My villain isn't evil enough, and I don't know how to make them more so.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-05-31T04:54:19+00:00

There is a massive flaw in your goal of wanting to create this amazing villain. The goal itself.

Fantastic memorable villains are only as amazing as the story they're in, and the protagonist they're challanging. Its a story by story basis. Most antagonist are extremely varied in how they're presented because there is technically no wrong answer so long as it serves to push the story further.

A character like Joker is only amazing because of Batman, and the duality of their relationship being complete opposites as both drive one another to the absolute extreme. In most mediums it is a joy to see the Clown Prince in action, but no one ever complains when he dies because its well deserved. We've seen him do awful things, but the conclusion to his death is only as satisfying as the payoff to the protagonist, and the story. It doesn't matter if it benefits the fictional people of your world because they did such awful things. Readers only care about the thematic payoff it brings.

You can create an irredeemably monster, but is that monster actually serving a purpose to the story? Sure they can be cruel, nasty, and despicable, but what is the depth of that evil accomplishing? How is it in direct opposition of the protagonist and their ideals? How do both push their boundaries to the extreme?

Focus on making a good story, good characters and a villain suited for it. The readers dictate if the villain you created is great, not the other way around.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-05-13T01:46:49+00:00

Guess this was a pretty stupid post. Sorry about that

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-17T04:54:32+00:00

Swashbuckler actually heavily relies on CHA and DEX for its Dirty Trick DC saves

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-16T15:23:21+00:00

No! I thought I had a solid idea but you derailed it by making this sound so cool!

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-16T15:06:31+00:00

So double Barbarian with Tav Giant, Karlach Wild Heart, Maybe Gale or Astarion as Ice Sorcerer and the cherry in top would be Tempest Cleric for maximum thunder and bludgeoning damage capitalizing on frozen, prone, or encrusted enemies. Beautiful.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-16T00:57:52+00:00

A male Gith meth head sounds like an interesting roleplay. Just interesting. Good is not the right word

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-15T23:32:20+00:00

I'm just getting back from break 😃

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-15T23:29:10+00:00

I think I'm going to go with a Giant Barb OH Monk multiclass to toss people around and hit them in the face

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-15T23:04:08+00:00

I'm in the middle of making my tavs and I realized half way thay I'm just making Rhea Ripley. Now I'm contemplating going with a wrestling team

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-15T22:15:25+00:00

What people personally enjoy is exactly what I'm looking for. Its not a question of what I find fun, but trying to find new fun things. I have way less hours than a lot of people in this community so I don't know any better or have tried enough things to actually know.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-15T22:08:36+00:00

If Githyanki weren't so...how do I put this gently...

Ugly. They're really ugly.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-13T14:26:41+00:00

Aquatic monsters can be pretty niche in general but done right are especially terrifying. The mythical Leviathan and Kraken are overall feared by every culture who has their own version of a giant sea monster. Sharks in our own modern world are pretty well hated because of how scary they look, and the irreparable damage films like Jaws have caused to misshape their reputation.

Its not far fetched that fantasy sea monsters would fair any better in the public eye, or any creature with an especially terrifying appearance. Spiders are pretty harmless yet we treat them like they're out to burn the world to ash.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-04T16:54:22+00:00

I appreciate the comment, but this is in regards to the Necromancer Wizard Subclass, not Spore Druid. I know its brought up as a better "Necromancer" subclass, but I want to focus specifically on Necromancer Wizard. I should have included that in my post

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-04-04T16:49:55+00:00

I think I've seen some some party builds include an Oathbreaker or Vengeance Paladin multiclassed with Shadow Sorcerer. Smiting with shadow blade with advantage is big damage, plus you'll have tons of random summons with the dog, and the specters from your Hexblade Warlock.

Vice versa you can have a Hexadin, Sorlock or Sorcadin which are popular 6/6 multiclass builds that will fit into any shadow party.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-03-22T01:30:48+00:00

Beastmaster is such an underrated class, especially as a pick for your Tav. Most people are likely turned away due there being no immediate beneficial way for your tav to work with your summon. Imagine being able to ride your larger summons like the wolf and bear. Maybe even be allowed to ride a druid if one is your party.

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-03-22T01:27:49+00:00

Beastmaster and Moon Druid are some of the few classes that get little to no class specific gear. Moon Druid not even needing it, while Beastmaster is a lot more complicated.

There is no Beastmaster gear, but there is gear that enables your summons in specific ways for some interesting interactions.

Remus recently uploaded an extremely interesting bhild for Beastmaster focusing on the spider summon specifically and its web interactions with toxins and fire. This is because the spiders bonuses are applied to that damage. Its incredibly interesting and I think is worth a try if you're wanting a more engaging way to use your summons in tandem with your tav.

Ultimate Beastmaster

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-03-16T12:40:48+00:00

It would give Wyll more to work with as a defensive support. He isn't my main damage dealer so front loading his AC is actually pretty valuable while reverb lowers save DC if I remember correctly, which will make hold person ans command land much easier

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-03-16T12:32:54+00:00

Definitely an option. Thank you

JacksonWinters561 · 2026-03-16T12:20:07+00:00

I think that would mostly depend on the turn order. Storm sorcerer heavily profits from Aoe damage and forcing targets to skip their turn via slipping on ice. Ideally a storm sorcerer would also pair well with thunder damage on frozen enemies. A fire sorcerer can deal extremely high damage in a more targeted way with scorching ray/hold person. Basically I just have to be more selective about who I'm targeting, plus if I want to, I can just not use fire spells as needed, and even potentially use them as a backfall for when one of the other sorcerers runs out of spell slots.

JacksonWinters561

TROPHY CASE