d4: D&D Deep Dive
271 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago -Welcome to the D&D Deep Dive, or D4. This is a place where you can find D&D content for all interest and experience levels; from Live Play games to Optimized character builds to D&D related news and educational "How To" videos, there's something here for everyone!
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Episodes
D&D: Optimized Episode 20 - The Beast Master 2.0
December 08, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 46.1 MBSo everyone keeps saying that, post Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, the Beast master is fixed now, right? So... is it? Let's find out! Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TWf7ujb6YjNLF5JuHUKBaVs2ObXJt7QlsY291yBjYtE/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing 0:00 - 9:45: Housekeeping/Preamble 9:45 - 23:35: Overview of Ranger/Beast Master ...
D&D: Optimized - Slidin' Into My DMs
December 02, 2020 22:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBYou've been wanting to slide into my DMs, haven't you. Well, here's your chance.
D&D: Optimized Episode 19 - The Bladesinger 2.0
December 01, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBFinally! It's time to update the Bladesinger, which is both the character I've had the most fun playing in D&D, and also the one that was most impacted by the changes from Tasha's Cauldron of everything. Interested in doing *amazing* sustainable damage each round while also having access to the best spell list in all of D&D? Then you want to be a Bladesinger. Come find out why. Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19M-Nd_9TYqiSY6esAhORthAnBresUTY991Z...
D&D: Optimized Episode 18 - How Tasha's Changes Everything
November 24, 2020 16:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBWherein I definitively prove that I am not, in fact, Homelander. And also discuss Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, with a general overview and an update for my first 6 builds :). Updated Master Sustained Damage Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharing Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/DD-Optimized https://twitter.com/dndoptimized Music Credits: Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Cr...
D&D: Optimized Episode 17 - The Swashbuckler
November 16, 2020 23:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBRogues are only good for burst damage, right? WRONG! Shocking even myself, if you build them right, and, of course, if things go according to plan in combat (which they *always* do... right?) the Rogue can put out sustained, single-target damage per round on par with OR EVEN BETTER THAN any build out there. Don't believe me? Come see. Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ICBqQPAa0Mwa9ycfGs8ZFf3cQOV5MInOqcatXbVm0SA/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Co...
D&D: Optimized Episode 16 - The Yin Yang Team
November 10, 2020 02:00 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBTwo similar builds; one light, one dark. Fighting side by side, they are an incredibly destructive team, with capabilities to wreak havoc on the battlefield, while also providing support to their companions when needed. Who's the best teammate to pair with the powerful Hexblade Warlock? Come find out. Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14xwOrgJO3nZ8WRt0cpLMJVfI6tlz9KhWeheA-O0wOmY/edit?usp=sharing Master Team Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
D&D: Optimized Episode 15 - The Support Lore Bard
November 03, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBIn our first ever build optimized for support/healing, we dive into the Lore Bard and wind up with a character that buffs, debuffs, controls, heals, inspires, leads, sings, and dances. This one does it *all* (except damage, which is totally overrated). Come check out the Lore Bard and be the companion that *every* team of adventurers wishes would pick them! Math for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16So1XGLJ3MmYAwO2-N3FozUxWsqhtyF8gFax5ruAs1o/edit?usp=sharing Master Sus...
D&D: Optimized Episode 14 - Brainy and the Beast
October 27, 2020 03:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBYou asked, so here it is: our first ever episode optimized for team tactics as opposed to optimized for a single character. Today we discuss one of the best Area of Effect, Damage Over Time combos in all of D&D 5e: the Chronurgy Wizard and the Land (Underdark) Druid. One gets to be the anvil, one gets to be the hammer, and together, they lay waste to hordes of enemies simultaneously, by first locking them down, then subjecting them to withering damage over time spell effects, all at the cost...
D&D: Optimized Episode 13 - The Beast Master
October 19, 2020 22:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBIs the Beast Master *truly* worthless? Not by a long shot. Come learn how to bring both strong sustained damage *and* excellent control to the battlefield as we dive in to the most reviled sub-classes in all of D&D 5e! Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TWf7ujb6YjNLF5JuHUKBaVs2ObXJt7QlsY291yBjYtE/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/edit?usp=sharin...
D&D: Optimized Episode 12 - The Paladin Tank (Tankadin)
October 08, 2020 20:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBFinally! Another tank build so we can figure out who's the toughest D&D 5e character to kill (hint: it's this one). Come learn what makes the Tankadin the most durable adventurer in town, and the one *everybody* wants in their party. Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11wbFe9UB6qbCWANJheGan6IWZ3eQUt2wI1RDdfbd7rE/edit?usp=sharing Master Tank Compairson: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19XH-9FK6sPUGjOpFVg81-UXhb81cvg-zCnhbUi_Hxio/edit?usp=sharing Soc...
