Errata: Favored Foe requires concentration, so you couldn't couple it with Bless. Bless is obviously the better choice for you and your entire party :).
I would have gone with Favoured Enemy for more languages and the Scout for Expertise in Nature and Survival. A very nicebuild over all though. I really like the inclusion of Fey Wanderer.
There are many ways to make a skill monkey but to get the most reliable one you need to have soul knife really because you get that on-demand +d8 to any skill check. I’d have tried to get rogue 11 for the reliable talent feature and used the extra ASIs for things like Skill Expert and Prodigy but it would have meant more delays to getting proficiency in all skills - certainly not by lvl 7/8 at least.
I don't always even bother with Favored Foe even when my concentration is available. It's not worth the time it takes to tell the table you're using it.
This build is hilarious, I’m just gonna play it like “I once had and uncle that had a friend that had a uncle that learned this thing so naturally I can do it.” In a thick Brooklyn accent
Here’s my all 18 proficiencies at level 7 build, it is only 2 classes Race: Variant Human Skill: Performance Feat: Skilled (History, Insight, Investigation) Background: Custom (Proficiency in Stealth and Religion) Level 1-4 Rouge Scout Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Perception, Slight of Hand, Intimidation Survivalist: Proficiencies and Expertise in nature and survival Feat: Eldridge Adept; Beguiling Influence: Proficiency in Deception and Persuasion Level 5-7 Lore Bard Proficiency: Animal Handling Bonus Proficiency: Arcana, Athletics, Medicine
This may be the most MAD build of all time: in fact, it's got proficiency in every skill, and being good at every skill is what the build is based on, so in a way it's AAD (All Attribute Dependent)
I would have done something a little different, starting at level 7. Rather than getting Ranger 2 and 3, go back to Rogue the rest of the way. Either go with the Phantom subclass to get that last proficiency at Rogue 3, or stick with Soulknife and use the feat to get it at Rogue 4. Either way, you're on your way to Reliable Talent at Rogue 11, which means that you will laugh at natural ones on your skill check rolls.
I was thinking something similar. I made a build like this that was all about Reliable Talent and having that for every single skill, instead of just having them all.
Also, skipping ranger levels and just committing to the (yes not great) soulknife blades, you wouldn't need any gear, you are the ultimate infiltrator, especially if you can get some light armor underneath your regalia
Going with colby's level 8 (cuz that's when he realistically got all proficiencies lol) benchmark Going Rogue 3 (phantom)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 gets you all proficiencies by 8. As phantom gives you one skill or tool proficiency of your choice per long rest. So, you have that skill from phantom be a not so awesome skill of your choice and could swap it out for ANY tool proficiency when needed. Then you could take an ASI such as prodigy or skill expert later to cover up that one proficiency, so you could use the speak with grave to constantly on any tool proficiency of your choice. Allowing you to go Rogue 11 (for reliable talent)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 (and last level in any class of your choice whether you'd rather have an extra ASI/spell slots/Fighting style/or Channel Divinity. Allowing you to essentially NEVER roll below like a 17 on the INT and STR skills (assuming a 1 on guidance roll, or you could forgo guidance in favor of Enhance ability in the likely chance a party member has guidance) ANY skill check or tool check with any tool (with a short rest) by level 16, even with just regular proficiency, no expertise included. You'd roll over 23 on anything you had expertise in. Also, with wails to the grave, your damage output wouldn't be too shabby. And you'd have 1 additional ASI as well (assuming the last level is in either bard or rogue, which id probably go bard if i was stopping at 17 for the spell slots)
Here is an old "Expertise" build I did a long time ago. I need to update it. Human Skills Expert build. The goal of this build was to get as many skill bonuses & advantages for as many skills as possible as quickly as possible. I typically do not play characters beyond 10th level and this build reflects my play style. By level 10 you will have a passive 20 in ten different skills! Human Racial Feature: +1 all stats: Str 14, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14. *reason need minimum 13 in Dex, Wis, and Cha for multiclass requirements, this array also gives +2 bonus to ALL skills! 1st level: Proficiency Bonus is +2 Rogue 1: 4 skills & 2 expertise (1 can be thieves tools) 2nd level Cleric 1: Knowledge Domain: Guidance Cantrip, Blessing Knowledge: 2 languages, +2 skills & expertise in both (Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion) Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 6 skill proficiencies (add +2), 4 of those skills have expertise (add another +2). Of all eighteen skills, you have twelve skills at +2, two skills at +4, four skills at +6, and can cast Guidance (+1d4). 3rd level Bard 1: 1 skill, 1 musical instrument. Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 7 skill proficiencies (add +2), 4 of those skills have expertise (add another +2). Of all eighteen skills, you have eleven skills at +2, three skills at +4, four skills at +6, and can cast Guidance (+1d4). 4th level Bard 2: Jack of All Trades + 1/2 proficiency in all untrained skills. Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 7 skill proficiencies (add +2), 4 of those skills have expertise (add another +2). Of all eighteen skills, you have eleven skills at +3, three skills at +4, four skills at +6, and can cast Guidance (+1d4). 5th level: Proficiency bonus increases to +3 Bard 3: Expertise 2 skills, Lore +3 skills, Enhance Ability Spell. Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 10 skill proficiencies (add +3), 6 of those skills have expertise (add another +3). Of all eighteen skills, you have eight skills at +3, four skills at +5, six skills at +8, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells. 6th level Rogue 2: Just to get to Rogue level 3 & 6 faster. 7th level Rogue 3: Scout: Proficiency & Expertise in Nature & Survival Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 12 skill proficiencies (add +3), 8 of those skills have expertise (add another +3). Of all eighteen skills, you have six skills at +3, four skills at +5, eight skills at +8, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells. 8th level Rogue 4: Skilled feat +3 skill proficiencies Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 15 skill proficiencies (add +3), 8 of those skills have expertise (add another +3). Of all eighteen skills, you have three skills at +3, seven skills at +5, eight skills at +8, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells. 9th level: Proficiency bonus increases to +4 Rogue 5: Just to get to Rogue level 6 faster. Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 15 skill proficiencies (add +4), 8 of those skills have expertise (add another +4). Of all eighteen skills, you have three skills at +3, seven skills at +6, eight skills at +10, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells. 10th level Rogue 6: Expertise in 2 of your proficient skills. Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 15 skill proficiencies (add +4), 10 of those skills have expertise (add another +4). Of all eighteen skills, you have three skills at +3, five skills at +6, ten skills at +10, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells.
It also applies to checks using _tools_ rather than skills, which is potentially useful, plus the Counterspell Int check if we ever go as far as Lore Bard 6 for Additional Magical Secrets.
@DaraelDraconis oh, I didn't think about that. I always assumed skill checks, not tools. But I knew counterspell and initiative. Edit: dispell magic too
@@crownlexicon5225 yeah! Plus it's table dependent, but some DMs also occasionally like to call for plain ability checks with no skill or tool attached, and JOAT applies to those, as well
Favored foe requires concentration, conflicting with both hunter’s mark and also bless :( which is why a lot of people aren’t thrilled about it when compared to the UA version which let you cast hunter’s mark without concentration or a spell slot a certain number of times per day.
Truth! Seems like I always either forget *this* or that it *doesn't* require a bonus action :). I'm so underwhelmed with the ability that I always seem to screw up the rules on it :P.
@@DnDDeepDive I would argue that, while anybody is free to multiclass so long as the DM allows it, 5E seems *specifically designed* to avoid stacking bonuses like this, particularly through multiclassing or spell stacking, and it's primarily through the Concentration mechanic. So basically, if it's "disappointing" that there's a built-in control on stacking abilities, maybe don't take classes/subclasses that give you different sources for very similar, non-stackable bonus? We should also remember that both Bless and Favored Foe are limited resources, and even though you eventually get a decent number of spells per day between bard, cleric and ranger and a decent number of uses of Favored Foe through your proficiency bonus, having multiple sources for gaining the same kind of bonus should never be considered a disappointment ... unless you play in the kind of campaign where you're *guaranteed* a short rest after every encounter or two. Frankly, I've yet to play in any such campaign ... ;)
Knowledge cleric 2 and the knowledge of the ages ability could be a good addition early to cover any missing skills until you get proficiency later, and once you do have proficiency in all skills, can be used to make you (effectively) proficient with all tools as well. Would then be easier to justify prioritizing damage earlier.
I think you gave me the template for my ultimate "Dad" character. Or Iroh style character. The one who offers guidance and teaches his fellow party members haha.
Don't know if it got mentioned in another comment, but Jack of All Trades apply to ANY ability check that does NOT add your proficiency bonus. This includes: Initiative, counterspell/dispel magic vs higher level magic, any other ability check that does not fall under one of the skills.
If you spread your scores evenly for multiclassing, you could accomplish this with rogue scout 3, knowledge cleric 2, lore bard 3, rest in rune knight for the runes granting expertise on all tool checks with which you are proficient, and or advantage on up to six types of skill checks, in addition to your expertise. You would also be a 12th level fighter with three attacks. Have third level spell slots. (Including enlarge reduce for huge sized rune knight with expertise and advantage on grapples.)
A nice option! I think that, needing to get to Rogue 3 for the Scout Proficiencies, we would actually end up with proficiency in all skills at the same place (Character level 7) - I preferred the Soul Knife for the nice Psi Bolstered Knack buff to our checks, though there is an argument to be made for getting more Rogue levels sooner.
@@DnDDeepDive Going with your level 8 (cuz that's when you realistically got all proficiencies lol) benchmark Going Rogue 3 (phantom)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 gets you all proficiencies by 8. As phantom gives you one skill or tool proficiency of your choice per long rest. So, you have that skill from phantom be a not so awesome skill of your choice and could swap it out for ANY tool proficiency when needed. Then you could take an ASI such as prodigy or skill expert later to cover up that one proficiency, so you could use the speak with grave to constantly on any tool proficiency of your choice. Allowing you to go Rogue 11 (for reliable talent)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 (and last level in any class of your choice whether you'd rather have an extra ASI/spell slots/Fighting style/or Channel Divinity. Allowing you to essentially NEVER roll below like a 17 (assuming a 1 on guidance roll, or you could forgo guidance in favor of Enhance ability in the likely chance a party member has guidance) ANY skill check or tool check with any tool (with a short rest) by level 16, even with just regular proficiency, no expertise included. You'd roll over 23 on anything you had expertise in. Also, with wails to the grave, your damage output wouldn't be too shabby. And you'd have 1 additional ASI as well
That’s a pretty great build. I was thinking it was going to be variant human with skilled feat, start rogue and get scout 3 for extra expertise, 3 levels of lore bard then 1 level of knowledge cleric. Then taking rogue to 11 for Reliable Talent. Though I think your build definitely does much more damage, more accurately.
