Baldur's Gate 3 @lemmy.world GeoGio7 @lemmy.world 10 mo. ago

Is Monk/Barbarian viable?

I'm waiting for the PS5 release because no PC atm but I've decided to play Ranger/Fighter on my first playthrough and really want to try monk/Barbarian on my second playthrough but wondering how hard it be to make it viable.

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Barbarian 2/Open Hand STRonk 10 with Tavern Brawler is one of strongest builds in the game. It's DPR is comparable to a GWM Barbarian.

The only builds that consistently do more DPR are Ranged Swords Bard/Thiefs and Ranged Champion Fighters.
- Imo the spicier build is OHMonk 9/thief rogue 3. You lose reckless attack, but with tavern brawler’s extra 5 to-hit, accuracy is already fantastic. You lose 2 damage per strike, but gain an entire extra bonus action that is resource free. That’s two more strikes with flurry of blows, an additional topple or push check, etc.
  
  It also gives you cunning action, which is bonus action dash/disengage without costing ki. The downside is your stats are more tight, and less AC, but I was still able to get to 20 with the right gear.
- What’s the build for (ranged not) ranger sword bards look like? I’m level 6 as a sword bard and just got some gloves that set my Dex to 18 and add +1 to attack so I’m feeling pretty stabby right now.
  
  Edit: ranged, not ranger
  
  Thief Rogue is a way better dip for a Swords Bard.
  
  Ranger is pretty disappointing as a dip unless you want just 1-2 lvls for a Fighting style and Heavy Armor Proficiency. Hunter is pretty mid, Gloomstalker was nerfed from the Tabletop version, and Beastmaster is really meant to be single class.
- So just make a strength focused monk? Also what stat should I use for unarmored defense?
  
  Unarmored defence is CON for barbarians.
Play on the easiest difficulty. You'll love it, I promise. It's like having a DM that allows you to do the most ridiculous stuff and still proceed in the game.
- But you can't multiclass on the easiest difficulty. And I quite like a challenge and have played quite a few other Crpgs
  
  Pop it in normal difficulty -> Multiclass -> return to lower difficulty.
  
  I think they did it that way because you can multiclass in ways that'll make the game harder.
  
  Whaaaat really? That seems like an odd restriction to make on the easy mode. I’m playing balanced because I want fun over pain but I haven’t dabbled in multiclassing yet. Enjoying my level 11 storm sorcerer who shocks people that touch him
Just my $0.02 on the matter:

After using Karlach as my Barb/Monk for a bit at lv5 on Tactician, it’s absolutely bonkers. I have basically pumped STR/CON and abuse Tavern Brawler and Rage, and lemme tell ya, doing around 40 damage per turn with just two basic attacks is pretty damn good. Planning on doing Barb 3/Monk x for Karlach since I want to get Frenzy and Reckless Attack for her for even more damage.
I'm playing as an half orc monk and he is very viable. Very hard to hit and punches everyone in the face.
- I meant Monk/Barbarian multiclass
I'm playing a monk as my first full playthrough, it's been a lot of fun.
Just be mindful of MAD (multi ability score dependent). Ideally your class or multiclass will rely on one score + constitution; that’s why combinations like sorcadin (sorcerer + paladin) are community favourites, because both classes use charisma. With Barbarian/Monk, you want STR and/or DEX, and WIS, on top of CON, so you’re gonna be spread more thinly there. Also, the unarmored defense from each class probably won’t stack (it doesn’t in tabletop, and I assume BG3 would handle it the same way) because you can only use one calculation to determine your armor class.

If by “viable” you mean “usable” then yes, it will be, especially on lower difficulties (and probably fun!). But if you mean “optimal” or especially strong, then from what I understand, no, not really. But I’m going off of my pretty basic knowledge of each class and how they interact; I could be wrong, and I haven’t tried that combo myself in the game.
- With no multiclass stat restrictions, does monk/barb actually need wis?
  
  Also you can go all in on either str or dex just fine because of monk weapons.
  
  Ahh that’s right, so you could actually just dump WIS if you don’t care about saving throw attacks. I forgot they lifted the stat requirement.
  
  But yeah that’s why I put and/or, and it looks like STR would be the pretty clear choice between the 2 for melee damage (since it’s the stat your other abilities depend on). I guess the only other consideration then is when it comes online, since you’re always starting at level 1, and I don’t know enough about the builds there to say
I didn't think you could dual class in this game.

In BG1 sure. 3? Didn't see the option.
- You can, in the level up menu there's an option to add a new classs.
  
  Huh.. what pairs well with Druid?
- You definitely can. It’s not immediately obvious but on the upper right of where your “level up” stats are there is an option to add another class level.
  
  Huh... wonder what Druid goes well with

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