D&D: Optimized Episode 11 - The Death Cleric
September 28, 2020 23:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBSo you want to be a Cleric. You want to heal, bring your friends back from the dead, and lay waste to the undead. BUT you also want to do as much sustained damage as possible? You're in luck. Come learn about maximizing your damage while reveling in all your Cleric-y glory! Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LGcXASn0zEHg47il_dqXV5beibhdK9dFsIuK9C-6kOc/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0...
D&D: Optimized Episode 10 - Sustained DPR Spells
September 22, 2020 01:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBHave you ever wanted to know which spells were most efficient for sustainable damage per round in D&D 5e? Well, wonder no longer! This episode, we break down which spells are going to give you the most damage out of your precious spell slots for both area and single target damage. Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B40XLwIE19qgxWI8TQ_lpUDzQJHgOKQmOg5R3lAeVqc/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7...
D&D: Optimized Episode 9 - The Bard Locker
September 09, 2020 21:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBIs it possible to be a Bard *and* do great sustained damage? I submit that it is. Come learn about the Bard Locker build and be the all-singing, all-dancing, crap of the world, while simultaneously filling your enemies full of holes. Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MeFd1tv_o4Xe-avjrS1QZJP-sMrbL27jeNsKCk0KL0M/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg7cDqOC-0-vNFgEV9E5WQLDdCOdI64Vbnu60pC78/...
D&D: Optimized Episode 8 - Fighter vs. Barbarian, the GWM Showdown!
August 31, 2020 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBFighter vs. Barbarian! Which strength-based character does the *best* sustained damage per round (DPR) in D&D 5e? Which one takes best advantage of the famous Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master feats? Or is there a way to multi-class them to be better than either alone? Come find out on this week's episode! Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Cnv72-B5ZT3JMiDpcPAPf3mWrXizWllBFZfgpYLUnqU/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https...
D&D: Optimized Episode 7 - The Bladesinger
August 24, 2020 20:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBA melee wizard!? Impossible, you say? I say it's the best sustained damage dealing character build in all of D&D 5e. And also the most fun I've ever had in combat in Dungeons and Dragons. Come learn about the dancing, singing, death-dealing, probably overpowered Bladesinger. Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19M-Nd_9TYqiSY6esAhORthAnBresUTY991Z9KOjpIeQ/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HP...
D&D: Optimized Episode 6 - The Eldritch Sorcerer
August 14, 2020 22:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBSo you want to be a Sorcerer, but you want to do strong sustained *and* Nova damage without expending your spell slots, instead saving them for heals, buffs, utility, defense, aoe, and fun? Then this is the build for you. Come learn about how to build the Eldritch Sorcerer! Links to math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vQgSCo8i0S9TfbyFgIJ7UAOMFjm2NwfljiIGEcsFwRk/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPM...
D&D: Optimized Episode 5 - The Assasserer
August 10, 2020 22:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBOur first Nova or Burst damage build! Come learn how to create the most powerful Assassin possible in D&D 5e; by multiclassing this Rogue build with Sorcerer and others, your character can potentially do hundreds of damage in a single round - yes, even to a Tarrasque. Link to math/graph for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rDwq2NkPSauQapLs6oMhUGVH0Y3H2ycrGr0fjiAchaM/edit?usp=sharing Master Sustained Damage Comparison Charts: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HPMg...
D&D: Optimized Epidosde 4 - The Monger
August 03, 2020 23:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBWe take a deep dive into the Monk with a multiclass dip into Ranger (or Warlock) to squeeze the most sustained damage as possible out of this incredibly fun and versatile class. If you love being a Kung Fu Warrior who is at one with the universe, but want to get as much sustained damage as possible out of it in your Dungeons and Dragons campaign, then this episode is for you! Link to the math/graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WlzLh--9tkdWHapm3qVvwphIl2XxGqvsDa...
D&D: Optimized Episode 3 - The Bear Totem Barbarian
July 20, 2020 16:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWe take a deep dive into the Bear Totem Barbarian: A tanky beefcake that exercises a huge zone of control, locking down their opponents to protect their allies, while soaking up damage from the enemy, infuriating them with their inability to take the Barbarian down! We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your Bear Barb. Link to Math/Graphs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18TXtNWe...
D&D: Optimized Episode 2 - The Crossbow Fighter
July 14, 2020 21:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBWe take a deep dive into the Crossbow Fighter: a Ranged Attacker who stands in the backline, filling his foes with more crossbow bolts than they can count. Few builds, if any, will deal as much sustained weapon damage from range in D&D 5e. We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your ranged Fighter. Link to Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GrUQK-m1osS-...
D&D: Optimized Episode 1 - The PAMlock
July 14, 2020 21:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBWe take a deep dive into the PAMlock: a Hexblade Warlock who covers themself in darkness and wields a Polearm into battle, dishing out as much sustained Damage Per Round (DPR) as any character build in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. We'll crunch the numbers and get into the details of the most important aspects of an optimized character build to help you get the most out of your Warlock. Link to Math/Graphs for this episode: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zKRR9gPU1C98MsMAWc5xRwRNbRbF7FdYrc...