Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 RELEASE THREAD

[Dishonoredbr]

The whole point of Warlock is the free upcast. You don’t necessarily *need* new spells.

hm Got it. Ngl i never played Warlock, still learning about 5E.

 

[jackofshadows]

Hunger of Hadar has no competition at the early levels, really

Care to explain why it's so good? Always treated it as a very meh/situational spell.

 

[Yosharian]

So everyone knows how OP ranged Sword Bards are (largely due to two crazy items from late Act 2 and beginning of Act 3).


But on the melee side, I keep seeing people pushing dual-wielding or single blade dueling on Sword Bards. Cause it fits the archetype and they can get the related combat style abilities.
A mistake IMO. The best martial ability that Sword Bards get is Slashing Fluorish. Clearly OP in its ranged implementation (no shot radius/direction spread limit and you can even target the same enemy twice!).

Much less so in the melee version (effective cleave radius is much smaller then even the graphics indicator - and you often cannot cleave even enemies who are standing very near each other).
So much so that's its terribly unreliable except when you use a Reach weapon (that is glaives, halberds or pikes). Then the cleave radius perhaps doesn't change as much - but becomes much "thicker" - meaning you can cleave the enemy standing behind the enemy you're targetting. Much better, far more reliable.

This means that the best Act 3 melee weapon for the Sword Bard - because it can be used with the broken Bhaalist Armor to double Piercing damage - is the humble Breaching Pikestaff IMO. Or Hellbeard Halberd if you don't get the Bhaalist Armor. Maybe Dancing Breeze glaive if you go for Dex Finesse without the armor (but then did you not Slashing Fluorish prior to Act 3?).

Ethan's Smite Bard uses Shar's Spear I think

 

[Cyberarmy]

Care to explain why it's so good? Always treated it as a very meh/situational spell.

Huge AoE, slow effect, damage and BLIND? You are effectively shutting down spell casters and ranged characters while killing low health thrash. Also if you park our melee on its borders you are shutting down enemy melee too. My dwarven halberdier had lots fun poking poor fuckers inside of Hunger of Hadar.

Edit: If anyone manages to escape its area just push them back. Illıthid power Black Hole with this is a busted combo.

 

[jackofshadows]

I get that it's useful but aren't there some better alternatives, uplift included?

 

[Haplo]

Hunger of Hadar has no competition at the early levels, really

Care to explain why it's so good? Always treated it as a very meh/situational spell.

Well, its a huge area "screw you" spell.
Enemies inside are Blinded (Attack at range with Disadvantage, cannot teleport or jump out, can't cast targetted spells I believe), their movement speed is halved and they take damage every round (twice - where cold damage can be doubled if they are Wet). You shoot them normally and if they are near the border, you can use a reach weapon to get Advantage attacking just outside it Blinded enemies inside.

Plus as a Warlock you can effortlessly use Repelling Blasts to force enemies back inside...

 

[Haplo]

I get that it's useful but aren't there some better alternatives, uplift included?

Not really. Slow or Upcast Blindness are better when you're surrounded due to individual enemy targetting. Upcast Command is decent non-Concentration that often even works on bosses - but its effect is hardly comparable - its one round only.

Later in the game you may prefer Confusion and Hypnotic Pattern when you run a melee-heavy party and like to charge the enemies - but they are nowhere near as reliable - until you get the Arcane Acuity DC boosts running - if you do on your Warlock, that is. Though its nice that you can Bonus Action cast Illusion and Enchantment spells with Band of the Mythic Scoundrel (again, if you give it to your Warlock).

I don't think HoH ever looses effectiveness for ranged/caster parties or defensive setups.
And it needs no preparation. It just works! (TM)

For extra cheese you can stack other aoe hazards on top: Plant Growth to reduce move speed to 1/4, Spike Growth to deal even more damage as they try to cross, Sleet Storm to make them slip and fall prone...
Though most of those need another character due to Concentration - except for Plant Growth - but most Warlocks don't get that. Can also Command Flee enemies getting outside...

 

[jackofshadows]

Still it sounds to me more as fun spell rather than as an effective one. There're not many instances where you have to fight for long, against many targets like that towers assault for example. But I can give it suits well range-oriented party, alright.

 

[Haplo]

So everyone knows how OP ranged Sword Bards are (largely due to two crazy items from late Act 2 and beginning of Act 3).


But on the melee side, I keep seeing people pushing dual-wielding or single blade dueling on Sword Bards. Cause it fits the archetype and they can get the related combat style abilities.
A mistake IMO. The best martial ability that Sword Bards get is Slashing Fluorish. Clearly OP in its ranged implementation (no shot radius/direction spread limit and you can even target the same enemy twice!).

Much less so in the melee version (effective cleave radius is much smaller then even the graphics indicator - and you often cannot cleave even enemies who are standing very near each other).
So much so that's its terribly unreliable except when you use a Reach weapon (that is glaives, halberds or pikes). Then the cleave radius perhaps doesn't change as much - but becomes much "thicker" - meaning you can cleave the enemy standing behind the enemy you're targetting. Much better, far more reliable.