Royalty free idea: the 'if I say so' build. Halfling, Lucky feat, and rogue that can give help at range. Add in a few divine soul sorc levels for extra support. And a few 'goo'lock for some lovely control effects.or druid for a more natural feel instead.
Build idea: The ultimate expert. You pick one skill and then try to get every ability you can that buffs that skill, just to have those 2 moments during a campaign where you roll a 50 in something.
Hide checks dont tend to be all that dramatic though. With a skill monkey type build, I like taking this in the direction to max out both CHA/WIS and using Expertise on the Cha skill checks. If you take Rogue up to 11 for Reliable Talent, your effective rolling range for Persuasion/Deception checks is 32-42 before Bless or other buffs at tier 5. As a Soul Knife, you should be throwing 40s on a regular basis.
I did a version of this optimized for Performance. Mark of Shadow Elf Fey Wanderer Ranger 5/Lore Bard X. Took fighting style Druidic Warrior to get Shillelagh and Guidance. Main shtick in combat was smacking things with a stick + Spirit Shroud, or support spellcasting. ASIs went into Wis and Cha. At the highest levels it gets especially ridiculous when you can stack Guidance + Glibness + 1d12 from Peerless Skill. Performance was +22+1d4+1d4+1d12 and never rolls lower than 15 on the d20. Check results ranged from 40 to 62. This build also does great at Counterspelling cause it gets to add +Wis to spellcasting ability checks.
You could use the music at the beginning of the videos to indicate what damage tier The build falls into, and have the music be a subtle way to set the tone if we’re going for big damage or exploring a built.
Going with your level 8 (cuz that's when you realistically got all proficiencies lol) benchmark Going Rogue 3 (phantom)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 gets you all proficiencies by 8. As phantom gives you one skill or tool proficiency of your choice per long rest. So, you have that skill from phantom be a not so awesome skill of your choice and could swap it out for ANY tool proficiency when needed. Then you could take an ASI such as prodigy or skill expert later to cover up that one proficiency, so you could use the speak with grave to constantly on any tool proficiency of your choice. Allowing you to go Rogue 11 (for reliable talent)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 (and last level in any class of your choice whether you'd rather have an extra ASI/spell slots/Fighting style/or Channel Divinity. Allowing you to essentially NEVER roll below like a 17 (assuming a 1 on guidance roll ) ANY skill check or tool check with any tool (with a short rest) by level 16, even with just regular proficiency, no expertise included. You'd roll over 23 on anything you had expertise in. Also, with wails to the grave, your damage output wouldn't be too shabby. And you'd have 1 additional ASI as well
I love this build so much! I'm thinking of running some players through Candlekeep Mysteries, and this guy would be a perfect "follower" character if they need him (i.e. the friar in Van Helsing, the silly sidekick, etc.). Stays out of most combats because he's squishy, can aid a character since he can do a little bit of everything, a true jack of all trades. :) Great job as always, Colby!
I did something slightly different, but still got to all proficiencies by level 7. I started half elf instead of variant human. Which gave me 2 skill proficiencies and some other nice features. Followed the same level progression and took the skilled feat at bard 4. Ends up with one less skill expertise, but I think worth it for more ability score increases and other features from half elf
I like that you optimized something non-combat related. I have been thinking about how to optimize mobility (horizon walker 11 & scout 3). I'd like to see what build you'd come up with for maximizing mobility.
I like this concept a lot and tried my hand at it before Tasha's was released. I got to 18 skills at level 8 in what I think maybe a little bit more elegant solution. Half-Elf, Faction Agent, ScoutRogue4/LoreBard4. I enjoyed the roleplay concept you had here and wanted to spin mine in a similar way, a CIA Operative type character akin to the ones in the '60s that were used to destabilize nations. The Half-elf can work in both human and elven circles while belonging to neither, a college graduate who studied a broad amount of topics yet has had enough training that can roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty when need be. Half-elf: Persuasion, Acrobatics Faction Agent: Investigation, Insight Rogue1: Deception, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth Scout: Nature, Survival Skilled Feat: Athletics, Animal Handling, Medicine Bard1: Performance Lore: Arcana, History, Religion Prodigy Feat: Intimidation Expertise: 2 from Rogue, 2 from Bard, 1 from Prodigy From here I would bee-line to Rogue 11 (character 15) to get Reliable Talent, which gains another 2 Expertise from Rogue at 6. Assuming Standard Array, the worst roll you could make is a 14, and the minimum of a skill in a prime stat with expertise is 23 (nat20 becomes 33). To finish this to Level 20 I would grab three more Rogue levels and two in Bard, bumping another stat, advantage on initiative rolls, font of inspiration, and I want Pass without a trace from Magical Secrets to show off a minimum stealth roll of a 33 (max 43).
I liked this one a lot. Interesting twist on the usual maximize dpr for a given character build. I never would have guessed it was even possible to have at least proficiency in ALL skills! Let alone so fast! Bravo! 👏
My version of this build (the order of the levels as needed): Variant Human with the Skilled Feat. 11 levels of Rogue Scout for Reliable Talent and Expertise in 6(!) skills, two of which must be Nature and Survival. One level of Knowledge Cleric for Expertise in Arcana and Religion. Three levels of Lore Bard for Expertise in two more skills. Five levels of Fey Wanderer gives you one more Expertise. For feats I'd go with Xbow Expert, Sharpshooter and Tough and use the last ASI to bump Dex to 18. If you want to go more into allround and less for pure damage you could take Ranger 4 and Lore Bard 4 to get an extra ASI to max out your Dex. With this build you would also have a fourth level spell slot. For spells the ones you really want are Bless, Guidance and Enhance Ability, to be used as needed. In total, profiency in all skills, Expertise in 11 of them. If you make sure to take Expertise in Athletics and all three Int skills then the lowest you can roll is an 18 without Guidance or Enhance Ability. With a hand crossbow you would also be able to do (with Hunter's Mark) 8D6+ 1D4 +15 points of Damage in a single attack which, if you throw up Hunter's Mark on the turn before, you could easily get advantage on with the Aim bonus action. Not too bad. :)
A variation of this build I did a while ago which gives you proficiency in all 18 skills and expertise in 13 of those skills. Variant Human, Prodigy feat, any background, level 6 Scout Rogue, pick up Skill Expert at level 4, level 3 Lore Bard, level 1 Ranger for Canny, level 1 Knowledge Cleric. You can also add 3 levels of Rune Knight Fighter for the fire rune and a single level dip into Artificer so that you have access to the 'All Purpose Tool' which gives you expertise in all 23 tools. From there you can go 5 more rogue for reliable talent and never get below a 22 on a skill check or add 1 ranger, 1 artificer and 2 fighter for archery and thrown weapon fighting style, returning weapon infusion, sharpshooter feat and extra attack and use an infused returning dart to attack to tie in the throwing knife, 'Needler', build or scrap the fighter levels altogether and go to level 9 Armorer Artificer to keep expertise in every tool, always have advantage on stealth, have extra attack, a magic lightning launcher (that you can still use sneak attack with) and have a ton of infusions in your armor
If combat is a concern, I'd recommend going half-elf with the following array. STR 10, DEX 14 (+1), CON 10, INT 12, WIS 14 (+1), CHA 17 (+2); +2 Skills Background: +2 Skills LVL 1: Rogue 1: +4 Skills (8 total), 2 expertise (2 total) LVL 2: Warlock (Hexblade) 1: CHA to attack, MED Armor, Eldritch Blast LVL 3: Warlock (Hexblade) 2: CHA to Eldritch Blast, Beguiling influence (+2 skills) (10 total) LVL 4: Cleric (Knowledge) 1: +2 Skills (12 total), +2 Expertise (4 total), Spells, Shields LVL 5: Bard 1: Eldritch Blast keeps up damage, +1 Skill (13 total) LVL 6: Bard 2: Jack of all trades LVL 7: Bard (Lore) 3: +3 Skills (16 Total), +2 Expertise (6 total), Cutting Words LVL 8: Rogue 2: Cunning Action LVL 9: Rogue (Scout) 3: +2 Skills (18 Total), +2 Expertise (8 Total), +1 Sneak Attack Die You keep up in combat through Eldritch Blast and you have 2nd level spell slots. Then you can build out from there pretty freely. If you don't like Rogue (Scout): LVL 8: Bard (Lore) 4: Skill Expert - +1 Skill (17 Total), +1 Expertise (7 Total), 18 Charisma LVL 9: Ranger 1: +1 Skill (18 Total), +1 Expertise (8 Total) This way, your combat is on a strong stat (Charisma) and you have more bardic inspiration die. Although, I think a true skill monkey would be part Artificer, so they can double any tool proficiency too. The issue is it will take longer, and you will have to decide to prioritize combat or skills. If skills, Probably: Half Elf STR 10, DEX 14 (+1), CON 10, INT 17 (+2), WIS 13 , CHA 14 (+1); +2 Skills (Tasha's Rules) Background: +2 Skills LVL 1: Rogue 1: +4 Skills (8 total), 2 expertise (2 total) LVL 2: Artificer 1: Spells, MED Armor, Shields LVL 3: Artificer 2: Infusions LVL 4: Artificer (Battle Smith) 3: Int to Magic Weapons, Martial proficiency LVL 5: Artificer (Battle Smith) 4: Skill Expert - +1 Skill (9 Total), +1 Expertise (3 Total), 18 Intelligence LVL 6: Bard 1: +1 Skill (10 total) LVL 7: Bard 2: Jack of all trades LVL 8: Bard (Lore) 3: +3 Skills (13 Total), +2 Expertise (5 total), Cutting Words LVL 9: Cleric (Knowledge) 1: +2 Skills (15 total), +2 Expertise (7 total), Spells, Shields LVL 10: Rogue 2: Cunning Action LVL 11: Rogue (Scout) 3: +2 Skills (17 Total), +2 Expertise (9 Total), +1 Sneak Attack Die LVL 12: Ranger 1: +1 Skill (18 Total), +1 Expertise (10 Total) LVL 13: Artificer (Battle Smith) 5: Extra Attack LVL 14: Artificer (Battle Smith) 6: Tool Expertise You survive on your weaker dex and spells until you can change over to being SAD with INT. 3 more levels of bard and you can get Shadow Blade, a finesse magic weapon created from spells. You can change this up to finish Artificer earlier to have more damage earlier.
