I am a simple man. I see Colby, I click video, I like video. I live again for more d&d: o

Spectacular analysis I think the best use of the Double bladed scimitar is critfishing as a rogue or paladin

Absolutely loving the The Blender & the Battery combo btw !!!

This is actually exactly the thing I've been looking for, I really want to build around this item.

Well crafted video as always!

Whatever makes D&D fun for you and the rest of the group . . . . Let no one tell you that your fun is wrong.

Fighter 1, Spores Druid seems quite good with the double bladed scimitar. Getting the bonus attack without heavy feat investment let's the character get ASI to bolster STR and WIS, and the bonus attack let's the character maximize additional damage dice from Symbiotic Entity. The Guardian of Nature buff is the keystone. Blind sight + fog cloud by level 2 is great.

It's amazing for low level characters who don't yet have many uses for their bonus actions or haven't had the chance to grab feats yet. Example, summon one with pact of the blade on your hexblade ;) You know, because charisma to attack and damage counts for elven accuracy. But not for ever! After you max out your charisma and start grabbing PAM, you summon a different weapon

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You could also play a Samurai to get advantage reliably.

I think double bladed scimitar is a lot of fun for rogue builds considering great weapon fighting applies to sneak attack and the double scimitar is currently the only way to apply this.

im kinda loving how shorts are 25 min+ xD

The mathematical analysis is really solid, but I do appreciate the notes that your mileage may vary, and play what you want to play. I'm playing a double-scimitar wielding Ancestral Guardian Barbarian right now, just got to level 7 and I have no regrets. As you mention in the beginning of the video one of the main draws of the double-scimitar is very low start-up cost (no feats or fighting styles required) so I was able to just take it right off the bat and it stacked excellently with rage damage, and the bonus action attack combined excellently with mobile to make a great skirmisher. Hit and run tactics with the ancestral protectors feature allow me to pull aggro better than any. I'm starting to feel the slight lack in damage, but it's the character I want to play.

Man, this is fantastic content!

Very interesting deep dive into the weapon! I feel like pretty much everyone doesn’t even consider the double-bladed scimitar, so it nice to see someone do the math to see how much better/worse it is comparatively in different situations.

Seems like an obviously superior choice for Gnomes, Goblins, Halflings, Kobolds etc. since they can't use heavy weapons and therefore would never want to be using polearms.

i am excited for this fighting build

I liked this short. It was a really interesting look at the numbers without saying don't do this.

The truth is this is just one more example of the fundamental issue with 5e melee combat. The master feats are too good/too restricted. Its prevents other builds. The -5 +10 should be a feat on it's own and should be useable with any melee weapon

I’ve liked making battle masters with this because it’s fun, but also to get as meany extra attacks as possible, getting brace and riposte along with the bonus action attack, makes it feel like a damn helicopter. But if you don’t have flanking rules, it’s not the best thing ever, but didn’t feel bad either. If could get constant advantage, would be fun with improved critical.

Man i love your content. I've been binging through your videos all weekend. I've only been playing d&d for about a year so I'm still learning and I'm just about to start a new campaign. I'm going with variant human vengeance paladin with quarterstaff staff and shield, duelng fight style, and polearm master feat, with a single level dip into warlock so i crit on 19s and 20s and get to focus on charisma as my main stat to pump. At level 4 I'll take the sentinel feat to better protect the squishies of the party. This build might not keep up with a standard GWM pally build but from the numbers I've run it puts out some pretty crazily consistent damage while also having maximum AC.

I like how colby's short videos are as long as most peoples long videos

Happy New Year, Colby! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and time with us all. I'd love you see your take on optimizing a Sor-lock with Spell Sniper, Eldritch Spear, and Distant Spell.

Double bladed scimitar is fun on rogues I’ve found. I had a player with a 17 Dex on their rogue, and taking the feat bumped their DEX up to 18, and gave them finesse with the weapon. +2 to AC, bonus damage on offhand attacks, and a +1 to dex was simple but nice! They play a swashbuckler rogue too, which I feel benefits the most from two weapon fighting/the double bladed scimitar

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

here for the algorithm assist. keep up the good work.

Double bladed scimitar user can have 20 in its offensive statistic by level 4 if you give up the second feat at 4 for a +2 stat bump while using custom lineage. This may make an battle smith artificer or hexblade warlock pretty potent since they may also have elven accuracy up at this level. If strength based barbarian you can forgive revenant blade for the slasher feat.

