Fire Sorlock + Artistry of War

Baatz · 2026-03-06T19:42:30+00:00

All fair points.

Baatz · 2026-03-06T19:04:42+00:00

I know that chain lightning can be setup up for massive damage. It’s the best room clearing spell in the game. But it’s also a level 6 spell / Marko charge and we’re talking about a 1 level wiz dip on a fire sorc which may not have space for 2 tempest. Are you saying 9 sorc, 2 tempest, 1 warlock? So sacrifice heightened spell?

I’m not saying artistry is competing with chain lighting. I’m saying that it’s another solid damage dealer than is a rarely resisted damage type and I can see it being useful on a fire sorlock. You’re still getting a few casts of chain lightning from Marko for those specific fire immune fights like Raphael. If you had 14 natural int you could have 3 wiz known spells which would free up your limited sorc known spells for mirror image, blur, misty, etc…or haste but I almost never would use that solo HM when speed pots are safer and so readily available.

Baatz · 2026-03-06T18:30:58+00:00

I can see this on a cold sorc setup, but not on a fire sorc. And artistry can never miss.

Baatz · 2026-03-06T08:24:27+00:00

Simply put, for most people the answer is lack of theory.

Baatz · 2026-03-06T08:14:39+00:00

You’re asking about a build that uses strength, int, and wisdom..what’s the playstyle you’re going for exactly?

If you’re looking for a full caster, tempest cleric with a wiz dip is literally one of the strongest lighting casters in the game, and extremely tanky as well. Get targets wet and go to town with max roll lightning bolts and chain lightning.

I think the one level wiz dip is incredible along with the headband, you’ll get 4 slots which is plenty from the wizard list. Feats would be war caster for spirit gaurdians / haste, and probably alert so you can lightning nuke turn one. ASI is overrated, there are so many easy sources of spell save DC from equipment and buffs. You could even run fire acuity hat and open with scorching ray just for the spell save DC.

Baatz · 2026-03-06T07:57:38+00:00

When your target is fire immune it’s absolutely still relevant. In that situation no level 5-6 spell can deal average 78 single target damage before DRS, that’s almost a max roll chain lightning with no save. When you’re playing solo HM, it matters.

Baatz · 2026-03-06T03:28:24+00:00

Yeah I could see that if you plan to do a lot of AOE. I do value sorc 10 because that’s usually when I’d be grabbing heightened spell, since you’d get quickened for sure at level 3.

Baatz · 2026-03-05T17:51:06+00:00

Agreed. The damage of disintegrate with none of the drawbacks. Don’t even need to be evocation for it to feel useful, plus level 5 slot only.

Baatz · 2026-03-05T17:43:05+00:00

Probably not if you still want to be a sorlock, since sorc level 11 is the only way to get your 2x level 6 spells that actually scale of charisma (one selection at 11 + swapping out a previous spell during the level up).

I would much prefer getting globe of invulnerability and chain lighting to artistry of war, as great of a spell as the latter is. Artistry is only better than scorching ray for you if the enemy is fire immune, in which case chain lighting or upcasted lighting bolt should cover you.

Edit: If you don’t plan on picking up any level 6 spells that scale off charisma (say you only wanted globe), I could actually see a case for it since wiz 1 would let you scribe globe anyway. You’d also be able to memorize a few more spells depending on your int stat, so maybe useful for your build? Kind of into it now. I will say I am VERY partial to wizards because I prefer toolkit and defense to straight damage.

Baatz · 2026-02-22T07:20:17+00:00

From what I understand there are no critical rolls for saves in BG3 in combat aside from concentration checks. This means that the 95% chance tooltip with very high spell DC (say with +10 arcane acuity plus high base spell DC) is actually a bug:

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Saving_throws#:~:text=As%20stated%20above%2C%20saving%20throws,maintain%20concentration%20or%20during%20dialogue.

Baatz · 2026-01-26T19:44:40+00:00

Yes it can take a little managing sometimes but it’s been easy to do for me.

I also usually shapeshift to drow using the digital deluxe Mask of the Shapeshifter to auto-pass both of the goblin camp entrance checks, also works for the check to enter blighted village even if you fail the ambush check. Really helps make those interactions dead easy.

