on their Opportunity Attack, they're also a considerably simpler build, needing only a single class, and they no longer need to be a Variant Human to have the Warcaster feat, since they can just use the Rogue's extra ASI at level 10. This build also has the benefit that they can gain Advantage on their attacks in Dim Light (as an extra feature of the Shadow Blade spell).
Even if we ignore the Shadow Blade (maybe you're in Adventurer's League and your +1 is SCAG?), the damage is still better:
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textAT 11 (No Shadow Blade) & 52.075 & 52.075 & 46.775 & 38.825 & 33.525 & 28.225 & 14.975\
endarray
The point is quite clear: your build is definitely powerful, but it's not outrageous or even uncommon for a level 11 character.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This isn't especially unusual
Booming Blade combined with the War Caster feat is itself already known to be a relatively powerful combo because of how much it allows a character to take full advantage of the features of the spell. So your total damage is
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 1d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +2d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
- +0d8 from Divine Strike, because Divine Strike requires it to be your turn (you may add it if someone triggers your reaction during your turn!)
This is the average DPA (Damage per Attack) for this character's Warcaster Opportunity Attack, assuming a Dexterity of 20.
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textRogue3/Cleric8 & 38.075 & 38.075 & 34.175 & 28.325 & 24.425 & 20.525 & 10.775\
endarray
As always, harass me in chat if you need a breakdown on the methodology here
Now, for the sake of comparison, let's try a different build: a Level 11 Arcane Trickster, having taken the Warcaster feat, who is wielding a Shadow Blade cast from a level 2 Spell Slot.
You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.
—Shadow Blade, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 164
With this, they have
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 2d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +6d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
All of which gives them an average DPA of
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textArcane Trickster 11 & 56.575 & 56.575 & 50.825 & 42.200 & 36.450 & 30.700 & 16.325\
endarray
This is, across the board, roughly a 50% increase in total DPA.
Not only is this character already dealing more damage on their Opportunity Attack, they're also a considerably simpler build, needing only a single class, and they no longer need to be a Variant Human to have the Warcaster feat, since they can just use the Rogue's extra ASI at level 10. This build also has the benefit that they can gain Advantage on their attacks in Dim Light (as an extra feature of the Shadow Blade spell).
Even if we ignore the Shadow Blade (maybe you're in Adventurer's League and your +1 is SCAG?), the damage is still better:
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textAT 11 (No Shadow Blade) & 52.075 & 52.075 & 46.775 & 38.825 & 33.525 & 28.225 & 14.975\
endarray
The point is quite clear: your build is definitely powerful, but it's not outrageous or even uncommon for a level 11 character.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This isn't especially unusual
Booming Blade combined with the War Caster feat is itself already known to be a relatively powerful combo because of how much it allows a character to take full advantage of the features of the spell. So your total damage is
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 1d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +2d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
- +0d8 from Divine Strike, because Divine Strike requires it to be your turn (you may add it if someone triggers your reaction during your turn!)
This is the average DPA (Damage per Attack) for this character's Warcaster Opportunity Attack, assuming a Dexterity of 20.
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textRogue3/Cleric8 & 38.075 & 38.075 & 34.175 & 28.325 & 24.425 & 20.525 & 10.775\
endarray
As always, harass me in chat if you need a breakdown on the methodology here
Now, for the sake of comparison, let's try a different build: a Level 11 Arcane Trickster, having taken the Warcaster feat, who is wielding a Shadow Blade cast from a level 2 Spell Slot.
You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.
—Shadow Blade, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 164
With this, they have
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 2d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +6d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
All of which gives them an average DPA of
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textArcane Trickster 11 & 56.575 & 56.575 & 50.825 & 42.200 & 36.450 & 30.700 & 16.325\
endarray
This is, across the board, roughly a 50% increase in total DPA.
Not only is this character already dealing more damage on their Opportunity Attack, they're also a considerably simpler build, needing only a single class, and they no longer need to be a Variant Human to have the Warcaster feat, since they can just use the Rogue's extra ASI at level 10. This build also has the benefit that they can gain Advantage on their attacks in Dim Light (as an extra feature of the Shadow Blade spell).