This is a very fun character idea. I think I would try to play it more like Gandalf, who is very well-travelled and wise (and who doesn't cast very many flashy spells!). I would probably go with STR/CON/INT 10, DEX/WIS 14, CHA 14 (+2). First level Rogue1, second level Cleric1 (breastplate and shield for AC, cantrip Thaumaturgy "Do not mistake me for a conjurer of cheap tricks!"), third and fourth Ranger1-2 (for the Goodberry spell and fighting style Druidic Warrior: Thorn Whip and either ProduceFire or Shelaleigh), fifth through tenth levels Bard1-6. The lvl6 damage report (Toll the Dead 2d12) would be worse than your baseline, but you'd be Blessing, Healing and Inspiring your allies in combat instead of pretending to be a DPS... and the next level you could pick up Heat Metal if you wanted some more damage instead of Bless. The Bard4 feat should be War Caster. Bard6 Secrets of Arcana would be Spirit Guardians and Spiritual Weapon, so your later damage reports would be a little behind your Nature's Wrath cleric (lower available spell slot for Spirit Guardians would reduce AoE damage). Eleven and twelve are Ranger 3-4 (finally getting Deception proficiency, Ranger4 feat is Resilient CON), and then the rest of your career is Bard (ASIs bump CHA). It would be really weak in combat at the first half of its career (but it would be solid support and provide excellent non-combat utility), but it would get significantly stronger at Bard6 (level 10). And, honestly, I think it'd be hilarious to be leaning on cantrips and first-level spells for so long while claiming to be a mighty wizard. However, if you wanted to emphasize combat effectiveness, going Rogue1, Cleric 1, Bard 4 would get you Heat Metal and Cloud of Daggers by the first damage report. Then you would probably go Ranger 1&2 to get Thorn Whip to drag them into your Cloud of Daggers, then up to Bard 6 and then Ranger 4.
I really enjoyed this build. Also, as for the music, I like both, but I think the new music fits the feel of the videos more. The old one felt, to me at least, like a really fast hard turn to go from metally vibes to chill video vibes, but that may just be me. Either way is cool.
Nice Would have gone for half elf to have another +1 to two stats and the two skill proficiencies. May have delayed the accumulation of all skills but may have given higher stats to begin with and make you more well rounded I would have also gone for scout rogue, dropped the ranger and cleric levels, taken the skilled expert and skilled feats and got to rogue 11 for reliable talent
Thanks for giving me this idea. I decided on my own build and made a half-elf at the start for better stats while still having an extra skill proficiency. I could go +3 dex, +2 to Cha, Int, and Wisdom, +1 con, and -1 STR. Making STR the dump stat for this over-achieving bookworm makes sense. Then at lvl 6 I could still have proficiency in every skill except for athletics if I go Rogue 1, Cleric 1, and Bard 4 and pick up the skilled feat then. From then I'd just go rogue all the way to get to reliable talent. If I really wanted to I could get skill expert at some point to get athletics as well, but I probably won't. Leave the heavy lifting to the barbarian.
For a slightly simpler version of this build you can go Scout Rogue 3, Lore Bard 3, Either 4 and get Eldritch Adept: Beguiling influence. Only 6 expertise's, but a bit less ability score dependent.
I did my own take on this build at one point. It was a Half-Elf Scout 6/ Lore Bard 14. A little slower to get everything since I needed two feats to get there, but it's been fun to see the differences.
One note: Having proficiency isn't enough at later levels. At about level 5 you need at least your proficiency bonus + 1 to a skill check for it worth using most of the time, pb + 2 at level 10, and pb + 3 at about 15th level. Grabbing spells to boost your rolls is a good call.
I skipped this video originally not super interested in a skill monkey, I've been watching pretty early on in the start, the first video I watched being Swashbuckler optimized. Though I've missed many videos along the way, this is the first time I've seen you in a stormlight archive shirt. This has only reaffirmed that you are a man of great quality and culture.
Cool build, thanks so much! On the Psychic Blades: even later it might come in handy. Imagine you are stuck in melee. Despite having CBE, you could use one of your extra attacks to shove the enemy prone and then take two swings with your blades with advantage, which also helps to trigger your sneak attack. And since the character is likely to succeed on the Athletics contest, it will probably work 😊
Worth talking with a DM for this build to see if they'll allow your bard magic to be of the psionic variety. Make it be mechanically identical to the arcane, but it works brilliantly for tying the flavour together.
My only warning for this build is not the damage. If its an RP heavy campaign with a low to no emphasis on combat you are likely to overshadow literally everyone. And that kinda ruins their fun. This build has major "main character" energy. That being said, I love the play on mechanics and for a campaign without an emphasis on out of combat actions this would be awesome.
going halfling would give you ability to reroll nat ones on an original roll. Then you're only going to fail if you roll nat one twice in succession which is only a 1 in 400 chance. If you additionally take the lucky feat, three times per long rest you can roll another die bringing your chance of failure to 1 in 8,000. you're also monkey sized. :D We could call it the lucky, lucky skill monkey.
I've always wondered how someone would optimize a warlord-esque character, a martial based around manipulating allies and the battlefield. In your death knight build you mentioned that support characters are hard to quantify but that intrigues me even more. In my head I either see like a warforged that has the mind of an animated chess king that controls his allies and uses chess terms or a hobgoblin warlord who commands troops into battle. I presume something like a valour bard/battlemaster fighter with the inspiring leader feat would be along those lines, but i've really wanted to see an optimizer's take on it. Sorry about the rant, just didn't really know where to post this that you would see it. Edit: Just found the reddit, have posted on there as well for any viewers that would like to help me out
If you only want prof in every skill, you could just go 4 Scout Rogue and 4 Lore Bard. Start with Half-Elf, and whatever background your class proficiencies don't cover. Then get the Skilled and Skill Expert Feats. That's all 18 skills right there with 7 of them expertise. Your stats won't be great, but if you only want prof in all skills there you go.
Why didn't I find you before? smooth talk about character creation and you share my little obsesion in crazy building, you are the perfect channel. hope you will growth a lot .
Ranger at 5th you can get pass without trace spell to turn the team into ninja stealth experts. Which I just rewound and you mentioned. i think that is totally awesome.
Jack of all trade isn't useless after proficiency in all skills, as it does boost your initiative. It would only be useless if you were also a Harengon. Not great, but not useless.
What about Rune Knight? Once you apply the runes to yourself most of them give you advantage in two skill checks. Not exactly the same but now you're also a large creature who can grapple just about anything and kick ass with a great sword
I can't edit after the fact, unfortunately, but what I meant to say, obviously, was "you only attempt to use the d6 if the initial check fails" - i.e. you can wait to see if the check fails first before you try to use the die. But yes, should have mentioned that you even get to keep the die if using it doesn't help.
Skill Expert and Prodigy feats could add expertise to a couple of skills as well. Your character should go around saying, "And Bob's Your Uncle" every time he successfully makes a skill check.
Why rogues didn't but the damage like a truck? Man u have a plenty of d6's on that big hit, how this does not the biggest DPR in game? Also thanks for the build Colby, was pretty fun to watch
A level of rogue to start. +4 A level of ranger. +1 A level of bard. +1 The reborn race. +2 Any background gives 2 skills, but pick one with a feature that can't be replicated by a high Persuasion check. +2 The Eldritch Adept feat for beguiling presence. +2 The Skilled feat. +3 The Martial Adept feat, and pick commanding presence and tactical assessment as the maneuvers. Take druidic warrior fighting style for guidance. Take rogue to 3 for Inquisitive. Take bard to 3 for Eloquence. Take ranger to 3 for fey wanderer. +1 Take any or all to level 4 for the above feats. That's 16, and jack of all trades gives half proficiency in the last 2. Why martial adept, reborn, inquisitive, and eloquence? Because they're better than going lore bard and knowledge cleric for more skills. Inquisitive and eloquence give you skill floors to a wide selection of useful skills. Ensuring you roll high on important social and exploration rolls. Reborn, commanding presence, and tactical assessment allow you to add 1d6 to a wide range of useful skill checks. Ensuring you roll high. And of course guidance adds 1d4 when you have prep time and concentration freed up. As for damage, stacking the psychic damage die from fey wanderer on to sneak attacks ensured with high insight checks from Inquisitive works well enough. After level 12 pick one of your 3 classes and take it the rest of the way. More bard levels for full caster levels. More rogue levels for sneak attack upgrades. More ranger levels for half caster levels and all the odds and ends Tasha's gives ranger. Edit: Put your first expertise into Insight and any future expertise occurrences into Str, Dex, or Int skills. Dex, Wis, and Cha are your main stats and the prority you pick will depend on which class you take beyone 4th level. Honestly with proficiency, the skill floor from eloquence, and fey wanderer adding both wis and cha to cha skills you probably don't need expertise in most cha skills.
16:55 Jack of all trades can continue to be useful as there are a number ability checks that do not allow proficiency. Initiative is an example of a well known one, but there are other examples. Some creatures that grapple or restrain on hit give ability check DCs to escape but do not allow athletics or acrobatics proficiencies to be added. Similarly, If a creature cast telekinesis on you, you would be able to use your jack of all trades. Wrathful smite has an ability check that doesn’t allow for proficiency too. A more restrictive DM might not allow proficiency in a skill to be used when another table would. Such as when breaking down a door.
I have a similar build, but I just go variant human, then start with rogue, then lore bard, knowledge cleric, then scout rogue all the way (scouts give you extra proficiencies as well). Decent damage thanks to sneak attack but that's not the main point. You'll still have enough ASIs to afford a feat at later levels
This would be the most grounded lvl 20 character ever (assuming you took Rogue to lvl10). Kinda cool, just the best of the best at getting stuff done... just not taking out demi-gods in a fight.
With 10 STR, 18 DEX, 10 CON, 10 INT, 14 WIS, and 14 CHA you have these bonuses: +0 STR, +4 DEX, +0 INT, +2 WIS, +2 CHA. The +2 CHA is effectively +4 CHA thanks to Fey Wanderer. With 7 Expertise and the desire to make the ultimate skill monkey, it makes sense to drop those expertise on your weakest stats, starting from STR/INT and then over to WIS. So assuming you drop it on: Athletics, Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion and with the leftover one being used for Perception. Add the 6 Proficiency bonus. At that point, your lowest skills would be at 8 for Wisdom checks (except for Perception), 10 for Dexterity and Charisma, and 12 for Strength and Intelligence, and 14 for Perception. Not as high as you can get by compounding Expertise on your stronger stats, but it goes a long way to making your character seem extremely competent at everything. With point buy, I think this would be a good justification to fully dump STR and INT to 8 and using that to bump Constitution. If you're throwing Expertise at your STR/INT skills, they'll drop to +11 but still be really good for you. Grabbing a Luckstone should be a huge priority, since getting that +1 to everything will help tie everything together even more.
