The D&D 5e Character Build this week is a collaboration with the amazing artist Randall Hampton! We went live on his Twitch stream where I presented a build for a character built around using, that's right, a whip, while he drew his interpretation of what I was presenting. We had a lot of fun with it and I hope you will too. FYI: there's a longer than usual conversation at the beginning and end but the time of the actual build presentation itself is fairly typical :). I'd appreciate it if yo...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Come Slide Into My DMs as we discuss the newly announced book for D&D 5e, as well as some nuances with Grappling Bears. Quick Ruling: What happens if I'm Wild Shaped and grappled and drop to 0 HP? Fizban's: An overview, and a focus on the two new subclasses, the Drakewarden and the Way of the Ascendant Dragon! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ... Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https:/...
Jul 20, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Most people would argue that you can't or shouldn't try to play a character in D&D 5e that's dedicated exclusively (or almost exclusively) to healing. It's not efficient. It's not optimal. It doesn't really work. This episode is dedicated to all those who are unsatisfied with that paradigm. I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https:...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 49
After making a hasty exit from Willow Creek Hollow, the party finds themselves hounded by the Arcanum and must steal away into the night. Can they escape, or are they walking right into a trap? Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-...
Jul 09, 2021•2 hr 12 min
After 10 days on The Long Road, the party finally arrives in Willow Creek Hollow in search of answers to both Ezra's past and the mysterious glowing shard in their posession Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https:...
Jul 09, 2021•3 hr 21 min
Welcome to the "Talk Show" portion of D4! Here we discuss D&D Rules, News, and tips for helping everyone at your table have fun. Quick Ruling for the week: how do you determine what "pushed away from you in a line" means on an airborne enemy? Main topic: 7 tips for how to best handle the game when a player has to cancel. I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDop...
Jul 09, 2021•30 min
In this week's D&D5e build we're focused on one thing and one thing only: getting critical hits that hit as hard as possible, as often as possible. Come fishing with us! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson Character Concept:(0:00) Level 1(7:43) Levels 2-6:(14:39) ...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 48
The weekly D&D 5e build for the week might be my highest sustained DPR build yet; it involves Dao Genie Warlocks, Wild Magic Sorcerers, Spike Growth, Eldritch Blast, and lots and lots of Cheese. I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Check out Randall Hampton here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Randall_Hampton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallhampton/ Follow us here: https://www....
Jun 29, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 47
The journey up the long road continues as our party learns that Ezra isn't the only member who has a price on their head... Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/...
Jun 28, 2021•2 hr 39 min
The Law of Surprise has been declared! But how does it work in D&D 5e, exactly? And more importantly, what kinds of things do players and DMs need to keep in mind when playing as and with a character who wants to stealth and surprise as often as possible? Also, a Quick Ruling on Verbal Components of spells (can they be whispered?) I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join https://www.reddit.c...
Jun 25, 2021•47 min
This week's D&D 5e character build is another Duo or Team up, meant to be played with you and a friend - one of you is the Wolf: a pack leader, a protector, a front-line damage dealer, and the other is the Coyote: a trickster and a prankster who hits like a ton of bricks. I hope you enjoy! Link to the Druids: Secrets of the Primal Circle Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/druid-secrets/druids-secrets-of-the-primal-circle I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the chann...
Jun 22, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 46
After a rousing festival, the party gathers to plan their next move. As they do, the looming question hanging over their heads is who has contracted Eve to bring in Ezra and his book and can they be trusted? Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.fa...
Jun 18, 2021•2 hr 19 min
This is the talkshow portion of the channel where we chat about D&D 5e news, rules, and how to ensure that everyone at your table is having as much fun as possible. So come slide into my DMs as, this week, we discuss: Quick Ruling: Do the various bite attacks in game stack with each other? Metagaming: What are the various ways players (and DMs) Metagame, is it really that bad, and tips for curbing it at your table. I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a memb...
Jun 18, 2021•59 min
Today's D&D 5e build is a burst / nova damage character that is a bit of a pyromaniac who just wants to watch the world burn. In their defense, they *are* descended from dragons... I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson Character Concept:(0:00) Level 1:(8:30) Levels 2-6:(16:05) Leve...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 45
A new D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana was announced this week, and the sorting hat is going to put you in house Lorehold, Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, or Witherbloom. Which will it be! Also, a pseudo quick-ruling on Darkness! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https://twitter.com/dndoptimized ...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr 12 min
A mysterious shard of light in hand, the party can finally make their way out of Hollowbend Sanctum and back to Six Hills. But one more challenge stands in their way... Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-n... Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Recap ( 0:00 ) Intro ( 17:33 ) A Curious Object ( 17:59 ) Friendship and Other Rewards...