This means that the best Act 3 melee weapon for the Sword Bard - because it can be used with the broken Bhaalist Armor to double Piercing damage - is the humble Breaching Pikestaff IMO. Or Hellbeard Halberd if you don't get the Bhaalist Armor. Maybe Dancing Breeze glaive if you go for Dex Finesse without the armor (but then did you not Slashing Fluorish prior to Act 3?).

Ethan's Smite Bard uses Shar's Spear I think

Well, its a great weapon for sure. And it has a built-in great aoe move (that can smite all targets I think). So its a good choice.

However its Edge of Darkness is once per Short Rest, I believe. So for burst its good if you can reliably a group enemies. And if you send Shadowsheart down this path

But for normal Slashing Fluorishing 2 targets 5 times per Short Rest, I want a Reach weapon (or maybe some mod to change the Slashing Fluorish radius) - cause the default Melee Slashing Fluorish without Reach is terrible.
And if you're not using that, maybe you don't need Bard levels at all (on Honour mode rules)?

 

[Haplo]

Still it sounds to me more as fun spell rather than as an effective one. There're not many instances where you have to fight for long, against many targets like that towers assault for example. But I can give it suits well range-oriented party, alright.

Oh its very effective. Cripples and damages enemies and offers no save. In a huge zone.
Its just that when your melee martials start to steamroll content, it may no longer be as desirable - as it may slow them down then.

 

[Yosharian]

So everyone knows how OP ranged Sword Bards are (largely due to two crazy items from late Act 2 and beginning of Act 3).


But on the melee side, I keep seeing people pushing dual-wielding or single blade dueling on Sword Bards. Cause it fits the archetype and they can get the related combat style abilities.
A mistake IMO. The best martial ability that Sword Bards get is Slashing Fluorish. Clearly OP in its ranged implementation (no shot radius/direction spread limit and you can even target the same enemy twice!).

Much less so in the melee version (effective cleave radius is much smaller then even the graphics indicator - and you often cannot cleave even enemies who are standing very near each other).
So much so that's its terribly unreliable except when you use a Reach weapon (that is glaives, halberds or pikes). Then the cleave radius perhaps doesn't change as much - but becomes much "thicker" - meaning you can cleave the enemy standing behind the enemy you're targetting. Much better, far more reliable.

This means that the best Act 3 melee weapon for the Sword Bard - because it can be used with the broken Bhaalist Armor to double Piercing damage - is the humble Breaching Pikestaff IMO. Or Hellbeard Halberd if you don't get the Bhaalist Armor. Maybe Dancing Breeze glaive if you go for Dex Finesse without the armor (but then did you not Slashing Fluorish prior to Act 3?).

Ethan's Smite Bard uses Shar's Spear I think

Well, its a great weapon for sure. And it has a built-in great aoe move (that can smite all targets I think). So its a good choice.

However its Edge of Darkness is once per Short Rest, I believe. So for burst its good if you can reliably a group enemies. And if you send Shadowsheart down this path

But for normal Slashing Fluorishing 2 targets 5 times per Short Rest, I want a Reach weapon (or maybe some mod to change the Slashing Fluorish radius) - cause the default Melee Slashing Fluorish without Reach is terrible.
And if you're not using that, maybe you don't need Bard levels at all (on Honour mode rules)?

Yeah it is a little awkward to use, but even without it, Smite + Full Caster That For Some Reason Gets Extra Attack is what makes Smite Bard deadly

 

[Swen]

How is this possible? The pokiman game is defeating me aaaargggghhh!!!

 

[Rhobar121]

How is this possible? The pokiman game is defeating me aaaargggghhh!!!

You've been there for half a year, give others a chance.

 

[Cryomancer]

How is this possible? The pokiman game is defeating me aaaargggghhh!!!

Pokemon is incredible popular and according to you popularity = quality hu3hu3

 

[Rhobar121]

How is this possible? The pokiman game is defeating me aaaargggghhh!!!

Pokemon is incredible popular and according to you popularity = quality hu3hu3

Find me another game where you can catch a human and force it to work on a plantation and then turn it into food.
If that's not a high quality game, I don't know what is.

 

[Old Hans]

So everyone knows how OP ranged Sword Bards are (largely due to two crazy items from late Act 2 and beginning of Act 3).


But on the melee side, I keep seeing people pushing dual-wielding or single blade dueling on Sword Bards. Cause it fits the archetype and they can get the related combat style abilities.
A mistake IMO. The best martial ability that Sword Bards get is Slashing Fluorish. Clearly OP in its ranged implementation (no shot radius/direction spread limit and you can even target the same enemy twice!).