New playtest gives humans a free feat on top of the background feat. Skilled can now be taken more than once. Human Rogues can start the game with 13 skill proficiencies. O.o 2x Skilled: 6 Rogue: 4 Background: 2 Human: 1 New fastest "All-skills speedrun": Level 5? 1 level rogue: 13 skills 3 levels bard: 14 (level 1 bard), 17 (level 3) 1 level knowledge cleric: 18 (1 proficiency wasted?) Or just 4 levels rogue (Take Skilled 3 times, lol) and one level of knowledge cleric
Some people have mentioned the 11th level Rogue already for its reliable talent. Although you can't hit the 18 skills as quickly, I feel like a Harengon Scout Rogue (11), Lore Bard (3), Hexblade (3) would be much more powerful. You take skilled and skill expert, the Beguiling Influence invocation (and Agonizing Blast, of course), and you can take your pick between Eldritch Blast or Sneak Attack (combined with a Rapier and Booming Blade?) for damage, whichever is better under the circumstances. You can concentrate on Charisma rather than splitting between Dex, Wis, and Cha. And you're skilled in all 18 skills plus thieves tools, 2 other tools, and initiative. Not to mention 7 skills you're expert in. Take your pick on Pact. You could even use your last Feat for resilient to get proficiency in a 3rd Saving Throw if you want to lean into that +6 Proficiency Bonus you've got.
Late to the party... my skill monkey of choice is a half-elf Rogue (Scout) 11+ for Reliable Talent plus Knowledge Cleric 1 with the Skilled feat and Guidance. Proficiency in all skills (and Thieves' Tools) except three by level 4. Expertise in eight of them, too. Grab the remaining skills, more Expertise, and half-proficiency in everything else (i.e., tools) by adding in Lore Bard after getting RT. Bonus points for being a PHB+1 build. I would not optimize for damage with a skill monkey build. 6d6+ of Sneak Attack alone can provide satisfactory damage output. Since this build steals *everyone* else's thunder when it comes to ability checks, letting them shine at damage should keep the other players happy.
So I'm sort of doing something like this ATM. I've taken Fey Wanderer to level 5 first, now I'm going to take 5 levels of Sorcerer. The point of this is 4 fold 1)more spell slots of Utility spells like Enhance ability. 2)Tides of Chaos 3)the level 5 Reroll 4)quickened Spells for combat, subtle spells for ooc. So rather than going for proficiency in every skill, I was more aiming for abundant rolls (2-3 on each check) and bonuses (my Cha and Wisdom are both +3)
I've made one fun build with this spirit, but slightly different. First level in rogue, one level in bard, third level in rogue I picked scout for two more expertises, third level in lore bard, then one level in knowledge cleric. Then, straight rogue if you want more damage and Reliable Talent at rogue 11, Rogue Scout 16 / Lore bard 3/ Knowledge Cleric 1. Or, straight bard, if you want more versatility and spells, Rogue Scout 3 / Lore Bard 16 / Knowledge Cleric 1. You can get all skills at level 7 too, if you pick V human or Custom Lineage. I never used it in actually game, but seems fun.
You favor actor Anthony Starr (AKA Homelander) so much that I wouldn't be surprised if you were related. I did a build with a similar idea in mind, but I want a different route. I stuck with bard, and stuck with College of Swords. Reason being, you aren't taking advantage of persuasion unless you can cast tongues. Having Luck helps with skill checks, and as a halfling you can re roll 1's. He isn't quite as good at skill checks, but has has good AC and Umph in combat with two weapon fighting. Considering you can get Magic Secrets, and he gets most of the important skill checks
I had a skill monkey build but I had different priorities for mine: #1 - leaving out 11 levels for rogue so I could get Reliable Talent. #2 - be proficient in all skills. #3 - get double proficiency bonus in as many skills as I can, especially those with passive scores (insight, investigation, perception). I think I picked Half-Elf for race and for subclasses: Scout archetype, Knowledge domain, Lore college (that was pre-Tasha's, it's possible I'd build it differently if I were to do it today).
Builds like this are fun. I think going for all skills is a super meme though, even in the context of a "skill monkey". Proficiency in all skills is not worth the opportunity cost of reliable talent at rogue 11 (assuming the game lasts that long). While watching this I did a quick mock up build. It ended up; Rogue (scout) 11/ Ranger (fey wanderer) 5 15 out of 18 skills known, 8 expertise picks (arcana, history, and religion were the skills i didn't take, because who has time for books anyways?!) 20 dex, aim (from tashas), extra attack, and Sharpshooter for damage. I don't know what the damage would be exactly, but its probably a bit under what you have here do to the lack of crossbow expert. But there is another feat at rogue 12 of course. Or you could pick up that cleric (knowledge) level for two knowledge skills your missing. I don't think it matters too much... What does matter is that the master of all skills can still roll a 1, but a reliable talent rogue cannot.
Usually you recommend Stealth and Thief"s Tools for expertise. Why the change? Bard also gets an instrument. Might I suggest a wind instrument, pan pipes would be good. Being proficient in a wind instrument is a requirement for the pipes of haunting and the pipes of the sewers. For Bard Spells, I would chose Prestidigitation and Message; Silvery Barbs, Sleep, Unseen Servant and Healing Word. Identify would be my next choice.
Wild build! While I know the goal is proficiency in all skills, I really like the astral elf for skill monkeys (over half elves or Tabaxi which are the other popular options for folks) because you get Perception (or Tasha's custom options for a different one) innately then your Astral trance to switch your skill once per Long Rest. Githyanki also get Astral Knowledge, but they don't get the base Perception. So you can trim some of the skill proficiencies if you're willing to have to adapt each day. Not sure what, to be honest but its a versatile alternative.
Since you're going Variant Human, Prodigy is probably a better option than Skill Expert. If you're going AL, you're limited to 3 classes for multiclass, so bard 4 earlier and then Skill Expert at the next time you'd get a feat. Or you can bump it differently, swap out Variant Human for Half Elf, shift skilled to later in the build and Prodigy or Skill Expert at a later point (Or do both and shift things around slightly to get an extra tool proficiency from Skilled.
Jack of all trade doesn't become useless, it still buffs ability check that cannot gain proficiency in like a strength check (that is not an athletic) initiative check (unless you started with harengon or took paladin oath of the watch) caster check like with dispel magic and counterspell, and TOOL proficiency, which you didn'T include in your 18 skill proficiencies. for the alternate path, maybe a path where you do not get all proficiencies but do you really need them all? some of them are very redundant. Do you need persuasion, deception AND intimidation? If you have speak with beast do you need handle animal? If you have detect tought as a spell do you need insight? If you accept to not have all the profiencie, you an then take sharpshooter at level 1, or grab a race that give 2 skill (instead of 4 from V.human) but some other bonus (half elf do give more stats bonus for a MAD build like this one
After doing some research, I found out that you can just use borrowed knowledge on yourself, and you can gain Skill Empowerment when you unlock level 5 spells, and that lets you gain expertise in a skill you have proficiency in. As far I am already playing a college or swords bard, and they are just awesome in combat. They are just as competent in skills too. I am almost sure you can stack this with Borrowed Knowledge too. With that in mind, The Lucky Feat is great for skill checks too. Also, halflings can re roll ones. Bard's have Bardic inspiration die to add to skill checks. Enhanced Ability if great with this build too, because it counts towards skills that use the contributing attribute. With this set up, you have a character who is not only able to hold his own in combat, he also rarely fails a skill check
Errata: Favored Foe requires concentration, so you couldn't couple it with Bless. Bless is obviously the better choice for you and your entire party :).
I would have gone with Favoured Enemy for more languages and the Scout for Expertise in Nature and Survival. A very nicebuild over all though. I really like the inclusion of Fey Wanderer.
I was just going to mention this.
There are many ways to make a skill monkey but to get the most reliable one you need to have soul knife really because you get that on-demand +d8 to any skill check. I’d have tried to get rogue 11 for the reliable talent feature and used the extra ASIs for things like Skill Expert and Prodigy but it would have meant more delays to getting proficiency in all skills - certainly not by lvl 7/8 at least.
I don't always even bother with Favored Foe even when my concentration is available. It's not worth the time it takes to tell the table you're using it.
Ah but the real benefit is that is action free. So you can apply it when you've used your bonus action elsewhere.
This build is hilarious, I’m just gonna play it like “I once had and uncle that had a friend that had a uncle that learned this thing so naturally I can do it.” In a thick Brooklyn accent
"Oh, well, y'see my wife has a friend who knows all about that sorta thing, so I just picked up a few things here 'n there..."
Here’s my all 18 proficiencies at level 7 build, it is only 2 classes
Race: Variant Human
Skill: Performance
Feat: Skilled (History, Insight, Investigation)
Background: Custom (Proficiency in Stealth and Religion)
Level 1-4 Rouge Scout
Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Perception, Slight of Hand, Intimidation
Survivalist: Proficiencies and Expertise in nature and survival
Feat: Eldridge Adept; Beguiling Influence: Proficiency in Deception and Persuasion
Level 5-7 Lore Bard
Proficiency: Animal Handling
Bonus Proficiency: Arcana, Athletics, Medicine
This may be the most MAD build of all time: in fact, it's got proficiency in every skill, and being good at every skill is what the build is based on, so in a way it's AAD (All Attribute Dependent)
I like this, AAD
It's AAD because you'll be screaming during combat and your DM will be screaming when they try to add a skill check
I would have done something a little different, starting at level 7. Rather than getting Ranger 2 and 3, go back to Rogue the rest of the way. Either go with the Phantom subclass to get that last proficiency at Rogue 3, or stick with Soulknife and use the feat to get it at Rogue 4. Either way, you're on your way to Reliable Talent at Rogue 11, which means that you will laugh at natural ones on your skill check rolls.
I was thinking something similar. I made a build like this that was all about Reliable Talent and having that for every single skill, instead of just having them all.
@@ProtoFire8 So how was it? Cause i'm also wanna do this one, with Expertise feat all ASI/feat levels
@@Olden2610 Haven't played it, just built it.
Also, skipping ranger levels and just committing to the (yes not great) soulknife blades, you wouldn't need any gear, you are the ultimate infiltrator, especially if you can get some light armor underneath your regalia
Going with colby's level 8 (cuz that's when he realistically got all proficiencies lol) benchmark Going Rogue 3 (phantom)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 gets you all proficiencies by 8. As phantom gives you one skill or tool proficiency of your choice per long rest. So, you have that skill from phantom be a not so awesome skill of your choice and could swap it out for ANY tool proficiency when needed. Then you could take an ASI such as prodigy or skill expert later to cover up that one proficiency, so you could use the speak with grave to constantly on any tool proficiency of your choice. Allowing you to go Rogue 11 (for reliable talent)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 (and last level in any class of your choice whether you'd rather have an extra ASI/spell slots/Fighting style/or Channel Divinity. Allowing you to essentially NEVER roll below like a 17 on the INT and STR skills (assuming a 1 on guidance roll, or you could forgo guidance in favor of Enhance ability in the likely chance a party member has guidance) ANY skill check or tool check with any tool (with a short rest) by level 16, even with just regular proficiency, no expertise included. You'd roll over 23 on anything you had expertise in. Also, with wails to the grave, your damage output wouldn't be too shabby. And you'd have 1 additional ASI as well (assuming the last level is in either bard or rogue, which id probably go bard if i was stopping at 17 for the spell slots)
Here is an old "Expertise" build I did a long time ago. I need to update it. Human Skills Expert build. The goal of this build was to get as many skill bonuses & advantages for as many skills as possible as quickly as possible. I typically do not play characters beyond 10th level and this build reflects my play style. By level 10 you will have a passive 20 in ten different skills!