I think the real benefit on this weapon would be on builds that are MAD and can’t afford the GWM and/or PAM feats, I’m thinking something like a paladin sorcerer multi class or something along those lines.

ty Colby

Slasher feat would also be good as a second feat option, though it wouldn't give you a damage boost. Also you could get a revenant double bladed scimitar (item) to get an extra +1 to AC (I think)

Good video as always. One thought for a future video, what are the best builds for taking out/nullifying a spell caster, kinda like your AC builds to counter the direct damage folks. I know there are a lot of variables to optimize for (reducing damage dice, optimizing against save or die spells, blocking crazy world bending options, etc.), so maybe group how a spell caster can mess with a character/party, and then show how builds scale in level to counter those options. It would be good that the builds not only nullify, but also have a good way to take them out, too. I'm guessing that the main answer will be counter a spell caster with a spell caster (my default thought is a college of lore bard with cutting words, counterspell, globe of invulnerability, antimagic field, etc), but maybe there's some build combos that would be interesting alternates.

@D&D: Optimized I know, this is an old video, so maybe, you won't read this: But this video has inspired me to think about a dual wielding character with two whips. So far, all I have been able to come up with has tons of flair but little practical use. Can you think of a cool build with two whips? I am stuck with the idea of a Battlemaster with Pushing, Brace and Tripping, sort of establishing battlefield control. One downside of Brace is, that you still only have one reaction per round. So I am not sure if we could actually stop anything, but Pushing and Tripping will help with that. It feels like whips are worse in every aspect to polearm master style weapons.

It grinds me so much that 1. the Elfiest of weapons doesn't work raw with bladesinging and 2. this thing is just. . .better.

One major benefit of the double bladed scimitar is that the great weapon fighting style is incredibly good with it, basically giving potentially a 50% chance to reroll damage for higher damage.

I think it’s worth mentioning that a Dex based fighter can use a bow and benefit from elven accuracy with it also (which is huge) and that the samurai fighter gives advantage with fighting spirit (which applies to action surge).

Seeing a rogue build with a double scimitar

Having a blast with my double bladed scimitar wielding shadar kai bladesinger. The dm allowed me to bladesing with it despite it being a 2 handed weapon since i have the revenant blade feat that makes it finesse.

DBS Shadar'kai ranger with Elvish Accuracy and Revenant Blade with a melee ally and flanking optional rule (as is the case at my table) taking advantage of hunters mark is how I'm making this work.

TWF caster has to take War Caster, while Double-Bladed Scimitar caster doesn’t.

Happy New Years the best double scimitar damage is through oath of Vengeance Paladin that's high level level 17

Happy new year! Video idea could you look at how the kensie archer monk does now after Tasha's? Deft strike now lets you make a bonus action longbow attack as you have spent Ki during your action. The longbow kensei now has something to do with their Ki. When conserving Ki you can use Kensei shot. Maybe a fighter or ranger dip for archer fighting style and then focus on dex and getting sharpshooter. Not sure how this would compare to the ranger or fighter archer.

My DM has let me be able to use a double-bladed scimitar with the finesse property for my bladesinger this weapon links into my character backstory but even if it did not it's still a pretty cool weapon to use on the battlefield and I do have the war caster feat so it kind of make sense that a bladesinger with the war caster feat could use a two-handed weapon when using bladesong

what about going rogue/arcanetrickster, with booming blade with sneak attack? Familiar will ensure your one necessary advantage roll if nothing else. Could multiclass with Ranger for the d8 from hunter subclass and d6 hunters mark, or pally for the smite synergy with arcane spells, 2-3 lvl dip of either. Although, I suppose if you're going to just make one attack you might as well use a rapier, with only an average difference of half a point and save the feat slot.

I’ve been thinking about a battle smith artificer polearm master build with either sentinel or war caster (or both if it’s doable). War caster could use booming blade/ray of frost that could be helpful while sentinel could completely prevent attacks on you from most melee adversaries. I was thinking this could be a tank/battlefield controller and would love to see what you think and a more in depth look

I'm thinking a Dex-based Vengeance Paladin with Elven Accuracy would make for a fantastic crit-smite-fishing build? Possibly Sorc levels after a certain point?

Happy New Year to ya! Isn't it weird that the butt end deals 1d4 slashing damage even though the images depict it as being identical to the other end?

I'm thinking of a Dexadin with a double bladed scimitar, maybe a shifter trained by the elves if the DM agrees. I just like the look in my head, sort of a whirling bladed monkey of death! Maybe a Swiftstride since I don't need the bonus action attack, then again, also the movement option is always good in many situations. Is that a concept that makes sense? What Oath would be best suited for this? Maybe oath of vengeance?