Much less so in the melee version (effective cleave radius is much smaller then even the graphics indicator - and you often cannot cleave even enemies who are standing very near each other).
So much so that's its terribly unreliable except when you use a Reach weapon (that is glaives, halberds or pikes). Then the cleave radius perhaps doesn't change as much - but becomes much "thicker" - meaning you can cleave the enemy standing behind the enemy you're targetting. Much better, far more reliable.

This means that the best Act 3 melee weapon for the Sword Bard - because it can be used with the broken Bhaalist Armor to double Piercing damage - is the humble Breaching Pikestaff IMO. Or Hellbeard Halberd if you don't get the Bhaalist Armor. Maybe Dancing Breeze glaive if you go for Dex Finesse without the armor (but then did you not Slashing Fluorish prior to Act 3?).

my biggest hang up is I just dont feel bardy unless I'm wearing a colorful bardy outfit, which I cant find with medium armor. I just don't feel like Jimmy Jingles the dark urge halfling bard murderer when im wearing chainmail. This leads me to my one main gripe - there are no good bardy outfit choices. the default starting armor is the closest thing to being apporpriate

 

[raeven]

I just beat act 2 on my dark urge evil playthrough.

My game has been completely different than my first run, however I still hit level 10 at the same time - directly before the last battle of act 2. Actually I think I hit level 10 during the battle in my first run.

The idea that there is less content for evil players is untrue both from my subjective perspective (the game seems completely different to me, new plotlines, companions, etc) and from an objective perspective (XP gains are the same).

 

[Fedora Master]

How is this possible? The pokiman game is defeating me aaaargggghhh!!!

 

[Desiderius]

So everyone knows how OP ranged Sword Bards are (largely due to two crazy items from late Act 2 and beginning of Act 3).


But on the melee side, I keep seeing people pushing dual-wielding or single blade dueling on Sword Bards. Cause it fits the archetype and they can get the related combat style abilities.
A mistake IMO. The best martial ability that Sword Bards get is Slashing Fluorish. Clearly OP in its ranged implementation (no shot radius/direction spread limit and you can even target the same enemy twice!).

Much less so in the melee version (effective cleave radius is much smaller then even the graphics indicator - and you often cannot cleave even enemies who are standing very near each other).
So much so that's its terribly unreliable except when you use a Reach weapon (that is glaives, halberds or pikes). Then the cleave radius perhaps doesn't change as much - but becomes much "thicker" - meaning you can cleave the enemy standing behind the enemy you're targetting. Much better, far more reliable.

This means that the best Act 3 melee weapon for the Sword Bard - because it can be used with the broken Bhaalist Armor to double Piercing damage - is the humble Breaching Pikestaff IMO. Or Hellbeard Halberd if you don't get the Bhaalist Armor. Maybe Dancing Breeze glaive if you go for Dex Finesse without the armor (but then did you not Slashing Fluorish prior to Act 3?).

my biggest hang up is I just dont feel bardy unless I'm wearing a colorful bardy outfit, which I cant find with medium armor. I just don't feel like Jimmy Jingles the dark urge halfling bard murderer when im wearing chainmail. This leads me to my one main gripe - there are no good bardy outfit choices. the default starting armor is the closest thing to being apporpriate

IDK how you can play Bard without Cutting Words. Talk about OP.

 

[Haplo]

Eh, Cutting Words are nice, but unreliable. (-d8 roll).
Arcane Acuity is far more consistent and reliable.

Not to mention that you get a super soldier bard together with the CC package.

 

[Desiderius]

I've got other super soldiers that want that Bane to land. Expected value of 1d8 is still 4.5 malus on any made save which is pretty nasty, especially since Bane attacks CHR.

 

[whydoibother]

Care to explain why it's so good? Always treated it as a very meh/situational spell.

Try invading Moonrise Towers at a higher difficulty, and you will learn to respect the HUNGER OF HADAR HUNGER OF HADAR HUNGER OF HADAR HUNGER OF HADAR.

 

[Haplo]

I've got other super soldiers that want that Bane to land. Expected value of 1d8 is still 4.5 malus on any made save which is pretty nasty, especially since Bane attacks CHR.

Bane? Really? That's what you're using Concentration on? Hmm, IDK, kinda feels bad, man.

As usually in my book, superior offense trumps better defenses.

 

[Yosharian]

Bane is actually really solid providing you don't have access to Haste and you have near-100% uptime on Bless. It also debuffs saving throws. And it's a CHA save which means you can have excellent chance to succeed fairly early on, unlike other spells which require a bit more grunt to reach that high chance of success

 

[Fedora Master]

Still it sounds to me more as fun spell rather than as an effective one. There're not many instances where you have to fight for long, against many targets like that towers assault for example. But I can give it suits well range-oriented party, alright.

Oh its very effective. Cripples and damages enemies and offers no save. In a huge zone.
Its just that when your melee martials start to steamroll content, it may no longer be as desirable - as it may slow them down then.

I found that the AI is now very good at moving out of it consistently on Tactician.