Human Racial Feature: +1 all stats: Str 14, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14. *reason need minimum 13 in Dex, Wis, and Cha for multiclass requirements, this array also gives +2 bonus to ALL skills!
1st level: Proficiency Bonus is +2
Rogue 1: 4 skills & 2 expertise (1 can be thieves tools)
2nd level
Cleric 1: Knowledge Domain: Guidance Cantrip, Blessing Knowledge: 2 languages, +2 skills & expertise in both (Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion)
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 6 skill proficiencies (add +2), 4 of those skills have expertise (add another +2).
Of all eighteen skills, you have twelve skills at +2, two skills at +4, four skills at +6, and can cast Guidance (+1d4).
3rd level
Bard 1: 1 skill, 1 musical instrument.
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 7 skill proficiencies (add +2), 4 of those skills have expertise (add another +2).
Of all eighteen skills, you have eleven skills at +2, three skills at +4, four skills at +6, and can cast Guidance (+1d4).
4th level
Bard 2: Jack of All Trades + 1/2 proficiency in all untrained skills.
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 7 skill proficiencies (add +2), 4 of those skills have expertise (add another +2).
Of all eighteen skills, you have eleven skills at +3, three skills at +4, four skills at +6, and can cast Guidance (+1d4).
5th level: Proficiency bonus increases to +3
Bard 3: Expertise 2 skills, Lore +3 skills, Enhance Ability Spell.
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 10 skill proficiencies (add +3), 6 of those skills have expertise (add another +3).
Of all eighteen skills, you have eight skills at +3, four skills at +5, six skills at +8, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells.
6th level
Rogue 2: Just to get to Rogue level 3 & 6 faster.
7th level
Rogue 3: Scout: Proficiency & Expertise in Nature & Survival
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 12 skill proficiencies (add +3), 8 of those skills have expertise (add another +3).
Of all eighteen skills, you have six skills at +3, four skills at +5, eight skills at +8, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells.
8th level
Rogue 4: Skilled feat +3 skill proficiencies
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 15 skill proficiencies (add +3), 8 of those skills have expertise (add another +3).
Of all eighteen skills, you have three skills at +3, seven skills at +5, eight skills at +8, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells.
9th level: Proficiency bonus increases to +4
Rogue 5: Just to get to Rogue level 6 faster.
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 15 skill proficiencies (add +4), 8 of those skills have expertise (add another +4).
Of all eighteen skills, you have three skills at +3, seven skills at +6, eight skills at +10, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells.
10th level
Rogue 6: Expertise in 2 of your proficient skills.
Benchmark = +2 bonus to all skills from attribute stats, 15 skill proficiencies (add +4), 10 of those skills have expertise (add another +4).
Of all eighteen skills, you have three skills at +3, five skills at +6, ten skills at +10, and can cast Guidance (+1d4) or Enhance Ability spells.
when Colby picked up nature I was curious if he would go scout NGL!
This is actually better for dmg as well.
If I calculate it correctly, this should bump the dmg on lvl 10 beyond the 56 dpr if done correctly
I mean, at least you get the initiative bonus from Jack of All Trades since it's a dex check you're not proficient with
It also applies to checks using _tools_ rather than skills, which is potentially useful, plus the Counterspell Int check if we ever go as far as Lore Bard 6 for Additional Magical Secrets.
@DaraelDraconis oh, I didn't think about that. I always assumed skill checks, not tools. But I knew counterspell and initiative.
Edit: dispell magic too
@@crownlexicon5225 yeah! Plus it's table dependent, but some DMs also occasionally like to call for plain ability checks with no skill or tool attached, and JOAT applies to those, as well
@@DaraelDraconis I see it fairly often in pre-written modules. Often plain strength checks
Also good for using scrolls in all those spellcaster classes that you only took a dip in.
Favored foe requires concentration, conflicting with both hunter’s mark and also bless :( which is why a lot of people aren’t thrilled about it when compared to the UA version which let you cast hunter’s mark without concentration or a spell slot a certain number of times per day.
Truth! Seems like I always either forget *this* or that it *doesn't* require a bonus action :). I'm so underwhelmed with the ability that I always seem to screw up the rules on it :P.
@@DnDDeepDive I would argue that, while anybody is free to multiclass so long as the DM allows it, 5E seems *specifically designed* to avoid stacking bonuses like this, particularly through multiclassing or spell stacking, and it's primarily through the Concentration mechanic. So basically, if it's "disappointing" that there's a built-in control on stacking abilities, maybe don't take classes/subclasses that give you different sources for very similar, non-stackable bonus?
We should also remember that both Bless and Favored Foe are limited resources, and even though you eventually get a decent number of spells per day between bard, cleric and ranger and a decent number of uses of Favored Foe through your proficiency bonus, having multiple sources for gaining the same kind of bonus should never be considered a disappointment ... unless you play in the kind of campaign where you're *guaranteed* a short rest after every encounter or two. Frankly, I've yet to play in any such campaign ... ;)
@@morganpetros9635 I have, it's kind broken ngl
Level 1:(see above) [rogue 1 & race]
Levels 2:(see above) [bard 1]
Levels 3:(@16:46) [bard 2]
Levels 4:(@17:44) [bard 3 & sub-class]
Levels 5:(@20:19) [cleric 1 & sub-class]
Levels 6:(@24:10) [ranger 1]
Levels 7:(see above) [ranger 2]
Levels 8:(@29:36) [ranger 3 & sub-class]
Levels 9:(@31:51) [ranger 4 & ASI]
Levels 10:(see above) [ranger 5]
Levels 11:(@34:50) [bard 4 & ASI]
Levels 12:(@36:01) [rogue 2]
Levels 13:(@36:30) [rogue 3 & sub-class]
Levels 14:(@42:58) [rogue 4 & ASI]
Levels 15:(see above 14-17) [rogue 5]
Levels 16:(@43:41) [rogue 6]
Levels 17:(@44:01) [rogue 7]
Alternate path 1 (@46:00)
Alternate path 2 (@46:25)
Knowledge cleric 2 and the knowledge of the ages ability could be a good addition early to cover any missing skills until you get proficiency later, and once you do have proficiency in all skills, can be used to make you (effectively) proficient with all tools as well. Would then be easier to justify prioritizing damage earlier.
I think you gave me the template for my ultimate "Dad" character. Or Iroh style character. The one who offers guidance and teaches his fellow party members haha.
ha ha!
Don't know if it got mentioned in another comment, but Jack of All Trades apply to ANY ability check that does NOT add your proficiency bonus.
This includes: Initiative, counterspell/dispel magic vs higher level magic, any other ability check that does not fall under one of the skills.
If you spread your scores evenly for multiclassing, you could accomplish this with rogue scout 3, knowledge cleric 2, lore bard 3, rest in rune knight for the runes granting expertise on all tool checks with which you are proficient, and or advantage on up to six types of skill checks, in addition to your expertise. You would also be a 12th level fighter with three attacks. Have third level spell slots. (Including enlarge reduce for huge sized rune knight with expertise and advantage on grapples.)
A nice option! I think that, needing to get to Rogue 3 for the Scout Proficiencies, we would actually end up with proficiency in all skills at the same place (Character level 7) - I preferred the Soul Knife for the nice Psi Bolstered Knack buff to our checks, though there is an argument to be made for getting more Rogue levels sooner.
@@DnDDeepDive Going with your level 8 (cuz that's when you realistically got all proficiencies lol) benchmark Going Rogue 3 (phantom)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 gets you all proficiencies by 8. As phantom gives you one skill or tool proficiency of your choice per long rest. So, you have that skill from phantom be a not so awesome skill of your choice and could swap it out for ANY tool proficiency when needed. Then you could take an ASI such as prodigy or skill expert later to cover up that one proficiency, so you could use the speak with grave to constantly on any tool proficiency of your choice. Allowing you to go Rogue 11 (for reliable talent)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 (and last level in any class of your choice whether you'd rather have an extra ASI/spell slots/Fighting style/or Channel Divinity. Allowing you to essentially NEVER roll below like a 17 (assuming a 1 on guidance roll, or you could forgo guidance in favor of Enhance ability in the likely chance a party member has guidance) ANY skill check or tool check with any tool (with a short rest) by level 16, even with just regular proficiency, no expertise included. You'd roll over 23 on anything you had expertise in. Also, with wails to the grave, your damage output wouldn't be too shabby. And you'd have 1 additional ASI as well
Jack of All Trades is still a little useful once you have proficiency in all skills. It bumps your initiative bonus, because it's a Dexterity check.
That’s a pretty great build. I was thinking it was going to be variant human with skilled feat, start rogue and get scout 3 for extra expertise, 3 levels of lore bard then 1 level of knowledge cleric. Then taking rogue to 11 for Reliable Talent. Though I think your build definitely does much more damage, more accurately.
Royalty free idea: the 'if I say so' build. Halfling, Lucky feat, and rogue that can give help at range. Add in a few divine soul sorc levels for extra support. And a few 'goo'lock for some lovely control effects.or druid for a more natural feel instead.
While I would never play this I had so much fun watching you describe it! Thank you!
Build idea: The ultimate expert. You pick one skill and then try to get every ability you can that buffs that skill, just to have those 2 moments during a campaign where you roll a 50 in something.
that would be sleight of hand if you grab those gloves of thievery
Nope the hide check. Pass without Trace + 10 to hide checks
Hide checks dont tend to be all that dramatic though. With a skill monkey type build, I like taking this in the direction to max out both CHA/WIS and using Expertise on the Cha skill checks. If you take Rogue up to 11 for Reliable Talent, your effective rolling range for Persuasion/Deception checks is 32-42 before Bless or other buffs at tier 5. As a Soul Knife, you should be throwing 40s on a regular basis.