Even if we ignore the Shadow Blade (maybe you're in Adventurer's League and your +1 is SCAG?), the damage is still better:
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textAT 11 (No Shadow Blade) & 52.075 & 52.075 & 46.775 & 38.825 & 33.525 & 28.225 & 14.975\
endarray
The point is quite clear: your build is definitely powerful, but it's not outrageous or even uncommon for a level 11 character.
$endgroup$
This isn't especially unusual
Booming Blade combined with the War Caster feat is itself already known to be a relatively powerful combo because of how much it allows a character to take full advantage of the features of the spell. So your total damage is
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 1d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +2d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
- +0d8 from Divine Strike, because Divine Strike requires it to be your turn (you may add it if someone triggers your reaction during your turn!)
This is the average DPA (Damage per Attack) for this character's Warcaster Opportunity Attack, assuming a Dexterity of 20.
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textRogue3/Cleric8 & 38.075 & 38.075 & 34.175 & 28.325 & 24.425 & 20.525 & 10.775\
endarray
As always, harass me in chat if you need a breakdown on the methodology here
Now, for the sake of comparison, let's try a different build: a Level 11 Arcane Trickster, having taken the Warcaster feat, who is wielding a Shadow Blade cast from a level 2 Spell Slot.
You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.
—Shadow Blade, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 164
With this, they have
- Damage which may benefit from a critical hit
- 2d8 base weapon damage
- +2d8 damage from Booming Blade's primary effect
- +6d6 Sneak Attack damage
- Damage which may NOT benefit from a critical hit
- +DEX Ability Modifier damage
- +3d8 damage from Booming Blade's secondary effect
All of which gives them an average DPA of
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textArcane Trickster 11 & 56.575 & 56.575 & 50.825 & 42.200 & 36.450 & 30.700 & 16.325\
endarray
This is, across the board, roughly a 50% increase in total DPA.
Not only is this character already dealing more damage on their Opportunity Attack, they're also a considerably simpler build, needing only a single class, and they no longer need to be a Variant Human to have the Warcaster feat, since they can just use the Rogue's extra ASI at level 10. This build also has the benefit that they can gain Advantage on their attacks in Dim Light (as an extra feature of the Shadow Blade spell).
Even if we ignore the Shadow Blade (maybe you're in Adventurer's League and your +1 is SCAG?), the damage is still better:
beginarrayr
textName & textAC 0 & textAC 10 & textAC 13 & textAC 16 & textAC 18 & textAC 20 & textAC 25\ hline
textAT 11 (No Shadow Blade) & 52.075 & 52.075 & 46.775 & 38.825 & 33.525 & 28.225 & 14.975\
endarray
The point is quite clear: your build is definitely powerful, but it's not outrageous or even uncommon for a level 11 character.
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
XiremaXirema
23.4k268135
23.4k268135
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
So are you saying OP's build isn't all that special? Would you say most classes have access to something similar?
$endgroup$
– Harper
11 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Harper That is the implied argument of my post, although it needs to come with caveats: the ability to get a very high damage opportunity attack (or War Caster spell used in place of an Opportunity Attack) is particular to Rogues, because there are few other features like Sneak Attack that add so much damage to a single hit. It's just that this particular high damage Opportunity Attack is not particular to the OP's specific build.
$endgroup$
– Xirema
11 hours ago
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Role-playing Games Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f144627%2fcan-you-really-stack-all-of-this-on-an-opportunity-attack%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
$begingroup$
My question is if I'm missing something, cause 9 dice of dmg on a single attack that only costs your reaction seems pretty insane...
$endgroup$
– CrazyRabit
yesterday
$begingroup$
thanks for clarifying! I have made some edits to your question to help make that clearer so we can get you an answer. :)
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
yesterday
5
$begingroup$
You mention War Caster, but you haven't mentioned how you're using it. I think you need to include a bullet-by-bullet explanation of what happens and how you're doing it. Right now, there's no direct indication of how you're making all that stuff happen, just that you're claiming it all happens.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
yesterday
3
$begingroup$
How is sneak attack used? Does this assume the there is an enemy of the target within 5 feet of them?
$endgroup$
– GcL
yesterday
$begingroup$
@Bash Please see this meta for why your comment was removed. Thanks!
$endgroup$
– doppelgreener♦
yesterday