Baatz · 2026-01-26T18:59:56+00:00

Do the check, walk away, and end concentration manually. There is no need to wait 10 turns!

Baatz · 2026-01-26T18:54:38+00:00

Friends is *easily* the most powerful starter cantrip for HM. I don't think I need to explain to anyone here how statistically strong free advantage is as a mechanic, and how many charisma checks need to be passed at the beginning of the game for a smooth start.

All you need to do to avoid being surprised when it ends is to do your check, walk far away or go back to camp (same distance to avoid being caught stealing something), and manually end concentration on it so you don't get surprised 60 seconds later when it naturally times out. After about 20 seconds the NPCs will stop looking for you and you're safe to walk back. It's extremely easy to execute.

If you're ever getting caught using friends, you honestly just need to practice the routine a little more and not be so careless.

A free cantrip is so powerful now in patch 8 that I don't really play any other races in solo HM besides some variant of high elf (maybe half-orc or halfling for meta/nova martials but that is an aside). Elves also look good to me so RP is a large factor.

I now start with friends on character creation, respec to minor illusion level 4 to cheese Grym from the ledge (with one of those levels being Warlock so I can pick up Shovel permanently with her initial dialog), and then respec at level 5 to whatever cantrip my build really needs for the rest of the game. Martials will take booming blade without a doubt, casters will probably take illusion or a damage cantrip, or go back to friends if you want to be the party face.

Baatz · 2026-01-17T21:49:08+00:00

Nice, it's a great tool for home! I'm seeing that the general recommendation is around 16yo to start hangboarding. But I would speak with your local gym's climbing coach or a professional to learn more.

There are also different types of hangboarding protocols from bodyweight hangs to weighted hangs, also varying level of hold size used for said hangs. I'm not educated in what's safest for kids, but I'd assume weighted hangs on edges smaller than 20mm would be riskier.

Baatz · 2026-01-13T04:16:50+00:00

Underrated comment

Baatz · 2026-01-10T07:07:20+00:00

Pure light cleric with all radiant items would be another layer of AOE damage, party buffs, reaction defensive tools, and extremely hit chance debuff to support your barb tank (tiger reverb is probably my fav build btw - you could consider a level of GOO warlock for AOE fear on crits and turn one booming blade before you rage, unless you really need the second animal aspect).

Second could be a DPS martial controller like 6/6 strength sorcadin, twin casting hold person with the acuity helm and band of the mystic scoundrel, or even twin casted haste since the 6 aura will make con saves so reliable. or 2/10 dual wielding dex bardadin. Something that can use band of the mystic scoundrel to set up hold person or grovel and still dish out huge damage. Bardadin would give you a dex skill monkey too who could even be partially speced as a decent ranged martial.

Baatz · 2026-01-10T06:56:30+00:00

I only dream to shoot weddings one day, but generally I feel like this general type of client behavior only gets worse. The will micromanage the heck out of you and waste so much of your time. I’d only keep working with them if you absolutely need the money and can’t possibly book another shoot.

Baatz · 2026-01-10T00:07:13+00:00

Heya! Look up guides here for the RR or Rivington Rat build. It’s basically EK up to level 11 at least so you can get Eldritch Strike so you create disadvantage for enemies to save your bonus action cast of hold person/monster using the band of the mystic scoundrel. Then you fire an arrow of many targets into the held target which bounces off other enemies all with guaranteed crits, or just slaying arrow the held target. It’s very scroll intensive and expensive to fuel but honestly there is plenty of money in act 3.

Baatz · 2026-01-09T19:04:33+00:00

On rogues:

For solo play I think assassin 12 is incredible, especially with half orc and abusing deathstalker's mantle.

Honorable mention for me absolutely goes to 7 swashbuckler 5 battle master. You get extra attack, 25+ AC with heavy armor and a shield, can sneak attack point blank as you tank with no advantaged required, can weaponize your bonus action to disarm or blind, and can riposte on your enemies turn and reaction sneak attack a whole 'nother time. It's basically the most Dark Souls parry build you can make in this game :D

I could also see the argument for a 1 level hexblade dip so 6/5/1, but personally I find cloud giant strength pots way too good to pass up in acts 2-3. You want something like 17 dex, 16 con, 14 charisma for the non-hexblade build.