I did a version of this optimized for Performance. Mark of Shadow Elf Fey Wanderer Ranger 5/Lore Bard X. Took fighting style Druidic Warrior to get Shillelagh and Guidance. Main shtick in combat was smacking things with a stick + Spirit Shroud, or support spellcasting. ASIs went into Wis and Cha. At the highest levels it gets especially ridiculous when you can stack Guidance + Glibness + 1d12 from Peerless Skill. Performance was +22+1d4+1d4+1d12 and never rolls lower than 15 on the d20. Check results ranged from 40 to 62. This build also does great at Counterspelling cause it gets to add +Wis to spellcasting ability checks.
At what point does it stop making sense to attempt combat at all, and just spend your turns singing songs about walking off cliffs instead?
You could use the music at the beginning of the videos to indicate what damage tier The build falls into, and have the music be a subtle way to set the tone if we’re going for big damage or exploring a built.
Going with your level 8 (cuz that's when you realistically got all proficiencies lol) benchmark Going Rogue 3 (phantom)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 gets you all proficiencies by 8. As phantom gives you one skill or tool proficiency of your choice per long rest. So, you have that skill from phantom be a not so awesome skill of your choice and could swap it out for ANY tool proficiency when needed. Then you could take an ASI such as prodigy or skill expert later to cover up that one proficiency, so you could use the speak with grave to constantly on any tool proficiency of your choice. Allowing you to go Rogue 11 (for reliable talent)/Cleric 1/Bard 3/ Ranger 1 (and last level in any class of your choice whether you'd rather have an extra ASI/spell slots/Fighting style/or Channel Divinity. Allowing you to essentially NEVER roll below like a 17 (assuming a 1 on guidance roll ) ANY skill check or tool check with any tool (with a short rest) by level 16, even with just regular proficiency, no expertise included. You'd roll over 23 on anything you had expertise in. Also, with wails to the grave, your damage output wouldn't be too shabby. And you'd have 1 additional ASI as well
Time for a New Spreadsheet! The "Flavor Optimization" spreadsheet.
I love this build so much! I'm thinking of running some players through Candlekeep Mysteries, and this guy would be a perfect "follower" character if they need him (i.e. the friar in Van Helsing, the silly sidekick, etc.). Stays out of most combats because he's squishy, can aid a character since he can do a little bit of everything, a true jack of all trades. :) Great job as always, Colby!
i think the new music would fit more but the metal music is more stand-outish and iconic to me and i like it
I like the new music. I have always wondered about a build like this and you blew ot out of the park
I did something slightly different, but still got to all proficiencies by level 7. I started half elf instead of variant human. Which gave me 2 skill proficiencies and some other nice features. Followed the same level progression and took the skilled feat at bard 4. Ends up with one less skill expertise, but I think worth it for more ability score increases and other features from half elf
This is the build I always went with when building a skill monkey. Of course I made it first when PHB was the only option for subclasses.
“I have to have something to graph….” LOL.
I like that you optimized something non-combat related. I have been thinking about how to optimize mobility (horizon walker 11 & scout 3). I'd like to see what build you'd come up with for maximizing mobility.
Love that you added the combat angle to the skill aspect. Truly a swiss army knife.
I like this concept a lot and tried my hand at it before Tasha's was released. I got to 18 skills at level 8 in what I think maybe a little bit more elegant solution. Half-Elf, Faction Agent, ScoutRogue4/LoreBard4. I enjoyed the roleplay concept you had here and wanted to spin mine in a similar way, a CIA Operative type character akin to the ones in the '60s that were used to destabilize nations. The Half-elf can work in both human and elven circles while belonging to neither, a college graduate who studied a broad amount of topics yet has had enough training that can roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty when need be.
Half-elf: Persuasion, Acrobatics
Faction Agent: Investigation, Insight
Rogue1: Deception, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Scout: Nature, Survival
Skilled Feat: Athletics, Animal Handling, Medicine
Bard1: Performance
Lore: Arcana, History, Religion
Prodigy Feat: Intimidation
Expertise: 2 from Rogue, 2 from Bard, 1 from Prodigy
From here I would bee-line to Rogue 11 (character 15) to get Reliable Talent, which gains another 2 Expertise from Rogue at 6. Assuming Standard Array, the worst roll you could make is a 14, and the minimum of a skill in a prime stat with expertise is 23 (nat20 becomes 33). To finish this to Level 20 I would grab three more Rogue levels and two in Bard, bumping another stat, advantage on initiative rolls, font of inspiration, and I want Pass without a trace from Magical Secrets to show off a minimum stealth roll of a 33 (max 43).
I liked this one a lot. Interesting twist on the usual maximize dpr for a given character build.
I never would have guessed it was even possible to have at least proficiency in ALL skills! Let alone so fast! Bravo! 👏
Thanks!
My version of this build (the order of the levels as needed): Variant Human with the Skilled Feat. 11 levels of Rogue Scout for Reliable Talent and Expertise in 6(!) skills, two of which must be Nature and Survival. One level of Knowledge Cleric for Expertise in Arcana and Religion. Three levels of Lore Bard for Expertise in two more skills. Five levels of Fey Wanderer gives you one more Expertise. For feats I'd go with Xbow Expert, Sharpshooter and Tough and use the last ASI to bump Dex to 18. If you want to go more into allround and less for pure damage you could take Ranger 4 and Lore Bard 4 to get an extra ASI to max out your Dex. With this build you would also have a fourth level spell slot.
For spells the ones you really want are Bless, Guidance and Enhance Ability, to be used as needed.
In total, profiency in all skills, Expertise in 11 of them. If you make sure to take Expertise in Athletics and all three Int skills then the lowest you can roll is an 18 without Guidance or Enhance Ability. With a hand crossbow you would also be able to do (with Hunter's Mark) 8D6+ 1D4 +15 points of Damage in a single attack which, if you throw up Hunter's Mark on the turn before, you could easily get advantage on with the Aim bonus action. Not too bad. :)
A variation of this build I did a while ago which gives you proficiency in all 18 skills and expertise in 13 of those skills.
Variant Human, Prodigy feat, any background, level 6 Scout Rogue, pick up Skill Expert at level 4, level 3 Lore Bard, level 1 Ranger for Canny, level 1 Knowledge Cleric.
You can also add 3 levels of Rune Knight Fighter for the fire rune and a single level dip into Artificer so that you have access to the 'All Purpose Tool' which gives you expertise in all 23 tools.
From there you can go 5 more rogue for reliable talent and never get below a 22 on a skill check
or add 1 ranger, 1 artificer and 2 fighter for archery and thrown weapon fighting style, returning weapon infusion, sharpshooter feat and extra attack and use an infused returning dart to attack to tie in the throwing knife, 'Needler', build
or scrap the fighter levels altogether and go to level 9 Armorer Artificer to keep expertise in every tool, always have advantage on stealth, have extra attack, a magic lightning launcher (that you can still use sneak attack with) and have a ton of infusions in your armor
I love that this should be viable for BG3.❤
If combat is a concern, I'd recommend going half-elf with the following array.
STR 10, DEX 14 (+1), CON 10, INT 12, WIS 14 (+1), CHA 17 (+2); +2 Skills
Background: +2 Skills
LVL 1: Rogue 1: +4 Skills (8 total), 2 expertise (2 total)
LVL 2: Warlock (Hexblade) 1: CHA to attack, MED Armor, Eldritch Blast
LVL 3: Warlock (Hexblade) 2: CHA to Eldritch Blast, Beguiling influence (+2 skills) (10 total)
LVL 4: Cleric (Knowledge) 1: +2 Skills (12 total), +2 Expertise (4 total), Spells, Shields
LVL 5: Bard 1: Eldritch Blast keeps up damage, +1 Skill (13 total)
LVL 6: Bard 2: Jack of all trades
LVL 7: Bard (Lore) 3: +3 Skills (16 Total), +2 Expertise (6 total), Cutting Words
LVL 8: Rogue 2: Cunning Action
LVL 9: Rogue (Scout) 3: +2 Skills (18 Total), +2 Expertise (8 Total), +1 Sneak Attack Die
You keep up in combat through Eldritch Blast and you have 2nd level spell slots.
Then you can build out from there pretty freely.
If you don't like Rogue (Scout):
LVL 8: Bard (Lore) 4: Skill Expert - +1 Skill (17 Total), +1 Expertise (7 Total), 18 Charisma
LVL 9: Ranger 1: +1 Skill (18 Total), +1 Expertise (8 Total)
This way, your combat is on a strong stat (Charisma) and you have more bardic inspiration die.
Although, I think a true skill monkey would be part Artificer, so they can double any tool proficiency too. The issue is it will take longer, and you will have to decide to prioritize combat or skills.
If skills, Probably:
Half Elf
STR 10, DEX 14 (+1), CON 10, INT 17 (+2), WIS 13 , CHA 14 (+1); +2 Skills
(Tasha's Rules)
Background: +2 Skills
LVL 1: Rogue 1: +4 Skills (8 total), 2 expertise (2 total)
LVL 2: Artificer 1: Spells, MED Armor, Shields
LVL 3: Artificer 2: Infusions
LVL 4: Artificer (Battle Smith) 3: Int to Magic Weapons, Martial proficiency
LVL 5: Artificer (Battle Smith) 4: Skill Expert - +1 Skill (9 Total), +1 Expertise (3 Total), 18 Intelligence
LVL 6: Bard 1: +1 Skill (10 total)
LVL 7: Bard 2: Jack of all trades
LVL 8: Bard (Lore) 3: +3 Skills (13 Total), +2 Expertise (5 total), Cutting Words
LVL 9: Cleric (Knowledge) 1: +2 Skills (15 total), +2 Expertise (7 total), Spells, Shields
LVL 10: Rogue 2: Cunning Action
LVL 11: Rogue (Scout) 3: +2 Skills (17 Total), +2 Expertise (9 Total), +1 Sneak Attack Die
LVL 12: Ranger 1: +1 Skill (18 Total), +1 Expertise (10 Total)
LVL 13: Artificer (Battle Smith) 5: Extra Attack
LVL 14: Artificer (Battle Smith) 6: Tool Expertise
You survive on your weaker dex and spells until you can change over to being SAD with INT. 3 more levels of bard and you can get Shadow Blade, a finesse magic weapon created from spells. You can change this up to finish Artificer earlier to have more damage earlier.
This is a very fun character idea. I think I would try to play it more like Gandalf, who is very well-travelled and wise (and who doesn't cast very many flashy spells!). I would probably go with STR/CON/INT 10, DEX/WIS 14, CHA 14 (+2). First level Rogue1, second level Cleric1 (breastplate and shield for AC, cantrip Thaumaturgy "Do not mistake me for a conjurer of cheap tricks!"), third and fourth Ranger1-2 (for the Goodberry spell and fighting style Druidic Warrior: Thorn Whip and either ProduceFire or Shelaleigh), fifth through tenth levels Bard1-6. The lvl6 damage report (Toll the Dead 2d12) would be worse than your baseline, but you'd be Blessing, Healing and Inspiring your allies in combat instead of pretending to be a DPS... and the next level you could pick up Heat Metal if you wanted some more damage instead of Bless. The Bard4 feat should be War Caster. Bard6 Secrets of Arcana would be Spirit Guardians and Spiritual Weapon, so your later damage reports would be a little behind your Nature's Wrath cleric (lower available spell slot for Spirit Guardians would reduce AoE damage). Eleven and twelve are Ranger 3-4 (finally getting Deception proficiency, Ranger4 feat is Resilient CON), and then the rest of your career is Bard (ASIs bump CHA).
