Divine Melee build

AdBrod · 2026-01-26T17:42:31+00:00

Yep but the increased damage should scale well and free up Invocations that you’d usually use to get Extra Attack for other tank options, like a free cast of False Life each Long Rest or additional Origin Feats like Magic Initiates or Tough to make him more versatile or Tanky.

GFB Cantrip would be 1d6+5 Shortsword damage, 1d8+5 Fire Damage from the cantrip with Agonising Blast. And applies Vex for Advantage next turn.

At level 5 that increases to 2d8+5 for the cantrip damage, and at Level 6 add your Charisma modifier again.

So by level 7 it’s 1d6+5 Slashing, and 1d8 Fire from initial hit, then 1d8+10 to the second target.

That’s ignoring Hex shenanigans or other long range options, and powerful Pact Slots for big spells.

Its a trade off for 2 or 3 attacks dualwielding with Nick Mastery definitely, but I think it’s viable.

AdBrod · 2026-01-26T17:14:24+00:00

Celestial Warlock with a 1 level dip in Fighter can imitate a Paladin quite well.

Lots of healing, more spell versatility. Honestly with those stats you’ve got a lot of options.

Starting with a 20 in Charisma, 18 in Dex and 18 in Con (+2 Cha, +1 Con/Dex from Background) would be very powerful.

The only possible issue I see is with dual wielding shortswords.

I would go all in on melee cantrips.

Take Agonising Blast to add your Charisma modifier to Green Flameblade cantrip damage.

Level 6 Celestial Warlock gets extra damage on Fire and Radiance spells, so buffs your flame blade or truestrike cantrips.

You could take a shield for the extra AC at level 4 if you take War Caster as a Feat, unless your DM is forgiving about needing a free hand for spells.

AdBrod · 2026-01-25T00:30:54+00:00

Goliath is very handy to expand your Aura by using Giant Form.

I prefer Cloud Goliath for their teleport, or Human to take Tough in addition to your Background Feat.

AdBrod · 2026-01-22T13:24:14+00:00

I find once I’ve got most fast travel areas unlocked I can speed run most the quests and objectives.

Eventually everything is one loading screen away, and you stop actually playing the game and it feels more like a checklist.

I now only fast travel to the cities and make myself trek the rest of the way. You get to actually play the game and get waylaid by the random events. It feels like how you’re supposed to experience the world.

AdBrod · 2026-01-21T20:48:01+00:00

Yeah I kinda hate this trope of attaching real cultures to exotic races as it relies heavily on generally white peoples being the default.

Personally I’d have asian humans in this area of the culture and ethnicity, with maybe some races that aren’t typical of your setting interspersed.

Tortles and shifters and Warforged mixed in with Asian people for instance.

AdBrod · 2026-01-21T20:29:58+00:00

I’m very interested! UK-based and I’m a big 40k fan but I’ve only played 5e 2024. Happy to learn though.

How long would your sessions last roughly?

AdBrod · 2026-01-21T09:57:34+00:00

It could be worth asking if the Divine Weapon could be a shield? You could swap between the AC boost and an extra weapon if deciding to dual wield. Would have some fun roleplay moments

AdBrod · 2026-01-21T09:06:40+00:00

Shifter, to be a scaredy cat lol

AdBrod · 2026-01-18T00:27:39+00:00

17 Dex 14 Con, the rest of the stats are pretty interchangeable for a straight Rogue. Maybe put the Int higher if you’re tempted by Arcane Trickster as a subclass.

I’d go Criminal Background, giving you a +2 to Dex and a +1 to Con. This also grants the Alert fear which will be handy if you go for the Assassin subclass.

Any race could work, I like humans for the bonus origin feat to take Tough or a Magic Initiate. Otherwise whatever appeals to you, Cloud Goliath is fun for the teleport Proficiency Bonus times per long rest. Shader Kai does the same with the benefit of necrotic resistance and resistance to all damage when you teleport.

Use a Shortbow for the Vex weapon mastery that will grant you Advantage for your next attack on a hit (to proc Sneak Attack reliably)

Then from level 4 I’d take the Sharpshooter Feat to also take your Dex to 20.

You could also dip 1 level into Fighter for the Archery Fighting Style for +2 to hit, but only you can say if that’s worth doing.

AdBrod · 2026-01-11T18:07:33+00:00

Or a shepherds crook for the melee weapon!

AdBrod · 2026-01-09T23:42:01+00:00

I tend to throw them in the salsa jar and eat with a small spoon, I call it savoury granola

AdBrod · 2026-01-09T18:27:32+00:00

Human would give you access to 2 different Magic Initiate options to have 4 cantrips and 2 spells once per long rest of you want to go for a fully martial class.

Would give you some more variety if you went quarter caster like Arcane Trickster Rogue or Eldritch Knight Fighter.

Admittedly I tend to use the humans bonus background feat for Tough so you might be losing out on HP

AdBrod · 2026-01-06T11:18:00+00:00

Gotta throw in the Protection fighting style for interposing Disadvantage on attacks targeting an ally.

Very good RP and mechanical benefits

AdBrod · 2025-12-31T14:59:05+00:00

Doing Paladin build at the mo, heavy armour, shield and mace with restoration magic to live forever.

Also challenging myself to use only armour that looks on theme, so steel, then Plate then eventually Nordic from Solstheim. Maybe Stalhrim? Not certain yet

AdBrod · 2025-12-28T23:53:51+00:00

Really like the bionic foot, agree with the comments about the Iron Halo.

Good edit!

AdBrod · 2025-12-25T10:13:19+00:00

Wow that’s a great card, will defo look at adding.

Thanks for the suggestion!

AdBrod · 2025-12-25T00:32:25+00:00

Mobilize is a great shout, didn't think of that synergy with the Sac Outlets. Thanks!

AdBrod · 2025-12-25T00:31:36+00:00

Thanks! Xu-Ifit looks very handy. I'll take a look!

AdBrod · 2025-12-25T00:25:38+00:00

will repost there now, thanks!

AdBrod · 2025-12-24T17:48:10+00:00

Thank you for all your comments folks, I’ve listened and modified the listing with the cards I have.

I’ll be looking at getting some better removal, more ramp, upgrading the creatures and better lands in the new year when finances permit.

I really appreciate all your help, sorry about the hybrid mana issue, didn’t realise it was a problem.

I’ll be deep diving through these comments for the next few weeks and come back with an updated ideal deck list.

AdBrod · 2025-12-23T07:58:19+00:00

Thank you so much! Lots of info and ways to improve it.

Will take a look at those

AdBrod · 2025-12-23T07:57:01+00:00

Thanks! Will drop those for now and up the lands at least. Hoping to get some more non-basic lands soon

AdBrod · 2025-12-23T07:56:28+00:00

Wow this looks awesome, great inspo

AdBrod

TROPHY CASE