An Eclectic Collection of Fun and Effective Builds 3

[Bobthewizard]

Monster Under the Bed



As a thought experiment, I wanted to maximize the number of first round attacks for a MMOTM bugbear. Maybe this has been done already, but I didn't see it. But I also want it to be playable and have a theme of sneaking through the dark.

Race MMOTM Bugbear +2 Dex, +1 Wis

using two shortswords

Start 10,14,14,8,15,10 -> 10,16,14,8,16,10

1 Ranger 1, expertise stealth, favored enemy (humans and halflings)
2 Ranger 2 – blind fighting
3 Ranger 3 – Gloomstalker – extra attack 1st round (+6 init)
4 Ranger 4 Alert (+11 init)
5 Ranger 5 extra attack, PWOT, Silence – 4 attacks first round

All gloom stalker so far, but they're a lot of fun.

6 Fighter 1 – Superior technique (Ambush d6), second wind
7 Fighter 2 – action surge – 7 attacks first round
8 Fighter 3 – echo knight fluffed as his shadow. 9 attacks first round
9 Fighter 4 - +2 Dex (d6+12 Init)
10 Cleric 1 - twilight 300' darkvision and advantage on initiative
11 Monk 1 - Unarmored defense, Martial Arts
12 Monk 2 - Ki, Flurry of blows – 10 attacks first round

We have all of our first round attacks now. Some have limited resources of course.
(Attack, Extra Attack, Dread Ambusher, Unleash Incarnation) x2 with Action Surge
+ 2 attacks for flurry of blows = 10 attacks once per day, 8 attacks once per short rest otherwise

13 Monk 3 - Astral self for +5’ reach (could go Shadow for darkness then take devil’s sight next level, but I like the idea of his shadows reaching out and attacking.
14 Monk 4 - +2 Dex (d6+13 Init with advantage)
15 Rogue 1 - Expertise perception and intimidation
16 Rogue 2 - Cunning Action
17 Rogue 3 - Assassinate (advantage on all of those first round attacks)
18 Rogue 4 - Fey Touched (Gift of Alacrity) (+13+1d8+1d6 init with advantage)
19 Ranger 6 – climb, swim speeds
20 Ranger 7 – WIS saves

If I went shadow monk, I'd consider taking monk to 10 at the end to get shadow step and more Ki, skipping Rogue and the last two ranger levels. Yes, you are doubling up Extra Attack, but level 5 isn't a dead level for monks since you get stunning strike.

Fighter 11, Ranger 3, Monk 6 would get you 12 attacks the first round 1x/day, but only at level 17 and above, and I liked starting gloom stalker, so then it made more sense to get to level 5 in that first.