It would be really weak in combat at the first half of its career (but it would be solid support and provide excellent non-combat utility), but it would get significantly stronger at Bard6 (level 10). And, honestly, I think it'd be hilarious to be leaning on cantrips and first-level spells for so long while claiming to be a mighty wizard.
However, if you wanted to emphasize combat effectiveness, going Rogue1, Cleric 1, Bard 4 would get you Heat Metal and Cloud of Daggers by the first damage report. Then you would probably go Ranger 1&2 to get Thorn Whip to drag them into your Cloud of Daggers, then up to Bard 6 and then Ranger 4.
I really enjoyed this build. Also, as for the music, I like both, but I think the new music fits the feel of the videos more. The old one felt, to me at least, like a really fast hard turn to go from metally vibes to chill video vibes, but that may just be me. Either way is cool.
Metalllll intro!
Nice
Would have gone for half elf to have another +1 to two stats and the two skill proficiencies. May have delayed the accumulation of all skills but may have given higher stats to begin with and make you more well rounded
I would have also gone for scout rogue, dropped the ranger and cleric levels, taken the skilled expert and skilled feats and got to rogue 11 for reliable talent
Thanks for giving me this idea. I decided on my own build and made a half-elf at the start for better stats while still having an extra skill proficiency. I could go +3 dex, +2 to Cha, Int, and Wisdom, +1 con, and -1 STR. Making STR the dump stat for this over-achieving bookworm makes sense. Then at lvl 6 I could still have proficiency in every skill except for athletics if I go Rogue 1, Cleric 1, and Bard 4 and pick up the skilled feat then. From then I'd just go rogue all the way to get to reliable talent. If I really wanted to I could get skill expert at some point to get athletics as well, but I probably won't. Leave the heavy lifting to the barbarian.
For a slightly simpler version of this build you can go Scout Rogue 3, Lore Bard 3, Either 4 and get Eldritch Adept: Beguiling influence. Only 6 expertise's, but a bit less ability score dependent.
I did my own take on this build at one point. It was a Half-Elf Scout 6/ Lore Bard 14. A little slower to get everything since I needed two feats to get there, but it's been fun to see the differences.
before watching: i'm guessing both bard and rogue are involved
This was a great one. A true Jack of all Trades and super fun sounding
One note: Having proficiency isn't enough at later levels. At about level 5 you need at least your proficiency bonus + 1 to a skill check for it worth using most of the time, pb + 2 at level 10, and pb + 3 at about 15th level. Grabbing spells to boost your rolls is a good call.
I skipped this video originally not super interested in a skill monkey, I've been watching pretty early on in the start, the first video I watched being Swashbuckler optimized. Though I've missed many videos along the way, this is the first time I've seen you in a stormlight archive shirt. This has only reaffirmed that you are a man of great quality and culture.
I did a skill monkey
Half elf 2 prof
Background 2 prof
Skilled expert feat 1 prof
Prodigy feat 1 prof
11 Rogue-Scout subclass 6 prof
1 Bard 1 prof
1 knowledge cleric 2 prof
All but 3, intimidate performance and Athletics
Rogue get reliable talent at 11.
Cool build, thanks so much!
On the Psychic Blades: even later it might come in handy. Imagine you are stuck in melee. Despite having CBE, you could use one of your extra attacks to shove the enemy prone and then take two swings with your blades with advantage, which also helps to trigger your sneak attack. And since the character is likely to succeed on the Athletics contest, it will probably work 😊
Worth talking with a DM for this build to see if they'll allow your bard magic to be of the psionic variety. Make it be mechanically identical to the arcane, but it works brilliantly for tying the flavour together.
My only warning for this build is not the damage. If its an RP heavy campaign with a low to no emphasis on combat you are likely to overshadow literally everyone. And that kinda ruins their fun. This build has major "main character" energy. That being said, I love the play on mechanics and for a campaign without an emphasis on out of combat actions this would be awesome.
I'm liking the new intro music.
going halfling would give you ability to reroll nat ones on an original roll. Then you're only going to fail if you roll nat one twice in succession which is only a 1 in 400 chance. If you additionally take the lucky feat, three times per long rest you can roll another die bringing your chance of failure to 1 in 8,000. you're also monkey sized. :D We could call it the lucky, lucky skill monkey.
Love this one! Optimizing for the other pillars is super fun. Nice :)
Loved the build and also wanted to say love the shirt!!
Thanks!
Digging the new intro music!
I've always wondered how someone would optimize a warlord-esque character, a martial based around manipulating allies and the battlefield. In your death knight build you mentioned that support characters are hard to quantify but that intrigues me even more. In my head I either see like a warforged that has the mind of an animated chess king that controls his allies and uses chess terms or a hobgoblin warlord who commands troops into battle. I presume something like a valour bard/battlemaster fighter with the inspiring leader feat would be along those lines, but i've really wanted to see an optimizer's take on it. Sorry about the rant, just didn't really know where to post this that you would see it.
Edit: Just found the reddit, have posted on there as well for any viewers that would like to help me out
How about building a Zoro (not the anime) the actual black mask whip and rapier plz consider it🥺
If you only want prof in every skill, you could just go 4 Scout Rogue and 4 Lore Bard. Start with Half-Elf, and whatever background your class proficiencies don't cover. Then get the Skilled and Skill Expert Feats. That's all 18 skills right there with 7 of them expertise. Your stats won't be great, but if you only want prof in all skills there you go.
Why didn't I find you before? smooth talk about character creation and you share my little obsesion in crazy building, you are the perfect channel. hope you will growth a lot .
Thanks and welcome!
Ranger at 5th you can get pass without trace spell to turn the team into ninja stealth experts. Which I just rewound and you mentioned. i think that is totally awesome.
Love the music.
My offering to the Algorithm God
Wondering if you were aware of the core "Custom Background" option when you made this.
I`ll be honest.....I missed the metal anthem ahahahah.
Great content as always!
Jack of All Trades is not useless! It buffs your initiative roll)
good call!
Jack of all trade isn't useless after proficiency in all skills, as it does boost your initiative. It would only be useless if you were also a Harengon. Not great, but not useless.
What about Rune Knight? Once you apply the runes to yourself most of them give you advantage in two skill checks. Not exactly the same but now you're also a large creature who can grapple just about anything and kick ass with a great sword
Please do a strength based unarmed fighter!!!!
If only WOTC agreed and made a subclass tailored to those sort of shenanigans
Colby, add a little note on screen at 39:46. You only lose the psionic die if the skill check succeeds. If it fails you keep the die.
I can't edit after the fact, unfortunately, but what I meant to say, obviously, was "you only attempt to use the d6 if the initial check fails" - i.e. you can wait to see if the check fails first before you try to use the die. But yes, should have mentioned that you even get to keep the die if using it doesn't help.
Skill Expert and Prodigy feats could add expertise to a couple of skills as well. Your character should go around saying, "And Bob's Your Uncle" every time he successfully makes a skill check.
lol
Why rogues didn't but the damage like a truck? Man u have a plenty of d6's on that big hit, how this does not the biggest DPR in game?
Also thanks for the build Colby, was pretty fun to watch
I miss the improved sneak attack feat from earlier editions that turned them into d8s
Ah yes, the Beyoncé build. A dnd classic.
A level of rogue to start. +4
A level of ranger. +1
A level of bard. +1
The reborn race. +2
Any background gives 2 skills, but pick one with a feature that can't be replicated by a high Persuasion check. +2
The Eldritch Adept feat for beguiling presence. +2
The Skilled feat. +3
The Martial Adept feat, and pick commanding presence and tactical assessment as the maneuvers.
Take druidic warrior fighting style for guidance.
Take rogue to 3 for Inquisitive.
Take bard to 3 for Eloquence.
Take ranger to 3 for fey wanderer. +1
Take any or all to level 4 for the above feats.
That's 16, and jack of all trades gives half proficiency in the last 2.
Why martial adept, reborn, inquisitive, and eloquence? Because they're better than going lore bard and knowledge cleric for more skills. Inquisitive and eloquence give you skill floors to a wide selection of useful skills. Ensuring you roll high on important social and exploration rolls. Reborn, commanding presence, and tactical assessment allow you to add 1d6 to a wide range of useful skill checks. Ensuring you roll high. And of course guidance adds 1d4 when you have prep time and concentration freed up.
As for damage, stacking the psychic damage die from fey wanderer on to sneak attacks ensured with high insight checks from Inquisitive works well enough.
After level 12 pick one of your 3 classes and take it the rest of the way. More bard levels for full caster levels. More rogue levels for sneak attack upgrades. More ranger levels for half caster levels and all the odds and ends Tasha's gives ranger.
Edit: Put your first expertise into Insight and any future expertise occurrences into Str, Dex, or Int skills. Dex, Wis, and Cha are your main stats and the prority you pick will depend on which class you take beyone 4th level. Honestly with proficiency, the skill floor from eloquence, and fey wanderer adding both wis and cha to cha skills you probably don't need expertise in most cha skills.
16:55
Jack of all trades can continue to be useful as there are a number ability checks that do not allow proficiency.
Initiative is an example of a well known one, but there are other examples.
Some creatures that grapple or restrain on hit give ability check DCs to escape but do not allow athletics or acrobatics proficiencies to be added.
Similarly, If a creature cast telekinesis on you, you would be able to use your jack of all trades.
Wrathful smite has an ability check that doesn’t allow for proficiency too.
A more restrictive DM might not allow proficiency in a skill to be used when another table would. Such as when breaking down a door.
Counterspell is a nice one.
You rock, Colby
Good build for a two people party
Your hands have unusually large shadows around them
Thank you... I have always wanted this. Lol
I have a similar build, but I just go variant human, then start with rogue, then lore bard, knowledge cleric, then scout rogue all the way (scouts give you extra proficiencies as well). Decent damage thanks to sneak attack but that's not the main point. You'll still have enough ASIs to afford a feat at later levels
Journey before destination,nice shirt better saga.Love ur vids
I wonder how this would compare to an Artisan build, where the objective is to get as many tool proficiencies as possible instead?