I know it's not an official class, but how well would say a Shadar-Kai Bloodhunter fair with a double-scimitar?

At around 21:00 you start talking about ways to get advantage, but I'm surprised that you didn't mention Vow of Emnity for Vengeance Paladins

I just got the blessing to be a custom lineage Wizard Bladesinger with the ability to use a DBS without breaking my Bladesong. Picked up Revenant Blade for my starter feat so I'm at 8/18/15/15/8/8. What would be your tips and tricks to maximize a build like this?

Can a hexblade warlock make good use of double bladed scimitar?

10:55 you'll need 2 levels in ranger to get a fighting style

I wanted to use this weapon on a bloodhunter, what do you think?

double bladed scimitar. with fighter- great weapon fighting style. rerolls 1s&2s. 2d4 on first attack 1d4. the each hit should be 2d4. granted bigger dice on other weapons but 2d4 for every main hand strike. other better weapon would be the dwarven urgrosh. axe spear. 1d8/1d6 3x crit.

How about 1 level fighter blindfighting, shadow monk x revenant blade elven accuracy?

First, you should look at Treantmonk's recent rogue/double-bladed scimitar build. I know it's far more recent than this video, but he didn't have any more information when he did his video than you had when you did this one. Double-bladed scimitar is basically the *BEST* damage option for an elven rogue simply because the extra bonus-action attack massively increases average DPR. Second (and this is just a house rule), I would rule that if you have either the two-weapon fighting style or the Dual Wielder feat, that the bonus attack you get with the weapon does the same damage as the primary attacks, 2d4. In fact, I'd rule this for spear and quarterstaff as well. But again, that's just a house rule ... and whether you're using Sneak Attack to massively increase your damage per attack or not, it's not going to do all that much to improve the weapon's damage. But that's why I would houserule in this way.

I found DBS works pretty good for Zealot Barbarian. Extra attack as bonus action help to shine for the Divine Fury - with Gift of the Chromatic Dragon and capped STR at lvl17 it will be 76dps against AC18. Nice for a monoclass character, who just won't die )

With the revenant blade feat isn’t the bonus attack also 2D4?

i know its ridiculous but Gwm is a 2 part feat. if you’re crit fishing with elven accuracy a second full attack seems to be worth it. seems worth it and you dont have to deal with that penalty. it also seems to me that a dex based champion fighter mixed with assassin rogue and gwm could be a real problem. at least with assassin you solve the advantage issue. and again if its surprise round you get that ba full attack. idk how to do the numbers but it appears to be an issue.

Hey! fellow optimizer here. I've been playing around with a circle of spores druid trying to create a great melee bases druid that doesn't require turning into a bear or something. I feel that the new druids from Tasha's are great because they use wildshape in new ways. Just wanted to see your opinion on the circle of spores and the new druids in general.

I am not with you on this one :) if you take vengeance paladin until level 5 with the 2 feats that you wrote but then multi to Rouge. In level 9 you take the slasher feat, this makes you a stronger charchter.

I know nobody will probably see this but, if u have devil sight and cast darkness on your weapon, u can basically be a mobile darkness and u can attack enemies in the darkness with advantage because u can see them with devil sight and they can’t see u. Depends on the DM but you could ask then if they will let u still use the bonus attack after booming blade and that’s even better because they will most likely run if they can’t see in the darkness and are taking damage

Elf rogue with a 2-level dip into barbarian and the feats revenant blade and elven accuracy.

Double-bladed scimitar user could get 20 dex at lvl 5, no? Custom lineage, 15 dex, +2 from race, +1 from revenant blade, +2 from ASI at level 4. Maybe that +2 bonus could affect the comparison without the need to get advantage?

With custom lineage "elf" you could the Revenant Blade feat and start with 18 dex and a +1 AC and also pick up elven accuracy and slasher feats. Could all be done as a fighter 8 having 20 dex. As to what subclass to take Im not sure. Samurai for advantage? Rogue would also be a fun build

Hey, when's the "Grappler Monk" video coming out? Can't just tantalize me with those numbers without a 45+ minute video to boot.

how would your view change on this topic if you could only choose either PAM or GWM but never both?

🥇!

