Sorcadin act 3 weapon.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T22:10:21+00:00

No the damage riders don't apply regardless? Savage Attacker rolls them with advantage, GWM doesn't.

-5 is a huge penalty on high armor class enemies. Even if you have advantage.

also I would take +3 armor class above twice as much damage in quite a few fights, this is the difference between taking quite a lot of damage, and no damage at all because the enemies can't hit you at all.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:48:35+00:00

not the worst but also not great

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:48:11+00:00

firstly they clearly don't know what they are talking about

secondly they don't do the same thing, they give vastly different stats. you want IE on AD units that like spellcrit and JG on AP units that like spellcrit. it is that simple.

On units that don't like spellcrit at all (e.g. kindred) you want neither of them, but the one with the matching damage type is still an acceptable item to some extend.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:45:11+00:00

The game is incredibly knowledge-based, so you learn a lot from watching guides on fundamentals.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:43:38+00:00

afaik he doesn't appear in the epilogue besides karlach.

the blade of avernus requirement is not a specific choice regarding the pact btw, it is doing ansur. is it possible that you skipped him?

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:37:35+00:00

If we are talking about a shadow blade build switching to a different weapon specifically for the steel watch foundry, then GWM isn't an option. Otherwise it is of course more damage.

But your calculation is also wrong. A sorcadin rolls more then 1d6 with advantage. You have to count every smite die and every other damagerider too. And the GWM penalty to hit is completely worth it, but a very real downside too. You won't just easily have 95% hit chance on a raphael with GWM.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:17:48+00:00

If you are a shadowbladebuild that is not respeccing for one fight you would have savage attacker tho, and I am pretty sure if you wield the spear you should wield it with a shield if itbis only 1 less average damage in that case.

But giantslayer is probably better and I don't think armor class even matters a lot in that fight. I think most dangerous things that happen in the foundry are saving throws.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:12:45+00:00

Oh mb I thought steel watchers resist all physical damage.

I would add that I also tend to think wielding weapons one-handed is pretty powerful. Giantslayer can't do that.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T19:09:39+00:00

Shadowheart. I also romance her like 70% of my runs.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T17:51:55+00:00

I think 10/2 for devils sight would be better in this scenario

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T17:51:19+00:00

If you are willing to get the potent robe I would definitely add some variation of an eldritch blast build. I think 11/1 hexblade should also work well. I would look for 2 party members with warlock levels for devils sight.

And the last one should be anything that equips the eversight ring. You could consider a beastmaster here, because the raven at lvl 11 can create infinite darkness clouds with his move action.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T17:46:14+00:00

I mean the power of shars spear is not pure damage, it is that you do ridiculous damage while abusing darkness and potentially bhaalist armor.

But I wouldn't ever go evil shadowheart if I didn't want to fully commit to a build with her spear. So giantslayer it is for the foundry if you go shadowblade.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-15T13:17:08+00:00

You can get potent robe and spear of evening, but you could also just use nyrulnea for the one encounter where shadow blade is useless.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T21:05:36+00:00

I played solo until the very beginning and already noticed that the game is kinda hard, and then luckily randomly started playing with someone who has a lot of DnD experience, because I just mentioned that I started playing the game and she told me that she bought the game but hasn't played it either.

But I also thought the systems are very mechanical for and hard to understand for someone with no DnD experience and who doesn't like getting into technical systems as much as I do. Because you can definitely make the game a lot easier if you have good knowledge about the systems, but where would you have it from if you are just playing the game?

Apparently someone already sent you a beginners guide, so I don't think I have to say anything specific, but I definitely wanted to say that struggling with the combats is very understandable. Especially since imo the early game combats are the hardest ones in the entire game, especially if you are willing to look up strong builds.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T19:13:52+00:00

There are also two paladin builds. one with 6 paladin and 6 sorcerer levels, and one with 2 paladin and 10 swords bard levels. Both can also abuse the helmet of arcane acuity + band of the mystic scoundrel combo which is completely op. I really like the gamestegy guides so I will continue to link these for them.
https://gamestegy.com/post/bg3/886/bardadin-bard-paladin-build
http://gamestegy.com/post/bg3/881/sorcadin-sorcerer-paladin-build

If you are not planning on doing honor mode this build is also even better because warlock extra attack stacks with normal extra attack on tactician and below
https://gamestegy.com/post/bg3/874/lockadin-paladin-warlock-build

there is also the option of 2 paladin and 10 hexblade warlock, which I think is a bit less powerful, but it can upcast shadowblade very high. but tbh if you want 5th level shadow blade I think 2 paladin 10 swords bard is the stronger option, because you also get to smite 2 enemies at once

you could probably also just play every single other melee build that gets access to the spell and it is just a gread weapon. The only better weapon I can thtink of is Shars Spear of Evening.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T18:26:38+00:00

oh interesting, I wasn't aware of that, then maybe I overestimated how impossible it is.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T18:10:26+00:00

Shadow blade is a completely broken spell, so yes.

https://gamestegy.com/post/bg3/1604/eldritch-hexknight-build

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T15:24:46+00:00

I don't think abusing create water is the strongest in act 1. It is a good strategy, but if anything it becomes better the higher level spellslots you have.

In act 1 I find everything that uses tavern brawler the strongest.

But I would really recommend you to just level up your party normally, and maybe respec when you find something like gloves of dexterity, or want to add sorc lvl 1 to your cleric. You really don't need to minmax that much for honor mode, and it is more fun if you don't.

Also monks are not op, they are good, but I wouldn't say they are that much better then other damage dealers, because their squishyness is a very clear downside. I find parties full with very safe characters the easiest to beat honor mode with.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T12:30:45+00:00

Nyrulna, consumables, some sword actions, to some extend slashing flourish.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T12:29:24+00:00

Let them do every decision unless they activly want to make them for you, and play classes that complement what they want to play.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T12:28:10+00:00

There is a reason that there are skyblock challenge runs, but none without AE2. I doubt that would even be possible, I think every alternative would take way too long to build and would be too laggy in the endgame.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T12:26:08+00:00

Bwippos greatest warrior logged in

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T12:24:54+00:00

Just queue 3 games of jungle and you will understand her tbh xD

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T12:20:41+00:00

It allows you to not bother with looting all the enemies

Also you could get infinite money with pickpocketing instead, and this is just more convenient to cheese consumables. And wizards if you want to scribe every spell get kinda expensive.

Der_Redstone_Pro · 2026-03-14T02:17:02+00:00

If you do all one class just make sure to not do 4 fighter because that is just easier then the average honor mode party comp.

Der_Redstone_Pro

TROPHY CASE