This would be the most grounded lvl 20 character ever (assuming you took Rogue to lvl10). Kinda cool, just the best of the best at getting stuff done... just not taking out demi-gods in a fight.
3:00 I mean,, I have to have something to graph. LOL I died!
This is my build for the ultimate Skill Barbarian:
All Skill Proficiencies:
Lizard Folk (*Perception, *Stealth, History, Performance)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 14 14 8 13 8
LVL 1 Rogue (Insight, Persuasion, Deception, Sleight of Hand)
LVL 2 Barbarian (Rage)
LVL 3 Barbarian (Reck. Attack)
LVL 4 Barbarian (Bear Totem, Intimidation)
LVL 5 Barbarian (Polearm Master)
LVL 6 Barbarian (Ex. Attack, Fast Move.)
LVL 7 Rogue (Cunning Action)
LVL 8 Rogue (Scout, *Nature, *Survival)
LVL 9 Barbarian (Athletics, Acrobatics)
LVL 10 Ranger (*Athletics, Investigation)
LVL 11 Barbarian (Feral Ins., Ins. Pounce)
LVL 12 Barbarian (SE *Insight, Med, +1 STR)
LVL 13 Barbarian (Brutal Crit)
LVL 14 Barbarian (AH, Commune w. Nature)
LVL 15 Rogue (+2 STR)
LVL 16 Rogue (Uncanny Dodge)
LVL 17 Rogue (*Acrobatics, *SOH)
LVL 18 Barbarian (Rel. Rage)
LVL 19 Barbarian (+2 DEX)
LVL 20 Cleric (Knowledge, Arcana, History)
LVL 20 (PB +6)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 16 14 8 13 8
*-Acrobatics +15
-Animal Handling +7
-Arcana +5
*-Athletics +17
-Deception +5
-History +5
*-Insight +13
-Intimidation +5
-Investigation +5
-Medicine +7
*-Nature +11
*-Perception +13
-Performance +5
-Persuasion +5
-Religion +5
*-Sleight of Hand +15
*-Stealth +15
*-Survival +13
It's the second episode with the new intro music, at first I was like "ehhh...", but now I'm on board. It total suits you.
With 10 STR, 18 DEX, 10 CON, 10 INT, 14 WIS, and 14 CHA you have these bonuses:
+0 STR, +4 DEX, +0 INT, +2 WIS, +2 CHA. The +2 CHA is effectively +4 CHA thanks to Fey Wanderer.
With 7 Expertise and the desire to make the ultimate skill monkey, it makes sense to drop those expertise on your weakest stats, starting from STR/INT and then over to WIS. So assuming you drop it on: Athletics, Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion and with the leftover one being used for Perception. Add the 6 Proficiency bonus. At that point, your lowest skills would be at 8 for Wisdom checks (except for Perception), 10 for Dexterity and Charisma, and 12 for Strength and Intelligence, and 14 for Perception. Not as high as you can get by compounding Expertise on your stronger stats, but it goes a long way to making your character seem extremely competent at everything.
With point buy, I think this would be a good justification to fully dump STR and INT to 8 and using that to bump Constitution. If you're throwing Expertise at your STR/INT skills, they'll drop to +11 but still be really good for you.
Grabbing a Luckstone should be a huge priority, since getting that +1 to everything will help tie everything together even more.
New playtest gives humans a free feat on top of the background feat. Skilled can now be taken more than once.
Human Rogues can start the game with 13 skill proficiencies. O.o
2x Skilled: 6
Rogue: 4
Background: 2
Human: 1
New fastest "All-skills speedrun": Level 5?
1 level rogue: 13 skills
3 levels bard: 14 (level 1 bard), 17 (level 3)
1 level knowledge cleric: 18 (1 proficiency wasted?)
Or just 4 levels rogue (Take Skilled 3 times, lol) and one level of knowledge cleric
Some people have mentioned the 11th level Rogue already for its reliable talent. Although you can't hit the 18 skills as quickly, I feel like a Harengon Scout Rogue (11), Lore Bard (3), Hexblade (3) would be much more powerful. You take skilled and skill expert, the Beguiling Influence invocation (and Agonizing Blast, of course), and you can take your pick between Eldritch Blast or Sneak Attack (combined with a Rapier and Booming Blade?) for damage, whichever is better under the circumstances. You can concentrate on Charisma rather than splitting between Dex, Wis, and Cha. And you're skilled in all 18 skills plus thieves tools, 2 other tools, and initiative. Not to mention 7 skills you're expert in. Take your pick on Pact. You could even use your last Feat for resilient to get proficiency in a 3rd Saving Throw if you want to lean into that +6 Proficiency Bonus you've got.
Late to the party... my skill monkey of choice is a half-elf Rogue (Scout) 11+ for Reliable Talent plus Knowledge Cleric 1 with the Skilled feat and Guidance. Proficiency in all skills (and Thieves' Tools) except three by level 4. Expertise in eight of them, too. Grab the remaining skills, more Expertise, and half-proficiency in everything else (i.e., tools) by adding in Lore Bard after getting RT. Bonus points for being a PHB+1 build.
I would not optimize for damage with a skill monkey build. 6d6+ of Sneak Attack alone can provide satisfactory damage output. Since this build steals *everyone* else's thunder when it comes to ability checks, letting them shine at damage should keep the other players happy.
So I'm sort of doing something like this ATM.
I've taken Fey Wanderer to level 5 first, now I'm going to take 5 levels of Sorcerer. The point of this is 4 fold
1)more spell slots of Utility spells like Enhance ability.
2)Tides of Chaos
3)the level 5 Reroll
4)quickened Spells for combat, subtle spells for ooc.
So rather than going for proficiency in every skill, I was more aiming for abundant rolls (2-3 on each check) and bonuses (my Cha and Wisdom are both +3)
This is so useful. I would never play this build, but I'm definitely going to use some of these dips when I want expertise.
I've made one fun build with this spirit, but slightly different. First level in rogue, one level in bard, third level in rogue I picked scout for two more expertises, third level in lore bard, then one level in knowledge cleric. Then, straight rogue if you want more damage and Reliable Talent at rogue 11, Rogue Scout 16 / Lore bard 3/ Knowledge Cleric 1. Or, straight bard, if you want more versatility and spells, Rogue Scout 3 / Lore Bard 16 / Knowledge Cleric 1. You can get all skills at level 7 too, if you pick V human or Custom Lineage. I never used it in actually game, but seems fun.
You favor actor Anthony Starr (AKA Homelander) so much that I wouldn't be surprised if you were related.
I did a build with a similar idea in mind, but I want a different route. I stuck with bard, and stuck with College of Swords. Reason being, you aren't taking advantage of persuasion unless you can cast tongues. Having Luck helps with skill checks, and as a halfling you can re roll 1's. He isn't quite as good at skill checks, but has has good AC and Umph in combat with two weapon fighting. Considering you can get Magic Secrets, and he gets most of the important skill checks
I had a skill monkey build but I had different priorities for mine: #1 - leaving out 11 levels for rogue so I could get Reliable Talent. #2 - be proficient in all skills. #3 - get double proficiency bonus in as many skills as I can, especially those with passive scores (insight, investigation, perception).
I think I picked Half-Elf for race and for subclasses: Scout archetype, Knowledge domain, Lore college (that was pre-Tasha's, it's possible I'd build it differently if I were to do it today).
Builds like this are fun.
I think going for all skills is a super meme though, even in the context of a "skill monkey". Proficiency in all skills is not worth the opportunity cost of reliable talent at rogue 11 (assuming the game lasts that long).
While watching this I did a quick mock up build. It ended up;
Rogue (scout) 11/ Ranger (fey wanderer) 5
15 out of 18 skills known, 8 expertise picks (arcana, history, and religion were the skills i didn't take, because who has time for books anyways?!)
20 dex, aim (from tashas), extra attack, and Sharpshooter for damage.
I don't know what the damage would be exactly, but its probably a bit under what you have here do to the lack of crossbow expert. But there is another feat at rogue 12 of course. Or you could pick up that cleric (knowledge) level for two knowledge skills your missing. I don't think it matters too much... What does matter is that the master of all skills can still roll a 1, but a reliable talent rogue cannot.
Usually you recommend Stealth and Thief"s Tools for expertise. Why the change?
Bard also gets an instrument. Might I suggest a wind instrument, pan pipes would be good. Being proficient in a wind instrument is a requirement for the pipes of haunting and the pipes of the sewers.
For Bard Spells, I would chose Prestidigitation and Message; Silvery Barbs, Sleep, Unseen Servant and Healing Word. Identify would be my next choice.
Wild build! While I know the goal is proficiency in all skills, I really like the astral elf for skill monkeys (over half elves or Tabaxi which are the other popular options for folks) because you get Perception (or Tasha's custom options for a different one) innately then your Astral trance to switch your skill once per Long Rest. Githyanki also get Astral Knowledge, but they don't get the base Perception.
So you can trim some of the skill proficiencies if you're willing to have to adapt each day. Not sure what, to be honest but its a versatile alternative.
Since you're going Variant Human, Prodigy is probably a better option than Skill Expert. If you're going AL, you're limited to 3 classes for multiclass, so bard 4 earlier and then Skill Expert at the next time you'd get a feat. Or you can bump it differently, swap out Variant Human for Half Elf, shift skilled to later in the build and Prodigy or Skill Expert at a later point (Or do both and shift things around slightly to get an extra tool proficiency from Skilled.
Jack of all trade doesn't become useless, it still buffs ability check that cannot gain proficiency in like a strength check (that is not an athletic) initiative check (unless you started with harengon or took paladin oath of the watch) caster check like with dispel magic and counterspell, and TOOL proficiency, which you didn'T include in your 18 skill proficiencies.
for the alternate path, maybe a path where you do not get all proficiencies but do you really need them all? some of them are very redundant. Do you need persuasion, deception AND intimidation? If you have speak with beast do you need handle animal? If you have detect tought as a spell do you need insight?
If you accept to not have all the profiencie, you an then take sharpshooter at level 1, or grab a race that give 2 skill (instead of 4 from V.human) but some other bonus (half elf do give more stats bonus for a MAD build like this one
After doing some research, I found out that you can just use borrowed knowledge on yourself, and you can gain Skill Empowerment when you unlock level 5 spells, and that lets you gain expertise in a skill you have proficiency in. As far
I am already playing a college or swords bard, and they are just awesome in combat. They are just as competent in skills too. I am almost sure you can stack this with Borrowed Knowledge too.
With that in mind, The Lucky Feat is great for skill checks too. Also, halflings can re roll ones. Bard's have Bardic inspiration die to add to skill checks. Enhanced Ability if great with this build too, because it counts towards skills that use the contributing attribute.
With this set up, you have a character who is not only able to hold his own in combat, he also rarely fails a skill check