Jun 09, 2021•2 hr 35 min
Fireballs, Lightning Bolts, and Nova damage, oh my! If you want to blast large groups of enemies to smithereens with big AOE burst damage, no one does it better than the Evoker. Let's see just how far we can stretch that Area of Effect damage in a single turn... I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ... https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson Charac...
Jun 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Something dark and sinister lies within hollowbend sanctum, can our party best the challenges ahead and defeat the evil within The Ember Forrest? Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu Treven's Journal Entry here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu/a/treven-s-journal-02---hextari-document I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Recap (0:00) Intro ...
Jun 08, 2021•3 hr 32 min
Come slide into my DMs as we discuss: Quick Ruling: Conjure Animals/Woodland Creatures - who picks the creatures and how? Longer Convo: A chat about Homebrewing classes/subclasses and an overview of the new subclass Cory has created: the Knife Dancer! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Intro:(0:00) Quick Ruling - Conjuration Spells:(2:20) Knife Dancer Overview:(19:18) Level 3 Features:(25:...
Jun 03, 2021•56 min
Have you ever wondered what the highest damage spell for each of your spell slots would be? If so, this is the episode for you! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ... https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson Intro:( 0:00 ) Single Target Spells - Cantrips:( 8:57 ) 1st Level:( 10:38 ) 2nd Level:( 14:42 ) 3rd Level:( 16:39 ) 4th Level:( 18:31 ) 5th L...
Jun 01, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Come slide into my DMs as we discuss... Quick Ruling: Would a Kobold with a blindfold still suffer from Sunlight Sensitivity? Group Patrons: What are they, Pros and Cons of using them, and some specific examples we really like! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Intro:(0:00) Quick Ruling - Kobolds and Blindfolds:(3:16) Group Patrons - Overview:(13:10) Example #1 - Religious Order:(25:40) E...
May 28, 2021•55 min
With a quest in hand, our brave adventurers seek out the Hollowbend Sanctum, a mysterious ruin that hopefully holds the key to the recent attack on Six Hills, and may even hold answers to the disappearance of Einor Elovere. Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu We'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized...
May 27, 2021•2 hr 36 min
Its a day of festivities at Six Hills! Nothing could possibly ruin a good beer bash and bounder race for the party... Right? Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu We'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/dnddeepdive https://twitter.com/ColbyPoulson Recap (0:00) Intro (8:49) P...
May 27, 2021•2 hr 46 min
New to Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft: The Undead Warlock. Let's talk about how to use the subclass in a powerful support build that also does impressive damage! I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Math/Graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12Pn4xVuaPXxlnY2RI7boU86rb4xncz5xnmgiKJPQ8W8/edit?usp=sharing Tier 1 Sustained DPR: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 42
May 20, 2021•54 min
D&D:O is now D4! I'm excited to announce the launch of a fourth playlist, and with it, a rebranding of my channel. Come hear about the details!
May 18, 2021•8 min
So, you want to play a support character, but you also want to charge into battle with Plate Mail and a Great Sword and put the fear of the Gods into your enemies? Then I've got the build for you. I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ... https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Character Concept:( 0:00 ) L...
May 18, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 41
The story begins! 5 heroes gather at a festival that will set off the adventure of a lifetime. Check out the world of Aneria here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join Follow us here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Intro (0:00) P...
May 17, 2021•3 hr 9 min
The day has finally arrived! Come join us as we introduce you to the world of Aneria and hold our official session 0 for our upcoming D&D live play campaign! Learn about the world here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aneria-niburu All About Aneria:(0:00) Character Introductions:(32:12) Where Are We?:(55:27) Triggers/Content Concern:(1:08:53) House Rules:(1:14:35)
May 17, 2021•1 hr 25 min
Finally! It's time to do a Moon Druid. Lizards and Snakes and Bears, Oh My! (And Elephants!) I'd appreciate it if you'd consider supporting the channel by becoming a member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jQ2IsZj_CAS0bZgA6O2pA/join https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDoptimized/ https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized... https://twitter.com/dndoptimized http://www.tiktok.com/@dndoptimized Character Concept:(0:00) Level 1:(7:52) Levels 2-6:(12:40) Levels 7-9:(37:41) Levels 10-13:(46:30) Levels 14-1...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 40