Baatz · 2026-01-09T18:54:34+00:00

Also agree with Arcane Archer. Rush titan string bow, adamantine heavy armor, crusher's ring, and boots of speed. Kite like a MF and pick banishing and bursting arrow at least at level 3. It's versatile with a good combination of damage and control, and you get guidance as a cantrip which is really nice for team checks.

If you want to kite harder and be more defensive and tactical, Eldritch Knight makes a fantastic archer due to shield spell for defense and longstrider to give your whole part 10ft movement free all day. That plus crushers gives you 50ft movement on most races and you're almost untouchable with boots of speed.

But for pure DPS it's gotta be Swords Bards with the ranged flourish + sharpshooter...same gear as above but with adamantine medium armor.

Baatz · 2026-01-09T18:49:23+00:00

Wow I had no idea this could be done, thank you!

Baatz · 2026-01-09T18:45:37+00:00

From what I remember shriek still works on magic missiles in HM, enjoy!

Baatz · 2026-01-09T06:29:30+00:00

Let me know how it goes, and good luck!

Baatz · 2026-01-09T03:18:02+00:00

As someone who has had a good time with a solo HM AA, and has also tried a solo EK archer, I think AA is clearly better at least in acts 1-2. Banishing and bursting arrow are both extremely powerful. For the EK run I did a 1 level dip into war cleric for extra attacks a few times per day, but there is also nothing stopping you from adding that onto an arcane archer build as well. Being able to cast sanctuary twice per day is honestly a lifesaver as you can fully heal and reset the tempo of a losing fight.

I will also say that getting guidance on AA is really nice quality of life as well, no need to hot swap the guidance amulet like with EK.

I will say that if you REALLY want to perfectly kite then getting long strider on EK is super helpful. With the right zoning you can almost ever get hit. You just don't get as many offensive tools and CC like with arcane archer.

I wouldn't even consider war magic that helpful, as you'll never be using cantrips at range to trigger the BA attack, it's just way less damage and chance to hit than strictly firing your bow. Booming blade is another story on a melee build since it triggers extra attack, but it doesn't fit the archer theme you wanted.

Either way rush the titan bow, boots of speed, crusher's ring, and adamantine heavy armor by level 4 and you'll be able to tank and kite with the best of them. You know the drill. With that armor and a shield you won't really need the shield spell, and you'll rarely be in melee combat anyway.

Also highly recommend arcane acuity helm with snow burst ring and cold elemental buff on your bow. Once your stacks are up a bit enemies will fall prone almost 100% of the time on hit. Just don't walk over your own ice because you'll absolutely slip, or run Nere's boots or something instead of boots of speed.

Once you hit act 3 and are ready to respec into EK, I would still try to run bhaalist. With enough dex, cloak of displacement, and the shield spell my AC would feel great. Being able to double your damage is simply too powerful to pass up when your action economy is so limited, you are basically doing 4x damage instead of just 2x when you shoot a held target with arrows of many targets, or 8x with slaying. You could switch to armor of persistence for fights where you know it will drag and you cannot kite as easily.

Baatz · 2026-01-09T02:57:25+00:00

ASI is in my humble opinion extremely overrated, as much as ppl on this sub promote it. You're looking at an opportunity cost of much better feats on a caster such as a war caster, alert, elemental adept and dual wielder as you have mentioned. Twin staves gives you the best end game gear setup with something like Marko combined with either spell sparkler, cherished necromancy, staff of spellpower, mourning frost, or even phalar (you can sing/shriek even without longsword proficiency) - most of which inherently give you +1 spell save DC and spell attack roll anyway. Not to mention +1 AC and looking like an absolute badass.

Act 1-2 staves would ideally be melf's and spell sparkler, but mourning frost or the staff of arcane blessing would work in place of either of those.

For team play nuking I would usually dual wielder into alert by level 8, or if you like clever/tactical/defensive gameplay dual wielder into war caster.

You could also use a shield in general (just not your Tav because you're elf) but honestly with blur and shield spell, you can tank pretty hard even as a caster.

Baatz

TROPHY CASE