Im currently makeing a build Elf (I know VH would be better its just the character) Vengence Paladin 5 (SMITE&ADV!!!!) Assassin Rouge 3 (You have dex investment for init and stealth.) The DM let us start with a feat so I got Revenet Blade 4th Asi Elven Accuaracy

Do you think the double bladed scimitar Will be competitive with Pam in one dnd?

Because I'm a bad person, I enjoyed listening to you struggle with the pronunciation of "scimitar" (which apparently I've been pronouncing wrong my whole life - at least the part where I knew what that thing was). The obvious lesson here is: Live in blissful ignorance and never look anything up.

It seems like you forgot to "add" the -5 to hit from GWM to your example at level 5. GWM would be at -2 to hit (+3 -5) versus the +4 to hit for the DBS wielder. Thats a huge gap in favor of the DBS wielder that doesn't seem to be accounted for in any of these comparison builds I've seen.

i NEED to play a char with that weapon

DBS is better than TWF since less magic items/feats needed to make it viable. While obviously no one is going to argue that it can compete with GWM, or even Sharpshooter, the enhancement to burst damage builds without requiring feats/fighting styles to be viable is pointless. Even with GWF style, the real benefit comes from the use of the ba attack, without requiring polearm master, and from it being a sword, meaning you can get a flametongue DBS (vorpal, moon-touched, frostbrand, etc), as opposed to needing TWF and separate magic items (if you ever get to higher levels with the PC). TWF only has the BA attack as something worthwhile, the demerits of requiring multiple weapons don't compare to the free damage without requiring a feat to be viable.

im not gay... but damn u handsome sir...

Y'all are sleeping on dex based paladin. Either OoV for hunter's mark and Vow of Enmity for EA advantage, or go OoA and try to get EA advantage through ensnaring strike or nature's wrath, both of which restrain the target therefore giving you advantage. Plus lvl 11 gives improved divine smite.

Why don't you try a Rogue build?

Viable option: Bladepact warlock with reverent blade feat, + 5 lvl spirit shroud + elderetch smight + cha per hit pact. Baseline +1 pact weapon 2d4+11+2d8 2d4+11+2d8+1d4+11 +2d8 + 5d8

It's a cool idea, but I still feel a rapier will do better in most builds. Wish it weren't such a garbage weapon.

I think you're looking at this wrong bud. it sounded to me like your polearm heavy users NEEDED feats to out perform the DBS users.

I think you are not considering what you give up racially by taking a race with a lv 1 feat. For example, a scourge Aasamar at lv 5 regardless of class gets +7 to damage /round, resistance to 2 damage types, healing, and a cantrip. Which to me has more value than the feats. Basically the real advantage to double-bladed scimitar, is not needing a first lv feat to keep up.

I disagree with your analysis to some extent. Part of the reason is I disagree with your optimization choices and the assumption of advantage. DBS produces a superior damage dealer in isolation ie without help for levels 1-7. I would also argue in optimized campaigns the DM likely will raise enemy AC to increase challenge to players hurting GWM builds. Lets look at optimized level 5 paladin builds: Paladin 5 - V Human - Polearm Master, Great Weapon Master, Great Weapon Fighting Style: 16/08/15/08/08/16 Paladin 5 - Custom Lineage - Revenant Blade +1 Dex, ASI +2 Dex, Great Weapon Fighting Style: 08/20/15/08/08/15 Enemy AC No Advantage: | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | GWM Paladin | 33.5 | 30.8 | 28.8 | 25.4 | 22.6 | 19.9 | 17.2 | 14.4 | 11.9 | 10.6 | 9.4 | Dex Paladin | 28.5 | 27.0 | 25.5 | 24.0 | 22.5 | 21.0 | 19.5 | 18.0 | 16.5 | 15.0 | 13.5 | Enemy AC No Advantage: | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | GWM Paladin(divine fury) | 37.4 | 34.4 | 31.4 | 28.4 | 25.3 | 22.3 | 19.3 | 16.4 | 14.9 | 13.3 | 11.8 | Dex Paladin(divine fury) | 34.4 | 32.4 | 30.5 | 28.5 | 26.6 | 24.6 | 22.7 | 20.7 | 18.8 | 16.8 | 14.9 | Summary: Dex paladin has better ac by 1, +6 better initiative, and hits for more average damage per round @AC 15 with no mods and @AC 13 under divine favor. GWM PAM will be better for a barbarian with constant advantage. The place for DBS to shine is on non-monk/barbarian martials below level 8 or on a rouge who desperately wants the second attack to trigger Sneak attack. This is about 1.2 DPR boost over TWF for rouge.